Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

Abstract: A device which supports identification of an integrated display and dynamic adjustments to operating parameters thereof includes: a port that receive a test strip having a reaction site for receiving a sample of fluid from a patient, a blood glucose (bG) meter cooperatively operable with a test strip inserted in the port to measure glucose in a sample of fluid on the test strip, and a display device having an electrically resistive component integrated therein and operable to display the glucose measurement in accordance with one or more operating parameters associated with the display device The system also includes a monitoring module electrically connected to the resistive component, wherein the monitoring module determines a type for the display device based on a resistance of the resistive component and a control module that selectively adjusts a given operating parameter of the display device in accordance with the type of display device.

Abstract: A device which supports identification of an integrated display and dynamic adjustments to operating parameters thereof includes: a port that receive a test strip having a reaction site for receiving a sample of fluid from a patient, a blood glucose (bG) meter cooperatively operable with a test strip inserted in the port to measure glucose in a sample of fluid on the test strip, and a display device having an electrically resistive component integrated therein and operable to display the glucose measurement in accordance with one or more operating parameters associated with the display device The system also includes a monitoring module electrically connected to the resistive component, wherein the monitoring module determines a type for the display device based on a resistance of the resistive component and a control module that selectively adjusts a given operating parameter of the display device in accordance with the type of display device.

Abstract: A portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a front housing and a rear housing opposite the front housing. The front housing and the rear housing form a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. A frame is located in the protective enclosure that carries the display device and locates the display device adjacent the front housing such that the display device can be viewed from outside the protective enclosure. The frame includes a strip port formed integrally therewith that is accessible from outside the protective enclosure.

Abstract: A limited-use blood glucose meter includes a printed circuit board assembly that includes a power source, a strip port, a strip reading device, a controller device, a bi-stable display, and a display controller. The strip reading measures a reaction between a blood sample present on the blood glucose test strip and the blood glucose reagent, generates a blood glucose signal, and calculates a blood glucose level. The controller device receives the blood glucose level from the strip reading device. The controller device provides display instructions to the display controller and the display controller provides drive voltages to the bi-stable segments such that the bi-stable segments persistently display the most-recent blood glucose level. The strip reading device performs a predetermined number of blood glucose tests and calculates a blood glucose level only for blood glucose strips associated with the disposable blood glucose meter.

Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically moving at least one machine along a desired path.

Abstract: A control circuit and method for controlling a bi-stable display having bi-stable segments each capable of transitioning between an on state and an off state via application of a voltage are disclosed. The voltage is provided to a display driver from a charge pump, and supplied to individual ones of the bi-stable segments via outputs from the display driver in accordance with display instructions provided by a system controller. Both a bi-stable segment voltage level of at least one of the outputs of the display driver and a charge pump voltage level of the voltage are detected and compared to a valid bi-stable segment voltage level and a valid charge pump voltage level, respectively. A malfunction signal may be provided to the system controller if either of the detected voltage levels is not valid. The control circuit is useful in an electronic device such as, for example, a blood glucose measuring device.

Abstract: A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.

Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically moving at least one machine along a desired path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving a machine having at least one drive wheel along a desired path includes detecting and storing data including a plurality of GPS locations linked to particular points along an entire desired path of travel of the machine during operation of the machine in a manual learn mode to traverse the entire desired path to be followed by the machine during subsequent operation in a robotic mode. The method and apparatus then operates the machine in the robotic mode by controlling the at least one drive wheel to move the machine along the desired path. In one embodiment, a fee is charged based on an amount of time the machine is operated.

Abstract: A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.

Abstract: A limited-use blood glucose meter includes a printed circuit board assembly that includes a power source, a strip port, a strip reading device, a controller device, a bi-stable display, and a display controller. The strip reading measures a reaction between a blood sample present on the blood glucose test strip and the blood glucose reagent, generates a blood glucose signal, and calculates a blood glucose level. The controller device receives the blood glucose level from the strip reading device. The controller device provides display instructions to the display controller and the display controller provides drive voltages to the bi-stable segments such that the bi-stable segments persistently display the most-recent blood glucose level. The strip reading device performs a predetermined number of blood glucose tests and calculates a blood glucose level only for blood glucose strips associated with the disposable blood glucose meter.

Abstract: A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.

Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically moving a machine along a desired path. The machine uses a “learn and follow” system in which the machine is first operated in a manual mode along a desired path. The control system learns the desired path and then operates the machine in a robotic mode to follow the desired path without operator control. If the machine moves away from the desired path when in the robotic mode, the location of the machine is corrected using GPS location signals.

Abstract: A portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a front housing and a rear housing opposite the front housing. The front housing and the rear housing form a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. A frame is located in the protective enclosure that carries the display device and locates the display device adjacent the front housing such that the display device can be viewed from outside the protective enclosure. The frame includes a strip port formed integrally therewith that is accessible from outside the protective enclosure.

Abstract: A blood glucose measuring system which comprises a blood glucose (bG) meter and a portable communication device (PCD) and methods thereof are disclosed. The blood glucose meter comprises a measurement module and a wireless module, wherein the measurement module is operable to measure the blood glucose level of a blood sample, the wireless module is an embeddable module and communicates to the measurement module via a serial interface, and the wireless module is operable to wirelessly communicate to the portable communication device. The portable communication device is operable to wirelessly receive information from the blood glucose meter related to the blood glucose measurement.

Abstract: A control circuit and method for controlling a bi-stable display having bi-stable segments each capable of transitioning between an on state and an off state via application of a voltage are disclosed. The voltage is provided to a display driver from a charge pump, and supplied to individual ones of the bi-stable segments via outputs from the display driver in accordance with display instructions provided by a system controller. Both a bi-stable segment voltage level of at least one of the outputs of the display driver and a charge pump voltage level of the voltage are detected and compared to a valid bi-stable segment voltage level and a valid charge pump voltage level, respectively. A malfunction signal may be provided to the system controller if either of the detected voltage levels is not valid. The control circuit is useful in an electronic device such as, for example, a blood glucose measuring device.

Abstract: A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.

Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically moving a machine along a desired path.