Abstract: A targeted delivery of content and related metadata is made to users of various types of electronic devices that are adapted to render or play the content. Images of each user are captured at various times while various items of the content are being played. According to one embodiment the images are processed via one or more facial recognition algorithms so that the identity of each of the users, including their names, is determined. This data is stored in a central server thereby establishing a database of profiles of these users. The profiles are comprised of tracking information of content played by each of the users on a per-content basis. The central server either uses this tracking information directly or transmits it to another server or another business entity, such as for example another content provider, for use by the other business entity.

Abstract: A targeted delivery of content and related metadata is made to users of various types of electronic devices that are adapted to render or play the content. Images of each user are captured at various times while various items of the content are being played. According to one embodiment the images are processed via one or more facial recognition algorithms so that the identity of each of the users, including their names, is determined. This data is stored in a central server thereby establishing a database of profiles of these users. The profiles are comprised of tracking information of content played by each of the users on a per-content basis. The central server either uses this tracking information directly or transmits it to another server or another business entity, such as for example another content provider, for use by the other business entity.

Abstract: A targeted delivery of content and related metadata is made to users of various types of electronic devices that are adapted to render or play the content. Images of each user are captured at various times while various items of the content are being played. According to one embodiment the images are processed via one or more facial recognition algorithms so that the identity of each of the users, including their names, is determined. This data is stored in a central server thereby establishing a database of profiles of these users. The profiles are comprised of tracking information of content played by each of the users on a per-content basis. The central server either uses this tracking information directly or transmits it to another server or another business entity, such as for example another content provider, for use by the other business entity.

Abstract: A television apparatus for performing personalized viewing mode adjustments in response to identifying individual viewers. A camera and image/facial recognition subsystems are configured to identify individuals and retrieve stored viewing adjustment preference information for use in automatically adjusting the viewing mode of the television, and optional external devices (e.g., electronically controlled lights, shades, and so forth), to enhance the television viewing experience for individuals and groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the computerized management of a digital ecosystems through the creation and management of intelligent information packets that enable computerized management of the creation, flow, and use of electronic and optically scanned paper documents. An XML packet is structured to combine document data, comprising electronic or optically scanned documents, with rules, work-flow controls, audit capability, and signature controls. Tamper proofing ensures validity of information, such as legal documents, that requires proof and tracking of official origin, approval, or status.

Abstract: A laryngoscope system has a blade with a distal end, and intermediate extent, and a generally C-shaped recess adjacent to a proximal end. A handle has a lower end, a central extent, and an upper end. The lower end has a space between two parallel shoulders to receive the blade and a pin spanning the space to rotatably support the recess of the blade. A suction subassembly extends between the blade and the handle. An optical subassembly extends between the blade and the handle. The blade and optical subassembly move between an operative position and inoperative position.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube bulb aspirator system has a bulb with a top end, a bottom end with an open bottom, and a transition zone therebetween. A first interior space in the top end is contiguous with a second interior space in the bottom end. At least one first flapper valve on the bulb includes at least one aperture in the bulb and an associated sheet positioned over the associated aperture with a portion of one edge being free. A second flapper valve is positioned adjacent the transitional zone between the first interior space and the second interior space has support beams and a disc with free edges coupled centrally to the support beams.

Abstract: Removable decorative wheel covers for covering central wheel portions on wheels on various types of moving vehicles from automobiles to buses to trucks to golf carts. The covers can have perforated patterns that can be punched out as needed to allow different sized wheel protrusions such as valve stems, central raised hub members, and the like, to pass therethrough. The perforations can include a single pattern, a ring pattern, and the like. A novel blank wheel cover can allow for customizable indicia to be applied by various methods including stencils, peel & stick decals, static cling decals, and/or magnetic decals to be selectively applied thereon. Another version allows for removable fasteners to be on both sides of the discs so that the user can selectively make either side of the disc visible.

Abstract: Removable decorative wheel covers for covering central wheel portions on wheels on various types of moving vehicles from automobiles to buses to trucks. The covers have perforated patterns of circles, rectangles, and the like, that can be punched out as needed to allow different sized wheel protrusions such as valve stems, central raised hub members, and the like to pass therethrough. The perforations can include a single closed pattern that allows a single opening to be created. Additionally, the perforations can be in a ring pattern about the outer perimeter of the disc. Still furthermore, the perforations can be in a central region of the disc. Still furthermore, the openings can be punched out to allow components on the wheel that heat up such as brakes, and the like, to be air cooled. The placement of the perforations does not overlap the areas of the design type indicia that can be placed on the external surface of the wheel cover.

Abstract: Disc wheel covers for forming optical illusions such as but not limited to clockwise and counter-clockwise rotating spiral patterns. The wheel covers have fasteners which interlock to mating fasteners on the outer ring of existing wheel hubs of a vehicle in place of hubcaps or attached directly to the outside of existing hubcaps. The fasteners can be extra strong interlocking mushroom shaped fasteners and or hook and loop fasteners. The matting fasteners allow the wheel covers to be detachable when needed but allow the covers to stay on the wheel hubs as the vehicle travels up to speeds of upto approximately 140 mph or more. The spiral patterns can be various color combinations, and be reflective. Alternatively, the wheel covers can have different optical illusions, solid reflective backgrounds, and/or include advertising symbols, logos, and business names.

Abstract: In a system (10) for communicating information using the Internet, a client (12) establishes a first connection with a session server (24) using the Internet (18) to initiate a communications session. The session server (24) receives information from a data source (26) in response to the first connection, generates session data (32) using the received information, and conveys the session data (32) to the client (12). The session server (24) maintains the session data (32) after termination of the first connection to convey the session data (32) to the client (12) in response to the client (12) establishing a second connection with the session server (24) during the communications session.

Abstract: A towing arrangement for towing vehicles, such as golf cars. A pivotable, elongated towing bar having a notch adjacent its outer end is carried at the rear of a vehicle for pivotable movement about a horizontal pivot axis between an outwardly extending, towing position, and a retracted, upwardly extending, storage position. The forward end of the car includes a towing bar receiver in the form of a channel member that is pivotable about a vertical axis and that includes a longitudinal slot for receiving a towing bar. The towing bar receiver includes a pivotable hook retainer member adapted to engage with the hook portion of the towing bar to securely retain the towing bar in position within the towing bar receiver for towing a vehicle.

Abstract: A missile (20) includes a missile body (22) and a structure for controlling the flight path of the missile body. The control structure includes at least one control fin (28) and an actuator shaft (38) that supports the control fin (28) for rotational missile control movement about a control axis (30) perpendicular the axis (23) of the missile body (22).

Abstract: A mechanism locking and controllably releasing two space vehicles along a preselected separation axis. The mechanism including a mechanical lock/release and a spring separation device that controllably forces the two space vehicles apart. An electrical interconnect maintains electrical communication between the two space vehicles when locked together. The two space vehicles can be reliably separated by activating a single disengagement actuator.

Abstract: A closure device for a lower opening of a coke drum pressure vessel is quick acting. The opening has an annular flange. An annular movable support encircles the pressure vessel above the flange. A stationary support secures to the flange below the movable support. A number of coil springs are evenly spaced around the stationary support between the stationary support and the movable support. Hydraulic cylinders between the movable and stationary support move the movable support axially relative to the stationary support. A head will abut the flange. Hooks mounted to the movable support will engage the head and pull the head tightly upward into engagement with the flange when the retracting cylinders are released. Pivotal cylinders will pivot the hooks between engaged and disengaged positions. The bias of the springs is independently adjustable.

Abstract: A closure device for a lower opening of a coke drum pressure vessel is quick acting. The opening has an annular flange. An annular movable support encircles the pressure vessel above the flange. A stationary support secures to the flange below the movable support. A number of coil springs are evenly spaced around the stationary support between the stationary support and the movable support. Hydraulic cylinders between the movable and stationary support move the movable support axially relative to the stationary support. A head will abut the flange. Hooks mounted to the movable support will engage the head and pull the head tightly upward into engagement with the flange when the retracting cylinders are released. Pivotal cylinders will pivot the hooks between engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A diverter for a riser string between subsea well and offshore drilling rig utilizes a rotatable ball element. The ball element mounts in a tubular housing. The ball element has a passage through it which is coaxial with the riser when the ball element is in one position. A drive motor will rotate the ball element 90 degrees to place the ball element passage perpendicular to the riser passage to block flow. A pipe sealing member locates in the passage of the ball element. Hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the pipe sealing element will causes the pipe sealing element to seal around pipe.

Abstract: An interferometer for measuring pressure using optic fibers has a temperature compensating device. The instrument has an optic fiber sensing leg and an optic fiber reference leg, both of which are clamped in tension. An elongated reference compensating member extends parallel to the reference leg. A similar sensing compensating member compensates parallel to the sensing leg. The compensating members will apply selected tension. The compensating members are expansible in response to temperature change. The lengths of the compensating members can be changed, as well.

Abstract: A steel component is provided with a black wear and corrosion resistant finish by the steps of forming an epsilon iron nitride or carbonitride layer, bringing the component to gas oxidation temperature and oxidizing by a gaseous medium to form a dense black coating, and carrying out a surface finish treatment.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic coupling has a pair of vertically spaced apart receptacles, each mounted to a different subsea well subassembly. A connector is lowered from the surface into engagement with the receptacles. The receptacles have radial ports. The connector has radial pistons that mate with the ports. Each piston has a flow passage extending through it. A communication passage extends from the flow passage of each piston through the body of the connector to a source of hydraulic fluid pressure. The connector body has a bore with a cam located inside. The cam, when actuated by hydraulic fluid pressure, pushes the pistons outwardly to engage the receptacle ports.