Abstract: A WiFi access management system and methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a server, a wireless access profile and a wireless access list from a securing client device; transmitting an invitation message to an accessing client device associated with the wireless access list; receiving, at the server, a request from the accessing client device to connect to a wireless network associated with the wireless access profile in response to the invitation message; determining, using a processing unit of the server, an operating system of the accessing client device; creating, using the processing unit, a customized configuration file associated with the wireless network based on the operating system of the accessing client device, the wireless access profile, and the wireless access list; and transmitting the customized configuration file using a second encryption protocol to the accessing client device through the server communication unit.

Abstract: A drive array is provided, including: a structure having a top panel, a base; and first and second side panels; the first and second side panels positioned on opposite sides of the array and defining a length of the array; and a plurality of fins arranged transversely to the length of the array, the fins further arranged in a plurality of rows, each of the rows transverse to the array; a plurality of projections extending upwardly from the base aligned with a plurality of projections extending downwardly from the top penal, positioned to fit and hold a hard drive; and a circuit board secured to the back of the structure to communicate with the hard drives positioned on the array.

Abstract: A system for converting formatting of display object, including a logic (e.g., a computing device) that can be operable to traverse and record a part of source code or binary data related to a first visible item displayed on a visual output device. The logic can then convert a first data type or data structure that includes the recorded part of source code or binary data to a second data type or data structure that still includes the recorded part of source code or binary data, where the second data type or data structure is related to a second visible item displayable on the visual output device.

Abstract: A side-opening sleeve valve having an inner barrel with a shaped opening through its cylindrical wall having a longer size along the axis of the inner barrel, and a co-annular outer barrel having shaped opening through its cylindrical wall having a longer size along the axis of the outer barrel. The inner barrel is rotatable relative to the outer barrel between a first open position where the shaped openings overlap to form a side opening into the sleeve valve, and a second closed position where the shaped openings do not overlap. The side opening has an effective axial opening size and an effective lateral opening size in a ratio of at least about 2:1. The side-opening valve is useful with water-less toilet that can empty into the side-opening valve when opened, and when closed, a pigging fluid flush system pushes the waste in the side-opening valve to a sewage system.

Abstract: Network signals in a broadcast network can include ancillary data as well as audio and visual of a media presentation. Typically, the ancillary data is not displayed by the television when outputting the audio and visual data although it may be in some cases. To ensure the network signal is compatible with the components in the broadcast network, the embodiments herein test the network signal use an emulated version of the broadcast network. For example, the content provider can set up a local version of broadcast network using the hardware components of the broadcast network (e.g., a cable head end, network modulators, set top boxes, receivers, etc.). By transmitting the network signal through the emulated broadcast network, the content provider can verify that the ancillary data will be correctly transmitted through the actual broadcast network.

Abstract: Network signals in a broadcast network can include ancillary data as well as audio and visual of a media presentation. Typically, the ancillary data is not displayed by the television when outputting the audio and visual data although it may be in some cases. To ensure the network signal is compatible with the components in the broadcast network, the embodiments herein test the network signal use an emulated version of the broadcast network. For example, the content provider can set up a local version of broadcast network using the hardware components of the broadcast network (e.g., a cable head end, network modulators, set top boxes, receivers, etc.). By transmitting the network signal through the emulated broadcast network, the content provider can verify that the ancillary data will be correctly transmitted through the actual broadcast network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method monitors a video-based graphic. The method includes displaying a video-based graphic. A position of a pointer interaction is monitored. The method includes determining a designation of a pixel of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer interaction. An action is performed based on the designation of the pixel of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer interaction.

Abstract: A WiFi access management system and methods of operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, at a server, a wireless access profile and a wireless access list from a securing client device; transmitting an invitation message to an accessing client device associated with the wireless access list; receiving, at the server, a request from the accessing client device to connect to a wireless network associated with the wireless access profile in response to the invitation message; determining, using a processing unit of the server, an operating system of the accessing client device; creating, using the processing unit, a customized configuration file associated with the wireless network based on the operating system of the accessing client device, the wireless access profile, and the wireless access list; and transmitting the customized configuration file to the accessing client device through the server communication unit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of centrally provisioning access points is disclosed. The method comprises detecting, using a first access point (AP), a hardware address of a client device; transmitting the hardware address of the client device to one or more servers; matching the hardware address of the client device with a previously stored hardware address from a database; and retrieving a network identifier and a network password associated with the hardware address from the database, wherein the network identifier and the network password are associated with a second AP. The method further comprises generating, at the one or more servers, a customized provisioning profile with the network identifier and the network password; transmitting the customized provisioning profile to the first AP; downloading, at the first AP, the customized provisioning profile; and broadcasting a first wireless network at the first AP configured using the customized provisioning profile.

Abstract: A side-opening sleeve valve having an inner cylindrical barrel with a shaped opening through the wall, an outer cylindrical barrel having shaped opening through the wall, where the barrels are co-annular and rotatable, and a means for rotating the inner barrel relative to the outer barrel between a first open position where the shaped openings overlap to form a side opening into the sleeve valve, and a second closed position where the shaped openings do not overlap. A side-opening valve is used in pigging fluid flush system for a water-less toilet, where a toilet bowl empties into the side opening of the side-opening valve when opened. When the side-opening valve is closed, a pig cleaning system pushes the waste in the side-opening valve to a sewage system.

Abstract: A linear reciprocating actuator for mixing, agitating, separation, continuous sampling and/or harvesting or filtration, gas mixing, and various other applications. The actuator may have a housing closed on one end, and attached to a vessel in a hermetically-sealed manner such that it is part of the fluidic envelope of the vessel. An agitation device may be attached to a shaft which is partially surrounded by the housing, or the agitation device may surround the housing where the housing protrudes into the vessel. The actuator enables agitation of the contents of a hermetically-sealed vessel without mechanical coupling from outside the fluidic envelope of the process. The agitation device is solely acted upon by a magnetic field, is contained entirely within the fluidic envelope of the process, and is not attached to the vessel in any way. The magnetic flux which drives the agitation device passes through the housing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of centrally provisioning access points is disclosed. The method comprises detecting, using a first access point (AP), a hardware address of a client device; securely transmitting the hardware address of the client device to one or more servers; matching the hardware address of the client device with a previously stored hardware address from a database; and retrieving a network identifier and a network password associated with the hardware address from the database, wherein the network identifier and the network password are associated with a second AP. The method further comprises generating, at the one or more servers, a customized provisioning profile with the network identifier and the network password; securely transmitting the customized provisioning profile to the first AP; downloading, at the first AP, the customized provisioning profile; and broadcasting a first wireless network at the first AP configured using the customized provisioning profile.

Abstract: A side-opening sleeve valve having an inner cylindrical barrel with a shaped opening through the wall, an outer cylindrical barrel having shaped opening through the wall, where the barrels are co-annular and rotatable, and a means for rotating the inner barrel relative to the outer barrel between a first open position where the shaped openings overlap to form a side opening into the sleeve valve, and a second closed position where the shaped openings do not overlap. A side-opening valve is used in pigging fluid flush system for a water-less toilet, where a toilet bowl empties into the side opening of the side-opening valve when opened. When the side-opening valve is closed, a pig cleaning system pushes the waste in the side-opening valve to a sewage system.

Abstract: A side-opening sleeve valve having an inner cylindrical barrel with a shaped opening through the wall, an outer cylindrical barrel having shaped opening through the wall, where the barrels are co-annular and rotatable, and a means for rotating the inner barrel relative to the outer barrel between a first open position where the shaped openings overlap to form a side opening into the sleeve valve, and a second closed position where the shaped openings do not overlap. A side-opening valve is used in pigging fluid flush system for a water-less toilet, where a toilet bowl empties into the side opening of the side-opening valve when opened. When the side-opening valve is closed, a pig cleaning system pushes the waste in the side-opening valve to a sewage system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method monitors a video-based graphic. The method includes displaying a video-based graphic. A position of a pointer interaction is monitored. The method includes determining a designation of a pixel of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer interaction. An action is performed based on the designation of the pixel of the video-based graphic at a location of the pointer interaction.

Abstract: A system and method for purchasing lottery tickets via a client computing device. A user may access a purchase module via a client computing device and select lottery tickets and lottery numbers to purchase from available lotteries in their state. The user may be notified of the results by the purchase module or a results module. Once notified, the user may withdraw their winnings or use the winnings to purchase lottery tickets future drawings.

Abstract: One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for monitoring a video are provided. For example, the video may be rendered within a canvas overlaying a webpage within a web browser. The video may comprise an opaque portion (e.g., a bike) and a transparent portion (e.g., a transparent background such that the bike appears to be driving across the webpage as the video plays). User input associated with the canvas may be evaluated to determine whether the user input occurs over the opaque portion or the transparent portion. Responsive to the user input occurring over the opaque portion, the web browser may be transitioned from the webpage to a biking website linked to by the video. Responsive to the user input occurring over the transparent portion, the canvas may be closed to terminate the video.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for transcoding media content. Embodiments include receiving a request to perform a transcoding operation on a first instance of media content. The first instance of media content is analyzed to determine metadata describing the first instance of media content. Embodiments determine a set of currently available system resources for use in performing the transcoding operation on the first instance of media content. Additionally, embodiments divide the transcoding operation into a plurality of sub-operations based on the determined metadata and the determined set of currently available system resources. Each of the plurality of sub-operations corresponds to a respective portion of the first instance of media content. An execution of the plurality of sub-operations is initiated to produce a plurality of encoded fragments. Embodiments then combine the plurality of encoded fragments to produce an encoded instance of media content.