Abstract: A manometer for multi-channel pressure measurement is presented which includes two or more manometer channels, where each channel includes an independent fluid level adjustment. Also included is a method for calibrating multiple channel carburetors using a manometer having multiple channels each having an independent fluid level adjustment.

Abstract: A method and system for making and optimizing offer selections targeted to particular recipients or groups improves selection quality by combining and aggregating quantitative and qualitative data to capture recipient needs and provider expectations and intentions. Offer descriptions are first received. Distribution variables for application to offer descriptions and recipients are then selected. Distributions are then assigned to offer descriptions, and distributions appropriate to the recipient are determined and assigned to the recipient. Distributions can incorporate demographic, psychographic and behavioral variables. Offer description distributions and recipient distributions are combined for each offer description, resulting in a ranking for each offer description. Offer descriptions are automatically selected based on the rankings, using, for example, simple ordering or roulette wheel selection. Offer descriptions are instantiated as offers, and finally offers are output to the recipient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing product randomization and analysis in a manufacturing environment are provided. A method includes processing products for a plurality of lots, at process equipment, using a randomization technique for selecting each product in the lots. The method further including generating an operation identification record for each operation in the process recipe that includes mapping, for each operation, a slot identifier associated with a randomly selected product to a process variable identifier, a process tool, and the operation. The method also includes defining slot groupings using slot identifiers for a product carrier and identifying product yield patterns by analyzing historical yields for each of the slot groupings.

Abstract: A system is capable of making a metallic product with robust mechanical and electrical properties. The system includes a pressing stage configured to compress powder (e.g., MMC material) to form a green compact from the powder, a sintering stage configured to sinter the green compact to form a sintered structure from the green compact, and a consolidation stage configured to apply electric current to the sintered structure to form the metallic product from the sintered structure. The electric current is in the form of high density, short electric AC or DC pulses and results in consolidation of the sintered structure at grain boundaries to correct defects in the boundaries (e.g., areas of high electrical resistance) without melting the bulk metal to produce the metallic product. Such a system alleviates the need for coining process, which could fracture bonds and thus weaken the structure, following the sintering process.

Abstract: A method of network merchandising incorporates contextual and personalized advertising with human input to deliver relevant retail offers to interested online consumers efficiently and intelligently. Catalog content from retailers is downloaded, semantically analyzed and merged. The merged content is filtered using machine- and human-generated specifications to produce a merchandisable universe of products (MUP). Marketers and publishers create and modify corner store ad units and specify product offers from the MUP to display in those units. Publishers deploy the ad units on their web pages. Compensation of publishers by retailers can use a pay-for-performance model. Users visit the publisher's pages, viewing the product offers in the rendered ad unit.

Abstract: An automated network merchandising system provides a platform for delivering relevant retail offers to interested consumers online. A backend content pipeline analyzes and processes delivered catalog content into a merchandisable universe of products (MUP). On a user-facing end, corner stores—ad units appearing on pages of publishers' web sites—display offers from the MUP. Publishers deploy store scripts to their web pages. The script runs in the user's browser, causing display of an interactive ad unit featuring product offers. An adaptive targeting engine produces targeted product offers based on the ad's display context, including at least user data, page analysis and geographic location. A targeting console allows marketers to specify campaigns targeted to particular corner store ad contexts. Campaigns are defined by combinations of product categories, merchants, price ranges and key words. A store builder allows publishers to specify campaigns to be displayed to web site visitors.

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to create an application to manage a database without writing code. The present invention includes a method of creating a database, creating configuration data relating to the data in the database and generating a user interface based on the configuration data to allow a user to search, select or edit the data. The configuration data includes defining fields, search parameters, page layout and relationships between data. A component reads the configuration data to generate the interface elements and performs the actions executed by the user through the interface.

Abstract: A manometer for multi-channel pressure measurement is presented which includes two or more manometer channels, where each channel includes an independent fluid level adjustment. Also included is a method for calibrating multiple channel carburetors using a manometer having multiple channels each having an independent fluid level adjustment.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing a product involves receiving material, providing plastic deformation to the material to at least partially form the product, and applying electric current to the material while providing the plastic deformation to the material. The electric current is configured to reduce flow stresses within the material during plastic deformation. In some arrangements, the electric current is a series of high-density, short electric pulses which increases plasticity due to increasing the dislocation mobility of the deformed material. In some arrangements, the electric current provides an electric current density through the material of at least 1000 Amperes per square millimeter with each electric pulse lasting no longer than 0.01 seconds.

Abstract: A system is configured to treat a conductive component. The system includes a power source, an interface configured to electrically contact with a surface of the conductive component, and a controller coupled to the power source and the interface. The controller is configured to pass electric current (e.g., electric pulses) from the power source through the interface and the component to melt tips of a set of cracks along the surface of the component. As the current passes around the set of cracks, the current generates localized heating in high-resistance dislocations at the crack tips to repair the cracks. Accordingly, such current heals the cracks and inhibits the cracks from spreading. Furthermore, the effect of the current remains localized thus enabling the current to strengthen the material around the cracks while easily avoiding damaging or weakening other portions of the component.

Abstract: In an apparatus for identifying one or more retail merchandise suppliers, a web-based scorecard (12) is configured to acquire supplier-related information of interest to a retailer (16). A database (42) communicates with the web-based scorecard to store the acquired supplier-related information sorted at least by responding supplier (30, 32). An emailer (26) is configured to send to at least thirty businesses email content (20) including at least: a business opportunity description (21); a URL address (14) pointing to the web based scorecard; and instructions (22) to respond via the web based scorecard in order to be considered for the business opportunity. A processor (44, 52) communicates with the database and is configured to select or facilitate selecting between one and eight of said at least thirty businesses as candidate suppliers (50) based on the corresponding supplier-related information.

Abstract: A centering ruler includes a first straight edge, a second straight edge, an angle ? therebetween, and a measuring scale, marked on both sides of the ruler, which divides the first straight edge into equal increments. To find the center of a straight side of a workpiece, one aligns a first edge of a first side of a ruler with the straight side, positions a second edge of the ruler at the approximate center of the straight side, measures a minimum distance from a first end of the straight side to the second edge of the ruler, marks a first line of an “X” using the second edge as a guide, flips the ruler over to the second side, aligns the first edge of the ruler with the straight side, measures the afore-determined minimum distance from a second end of the straight side to the second edge of the ruler, and marks a second line of an “X” using the second edge as a guide. The center of the “X” marks the center of the workpiece.

Abstract: A database system usable in a high user concentration environment includes a central database containing content relating to associated users. Software is configured for loading onto associated portable computers carried by the users. The software when executed on one of the associated portable computers performs a method including: (i) downloading from the central database a selected sub-set of the content before the associated portable computer enters the high user concentration environment; (ii) generating modifications or additions to the downloaded sub-set of the content; and (iii) at least while the associated portable computer is within the high user concentration environment, occasionally wirelessly connecting with the central database to upload at least some of the generated modifications or additions to the central database and to download other modifications or additions to the selected sub-set of content.

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to create an application to manage a database without writing code. The present invention includes a method of creating a database, creating configuration data relating to the data in the database and generating a user interface based on the configuration data to allow a user to search, select or edit the data. The configuration data includes defining fields, search parameters, page layout and relationships between data. A component reads the configuration data to generate the interface elements and performs the actions executed by the user through the interface.

Abstract: A filter media for use in flowing water, which provides a large surface area for habitat of microorganisms that consume pollutant material.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch including a hub being rotatable about a central axis and at least two shoes supported by the hub for co-rotation with the hub. The shoes are configured for outward displacement relative to the central axis upon rotation of the hub to engage the clutch. The centrifugal clutch also includes at least one spring coupling the at least two shoes. The at least one spring is configured as a resilient clip having a shape defined by more than one radius and biasing the at least two shoes toward the central axis to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: The invention provides a tailgate lift assist system and associated methods and apparatus that provide controlled force at various points as a tailgate is pivoted between open and closed position to assist the operator in both opening and closing the tailgate. The system is suitable for commercial mass production, and is preferably suitable for customer, dealer, or OEM installation.

Abstract: A deep groove ground-contacting roller for a reel type mower assembly having a plurality of interfitting intermediate roller segments and matching end segments mounted on a transverse bearing mounted axle rod in tight abutment. Stop rings engage the end segments and the axle rod to fix the roller segments on the rod to form a roller body. Each roller segment includes a cylindrical hub and a disc element extending radially therefrom with converging planar annular side surfaces intersecting to form a rounded ground-contacting ridge. The disc elements and the hub sections combine to form a deep groove with angled side surfaces and a right circular cylindrical bottom.

Abstract: A test access port for an integrated circuit (or circuits) having a test register and a controller is provided. The controller enables the testability functions that have been selected by the test register. The test register performs the select function and the controller performs the enable function. An integrated circuit, having operation circuitry having nodes and external terminals for input and output of signals during normal operation, a test controller connected to at least a first one of said external terminals for receiving signals and for providing output signals during a test operation, and a test register for containing signals representative of selected tests to be performed connected to said test controller and at least a second one of said external terminals and responsive to said output signals of said test controller for enabling selected tests is provided.

Abstract: The accommodation unit described carries on its underside a circular array of wheels which rest on a circular rail. Mounted on the platform are three separate room units. Each room unit has a generally circular wall and the circumferences of the walls of the three rooms intersect one another to provide a common space between the rooms to allow access to the rooms and to accommodate a central hollow service pillar which is coaxial with the rotary axis of the platform.