Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises a first energy harvesting input channel 21; a first energy storage element connection 25; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 is configured to operate the switching circuit 28 to transfer energy between the first energy harvesting input channel 21 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each of the energy transfer cycles comprises an energise phase in which energy is transferred from the first energy harvesting input channel 21 to the inductor connection 25 for an energise time (tE) and a de-energise phase. The first energy harvesting input channel 21 is capable of receiving an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal.

Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises a first energy harvesting input channel 21; a first energy storage element connection 25; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 is configured to operate the switching circuit 28 to transfer energy between the first energy harvesting input channel 21 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each of the energy transfer cycles comprises an energise phase in which energy is transferred from the first energy harvesting input channel 21 to the inductor connection 25 for an energise time (tE) and a de-energise phase. The first energy harvesting input channel 21 is capable of receiving an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal.

Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises: a plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24; a first energy storage element connection for connecting to an energy storage element 32; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 operates the switching circuit to transfer energy between the energy harvesting input channels 21-24 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each energy harvesting input channel 21-24 is allocated a plurality of the energy transfer cycles. The controller 30 determines operating parameters for operating the switching circuit 28 which transfer a maximum power from the electrical energy harvesting source connected to the energy harvesting input channel and a maximum power inductor utilisation factor. The controller 30 determines a set of adjusted operating parameters for sharing use of the inductor between the plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24.

Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises: a plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24; a first energy storage element connection for connecting to an energy storage element 32; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 operates the switching circuit to transfer energy between the energy harvesting input channels 21-24 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each energy harvesting input channel 21-24 is allocated a plurality of the energy transfer cycles. The controller 30 determines operating parameters for operating the switching circuit 28 which transfer a maximum power from the electrical energy harvesting source connected to the energy harvesting input channel and a maximum power inductor utilisation factor. The controller 30 determines a set of adjusted operating parameters for sharing use of the inductor between the plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24.

Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises a first energy harvesting input channel 21; a first energy storage element connection 25; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 is configured to operate the switching circuit 28 to transfer energy between the first energy harvesting input channel 21 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each of the energy transfer cycles comprises an energise phase in which energy is transferred from the first energy harvesting input channel 21 to the inductor connection 25 for an energise time (tE) and a de-energise phase. The first energy harvesting input channel 21 is capable of receiving an AC electrical signal and a DC electrical signal.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for veterinary applications. An ultrasound probe obtains ultrasound frame data which is compressed prior to wireless communication to a data processing unit. The data processing unit decompresses the ultrasound frame data and uses it to generate ultrasound images. The transmit bandwidth or transmit buffer size are monitored and the scan rate is reduced if required to maintain low latency. The apparatus generates images with lower latency and greater tolerance of variations in wireless data transfer bandwidth than where images are generated by an ultrasound probe and transmitted wirelessly to a remote display. A regularly updated image can be displayed even if image quality may be temporarily reduced.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for veterinary applications. An ultrasound probe obtains ultrasound frame data which is compressed prior to wireless communication to a data processing unit. The data processing unit decompresses the ultrasound frame data and uses it to generate ultrasound images. The transmit bandwidth or transmit buffer size are monitored and the scan rate is reduced if required to maintain low latency. The apparatus generates images with lower latency and greater tolerance of variations in wireless data transfer bandwidth than where images are generated by an ultrasound probe and transmitted wirelessly to a remote display. A regularly updated image can be displayed even if image quality may be temporarily reduced.

Abstract: A telecommunications system including a plurality of repeater nodes, each repeater node having a transceiver unit operable to transmit and receive data to or from one or more other of the repeater nodes or a control node or a mobile device within a predetermined range. The control node operable to transmit data to and receive data from the mobile device via the repeater nodes using a time frame divided into a plurality of time slots. The time slots of the time frame are allocated to the repeater nodes to the effect that each repeater node transmits to another repeater node in one of the upstream or the downstream directions in a time slot which is a minimal time from the time slot in which the other repeater node transmits in the upstream or downstream direction.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for communicating data to and from a mobile device. The system comprises a plurality of repeater nodes disposed to form a network. Each repeater, node has a transceiver unit operable to transmit the data with a first transmission power to one or more other of the repeater nodes within one of a plurality of slots of a time frame. Each repeater node is allocated a time slot, and the mobile device is arranged to transmit and receive data to and from the repeater nodes in the network. Each of the repeater nodes is operable to transmit a pilot signal during the same one of the time slots of the time frame with a second transmission power, the second power being less than the first transmission power. The pilot signal includes an identifier of the repeater node which is transmitted with the pilot signal and the mobile device is operable to receive one of the pilot signals.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for communicating data to and from a mobile device. The system comprises a plurality of repeater nodes disposed to form a network. Each repeater node has a transceiver unit operable to transmit the data with a first transmission power to one or more other of the repeater nodes within one of a plurality of slots of a time frame. Each repeater node is allocated a time slot, and the mobile device is arranged to transmit and receive data to and from the repeater nodes in the network. Each of the repeater nodes is operable to transmit a pilot signal during the same one of the time slots of the time frame with a second transmission power, the second power being less than the first transmission power.

Abstract: A telecommunications system including a plurality of repeater nodes, each repeater node having a transceiver unit operable to transmit and receive data to or from one or more other of the repeater nodes or a control node or a mobile device within a predetermined range. The control node operable to transmit data to and receive data from the mobile device via the repeater nodes using a time frame divided into a plurality of time slots. The time slots of the time frame are allocated to the repeater nodes to the effect that each repeater node transmits to another repeater node in one of the upstream or the downstream directions in a time slot which is a minimal time from the time slot in which the other repeater node transmits in the upstream or downstream direction.

Abstract: A telecommunications system including, a plurality of repeater nodes, each repeater node having a transceiver unit operable to transmit and receive data to or from one or more other of the repeater nodes or a control node or a mobile device within a predetermined range. The control node operable to transmit data to and receive data from the mobile device via the repeater nodes using a time frame divided into a plurality of time slots. The time slots of the time frame are allocated to the repeater nodes to the effect that each repeater node transmits to another repeater node in one of the upstream or the downstream directions in a time slot which is a minimal time from the time slot in which the other repeater node transmits in the upstream or downstream direction.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, for communicating data to and from a mobile device. The system comprises a plurality of repeater nodes, each repeater node having a transceiver unit operable to transmit and receive data to or from one or more other of the repeater nodes or the control node or the mobile device within a predetermined range, and processing unit operable to control the transceiver unit. The system also comprises a control node operable to transmit data in a downstream direction from the control node to the mobile device via the repeater nodes and to receive data from the mobile device transmitted in an upstream direction from the mobile device to the control node via the repeater nodes.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for communicating data to and from a mobile device. The system comprises a plurality of repeater nodes disposed to form a network. Each repeater node has a transceiver unit operable to transmit the data with a first transmission power to one or more other of the repeater nodes within one of a plurality of slots of a time frame. Each repeater node is allocated a time slot, and the mobile device is arranged to transmit and receive data to and from the repeater nodes in the network. Each of the repeater nodes is operable to transmit a pilot signal during the same one of the time slots of the time frame with a second transmission power, the second power being less than the first transmission power.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for communicating data to and from a mobile device. The system comprises a plurality of repeater nodes disposed to form a network. Each repeater, node has a transceiver unit operable to transmit the data with a first transmission power to one or more other of the repeater nodes within one of a plurality of slots of a time frame. Each repeater node is allocated a time slot, and the mobile device is arranged to transmit and receive data to and from the repeater nodes in the network. Each of the repeater nodes is operable to transmit a pilot signal during the same one of the time slots of the time frame with a second transmission power, the second power being less than the first transmission power. The pilot signal includes an identifier of the repeater node which is transmitted with the pilot signal and the mobile device is operable to receive one of the pilot signals.

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge which includes an ink jet housing including a first valve and a primer portion coupled to the ink jet housing and covering the first valve is disclosed The primer portion includes a priming bulb and a second valve in the priming bulb, air flowing into the ink jet housing via the first valve when the priming valve is actuated, air flowing into the priming portion via the second valve when the priming bulb is released.

Abstract: A method for managing prescriptions includes receiving a patient assessment from a physician at an application server, receiving a prescription based on the patient assessment, determining drug interactions based on the received prescription, sending the prescription to a pharmacy based on the drug interaction determination and validating the prescription. Validating the prescription comprises a three-way match of prescription information stored on a centralized database with the filled medicine container and the bulk container. Prescriptions can be prescribed and patient records reviewed using remote devices linked to the prescription management application server and centralized database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus resetting device drivers to their factory-installed state, without requiring reinstallation of the operating system, to return the computer to a functioning condition. A back-up component is provided that backs-up and stores all associated device drivers, as originally installed by the computer manufacturer, onto non-removable media inherent to the computer system along with their preferred order of installation. A reset component is provided that retrieves the drivers from their storage location and resets, restores, or reinstalls the drivers as required, in their preferred order, as originally installed by the computer manufacturer. The reset component can be invoked automatically by a novice user, requiring little or no interaction, or it may be accessed through a graphical user interface (GUI) by a technician.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a substrate on a support layer in a processing chamber. The method includes the steps of positioning the substrate a predetermined distance from the support layer, introducing a plasma in the processing chamber, lowering the substrate to a point where the substrate engages the support layer, and maintaining the plasma for a predetermined time. The apparatus is directed to a susceptor system for a processing chamber in which a substrate is electrostatically held essentially flat. The apparatus includes a substrate support and a support layer composed of a dielectric material disposed on the substrate support. At least one lift pin is used for supporting the substrate relative to the support layer. Means are provided for moving each lift pin relative to the support layer. Means are also provided for producing a plasma within the processing chamber.

Abstract: A method is provided that allows the operator to re-enter a primary wellbore from a lateral wellbore after the lateral wellbore has been completed. The method generally comprises the steps of locating a cutting device such as a milling bit adjacent a tubular such as a liner within a wellbore, rotating the milling bit while maintaining an axial position of the milling bit relative to the liner to initiate an opening, and rotating and axially advancing the milling bit to complete the opening. In addition, a bottom hole assembly that facilitates re-entry into the primary wellbore from a lateral wellbore is provided. The bottom hole assembly generally includes a drill collar or other heavy pipe structure, and a mill. The mill has a body and cutting structures. The cutting structures apply lateral force against a surrounding pipe to form an initial lip through the wall of the pipe.