Abstract: Real-time busyness information is for a public place is computed in a privacy-sensitive way, and provided for display in relation to historical busyness information. An aggregate amount of real-time location information available for a particular public place is measured (410), and used to determine (420) whether the public place is privacy-qualified. If the public place is privacy-qualified, real-time busyness information is computed (440) for the public place based on the real-time location information. Further, it is determined (450) whether the computed real-time busyness information is accuracy-qualified, based on a comparison of the real-time busyness information to historical busyness information. If both qualifications are met, the real-time busyness information is output (470) for display or to another application.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting Anti-Steering of Roaming activity is disclosed. This method can be used by a monitoring system on a home network that continuously monitors all international MAP signaling with a visited network. Anti-Steering of Roaming is detected by estimating a number of roaming subscribers of different types, including a number of unique active roamers, a number of unique steered roamers, and a number of unique anti-steered roamers. The numbers of subscribers of the different types, either alone or in combination, are compared to threshold values. If the numbers exceed the threshold value, then the monitoring system alerts the home network that a visited network may be using Anti-Steering of Roaming technology.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting Anti-Steering of Roaming activity is disclosed. This method can be used by a monitoring system on a home network that continuously monitors all international MAP signaling with a visited network. Anti-Steering of Roaming is detected by estimating a number of roaming subscribers of different types, including a number of unique active roamers, a number of unique steered roamers, and a number of unique anti-steered roamers. The numbers of subscribers of the different types, either alone or in combination, are compared to threshold values. If the numbers exceed the threshold value, then the monitoring system alerts the home network that a visited network may be using Anti-Steering of Roaming technology.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hard drive dock (HDD) including a HDD enclosure having a first HDD outer surface and a second HDD outer surface. Each of the first HDD outer surface and the second HDD outer surface have disposed within an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to a releasably attached hard drive pod (HDP). The HDD includes a bridge circuit disposed within the HDD enclosure. The bridge circuit is configured to provide a communicative interface between the releasably attached HDP and the computer data bus connection. The HDD is mechanically configured to accept a releasably attached hard drive pod (HDP) on either or both of the first HDD surface and the second HDD surface. The invention also relates to a HDD enclosure having two or more HDD outer surfaces. The invention also relates to a releasably attached hard drive pod.

Abstract: A fabric article treating apparatus for dispensing a benefit composition through a nozzle that directs the benefit composition as droplets or particles into the chamber of the fabric article drying appliance. The droplets or particles provide benefits to the fabric articles within the drying appliance. The treating apparatus includes one or more safety features, and/or it includes beneficial control concepts that enhance the effects of the benefit composition being dispensed through the nozzle.

Abstract: A walking aid includes a vertical shaft, a housing member disposed at a bottom of the shaft, a plurality of vertical leg members extending downwardly relative to the housing member, an electrical component on the walking aid, and control circuitry for the electrical component disposed on the housing member.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning sheets having substantial macroscopic three-dimensionality. Optionally, the macroscopically three-dimensional cleaning sheets can comprise a contractable material (e.g., a scrim material), which when heated and then cooled contracts so as to provide a macroscopic, three-dimensional structure. Macroscopic three-dimensionality is described in terms of “average peak-to-peak distance” and “surface topography index”, as well in terms of “average height differential”. Also disclosed are cleaning implements comprising a handle and the described cleaning sheets. Processes for the sheets, benefits of the processes, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for draw forming a desired contour to the outer diameter of a tubular work piece provides that the selected work piece have a wall thickness uniform throughout its length. The outer diameter of selected work piece is reduced along essentially only a part of the starting metal blank by drawing the metal blank only partly through a die or only partly through each one of a succession of dies. The resulting drawn reduced diameter will have essentially the same wall thickness as the starting blank. If a thinner wall thickness is desired on the reduced outside diameter, an internal mandrel can be inserted in the starting tube, which will work with the draw die to decrease the resulting wall thickness of the drawn tube to an amount less than the starting tube. The workpiece recovered after the drawing method is useful for producing an automotive fuel tank filler tube or an automotive instrument panel support beam.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning sheets having substantial macroscopic three-dimensionality. Optionally, the macroscopically three-dimensional cleaning sheets can comprise a contractable material (e.g., a scrim material), which when heated and then cooled contracts so as to provide a macroscopic, three-dimensional structure. Macroscopic three-dimensionality is described in terms of “average peak-to-peak distance” and “surface topography index”, as well in terms of “average height differential”. Also disclosed are cleaning implements comprising a handle and the described cleaning sheets. Processes for the sheets, benefits of the processes, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning sheets having substantial macroscopic three-dimensionality. Optionally, the macroscopically three-dimensional cleaning sheets can comprise a contractable material (e.g., a scrim material), which when heated and then cooled contracts so as to provide a macroscopic, three-dimensional structure. Macroscopic three-dimensionality is described in terms of “average peak-to-peak distance” and “surface topography index”, as well in terms of “average height differential”. Also disclosed are cleaning implements comprising a handle and the described cleaning sheets. Processes for the sheets, benefits of the processes, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rechargeable article of jewelry dispenses perfumed vapors and has a chamber formed from housing members. The housing members are made of a material which contains the perfumed vapors in the chamber and allows for releasing them into the atmosphere. A nugget of unglazed ceramic material is provided in the chamber and is of a size less than the chamber so that it is free to move inside the chamber and allow air to pass around the nugget. The chamber has apertures therein through which an aromatic liquid, such as perfume, can be deposited on and absorbed by the nugget. The apertures also allow air to circulate around the nugget and generate perfumed vapors which may exit the chamber through the apertures. The nugget is larger than any of the apertures so the nugget is retained in the chamber. A method of making scented jewelry is also provided.

Abstract: A delivery system diffuser attachment (12) for a hair dryer (14) of the type having a motor housing (16) with air vents (18), a built-in heater coil (20), a barrel (22), a handle (24), a heat switch (26), an on-off switch (28), a cord strain relief (30) and an electrical cord (32). The diffuser attachment (12) comprises a cup member (34) having an open top end (36). A facility (37) on a bottom end (38) of the cup member (36) is for exiting an airflow (39) therethrough. A structure (40) is for retaining the cup member (34) in a removable manner adjacent a distal free end (42) of the barrel (22) of the hair dryer (14), so that the open top end (36) faces the barrel (22). An assembly (44) is for holding scented material (46) within the cup member (34). When the on-off switch (28) is manually turned on, the airflow (39) will enter the cup member (34) through the open top end (36), pick up a scented vapor (48) from the holding assembly (44) and be forced out of the airflow exiting facility (37).