Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.

Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: A method of processing a customer transaction may include receiving an estimated purchase amount and merchant identity information defining a future purchase from a customer, providing loan terms associated with one or more financing options corresponding to the defined future purchase, responsive to the customer agreeing to terms on a selected financing option, storing the financing option in association with the estimated purchase amount and the merchant identity information, responsive to receiving an indication of a transaction between the customer and a merchant, determining whether the transaction maps to the defined future purchase, and originating a loan to finance the transaction in accordance with the selected financing option in response to the transaction mapping to the defined future purchase.

Abstract: An improved structural arrangement for mounting winding packages in the air core reactor is provided. Disclosed embodiments make use of structural properties, such as hoop tensile properties, of a filament roving 130 that may be arranged to surround structural features (e.g., inclined surfaces 108) formed in a disclosed mounting plate 110.

Abstract: An improved structural arrangement for mounting winding packages in the air core reactor is provided. Disclosed embodiments make use of structural properties, such as hoop tensile properties, of a filament roving 130 that may be arranged to surround structural features (e.g., inclined surfaces 108) formed in a disclosed mounting plate 110.

Abstract: An air core reactor including an improved structural arrangement for attaching cylindrical winding packages in the air core reactor is provided. Disclosed embodiments make use of spacer assemblies appropriately arranged to counterbalance bending moments that can develop during operation of the air core reactor and therefore improve the structural capability of the mechanical connection for the winding packages between respective spacers and spider units of the air core reactor.

Abstract: A vent is described, more specifically a vent for the egress of fluid. The vent comprises a housing comprising an opening and at least one valve that extends through the housing. Additionally, the vent includes a plurality of baffles within the housing, where each baffle in the plurality of baffles comprises at least one aperture, and wherein the aperture or apertures of a first baffle within the plurality of baffles are offset from the aperture or apertures of a second baffle within the plurality of baffles. In this way, the egress of various fluids though the housing may be controlled.

Abstract: A flexible tank (10, 110) for transporting fluids in a transportation container (12) is described, the flexible tank (10, 110) defining a tank (10) volume for containing a fluid. The flexible tank (10, 110) comprises at least one mixing member (146, 46) enclosing a fluid pathway (160, 60) extending across an interior surface (144, 44) of the flexible tank (10, 110), the flexible tank (10, 110) further comprising at least one inlet valve (140, 40) configured to allow the passage of fluid from outside said flexible tank (10, 110) into said fluid pathway (160, 60). The mixing member (146, 46) further comprises at least one aperture (154) such that the inlet valve (140, 40) is in fluid communication with the tank (10) volume via the fluid pathway (160, 60). An intermodal container (12) comprising the flexible tank (10, 110) and a method of mixing a fluid with the tank (10) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A damping bearing (34, 36) provides relative rotations between first and second subassemblies about a point (40). The first subassembly includes a fluid containment vessel (26, 26C, 26D) containing a fluid (32). The second subassembly includes a plunger (42) with a fluid deformation element (46, 46B) immersed in the fluid. The relative rotations are damped by viscosity of the fluid resisting motions of the fluid deformation element. Damping is especially effective in multiple planes containing a given line (23 or 43) through the point (40). The plunger may have rotational symmetry, and may be cylindrical about the given line. Lateral fluid bounding surfaces (50, 52, 52D) of the containment vessel may be spherical about the point, or may be shaped to provide clearance to the deformation element that varies with angular displacement between the first and second subassemblies to provide a predetermined damping profile.

Abstract: A damping bearing (34, 36) provides relative rotations between first and second subassemblies about a point (40). The first subassembly includes a fluid containment vessel (26, 26C, 26D) containing a fluid (32). The second subassembly includes a plunger (42) with a fluid deformation element (46, 46B) immersed in the fluid. The relative rotations are damped by viscosity of the fluid resisting motions of the fluid deformation element. Damping is especially effective in multiple planes containing a given line (23 or 43) through the point (40). The plunger may have rotational symmetry, and may be cylindrical about the given line. Lateral fluid bounding surfaces (50, 52, 52D) of the containment vessel may be spherical about the point, or may be shaped to provide clearance to the deformation element that varies with angular displacement between the first and second subassemblies to provide a predetermined damping profile.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wall mountable unit for storing a bicycle wheel, the unit comprising at least a wall mountable part and a hook component in hinged attachment with the wall mountable part, the hook component rotatable using the hinged attachment between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein, in use, in the open configuration the hook component is arranged to receive and to store a bicycle wheel.

Abstract: A bicycle storage system for storing a bicycle, comprising: (i) a first flange to support a lower surface of a bicycle frame, the frame rotating about this first flange under the weight of the rear of the bicycle; and (ii) a second flange to contact an upper surface of that frame to prevent further rotation of the frame about the first flange, the flanges being arranged to then securely hold the frame. The first and the second flanges may be formed into a single, sinuous edge of a hollow cylindrical unit; this unit may be sized to store bicycle accessories.

Abstract: A slipcover system having a slipcover having a tubular cross-sectional orifice area that is substantially uniform for the longitudinal length of the slipcover; the slipcover being adapted to be fitted over the surface area, and for substantially the entire longitudinal length, of a collar to be used in combination with the slipcover; the slipcover having a longitudinal length that is substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the collar; the slipcover having a substantially closed-loop tubular shape; a decorative slipcover having at least one collar guide that is adapted to be fitted over a longitudinal length of the collar; the collar guide being removably attached to the decorative slipcover by a fastener selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop faster, adhesive, and buttons; and an alternative collar slipcover that is directly and removably attached to the slipcover by a fastener selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop faster, adhesive, and buttons.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for establishing location-based push-to-talk communication groups. A location determining application is incorporated within a communication network for members of a push-to-talk group. This application may include global positioning satellite technology incorporated in mobile communication devices carried by the members, a triangulation application incorporated at a communications server, or an RFID application associated with the members. Location data obtained on the members is maintained in a database that is accessible to a communications server facilitating communication between the members. When a member initiates a push-to-talk communication, other members of the group are contacted based upon their locations. The communication can be selectively transmitted to either those within a pre-designated location, or outside of the pre-designated location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing network performance are provided. In data provided by an application on a first host for transport or communication to an application associated with a second host according to a first data transport protocol is intercepted at the first host and wrapped or encapsulated in a test data packet formatted according to a second data transport protocol. The test data packet formatted according to the second data transport protocol includes, in addition to data comprising all or a portion of the original data packet, instrumentation information. The test data packet is then delivered to the second host, which unpacks the original data packet and the instrumentation information. A response packet containing instrumentation information may be sent from the second host to the first host to provide roundtrip performance metrics.

Abstract: Tonal transformation of speech is provided. A tone applicable to a syllable of received speech is determined. A tonal contour applicable to said tone for a dialect of a listener is determined, and the syllable of received speech is altered to have said determined tonal contour. The altered speech may then be delivered to the listener.