Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a drive signal generator for generating a drive signal, a transducer coupled to the drive signal generator and configured to receive the drive signal, a mixer coupled to the transducer and configured to receive output from the transducer where such output results at least in part from physical movement of the transducer, and a diplexer operatively coupled with an output of the mixer and configured to present a substantially matched output impedance to the mixer over an operative range of output frequencies.

Abstract: A method is presented in which federated domains interact within a federated environment. Domains within a federation can initiate federated single-sign-on operations for a user at other federated domains. A point-of-contact server within a domain relies upon a trust proxy within the domain to manage trust relationships between the domain and the federation. Trust proxies interpret assertions from other federated domains as necessary. Trust proxies may have a trust relationship with one or more trust brokers, and a trust proxy may rely upon a trust broker for assistance in interpreting assertions. When a user requests to logoff from a domain that has initiated federated single-sign-on operations for the user at other federated domains, the domain initiates a consolidated logoff operation by requesting logoff operations at those other federated domains, which may also initiate logoff operations in a cascaded fashion to the domains at which they have initiated federated single-sign-on operations.

Abstract: A sensor system including a plurality of transducer groups, with each transducer group having a plurality of transducers. The transducers of each group are adapted to be placed in operative proximity with a sample material. Within each transducer group, each transducer is actuable via application of a different phase-shifted variant of a local oscillator signal to the transducer. The sensor system is also configured so that, for each transducer group, the phase-shifted variants of the local oscillator signal are selectively employed during output processing to inhibit cross-transducer interference occurring between simultaneously active transducers.

Abstract: A sanitary steady bearing assembly and method provides for sanitary characteristics, easy cleanability, and easy replacement of wear parts without distributing the rest of the agitator, and can also support the agitator shaft during seal changes. The bearing assembly includes a bushing cup, a pedestal hub, a bushing shaft, and a bushing element.

Abstract: An impeller for use with a mixing vessel having a diameter, wherein the impeller is mountable onto a rotatable shaft that includes a flange. The impeller includes a single blade pair member. The blade pair member has a central hub portion and a first and second blade connected to the central hub portion. The first and second blades each include a generally planar portion, a tip portion and a trailing edge, wherein the generally planar portion and the tip portion intersect at a line of intersection, which is an angle relative to the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method of conveying information from an electronic identification label to an interrogator includes coupling energy from an external field into a resonant circuit of the electronic identification label. The method also includes the electronic identification label periodically storing and discharging an amount of the coupled energy wherein the period that the electronic identification label stores and discharges the energy conveys information about the electronic identification label to the interrogator.

Abstract: An Internet user transfers directly to a domain within an e-community without returning to a home domain or re-authenticating. The user's home domain server prepares and forwards a home domain identity cookie (DIDC) with an enrollment request to a user's browser, with the enrollment request being redirected to an affiliated domain server in the e-community. The affiliated domain server prepares and sends an affiliated DIDC with an enrollment confirmation to the user's browser, redirecting the enrollment confirmation to the home domain server. The home domain server modifies the home DIDC to include a symbol which indicates successful enrollment at the affiliated site. The process may be repeated for a plurality of affiliated domains to achieve automatic enrollment a portion of or an entire e-community.

Abstract: A flow direction detector is provided which includes a flow disruptor positioned in a fluid flow path to effect a detectable differential flow characteristic to such flow path based on fluid flow direction, and a sensor arrangement configured to detect such detectable differential flow characteristic within the flow path.

Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a drive signal generator for generating a drive signal, a transducer coupled to the drive signal generator and configured to receive the drive signal, a mixer coupled to the transducer and configured to receive output from the transducer where such output results at least in part from physical movement of the transducer, and a diplexer operatively coupled with an output of the mixer and configured to present a substantially matched output impedance to the mixer over an operative range of output frequencies.

Abstract: An agitator drive apparatus for agitating and injecting gas into a liquid in a mixing vessel. The apparatus includes a first and second housing coupled to one another along with a shaft having a first and second end that is rotatably coupled to the first housing and extends from the first housing into the second housing. The shaft includes an inner bore that extend from the second end at least partially to the first end. The shaft also includes a plurality of air ports in communication with the inner bore.

Abstract: A micro-mirror device includes a substrate, a reflective element spaced from the surface of the substrate, a pair of electrodes disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, spaced apart from each other, and disposed adjacent to opposite ends of the reflective element, and including a dielectric liquid disposed at least between the reflective element and the pair of electrodes. The reflective element is adapted to be positioned at any position within a continuous range between a first position and a second position in response to analog electrical signals applied to the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metered dose inhaler including an ejection mechanism with at least one chamber for containing a medicament. The ejection mechanism is configured to effect controlled ejection of the medicament from the chamber. The inhaler further includes a controller configured to send electronic signals to the ejection mechanism to direct ejection of medicament from such chamber, and configured to selectively alter dosage of the medicament by selected changes in such electronic signal.

Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a first transducer system and a second transducer system spaced from the first transducer system so as to define a sample area between the first transducer system and the second transducer system where the first transducer system and second transducer system are collectively configured to transmit surface acoustic waves in multiple directions through the sample area and receive such surface acoustic waves.

Abstract: A method of conveying information from an electronic identification label to an interrogator includes coupling energy from an external field into a resonant circuit of the electronic identification label. The method also includes the electronic identification label periodically storing and discharging an amount of the coupled energy wherein the period that the electronic identification label stores and discharges the energy conveys information about the electronic identification label to the interrogator.

Abstract: A temperature sensor coupled to a supply of medication measures the temperature of the medication. A real time clock circuit is programmed with a start date and controller integrated circuitry controls operation of the clock and temperature sensor. The controller is programmed with medication temperature profile data that is specific to the medication. The controller integrates temperature and time data with medication temperature profile data for the medication to calculate an expiration date that corresponds to a potency condition for the medication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for connecting two shafts which may be of dissimilar materials from each other. A stub shaft of ceramic material is attached to an impeller shaft via a support hub and a steady bearing radially restrains the stub shaft.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system includes a drop ejector for discretely ejecting drops of combustible liquid in a digital manner. A controller is configured to cause the drop ejector to provide a first air/fuel mixture to a combustion chamber for a first portion of a fuel intake period and to provide a second air/fuel mixture to said combustion chamber for a second portion of the same fuel intake period.

Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a first transducer system and a second transducer system spaced from the first transducer system so as to define a sample area between the first transducer system and the second transducer system where the first transducer system and second transducer system are collectively configured to transmit surface acoustic waves in multiple directions through the sample area and receive such surface acoustic waves.

Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a drive signal generator for generating a drive signal, a transducer coupled to the drive signal generator and configured to receive the drive signal, a mixer coupled to the transducer and configured to receive output from the transducer where such output results at least in part from physical movement of the transducer, and a diplexer operatively coupled with an output of the mixer and configured to present a substantially matched output impedance to the mixer over an operative range of output frequencies.

Abstract: An agitator drive apparatus for agitating and injecting gas into a liquid in a mixing vessel. The apparatus includes a first and second housing coupled to one another along with a shaft having a first and second end that is rotatably coupled to the first housing and extends from the first housing into the second housing. The shaft includes an inner bore that extend from the second end at least partially to the first end. The shaft also includes a plurality of air ports in communication with the inner bore.