Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining payment for services provided to a patient by a healthcare service provider. The method includes receiving a description (203) of the healthcare services to be provided to the patient by the healthcare service provider; obtaining a cost estimate (205) for the patient responsibility portion of the cost of the healthcare services; and receiving payment authorization (207) from the patient in the amount of the cost estimate along with the payment method information. The payment authorization includes authorization to withdraw funds in the estimated amount from an account associated with the patient. After the healthcare services have been provided to the patient or after all claims relating to the healthcare services have been adjudicated, funds are withdrawn (215) from the account in the authorized amount.

Abstract: A system and method for providing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) control to maximize profits that include determining at least one demand based charging schedule and processing an OEM charging policy option to schedule charging of the at least one electric vehicle at a low energy production cost timeframe. The system and method also include modifying the at least one demand based charging schedule into a policy based charging schedule based on an acceptance of the OEM charging policy option by the at least one utility provider. The system and method further include facilitating payment of an incentive fee from the at least one utility provider to the OEM.

Abstract: A fleet management system includes a market component that monitors a hydrogen market and identifies one or more hydrogen parameters associated with the hydrogen market, an electric vehicle component that analyzes the hydrogen parameters and selectively instructs one or more electric vehicles to provide electricity for generating hydrogen based on the hydrogen parameters, and a hydrogen vehicle component that selectively instructs one or more hydrogen vehicles to obtain at least a portion of the hydrogen generated from the electricity provided by the electric vehicles. The fleet management system enables a fleet of vehicles using a plurality of fuel types to be effectively and efficiently managed. Moreover, the fleet management system allows a hydrogen economy to grow in an economical and pragmatic manner.

Abstract: A fleet management system includes a request component that receives one or more service requests and analyzes a first service request to identify a plurality of request parameters, a fuel component that identifies one or more fuel parameters associated with the fuel types, an evaluation component that analyzes a plurality of service parameters in light of the request parameters and the fuel parameters to determine a plurality of operating costs for managing the first service request, and a service component that analyzes the operating costs to select a first vehicle type corresponding to one of the operating costs for managing the first service request. The fleet management system enables a fleet of vehicles using a plurality of fuel types to be effectively and efficiently managed.

Abstract: A humidification device for a respiratory breathing circuit comprises an induction heater assembly to inject steam into a breathing circuit gas line. The assembly comprises a housing defining a housing lumen. An induction element is located around the housing lumen. A cannula is disposed within the housing lumen and surrounded by the induction element, the cannula being configured to receive a flow of water. A heating element is located inside the cannula, the heating element being at least partially surrounded by the induction element. The induction element is excited by electrical current to generate an oscillating magnetic field to create eddy currents in the heating element to heat the heating element, and thereby heat the flow of water in the cannula flowing past the heating element, to thereby vaporize the water into steam which exits the induction heater assembly and housing to be injected into the breathing circuit gas line.

Abstract: A breathing circuit includes a flexible hollow tube having a generally circular cross section and a flexible printed circuit board assembly disposed in the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly defines part of at least one inspiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube and part of at least one expiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly is configured to heat airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage, and monitor a first property of the airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage at multiple locations along the axial length of the flexible hollow tube.

Abstract: A humidification device for a respiratory breathing circuit comprises an induction heater assembly to inject steam into a breathing circuit gas line. The assembly comprises a housing defining a housing lumen. An induction element is located around the housing lumen. A cannula is disposed within the housing lumen and surrounded by the induction element, the cannula being configured to receive a flow of water. A heating element is located inside the cannula, the heating element being at least partially surrounded by the induction element. The induction element is excited by electrical current to generate an oscillating magnetic field to create eddy currents in the heating element to heat the heating element, and thereby heat the flow of water in the cannula flowing past the heating element, to thereby vaporize the water into steam which exits the induction heater assembly and housing to be injected into the breathing circuit gas line.

Abstract: A breathing circuit includes a flexible hollow tube having a generally circular cross section and a flexible printed circuit board assembly disposed in the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly defines part of at least one inspiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube and part of at least one expiratory passage within the flexible hollow tube. The flexible printed circuit board assembly is configured to heat airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage, and monitor a first property of the airflow within one or more of the at least one inspiratory passage and the at least one expiratory passage at multiple locations along the axial length of the flexible hollow tube.

Abstract: A battery electric vehicle charging station is disclosed, having grid and vehicle connections with a DC charger and controller that selectively charges the vehicle battery directly with DC power in a first mode and converts DC power from the vehicle battery to drive an inverter in a second mode to provide AC power to a power grid.

Abstract: A communication device or auxiliary ECU is activated when a fuel door of a fuel cell vehicle is open. Upon closing the fuel door, the communication device/ECU is shut off. The communication device/auxiliary ECU is operational regardless of whether the keys in the vehicle or not. This assures that communication of information can occur when a refueling station is most likely to request the information, i.e. when the fuel door is open. A temperature measurement device may monitor a vehicle tank temperature, communicate the tank temperature data to a filling station, and confirm that the tank temperature data is associated with the tank being filled.

Abstract: A holder for a bit is disclosed. The bit may include a first locking element. The holder may include a housing; a base assembly including a first hole; a second locking element partially disposed within the first hole and configured to move between a locking position in which the second locking element engages the first locking element to prevent removal of the bit, and an unlocking position in which the second locking element is spaced from the first locking element allowing the bit to be removed; and a follower assembly contained within the housing and configured to move relative to the housing and base assembly between a first position in which the follower assembly supports the second locking element in the locking position, and a second position in which the follower assembly allows the second locking element to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing road service to an operator of a vehicle are provided. Such systems and methods presuppose a navigation system of the vehicle is set to route the vehicle to a destination. A road service request from the vehicle is received and a waypoint along the route to the destination is calculated. The navigation system is remotely set to route the vehicle to the waypoint and road service at the waypoint is ordered. The road service includes swapping the vehicle with a new vehicle.

Abstract: Automatic valve actuator apparatus and valve actuator assemblies are disclosed. The automatic valve actuator apparatus may include a sensor assembly configured to detect a condition and transmit a sensor signal indicating detection of the condition, and a valve actuator assembly configured to be attached to the manual valve and to move the manual valve between open and closed positions. The automatic valve actuator apparatus may additionally include a control assembly configured to receive the sensor signal and to transmit a first control signal to the valve actuator assembly based, at least in part, on the sensor signal. The valve actuator assembly may be further configured to receive the first control signal from the control assembly and to move the manual valve toward the closed position in response to receiving the first control signal.

Abstract: Non-rigid tape apparatus and fabrication methods for microfluidic processing applications such as gel electrophoresis are provided, where microfluidic processing is performed on selected areas. Parts of the tape are formed by high pressure plastic film forming. Membranes and other structures are self sealing during and after penetration by pipettes and electrical probes. Rigid exoskeleton elements protect the non-rigid parts during processing and facilitate transport of the tape.

Abstract: Methods and systems employing the same for controlling braking characteristics of a vehicle are provided. Expected braking characteristics of the vehicle are received and driving condition data is continuously received. A determination as to whether the expected braking characteristics can be safely applied in view of the driving condition data is continuously made and the expected braking characteristics are applied when they can be applied safely.

Abstract: A method for normalizing messages received in response to transaction submissions is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of messages regarding the outcome of transaction submissions; normalizing each received message; linking the normalized message to an internal message that reflects the meaning of the received message; and retaining the transaction-specific elements of the received message in a separate, distinct location.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining payment for services provided to a patient by a healthcare service provider. The method includes receiving a description (203) of the healthcare services to be provided to the patient by the healthcare service provider; obtaining a cost estimate (205) for the patient responsibility portion of the cost of the healthcare services; and receiving payment authorization (207) from the patient in the amount of the cost estimate along with the payment method information. The payment authorization includes authorization to withdraw funds in the estimated amount from an account associated with the patient. After the healthcare services have been provided to the patient or after all claims relating to the healthcare services have been adjudicated, funds are withdrawn (215) from the account in the authorized amount.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for reducing the transmission of infrared (IR) signals outside of a reclamation receptacle. Techniques include using a reclamation receptacle having an IR transmitter configured to transmit IR signals when the reclamation receptacle is in a closed configuration and configured to cease transmission of the IR signals when the reclamation receptacle is in an open configuration. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may be deposited in the reclamation receptacle. The RFID tag may receive the IR signals and generate a radio frequency (RF) signal in response to the IR signals, wherein the RF signal indicates that the RFID tag is in the reclamation receptacle.

Abstract: Camera accessories configured to couple a camera having a camera optical axis and a scope having a scope optical axis are disclosed. Additionally, camera accessories configured to couple a smart phone having a camera with a camera optical axis and a scope having a scope optical axis are disclosed. The camera accessory may include a locking mechanism configured to selectively secure the portion of the scope to the scope-receiving assembly such that, when the camera is attached to the camera-receiving assembly and when the scope is received by the scope-receiving assembly, the camera optical axis coincides with the scope optical axis.

Abstract: A holder for a bit is disclosed. The bit may include a first locking element. The holder may include a housing; a base assembly including a first hole; a second locking element partially disposed within the first hole and configured to move between a locking position in which the second locking element engages the first locking element to prevent removal of the bit, and an unlocking position in which the second locking element is spaced from the first locking element allowing the bit to be removed; and a follower assembly contained within the housing and configured to move relative to the housing and base assembly between a first position in which the follower assembly supports the second locking element in the locking position, and a second position in which the follower assembly allows the second locking element to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.