Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium storing machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, controlling the amount of energy delivered to a projectile from a source of compressed gas.

Abstract: A method can include, for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide for the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions adapted to cause an information device to render: an identification of a destination of the predetermined route; a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video adapted to substantially reproduce a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection; a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos; at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

Abstract: A method and system for fast channel change (FCC) between multicast digital video feeds wherein each digital video feed is converted to a set of slotted multicasts, each having the same content but delayed in time relative to each other, metadata associated with the digital video feed and the slotted multicasts is published using an on-the-wire format to downstream client devices (e.g. set-top boxes), when a user selects the digital video feed (i.e. a new channel) the client device uses the metadata to select a slotted multicast that minimizes the total time to reach the next random access point (RAP) while allowing a maximum leave-join delay. Both a FCC server that generates the slotted multicasts and a FCC middleware on the client devices are connected to a common time reference, and the method and system provide for adjusting to clock drift on the FCC server relative to the common time reference.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a device and/or an associated method in which a recorded television or radio program can be played back from a recording of said program without additional programs, such as commercial breaks. A current program can be resumed once the recording has been played back. Processed program segments can be retrieved while repeated segments can be tuned out during playback. The current program can be resumed more quickly if processed program segments are retrieved during playback.

Abstract: A method of making a composition having the property of being able to store chlorine dioxide includes mixing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution with a superabsorbent, water-soluble polymer that is substantially unreactive with chlorine dioxide and permitting a mixture formed thereby to form one of a gel and a solid composition. A method of delivering chlorine dioxide includes providing a gel or solid composition as described and degelling the gel or dissolving the solid composition to dispense the chlorine dioxide therefrom. A method of disinfecting a target such as water, wastewater, or a surface comprises delivering chlorine dioxide as above and permitting the polymer to precipitate out of the mixture. Aqueous chlorine dioxide is then recovered and applied to the target.

Abstract: An optical lens array for imaging and illumination applications is provided. The lens array comprises a first axicon at a first end of the array, a second axicon positioned distally from the first axicon along an optical axis and a third axicon positioned distally from the second axicon along the optical axis. The third axicon provides an objective lens to a focal region or focus region. The third axicon is positioned at a fixed location in the array wherein the distance between the first and second axicons can be altered to control the position of the focal region defined by the depth of field for imaging applications and depth of focus for illumination applications of the third axicon.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, and/or device adapted for washing and drying a product via a continuous forward flow of product and a reverse flow of aqueous content. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an auger, a rotating paddle wheel, a perforated spiral drum, a perforated cylindrical drum, and/or a hydraulic ram press.

Abstract: A lens is presented in which the lens includes a substrate and an electrode layer. The electrode layer is positioned upon the substrate. The electrode layer has radially alternating rings of electrodes and resistive material. When voltage is applied across two adjacent electrodes the profile of the electric field therebetween is linear. When voltage is applied to the rings of electrodes, the optical phase profile of the lens closely approximates the optical phase of ideal spherical aberration correction.

Abstract: A sand filter apparatus (10) for treating water includes a filter retention vessel (16) having an outlet (18) from which filtrate can be supplied. An inlet arrangement (48) is in fluid communication with the filter retention vessel and is connectable to a supply of waste water. A filter is interposed between the inlet arrangement and the outlet. The filter includes two layers of aggregate (12, 36) and a layer of sand (26) interposed between the two layers of aggregate. The sand is at least one of, or a mixture of, granite-based sand and substantially pure silica based sand.

Abstract: A method of making a composition having the property of being able to store chlorine dioxide includes mixing an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution with a superabsorbent, water-soluble polymer that is substantially unreactive with chlorine dioxide and permitting a mixture formed thereby to form one of a gel and a solid composition. A method of delivering chlorine dioxide includes providing a gel or solid composition as described and degelling the gel or dissolving the solid composition to dispense the chlorine dioxide therefrom. A method of disinfecting a target such as water, wastewater, or a surface comprises delivering chlorine dioxide as above and permitting the polymer to precipitate out of the mixture. Aqueous chlorine dioxide is then recovered and applied to the target.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments can provide at least one of a system, machine, device, and manufacture that can comprise: a V-type water-cooled diesel engine comprising: a first cylinder and a second cylinder disposed in a V-shape; a plurality of injection pumps adapted to serve each respective cylinder; and a fuel governor adapted to control fuel from the injection pumps, the fuel governor disposed between the cylinders; wherein the governor is an electrical governor and disposed outside a crankcase that is located between the cylinders, and the plurality of injection pumps are mounted on a cover of the crankcase.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.

Abstract: An indexing system and method for allowing a viewer to control the mode of delivery of program material. By mapping from time to data position, data delivery can begin at any selected time in the program material. The indexing method also provides for controlling data delivery to begin at the beginning of a frame of data. A synchronizing method is provided to minimize a time offset between audio and video data, particularly in environments using groups of pictures.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for collecting usage information in real-time for a computing device receiving digital content for presentation, such as to enable various types of real-time content modifications or content-related service enhancements. In some situations, real-time information is collected about Set-Top Boxes that allow viewers to receive various types of content (e.g., video broadcasts such as single-channel or multi-channel television programming, audio broadcasts, media-on-demand, etc.) and to interact with the content and with related services in various ways, such as information about content viewing and types of viewer interactions. Having access to information related to content viewing and to various types of user interactions provides a variety of benefits, with real-time or near real-time collection of such information enabling dynamic modifications to provided content, functionality, and services.

Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments, an apparatus for rotating one or more vehicle lamps can include a case body, a motor, a printed circuit board, and/or a gear reducing mechanism. The motor can be mounted on the outside of the case body and/or can include a case shell and/or an end cover. The revolving shaft of the motor can be supported on the case shell and/or the end cover of the motor by a first bearing and/or a second bearing respectively. The end of the revolving shaft of the motor can enter into the case body and/or be fixed with a driving gear which can engage with the gear reducing mechanism. The output shaft of the gear reducing mechanism can actuate the vehicle lamp, so as to change the direction of irradiation of the vehicle lamp.

Abstract: Exemplary compositions, methods, and systems are disclosed that can be useful for reducing a concentration of a contaminant associated with a medium, which can be any substance or material, such as soil, water, air, and/or fluid. In one exemplary method, the medium is treated with Fe-MDGA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to oxidize at least a portion of the contaminant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing financial functions by an agent for each of a plurality of clients. One embodiment includes, relating to a financial function of each client, demonstrating that more than one activity of the agent can be transparent to the client, receiving financial information at the agent, creating risk management information relating to the financial information, analyzing the risk management information in the context of the financial information, determining an action based on the analysis, facilitating implementation of an action on behalf of the client, and communicating with the client one or more activities of the agent.

Abstract: This invention combines the modeling capabilities of causal models, business process models, and dimensional reporting to allow the locating of root causes of problems. The causal models let the user explore the effects of other parts of the system have on the process in question through accessing dimensional reports. By recording and annotating the problem solving flow, and deriving characteristics of the problem solved, future users can be assisted in other problem solving sessions. Ad-hoc reports created to aid in the problem solving can be attached in the causal model and process model for future use.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition of matter comprising a solid form of chlorine dioxide complexed with a cyclodextrin. When stored, a concentration of the chlorine dioxide in the composition of matter can be retained, with respect to an initial concentration of chlorine dioxide in said composition of matter, at, for example, greater than 12% for at least 14 days. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising releasing chlorine dioxide from a solid composition comprising chlorine dioxide complexed with a cyclodextrin.