Abstract: A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments contemplate a computer-implemented method of energy consumption and energy demand management in a building. In accordance with some embodiments, interval energy data of a specific building may be collected with a fixed time interval and paired with local historical weather data and other forms of operational data, as well as financial data including historical utility bills, utility rate structures and billing cycle dates. Paired energy interval data and the local historical weather data may be analyzed according to one or more analytic algorithms.

Abstract: A screening panel and screening arrangement are provided for screening materials. The screening panel includes a peripheral frame having a first side frame member and an opposing second side frame member defining an opening therebetween. Further, the screening panel includes a plurality of spaced elongated screening ribs defining a screening surface of the screening panel. The screening panel includes a one or more sets of screening ribs that extend continuously across at least a portion of the screening surface of the screening panel in a non-parallel direction relative to a flow direction of material in the screening arrangement.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments contemplate a computer-implemented method of energy consumption and energy demand management in a building. In accordance with some embodiments, interval energy data of a specific building may be collected with a fixed time interval and paired with local historical weather data and other forms of operational data, as well as financial data including historical utility bills, utility rate structures and billing cycle dates. Paired energy interval data and the local historical weather data may be analyzed according to one or more analytic algorithms.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine the effects of trade promotions on subsequent sales are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining a plurality of decremental effect factors, each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of weeks, wherein at least some of the decremental effect factors are indicative of a downward trend in sales of a product that was under a promotion condition during a first one of the plurality of weeks. The example method also includes determining a plurality of decremental effect terms, each decremental effect term equal to the product of a corresponding coefficient multiplied by a corresponding one of the decremental effect factors, and determining a pantry loading effect term based on the plurality of decremental effect terms. Further, the example method includes determining a pantry loading incremental sub-volume based on the pantry loading effect term, and generating a report including the pantry loading incremental sub-volume.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine the effects of trade promotions on subsequent sales are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining a plurality of decremental effect factors, each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of weeks, wherein at least some of the decremental effect factors are indicative of a downward trend in sales of a product that was under a promotion condition during a first one of the plurality of weeks. The example method also includes determining a plurality of decremental effect terms, each decremental effect term equal to the product of a corresponding coefficient multiplied by a corresponding one of the decremental effect factors, and determining a pantry loading effect term based on the plurality of decremental effect terms. Further, the example method includes determining a pantry loading incremental sub-volume based on the pantry loading effect term, and generating a report including the pantry loading incremental sub-volume.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine the effects of trade promotions on competitive products are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a plurality of competitive products and calculating a weighting similarity index for each one of the plurality of competitive products based on the target product. The example method also includes selecting a competitive product subset of the plurality of competitive products, each of the competitive products within the subset having a target similarity index, and retrieving point of sale (POS) data related to the target product and the competitive product subset. Further, the example method includes calculating a competitive trade index based on sales activity of the competitive product subset, the competitive trade index indicative of the target product sales effect, and generating a report including the competitive trade index.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine the effects of trade promotions on subsequent sales are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining a plurality of decremental effect factors, each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of weeks, wherein at least some of the decremental effect factors are indicative of a downward trend in sales of a product that was under a promotion condition during a first one of the plurality of weeks. The example method also includes determining a plurality of decremental effect terms, each decremental effect term equal to the product of a corresponding coefficient multiplied by a corresponding one of the decremental effect factors, and determining a pantry loading effect term based on the plurality of decremental effect terms. Further, the example method includes determining a pantry loading incremental sub-volume based on the pantry loading effect term, and generating a report including the pantry loading incremental sub-volume.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine the effects of trade promotions on competitive stores are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a target product sold at the target store associated with the trade promotion, and identifying a plurality of competitive products having a degree of similarity to the target product. The example method also includes retrieving all commodities volume (ACV) data from a plurality of stores in a geography of interest that sell the plurality of competitive products, calculating a percentage overlap of the ACV data to generate a competitive trading area table of store pairs within a threshold value of the overlap, calculating a brand store switching value by dividing a brand incremental volume by a base equivalent volume for the store pairs, the brand store switching value indicative of the trade promotion store effect; and generating a report including the brand store switching value.

Abstract: Method and system for server side insertion of rich content into a media stream uses an insertion plugin to redirect users' requests for streaming media through a server, and operates on either live broadcasts or on demand playlists. The live broadcast identifies impending local interrupt breaks and seamlessly inserts content chosen to match user attributes. The on demand implementation broadcasts a playlist of encoded content including predetermined file content and additional rich content inserted based on user attributes as selected by a decision engine. The insertion of content can be performed on already encoded media. In one embodiment, time matching is performed to avoid rebuffering.

Abstract: Method and system for server side insertion of rich content into a media stream uses an insertion plugin to redirect users' requests for streaming media through a server, and operates on either live broadcasts or on demand playlists. The live broadcast identifies impending local interrupt breaks and seamlessly inserts content chosen to match user attributes. The on demand implementation broadcasts a playlist of encoded content including predetermined file content and additional rich content inserted based on user attributes as selected by a decision engine. The insertion of content can be performed on already encoded media. In one embodiment, time matching is performed to avoid rebuffering.

Abstract: An apparatus for interconnecting a cellular telephone transceiver and a plurality of peripheral devices, such as handsets or speakerphones, is disclosed. The apparatus provides a bus-type interconnection in which multiple peripheral devices may connect with a single transceiver, and the flow of information from the peripheral devices to the transceiver is regulated in accordance with a protocol.

Abstract: A lithography method for forming an opening in a resist layer with a sloped profile is disclosed which requires no additional processing steps or equipment. A scattering element, for example a ground glass diffuser, is placed in the optical path of radiation passing through a standard lithography apparatus. The scattering element modifies the radiation passing through the lithography apparatus with the result that the developed resist profile exhibits sloped edges. The slope modification can be conveniently changed by exchanging the optical scattering element used.