Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for leasing electrical network computational services to one or more network control centers. A power grid may comprise one or more substations. Network control centers disposed within the power grid may be configured to manage the substations within the power grid. A remote centralized network control center may be configured to lease electrical network computational services to the network control centers (e.g., which may mitigate costs associated with including computational hardware and/or software within respective network control centers for performing such electrical network computational services). In this way, substation data received from a network control center may be processed by the remote centralized network control center according to a level of service subscribed to by the network control center. Computational results may be provided back to the network control center (e.g., in real-time).

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a toy arrangement involving a flickering, animated and/or luminescent toy object will be described. The toy arrangement includes a toy object having a light sensitive layer. A light source is arranged to illuminate the light sensitive layer with a pattern revealing light. The light sensitive layer is arranged to emit colored light in response to exposure to the pattern revealing light. In some implementations, the light source is arranged to vary the intensity of the pattern revealing light, which in turn can cause the colored light emitted from the toy object to fade, brighten and flicker. The toy arrangement may also include a speaker that emits sounds that are synchronized with changes in the colored light.

Abstract: An improved electrical rail system for removable and repositionable lighting or other electrical fixtures is disclosed in which electrical interface contacts are interleaved along the rail axis to provide a wide range of fixture pivoting angles around the axis and linear translation along the axis of the rail assembly. Track systems disclosed include linear electrode rails with substantially circumferential contacts configured to provide pivoting of luminaires around the rail in excess of 180 degrees to provide lighting fixture directional flexibility. Helical rail systems are also disclosed with a plurality of interleaved electrical contacts on the surface that coil around the axis of the rail providing continuous pivoting of fixtures. Embodiments include rails with axial symmetry that may be bent in directions perpendicular to the rail axis. Embodiments provide fixture functional switching through movement in a first direction followed by further movement of the fixture without functional switching.

Abstract: Disclosed are interposer electrical connector embodiments including magnetic components used to facilitate interconnection of peripheral devices to standard input/output, or “I/O”, connectors (such as USB connectors) of devices such as mobile communications products (e.g. smart phones, tablets, and personal computers). The interposer connector embodiments disclosed include those in which a plurality of discrete permanent magnets are arranged with magnetic poles aligned in the same orientation perpendicular to and on one side of the electrical interface. Other embodiments include a plurality of bar permanent magnets located on opposite sides of the interface with all poles of the same type directed at the interface, but each one opposing a ferromagnetic element. These arrangements provide self-aligning capabilities useful for electrical connections that have restrictions on visibility or connection approach geometries.

Abstract: A curved wheelchair ramp for ride vehicles of an amusement park attraction, ride, or other environment is provided. In one embodiment, the wheelchair ramp is maneuverable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the wheelchair ramp may form a door to the ride vehicle. In the extended position, the wheelchair ramp extends, in a curve, between an access opening of the ride vehicle to a station platform. In various embodiments, the ramp may have a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The segments may fold together or may nest together.

Abstract: A local magnetic resonance (MR) radio frequency (RF) coil (12, 70, 90) includes a fixed size coil housing (19, 72) with an internal opening (26) which receives a portion of a subject anatomy for imaging. The internal opening (26) includes a narrowed portion (28) and a divergent portion (30) which accommodates variable sizes of subject anatomy. A first size of antenna (84) is disposed in the housing (19, 72) adjacent the narrowed portion (28) of the opening and at least a second size of antenna (86) larger than the at least first sized antenna (84) adjacent the divergent portion of the opening.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a destination along with the user's current location to a central viewing site allowing the user set or change their travel plan while they are on their trip and minimize bandwidth use on expensive or slow networks. A byproduct of this method is the transmission device can record the detailed path traveled by the user while transmitting enough user locations to give the viewer at the central viewing site a good indication of where the user has been. The detailed route traveled by the user is uploaded to the central viewing site when the transmission device is connected to a faster or less expensive network.

Abstract: A time saving snap on cloning mold for use in cloning a plant by air layering. The mold has a reservoir for storing liquid to keep the rooting medium in the air layer moist by wicking of the liquid throughout a long period of root development. The cloning mold quickly snaps on the branch that is being air layered. The reservoir is effective when the mold is used on both branches that are growing with an upward tilt and those growing with a downward tilt.

Abstract: A touch screen keyboard in which one of the user's digits maintains contact with the touch screen, sliding across the screen below the keyboard with a magnifying cursor reaching upward from the digit onto the keyboard, enlarging one key at a time. The enlarged key is engaged when the user taps the screen anywhere else with another digit. Alternate configurations use fixed graphical buttons or accelerometer detected tapping for engagement of the enlarged key.

Abstract: Depressible home keys built into an overlay for a touch-sensitive keyboard offer rest positions for the fingers of a typist, and recesses in the overlay allow engagement of the touch sensor while providing tactile feedback to the typist when engaging non-home keys. The significant difference in elevation between the recesses and the rest of the overlay prevents accidental engagement of spaces between the keys or of multiple keys at one time. This configuration for touch-sensitive keyboards can be embodied in an overlay for a touch screen or for a tablet computer, as a stand alone keyboard, or as a stand alone keyboard that includes a touch screen that provides multiple sets of characters and/or commands to be used with specific computer programs.

Abstract: A movable semi-rigid strip of depressible keys that overlays a touch screen in order to provide tactile home positions for the fingers. The home row key strip can be easily moved into place over the visual image of the home row when the touch screen's keyboard appears. Anti-slip material on the bottom surface of the key strip keeps it in place at the typist types. An alternate configuration provides tabs on the end of the key strip that create tension on the sides of the touch screen or tablet computer in order to keep the key strip in place over the home row, but allowing the strip to slide quickly to a border region. Other configurations for affixing the key strip include magnets, tracks on the sides of the touch screen, and hinged arms that allow the key strip to move quickly on and off the touch screen.

Abstract: An improved electrical rail system for removable and repositionable lighting or other electrical fixtures is disclosed in which electrical interface contacts are interleaved along the rail axis to provide a wide range of fixture pivoting angles around the axis and linear translation along the axis of the rail assembly. Track systems disclosed include linear electrode rails with substantially circumferential contacts configured to provide pivoting of luminaires around the rail in excess of 180 degrees to provide lighting fixture directional flexibility. Helical rail systems are also disclosed with a plurality of interleaved electrical contacts on the surface that coil around the axis of the rail providing continuous pivoting of fixtures. Embodiments include rails with axial symmetry that may be bent in directions perpendicular to the rail axis. Embodiments provide fixture functional switching through movement in a first direction followed by further movement of the fixture without functional switching.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a toy arrangement involving a flickering, animated and/or luminescent toy object will be described. The toy arrangement includes a toy object having a light sensitive layer. A light source is arranged to illuminate the light sensitive layer with a pattern revealing light. The light sensitive layer is arranged to emit colored light in response to exposure to the pattern revealing light. In some implementations, the light source is arranged to vary the intensity of the pattern revealing light, which in turn can cause the colored light emitted from the toy object to fade, brighten and flicker. The toy arrangement may also include a speaker that emits sounds that are synchronized with changes in the colored light.

Abstract: In response to communications from a first device to a second device, respective phase differences are estimated between a first clock of the first device and a second clock of the second device. A first average phase difference is computed within a percentile of a first subset of the respective phase differences. The percentile is less than 100. A second average phase difference is computed within the percentile of a second subset of the respective phase differences. The second subset is a modification of the first subset. The second average phase difference is computed in response to the first average phase difference and the modification.

Abstract: A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a toy arrangement involving a flickering, animated and/or luminescent toy object will be described. The toy arrangement includes a toy object having an ultraviolet sensitive layer. A light source is arranged to illuminate the ultraviolet sensitive layer with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet sensitive layer is arranged to emit colored light in response to exposure to the ultraviolet light. In some implementations, the light source is arranged to vary the intensity of the ultraviolet light, which in turn can cause the colored light emitted from the toy object to fade, brighten and flicker. The toy arrangement may also include a speaker that emits sounds that are synchronized with changes in the colored light.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance scanner (8) and a magnetic resonance scan controller (24). A plurality of markers (40, 140) are attached to the subject to monitor motion of a portion of a subject within an examination region. A motion control unit receives motion data from the markers indicative of the motion and controls the magnetic scan controller to adjust scan parameters to compensate for the motion. In one embodiment, the marker (40) includes a substance (44) which resonates at a characteristic frequency in response to radio excitations by the magnetic resonance scanner. A controller (52) switches an inductive circuit (48, 50) disposed adjacent the substance between a tuned state and a detuned state. In another embodiment, the motion sensor includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a motion sensor, or a Hall-effect element, and a controller (144) which gathers motion data generated by the element and provides temporary storage for the motion data.

Abstract: A golf swing training and aid device that provides feedback to the user that allows correction of golf swing flaws. The device comprises a neck collar attached to an elastic feedback means, such as a bungee cord. The feedback means attaches to a gold club through the vent hole of the golf club grip. When a user keeps constant tension on the feedback means throughout the swing, the device promotes or encourages: a more comfortable and effective grip; a stance and posture more conducive to produce good golf shots and to preserve balance; a wider and stronger shoulder turn; a parallel position of the club relative to the shoulders at the top of the backswing; a more efficient position of the club at the start of the downswing; a stronger impact; a vertical follow through; and a balanced swing finish.

Abstract: A variety of methods and arrangements for facilitating communication between an electronic device and a toy are described. In one aspect, the toy communicates with the electronic device using audio signals and/or conductive touch elements. Some embodiments involve an electronic device that is arranged to use light-based control signals to communicate with a toy. In various implementations, the toy includes a light/motion sensor that allows a user to interact with the toy.

Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for leasing electrical network computational services to one or more network control centers. A power grid may comprise one or more substations. Network control centers disposed within the power grid may be configured to manage the substations within the power grid. A remote centralized network control center may be configured to lease electrical network computational services to the network control centers (e.g., which may mitigate costs associated with including computational hardware and/or software within respective network control centers for performing such electrical network computational services). In this way, substation data received from a network control center may be processed by the remote centralized network control center according to a level of service subscribed to by the network control center. Computational results may be provided back to the network control center (e.g., in real-time).