Abstract: A display system includes a plurality of smart products arranged in a physical display setting in a retail store and being available for purchased by a customer, a display screen located behind the plurality of smart products, an input device and a controller coupled to the input device and to the display screen. The controller is configured to receive an indication from the input device to instruct digital media content to be displayed on the display screen. The digital media content includes a sequence of frames of digital images that describe information related to functional features of at least a first smart product and a second smart product on physical display in front of the display screen including the functional features of how the first smart product is interconnected to the second smart product so that the first smart product prompts the second smart product to perform a function.

Abstract: A display system includes a plurality of smart products arranged in a physical display setting in a retail store and being available for purchased by a customer, a display screen located behind the plurality of smart products, an input device and a controller coupled to the input device and to the display screen. The controller is configured to receive an indication from the input device to instruct digital media content to be displayed on the display screen. The digital media content includes a sequence of frames of digital images that describe information related to functional features of at least a first smart product and a second smart product on physical display in front of the display screen including the functional features of how the first smart product is interconnected to the second smart product so that the first smart product prompts the second smart product to perform a function.

Abstract: A display system and method of displaying media content on a display screen includes a processor that receives from an input device an indication that one of a plurality of vignettes has been selected. The selected vignette is accessed from a data store. Each vignette includes digital media content. The digital media content is instructed by the processor to be played on a display screen located behind a plurality of smart products that are on display. Each smart product is positioned relative to the display screen at a set location. The digital media content includes a sequence of frames of digital images including frames that produce a halo of light behind a smart product being described in the frames.

Abstract: A display system and method of displaying media content on a display screen includes a processor that receives from an input device an indication that one of a plurality of vignettes has been selected. The selected vignette is accessed from a data store. Each vignette includes digital media content. The digital media content is instructed by the processor to be played on a display screen located behind a plurality of smart products that are on display. Each smart product is positioned relative to the display screen at a set location. The digital media content includes a sequence of frames of digital images including frames that produce a halo of light behind a smart product being described in the frames.

Abstract: An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application.

Abstract: An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application.

Abstract: An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application.

Abstract: An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application.

Abstract: An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application.

Abstract: Decoys that resemble animals, such as birds, for example, and methods of making such decoys are provided. In an embodiment, a decoy can include a rigid member, a non-rigid body comprising an inner portion and an exterior portion, and a fan configured to direct air toward the inner portion of the non-rigid body, wherein the non-rigid body and the fan are attached to the rigid member. In an embodiment, a decoy can also include a head and neck portion. In an embodiment, a solar panel and/or a battery can provide power for the fan. In an embodiment, the fan can be manipulated between, on, off, and modulate settings using a manually operated switch and/or a remote control. In an embodiment, the fan can be configured to rotate and/or move side-to-side while directing air toward the inner portion of the non-rigid body.

Abstract: A spraying device for a washing machine includes a body including a wall having an outer surface, a water inlet and a channel defined therein. The channel is in flow communication with the water inlet, and a plurality of nozzles extend through the wall and in flow communication with the channel. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a basket mounted within the wash tub. The basket is configured to rotate. The nozzles include an inlet, an outlet, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. At least a portion of the outlet includes a surface substantially perpendicular to a flow of water through the nozzle, and the nozzles have a length longer than a thickness of the wall. At least a portion of the outlet is unitary with the wall outer surface.

Abstract: A washing machine including a tub, a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, and a spraying ring disposed at a top portion of the tub, and including a plurality of nozzles arranged in groups, the nozzles separated by a first distance, the groups separated by a second distance different than the first distance; wherein each of the plurality of nozzles has an opening therein, the openings of the plurality of nozzles of the same group are parallel to each other, and the spray ring is configured to direct water into the tub through the openings.

Abstract: A recorded image frame is distorted on the printing plate when image information or image data from a computer is recorded in the form of band strips, with a plurality of image elements dotted on each widthwise dotted line of the band, on a printing plate wound over a drum. The present invention permits an undistorted recording on the printing plate by an arrangement which includes a printing plate wound around a drum in the form of a right circular cylinder, an exposing assembly to record image information in the form of a band strip on the printing plate by means of light beam, a moving mechanism to move the exposing assembly in relation to the drum in the direction of the drum axis--by one band width per revolution of the drum--and a circuit to generate and incline distortion offsetting signal in a sawtoothed pattern having the cycle synchronized with that of the rotation of the drum with the initial writing position on the band as starting point.

Abstract: Rear view mirror mounting brackets are adhesively bonded to a windshield using a relatively small, portable rework fixture that can be temporarily secured to an automotive windshield by means of suction cups. The framework of the fixture supports a pair of movable guide rods connected to a metal block equipped with a heating element and having a surface that holds the adhesive coated mounting bracket. The guide rods are equipped with compressible springs that maintain the block and associated mounting bracket in close contact with the windshield during curing of the layer of heat-curable bonding adhesive present on the surface of the bracket that is in contact with the windshield.