Abstract: A retrofit mining haul truck includes a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell/battery-based powerplant in place of a carbon fuel-based powerplant. The retrofit mining haul truck includes a frame, a tray coupled to the frame, and a deck coupled to the frame forward of at least a portion of the tray. A battery system is mounted to the deck of the retrofit mining haul truck. A hydrogen storage system (HSS) is installed in an engine bay volume of the retrofit mining haul truck. The engine bay was configured to contain a combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine) prior to retrofitting the retrofit mining haul truck. At least a portion of a fuel cell system is installed in a wheel pocket of the retrofit mining haul truck. The wheel pocket was configured to contain a diesel tank prior to retrofitting the retrofit mining haul truck.

Abstract: A method for secure text-to-speech conversion of text using speech or voice synthesis that prevents the originator's voice from being used or distributed inappropriately or in an unauthorized manner is described. Security controls authenticate the sender of the message, and optionally the recipient, and ensure that the message is read in the originator's voice, not the voice of another person. Such controls permit an originator's voiceprint file to be publicly accessible, but limit its use for voice synthesis to text-based content created by the sender, or sent to a trusted recipient. In this way a person can be assured that their voice cannot be used for content they did not write.

Abstract: A method for secure text-to-speech conversion of text using speech or voice synthesis that prevents the originator's voice from being used or distributed inappropriately or in an unauthorized manner is described. Security controls authenticate the sender of the message, and optionally the recipient, and ensure that the message is read in the originator's voice, not the voice of another person. Such controls permit an originator's voiceprint file to be publicly accessible, but limit its use for voice synthesis to text-based content created by the sender, or sent to a trusted recipient. In this way a person can be assured that their voice cannot be used for content they did not write.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: Surface coverings, such as carpet, are described which contain at least one styrene polymer in the backing layer or elsewhere. A preferred surface covering is a carpet such as a modular carpet tile. A preferred styrene polymer is styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers. Methods of forming the surface coverings are further described.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for treating one or more yarn strands before or after the strand is dyed. The apparatus preferably includes a modified space dyeing apparatus having a dye applicator modified to be used as a treatment composition applicator for treating a yarn strand. The apparatus enables a high speed yarn dyeing and treatment method. Also described is a method and composition for treating yarn with a polyphenolic derivative composition to form a bleach-resistant yarn.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for treating one or more yarn strands before or after the strand is dyed. The apparatus preferably includes a modified space dyeing apparatus having a dye applicator modified to be used as a treatment composition applicator for treating a yarn strand. The apparatus enables a high speed yarn dyeing and treatment method. Also described is a method and composition for treating yarn with a polyphenolic derivative composition to form a bleach-resistant yarn.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A backing or an intermediate layer for a surface covering is described which comprises a fused recycled material, wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic material, for instance, a vinyl material from a vinyl backed carpet or vinyl backed carpet manufacturing waste or both. Surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention are also described as well as methods of making the backing or intermediate layer and methods of making the surface coverings containing the backing or intermediate layer of the present invention.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with a side of at least one other tile within the series. Each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: A repeating series of tiles has at least three tiles in a series. Each tile within the series has at least two sides capable of interfacing with adjacent tiles within the series. Each of the two sides of each tile within the series has a different shape in the pile direction than the other tiles within the series such that the last tile within the series is capable of interfacing with the first tile of the next series. Further, each tile within the series has at least one side capable of interfacing with at least one tile within another series in order to have adjoining rows of series of tiles. The present invention further includes both a method for producing and assembling a repeating series of tiles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a route from a source location to a final destination using a vehicle navigation system having a map database. At least one intermediate destination is determined from the map database, each intermediate destination being at the other end of an intermediate route from the source location. A cost value is calculated for each intermediate destination. A best intermediate destination is selected from the at least one intermediate destination, the cost value corresponding to the best intermediate destination being lower than the cost values corresponding to any other intermediate destinations. The intermediate route corresponding to the best intermediate destination is then communicated to the user of the vehicle navigation system while a remainder route to the final destination is determined.