Abstract: The present invention is a constraint-based planning tool that specifically addresses the needs of complex discrete and process industries by providing a computationally efficient method and system for fulfillment of customer orders in a supply chain. By comprehensively synchronizing and optimizing the flow of materials through the enterprise, the present invention creates a feasible plan for manufacturing operations that simultaneously optimizes both material and capacity constraints by planning and scheduling multiple customer orders, planning for use the various resources located in remote locations needed to fulfill such orders, and scheduling the used resources for replenishment at appropriate times so that the resources meet the needs of the orders.

Abstract: A system and method for performing large scale supply chain planning is disclosed, which includes at least one database with a plurality of partitions. A large scale, supply chain planning problem is decomposed into a plurality of independent and isolated sub-problems. The data for each sub-problem is maintained in a separate database partition. The sub-problems are preferably solved by separate planning processes operating in parallel in a distributed database processing environment.

Abstract: A furniture cart for holding and transporting furniture and methods of use. An implementation of a furniture cart comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. A framework assembly is coupled with the upper surface of the furniture platform. The framework assembly comprises opposing vertical side frameworks and at least one upper spanning member coupled with and integral with the opposing vertical side frameworks. Each vertical side framework comprises a front vertical member, a rear vertical member, an upper horizontal member coupled between or integral with the front and rear vertical members, and an auxiliary vertical member between the front and rear vertical members comprising an upper end coupled with or integral with the upper horizontal member. A vertical stop is coupled with the rear vertical members of the framework assembly. At least four wheels are coupled with the lower surface of the furniture platform.

Abstract: An output power detection circuit including a detection circuit is disclosed. The output power detection circuit further includes a summing network, wherein a first voltage input of the summing network is capable of receiving a voltage that is proportional with a current flowing through an output stage of an RF amplifier circuit, a second voltage input is coupled with the detection circuit, and an output is capable of providing a summing voltage.

Abstract: A pedal exercise machine with pedals and arm levers operated in conjunction with each other. A base, a front frame and a center frame are coupled to each other and a pair of pedals move upwards and downwards in alternating directions. Pedal links connect the pedals to the base, arm levers couple to the front frame, and lever link units include a first lever link coupled to the corresponding arm lever and a second lever link connecting the first lever link to the corresponding pedal. Subsidiary pedal links connect the pedals to the center frame, a resistance pulley is provided in the center frame, and a crank having crank arms is coupled to the resistance pulley. A first actuating link is coupled to each pedal link at a predetermined angle. A second actuating link is rotatably coupled at both ends to the first actuating link and the corresponding crank arm.

Abstract: A configurable electrical box comprises an electrical box having a wall structure that defines an internal space, a front open end, and a rear open end. The wall structure comprises at least one pair of opposing walls. In addition, at least two slots disposed through at least one wall of the pair of opposing walls. A dividing plate is slidably coupled with one of the at least two slots and is positionable between an engaged position and an unengaged position. The dividing plate is in contact with both of the pair of opposing walls when in the engaged position.

Abstract: Implementations of biometric deadbolt lock assemblies having various aspects relating to lock housing; a fingerprint sensor in the housing; a controller in the housing and electrically coupled to the fingerprint sensor, the controller configured to store data and compare stored data to data from the fingerprint sensor; a deadbolt mechanism; a manual actuator couplable to the deadbolt mechanism; a controlled actuator electrically coupled to the controller that couples or uncouples the deadbolt mechanism from the manual actuator to enable or disable manual operation of the deadbolt lock through the manual actuator. A battery may also be included within the housing and in particular implementations a biometric deadbolt lock assembly may be configured to fit in the same size opening as a conventional deadbolt lock.

Abstract: A gangable electrical unit for positioning an electrical component beside an electrical outlet box includes a bracket having a wall structure that defines a front opening. First and second arms extend from the bracket. The first and second arms each include an attachment wall extending from a front edge of the bracket and a support wall extending from the bracket behind the attachment wall. The attachment wall includes an electrical box mounting aperture therethrough. The bracket is configured for attachment to an adjacent electrical device mounting box by aligning the electrical box mounting apertures of the first and second arms with electrical box mounting apertures of the adjacent electrical device box. In addition, a gap between the attachment walls of the first and second arms is larger than an outer wall height of the adjacent electrical device mounting box.

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: Implementations of a public use tag marking kiosk. Aspects associated with particular implementations of a tag marking kiosk comprise, among others, automatically marking two sides of a tag within the kiosk, receiving the tag to be marked from the customer, providing a closeable door between the marking implement and the customer while the tag is being marked, ejecting the tag from a tag holder after the tag is marked, and aligning the tag so that a desired tag side is required to be initially facing up on the tag holder. Housing for the kiosk may surround all of the system parts or may be split into a housing shell and a marking unit that fits inside the shell. Marking implements may be laser, mechanical stylus, paint, or others. Tags may be suspended in a cantilevered manner during marking.

Abstract: Redistributing parts includes defining locations. An actual inventory of parts is established among the locations, and a desired allocation of the parts is established among the locations. A demand for the parts at each location is determined using the actual inventory and the desired allocation. Paths are determined, where a path transfers an excess part from one location to another location. A transfer function describing a cost of transferring the excess part along the paths is generated. The transfer function is optimized to achieve the desired allocation of the excess parts at a minimum cost.

Abstract: Service parts inventory planning and management are provided for one or more entities in a supply chain (12), preferably within the context of an electronic marketplace (14). Status data reflecting substantially current service parts inventory levels at stocking locations within the supply chain (12) is accessed, these inventory levels indicating service parts excesses or needs at one or more stocking locations. A substantially current service parts inventory plan is generated according to the status data, a service parts demand forecast, and a supply chain model, the inventory plan including target stocking levels for service parts at stocking locations. According to the inventory plan, one or more services are initiated to attempt to resolve service parts excesses or needs at stocking locations through interaction with one or more other entities.

Abstract: Implementations of pet tags and related protective and alignment features. A pet tag may comprise a raised edge of a concave design, a recessed design or a bordered design. Single or multiple piece implementations may be used to protect an image to be marked on one or both sides of a pet tag. Implementations may comprise multiple pet tags pre-assembled or assembled after marking to further protect one or more images marked on the tags. Other implementations may comprise removable brackets to adapt the pet tags to particular marking kiosks. Still other implementations may comprise crystals embedded in the marking substrate with an additional substrate coupled to a rear side of the marking substrate.

Abstract: A convertible electrical device cover including a base and an adapter coupled as an assembly and configured to accommodate an electrical device. When the convertible electrical device cover is placed in an operative position over the electrical device the adapter may be located between the electrical device and a rear of the base. In particular implementations, a portion of the adapter may be located behind the yoke of the electrical device. The adapter may be movably coupled to the base. 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 may be located between the electrical device and a rear of a base.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition and method for modifying levels of cholesterol is described. Implementations of a pharmaceutical composition may comprise milk thistle and one of niacin, policosanol, and both niacin and policosanol. Implementations of a pharmaceutical composition may be administered using a method for reducing total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol levels in a human or animal. The method may include the step of administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that includes milk thistle and one of niacin, policosanol, and both niacin and policosanol to a human or animal.

Abstract: A storm door assembly for a doorway to a building comprises a frame configured for hinged mounting at a doorway of a building. The frame comprises an opening through the frame, the opening comprising a depth and at least two channels disposed in parallel around an inner surface of the depth. At least two removable frame inserts are provided, each comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and an insert perimeter comprising a plurality of recesses positioned about the perimeter. A plurality of twisting cams are each disposed within one of the plurality of recesses and not extending beyond the front and rear surfaces, and the at least two frame inserts are each held in a fixed position with respect to the frame via placement of the twisting cams within the at least two channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a sensor circuit to detect when an output stage of a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier is driven into a non-linear saturation region and provide an output detection signal that is representative of the degree of saturation of the output stage. The sensor circuit includes a detection element operably coupled with an output stage and a reference voltage element operably coupled with the detection element, the reference voltage element is capable of providing an output detection signal.