Abstract: In an automated beverage dispensing system, a conveyance system defines a plurality of cup locations and operates to sequentially move the plurality of cup locations through a plurality of indexed locations. A cup dispensing system is configured to receive a supply of cups. The cup dispensing system is operable to dispense a cup to a cup loading location that coincides with an indexed location of the plurality of indexed locations. A beverage dispensing system is configured to dispense a beverage at a beverage dispense location of the plurality of indexed locations. A computer associates an ordered beverage to a cup location of the plurality of cup locations.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can employ a number of power management techniques to avoid using substantially excessive power during operation of the pump drive system. Thus, the infusion pump system can draw upon the energy supply in an efficient manner that extends the useful life on the power supply. Furthermore, the infusion pump system can be configured estimate an amount of power remaining to operate the pump system without the requirement of directly detecting the remaining charge on power supply device (e.g., without detecting the remaining charge on a battery). As such, the infusion pump system can readily inform a user of a particular estimated amount of time remaining for medicine dispensing operations.

Abstract: A breaker between two electrical circuits is provided that is closed when electrical properties in both of the electrical circuits are matching. Two check circuits are provided for comparing electrical properties of the two electrical circuits. Each of the check circuits sets a corresponding authorization to close the breaker. The breaker is only closed if both check circuits set an authorization to close the circuit.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: A structure is provided having a floor, and a canopy made from a flexible, substantially air-impermeable material and having a tubular rib. The canopy has an air inlet port by which the interior of the tubular rib can be connected to a source of compressed air, and is movable by the supply of compressed air from a collapsed state in which the tubular rib is deflated to an inflated state in which the tubular rib is inflated and supports the canopy in such a way that the canopy encloses an interior space above the floor and forms a roof and side walls of the structure. The floor has three substantially rigid floor panels which may be arranged together to form a substantially planar floor, or connected together to form the base and sides of a container in which the canopy can be stored when in the collapsed state.

Abstract: A disposable animal cage which can be used in a ventilated or static caging rack system includes a cage top and a cage base. Any corner or edge present in the interior of the cage base or the cage top that is accessible to an animal that can be contained in the cage is defined by surfaces having a conical section which is non-circular to prevent gnawing of the cage. A perforation section including a plurality of small apertures adjacent to one another can be formed in the cage for ventilation and prevention of gnawing by the animals.

Abstract: A disposable animal cage which can be used in a ventilated or static caging rack system includes a cage top and a cage base. Any corner or edge present in the interior of the cage base or the cage top that is accessible to an animal that can be contained in the cage is defined by surfaces having a conical section which is non-circular to prevent gnawing of the cage. The cage top can include a water housing mount pocket. The water housing mount pocket can have a conical shape to prevent an animal from gnawing the water housing mount pocket and a container received in the water housing mount pocket. A feed tray can be attached beneath a filter in a ceiling of the cage top to prevent an animal from gnawing the filter.

Abstract: A disposable animal cage which can be used in a ventilated or static caging rack system includes a cage top and a cage base. Any corner or edge present in the interior of the cage base or the cage top that is accessible to an animal that can be contained in the cage is defined by surfaces having a conical section which is non-circular to prevent gnawing of the cage. A perforation section including a plurality of small apertures adjacent to one another can be formed in the cage for ventilation and prevention of gnawing by the animals.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: A breaker between two electrical circuits is provided that is closed when electrical properties in both of the electrical circuits are matching. Two check circuits are provided for comparing electrical properties of the two electrical circuits. Each of the check circuits sets a corresponding authorization to close the breaker. The breaker is only closed if both check circuits set an authorization to close the circuit.

Abstract: A turbine speed probe diagnostic system is provided. The turbine includes a speed probe and a speed reading circuit. A speed lead connects the speed probe and speed reading circuit together to transmit speed signals from the speed probe to the speed reading circuit. A speed probe diagnostic circuit is also provided for connection to the speed lead. An isolation switch is provided to isolate the speed probe diagnostic circuit during normal operation when the speed reading circuit is receiving speed signals from the speed probe. When no speed signals are being received, the isolation switch closes and the speed probe diagnostic circuit performs a test on the speed probe or speed lead.

Abstract: A speed control system and a power load balance detector for a turbine is provided. The speed control system includes a speed wheel with a plurality of teeth. A timer stores a time stamp when each of the teeth passes by a speed probe. A first speed estimate is determined for overspeed protection, and a second speed estimate is determined for operational speed control. The power load balance detector trips or shuts down the turbine when an unbalance is above a first threshold and the speed of the turbine is above a second threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for receiving and processing a plurality of GNSS signals in a geo-location application to determine location, orientation and/or motion characteristics of a body on which the GNSS signal processing system is located. The system and method provide for precise synchronization of measurements of various signals and data associated with the GNSS signal processing system (including GPS systems), and provide for flexible configuration and allocation of resources used to receive and process GNSS signals to minimize power consumption and maximize efficiency and accuracy of the GNSS signal processing system. The flexibility of the system and method further provide for the scaling of one hardware system to address situations in which more or fewer antennas are employed, in which more or fewer data processing paths are needed, and in which the system is employed to determine various combinations of location, orientation, and motion characteristics.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a turbine valve. The turbine valve has a first coil and a second coil to control or sense movement of a mechanical valve positioner. Two valve positioners are provided with each valve positioner having two drive circuits to drive the first and second coils. Switches are provided such that only one drive circuit is connected to each coil at a time. The control system may also include a hydraulic pilot valve section and a main hydraulic valve section. Feedbacks are used to determine a pilot valve error and a main valve error which are combined to determine a turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined to minimize the error.

Abstract: A turbine control system is provided for decreasing the response time between readings of the speed of the turbine and changing a valve position in response thereto. The speed control system includes a speed probe that detects the speed of the turbine and a turbine valve that controls the flow of fluid or gas from or to the turbine. A controller receives a speed signal from the speed probe and sends valve position commands to the turbine valve. The controller also sends support functions to the turbine valve. The controller sends the valve position commands at a faster rate than the support functions.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non-ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for pathogen detection using next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of a sample. Embodiments may apply alignment algorithms (e.g., SNAP and/or RAPSearch alignment algorithms) to align individual sequence reads from a sample in a next-generation sequencing (NGS) dataset against reference genome entries in a classified reference genome database. Embodiments of the present invention may include classifying, filtering, and displaying results to a clinician that can then quickly and easily obtain the results of the sequencing to identify a pathogen or other genetic material in a sample that is being tested. A negative sample and a corresponding database can be used to remove contaminants from a list of candidate pathogens. Thus, embodiments are directed to a system that is configured to filter the results of a sequencing alignment and classify a sample quickly.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for pathogen detection using next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of a sample. Embodiments may apply alignment algorithms (e.g., SNAP and/or RAPSearch alignment algorithms) to align individual sequence reads from a sample in a next-generation sequencing (NGS) dataset against reference genome entries in a classified reference genome database. Embodiments of the present invention may include classifying, filtering, and displaying results to a clinician that can then quickly and easily obtain the results of the sequencing to identify a pathogen or other genetic material in a sample that is being tested. A negative sample and a corresponding database can be used to remove contaminants from a list of candidate pathogens. Thus, embodiments are directed to a system that is configured to filter the results of a sequencing alignment and classify a sample quickly.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and device that assists with sharing non-volatile memory solid state drives across a cluster group includes receiving a request for a block of storage in a non-volatile memory solid state drive in one of the plurality of non-volatile memory disk shelves. Information associated with each of a plurality of solid state drives in the plurality of non-volatile memory disk shelves associated with the received request is obtained. A namespace for each of the plurality of solid state drives in the plurality of non-volatile memory disk shelves using the obtained information is created. The requested block of storage in the non-volatile memory solid state drive associated with one of the created namespace is assigned to the requesting client computing device.

Abstract: A mobile application uses computer-readable instructions for exchanging, viewing or providing location sharing information in a context of a public group, a private group or both. The location sharing information may be made available to aid or enhance commerce-related activities performed by a merchant, a consumer or both. In another embodiment, a method for authenticating a private group permits an authenticating user to restrict the private group and selectively allow subsequent participants restricted access to the private group.