Abstract: A requester multicasts a service command. When a service receives the service command, it performs the operation that is specified by the service command, which may generate response data. The service may then send, and the requestor may receive, a response message via unicast. The response message may include the response data. The response message may also include discovery information about the service, which is information that facilitates discovery of the service by the requestor. The requestor processes the response data and the discovery information. If further interaction with the service is desired, the requester may use the discovery information to establish a connection with the service.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for boring into teeth to remove decaying tool matter using a high pressure jet of water. A system according to the invention may include a pressurized water source operably connected to an applicator used to target the water stream at the decayed portion of the tooth. The invention contemplates water streams utilizing single or multiple stream orifices, pure water or particle-entrained streams, and constant high pressure or pulsing pressure to accomplish removal of oral material, including enamel.

Abstract: An automatic safe disposable blood sampling device includes a casing with a launching chamber formed therein. The launching chamber has a lancet needle-exiting hole at a front end thereof; a lancet needle arranged inside the launching chamber; a spring; a launching mechanism composed of the spring and a catch-launching mechanism; a press-launching mechanism provided on the casing; and a self-locking mechanism composed of barbs provided on the press-launching mechanism and self-locking hooks or notches provided on the casing which engage corresponding barbs. When pressed, the press-launching mechanism triggers the catch-launching mechanism, to disengage the lancet needle from the casing. The spring pushes the lancet needle so as to launch the lancet needle. During forward movement of the press-launching mechanism, the barbs pass across the self-locking hooks or notches. In the process of retraction, the barbs are locked with the self-locking hooks or notches and cannot return to their initial states.

Abstract: A diffraction grating having multiple holographic optical elements (HOEs), including a Dickson grating and at least one other volume phase grating (VPG). In typical embodiments, the multi-HOE grating is implemented to provide high dispersion, at least substantially uniform diffraction efficiency and at least substantially equal diffraction efficiencies for all polarizations across a wide range of wavelengths. The refractive index modulations of the Dickson grating's volume phase medium preferably have significantly greater spatial frequency than those of each other VPG of the multi-HOE grating. Typical embodiments of the multi-HOE grating can be manufactured at low cost with sufficiently small size and high dispersion (for both S-polarized and P-polarized radiation) to be useful in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) applications and other applications requiring high dispersion. The multi-HOE grating can be implemented as a transmissive or reflective grating.

Abstract: Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a fault-tolerant remote controlled computing device. A multi-tasking operating system and at least one primary process are executed on the computing device. A first monitor process determines whether any primary process is in a fault state. In response to any primary process being in a fault state, the first monitor process resolves the fault state of each such primary process. In certain embodiments, a local copy of a common configuration file and multimedia content are stored on the computing device. The computing device polls a server at pre-determined time intervals via a public Internet connection for updates to one or more processes, the local copy of the common configuration file, and the multimedia content.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted for use in a distributed network of electronic devices. The device includes a processor, a communications layer and memory. The communications layer is in electronic communication with the processor for communications with the distributed network. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. A software element is configured by an application to send a request to a plurality of receiver components where the request requires a response from each receiver component of the plurality of receiver components. The device also includes a smart listener configured to receive the request from the software element and to store the request in the memory. The smart listener is configured to transmit the request to the plurality of receiver components through the distributed network and to listen for responses from any of the plurality of receiver components.

Abstract: A novel active hood system is disclosed. The active hood system is designed such that in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident, the active hood system will soften the impact between the pedestrian and the vehicle by moving the vehicle hood into an elevated position. In some embodiments, the active hood system is constructed such that during a pedestrian/vehicle collision, the active hood system will raise the vehicle hood into an elevated position by having the hood move through a first travel distance and a second travel distance. The active hood system includes an actuator and a hinge. The actuator may be attached to the hinge. The actuator is designed such that if it is deployed, the actuator will raise the hood into the elevated position. Additional embodiments may also be made in which the actuator is vented during deployment. A dampener is also added to the active hood system. The dampener is designed to dampen the movement of the hood as the hood is moved through the second travel distance.

Abstract: A system for print job accounting in a computer system is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a printer in electronic communication with the computing device. Executable instructions are disposed in an electronic communication path between the printer and the computing device and are configured to add to a print job a new address as a destination for a status message. A pre-print analysis of the print job is performed. The instructions determine if the print job should be sent to a printer based on the pre-print analysis. The print job is sent to the printer. The status message is received that includes actual performance information relating to the print job. The actual performance information is communicated to an accounting system. In addition, the status message is sent to a monitor program.

Abstract: A system and method for providing autonomous control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is disclosed. The system includes a ground station in communication with an unmanned aerial vehicle. The method for providing autonomous control of a UAV includes methods for processing communications between the ground station and UAV. The method also includes procedures for processing commands from the ground station. Also included in the method is a process for estimating the attitude of the UAV and autonomously maintaining its altitude within a desired threshold. The method also includes a process for autonomously orbiting about a specified point in space. Combined with these processes, the method also includes a process for an autonomous takeoff and landing of the UAV.

Abstract: A system for determining a multicast domain for a node on a computer network is disclosed. The system includes a computing device and a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is part of the computing device or is in electronic communication with the computing device. The computer-readable medium comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for determining the multicast domain for the computing device. A destination is obtained that comprises a computer on the computer network. A unique identification is determined for a first router encountered when sending data from the computing device to the destination. A multicast domain identification is prepared based on the unique identification determined. The multicast domain identification is sent to an administrative system on the computer network.

Abstract: A module for a structure for storing bottles includes an elongate member having opposite end portions which each have either a channel or ridge configured for connection with a respective ridge or channel of like modules and a body portion extending in a general axial direction, wherein each end portion extends in substantially opposite lateral directions from the axial direction.

Abstract: Method and system for a direct transmission of motion path data (310) from a generating system (204) to a control system (205) for use in controlling a servo-driven machine. For example, a machine tool for machining stock material, and the data generating system includes a computer-aided-design software package (301). Tool paths for directing the tool members of the machine tool can be extracted from a design file opened by the CAD software through the operation interface of the CAD software (302). Alternatively, the design file can be used to specify motion paths rather than end product geometry. The CAD interpreter application extracts the motion path data from the design file, eliminating the need to translate the data into another or intermediate form for controlling the machine tool.

Abstract: An embedded device configured to provide an audio status output is disclosed. The embedded device includes a processor, an input button in electronic communication with the processor and a speaker in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio output. Memory is used for storing data. An audio output generator is stored in the memory and operates to generate the audio status output. The audio generator receives a generate audio command initiated by a user through use of the input button. The generator then operates to convert the status data to audio output data through use of an audio generation table. The audio output data includes multiple distinct audio signals that are machine-decipherable and that correspond to individual data elements of the status data. The audio output data is provided to the speaker such that the audio output based on the audio output data is generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blind of a roll type comprising a blind sheet having alternate transparent and opaque parts and partly overlapped by folding, to easily and efficiently adjust room illumination. The blind comprises a upper-end support bar; a pair of brackets provided at both ends of the upper-end support bar, standing opposite to each other; a winding rod of which both ends are rotatably fitted into the respective brackets; an adjusting cord provided between one bracket and the winding rod to rotate the winding rod through a sprocket member; a blind sheet comprising alternate transparent and opaque parts and folded to have one end secured to the winding rod and the other end secured to the upper-end support bar; and a weight body provided at a lower end of the blind sheet to stretch the blind sheet tight.

Abstract: A glove box airbag system is disclosed that may be used to protect the knees and/or legs of a vehicle occupant during a crash. The airbag assembly includes a glove box and a housing that encases a knee airbag. The housing is positioned below the glove box. The entirety of the housing may be positioned below the entirety of the glove box. The airbag assembly also has a front member that covers the glove box and the housing. The front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an airbag door that covers the housing. Alternatively, the front member may be a glove box door that covers both the housing and the glove box. Further, the front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an aperture that is positioned in front of the housing. A hinge and/or a latch mechanism that allow the glove box door to move between a closed position and an open position may also be added.