Abstract: Invention describes real-time control system increasing shopping efficiency, maintaining item quality, inventory, and directing customer transactions, requiring handling and processing of items only once. Invention controls access to items inside modules via card with unique embedded identification features. Invention stores customer transactions and entered shopping lists. Invention per customer selected shopping list and items availability, will in real-time navigate customer to complete required transactions within customer selected criteria. Invention controls card identification features and modules containing items. Invention based on card identification and item identification such as barcode information will store customer executed transactions, and will require customer to pay for completed transactions before leaving the store. Invention in real-time maintains inventory of items, controls environment surrounding items, and reports items exceeding shelf life limit preventing their transaction.

Abstract: The invention describes apparatus for designing and installing power distribution systems for: residential, commercial and industrial applications, as well as for power distribution within electro-mechanical devices. The invention transforms existing labor-intense installations into practically plug-and-power type modular systems. For a specific project, pre-designed, fabricated and tested kit, including factory assembled and tested: power and control enclosures, power outlets and junction boxes, interface cables, as specified by the invention, will be delivered directly to the installation site. No labor intense operations: wire crimping, outlet/switch wiring, junction box wiring, load wiring. No exposed hot wires or leads at any point outside enclosure. The invention will: significantly lower labor costs, reduce installation time, improve safety, reliability and quality.

Abstract: Invention describes real-time control system increasing shopping efficiency, maintaining item quality, inventory, and directing customer transactions, requiring handling and processing of items only once. Invention controls access to items inside modules via card with unique embedded identification features. Invention stores customer transactions and entered shopping lists. Invention per customer selected shopping list and items availability, will in real-time navigate customer to complete required transactions within customer selected criteria. Invention controls card identification features and modules containing items. Invention based on card identification and item identification such as barcode information will store customer executed transactions, and will require customer to pay for completed transactions before leaving the store. Invention in real-time maintains inventory of items, controls environment surrounding items, and reports items exceeding shelf life limit preventing their transaction.

Abstract: The invention describes intelligent configurable apparatus used for identification and status indication for variety of applications: point-of-service locations; buildings/apartment complexes, residential homes; street signs; etc. Apparatus could be stand-alone or expandable plug-in modules interconnected via local area wired and wireless network into identification and status system. Apparatus could be DC powered, including solar. Apparatus has controller and sensors. Based on apparatus configuration and information obtained from sensors, controller performs variety of controls: illumination color/intensity/modulation; power consumption; communication with other controllers over LAN and/or INTERNET. Sensors could detect: presence of object; environmental parameters—temperature, light, sound; power consumption. Configuration parameters include: power consumption, brightness, ambient conditions, and schedule of operation. Power consumption allows apparatus operation based on safety and cost criteria.

Abstract: Invention describes apparatus automating distributed item processing including pharmacy. Apparatus includes: portable vending cartridges, automatic vending modules, controllers. Cartridge contains conveyor transporting items inside carriers. Cartridges slide-into receptacles inside vending module. Controllers in real-time monitor presence of cartridges; inventory of carries, items; and execute controls of each cartridge and vending module including: indexing conveyors; loading and/or unloading items into/from carriers; maintaining items within specifications: environment, handling, safety with reports confirming compliance. Controllers execute in real-time optimization algorithm achieving required performance: rates of item loading/unloading, power consumption. Pharmacy applications include cartridges handling containers with medications.

Abstract: Principals described in regard to Low-cost Solid-State Identification Devices—provide essential tools and illustrate their applicability in the design of modular, cost efficient, safe and reliable identification systems, which could be used for identification and/or status indication for variety of applications, including: point-of-service locations; buildings/apartment complexes, residential homes, etc.; street signs; etc. Low-cost Solid-State Identification Devices in regard to point-of-service locations, could be used in such applications as: automatic self-check-out lines at grocery stores; operator point-of-service locations at retail and grocery stores; service/sale locations at airports; etc.

Abstract: The principals and methods described in our application—provide essential tools for designing a convenient, safe, cost efficient power distribution and control system, which could become industry-standard method, benefiting: providers, users and service personnel of the system. The outlined principals, methods could effectively and efficiently support development and installation of power distribution systems for variety of projects, including: residential, commercial and industrial. In addition, the proposed methods could be used in the designs of power distribution to and within variety of electro-mechanical devices or machines. Designs based on proposed technology will outperform the existing methods in terms of its: superior reliability, safety, quality and costs. Proposed technology will help to transform the existing labor-intense installations into practically plug-n-play type of installations.

Abstract: A heating element having a pair of terminals for being coupled to a source of electric current. The heating element includes a path arranged in a field having outer path elements and inner path elements. The outer path elements are in the form of at least one row of a repeated alternating wave of a first predetermined amplitude and pitch. The row substantially surrounding the perimeter of the field and the inner path elements is primarily in the form of a repeated alternating wave of a second predetermined amplitude and pitch. The second amplitude is substantially greater than that of the first amplitude and the second pitch is less than the first pitch. A sample heating device includes a base, four side walls extending from the base and a sample holding plate for holding sample vials. The sample holding plate, the base, and the side walls define a chamber. The sample vials are positioned within the chamber.