Abstract: Some embodiments include an electrical system. In many embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system input configured to receive a first power signal from an external power source. In the same or different embodiments, the first power signal can comprise a first voltage. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system output electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a charger module electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a resistive component coupled between the system input and the system output. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a power storage device electrically coupled to the system output and to the charger module.

Abstract: A washer fill system and method supply a suitable minimum amount of water necessary to wash a particular load of laundry based on readings taken from a pressure sensor that measures liquid pressure in the wash tub. Pressure sensor readings are taken intermittently during the fill process to determine when a sufficient amount of free water for washing the load of clothes has accumulated in the tub. This includes pressure readings taken while pulsing the washer motor to spin the wash basket. Other pressure readings may be taken during a pause in filling to measure the water run-off from the wetted clothes above the free water line, and the release of air bubbles from a load portion below the water line. Determining the sufficiency of the amount of wash liquid in the wash tub involves implementation of an algorithm with coefficients determined through regression analyzes, and may include other factors.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) is provided with a backup power supply that has an adjustable reserve power level that is based on a user's input and/or is configured to notify a user if a battery included in the UPS needs to be replaced. In one embodiment of the present invention, the UPS (or a circuit included therein) estimates a remaining life (ERL) of the battery by considering various battery conditions, including, but not limited to, a predetermined battery life expectancy, whether the battery is being used to power a load, and battery temperature. If it is estimated that the ERL is low, or below a predetermined threshold, then the UPS (or a circuit included therein) is configured to notify a user that the battery needs to be replaced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupler system is configured to couple to electrical terminals of a battery. The coupler system comprises a coupler bridge comprising a first section, where the first section comprises a first height and a first edge. The coupler system also comprises a second section adjacent to the first section and opposite the first edge, a first coupler coupled to the second section of the coupler bridge, and a second coupler coupled to the second section of the coupler bridge. The first section of the coupler bridge is configured to restrict the first and second couplers from being electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of the battery when the first edge faces towards the battery. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an electrical system. In many embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system input configured to receive a first power signal from an external power source. In the same or different embodiments, the first power signal can comprise a first voltage. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system output electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a charger module electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a resistive component coupled between the system input and the system output. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a power storage device electrically coupled to the system output and to the charger module.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a coupler system is configured to couple to electrical terminals of a battery. The coupler system comprises a coupler bridge comprising a first section, where the first section comprises a first height and a first edge. The coupler system also comprises a second section adjacent to the first section and opposite the first edge, a first coupler coupled to the second section of the coupler bridge, and a second coupler coupled to the second section of the coupler bridge. The first section of the coupler bridge is configured to restrict the first and second couplers from being electrically coupled to the electrical terminals of the battery when the first edge faces towards the battery. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) is provided with a backup power supply that has an adjustable reserve power level that is based on a user's input and/or is configured to notify a user if a battery included in the UPS needs to be replaced. In one embodiment of the present invention, the UPS (or a circuit included therein) estimates a remaining life (ERL) of the battery by considering various battery conditions, including, but not limited to, a predetermined battery life expectancy, whether the battery is being used to power a load, and battery temperature. If it is estimated that the ERL is low, or below a predetermined threshold, then the UPS (or a circuit included therein) is configured to notify a user that the battery needs to be replaced.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cable management device is configured to support one or more electrical devices. The cable management device can include: (a) a housing defining an interior space and having one or more apertures extending from an exterior of the housing to the interior space; and (b) one or more electrical outlets located in the interior space of the housing. The housing can include: (a) a stationary portion with a support mechanism; and a cover hingedly attached to the stationary portion. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a surge protector includes: (a) an electrical connector configured to receive electrical power; (b) one or more receivers configured to receive input via wireless signals; (c) at least one first switch electrically coupled to the electrical connector; (d) one or more first electrical outlets; and (e) one or more second electrical outlets electrically coupled to the electrical connector. In these embodiments, each switch of the at least one first switch is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more first electrical outlets and at least one of the one or more receivers. The at least one first switch is configured to turn on or turn off the electrical power to the one or more first electrical outlets based on the input received by the one or more receivers.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) is provided with a backup power supply that has an adjustable reserve power level that is based on a user's input. The UPS provides reserve power that can later be utilized to reactivate the UPS after a shutdown or deactivation state has occurred, when a user demand for reserve power is received. The UPS utilizes a rechargeable battery that can supply stored AC power when the AC power line input voltage level falls below a threshold level and a shutdown has occurred. The user can adjust the reserve level in proportion to her input and the user can later reactivate the UPS to supply stored AC power for a period of time. In one embodiment, the user can execute computer code on her computer that can remotely adjust the reserve power level, based on a measurement of the backup power available from the UPS.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) is provided with a backup power supply that has an adjustable reserve power level that is based on a user's input. The UPS provides reserve power that can later be utilized to reactivate the UPS after a shutdown or deactivation state has occurred, when a user demand for reserve power is received. The UPS utilizes a rechargeable battery that can supply stored AC power when the AC power line input voltage level falls below a threshold level and a shutdown has occurred. The user can adjust the reserve level in proportion to her input and the user can later reactivate the UPS to supply stored AC power for a period of time. In one embodiment, the user can execute computer code on her computer that can remotely adjust the reserve power level, based on a measurement of the backup power available from the UPS.

Abstract: A washer fill system and method supply a suitable minimum amount of water necessary to wash a particular load of laundry based on readings taken from a pressure sensor that measures liquid pressure in the wash tub. During the fill period, water is initially sprayed over the load to evenly wet the clothes. As the clothes become saturated, excess free water collects at the bottom and begins to fill the tub. Pressure sensor readings are taken intermittently during the fill process to determine when a sufficient amount of free water for washing the load of clothes has accumulated in the tub. This includes pressure readings taken while pulsing the washer motor to spin the wash basket. Other pressure readings may be taken during a pause in filling to measure the water run-off from the wetted clothes above the free water line, and the release of air bubbles from a load portion below the water line.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a cable management device is configured to support one or more electrical devices. The cable management device can include: (a) a housing defining an interior space and having one or more apertures extending from an exterior of the housing to the interior space; and (b) one or more electrical outlets located in the interior space of the housing. The housing can include: (a) a stationary portion with a support mechanism; and a cover hingedly attached to the stationary portion. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Abstract: An additive dispensing system for a washing machine includes a top cover, a reservoir removably coupled to the top cover, and a water valve coupled to the reservoir. A controller is coupled to the water valve. The controller is configured to control the water valve to introduce water into the reservoir to dilute the additive and initiate delivery of the diluted additive to the washer at a predetermined time during a wash cycle.

Abstract: An automated cooking system (10) cooks food (12) accompanied by machine-readable indicia, such as a bar code (16) read by a reader (18). Cooking data, including function coefficients, are accessed from an Internet server (20) based on the information in the bar code. An oven (40) cooks the food in phases in response to the cooking data and one or more monitored food parameters of humidity, temperature and weight. The cooking is controlled by functions in which one or more food parameters are multiplied by coefficients that vary according to food type.

Abstract: An automated cooking system (10) cooks food (12) accompanied by machine-readable indicia, such as a bar code (16) read by a reader (18). Cooking data, including function coefficients, are accessed from an Internet server (20) based on the information in the bar code. An oven (40) cooks the food in phases in response to the cooking data and one or more monitored food parameters of humidity, temperature and weight. The cooking is controlled by functions in which one or more food parameters are multiplied by coefficients that vary according to food type.