Abstract: Computer method and apparatus processing batch changes to a plurality of records employs heuristics. The system includes a computer based source of a plurality of records subject to a batch update. Each record in the plurality has respective meta data information. A computer processor projects application of changes forming the batch update in one record of the plurality. The processor applies heuristics including noting metadata information of the one record impacting changes to each record in the plurality. Using the noted metadata information and heuristics, the system further projects application of the batch update changes to remaining records in the plurality. A preview display of the projected results of the batch changes allows the user to commit, modify or revert batch updates per record.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to process certain information contained in a digital video signal. In particular, a time-varying signal present in the digit video signal may be supplanted with a replacement time-varying signal, negated, or obfuscated with a noise signal. Negation of the time-varying signal may include extracting said time-varying signal from the digital video signal, inverting the time-varying signal, and adding the inverted time-varying signal to the original digital video signal. Obfuscation of the time-varying signal may be accomplished by introducing a suitable noise signal to the original digital video signal. Supplanting the time-varying signal with a replacement signal may include negating the time-varying signal and introducing a desired replacement signal to the digital video signal.

Abstract: A birdfeeder which operates with a perch that is controlled by the use of magnetic force that allows certain smaller birds to freely feed while inhibiting larger birds and small animals, such as squirrels, from feeding is provided. The birdfeeder has a plurality of movable pivoted perches which move from a first position to a second position. In the first (horizontal) position, a small bird may sit on the movable perch and reach an opening in a food hopper while the weight of a larger bird or animal will force the movable perch downward into the second (non-horizontal) position wherein the perch is moved away from the opening in the food hopper. A magnet located on an end of the movable perch secures the perch in the first position until the weight of a larger bird or animal causes the movable perch to pivot to the non-horizontal position.

Abstract: A lancing device integrated with a sensing strip and method of making and using the same are provided. A lance and analyte sensing strip are combined in a single, preferably disposable, device. In a preferred embodiment, a slot is provided in a support member so the lance can be engaged by a lance driver and driven into the skin producing a bodily fluid sample from a wound. The sensing area of the sensing strip is adjacent to the wound location reducing dexterity requirements for patients.

Abstract: An appliance for conditioning air of a room comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including a temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the appliance in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for improving glucose sensor accuracy by utilizing multiple calibration methods and selecting the most accurate method depending on a consensus glucose concentration estimate. Embodiments of the present invention comprise the steps of performing at least one in vivo update of surrounding glucose to acquire glucose values; calculating multiple updated calibration estimates using the updated glucose values; calculating an initial consensus glucose estimate from sensor output using each updated calibration estimate; applying a smooth crossover function to the multiple calibration estimates based on the value of the initial consensus glucose estimate; and adding weights to the multiple calibration estimates to acquire a consensus glucose estimate.

Abstract: Enhanced abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies is described. The bearing set of the invention provides an enhanced abrasion resistance that is better capable of withstanding friction from solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications. The flutes, grooves, sectors and intersections of the invention provide improved fluid and solid flow through assembly components, which improves cooling while the assembly is in operation and reduces body wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of the ESP system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing radiometric fluorescence detection to determine a glucose independent concentration value when measuring frequency bands that do not contain the system isosbestic point. Preferably two bands are chosen such that a first band is below the system isosbestic point, and a second band is above the system isosbestic point, and both points are sufficiently far from the frequency endpoints to maximize the signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A medical fluid communication system is disclosed comprising a pump controller and a fluid detector. The fluid detector detects characteristics of the fluid and provides fluid measurements to the pump controller, which detects if the fluid is flowing in the medication delivery system. In the event fluid is not flowing due to an occlusion, the pump controller may attempt to resolve the occlusion or may provide a warning to a user that an occlusion is occurring.

Abstract: Enhanced abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies is described. The bearing set of the invention provides an enhanced abrasion resistance that is better capable of withstanding friction from solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications. The flutes, grooves, sectors and intersections of the invention provide improved fluid and solid flow through assembly components, which improves cooling while the assembly is in operation and reduces body wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of the ESP system.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The gas separator of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of produced well fluid and vents unhomogenized gas thereby improving the efficiency and decreasing the downtime of the assembly. A system for pumping gaseous fluid from an underground well comprises a gas separator, the gas separator comprising an impeller configured to homogenize at least a portion of a gas and a liquid in a pumped fluid to obtain homogenized fluid, the impeller comprising a top side open to the diffuser and a truncated vane located at a mid-pitch location between at least two untruncated vanes starting from a bottom side of the impeller, and a gas separation chamber downstream of the impeller, the gas separation chamber configured to vent an unhomogenized gas, and a centrifugal pump arranged to receive the homogenized fluid from the gas separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for pumping gaseous fluid are described. The centrifugal pump of the invention homogenizes at least a portion of the gas and liquid contained in produced well fluid thereby improving the efficiency of the pump in electric submersible pump (ESP) applications and decreasing the downtime of the ESP system. The impeller of the invention comprises an increased inlet area. The centrifugal pump of the invention comprises a single shroud located on the bottom side of an impeller, an increased inlet area of the impeller and an increased clearance gap between the impeller and a diffuser. One or more truncated vanes extend substantially upstream from the single shroud, wherein each truncated vane sits at a mid-pitch location between untruncated vanes starting from the bottom side of the impeller.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of transmission fluid in a motor vehicle includes operating in an automatic transmission fluid cooling mode, a heater priority mode entered by disabling automatic transmission fluid heating, and an automatic transmission fluid heating mode which includes sending hot engine coolant to a heat exchanger for heating the automatic transmission fluid by transferring heat from the hot engine coolant to the automatic transmission fluid. The method switches to from a heater priority mode to a transmission heating mode base on a number of sensed conditions including sensed automatic fluid transmission temperature. The method also includes an automatic transmission fluid temperature regulating mode including measuring an automatic transmission fluid temperature and switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode based measured temperature.

Abstract: A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes washer in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: A standby power system for an appliance having a power input coupled to a main power source includes a power enabling device coupled between the main power source and power input of the appliance, a standby power state sensing device coupled to the power enabling device, and a power restore device coupled to the power enabling device.

Abstract: This invention is a plastic bucket coupling for receiving the bottom ends of two buckets for coupling. The plastic bucket coupling will form a ring that covers the outside circumference of the bottoms of each bucket and cover two inches from the bottom of the bucket up the side from the bottom.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for separating solids in submersible pump applications are described. The solids separator of the invention removes solids from produced well fluid thereby reducing abrasive affects from those solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications and increasing the lifespan of the ESP assembly. A system for separating solids from produced well fluid comprises a solids separator located between an ESP pump and an ESP motor. A solids separator comprises a guide vane inducer, a cyclone configured to receive fluid from the guide vane inducer, a solids separation chamber substantially downstream of the cyclone, wherein a hard liner at least partially surrounds the solids separation chamber, a solids channel along at least a portion of the hard liner, and a solids exit located proximate the solids channel.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an appliance is disclosed. The method includes establishing a wireless communication connection between a communication module in an appliance and a communication network, transmitting operational data in real-time from the appliance to an external monitoring system over the communication network, determining a status of a component of the appliance from the real-time operational data, and if a failure mode of the component is detected, initiating a service protocol corresponding to the component.