Abstract: A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an electrolyte, an electrolyte ink, a battery or other electrochemical cell including the same, and methods of making the electrolyte and electrochemical cell. The electrolyte includes an ionic liquid comprising a hydrophilic or hydrophobic anion, a multi-valent metal cation suitable for use in a battery cell, a polymer binder, and optional additives (e.g., a solid filler). The electrolyte ink includes components of the electrolyte and a solvent. The solvent and the polymer binder (or, when present, the solid filler) have a hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity or polarity similar to or matching that of the ionic liquid's anion, or form hydrogen bonds with the ionic liquid's anion. The electrolyte includes a solid inorganic filler that provides mechanical support form hydrogen bonds with the anion and/or a counterpart anion of the multi-valent metal cation, and links with a material in an adjacent layer of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an electrolyte, an electrolyte ink, a battery or other electrochemical cell including the same, and methods of making the electrolyte and electrochemical cell. The electrolyte includes an ionic liquid comprising a hydrophilic or hydrophobic anion, a multi-valent metal cation suitable for use in a battery cell, a polymer binder, and optional additives (e.g., a solid filler). The electrolyte ink includes components of the electrolyte and a solvent. The solvent and the polymer binder (or, when present, the solid filler) have a hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity or polarity similar to or matching that of the ionic liquid's anion, or form hydrogen bonds with the ionic liquid's anion. The electrolyte includes a solid inorganic filler that provides mechanical support form hydrogen bonds with the anion and/or a counterpart anion of the multi-valent metal cation, and links with a material in an adjacent layer of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an electrolyte, an electrolyte ink, a battery or other electrochemical cell including the same, and methods of making the electrolyte and electrochemical cell. The electrolyte includes an ionic liquid comprising a hydrophilic or hydrophobic anion, a multi-valent metal cation suitable for use in a battery cell, a polymer binder, and optional additives (e.g., a solid filler). The electrolyte ink includes components of the electrolyte and a solvent. The solvent and the polymer binder (or, when present, the solid filler) have a hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity or polarity similar to or matching that of the ionic liquid's anion, or form hydrogen bonds with the ionic liquid's anion. The electrolyte includes a solid inorganic filler that provides mechanical support form hydrogen bonds with the anion and/or a counterpart anion of the multi-valent metal cation, and links with a material in an adjacent layer of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A pill container and dispenser includes pill dispenser cap having a rotatable carousel with a pill receiving chamber. The carousel is rotatable between a position in which the chamber receives pills from a storage component of the pill dispenser, and a position in which the pill can be dispensed from the chamber to a user. The pill dispenser includes systems for detecting the dispensing of the pill, and systems for recording and/or reporting pill dispensing events to a mobile device or remote server to allow compliance tacking.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a framework for turning one or more multifunctional devices coupled to a personal area network (PAN) into virtual accessories of another multifunctional device coupled to the PAN. In one embodiment, connection between a multifunctional device and a PAN is established, where the PAN is further coupled to a set of multifunctional devices. One or more distributed functionalities associated with a multi-device capable application are assigned to each multifunctional device based on relationship between the multifunctional devices. At least part of the multi-device capable application is shared between the multifunctional devices. Using the multifunctional device, the one or more distributed functionalities are performed in collaboration with the other multifunctional devices.

Abstract: A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an electrochemical cell including a cathode, an electrolyte, and an anode including an elemental metal or metal alloy. The electrolyte includes an electrolyte salt, an ionic liquid, and an optional first polymer binder. The electrolyte and/or the anode further includes a protective metal salt in an amount sufficient to (i) reduce or eliminate hydrogen evolution or open circuit side reactions in the electrochemical cell, or (ii) plate out onto or alloy with the anode metal or conductive additives in the anode. The electrochemical cell may further include a first current collector in contact with the cathode, and a second current collector in contact with the anode. The second current collector may include a metal or metal alloy. In such cells, the second current collector may further include the protective metal salt, and the protective metal salt may plate out onto or alloy with the metal or metal alloy of the second current collector.

Abstract: A MOS RF surveillance and/or identification tag, and methods for its manufacture and use. The tag generally includes an interposer, an antenna and/or inductor on the interposer, and integrated circuitry on the interposer in a location other than the antenna and/or inductor. The integrated circuitry generally has a lowest layer in physical contact with the interposer surface. The method of manufacture generally includes forming a lowest layer of integrated circuitry on an interposer, forming successive layers of the integrated circuitry on the lowest layer of integrated circuitry, and attaching an electrically conductive functional layer to the interposer. Alternatively, an electrically conductive structure may be formed from a functional layer attached to the interposer.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an electrolyte, an electrolyte ink, a battery or other electrochemical cell including the same, and methods of making the electrolyte and electrochemical cell. The electrolyte includes an ionic liquid comprising a hydrophilic or hydrophobic anion, a multi-valent metal cation suitable for use in a battery cell, a polymer binder, and optional additives (e.g., a solid filler). The electrolyte ink includes components of the electrolyte and a solvent. The solvent and the polymer binder (or, when present, the solid filler) have a hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity or polarity similar to or matching that of the ionic liquid's anion, or form hydrogen bonds with the ionic liquid's anion. The electrolyte includes a solid inorganic filler that provides mechanical support form hydrogen bonds with the anion and/or a counterpart anion of the multi-valent metal cation, and links with a material in an adjacent layer of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A customizable chamber spectral response is described which can be used at least to tailor chamber performance for wafer heating, wafer cooling, temperature measurement, and stray light. In one aspect, a system is described for processing a treatment object having a given emission spectrum at a treatment object temperature which causes the treatment object to produce a treatment object radiated energy. The chamber responds in a first way to the heating arrangement radiated energy and in a second way to the treatment object radiated energy that is incident thereon. The chamber may respond in the first way by reflecting the majority of the heat source radiated energy and in the second way by absorbing the majority of the treatment object radiated energy. Different portions of the chamber may be treated with selectively reflectivity based on design considerations to achieve objectives with respect to a particular chamber performance parameter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for loan payoff and title transfer that significantly streamline and simplify the process of effecting ownership transactions. Some embodiments may include a computer network for providing communication between a plurality of title requestors and a plurality of financial institutions. Exemplary systems may include loan payoff and title transfer servers that may be operably connected to one or more of a title manager, a plurality of lenders, and a plurality of users. Exemplary systems may be configured to provide instant and comprehensive information on a vehicle whose title is encumbered by a lien held by a lender. Exemplary systems may also be configured to execute an accelerated loan payoff and title transfer process.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a scenario, such as a communications scenario in which the end-to-end quality of communications between end nodes of a communications link may be affected by various factors and conditions. Such factors and conditions may include performance parameters of the end nodes and intermediate nodes, human operational performance, and external conditions, such as weather. Qualitative and quantitative representations of the end-to-end quality of communications are presented simultaneously and in a time-synchronized manner with displays of the relevant performance parameters, indications of human operational actions, and locations of nodes of the communications link and external conditions.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, processes, circuits, and/or structures for laser patterning suitable for customized RFID designs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of laser patterning of an identification device can include the steps of: (i) depositing a patternable resist formulation on a substrate having configurable elements and/or materials thereon; (ii) irradiating the resist formulation with a laser tool sufficiently to change the solubility characteristics of the resist in a developer; and (iii) developing exposed areas of the resist using the developer. Embodiments of the present invention can advantageously provide a relatively low cost and high throughput approach for customized RFID devices.

Abstract: A method and system comprises transferring data from a first processor to at least one pulse generator directly connected to an interrupt control of at least a second processor. The transferring of the data bypasses memory. The method further includes reading the transferred data directly from the at least one pulse generator by the at least a second processor.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a scenario, such as a communications scenario in which the end-to-end quality of communications between end nodes of a communications link may be affected by various factors and conditions. Such factors and conditions may include performance parameters of the end nodes and intermediate nodes, human operational performance, and external conditions, such as weather. Qualitative and quantitative representations of the end-to-end quality of communications are presented simultaneously and in a time-synchronized manner with displays of the relevant performance parameters, indications of human operational actions, and locations of nodes of the communications link and external conditions.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and processes for manufacturing the same. The RFID device generally includes (1) a metal antenna and/or inductor; (2) a dielectric layer thereon, to support and insulate integrated circuitry from the metal antenna and/or inductor; (3) a plurality of diodes and a plurality of transistors on the dielectric layer, the diodes having at least one layer in common with the transistors; and (4) a plurality of capacitors in electrical communication with the metal antenna and/or inductor and at least some of the diodes, the plurality of capacitors having at least one layer in common with the plurality of diodes and/or with contacts to the diodes and transistors. The method preferably integrates liquid silicon-containing ink deposition into a cost effective, integrated manufacturing process for the manufacture of RFID circuits. Furthermore, the present RFID tags generally provide higher performance (e.g.