Abstract: A method for deploying parts is disclosed. Locations that include supply locations and demand locations are defined. A supply location supplies parts to a demand location. A demand is computed for each part at each location. An availability lead-time is estimated for each part at each location. A lead-time demand is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A stock level is computed for each part at each location. A completely filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels, and a partially filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels. A coverage function for the parts at the locations is generated from the completely filled demand and the partially filled demand.

Abstract: Generating a supply chain plan includes accessing data describing a supply chain network having buffers. Each buffer is operable to store items and is associated with a corresponding time variable. The supply chain network is constrained by a constraint. A linear programming problem is generated for the supply chain network. The linear programming problem is approximated by discretizing the time variables of the buffers to yield discretized time variables and by relaxing the constraint to yield a relaxed constraint. An optimized supply chain plan is calculated for the approximated linear programming problem. The optimized supply chain plan describes a quantity of items at each buffer for at least one time value of the corresponding time variable. The optimized supply chain plan is adjusted to satisfy the constraint.

Abstract: A range-gated shearography system and related methods. Implementations of range-gated shearography systems may include a laser light source, at least one imaging detector coupled to the laser light source, a shearing interferometer coupled to the at least one imaging detector, and a ranging detector coupled to the laser light source. A method of range-gating a shearography system may include emitting laser light, determining a range interval for at least one object, receiving reflected laser light from the at least one object through a shearing interferometer from the range interval, and collecting at least one shearography image.

Abstract: A cellulosic ethanol production system. Implementations may include a feed stage that may produce a raw cellulose stream from a waste cellulose stream and an algae cellulose stream. A hydrolysis stage may produce a hydrolyzed cellulose stream. A liquefaction stage may produce a formed sugars stream and one or more liquefaction byproduct streams. A fermentation stage may react the formed sugars stream with a yeast feed in at least one fermenter to produce a raw ethanol stream. A separation stage may separate ethanol from the raw ethanol stream and to produce a fuel ethanol stream. An algae generation stage may include at least one algae bioreactor and may react the one or more liquefaction byproduct streams with algae in the at least one algae bioreactor to produce an algae stream. A biodiesel production stage may produce a biodiesel stream and the algae cellulose stream.

Abstract: A method for sourcing an item requirement includes receiving an item requirement that identifies an item and a quantity of the item that needs to be sourced from one or more suppliers. The method also includes determining one or more sourcing criteria that affect the sourcing of the item. The sourcing criteria include one or more quantity pricing rules that are associated with each of a number of suppliers and the quantity of the item available at each of the suppliers. Furthermore, the method includes determining one or more suppliers from which the item should be sourced and a quantity of the item to obtain from each such supplier based on the sourcing criteria. In addition, the method includes automatically generating one or more transaction documents that each identify the item and the requested quantity of the item and that include a request that a supplier provide the requested quantity of the item. These transaction documents are communicated to the associated suppliers.

Abstract: A method of valuing products based on demand probabilities. Products are designed by identifying product components, and combining the components in various combinations to provide standard and non-standard products. Components are valued using an algorithm that considers demand probability as well as known prices of standard products. The component values are added to determine product values and may be used to make pricing and order fulfillment decisions.

Abstract: A system for generating a display of at least one side of a market includes a computer system having one or more computers. The displayed side of the market includes one or more offers from one or more market participants. Each offer includes an offered price and an offered quantity. The computer system receives market data reflecting the one or more offers and generate a display of the received market data. The display includes a price axis, a quantity axis, and one or more offer bars. Each offer bar represents one or more offers including substantially equal offered prices. Placement of an offer bar along the price axis represents the substantially equal offered prices for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. The height of an offer bar relative to the quantity axis representing the aggregate offered quantity for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a content enhancement module that analyzes the product data stored in a seller database using one or more rules and that identifies one or more potential errors in the product data according to the rules. The rules include one or more generic rules that apply to substantially all seller databases including product data. These generic rules include one or more of the following rules: a rule indicating that a potential error exists if two products in the seller database have identical product identifiers but have otherwise different product data, a rule indicating that a potential error exists if two products in the seller database have different product identifiers but have otherwise identical product data, and rules indicating that a potential error exists if the values associated with particular generic product attributes have a non-numerical format.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system (10) includes a content enhancement module (47) that analyzes the product data stored in a seller database (32) using one or more rules and that identifies one or more potential errors in the product data according to the rules. The rules include one or more generic rules that apply to substantially all seller databases (32) including product data. These generic rules include one or more of the following rules: a rule indicating that a potential error exists if two products in the seller database (32) have identical product identifiers but have otherwise different product data, a rule indicating that a potential error exists if two products in the seller database (32) have different product identifiers but have otherwise identical product data, and rules indicating that a potential error exists if the values associated with particular generic product attributes have a non-numerical format.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing control of current consumption of a power amplifier. The power amplifier comprises an output stage for amplifying a RF signal, and the output stage is operably coupled to an output load. The power amplifier further comprises a bias circuit operably coupled to the output stage, wherein the bias circuit is capable of applying a bias voltage to the output stage. The power amplifier still further comprises a limit circuit operably coupled to the bias circuit for detecting an increase in the current of the output stage under an output load mismatch and in response, decreasing the bias voltage applied to the output stage.

Abstract: A method for demand planning includes determining a demand value representing a demand quantity of an end product that a manufacturer is to produce. Production of the demand quantity of the end product includes production of a quantity of an intermediate product using a raw material. The intermediate product is to be further processed to produce the end product. The method also includes determining an additional quantity value representing an additional quantity of the intermediate product that the manufacturer can produce in addition to the quantity of the intermediate product used to produce the end product. At least one of the demand value and the additional quantity value is based at least partially on an exchange balance associated with at least one of the raw material, the intermediate product, and the end product. The method further includes making the additional quantity value for the intermediate product available for use in generating additional demand for the intermediate product.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying graphs on a computer display organize the data and axes of the display hierarchically. The user is allowed to select which levels of the hierarchy are to be displayed, thereby controlling the look of the display. Data at lower hierarchical levels is aggregated at the level chosen for display. By varying the chosen display levels, the user changes the nature of the display on the computer monitor.

Abstract: A safety outlet cover that includes a cover with a front face including plug blade apertures. The safety cover may include a cover with a front face where the front face is configured to cover the face of an electrical device except for a plurality of plug blade apertures therethrough. The cover also may include a mounting plate, a frame and a spring element formed as a single piece where the mounting plate includes a receptacle face aperture. When the cover and mounting plate are coupled at a rest position, the cover is configured to cover a plug blade socket in a receptacle face. In a particular implementation, a spring element of the mounting plate is formed as a single piece with the frame and within the frame.

Abstract: An electrical device cover with a lid coupled to a base unit by a pin and clip hinge. Implementations of a pin and clip hinge may comprise a clip with a rotation stop that tightens against the pin when the lid is opened too far on the base in a way that would ordinarily overextend the hinge.

Abstract: A method for providing decision support through visualization of participant past performance is performed using a computer system associated with an electronic marketplace. The method includes retrieving stored past performance information for participants reflecting the performance of the participants in connection with prior transactions conducted using the marketplace. Substantially linear viewable objects are generated for display to a user, each object corresponding to a participant and including one or more subdivisions, each defined by first and second subdivision boundaries. Each subdivision corresponds to a past performance measure and has a length that is proportional to a value of the measure determined according to the past performance information for the participant corresponding to the object.

Abstract: A pedal exercise machine includes an arc trajectory with a length adjustment for adjusting the lengths of pedal trajectories and arm levers, an angle adjustment for adjusting the position of the pedal trajectory, and a displacement mechanism for adjusting the pedals' angles relative to the ground. The pedal exercise machine includes a base, a front frame and a center frame, coupled together, a pair of pedals, a pair of pedal links, and a pair of subsidiary pedal links, which are coupled to the respective pedals by shafts different from shafts which the respective pedal links are coupled to the corresponding pedals. The pedal exercise machine further includes a resistance pulley, a crank shaft, and a pair of crank link units. Each crank link unit has the angle adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the angle between the corresponding pedal link and the corresponding crank link unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for planning repairs in response to demand in a multi-level repair network of locations at which parts may be repaired. Modeled for a location are: (1) an unserviceable buffer for parts inspected at the location and repairable at the location, and (2) a serviceable buffer for parts inspected at the location and serviceable without repair. A forecasted demand, for a quantity of serviceable parts at a future time at the location, is accessed. In a push planning phase, for each inspected part in the unserviceable buffer, the earliest time at which repair can begin for the part at the location is estimated.