Abstract: Some embodiments provide a novel graphical user interface (GUI) for simultaneous collecting of nuanced explicit feedback about a current piece of computer readable media from a user and triggering of a transition to a following piece of computer readable media, requiring only a single gesture from a given user. The GUI features a visual element that approximately indicates to a user what numerical explicit feedback score will be used once the gesture interaction is finalized. In some embodiments, the visual element is a colored portion of the GUI where the proportion of the GUI covered corresponds closely with the numerical explicit feedback score. In other embodiments, the visual element consists of a sequence of icons. The numerical explicit feedback, contextualized by an implicit feedback weight and additional data, can be used in the construction of content recommendation profiles for the generation of candidate pieces of computer readable media.

Abstract: A portable connector assembly includes a belt having a clasp for creating a closed loop with the belt. A receiver has port and control electronics. A battery is removably securable in the port of the receiver. The assembly also includes an industrial connector electrically connected to the receiver for electrically connecting the control electronics with a product connector.

Abstract: A method alerts a user that a volume of air being circulated through a powered air purifying respirator assembly is outside an acceptable range. The powered air purifying respirator assembly includes a fan and a hood system. The method begins with the step of measuring airflow through the powered air purifying respirator assembly to create a measured airflow value. The measured airflow value is compared to a predetermined high airflow value and a predetermined low airflow value. And, after a predetermined amount of time, an alarm signal is generated when the measured airflow value is either greater than or less than the predetermined high airflow value or the predetermined low airflow value, respectively. During the time when the incorrect airflow is occurring, the motor of the fan may be adjusted to correct the airflow values before the alarm signal is generated.

Abstract: A portable connector assembly includes a belt having a clasp for creating a closed loop with the belt. A receiver has port and control electronics. A battery is removably securable in the port of the receiver. The assembly also includes an industrial connector electrically connected to the receiver for electrically connecting the control electronics with a product connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lid for use on a drinking container. The lid is capable of being releasably sealably engaged with a top end of the container. The lid can be secured to the container in a manner to resist displacement of the lid if the container is dropped or tipped. The lid includes a tab portion, which is capable of being depressed by a user's mouth, tongue or lip so as to provide an opening in the lid. The tab portion is also biased so as to return to a closed position to close the opening upon removal of pressure against the tab portion. The tab portion can have a perimeter larger in at least one dimension than the opening to resist fluid discharge when in the closed position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for design and use of web-based applications for account management. Some aspects relate to design tools that enable the use of a virtual agent or avatar as part of an account collection or management web application. Some aspects relate to applications, utilities and tools for node-based web resource design.

Abstract: An electric coolant or water pump with a housing including and a housing sleeve adapted to receive a bearing assembly. An integral shaft bearing assembly is mounted inside the housing sleeve. The integral shaft bearing assembly includes a shaft, an outer bearing ring, and at least one bearing located between the shaft and the outer bearing ring. An impeller is connected to the shaft and located in the pump chamber. An electric motor is mounted to the housing, with the electric motor including a stator connected to an outside of the housing sleeve and a rotor mounted to the shaft on an opposite end from the impeller. The rotor is located opposite from and rotatable relative to the stator.

Abstract: An articulated sun shade apparatus including a fan member disposed endwise upon an elongate telescopic arm portion, said arm portion rotationally connected at a first pivot point slidingly securable along the length of an elongate base portion, wherein said arm portion is securable between a stowed position, disposed in contact and parallel with the base portion, and a deployed position, pivoted away from said base portion, whereby the fan member is moveable between a collapsed situation and a flared situation to position a plurality of blade members adjacently within a circular section appropriate to cast shade with precision, as desired.

Abstract: Remote segmentation is a process by which segmentation data is collected from a third party and applied to an existing database. In a preferred embodiment of remote segmentation, a definition is added that makes the local system aware of all the possible segmentation dimensions in a way that is presentable to the user as well as transmittable to a third party (in house or other company) which processes the segment and returns the result.

Abstract: A switchable drive pulley system that allows driving engagement or disengagement of a pulley from the shaft of an accessory drive. The pulley is mounted to the shaft by a bearing having an inner ring that rotates with the shaft and an outer ring that rotates with the pulley. A friction disk is arranged adjacent to the bearing inner and outer ring. When axial pressure is applied to the friction disk, relative motion between the inner and outer bearing rings is stopped, allowing transfer of torque from the pulley to the shaft to drive the accessory drive, with the pulley and shaft rotating at the same speed. When pressure is removed from the friction disk, the pulley and the outer bearing ring can spin independently of the inner ring and shaft. The shaft can therefore remain stationary while the pulley continues to turn driven by the accessory belt drive.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a software system that solves the above-mentioned problems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computerized subscriber list creation and management system for use on the internet or other network is described. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a business may conduct advanced database search queries, then save, manage and update those searches automatically. A business may build subscriber lists using multi-part rules determined by customer data including demographics, preferences, and behaviors. Moreover, the business may save the searches and manage database segments effectively for use in multiple campaigns. Subscriber lists update automatically as the database grows and changes.

Abstract: A switchable drive pulley system that allows driving engagement or disengagement of a pulley from the shaft of an accessory drive is provided. The pulley is mounted to the shaft by a bearing having an inner ring that rotates with the shaft and an outer ring that rotates with the pulley. A friction disk is arranged adjacent to the bearing inner ring and outer ring. When axial pressure is applied to the friction disk, relative motion between the inner and outer bearing rings is stopped, allowing the transfer of torque from the pulley to the shaft in order to drive the accessory drive, with the pulley and shaft rotating at the same speed. When pressure is removed from the friction disk, the pulley and the outer bearing ring can spin independently of the inner ring and shaft. The shaft can therefore remain stationery while the pulley continues to turn driven by the accessory belt drive.

Abstract: Remote segmentation applied to a segmentation data mart allows a marketer to create a personalized email campaign for a selected segment of customers. Segmentation data is collected from a plurality of third party sources, imported and cleansed. The marketer may query a data mart with a user-defined rule created with parameters selected from fields available in the data mart. The marketer submits the query and is presented with a count with which the marketer may determine if the segment will be cost effective for the marketing campaign. If the count is acceptable, the query is saved. Later, when the marketer creates the email message for a particular campaign, s/he assigns the segment to the campaign. When the campaign is released, the query extracts email addresses currently meeting the criteria of the query and uses the addresses for distributing the email.

Abstract: Remote segmentation is a process by which segmentation data is collected from a third party and applied to an existing database. In a preferred embodiment of remote segmentation, a definition is added that makes the local system aware of all the possible segmentation dimensions in a way that is presentable to the user as well as transmittable to a third party (in house or other company) which processes the segment and returns the result.