Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on an interfacial process of antigen-antibody molecular recognition, specifically between anti-Ro52 and Ro52 protein, in a piezoelectric resonator, for application in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases such as SLE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is a diagnostic method based on an interfacial process of antigen-antibody molecular recognition, specifically between anti-Ro52 and Ro52 protein, in a piezoelectric resonator, for application in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases such as SLE.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating protean water installation devices connected to water installation controlling apparatuses and comprising two or more water installation device profiles, wherein only one of the water installation device profiles is enabled at any given time are disclosed. Family descriptor files are associated with the protean water installation devices and with two or more virtual descriptor files. Each virtual descriptor file is associated with one water installation device profile of the water installation device; a registry location indicating the enabled water installation device profile is read at the protean water installation device and a virtual descriptor file, associated with the identified water installation device profile, is executed to operate the water installation device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for operating protean water installation devices connected to water installation controlling apparatuses and comprising two or more water installation device profiles, wherein only one of the water installation device profiles is enabled at any given time are disclosed. Family descriptor files are associated with the protean water installation devices and with two or more virtual descriptor files. Each virtual descriptor file is associated with one water installation device profile of the water installation device; a registry location indicating the enabled water installation device profile is read at the protean water installation device and a virtual descriptor file, associated with the identified water installation device profile, is executed to operate the water installation device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting smoke in an area. The apparatus may include a first detector module comprising a sensor configured to detect smoke in a volume of air received from the area, and a display module configured to receive input from the first detector module and provide output to a detection management device. The apparatus may also include a first backplane electrically coupled to the first detector module, and a second backplane electrically coupled to the display module and to the first backplane so as to transmit power, signals, or both between the display module and the first detector module. The first and second backplanes may be interchangeable.

Abstract: A method of updating software packets in a water installation controlling apparatus, the method comprising obtaining data comprising a reference of a last version of the software packets; for each software packet, comparing the obtained reference with a reference of the current version used in the water installation controlling apparatus; if the obtained reference of the last version does not coincide with the reference of the current version, selecting a corresponding software packet to be updated; in case at least one corresponding software packet is to be updated, requesting to the updating system a time when the update must be performed; receiving from the updating system the requested time; for each software packet to be updated at the time for performing the update, downloading the last version; replacing the software of the current version by the software comprised in the downloaded last version.

Abstract: Methods of creating a controller module configured to be used by a water installation controlling apparatus to control a water installation device which is associable with the water installation controlling apparatus and which is not compatible with a control protocol used by the water installation controlling apparatus. The method comprises: obtaining, from a user input, at least a predefined type of the water installation device; obtaining, from a repository of control instructions, a set of control instructions associated with the predefined type of the water installation device; creating the controller module; and including the set of control instructions in the controller module. The set of control instructions comprises output control instructions configured to be called, by the water installation controlling apparatus, according to the control protocol, and to be executed for operating the non-compatible water installation device as required by the control protocol.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided of controlling a water installation device by a water installation controlling apparatus by using a descriptor file. The descriptor file comprises one or more operation instructions and one or more configuration instructions having a textual data format. The method comprises processing the one or more operation instructions by the water installation controlling apparatus in such a way that operation of the water installation device is performed based on the one or more operation instructions. The method further comprises processing the one or more configuration instructions by the water installation controlling apparatus in such a way that configuration of the water installation device via a user interface is performed based on the one or more configuration instructions.

Abstract: A power line communication device comprises a plurality of transformers in series. These transformers are used to increase the voltage of a digitally encoded signal in a stepwise fashion prior to being coupled into a power line. While a transmit path includes at least a first transformer and a second transformer in series, a receive path may include only one of these two transformers. For example a receive path may include only the first transformer, or include the first transformer and a third transformer. The net ratio of voltage increase and decrease may be different in the transmit and receive paths.

Abstract: A smoke detection system as well as an apparatus and method for coupling a smoke detection system with a pipe communicating with an area to be monitored. The apparatus includes a first cylindrical body including a first end configured to receive and seal with a port of the smoke detection system, and a second end. The apparatus also includes a second cylindrical body including a first end coupled with the second end of the first cylindrical body, and a second end, with the second cylindrical body receiving the pipe with the second end. The apparatus further includes a gland coupled with the second end of the second cylindrical body, the gland being configured to receive the pipe therethrough and tighten to seal with the pipe, such that the pipe communicates with the smoke detection system, via at least the first cylindrical body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting smoke in an area. The apparatus may include a first detector module comprising a sensor configured to detect smoke in a volume of air received from the area, and a display module configured to receive input from the first detector module and provide output to a detection management device. The apparatus may also include a first backplane electrically coupled to the first detector module, and a second backplane electrically coupled to the display module and to the first backplane so as to transmit power, signals, or both between the display module and the first detector module. The first and second backplanes may be interchangeable.

Abstract: A power line communication device comprises a plurality of transformers in series. These transformers are used to increase the voltage of a digitally encoded signal in a stepwise fashion prior to being coupled into a power line. While a transmit path includes at least a first transformer and a second transformer in series, a receive path may include only one of these two transformers. For example a receive path may include only the first transformer, or include the first transformer and a third transformer. The net ratio of voltage increase and decrease may be different in the transmit and receive paths. Additionally, the communication interface can be disposed within an AC/DC converter or distributed among an AC/DC converter and an appliance attached thereto.

Abstract: A power line communication device comprises a plurality of transformers in series. These transformers are used to increase the voltage of a digitally encoded signal in a stepwise fashion prior to being coupled into a power line. While a transmit path includes at least a first transformer and a second transformer in series, a receive path may include only one of these two transformers. For example a receive path may include only the first transformer, or include the first transformer and a third transformer. The net ratio of voltage increase and decrease may be different in the transmit and receive paths. Additionally, the communication interface can be disposed within an AC/DC converter or distributed among an AC/DC converter and an appliance attached thereto.

Abstract: A power line communication device comprises a plurality of transformers in series. These transformers are used to increase the voltage of a digitally encoded signal in a stepwise fashion prior to being coupled into a power line. While a transmit path includes at least a first transformer and a second transformer in series, a receive path may include only one of these two transformers. For example a receive path may include only the first transformer, or include the first transformer and a third transformer. The net ratio of voltage increase and decrease may be different in the transmit and receive paths.