Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented system for protecting from unauthorized reproduction data associated with one or more products that is communicated over a communications network includes one or more servers. The servers collectively receive data associated with one or more products matching search criteria specified in a search query received from a buyer computer, the data having been collected in response to communicating the search query to one or more databases in which data associated with one or more products is stored. The servers collectively communicate to the buyer computer the data for the matching products and communicate a software component to the buyer computer, the software component operable to provide a user associated with the buyer computer access to the data for the matching products, the software component further operable to disable one or more tools supported at the buyer computer for reproducing the data.

Abstract: Calculating price elasticity includes accessing a number of demand models and demand data describing a number of items. The demand models are evaluated in accordance with the demand data. A demand model of the evaluated demand models is selected in response to the evaluation. A price elasticity is calculated according to the selected demand model.

Abstract: Generating an optimized supplier allocation plan includes identifying parts and suppliers associated with an allocation problem, where each supplier can supply at least one part. One or more objective functions are selected. Each objective function has part variables, and each part variable represents a quantity of a part to be procured from a supplier. At least one constraint constraining at least one part variable is received. The one or more objective functions are optimized with respect to the at least one constraint to yield a value for each part variable. A quantity of each part to be procured from at least one supplier is determined according to the values to generate the optimized supplier allocation plan.

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: A railcar door operating mechanism with piston lock used for opening, closing and locking a railcar door. The railcar door operating mechanism may include a hydraulic piston, a piston lock, a lock drive, and a lock drive piston. To open a railcar door the lock drive piston extends and causes movement of the lock drive. The lock drive then engages the piston lock and moves the piston lock from a locked position to an unlocked position. Once the piston lock is in an unlocked position, the hydraulic piston is then retracted to open the railcar door. To close the railcar door, the hydraulic piston is again activated extending the hydraulic piston to close the railcar door. The lock drive piston may then retract and cause movement of the lock drive. The lock drive may again engage the piston lock and move the piston lock into a locked position.

Abstract: Zero VOC compositions are described and may include: one of vinyl ester solids, unsaturated polyester solids (e.g., isophthalic polyester, orthophthalic polyester, terephthalic polyester, and mixtures thereof), and mixtures thereof; polymerizable solids (e.g., a monomer, an oligomer, and mixtures thereof); and/or at least one photochemical catalyst. Zero VOC compositions may be produced by: heating polymerizable solids to a range of about 300° F. to about 500° F.; and adding one of vinyl ester solids, unsaturated polyester solids, and mixtures thereof. Additional steps may include reducing the heat to about 70° F. to about 100° F. and adding at least one photochemical catalyst and/or at least one additive. Zero VOC compositions may be curable without requiring evaporation of a VOC there from upon exposure to ultraviolet light and/or mixing with at least one thermal catalyst.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system (10) providing market feedback to sellers includes a server (40) operating on one or more computers. The server (40) records query information associated with a search query for a buyer (20) of one or more databases containing product data. The server (40) also records presentation information associated with presentation of multiple search results to the buyer (20), each search result including data for a product matching one or more search criteria specified in the search query, the search results including one or more search results reflecting product data for a particular seller (30). The server (40) also records selection information associated with selection by the buyer (20) of a particular search result from among the multiple search results.

Abstract: A method for selecting members in a hierarchy includes determining a sequence of one or more actions associated with a member selection tree. The actions collectively selecting one or more members from a hierarchy of members. The hierarchy of members is associated with a particular dimension of an organization of data. The method further includes recording the sequence of actions in a member selection script. In addition, the method includes executing the member selection script to select one or more members after the hierarchy of members has been modified.

Abstract: A convertible electrical device cover including a base plate and an adapter plate that are both configured to accommodate an electrical device. When the convertible electrical device cover is placed in an operative position over the electrical device the adapter plate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side of the base plate. A method for installing a convertible electrical device cover is also disclosed including placing the convertible electrical device cover in an operative position over an electrical device so that an adapter plate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side of a base plate.

Abstract: A method for generating a sales volume forecast includes receiving user input specifying a hypothetical asking price and a future date and accessing, for each of multiple past time periods, historical data reflecting a sales volume for an item over the past time period and a corresponding price difference between an asking price and a coinciding market price for the item, the price difference also being associated with the past time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for managing a centrally managed master repository for core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise. A centralized master repository contains the reference data, the reference data being associated with multiple schemas, each schema including one or more data models for reference data, each data model including one or more fields. A data management services framework coupled to the repository provides services for managing the reference data in the repository. The services framework supports a master schema including a union of multiple models and associated fields in the multiple schemas. The services framework also supports a thesaurus including, for each field in the master schema, a set of synonyms each representing a mapping between the field in the master schema and a corresponding field in a particular one of the multiple schemas.

Abstract: A simple, two piece slide-on electrical device cover assembly can be adapted for either horizontal or vertical mounting on the same base. Removable rail members that are coupled to the cover through thinned or partially broken or grooved sections enable the rail members to be snapped off under reasonable force. A manufacturer can package and ship a product in a generic configuration and allow an installer to select whether a horizontal or vertical configuration is desired, and quickly adapt and assembly the product for either configuration.

Abstract: A plurality of approaches for forming a horizontal and vertical electrical device cover including 1) providing hinge members on opposing sides of the cover that allow the cover to pivot along adjacent-sided axes for horizontal and vertical mounting; 2) providing a removable pin and corresponding cover and base hinge members wherein the removable pin may be placed along either the horizontal or vertical axis for selective horizontal or vertical mounting; 3) providing a pivoting hinge arm that is pivotable between adjacent sides of the unit for selective horizontal or vertical mounting; and 4) providing selectively attachable hinge members that may be attached by the installer at the time of installation to choose between horizontal or vertical mounting configurations.

Abstract: A capacitor and a method for assembling a capacitor. A capacitor is assembled from a case, which contains an anode that is electrically coupled to the case and defines wells or slots receiving a plurality of cathode plates. A header is placed on the case. The header also supports a glass seal that insulates the lead tube and cathode lead coming from the cathode. Once assembled, the capacitor is filled with electrolyte. A weld extends around the header to secure the header to the case. A bent cathode configuration enables a plurality of cathode plates electrically coupled together from a common cathode plate.

Abstract: A tool for both plunging and cleaning plumbing fixtures and drains includes a handle and a plunger and a cleaning brush both coupled to the same end of the handle. The plunger is moveable between an extended position in which it covers a majority of the brush, and a retracted position in which it exposes a majority of the brush. The tool may be used for cleaning with the plunger retracted and for plunging with the plunger extended. Exemplary embodiments are particularly useful for cleaning and plunging toilets using a combination toilet plunger and toilet brush.

Abstract: A mechanical release system and method for eliminating scale conditions in water are described. The mechanical release system may include a pressure vessel comprising a head that has a through hole extending from an inlet to an outlet on opposite sides of the head, the through hole divided by at least a circumferential partial rib into an inlet section and an outlet section. Implementations may work without restricting water flow or “water-starving” equipment and control water before it enters equipment and create a scale-eliminating environment within water for extended periods of time (e.g., up to six months or more).

Abstract: A method for migrating product data within an electronic commerce system (10) includes monitoring requests for products by users (20) of a global content directory (42). The global content directory (42) includes a directory structure (44) including a number of product classes organized in a hierarchy. Each product class categorizes a plurality of products and defines one or more attributes of the products categorized in the product class. The directory (44) also includes one or more pointers associated with each product class. Each pointer identifies a seller database (32) in which product data enabling a product transaction is stored for products associated with the product class. The method further includes identifying the location of a user (20) and determining that product data associated with a product requested by the user (20) should be migrated from a seller database (32) to a storage location closer to the user than the seller database (32).

Abstract: A convertible electrical device cover including a base plate and an adapter plate configured to accommodate an electrical device. When the convertible electrical device cover is placed in an operative position over the electrical device the adapter plate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side of the base plate. A method for installing a convertible electrical device cover is also disclosed including placing the convertible electrical device cover in an operative position over an electrical device so that an adapter plate is located between the electrical device and a rear side of a base plate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for repair planning for a location in a repair network includes modeling: (1) an uninspected buffer for parts received but not yet inspected at the location; (2) a first buffer for parts inspected at the location and repairable at the location; (3) a second buffer for parts inspected at the location and not repairable at the location; (4) a third buffer for parts inspected at the location and not repairable at any location in the repair network; and (5) a fourth buffer for parts inspected at the location and serviceable without repair. The parts in the uninspected buffer are assigned to the first, second, third, and fourth buffers at corresponding rates according to an inspection operation.

Abstract: A communication system provides an exchange service between multiple companies. Messages between companies are routed through the exchange. These messages may represent any data or functionality desired by the companies. These messages may be requests, quotes, replies, and similar messages. Certain types of messages are designated as events to the exchange system. A portion of the exchange handles these events with rules, producing actions and additional events in response to occurrences consistent with the rules.