Abstract: An instrument includes a reagent management system. The reagent management system includes a plurality of reagent wells, each reagent well operable to contain a reagent of a plurality of reagents positioned therein. The reagent management system is operable to select a flow of reagent from one of the plurality of reagents. A flexible connection includes a laminate stack and includes a first flexible channel in fluid communication with the reagent management system. The first flexible channel is operable to route the flow of reagent therethrough. A flow cell includes a flow channel in fluid communication with the first flexible channel. The flow channel is operable to route the flow of reagent over analytes positioned in the flow channel. The flexible connection enables the flow cell to be moved by the instrument relative to a fixed reference point in the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument includes a reagent management system. The reagent management system includes a plurality of reagent wells, each reagent well operable to contain a reagent of a plurality of reagents positioned therein. The reagent management system is operable to select a flow of reagent from one of the plurality of reagents. A flexible connection includes a laminate stack and includes a first flexible channel in fluid communication with the reagent management system. The first flexible channel is operable to route the flow of reagent therethrough. A flow cell includes a flow channel in fluid communication with the first flexible channel. The flow channel is operable to route the flow of reagent over analytes positioned in the flow channel. The flexible connection enables the flow cell to be moved by the instrument relative to a fixed reference point in the instrument.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for till management. In one implementation, a recycling of notes is triggered using a recycler controller. The notes are recycled using a cash recycler, and the notes corresponding to a till. A coin value of plurality of coins corresponding to the till is recorded using the recycler controller. The coin value is determined by capturing a weight of a set of coins of the plurality of coins corresponding to a designated coin denomination. The weight of the set of coins is captured using a coin scale. The till is validated based on the coin value and the recycling of the notes.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for securely transferring a locked container from a primary vault to a secondary vault. In one implementation, a triggering event corresponding to a transfer of a first locked container from the primary vault to the secondary vault is detected. The first locked container is detected in the primary vault, and a second locked container is detected in the secondary vault. A transfer time for the transfer is determined based on when the second locked container is detected in the secondary vault. The transfer is validated as a compliant transfer when the second locked container is identified as the first locked container and the transfer time is within a time tolerance band.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for improving cash management system operation. In one implementation, a method for improving cash management system operation includes detecting an intervention event in connection with user activity of a user involving a cash management system. The method determines whether the intervention event meets an intervention threshold. A customized intervention particular to the intervention event and a the user is generated when the intervention event meets the intervention threshold. The customized intervention is output for presentation to the user. The customized intervention improves the user activity involving the cash management system.

Abstract: The present invention extends to lighting system providing a year round, seasonal decorative lighting solution that is both customizable and essentially permanently installed. A light strand includes a plurality of lighting assemblies containing lighting elements and having posts with exterior attachment mechanisms. The lighting elements emit light through the post such that the light is externally visible. A post of each lighting assembly can be placed through a corresponding hole in a building feature (e.g., a gutter or flashing). In one aspect, the post is self-securing to the building feature. In another aspect, a cap is attached to each post (e.g., screwed or snapped) to secure the lighting assembly to the building feature. A lighting control device can individually address lighting assemblies to control lighting sequences, patterns, colors, hours of operation, etc. of the plurality of lighting assemblies.

Abstract: A musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) device is configured to wirelessly connect to a MIDI dongle receiver or a Bluetooth enabled computing device, and transmit data from the MIDI controller to the computing device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to lighting system providing a year round, seasonal decorative lighting solution that is both customizable and essentially permanently installed. A light strand includes a plurality of lighting assemblies containing lighting elements and having posts with exterior attachment mechanisms. The lighting elements emit light through the post such that the light is externally visible. A post of each lighting assembly can be placed through a corresponding hole in a building feature (e.g., a gutter or flashing). In one aspect, the post is self-securing to the building feature. In another aspect, a cap is attached to each post (e.g., screwed or snapped) to secure the lighting assembly to the building feature. A lighting control device can individually address lighting assemblies to control lighting sequences, patterns, colors, hours of operation, etc. of the plurality of lighting assemblies.

Abstract: A method of flooring installation includes positioning a welding tip having a v-shaped plastic welding rod therein adjacent to a v-shaped joint formed between plastic flooring and plastic trim and heating the flooring, trim, and welding rod to flow the welding rod into the v-shaped joint to form a plastic weld bead and seal the joint. A welding tip and a welding rod are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of flooring installation includes positioning a welding tip having a v-shaped plastic welding rod therein adjacent to a v-shaped joint formed between plastic flooring and plastic trim and heating the flooring, trim, and welding rod to flow the welding rod into the v-shaped joint to form a plastic weld bead and seal the joint. A welding tip and a welding rod are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of electronically managing payment media, includes the steps of: (i) determining an amount of payment media dispensed from a payment media dispensing device, based on electronic point-of-sale data received from a point-of-sale register associated with the payment media dispensing device; and (ii) determining an inventory amount of the payment media remaining in the payment media dispensing device based on the determined amount of payment media dispensed from the payment media dispensing device. A computer program product can store a computer executable program that includes instructions to cause a controller of a transactions processing system to perform the above steps.

Abstract: This invention provides systems and methods that minimize or remove human intervention during the payment media handling process on the shop floor, in the back office and at the cash-in-transit place. By automating processes and providing physical, tamper evident secure means for transporting the payment media, it is possible to limit, if not remove, the need for retail staff to handle payment media. This invention also provides systems and methods that enable the retailer to count, reconcile and prepare the payment media in a format that is acceptable to the commercial banks. This invention further provides systems and methods for a secure audit trail that detail payment media movement from the payment media originating source to the bank.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates, to optical lithography and more particularly relates to the fabrication of transparent or semitransparent phase shifting masks used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. In particular, the present invention utilizes an internal etch stop layer and either a deposited substantially transparent layer, deposited partially transparent layer or deposited opaque thereon in an otherwise conventional photomask. The photomask of the present invention is used to make semiconductor devices or integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method of electronically managing payment media, includes the steps of: (i) determining an amount of payment media dispensed from a payment media dispensing device, based on electronic point-of-sale data received from a point-of-sale register associated with the payment media dispensing device; and (ii) determining an inventory amount of the payment media remaining in the payment media dispensing device based on the determined amount of payment media dispensed from the payment media dispensing device. A computer program product can store a computer executable program that includes instructions to cause a controller of a transactions processing system to perform the above steps.

Abstract: A method of repairing a photomask having a pattern layer, an internal etch stop layer underlying the pattern layer and a substantially transparent substrate. After the mask has been partially or fully processed, the mask is inspected for defects. Defects which are appropriate to be repaired are identified, and openings associated with each defect are written into jobdeck instructions. A new layer of photoresist material is then deposited on the photomask after cleansing, and openings associated with each defect to be repaired are written into the new layer of photoresist. After the openings are developed and rinsed so that the defects to be repaired are exposed, the photomask is again etched to remove the exposed defects. Since there is an etch stop layer underlying the defects in the exposed areas, only the defect is removed and no further damage is caused to the photomask. The photoresist may then be removed, and the photomask may then be inspected to insure that the defects have been sufficiently repaired.

Abstract: A method of electronically managing payment media in a retail store, the method including automatically determining the possibility of providing a proposed payment media management solution in response to a payment media processing request and providing the proposed payment media management solution, if possible, in response to the request. The proposed payment media management solution includes one or more of at least a start fund solution, a payment media change dispensing solution, a payment media advance solution, a bank deposit solution, a coupon redemption solution, a payment media acceptance operation solution, a payment media reconciliation solution and a payment media audit solution. A retail store includes one or more of at least a single store, multiple stores, one or more third party concession stands located within a single store and two or more stores located within a mall.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates, to optical lithography and more particularly relates to the fabrication of transparent or semitransparent phase shifting masks used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. In particular, the present invention utilizes an internal etch stop layer and either a deposited substantially transparent layer, deposited partially transparent layer or deposited opaque thereon in an otherwise conventional photomask. The photomask of the present invention is used to make semiconductor devices or integrated circuits.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to optical lithography and more particularly relates to the fabrication of transparent or semitransparent phase shifting masks used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. In particular, the present invention utilizes an internal etch stop layer and either a deposited substantially transparent layer, deposited partially transparent layer or deposited opaque thereon in an otherwise conventional photomask. The photomask of the present invention is used to make semiconductor devices or integrated circuits.