Abstract: A system that supports multi-stage transactions through the use of biometric tokens, such as fingerprint images or iris scans. A user pre-stages a transaction by providing transaction details that can be used a later time to complete the transaction, and the system stores the transaction details in a transaction record that is identified by a biometric token captured from the user. In some systems, the biometric token is captured as part of the pre-staging process. In other systems, the biometric token is retrieved from a data store after the user has provided authentication information, such as a bank card or user-identification code coupled with a secret PIN code. When the user is ready to complete the pre-staged transaction, the system captures a second biometric token from the user and matches the second token to the one identifying the user's transaction record. The transaction details contained in that transaction record are then used to complete the user's transaction.

Abstract: A tamping and scraping tool for a food processor includes a flat blade in the form of a segment of a circle and a handle extending perpendicularly therefrom. The blade has an arcuate circumferential scraping edge and a chordal scraping edge interrupted by a central arcuate recess configured as a smaller circle segment. The flat bottom surface serves as a tamping surface; the chordal scraping edge permits scraping material from the bottom wall of the processor; and the outer scraping edge permits scraping of material from the processor sidewall.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing nodes in a wireless network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The second node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper, a timing error measurer for making a timing error measurement between the first time keeper and the second time keeper. The second timekeeper is adjusted to target minimizing the timing error measurement.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing nodes in a wireless network comprises a first node and a second node. The first node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The second node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper, a timing error measurer for making a timing error measurement between the first time keeper and the second time keeper. The second timekeeper is adjusted to target minimizing the timing error measurement.

Abstract: The erasing of data stored in a nonvolatile memory is performed using multiple partial erase operations. Each partial erase operation has a time duration that is shorter than the minimum time duration of an erase operation that is needed to reliably erase the data stored in the storage location. However, the sum of the time durations of the multiple partial erase operations is sufficient to reliably erase the data in the storage location. In one example, during a partial erase operation, a voltage is applied to a memory storage transistor to remove some, but not necessarily all, of the charge stored on a charge storage layer of the transistor. Following multiple partial erase operations, sufficient charge is removed from the charge storage layer to ensure reliable data erasure.

Abstract: A system for determining path stability using source routed packets in a wireless network comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to select a source route on which to send one or more probing packets, wherein the source route includes a path between a first node and a second node and calculate a stability of the path based at least in part on a success or a failure location of each of the one or more probing packets. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.

Abstract: An on-line physician care system having a system server and an archive storage device. A patient connects to the system with a patient computing device and is placed in a queue until a receptionist can be connected to the patient via a connection between the patient computing device and the receptionist computing device. An audio and video connection is provided to the receptionist for obtaining data is entered into the system server. The receptionist places the patient in a queue until a doctor is connected via a connection to a doctor computing device, providing an audio and visual connection. A diagnosis can be made, prescription issued, and the exchange captured in the archive storage device. An on-line system for archiving exchanges between a user and a service representative is also provided.

Abstract: A system for maintaining synchronization of nodes in a wireless network comprises a child node and a parent node. The child node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a first time keeper. The parent node comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a second time keeper. The parent node receiver is active for a guardband and wherein the guardband is adjusted to maintain synchronization of the parent node with the child node.

Abstract: A tamping and scraping tool for a food processor includes a flat blade in the form of a segment of a circle and a handle extending perpendicularly therefrom. The blade has an arcuate circumferential scraping edge and a chordal scraping edge interrupted by a central arcuate recess configured as a smaller circle segment. The flat bottom surface serves as a tamping surface; the chordal scraping edge permits scraping material from the bottom wall of the processor; and the outer scraping edge permits scraping of material from the processor sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one transducer that obtains a measurement of one aspect of the combustion process of a gas-burning device. The apparatus also includes a microprocessor to calculate gas usage of the gas-burning device based on the measurement obtained by the at least one transducer. Also included are methods for using the apparatus.

Abstract: The erasing of data stored in a nonvolatile memory is performed using multiple partial erase operations. Each partial erase operation has a time duration that is shorter than the minimum time duration of an erase operation that is needed to reliably erase the data stored in the storage location. However, the sum of the time durations of the multiple partial erase operations is sufficient to reliably erase the data in the storage location. In one example, during a partial erase operation, a voltage is applied to a memory storage transistor to remove some, but not necessarily all, of the charge stored on a charge storage layer of the transistor. Following multiple partial erase operations, sufficient charge is removed from the charge storage layer to ensure reliable data erasure.

Abstract: Timing synchronization for mesh networks is disclosed. A temperature calibration data is received. A plurality of previously stored calibration values each corresponding to different temperatures is adjusted based at least in part on the received temperature calibration data. A temperature measurement is received. A first clock offset is determined based at least in part on the adjusted plurality of previously stored calibration values and the temperature measurement.

Abstract: A system for congestion control for a wireless sensor network comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to determine a level of congestion at one or more nodes and indicate an adjustment to network traffic in response to the level of congestion. The adjustment to the network traffic reduces the level of congestion at the one or more nodes. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide instructions to the processor.

Abstract: Communicating using a mesh network is disclosed. A frame length used for communicating a packet between a first node and a second node of a wireless mesh network is selected. A route from the first node to the second node is determined including one or more intermediate nodes that receive and transmit the packet. Node to node communications within the frame along the route is selected such that a communication latency time is below a predetermined limit time for a predetermined percentage of communications between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: A composition for stabilizing organic polymers comprising a sterically hindered phenol produced by reacting p-cresol and dicyclopentadiene to produce a precursor and alkylating the precursor with isobutylene, and a tertiary amine oxide.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing orders from one or more of a plurality of vendors. A self service terminal includes a display presenting order icons that may be moved to an open area for initiation of an order, and a plurality of vendor icons representing different vendors. Initiating an order opens a transaction record for the order, and moving a vendor icon to an order icon opens a selection menu allowing selections from the vendor represented by the icon. The transaction record is continuously updated as selections are made. Upon a user selection to complete the order, a payment interface is presented allowing for payment. Upon payment, an order identifier is created and displayed, together with instructions for collecting or receiving the order, and order information is transmitted to each vendor contributing to the order, in association with the order identifier.

Abstract: Communicating using a wireless mesh network is disclosed. A route is determined from a first node to each other node in the wireless mesh network including one or more intermediate nodes that receive and transmit the packet. A frame length used for communicating a packet is selected based on the routes from the first node to each other node in the wireless mesh network. Node to node communications are selected within the frame along the route such that a predetermined average communication latency time is achieved.

Abstract: A laryngoscope for use with a disposable blade cover is provided. The laryngoscope comprises a handle and a blade. The laryngoscope further comprises an actuator system for selectively securing the disposable blade cover about at least a portion of the blade.

Abstract: Communicating for a mesh network is disclosed. A battery-powered node is assigned to communicate with a sending powered backbone node. The sending powered backbone node is assigned to either a first group or a second group. If the sending powered backbone node is assigned to the first group, then the sending powered backbone node sends a packet to either a gateway node or a second group receiving powered backbone node that is assigned to the second group and that is closer to the gateway node. If the sending powered backbone node is assigned to the second group, then the sending powered backbone node sends a packet to either a gateway node or a first group receiving powered backbone node that is assigned to the first group and that is closer to the gateway node.

Abstract: A laryngoscope for use with a disposable blade cover is provided. The laryngoscope comprises a handle and a blade. The laryngoscope further comprises an actuator system for selectively securing the disposable blade cover about at least a portion of the blade.