Abstract: A mixing container for a mixer, the container comprising, in exemplar embodiments, a cup and a lid, in which the lid has at least two sets of closely-spaced pins projecting therefrom. The sets of pins are spaced generally equidistant from each other and provide increased shearing of fluids or particulate matter being mixed within the cup.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for automatic power control (APC) in a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for APC in a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves obtaining multiple system parameters, determining an APC configuration of the communications device from the system parameters, and controlling a transmission configuration of the communications device based on the APC configuration. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is described an electrical isolator comprising a first fluid-carrying member and a second fluid-carrying member spaced apart from said first fluid-carrying member, a resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component located between and sealed against said first and second fluid-carrying member, wherein said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component is adapted to convey fluid flowing from said first fluid-carrying member to said second fluid-carrying member, a reinforcing composite encircling said first fluid-carrying member, said second fluid-carrying member and said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component, wherein said reinforcing composite is continuous and provides a conductive path between said first fluid-carrying member and said second fluid-carrying member, wherein said reinforcing composite comprises fibre and a resin mixture, and said resin mixture comprises resin and a conductive additive.

Abstract: A device for inductively coupled communications includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and a single ended antenna coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna. The RF front end includes an inductor coupled to a first terminal of a differential transmitter of said NFC module in the first transmitting path, and a capacitor coupled to a second terminal of said differential transmitter in the second transmitting path. The RF front end further includes a receiving path coupled to an input terminal of a single ended receiver of said NFC module. The RF front end does not use a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer.

Abstract: This specification discloses methods and systems providing reader-mode performance enhancement for operating a device that communicates via inductive coupling. In reader-mode, Tx (transmitter) power of a reader device is maximized even though for some tags, the communication distance is limited by Rx (receiver) sensitivity. Therefore, power is wasted. Even worse, a too highly boosted Tx power demands a high Rx dynamic range and consequently a low Rx sensitivity. In turn, the communication distance may even be degraded by a too highly boosted Tx power. Therefore, in some embodiments, reader-mode performance enhancement is based on backing off Tx (transmitter) power when not needed (energy distance>communication distance) to save power and/or to relax reader-mode Rx (receiver) sensitivity requirements. In some embodiments, the backing off of Tx (transmitter) is also based on a sensor determining a geometric position/location of a reader device relative to a tag-mode device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for evaluating interactions with a user interface are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a set of mutation events specifying changes to the structure of a user interface that occurred during the user session, and generating user interface states specifying different structures of the user interface throughout the given user session. Based at least in part on the user interface states, playback data that present visual changes of the user interface corresponding to the set of mutation events that occurred during the user session are generated. Session activity data describing user interactions that occurred during the user session are also generated. At least a portion of the playback data and the session activity data are output to a requesting device.

Abstract: This specification discloses methods and systems for implementing a chip integrated scope (i.e., chip scope (CS)), which is a feature that allows a user to scope RF signals (internally and externally to the DUT (device under test)), by using the RF receive path (including amplifier, filter, ADC, DSP) to capture and store signal traces. In some embodiments, this specification discloses methods and systems to enhance the sampling rate and resolution of these signal traces by using subsampling techniques where a post-processing merges the subsampled traces (with different phase-shifts of say, for example, 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) into a single trace that will appear to have a sampling rate that is higher than a pre-determined sampling rate used to collect these subsampled traces.

Abstract: An economical and simple method of producing para-menthane-3,8-diol in relatively high yield is disclosed. The product is useful as a repellent against noxious insects and other arthropods.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning a superalloy substrate having engine deposits on its surface are provided. The method may include applying a permanganate solution onto the surface of the superalloy substrate, and applying a ferric chloride based cleaning composition onto the surface of the superalloy substrate. The ferric chloride based cleaning composition includes ferric chloride and at least one of nitric acid and phosphoric acid, such as within a solvent system (e.g., an aqueous solution including water).

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves detecting a system condition associated with the communications device and tuning a matching network of the communications device in response to the system condition, where the matching network includes a hybrid transformer that separates a receiver of the communications device from a transmitter of the communications device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is described an electrical isolator comprising a first fluid-carrying member and a second fluid-carrying member spaced apart from said first fluid-carrying member, a resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component located between and sealed against said first and second fluid-carrying member, wherein said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component is adapted to convey fluid flowing from said first fluid-carrying member to said second fluid-carrying member, a reinforcing composite encircling said first fluid-carrying member, said second fluid-carrying member and said resistive, semi-conductive or non-conductive component, wherein said reinforcing composite is continuous and provides a conductive path between said first fluid-carrying member and said second fluid-carrying member, wherein said reinforcing composite comprises fiber and a resin mixture, and said resin mixture comprises resin and a conductive additive.

Abstract: An explosion proof connector is provided with first and second electrical connectors and first and second threaded sidewalls that surround the electrical connectors. The threaded sidewalls engage to secure the electrical connectors in electrical connection. Either the first threaded sidewall is rotatable relative to the first electrical connector or the second threaded sidewall is rotatable relative to the second electrical connector. A ratchet lock is carried by the first sidewall, and a ratchet surface is carried by the second sidewall, the ratchet lock being releasable and biased toward engagement with the ratchet surface. The ratchet lock permits rotation of the second sidewall relative to the first sidewall in a first direction and prevents rotation of the second sidewall relative to the first sidewall in a second direction. A release mechanism disengages the ratchet lock and permits the second sidewall to rotate in the second direction relative to the first sidewall.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for automatic power control (APC) in a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for APC in a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves obtaining multiple system parameters, determining an APC configuration of the communications device from the system parameters, and controlling a transmission configuration of the communications device based on the APC configuration. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) reader is disclosed. The NFC reader includes an antenna front-end that includes a low pass filter, a matching circuit and an antenna coil. The NFC reader also includes a NFC controller. The NFC controller includes an oscillator coupled to the antenna front-end and the NFC controller is configured to detect a presence of an object in proximity of the antenna front-end using one or more changes in an output of the oscillator. The antenna front-end creates a tank circuit for the oscillator.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a linear adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment plate, an adjustment nut, and a holding plate. The adjustment plate has an exterior-threaded section that engages with the adjustment nut, a mounting-bolt opening, and a clamping-bolt slot. The holding plate has a horizontal section having a clamping-bolt opening, a vertical section connected to the horizontal section, and an adjustment-nut opening. With (i) the adjustment nut engaged with the adjustment-nut opening and the exterior-threaded section of the adjustment plate and (ii) the clamping bolt inserted within (a) the clamping-bolt slot of the adjustment plate and (b) the clamping-bolt opening of the holding plate, (1) rotation of the adjustment nut on the exterior-threaded section of the adjustment adjusts the linear position of the adjustment plate relative to the holding plate and (2) rotation of the clamping bolt secures the linear position of the adjustment plate relative to the holding plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves detecting a system condition associated with the communications device and tuning a matching network of the communications device in response to the system condition, where the matching network includes a hybrid transformer that separates a receiver of the communications device from a transmitter of the communications device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device are described. In one embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves adjusting a phase configuration of the communications device in response to at least one system or environmental parameter, modulating a carrier signal with the adjusted phase configuration using active load modulation (ALM), and transmitting the modulated carrier signal from the communications device for inductive coupling. In some embodiments, the at least one system or environmental parameter is selected from one or more of the following: a distance information, a geometric information, a system code, a technology code, a transmitter current and/or a transmitter power, a detuning condition, a quality factor and a resonant frequency of a resonant system.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to auto-sweeping impedance-matching circuitry that matches an impedance of an RF antenna. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a transmitter that is configured and arranged to transmit signals to remote devices via the RF antenna, is used to communicate a plurality of test signals to the impedance-matching circuitry, with each test signal having a designated frequency and/or test signal pattern that is different than the designated frequency and/or test signal pattern of the other test signals. A characteristic of each of the test signals as passed through the impedance-matching circuitry is detected. For each of the test signals generated for the auto-sweep, the detected characteristic is compared to an expected characteristic for the test signal, and an output indicative of compliance of the impedance-matching circuitry with a design specification is generated and transmitted in response to the comparison.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a near field communication (NFC) device is provided, comprising a processor and a wake-up detector, wherein the processor and the wake-up detector are configured to operate in different power domains, and wherein the wake-up detector is configured to wake up the processor in response to receiving power derived from a radio frequency (RF) field. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of managing power in an NFC device is conceived, said NFC device comprising a processor and a wake-up detector that operate in different power domains, wherein the wake-up detector wakes up the processor in response to receiving power derived from an RF field.

Abstract: A device for inductively coupled communications includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna circuit. The RF front end includes a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer and a tuning capacitor. The Balun transformer has a first winding coupled to said NFC module via differential transmitter terminals of said NFC module and a second winding coupled to said tuning capacitor. A first terminal of said tuning capacitor is coupled to a receiving terminal of said NFC module. The Balun transformer and tuning capacitor provide a function of an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter.