Abstract: A saw blade clamping mechanism includes a saw blade spindle, a support sleeve, a clamping pin, and a rotating sleeve. The spindle has a longitudinal receiving slot and an axial elongate slot. The rotating sleeve has a retaining slot. A movable pin is secured on the rotating sleeve and extends through the elongate slot. A latch pin is fixed on the support sleeve and is held within the retaining slot. The rotating sleeve is movable from a first position to a second position. When the rotating sleeve is in the first position, the latch pin is positioned at an outer end of the circumferential section of the retaining slot and the clamping pin inserts into the longitudinal receiving slot of the spindle to fix a saw blade. When the rotating sleeve is in the second position, the latch pin is positioned at an upper end of the axial section of the retaining slot and the clamping pin retracts from the receiving slot of the spindle to release the saw blade.

Abstract: An information management system for restricting access to personal data in compliance with law or regulation includes a database having restricted records stored therein, at least one of the records including an identification of a client or group of clients about whom said record concerns. A computer system under the control of a trusted information broker is configured to receive via a communication medium a request initiated by a requester for access to at least one of the restricted records in the database, the request including an identification of the requester. The computer system is further configured to transmit a request for consent to the client and receive an indication from the client that the client consents or does not consent to access to the restricted record by the requestor. The computer system grants or denies access to the restricted records based upon the indication from the client.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing water contained in a spa is provided which comprises installing a chlorine generating cell including a diamond electrode in a filter compartment of the spa, employing a resin-filled calcium remover bag to reduce the hardness of the water, adding salt to the water; and operating the chlorine generating cell to generate chlorine and other sanitizing agents for sanitizing the water.

Abstract: A media player provides on-screen desktop imagery such as background wallpaper and/or interactive features, related to music or other content being played. The presentation of the content-related imagery and/or features is not limited to the area of the screen associated with the media player, but can extend to other areas of the screen as well. The content-related imagery and/or features may be displayed, for example, as desktop wallpaper, so that it appears as a background to other user interface elements such as icons and windows.

Abstract: Systems and methods for local and master management units in a photovoltaic energy system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes sending a first identification code from a local management unit to a master management unit. The first identification code is associated with the first local management unit, and the local management unit controls a solar module. An authentication of the first identification code is received from the master management unit. In response to receiving the authentication, active operation of the local management unit is continued (e.g., for a set time period).

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for modeling relationships between entities on a network using data collected from a plurality of communication channels including social data, spatial data, temporal data and logical data within a W4 Network. The W4 Network personalizes and automates sorting, filtering and processing of W4COMN communications delivered or requested to be delivered using personalized value-based ranking and encoding of data, which is modeled from the point-of-view (POV) of any specific user, topic or node in the W4 Distributed graph. POV modeling supplies comparative value services to users which entails individuated data models to be aggregated and used in customization and personalization forecasting for each user and their associated data management needs.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool including an upper jaw having a head adapted to engage a fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces to one another, a lower jaw, and first and second pairs of links fastened to the upper and lower jaws. The tool includes a hydraulic cylinder having one end attached to the lower jaw and a piston rod attached to the first pair of links. The cylinder actuates the tool between a disengaged position, in which the links are in a retracted position and the upper jaw and the lower jaw are juxtaposed with one another, and an engaged position, in which the links are in an extended position and the upper jaw and the lower jaw are spaced apart from one another. The tool is adapted to install the fastener to the workpieces when the tool is in its engaged position.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to electronic voting methods and systems that help simplify the management of institutional proxies. In one example, the methods and systems manage the process of meeting notifications, voting, tracking, mailing, reporting, record maintenance and/or vote disclosure rules enacted by the SEC. In one specific example, this may be done for thousands of publicly traded securities custodied at various banks, brokers and global custodians. In another example, a system (and corresponding method) may be provided for integrating, organizing and displaying (e.g., via a website) information in a language of preference for each user of the system. The information may comprise meeting, agenda and/or ballot information and the users of the system/method may be voting entities empowered to cast votes via the system.

Abstract: The present invention enables the purchase of upgrades by ascertaining and attaching a value to the certainty that the upgrade will be available and adjusting the value of the product or service for purchasers willing to pay a reduced value on the condition that the upgrade may not be available at the time of expiration. Rather than paying the certainty value, the prospective purchaser is given the opportunity to enroll in a pool for the perishable upgrade. At a certain time the perishable is released to the pool of purchasers, who are then selected to purchase the item.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module and a method for cooling an electric machine. The electric machine module includes the electric machine including a stator with stator end turns and a housing enclosing the electric machine. An inner wall of the housing defines a machine cavity. The electric machine module also includes a cover coupled to the housing and extending radially inward into the machine cavity. The cover and the stator end turns define a stator cavity which is in fluid communication with the machine cavity.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards employing machine representations of phonemes to generate and manage domain names, and/or messaging addresses. A voice input signal is received using at least one computing device. The voice input signal is converted into a text representation of the voice input signal. It is then determined if the voice input signal is to be employed for use as at least one of: a domain name and a messaging address. In response to determining the voice input signal is to be employed for use in a domain name, a uniform resource identifier (URI) is generated by appending to the text representation of the voice input signal at least a top-level domain identifier. A registration status of the URI is then determined, the registration status comprising one of: registered and unregistered.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to enabling a user to navigate to a web page or other resource in a taxonomy of resources using a crumb provided in a user interface. The crumb is associated with a category of web pages in the taxonomy. When a user indicates the crumb, such as hovering over the crumb, additional crumbs are displayed, so that the user may directly navigate to another web page in the taxonomy. The additional crumbs may be in the same, or a different category. The user can select a crumb from any category to navigate forward and backward in the taxonomy. The taxonomy may be independent of a storage structure for the web pages. The crumbs may be in a toolbar, script, or other module that interfaces with a local or remote taxonomy processor to access and dynamically manage the taxonomy of web pages.

Abstract: An oxidizer generating apparatus comprising a cylindrical housing and an electrode assembly attached at one end of the housing comprising at least three vertically disposed electrodes, the electrodes being spaced apart so as to define a water flow path between them, the electrodes comprising titanium outer electrodes and at least one inner diamond electrode.

Abstract: The invention is a system for distributing content data over a computer network and a method of arranging receiver nodes in a computer network such that the capacity of the server is effectively multiplied many times over, and may even be increased exponentially. The invention takes advantage of the excess capacity many receiver nodes possess, and uses them as repeaters. The distribution system includes nodes having databases which indicate their ancestors and descendants so that reconfiguration of the distribution network may be accomplished without burdening the system's primary sever. The invention includes a process for configuring a computer information distribution network having a primary server node and user nodes docked in a cascaded relationship, and reconfiguring the network in the event that a user node departs from it.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include improved communication system and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a wireless communication method comprising, on a first wireless device, receiving one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices, and transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system, and on the remote computer system, receiving the at least one wireless device identification, and accessing information associated with the at least one wireless device identification. Embodiments of the present invention may be used for electronic dating, social networking and other communication applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate the sharing of account features. In one aspect, a system includes a transaction handler to process transactions and a data warehouse to record the transactions and store account data identifying account features of separate accounts, such as a second account having a feature and a first account without this feature. Account holders of the first and second accounts are in a same household and thus, in accordance with a set of rules, eligible to share the account features. A portal is configured to receive a request identifying the first account and to determine whether a transaction initiated in the first account and qualified for a benefit of the account feature is entitled to the benefit; and if so, a notification engine is to transmit a notification message to an account holder of the first account.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for use with eyeglasses. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hinge assembly to attach a temple to a main frame of a pair of eyeglasses. The hinge assembly of this embodiment may include a pair of hinge members (formed as a ball and socket) rotationally attached to one another and each resiliently attached (e.g., using a spring) to a respective one of the temple and the main frame of the pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: A method for improving strength of the finished product in paint roller manufacturing processes and other continuous processes for producing tubular goods from polymers. The method utilizes a substrate such as a polypropylene strip with grooves on its surface. The grooved substrate is fed onto a mandrel to form a tube. Adhesive is applied upon the grooved surface of the grooved substrate. A cover may be applied about the tube, and the resulting product is then cut into finished-size paint rollers. The hardened adhesive in the grooves may operate to reduce the hoop-force which would otherwise tend to unwind the wound substrate. The method in certain embodiments provides a reduction in cost and weight of the finished product.

Abstract: A native application includes codeset information. The native application, if loaded into a cellular telephone, allows the cellular telephone and a novel associated Operational Signal Generating Device (OSGD) to be usable as a remote control device. An on-line media store provides the native application for purchase and download. A user uses the cellular telephone to download the native application into the cellular telephone. The codeset information is transferred into the OSGD. The OSGD has a mechanism for using codeset information to generate IR operational signals of the type used to control electronic consumer devices. Execution of the native application causes a keypad to appear on the cellular telephone display. If the user presses a key of the keypad, the cellular telephone detects the key press and sends a communication to the OSGD which causes the OSGD to use the codeset information to generate and transmit an appropriate IR operational signal.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a body armor vest, equipped with a quick-release system comprising a front portion, a rear portion, and a plurality of connectors for releasably attaching the front portion to the rear portion. Each connector includes a ring and a releasable hook, wherein the ring can be releasably clasped by the releasable hook. The protective garment further includes a pull cord, which can be attached to and capable of disengaging, at least two of the plurality of connectors to allow detachment of the front portion from the rear portion.