Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such data in the conduct of an assay by an assay system. The present invention also relates to consumables (e.g., kits and reagent containers), software, data deployable bundles, computer-readable media, loading carts, instruments, systems, and methods, for performing automated biological assays.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing pouches in retail-ready cartons includes pouch placer having an elevator assembly having paddles for receiving pouches provided by a first conveyor, and lifting the pouches, and a first robot arm for retrieving a pouch from a paddle of the elevator assembly and placing it in a retail-ready carton.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for processing images from an aerial imaging device. The method includes receiving a first image of a geographical area having a first resolution. The method transmits the first image to a machine learning model to identify an area of interest containing an object of interest. The method receives a second image of the geographical area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The method transmits the second image to the machine learning model to determine a likelihood that the area of interest contains the object of interest. The method trains the machine learning model to filter out features corresponding to the area of interest in images having the first resolution if the likelihood is below a threshold. The method transmits a visual representation of the object of interest to a user device if the likelihood exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for processing images from an aerial imaging device. The method includes receiving a first image of a geographical area having a first resolution. The method transmits the first image to a machine learning model to identify an area of interest containing an object of interest. The method receives a second image of the geographical area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The method transmits the second image to the machine learning model to determine a likelihood that the area of interest contains the object of interest. The method trains the machine learning model to filter out features corresponding to the area of interest in images having the first resolution if the likelihood is below a threshold. The method transmits a visual representation of the object of interest to a user device if the likelihood exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A pouch-placement machine includes an elevator assembly that receives pouches from one conveyor, lifts them up for presentation to robot arms. The robot arms pick pouches from the elevator assembly and place them into cartons that are on a second conveyor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for processing images from an aerial imaging device. The method includes receiving a first image of a geographical area having a first resolution. The method transmits the first image to a machine learning model to identify an area of interest containing an object of interest. The method receives a second image of the geographical area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The method transmits the second image to the machine learning model to determine a likelihood that the area of interest contains the object of interest. The method trains the machine learning model to filter out features corresponding to the area of interest in images having the first resolution if the likelihood is below a threshold. The method transmits a visual representation of the object of interest to a user device if the likelihood exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for processing images from an aerial imaging device. The method includes receiving a first image of a geographical area having a first resolution. The method transmits the first image to a machine learning model to identify an area of interest containing an object of interest. The method receives a second image of the geographical area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The method transmits the second image to the machine learning model to determine a likelihood that the area of interest contains the object of interest. The method trains the machine learning model to filter out features corresponding to the area of interest in images having the first resolution if the likelihood is below a threshold. The method transmits a visual representation of the object of interest to a user device if the likelihood exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A wire feeder comprises a motor and drive roll assembly. The motor and drive roll assembly comprises a base assembly having a left hand side and a right hand side. A first locating mechanism is on the right hand side and a second locating mechanism is on the left hand side. Modules, such as inlet or outlet guides can be located and mounted, preferably on either side. Each module preferably includes an additional locating mechanism to allow an additional module to be located by the additional locating mechanism. The locating mechanisms are preferably of the same design, and preferably each includes at least two holes with a locator pin disposed in each hole, and each module being located includes at least locating holes to receive the locator pins.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing pouches in retail-ready cartons includes pouch placer having an elevator assembly having paddles for receiving pouches provided by a first conveyor, and lifting the pouches, and a first robot arm for retrieving a pouch from a paddle of the elevator assembly and placing it in a retail-ready carton.

Abstract: A wire feeder comprises a motor and drive roll assembly. The motor and drive roll assembly comprises a base assembly having a left hand side and a right hand side. A first locating mechanism is on the right hand side and a second locating mechanism is on the left hand side. Modules, such as inlet or outlet guides can be located and mounted, preferably on either side. Each module preferably includes an additional locating mechanism to allow an additional module to be located by the additional locating mechanism. The locating mechanisms are preferably of the same design, and preferably each includes at least two holes with a locator pin disposed in each hole, and each module being located includes at least locating holes to receive the locator pins.

Abstract: A user interface for welding equipment is disclosed. The user interface comprises an architecture which organizes different types of welding controls into pre-defined categories or zones. The zones are arranged in a layout on the interface to provide access to easily see and adjust important weld parameters, particularly weld heat. Main displays and basic heat controls are provided in an upper portion of the display, while less frequently used controls are provided lower in the display, and to the side of the display. Electronic and graphic displays are arranged in levels, providing a limited number of layers, and can be associated with multi-dimensional navigational devices and home buttons to allow for easy navigation through the display.

Abstract: A conveyor for a pouch-filling machine has an endless track with a working stretch and a return stretch extending from a downstream end of the working stretch to an upstream end of the working stretch. A plurality of carriages each carrying at least one permanent magnet and a clamp ride on the track for movement through the stations on the working stretch and for movement from the downstream end of the working stretch along the return stretch back to the upstream end of the working stretch. An array of electromagnets on the track only along the working stretch and an electronic controller connected to the electromagnets together constitute a frequency-controlled linear direct drive that advances the carriages downstream through the working stretch while varying the travel speeds of at least half of the carriages in the working stretch. A mechanical or frequency-driven conveyor is provided in the return stretch.

Abstract: A cooling system connected to provide coolant to a welding-type component automatically circulates coolant through the welding component upon activation of the welding component. A controller is configured to regulate the cooling system such that upon activation of the welding-type component coolant is caused to at least flow through the welding-type component, and circulate after deactivation of the welding torch until a temperature of the coolant falls below a certain value or a specified time period has expired. The cooling system is constructed to be integrally disposed within a power source housing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed that enable an enhanced, interactive voice response (IVR) system to securely authenticate a user at a telecommunications terminal, without some of the disadvantages in the prior art. In particular, after the user at the telecommunications terminal requests access to a resource, the controlling IVR system of the illustrative embodiment issues a random challenge sequence to the user, along with interspersed “camouflage elements” and one or more directions as to how to respond. The user is then free to speak a returned sequence that answers the combined challenge sequence and interspersed camouflage elements; as a result, an eavesdropper overhearing the user hears what sounds like a random number or string. In short, the technique of the illustrative embodiment uses a challenge-response exchange of a substitution cipher interspersed with camouflage elements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables a user to determine which resources are both skills-qualified and available to perform a specified task, without some of the costs, disadvantages, and limitations of techniques in the prior art. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is based on the recognition that the consideration of various conditions of availability, in addition to the consideration of the skills present, affects the outcome of identifying the resources that can and will perform a task. In other words, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables a user to determine which resources can perform one or more tasks, based on the criteria of: (i) a skills requirement, (ii) a geographic requirement, and (iii) a time requirement.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling the response to a command at a personal wireless terminal to be based at least partially on the presence or absence of other users nearby, and possibly the identity of those users. In the illustrated embodiment, the personal wireless terminal determines wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth, etc.) whether there are any other nearby personal wireless terminals (and inferentially, the users associated with these terminals), and then determines whether the command is authorized in that particular environment of nearby users. In some embodiments, authorization is also at least partially based on one or more additional factors, such as the identity of the user of the personal wireless terminal, the identify of nearby users, the nature of the command, one or more arguments of a command, the value of a datum retrieved by a query, and the date and time (i.e., “calendrical time”).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling the response to a command from a wireless terminal to be based at least partially on the presence or absence of other users nearby, and possibly the identity of those users. In the illustrated embodiment, a server maintains an updated list of the locations of fixed and wireless terminals within an area (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 wireless access point's area of coverage, a CDMA base station's cell, etc.). When a user issues a command to his or her wireless terminal, the command is transmitted to the server. The server determines whether there are any other nearby wireless terminals (and inferentially, the users associated with these terminals), and then determines whether the command is authorized in that environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling signals directed to a first telecommunications terminal to be forwarded intelligently to a second telecommunications terminal in the vicinity of the first terminal is disclosed. In particular, the illustrative embodiment automatically forwards signals from a first terminal to the closest terminal in the network that the first terminal is authorized to forward to. The closest authorized terminal is determined via short-range wireless communication between the first terminal and other terminals in the first terminal's vicinity. In the illustrative embodiment, the terminals communicate with each other via Bluetooth transceivers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user of a telecommunications terminal to specify desired characteristics for the recipient of a call in lieu of a contact identifier are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment enables a user to specify one or more of the following criteria for a recipient: (i) a role requirement that specifies a role (e.g., a nurse, a doctor, etc.); (ii) a capability requirement that specifies one or more capabilities (e.g., able to speak Spanish, etc.); (iii) a location requirement (e.g., on the third floor of Building A, etc.); and (iv) a cardinality descriptor for the number of recipients (e.g., one recipient, at least three recipients, etc.). The illustrative embodiment also employs availability data (e.g., a schedule, etc.) and rules to determine whether a particular person is available to receive a call.