Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing medicine usage. The system includes a medicine management apparatus that is configured to receive a medicine container. The medicine management apparatus tracks usage of medicine in the medicine container by monitoring when the medicine container is removed from the medicine management apparatus. The medicine management apparatus also provides alerts to a user when it is time for the user to take another dosage of medicine and alerts the user when the amount of medicine in the medicine container is low.

Abstract: Moving light fixture and method for controlling the position of a moving light fixture. In one example, the moving light fixture includes a housing, light sources, a stepper motor, a magnetic position encoder, and an electronic controller. The stepper motor rotates the housing. The magnetic position encoder is configured to transmit a position signal indicating an angular position of the housing. The electronic controller determines the angular position of the housing based on the position signal. The electronic controller also determines a full step of the stepper motor based on the angular position of the housing, and a micro step of the stepper motor. The electronic controller also determines a current position of the moving light fixture based on the full step and the micro step. The electronic controller drives the stepper motor to move the moving light fixture from the current position to a target position.

Abstract: Electronic smoking articles, and methods are provided. An exemplary article comprises a control body portion having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion is removably engaged with the control body portion. The cartridge body portion includes a consumable arrangement having an aerosol precursor composition, a heating element, and a second control component. The consumable arrangement is configured to communicate with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions. The first control component is configured to send a challenge to the second control component, and to receive a response to the challenge therefrom. The first control component is further configured to authorize the consumable arrangement for use with the control body portion, if the response corresponds to the challenge.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling heating of an aerosol precursor arrangement of an electronic smoking article. An average power is directed from a power source to a heating device arranged to heat the aerosol precursor arrangement and a heating time period commensurately initiated. The average power corresponds to a selected power set point associated with the power source. An actual power directed to the heating device is determined as a product of a voltage at, and a current through, the heating device. The actual power is compared to the average power, and the average power is adjusted to direct the actual power toward the selected power set point. The actual power is periodically determined and compared to the average power, and the average power adjusted toward the selected power set point, until expiration of the heating time period. An associated apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling heating of an aerosol precursor arrangement of an electronic smoking article. An average power is directed from a power source to a heating device arranged to heat the aerosol precursor arrangement and a heating time period commensurately initiated. The average power corresponds to a selected power set point associated with the power source. An actual power directed to the heating device is determined as a product of a voltage at, and a current through, the heating device. The actual power is compared to the average power, and the average power is adjusted to direct the actual power toward the selected power set point. The actual power is periodically determined and compared to the average power, and the average power adjusted toward the selected power set point, until expiration of the heating time period. An associated apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Electronic smoking articles, and methods are provided. An exemplary article comprises a control body portion having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion is removably engaged with the control body portion. The cartridge body portion includes a consumable arrangement having an aerosol precursor composition, a heating element, and a second control component. The consumable arrangement is configured to communicate with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions. The first control component is configured to send a challenge to the second control component, and to receive a response to the challenge therefrom. The first control component is further configured to authorize the consumable arrangement for use with the control body portion, if the response corresponds to the challenge.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a terminal for receiving an electrical charge, a firing electrode on a firing end of the spark plug, and a conductor electrically coupling the terminal and firing electrode. The spark plug further includes a casing, an electrical insulator, and a ground electrode. The casing is at least partially formed from an electrically conductive material and is configured to be electrically coupled to a ground. The electrical insulator separates the conductor from the casing. The ground electrode is positioned proximate to the firing electrode, but separated from the firing electrode by a spark gap. The ground electrode includes an extension projecting from the casing such that the firing electrode is closer to the ground electrode than the firing electrode is to the casing. There is substantially no air gap between the interior of the casing and the electrical insulator from the firing end of the spark plug.

Abstract: A spark plug (100) includes a ground electrode (125), a firing electrode (115), an insulator core (105) having an insulator core nose (120), and an outer shell (110) surrounding the insulator core (105). The improvement includes the insulator core nose (120) including a high temperature glaze applied to an outer surface of the insulator core nose (120) and the high temperature glaze composition. The composition includes, by weight:(i) between about 72 and 84% SiO.sub.2 ;(ii) between about 10 and 20% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ;(iii) between about 2.0 and 2.5% K.sub.2 O;(iv) between about 0.50 and 0.65% Na.sub.2 O;(v) between about 3.0 and 5.5% CaO;(vi) between about 0.1 and 0.25% MgO; and(vii) the remainder impurities.

Abstract: A method of affixing a precious metal to an electrode includes placing a length edge of a generally cylindrical, precious metal wire on an electrode surface and resistance welding the wire to the electrode surface. The precious metal may include platinum.