Abstract: A handle assembly for engaging and disengaging a locking or securing device. The assembly comprises an actuator, and a rotatable exterior handle. In use, the exterior handle rotates the actuator to engage or disengage the locking or securing device. The exterior handle is structured to only rotate and engage the actuator when the exterior handle is removed from its retracted position into its extended position.

Abstract: A flush door latch assembly used to secure a hinged aircraft access door. The assembly comprises a spring-loaded exterior handle, an actuator, an interior handle, and housing pan. During operation, the handles alternatively engage the actuator. When the exterior handle is in the retracted position, it disengages from the actuator. When the exterior handle is in the extended position, the interior handle is disengaged from the actuator. When the exterior handle is in the retracted position, it is stowed in the housing pan.

Abstract: A seal for a meter housing with an interior portion is disclosed. The seal includes an axially inner surface configured to face the interior portion of the meter housing and an axially outer surface configured to face away from the interior portion of the meter housing. At least one of the axially inner surface and the axially outer surface is configured to seal against a portion of the housing. The seal further includes a diaphragm defined axially intermediate the axially inner surface and the axially outer surface and a fluid passageway defined through a portion of the diaphragm. The fluid passageway is configured to move between an open position and a closed position in response to a pressure differential between the interior portion of the housing and an exterior portion.

Abstract: A system for enhanced learning that combines tactile surfaces and audio recordings, allowing the user to explore a 3-dimensional object through touch while also hearing pre-recorded audio explaining regions or features of interest. One of a collection of 3-dimensional tactile modules is used with the system at a given time. When a tactile module is inserted into the system (or otherwise connected) by the user, the system automatically recognizes the inserted module, locates the set of audio recordings and region maps associated with that tactile module, and then plays module-specific audio recordings. As the user explores the tactile surface, the system is continually alert for a signal from the user that he/she would like to know more about a particular feature or sub-region of the surface. When such a signal is detected, the system automatically plays a specific audio recording containing information associated with that region of the tactile surface.

Abstract: A computing device can periodically acquire a current track time for a media content item being played. The device can periodically compare the current track time with a respective start time and a respective end time for each line (or segment) in a plurality of lines of text (or segments of text) associated with the media content item. If the device determines that the current track time is between start and end times for a given line of text, then the device can display the given line of text. A user of the device can scroll through the lines of text associated with the media content item. If the user selects a particular line of text, the device can identify a start time for the selected line of text. The device can then play the media content item at the identified start time of the selected line of text.

Abstract: A flush door latch assembly used to secure a hinged aircraft access door. The assembly comprises a spring-loaded exterior handle, an actuator, an interior handle, and housing pan. During operation, the handles alternatively engage the actuator. When the exterior handle is in the retracted position, it disengages from the actuator. When the exterior handle is in the extended position, the interior handle is disengaged from the actuator. When the exterior handle is in the retracted position, it is stowed in the housing pan.

Abstract: A computing device can periodically acquire a current track time for a media content item being played. The device can periodically compare the current track time with a respective start time and a respective end time for each line (or segment) in a plurality of lines of text (or segments of text) associated with the media content item. If the device determines that the current track time is between start and end times for a given line of text, then the device can display the given line of text. A user of the device can scroll through the lines of text associated with the media content item. If the user selects a particular line of text, the device can identify a start time for the selected line of text. The device can then play the media content item at the identified start time of the selected line of text.

Abstract: A merchant system is disclosed that can provide multiple online marketplaces that utilize marketplace product catalog layering. Product catalogs associated with each marketplace may be defined and layered such that products sold by one marketplace may be displayed on and purchased by way of another marketplace. The merchant system might also provide a unified electronic shopping cart for storing purchases made at multiple marketplaces, a unified checkout user interface for completing the purchase of items from multiple marketplaces, and a unified order management user interface for managing purchases made from multiple marketplaces.

Abstract: A method of associating metadata with digital content items is provided. The method includes determining portions of a digital content item containing content meriting associating of preexisting or dynamically-determined metadata information, associating such preexisting or dynamically-determined metadata with selected portions of the digital content item via application of tags to the selected portions, and controlling, during a dynamically unfolding time interval definable via timestamps, subsequent consumption of the digital content item based on the intermittent presence of tags.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an engine of a vehicle is disclosed in which a torque request signal supplied to control the supply of torque from the engine is adaptively modified based upon a desired maximum acceleration limit for the currently engaged gear and variations in the sum of forces resisting motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The latch including: a housing; a switch located within the housing, wherein the wireless switch is configured to only wirelessly transfer data from the housing, wherein the data corresponds to an operational state of the wireless switch, wherein the power required to wirelessly transfer the data from housing is generated solely by manipulation of an actuation member of the wireless switch; and a component moveably mounted within the housing for movement between at least a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the component in the housing manipulates the actuation member of the wireless switch and thus changes the state of the wireless switch.

Abstract: A software product using gaming protocols and technology to help people deal with chronic conditions is described herein comprising four modules. The first module presents a therapeutic component to teach condition management skills. The second module presents a query component to assess various conditions. The third module presents an activities component to determine progress towards learning condition management skills. The fourth module presents a progression module to track that progress. Progress reports detailing the user's progress may be provided.

Abstract: A rapidly-deployable fire shelter is described herein. Specifically, the fire shelter is equipped with one or more actuators that enable the fire shelter to be rapidly deployed thereby providing a quick and effective mechanism for protecting items or people from fire, smoke, and the other fire-related hazards. The fire shelter may include a protective barrier that is extended upon activation of the one or more actuators.

Abstract: The invention relates to product, method and system for materials handling apparatus and more particularly to an integrated design of a vessel for combining sterilization, storage, transport and presentation of dental or surgical instruments or implants using a uniquely designed sterilization base-tray. The simplicity of design and resulting fabrication of a base-tray as a single closed cavity component together with a limited additional number of parts forming the sterilization tray eliminates bacteria colonization as well as lowering manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A system for providing virtual coupons to a customer illustratively includes a database having a plurality of virtual coupons stored therein, a virtual coupon repository associated with the customer, and a virtual coupon module to transfer a sequence of selected ones of the plurality of virtual coupons stored in the database to the virtual coupon repository, and to sequentially activate for redemption by the customer each successive virtual coupon in the sequence after a preceding virtual coupon in the sequence has been redeemed by the customer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an add-drop multiplexer that receives an optical signal having a plurality of channels. The multiplexer spatially separates the channels, and a spatial light modulator within the multiplexer, which in some embodiments is a switched blazed grating, routes the channels along first or second paths according to whether the particular channels are to be sent along as a part of an output communication signal or “dropped” into a dropped-channel optical communications signal. The add-drop multiplexer is also operable to receive optical channels to be added to an optical signal and to use a spatial light modulator to add those optical signals to that optical signal.

Abstract: A method of associating metadata with digital content items is provided. The method includes determining portions of a digital content item containing content meriting associating of preexisting or dynamically-determined metadata information, associating such preexisting or dynamically-determined metadata with selected portions of the digital content item via application of tags to the selected portions, and controlling, during a dynamically unfolding time interval definable via timestamps, subsequent consumption of the digital content item based on the intermittent presence of tags.

Abstract: A rapidly-deployable fire shelter is described herein. Specifically, the fire shelter is equipped with one or more actuators that enable the fire shelter to be rapidly deployed thereby providing a quick and effective mechanism for protecting items or people from fire, smoke, and the other fire-related hazards. The fire shelter may include a protective barrier that is extended upon activation of the one or more actuators.

Abstract: A method for recommending content to a consumer in a manner proactively controlled by the consumer. The method is based on subscription to one or more consumer-identified authorities that receive content of potential interest to the consumer. The method comprises identifying an authority that shares an interest of the consumer, and establishing a communication channel through which information about the authority is passed to the consumer. The method further comprises monitoring a consumption activity of the identified authority, and offering one or more content recommendations to the consumer based on such monitoring.