Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100332022 | HYGIENE COMPLIANCE MONITORING SYSTEM - A hygiene compliance monitoring system provides a dispenser that is associated with a data collection unit that collects dispensing events, such as the dispensement of material from the dispenser, which occurs during time segments of a predetermined duration. The hygiene event monitoring system also includes a portable data acquisition unit that is in wireless communication with the data collection unit of the dispenser. As such, when the data acquisition unit is brought within the range of reception of the data collection unit, the hygiene compliance data and time segment information are transmitted to the data acquisition unit and stored at a portable memory unit, which is removable. As such, the hygiene compliance data stored on the portable memory unit can be readily transferred to any desired computing device for analysis and report generation. | 12-30-2010 |
20130131579 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING THE PRESENCE AND CORRECTNESS OF A MEDICAL DEVICE ACCESSORY - A medical device accessory comprising an interface configured to connect the medical device accessory with a medical device for administration of a medical treatment using the medical device and the medical device accessory, a plurality of electrical contacts proximate the interface, the electrical contacts comprising a lead electrical contact adapted to receive an voltage from a power source associated with the medical device and one or more identifying electrical contacts, and at least one conductor providing an electrical connection between the lead electrical contact and the one or more identifying electrical contacts. An arrangement of the one or more identifying electrical contacts connected to the lead electrical contact identifies a characteristic of the medical device accessory. | 05-23-2013 |
20140052146 | Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy Probe and Electrical Source for an Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy Probe - A lithotripter probe system including an invasive lithotripter tip and an electrical source for the lithotripter tip are disclosed. The lithotripter tip includes a first and second electrode positioned on the lithotripter tip such that an electric arc between the ends of the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave to radiate from the lithotripter tip. The electric source includes a first spark gap, a second park gap electrically connected in series with the first spark gap, and a storage capacitor electrically connected in parallel with the first and second spark gaps. The first electrode is electrically connected to the storage capacitor via the serially connected first and second spark gaps, and when the first and second spark gaps conduct, the storage capacitor is configured to discharge to the first electrode, thereby causing the electric arc between the ends of the first and second electrodes. | 02-20-2014 |
20140231448 | REFILL CONTAINER LABELING - Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type). | 08-21-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090000023 | Fluid dispenser having infrared user sensor - A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes a controller in conjunction with a photodetector in order to provide automatic dispensing to a user when an object enters a target area. A controller is programmed to pulse a light source that is mounted proximate the photodetector. The controller constantly monitors the voltage at the receiving signal of the photodetector, and evaluates the difference in voltage from the light pulsed on and off. The controller sums the differences, and constantly updates the differences over a designated period to create an average difference value. The average difference value is summed with a target offset value and compared to a momentary voltage difference. When the momentary difference exceeds the sum of the target offset value and average difference, the controller sends a signal to a dispense mechanism which dispenses a fluid or other product on the object. | 01-01-2009 |
20100163573 | Low cost radio frequency identification (RFID) dispensing systems - A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes. | 07-01-2010 |
20130001244 | LOW COST RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) DISPENSING SYSTEMS - A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser is configured to communicate with an RFID tag provided by a refill cartridge utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal. The digital signal read by the dispenser is processed by a controller to enable a dispensing function that is representative of the code associated with the RFID tag. In addition, the dispenser includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag provided by the refill cartridge. The dispenser may also be configured to communicate with the RFID tags that are disposed upon cartridges utilized by the dispenser. In addition, the dispenser may be configured to utilize cartridges that include adjustable or telescoping partitions that allow the size of the cartridge to vary. | 01-03-2013 |
20130001250 | TOUCH-FREE DISPENSER WITH SINGLE CELL OPERATION AND BATTERY BANKING - An electrically powered device includes at least one electrically powered component and a power source having at least two cells. One cell powers the electrically powered component and the remaining cells are held in reserve. A control circuit is connected to the electrically powered component and the power source. The control circuit includes a controller which generates a charge signal, a boost regulator circuit connected to the controller which receives power from the power source and generates a boost signal for conversion into a charge signal. A capacitor is connected to the controller and receives the charge signal and provides a predetermined voltage to the electrically powered component. A boost regulator circuit and the controller monitor the power source and draw power from one of the remaining cells held in reserve when the cell is fully depleted. | 01-03-2013 |
20140151394 | ADAPTABLE SENSORLESS END OF STROKE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of methods of controlling a motor for driving a load are disclosed herein. Exemplary methods include providing energy to a motor, sensing a parameter indicative of current. Determining the end of an inrush current and a start point that is after the inrush current and that is at about the beginning of a main current draw. Determining an end point at about the end of the main current draw. Continuing to provide energy to the motor for a time period that is a function of the time from the start point to the end point and de-energizing the motor. | 06-05-2014 |
20140231449 | REFILL CONTAINER LABELING - Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type). | 08-21-2014 |
20140234140 | POWER SYSTEMS FOR TOUCH FREE DISPENSERS AND REFILL UNITS CONTAINING A POWER SOURCE - Electronic dispensers and refill units for electronic dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary electronic dispenser includes a housing, a processor and a first battery secured to the dispenser. The first battery provides power to the processor. The dispenser further includes actuator drive circuitry for causing the dispenser to move an actuator to dispense fluid from a refill unit. In addition, the dispenser includes a rechargeable energy storage device for providing power to the actuator drive circuitry. Circuitry for charging the rechargeable energy storage device is also provided. The dispenser includes a holder for holding a refill unit and a connector for releasably connecting to a second battery that is provided with the refill unit. The second battery is installed in the connector when a refill unit is installed in the dispenser and removed from the connector when the refill unit is removed from the dispenser. | 08-21-2014 |
20140353332 | LOW COST RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) DISPENSING SYSTEMS - A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes. | 12-04-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120311734 | POTATO TRANSFORMATION COMPOSITIONS, SYSTEMS, METHODS, MICROORGANISMS, AND PLANTS - The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to potato transformation compositions, systems, methods, microorganisms, and plants (e.g., one or more potato chipping varieties). In some embodiments, a method of transforming and/or transfecting a plant (e.g., ‘Atlantic’ potato) may comprise (a) growing an ‘Atlantic’ potato plant (e.g., from a tuber) for from about 3 weeks to about 4 weeks, (b) removing one or more leaf sections (e.g., each section from about 0.5 cm to about 1 cm in its longest dimension) from the plant, (c) cultivating the one or more sections on a callus induction medium comprising zeatin for about 2 days, and/or (d) contacting the one or more sections with | 12-06-2012 |