Abstract: This patent application describes an integrated apparatus for processing polynucleotide-containing samples, and for providing a diagnostic result thereon. The apparatus is configured to receive a microfluidic cartridge that contains reagents and a network for processing a sample. Also described are methods of using the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for performing microbiome analysis in the field of microbiology. More specifically, disclosed herein are methods and kits for remote sample collection and sample preservation so that analysis may be performed on the sample in a laboratory.

Abstract: A trailer having a hitch assembly, intended to be used with a receiver on the towing vehicle, enables the vehicle/trailer pair to back up easily by locking the trailer's orientation relative to the towing vehicle. The vertical pivot axis (yaw) may be locked while the lateral (pitch) and longitudinal axes (roll) may remain free to rotate to allow for bumps and dips in the road. Furthermore a steerable suspension can be provided for many embodiments such as with an actuator receiving a signal from the back up wiring of the vehicle to change the mechanical constraints of the steering system upon receipt of the signal (such as to lock the position of a first tie rod connecting the wheels to the frame while freeing another, and possibly altering the angle of the wheels relative to the frame in the process). Meanwhile a toe-in effect of the wheels can be achieved by using multiple tie rods with a front tie rod bent rearwardly towards a rear tie rod.

Abstract: A trailer having a hitch assembly, intended to be used with a receiver on the towing vehicle, enables the vehicle/trailer pair to back up easily by locking the trailer's orientation relative to the towing vehicle. The vertical pivot axis (yaw) may be locked while the lateral (pitch) and longitudinal axes (roll) may remain free to rotate to allow for bumps and dips in the road. Furthermore a steerable suspension can be provided for many embodiments such as with an actuator receiving a signal from the back up wiring of the vehicle to change the mechanical constraints of the steering system upon receipt of the signal (such as to lock the position of a first tie rod connecting the wheels to the frame while freeing another, and possibly altering the angle of the wheels relative to the frame in the process). Meanwhile a toe-in effect of the wheels can be achieved by using multiple tie rods with a front tie rod bent rearwardly towards a rear tie rod.

Abstract: Continuous equipment operation is facilitated despite disablement of an automation controller for controlling the equipment. A safe state in which equipment is to be maintained upon disablement of the automation controller is determined. Safe state data is provided for configuring an I/O module, through which the automation controller controls the equipment, with the safe state data to facilitate maintaining the equipment in the safe state during disablement of the automation controller. In one embodiment, upon subsequent enablement of the automation controller, a current state of the I/O module is evaluated and an automatic control state into which the equipment is to be transitioned is determined. The equipment is then transitioned to the determined automatic control state.

Abstract: A trailer having a hitch assembly, intended to be used with a receiver on the towing vehicle, enables the vehicle/trailer pair to back up easily by locking the trailer's orientation relative to the towing vehicle. The vertical pivot axis (yaw) may be locked while the lateral (pitch) and longitudinal axes (roll) may remain free to rotate to allow for bumps and dips in the road. Furthermore a steerable suspension can be provided for many embodiments such as with an actuator receiving a signal from the back up wiring of the vehicle to change the mechanical constraints of the steering system upon receipt of the signal (such as to lock the position of a first tie rod connecting the wheels to the frame while freeing another, and possibly altering the angle of the wheels relative to the frame in the process). Meanwhile a toe-in effect of the wheels can be achieved by using multiple tie rods with a front tie rod bent rearwardly towards a rear tie rod.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for blending process materials. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process material contacting system to increase wetted surface area for liquid contact as well as increase forced convective mixing efficiency of the liquid mixture. Use of a novel process material contacting apparatus allows one solid feeding element to serve multiple process material tanks, thus reducing overall system costs and decreasing set-up time/process variability while increasing operational efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rather than adding a process material to a volume of liquid held in a blending tank, the added process material is remotely blended with the liquid outside the process material tank.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for blending process materials. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process material contacting system to increase wetted surface area for liquid contact as well as increase forced convective mixing efficiency of the liquid mixture. Use of a novel process material contacting apparatus allows one solid feeding element to serve multiple process material tanks, thus reducing overall system costs and decreasing set-up time/process variability while increasing operational efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rather than adding a process material to a volume of liquid held in a blending tank, the added process material is remotely blended with the liquid outside the process material tank.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for blending process materials. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process material contacting system to increase wetted surface area for liquid contact as well as increase forced convective mixing efficiency of the liquid mixture. Use of a novel process material contacting apparatus allows one solid feeding element to serve multiple process material tanks, thus reducing overall system costs and decreasing set-up time/process variability while increasing operational efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rather than adding a process material to a volume of liquid held in a blending tank, the added process material is remotely blended with the liquid outside the process material tank.

Abstract: Continuous equipment operation is facilitated despite disablement of an automation controller for controlling the equipment. A safe state in which equipment is to be maintained upon disablement of the automation controller is determined. Safe state data is provided for configuring an I/O module, through which the automation controller controls the equipment, with the safe state data to facilitate maintaining the equipment in the safe state during disablement of the automation controller. In one embodiment, upon subsequent enablement of the automation controller, a current state of the I/O module is evaluated and an automatic control state into which the equipment is to be transitioned is determined. The equipment is then transitioned to the determined automatic control state.

Abstract: A method of providing an on line service to fantasy sports players who own, draft or manage fictional teams of professional athletes which compete against each other where the service is notifying a fantasy sports manager of last minute near real time sports updates relating to football, baseball or basketball of breaking information/lineup change information. The information enables the fantasy sports manager to quickly make a change to the lineup of his/her team and the fantasy sport manager, upon receiving the breaking information about a change that has occurred that affects the fantasy manager's daily lineup can quickly make a change to his/her team lineup to obtain a competitive edge.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for blending process materials. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process material contacting system to increase wetted surface area for liquid contact as well as increase forced convective mixing efficiency of the liquid mixture. Use of a novel process material contacting apparatus allows one solid feeding element to serve multiple process material tanks, thus reducing overall system costs and decreasing set-up time/process variability while increasing operational efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rather than adding a process material to a volume of liquid held in a blending tank, the added process material is remotely blended with the liquid outside the process material tank.

Abstract: A novel wireless messaging system for use in sending discrete messages between a parent and a child, is comprised of a master unit (parent) and a remote unit (child) where the master unit has a plurality of pre-set messages that can be sent by radio transmission to the remote unit. The remote unit will process the received message and will then activate the appropriate message as a visual indication on the face of the remote unit. The remote unit has the capability of sending at least one message to the master unit, which is typically a “Help” message that is received and processed by the master unit and converted into an alert. The wireless messaging system of the present invention is preferably battery powered thus allowing for mobility. The remote unit is also optimized for use by a child so that it can be attached to an article of clothing and such that it will withstand impacts.

Abstract: A method is described using optical fiber technology to measure the vibration characteristics of long slender structures subjected to dynamic disturbances imposed by water or wind generated loads. The method is based on making bending strain measurements at selected locations along the length of long slender structures such as marine risers or large ropes using fiber optics technology including Optical Time Domain Reflectometry and Bragg diffraction gratings. Engineering interpretation of information obtained from bending strains determines the vibration characteristics including frequency, amplitude, and wave length. Maximum bending strain measurements assess pending structural damage. One application is measurement of vortex induced vibrations (VIV) response of marine risers.

Abstract: A microwave heating system utilizes a microwave energy generator to provide microwave energy through wave guides to targets. The targets are microwave absorbers and thereby increasing temperature upon the contact of microwave energy. The heated targets then transfer heat to an area to be heated such as by conduction, convection or radiation depending on the particular embodiment. A sensor in the area to be heated provides an input to a controller for controlling the input of microwave energy to be directed to the target.

Abstract: A motion activated, voice controlled reminder system, wherein a programmable device automatically reminds the intended receiver of a future event, without any extraordinary action on the part of the recipient, thus enabling the user to, via a telephone, leave a message on a recording unit, specifying a date for message delivery, wherein the message is stored in a microprocessor until the programmed date, whereupon when motion is detected by the motion detector, the microprocessor audibly announces the reminder message.

Abstract: A motion activated, voice control communications device interactive with voice mail systems and electronic mail systems and effective as a stand-alone unit. In general, when a motion detector detects motion in the vicinity of the device, a microprocessor receives input therefrom to initiate a software command to check for messages. If messages are present, the device provides an audible report stating the number of messages waiting and provides a list of voice commands by which the user may initiate the next action, which may include review, erase or skip message or end session. The presently described communications device can be used in conjunction with voice messaging platforms or electronic messaging systems via a personal computer.

Abstract: A method for the direct measurement of large strains in ropes in situ using a plastic optical fiber, for example, perfluorocarbon or polymethyl methacrylate and Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer or other light time-of-flight measurement instrumentation. Protective sheaths and guides are incorporated to protect the plastic optical fiber. In one embodiment, a small rope is braided around the plastic optical fiber to impose lateral compressive forces to restrain the plastic optical fiber from slipping and thus experience the same strain as the rope. Methods are described for making reflective interfaces along the length of the plastic optical fiber and to provide the capability to measure strain within discrete segments of the rope. Interpretation of the data allows one to calculate the accumulated strain at any point in time and to determine if the rope has experienced local damage.

Abstract: A motion activated, voice controlled reminder system, wherein a programmable device automatically reminds the intended receiver of a future event, without any extraordinary action on the part of the recipient, thus enabling the user to, via a telephone, leave a message on a recording unit, specifying a date for message delivery, wherein the message is stored in a microprocessor until the programmed date, whereupon when motion is detected by the motion detector, the microprocessor audibly announces the reminder message.

Abstract: A method for in situ measurement of strain and temperature of metal and composite tubular's located in the marine environment using optical fiber techniques including Optical Time Domain Reflectrometry (OTDR) or Bragg Diffraction Gratings. The method provides the capability to make axial, circumferential and off-axis strain measurements on the body of the riser and in the metal to composite joint region. Through engineering analysis of optical strain measurements, the method provides the capability to determine the bending strain and frequency of Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV) imposed by ocean currents. Optical fibers of either glass or polymeric composition are located on the outside of metal or composite risers following fabrication and bonded directly to the outer surface of the riser structural body and encapsulated in an outer protective cover. Strain measurements are transmitted to the surface either by a continuous optical fiber light path or by telemetry of a digitized signal.