Abstract: An exercise device 90 may comprise a pair of handle tube assemblies 100 in slideable attachment to a center tube assembly 200 such that the handle tube assemblies move in opposition with resistance sometime proved by an elastic member housed within the center tube and with resistance and/or damping provided the controlled flow of air within the apparatus. A handle tube assembly may comprise a handle tube 104 containing a resistance plug 101 in frictional attachment to a outer cap 103, plug seal 107 and other components. A center tube assembly may comprise, at either end, a return bumper 201, low friction linear bushing 202, center cap 203, extend bumper 205 and other components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically adjusting, by an audio device, the SPL of its audio output. As described herein, the SPL is adjusted based on detected ambient noise. According to aspects, audio device iteratively adjusts the SPL based on the ambient noise. According to aspects, the SPL is adjusted to be greater than the ambient noise by a threshold SPL amount. According to aspects, the audio device outputs sound in substantially a first direction and the microphone detects sound substantially outside of the first direction. The adjusted sounds are output by the audio device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: An ergonomic and elevated work surface/top and a work bench having the same. The ergonomic work surface can be maintained in an elevated position by one or more legs, one or more supports (e.g., brackets) attached to a wall or other vertical support or one or more supports extending downwardly from a ceiling or other raised horizontal support. Preferably, the elevated and ergonomic work surface/top is sturdy, rigid and has little or no flex and brings object(s) supported thereby closer to the user's face eliminating or significantly reducing the user leaning over to a position not conducive to proper posture. The top includes contoured/curved/angled sections that provide comfortable and versatile resting surfaces allowing an individual to rest both of his or her arms on for prolong periods without experiencing soreness or other undesirable consequences. The work bench can be portable, collapsible and removably mounted on a primary work structure.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a cloud based content assembly system having a memory and a processor for assembling multiple customized linear channel streams from an assembly template. The method comprises selecting, using the processor, the assembly template from the memory, identifying the customized linear channel streams to be produced using the assembly template, and generating a virtualized assembly environment for each of the customized linear channel streams. The method further comprises provisioning each virtualized assembly environment with content assets corresponding respectively to its customized linear channel stream, and assembling the customized linear channel streams using the respective virtualized assembly environments. The cloud based content assembly system is configured to enable substantially concurrent use of shared infrastructure resources by the virtualized assembly environments.

Abstract: Techniques for channel-independent offer management are provided. An offer management server can be deployed in a variety of architectural arrangements within an enterprise. The offer management server provides cross-platform and channel-independent evaluation of offers and offer management for the enterprise.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time offer evaluations are presented. An enterprise system detects and interaction with a customer. Metrics for the interaction are acquired and a centralized preference server delivers real time preference values known for the customer. The metrics and the preference values are used to dynamically and in real-time evaluate conditions for an enterprise offer and when met the offer is delivered to the customer in real time.

Abstract: Techniques for customized deployment of offers are provided. Customized offers are packaged into a description, a presentation, and offer evaluation execution logic and deployed to an enterprise system. Portions of the package's execution logic have access to some resources of the enterprise system. Once the customized offers are deployed, they can be pushed or pulled to point-of-sale devices for redemption processing during transactions with consumers.

Abstract: Techniques for channel-independent offer management are provided. An offer management server can be deployed in a variety of architectural arrangements within an enterprise. The offer management server provides cross-platform and channel-independent evaluation of offers and offer management for the enterprise.

Abstract: An ergonomic and elevated work surface/top and a work bench having the same. The ergonomic work surface can be maintained in an elevated position by one or more legs, one or more supports (e.g., brackets) attached to a wall or other vertical support or one or more supports extending downwardly from a ceiling or other raised horizontal support. Preferably, the elevated and ergonomic work surface/top is sturdy, rigid and has little or no flex and brings object(s) supported thereby closer to the user's face eliminating or significantly reducing the user leaning over to a position not conducive to proper posture. The top includes contoured/curved/angled sections that provide comfortable and versatile resting surfaces allowing an individual to rest both of his or her arms on for prolong periods without experiencing soreness or other undesirable consequences. The work bench can be portable, collapsible and removably mounted on a primary work structure.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling redemption of offers are provided. A checkout process is detected having multiple offers associated with an item or items being purchased. Each offer is evaluated based on custom rules and some, all, or portions of the offers are selectively applied to a retail price for the item to arrive at a final price for the item during the checkout process.

Abstract: Techniques for channel-independent offer management are provided. An offer management server can be deployed in a variety of architectural arrangements within an enterprise. The offer management server provides cross-platform and channel-independent evaluation of offers and offer management for the enterprise.

Abstract: Techniques for channel-independent offer management are provided. An offer management server can be deployed in a variety of architectural arrangements within an enterprise. The offer management server provides cross-platform and channel-independent evaluation of offers and offer management for the enterprise.

Abstract: Techniques for channel-independent offer management are provided. An offer management server can be deployed in a variety of architectural arrangements within an enterprise. The offer management server provides cross-platform and channel-independent evaluation of offers and offer management for the enterprise.

Abstract: Techniques for universal promotion conditions for offer evaluations are provided. Promotions are comprised of promotion conditions. The conditions are defined as a key value, description, and data type. Defined operators for the data types are enumerated and the key values can be mixed and matched in custom defined conditional statements to expand promotional engines with universal promotion conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a method for use by the system to provide live panoramic image capture and distribution. In one implementation, such a method includes capturing multiple perspectives of a visual environment, combining at least a subset of those perspectives to produce a panoramic image of the visual environment, and encoding the panoramic image to generate panoramic image data. The method also includes transmitting the first panoramic image data to a routing and processing portal for distribution of the panoramic image in real-time.

Abstract: An ergonomic bicycle seat to reduce pressure on a pubic bone, ischial tuberosity and pudendal surface of a user includes a concave frame with an opening in a central portion of the frame. The concave frame cradles the ischial tuberosity of the user and the opening removes pressure on the pubic bone and pudendal surface of the user. A support layer is affixed to a top portion of the concave frame and an arched rail is affixed to a bottom portion of the concave frame and a bicycle. The rail flexes and disperses a weight load of the user away from the pubic bone of the user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for centralized user preference management for electronic decision making devices are provided. A user preference profile is received. A user preference profile manager may transmit a user preference from the user preference profile to a requesting user transaction terminal. the user preference manager may also receive a dynamic user preference from a user preference profile and extend the user preference profile with the dynamic user preference, where the dynamic user preference includes a preference definition and the preference definition includes read and write access controls for the dynamic user preference. Then the user manager may update the user preference profile based on data received from the user transaction terminal.

Abstract: A pedestrian-friendly forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a grill opening reinforcement (GOR), a front fascia located forward of and spaced from the GOR, and a support bracket extending transversely to the vehicle forward of the GOR and rearward of the front fascia. The support bracket has a transverse cross-bar and left and right legs extending rearward from a cross-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof. The legs are attached to respective outboard positions on the GOR, and the cross-bar has an upper flange underlying an upper rear panel of the front fascia. If a pedestrian strikes the forward structure, the fascia and support bracket yield rearward in an injury-reducing manner.