Abstract: A delivery monitoring system comprises a portable camera positioned on a delivery person; a camera activation application executed by a mobile electronic device to control a video-generating operation of the portable camera; and a special-purpose processor that outputs a data instruction to an electronic locking device to unlock an entrance to a location for delivering an item by the delivery person only when the portable camera is recording video.

Abstract: A delivery monitoring system comprises a portable camera positioned on a delivery person; a camera activation application executed by a mobile electronic device to control a video-generating operation of the portable camera; and a special-purpose processor that outputs a data instruction to an electronic locking device to unlock an entrance to a location for delivering an item by the delivery person only when the portable camera is recording video.

Abstract: A delivery monitoring system comprises a portable camera positioned on a delivery person; a camera activation application executed by a mobile electronic device to control a video-generating operation of the portable camera; and a special-purpose processor that outputs a data instruction to an electronic locking device to unlock an entrance to a location for delivering an item by the delivery person only when the portable camera is recording video.

Abstract: A delivery monitoring system comprises a portable camera positioned on a delivery person; a camera activation application executed by a mobile electronic device to control a video-generating operation of the portable camera; and a special-purpose processor that outputs a data instruction to an electronic locking device to unlock an entrance to a location for delivering an item by the delivery person only when the portable camera is recording video.

Abstract: One variation of a serving unit includes: a base; a wall extending from the base, including a frustoconical section, and defining a central axis; a rim extending from an upper edge of the wall; a seal extending across the rim and transiently enclosing a cavity defined by the wall and the base; a beater arranged within the cavity, configured to rotate about the central axis, including blades configured to extend along the base and up a portion of the wall, and including a drive coupling coaxial with the central axis; and a dry powdered food product arranged within the cavity and including a first quantity of flavoring, a second quantity of sweetener, and a third quantity of thickener.

Abstract: A piezo-electric actuated valve having an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, and an end chamber is disclosed. The valve also includes a main poppet disposed within the valve body. The main poppet is configured to be selectively movable between a flow blocking position substantially blocking a flow of pressurized fluid and a plurality of flow passing positions allowing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet chambers. The valve also includes a pilot valve configured to be selectively movable between a first position substantially blocking a flow of pressurized fluid and a plurality of second positions allowing fluid communication between the end chamber and the one of the inlet and outlet chamber exposed to a pressurized fluid having a lower pressure. The valve further includes a piezo-electric actuator configured to be selectively movable between a de-energized position and an energized position to affect the pilot valve to selectively move to at least one the plurality of second positions.

Abstract: An aeration measurement system for a fluid actuation system is disclosed. The aeration measurement system has a container configured to receive fluid, and a light source configured to emit light into the container. The aeration measurement system also has a light receiver that is configured to receive light from the light source while the light is passing through the fluid. The aeration measurement system further has a controller in communication with the light source and light receiver. The controller is configured to determine an amount of aeration in the fluid based on the received light.