Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering therapy and/or medicament to a subject use one or more sensors to generate signals that represent characteristics of ultrasonic energy emitted during the use of respiratory medicament delivery devices. Parameters based on these signals indicate energy amplitude in one or more frequency ranges. Such parameters can be used to characterize the emitted ultrasonic energy and control and/or monitor device operation and/or patient adherence.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and/or data-logging nebulizer usage and/or other parameters pertinent to a patient use a conduit that is fluidly coupled between a pressure source, such as a compressor, and a nebulizer, such as a jet nebulizer. During use of the nebulizer by a patient, a compressed medium such as air is transferred through the conduit, thereby altering the pressure level within the conduit. Changes in pressure level may be measured and/or detected, and subsequently used to determine one or more nebulizer usage parameters. These nebulizer usage parameters may in turn be recorded and/or analyzed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering medicament to a subject use one or more sensors to generate signals that represent characteristics of the ultrasonic energy emitted into or by a respiratory medicament delivery device. Parameters based on these signals indicate energy amplitude in one or more frequency ranges. Such parameters can be used to determine respiratory parameters, patient adherence, and/or other parameters.

Abstract: An inhalation monitoring system includes an inhaler having a medicament delivery apparatus configured to deliver medicament to a user during an inhalation of the user; inhalation monitoring apparatus, configured to, during the inhalation, gather data for determining a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health; and a processor configured to receive the data from the inhalation monitoring apparatus and, using the data, determine a measure of the user's lung function and/or lung health.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing metered doses of medicament to a subject that monitors one or more aspects of the dispensation. The medicament is aerosolized for dispensation to the subject so that the subject can inhale the medicament into his airway. The one or more aspects of the dispensation that are monitored based on ultrasonic energy generated by the aerosolization of the medicament. The one or more aspects of the dispensation that are monitored may include one or more of a number of doses dispensed, a number of doses remaining, whether any medicament remains to be dispensed, and/or other aspects of the dispensation of the medicament.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating physical data sensing devices with physical data control devices is disclosed. The system and method are particularly useful for calibrating physical data sensing devices that measure physical data at periodic intervals different from the periodic intervals in which the physical data control device measure the physical data. The system and method provide a quick and accurate calibration between devices sampling at different rates.

Abstract: A compressor system and a method of reducing noise in the compressor system. The compressor system includes an inlet port configured to receive gas, an outlet port configured to output compressed gas, and a compressor pump connected to the inlet port via a pneumatic line and to the outlet port. The compressor pump is configured to pressurize gas input through the inlet port and to output a compressed gas through the outlet port. The compressor pump generates noise during operation of the compressor pump. The compressor system further comprises a side- branch resonator having a housing forming a cavity and an elongated member connected to the housing. The elongated member is pneumatically connected to the pneumatic line between the inlet port and the compressor pump. The side-branch resonator is configured to substantially reduce noise generated by the compressor pump, to monitor an operation of the compressor pump, or both.

Abstract: A materials handling system for processing packaged tobacco products is disclosed. The system includes a picking area where individual packages of tobacco products are picked and placed onto a transport mechanism. The system also includes a picking support software component that manages activity in the picking area. The picking support software component provides picking instruction output indicative of a sequence in which the individual packages of tobacco products should be picked and placed onto the transport mechanism. In one embodiment, the sequence blends the individual components of multiple tobacco product orders together such that the tobacco product orders are not completely picked consecutively from one order to the next.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing metered doses of medicament to a subject that monitors one or more aspects of the dispensation. The medicament is aerosolized for dispensation to the subject so that the subject can inhale the medicament into his airway. The one or more aspects of the dispensation that are monitored based on ultrasonic energy generated by the aerosolization of the medicament. The one or more aspects of the dispensation that are monitored may include one or more of a number of doses dispensed, a number of doses remaining, whether any medicament remains to be dispensed, and/or other aspects of the dispensation of the medicament.

Abstract: Nebulization of a medicament for delivery to a subject is monitored. In one embodiment, whether there is any medicament to be nebulized, a rate of nebulization, and/or other aspects of the nebulization of the medicament are monitored. Information related to the one or more monitored aspects of the nebulization may be provided to a subject. For example, by monitoring whether there is any medicament to be nebulized, whether the nebulization of the medicament is complete may be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a user interface associated with a tobacco product stamping machine. In one embodiment, the user interface includes a visual representation of a batch of tobacco product containers. The visual representation includes an indication of a plurality of tobacco product types included in the batch. The visual representation includes an indication of a number of containers of a first tobacco product type included in the batch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tobacco-oriented goods are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a pick-up signal from a pick-up sensor. The pick-up signal is indicative of the picking up of a tobacco product unit that has been pre-sorted based on inclusion in an associated order. Also received is a put-down signal from a put-down sensor. The put-down signal is indicative of the fact that the tobacco product unit has been put down. A determination is made, based on a system parameter, whether the pick-up signal is properly associated with the put-down signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a contact center interaction request via a device coupled to a display screen; (ii) accessing information about the device or a user of the device from a customer database of a content provider; and (iii) establishing an interaction path between the contact center and a viewer. The method can further include providing information to the user via the interaction path in response to a request by the user for the information. The device can be a set-top box (STB) or a cable card and the display screen can be a television, for example. Also, the content provider can be a cable or satellite television provider, for example.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting tubes or pipes preferably includes at least one sealed inspection pig having a length to diameter relationship based on a known bend radius of a tube or pipe to be inspected. A plurality of such pigs may be used where such pigs are interconnected, sealed, and releasable by design and where an inspection transducer is located approximately centrally between the ends of at least one of the pigs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a contact center interaction request via a device coupled to a display screen; (ii) accessing information about the device or a user of the device from a customer database of a content provider; and (iii) establishing an interaction path between the contact center and a viewer. The method can further include providing information to the user via the interaction path in response to a request by the user for the information. The device can be a set-top box (STB) or a cable card and the display screen can be a television, for example. Also, the content provider can be a cable or satellite television provider, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the inspection of an object. A linear array of cameras are located in a stationery position with the object moved over them. An image processor first applies calibration and perspective alterations to the consecutive frames of the cameras, then mosaics the frames together to form a single mosaiced image of the object. An undervehicle car inspection system is described which provides a single image of the entire underside of the vehicle, to scale.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for presenting a highly spatially accurate visualisation of a scene from which measurements can be taken. A sensor is located in relation to a camera, and provides positional characteristics of the camera as it collects frames of video images. Using the positional characteristics the frames are corrected. The corrected frames are then synchronised to form an accurate mosaic of a scene. Example embodiments are described where the moving camera is used to survey or inspect underwater apparatus, roads, runways, railways, crime or accident scenes, archaeological digs and the inside of boilers, chimneys and pipelines.

Abstract: A multi-cutting edge mulching lawn mower blade including a central disk member having a central aperture formed therethrough. The central aperture is dimensioned for rotatable coupling with a spindle shaft of a lawn mower. A plurality of first blade members each have interior edges extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the central disk member. Each of the first blade members have a cutting edge formed on an interior edge thereof. A plurality of second blade members each have interior edges extending outwardly from the peripheral edge of the central disk member. Each of the second blade members are positioned between the first blade members. Each of the second blade members have a cutting edge formed on an interior edge thereof wherein each cutting edge of the second blade members are disposed above each cutting edge of first blade members.

Abstract: An improved presettable integrator circuit is disposed in a fast frequency changing phase lock loop for presetting the voltage-controlled oscillator thereof as governed by a preset signal and a pulsed signal generated by a frequency controller. One input of the integrator circuit is coupled to the preset signal, another input is coupled to an integrator control signal, and the output is coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator for use as a tuning signal thereof. A switch is included in the integrator circuit and is governed in a first state by the pulsed signal to cause the integrator circuit to respond rapidly to an applied preset signal to preset the output signal thereof. In a second state, the switch renders the integrator circuit responsive to an integrator control signal which is selected by a phase lock condition of the loop from either a reference signal or a filtered phase error signal, being coupled to the other input of the integrator circuit.