Abstract: An elevator positioning system includes an optical tape, optical tape clips, and a sensor. The optical tape clips are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A crossbar of the optical tape clips is located between a sensor and optical tape such that the sensor detects an interruption in the optical tape and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway. Another elevator positioning system includes a sensor and a reflector clip assembly. The reflector clip assemblies are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A reflector target of the reflector clip assemblies faces the sensor such that the sensor detects the reflector target and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator positioning system includes an optical tape, optical tape clips, and a sensor. The optical tape clips are resiliently biased and mount to various structures including mounting bracket that attach to elevator guide rails or other framework within the hoistway. A connecting member of the optical tape clips is configured to be disposed between a sensor and optical tape such that the sensor detects an interruption in the optical tape and can send signals to an elevator controller in response to detecting these interruptions. The position of the optical tape clips is such that the elevator car can be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway.

Abstract: A household appliance such as a refrigerator includes a housing and a user interface operatively connected to the housing. The user interface includes a display and user inputs. The user interface is adapted for showing on the display a part number for a component part, contact information for use in acquiring the component part, and instructions for installing the component part. The contact information may include a phone number. The contact information may include a web site address. The component part may be a replacement part such as a filter or the component part may be an accessory part. The user interface may also be adapted for displaying instructions or service or maintenance tasks.

Abstract: An elevator positioning system includes an optical tape, optical tape clips, and a sensor. The optical tape clips are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A crossbar of the optical tape clips is located between a sensor and optical tape such that the sensor detects an interruption in the optical tape and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway. Another elevator positioning system includes a sensor and a reflector clip assembly. The reflector clip assemblies are mountable to various structures within the hoistway. A reflector target of the reflector clip assemblies faces the sensor such that the sensor detects the reflector target and signals the detection to an elevator controller. The elevator car can then be controlled to align evenly with the landings associated with the hoistway.

Abstract: A sense-and-response system that may include a server with a rules-engine where the server may receive sensor values for rules-engine operation from a plurality of sensors. The system may further include a controller that provides controller parameters to the server for the rules-engine operation. The server may provide to the controller rules-engine output based upon the controller parameters and sensor values related to the controller parameters.

Abstract: A sense-and-response system that may include a server with a rules-engine where the server may receive sensor values for rules-engine operation from a plurality of sensors. The system may further include a controller that provides controller parameters to the server for the rules-engine operation. The server may provide to the controller rules-engine output based upon the controller parameters and sensor values related to the controller parameters.

Abstract: A system for traffic control that may include a controller carried by a vehicle, and the controller providing vehicle location data and vehicle specific data. The system may further include a server in communication with the controller, and the server defining at least one traffic zone based upon traffic flow data. In addition, the server may use the at least one traffic zone along with the vehicle location data and vehicle specific data to determine a fee for the vehicle to operate within the at least one traffic zone.

Abstract: A household appliance such as a refrigerator includes a housing and a user interface operatively connected to the housing. The user interface includes a display and user inputs. The user interface is adapted for showing on the display a part number for a component part, contact information for use in acquiring the component part, and instructions for installing the component part. The contact information may include a phone number. The contact information may include a web site address. The component part may be a replacement part such as a filter or the component part may be an accessory part. The user interface may also be adapted for displaying instructions or service or maintenance tasks.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for dispensing a fixed quantity of material, having a flexible container for holding the material and an assembly rotatably disposed within the container for measuring and dispensing the material when the container is squeezed. The assembly includes a measuring cup extending adjacent to the bottom of the container and having an opening for entry of the material, an air chamber disposed adjacent to the mouth of the container and formed with a nozzle for discharge of the material, and a tube connecting the cup and chamber. Openings are spaced around the periphery of the air chamber, and the container neck adjacent to the chamber is provided with a plurality of protrusions which can, by rotation of the assembly relative to the container, be selectively positioned adjacent to the openings in the air chamber to block the openings and prevent air flow therethrough.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring and dispensing a fixed quantity of material having a material measuring and dispensing assembly disposed within a flexible container. The assembly includes a measuring cup extending adjacent to the bottom of the container with an opening for entry of the material, an air chamber disposed adjacent to the mouth of the container and formed with a nozzle for discharge of the material, and a tube connecting the cup and chamber. At least one opening is provided in the air chamber having a valve associated therewith which operates automatically to block the opening when the dispenser is inverted and to unblock the opening when the dispenser is upright. The dispenser is inverted and squeezed to dispense the quantity of material in the measuring cup, the opening being blocked by the valve to prevent flow of material therethrough. When the dispenser is upright, the valve unblocks the opening to permit air flow into the container and to permit refilling of the measuring cup.