Abstract: Techniques for providing notifications to user devices for the purpose of re-engaging users in content items they are consuming, such as electronic books, movies, videos, and the like. For instance, the techniques may calculate a frequency at which a user reads an electronic book. If the user does not request to read this electronic book for an abnormal amount of time, the techniques may provide a notification encouraging the user to again read the electronic book.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating collaborative consumption of content items, such as electronic books, movies, videos, songs, and the like. Multiple users may consume a content item over a substantially common period of time, such as over a day, week, month, etc. Each user may utilize one or more electronic devices (e.g., electronic book reader devices, tablet devices, laptop computers, etc.) to consume the item, and each user may share his or her thoughts and may otherwise provide progress updates to the other users over the period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus to mark a surface of an object includes a conveyor assembly having spaced apart conveyor belts with a conveyor opening therebetween. The conveyor assembly has an entry side and an exit side that supports the object. A marking assembly moves between a retracted position away from the conveyor belts, which allows movement of the object from the entry side to the exit side, and an operate position proximal the surface to be marked. At least one marker is carried by the marking assembly which marks a surface of the object when the marking assembly is in the operate position.

Abstract: A postural feedback device for assisting user awareness of joint, muscle, or body part alignment is disclosed. Embodiments include at least one linear or rotary sensing unit comfortably and discretely adhered to the user's skin, a hardwire connection cable or wireless transmission sending unit, and an electronic console for interpretation of information from the sensing unit and biofeedback of said information via stimulus to the user. The postural feedback device may comprise multiple sensing units of various sizes simultaneously allowing for variations in application, user size, and size of body part being monitored. The electronic console may provide biofeedback to the user in the form of tactile, auditory, visual, or other stimuli, aiding the user in awareness of postural alignment or instruction of a desired anatomical movement. The sensing unit may be constructed allowing a low-profile, comfortable fit, allowing the device to be worn discreetly underneath clothing.

Abstract: In aspects, indoor to outdoor wireless power delivery is described that provides continuous power through a building structure. A transmitter receives an indication of a required continuous power from a receiver, configures one or more settings to generate an electromagnetic field to transfer the required continuous power, and generates the electromagnetic field to transfer the required continuous power to the receiver. In other aspects of indoor to outdoor wireless power delivery, a transmitter and a receiver are aligned to provide continuous power through a building structure. The transmitter and the receiver enter an alignment mode, the transmitter produces an electromagnetic field to inductively transfer power to the receiver, and the receiver senses the electromagnetic field produced by the transmitter and provides an indication of an alignment of the transmitter and the receiver to a user of the system.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices, architectures, and techniques to coordinate data related to separate services to help create a more robust user experience for a user accessing either or both of the separate services. For instance, if the user currently accesses two separate services that relate to a common subject matter, techniques of this disclosure will provide data from one of the services when the user accesses the other. In one example, an activity feed that includes activities relating to both a first service and a second service may be generated and displayed to a user accessing the first service.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating screen saver initiation and functionality. The system comprises at least one client station, each of the at least one client station having a screen saver module associated therewith; and a central control station in communication with each of the at least one client station over a network, the central control station having a screen saver control module for controlling each of the screen saver modules associated with the at least one client station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material consisting of a preparation made from a mixture of ferrocene and an inert flameproof material such as plaster, the material being presented in the form of granules and being suitable for spreading over a hydrocarbon fire in a simple and rapid manner such that, under the effect of the heat from the fire, the ferrocene contained in the granulated material is diffused progressively and homogeneously in a vapor phase over the base of the flames, so as to optimize the combustion of the hydrocarbon and to reduce the emission of smoke and unwanted particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing flash from a tire includes a laser sensor which, while the tire is rotating, can be moved along the outer contour of the shoulders and tread area of a tire to detect the contour of the tire. A first sanding assembly removes the flash from the tread area, while the tire is not rotating, by moving horizontally and vertically in accordance with the detected contour of the tread area. A second sanding assembly removes the flash from the shoulder area, while the tire is rotating, by moving horizontally, vertically, and pivotally in accordance with the detected contour of the shoulder area.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing flash from a tire includes a laser sensor which, while the tire is rotating, can be moved along the outer contour of the shoulders and tread area of a tire to detect the contour of the tire. A first sanding assembly removes the flash from the tread area, while the tire is not rotating, by moving horizontally and vertically in accordance with the detected contour of the tread area. A second sanding assembly removes the flash from the shoulder area, while the tire is rotating, by moving horizontally, vertically, and pivotally in accordance with the detected contour of the shoulder area.

Abstract: A transformable exercise device used both for stability and strength training is disclosed. Embodiments include a main portion comprising a sphere that may be used wholly in the manner of a medicine ball, kettlebell, rolling device, or separated into two hemisphere elements and used for various exercises including push-ups, standing balance, agility training, and weight training. The two hemisphere elements may be easily and securely locked together with a U-shaped locking mechanism that, when actuated, is congruent with the surface of the sphere to create a medicine ball configuration. The locking mechanism may be modified with various handle attachments, or removed and replaced with separate components added externally to the device providing various hand or foot placements, or alter the nature of the exercise equipment. The device may be used in conjunction with current technology to provide visual and auditory feedback on user's balance or repetitions while performing exercises.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating collaborative consumption of content items, such as electronic books, movies, videos, songs, and the like. Multiple users may consume a content item over a substantially common period of time, such as over a day, week, month, etc. Each user may utilize one or more electronic devices (e.g., electronic book reader devices, tablet devices, laptop computers, etc.) to consume the item, and each user may share his or her thoughts and may otherwise provide progress updates to the other users over the period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material consisting of a preparation made from a mixture of ferrocene and an inert flameproof material such as plaster, the material being presented in the form of granules and being suitable for spreading over a hydrocarbon fire in a simple and rapid manner such that, under the effect of the heat from the fire, the ferrocene contained in the granulated material is diffused progressively and homogeneously in a vapour phase over the base of the flames, so as to optimise the combustion of the hydrocarbon and to reduce the emission of smoke and unwanted particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing smoothies and in particular, green smoothies, to consumers and to retail businesses for resale without the need for a blender is disclosed. According to the method, a smoothie mixture is made according to a variety of recipes and then frozen into cubes that dimensions with surface to volume ratios that allow the cubes to be quickly reconstituted into a smoothie beverage by adding hot water and vigorously shaking the mixture. The cubes are large enough that they do not quickly thaw in the packaging and then potentially refreeze in the packaging to create a solid mass. In embodiments the cubes are divided into single serving size rigid containers wherein the consumer or reseller introduces hot water into the container.

Abstract: A postural feedback device for assisting user awareness of joint, muscle, or body part alignment is disclosed. Embodiments include at least one linear or rotary sensing unit comfortably and discretely adhered to the user's skin, a hardwire connection cable or wireless transmission sending unit, and an electronic console for interpretation of information from the sensing unit and biofeedback of said information via stimulus to the user. The postural feedback device may comprise multiple sensing units of various sizes simultaneously allowing for variations in application, user size, and size of body part being monitored. The electronic console may provide biofeedback to the user in the form of tactile, auditory, visual, or other stimuli, aiding the user in awareness of postural alignment or instruction of a desired anatomical movement. The sensing unit may be constructed allowing a low-profile, comfortable fit, allowing the device to be worn discreetly underneath clothing.