Abstract: A biological test system has receptacles for a variety of removable electro-mechanical biological blood test-based elements having multiple features such as lancets or strips. Testing is through an analysis biological test processor that provides results to a user test output with all designed to be contained in a pocket-transportable user biological test form factor that houses all elements. Biological test elements can be interchanged for multiple sensing modalities with automatic activation based on cartridge insertion of a glucose test element, an A1C test element, a ketone test element, or the like. Designs can include a user sampler configuration selector for a user sampling selection that may be analyzed so a user-personalizable, biological sampler control processor can automatically disable operation for test safety if a user sampling selection is determined to be unacceptable. The system can also provide a user cartridge action prompt, a user reselection prompt, or other action to clear the disable.

Abstract: A biological test system has receptacles for a variety of removable electro-mechanical biological blood test-based elements having multiple features such as lancets or strips. Testing is through an analysis biological test processor that provides results to a user test output with all designed to be contained in a pocket-transportable user biological test form factor that houses all elements. Biological test elements can be interchanged for multiple sensing modalities with automatic activation based on cartridge insertion of a glucose test element, an A1C test element, a ketone test element, or the like. Designs can include a user sampler configuration selector for a user sampling selection that may be analyzed so a user-personalizable, biological sampler control processor can automatically disable operation for test safety if a user sampling selection is determined to be unacceptable. The system can also provide a user cartridge action prompt, a user reselection prompt, or other action to clear the disable.

Abstract: A photocontrol, such as for an outdoor intelligent lighting fixture, may detect levels of ambient light at multiple sections of the photocontrol. The ambient light may be detected via multiple photosensors located at the photocontrol sections. In addition, the ambient light may be detected via multiple color filters (or sections of a color filter) located at the photocontrol sections. The photocontrol may determine an ambient light differential, such as an instant differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections at a particular time, or a temporal differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections across multiple times. Based on the ambient light differential, the photocontrol may identify triggering photosensor or triggering section that substantially align with a geographical orientation. The photocontrol may identify a lighting output profile. An output level of a lighting element may be modified based on the lighting output profile.

Abstract: A photocontrol, such as for an outdoor intelligent lighting fixture, may detect levels of ambient light at multiple sections of the photocontrol. The ambient light may be detected via multiple photosensors located at the photocontrol sections. In addition, the ambient light may be detected via multiple color filters (or sections of a color filter) located at the photocontrol sections. The photocontrol may determine an ambient light differential, such as an instant differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections at a particular time, or a temporal differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections across multiple times. Based on the ambient light differential, the photocontrol may identify triggering photosensor or triggering section that substantially align with a geographical orientation. The photocontrol may identify a lighting output profile. An output level of a lighting element may be modified based on the lighting output profile.

Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a filter element (8) with a cup-shaped capsule body (2) using a combined weld-head (70) and former (80), comprising the steps of positioning the filter element (8) at or near a mouth of the cup-shaped capsule body (2), moving the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) so as to contact and drive the filter element (8) into the cup-shaped capsule body (2), wherein, the filter element (8) is deformed by a sprung-loaded former (80) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to form a cup-shaped filter element (56), and using a weld-head (70) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to bond the cup-shaped filter element (56) to the cup-shaped capsule body (2). The present invention further provides a method of making a beverage capsule and a beverage capsule produced using this method.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a beverage through an outlet nozzle assembly, the machine comprising: an outlet nozzle assembly having provided therethrough a first outlet and a second outlet; and one or more conduits arranged to deliver selectably fluid to the first outlet or the second outlet.

Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

Abstract: A lighting control system includes a plurality of lighting system elements that are connected together over at least one lighting control network. The lighting system elements include a network controller, a luminaire, or a lighting control device. Some of the lighting system elements are designated as client lighting devices. At least one of the lighting system elements is designated as a lighting control data synchronization master. The lighting control system allows for changes in lighting control setting data, without sacrificing performance and maintaining stability with network failures, by generation and utilization of lighting control data keys. For example, data synchronization replicates or transfers lighting control setting data when a state change in a lighting control setting is detected based on a comparison of a current lighting control data key with an original lighting control data key.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a current lighting state of at least one luminaire. The lighting state includes light intensity of the at least one luminaire. The method also includes retrieving a sensor state of at least one sensor and determining a next selectable lighting state available for the at least one luminaire and an illumination adjustment for a user interface element of a lighting control device configured to control the luminaire. The determining of the next selectable lighting state available includes comparing the current lighting state and the sensor state to a set of intelligent backlighting rules, and based on the comparison, determining an indicator state corresponding to the illumination adjustment to the user interface element of the lighting control device. The illumination adjustment produces visible output to the user via the user interface element as a visible cue to guide the user to select the next lighting state.

Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

Abstract: A lighting control system of networks and devices designed to allow scheduled events to continue to operate in the case of partial or full network operation and failure. The lighting control system can rely on any network controller to act as a schedule master that evaluates a schedule of time-based lighting control events. When failure of the acting schedule master occurs or network communication therewith, the lighting control system changes the scheduling master to a different network controller based on a fail over protocol. The failover protocol includes detecting when an acting schedule master controller stops working by, for example, failing to receive a keep-alive message at a different network controller within a predetermined amount of time. Upon detecting failure of the schedule master controller, a network controller with a different controller identifier takes over as the schedule master in accordance with a controller identifier evaluation or protocol.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a current lighting state of at least one luminaire. The lighting state includes light intensity of the at least one luminaire. The method also includes retrieving a sensor state of at least one sensor and determining a next selectable lighting state available for the at least one luminaire and an illumination adjustment for a user interface element of a lighting control device configured to control the luminaire. The determining of the next selectable lighting state available includes comparing the current lighting state and the sensor state to a set of intelligent backlighting rules, and based on the comparison, determining an indicator state corresponding to the illumination adjustment to the user interface element of the lighting control device. The illumination adjustment produces visible output to the user via the user interface element as a visible cue to guide the user to select the next lighting state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a filter element (8) with a cup-shaped capsule body (2) using a combined weld-head (70) and former (80), comprising the steps of positioning the filter element (8) at or near a mouth of the cup-shaped capsule body (2), moving the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) so as to contact and drive the filter element (8) into the cup-shaped capsule body (2), wherein, the filter element (8) is deformed by a sprung-loaded former (80) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to form a cup-shaped filter element (56), and using a weld-head (70) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to bond the cup-shaped filter element (56) to the cup-shaped capsule body (2). The present invention further provides a method of making a beverage capsule and a beverage capsule produced using this method.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packaged containers of beverage ingredients includes a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine and a variable geometry valve located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine. The valve enables preparation of beverages at a range of pressures by having at least an open position and at least one restricted flow position, and a controller for selecting an initial valve position and controlling the subsequent operation of the valve according to the determination of the type of beverage to be prepared by the cartridge recognition device.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a beverage through an outlet nozzle assembly, the machine comprising: an outlet nozzle assembly having provided therethrough a first outlet and a second outlet; and one or more conduits arranged to deliver selectably fluid to the first outlet or the second outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a filter element (8) with a cup-shaped capsule body (2) using a combined weld-head (70) and former (80), comprising the steps of positioning the filter element (8) at or near a mouth of the cup-shaped capsule body (2), moving the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) so as to contact and drive the filter element (8) into the cup-shaped capsule body (2), wherein, the filter element (8) is deformed by a sprung-loaded former (80) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to form a cup-shaped filter element (56), and using a weld-head (70) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to bond the cup-shaped filter element (56) to the cup-shaped capsule body (2). The present invention further provides a method of making a beverage capsule and a beverage capsule produced using this method.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving a current lighting state of at least one luminaire. The lighting state includes light intensity of the at least one luminaire. The method also includes retrieving a sensor state of at least one sensor and determining a next selectable lighting state available for the at least one luminaire and an illumination adjustment for a user interface element of a lighting control device configured to control the luminaire. The determining of the next selectable lighting state available includes comparing the current lighting state and the sensor state to a set of intelligent backlighting rules, and based on the comparison, determining an indicator state corresponding to the illumination adjustment to the user interface element of the lighting control device. The illumination adjustment produces visible output to the user via the user interface element as a visible cue to guide the user to select the next lighting state.