Abstract: Methods and systems for virtual checking are described. A virtual check is created by a payor's device and then sent to the payee's device. The payee can be another mobile device. The virtual check has many of the same features as a regular, paper check plus additional features only available in digital form. In an example, the data can be encrypted by either the banks key or the payor's key. Further encryption can occur between the payor's device and the payee's device, which can connect on a peer-to-peer network. The check can be an image with tag data. In an example, data can be encoded into the image itself. The virtual check can include populated data that cannot be changed by the payee. In an example, the virtual check application of the payee can automatically perform a funds availability check.

Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.

Abstract: A clamp-on multimeter measures alternating current flow in an electrical conductor. The multimeter includes a display, a housing including the display, a first sensor, a second sensor, a processor and an integrator. The first sensor has a magnetizable material core and inductively senses the alternating current. The first sensor includes a first clamp portion fixed to the housing and a second clamp portion pivotally coupled to the first clamp portion. The second sensor includes a Rogowski coil that has a non-magnetic core and inductively senses the alternating current. The processor receives an input signal in a first voltage range and sends an output signal to the digital display. The integrator scales a signal from the second sensor in a second voltage range to the first voltage range. The housing includes the processor, the integrator, and a selector configured to select the input signal to the processor from one of the first sensor and the integrator.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means for generating quality data associated with an option order are provided. In some embodiments, an option order is received, the option order including information identifying a customer, and information identifying a desired option. The option order is associated with an order time. First national best bid and offer (NBBO) data are identified for the desired option at the order time. Execution information associated with the option order are identified, where the execution information includes information identifying a price, an exchange, and an execution time. Second NBBO data for the desired option at the execution time is identified, and the execution information is compared with at least one of the first and second NBBO data.

Abstract: A method and system for transforming customer-developed forms that may define the physical layout of a user interface to pages that define the logical layout of the user interface is provided. A transformation system transforms forms specifying both a logical and a physical layout of a user interface for a forms version of an application to pages specifying only the logical layout of the user interface for a pages version of the application. A customer may customize code rules and configuration data that is used by the transformation system to transform the forms of the customer to pages.

Abstract: A camera platform may be stabilized by reducing or avoiding oscillating movement, when active stabilization systems are not used. A passive dampener resists the back driving of the motors used in the active stabilization system. This dampening or resistance to back driving the motors in turn dampens movement of the camera platform. Oscillations are reduced or avoided and the camera platform may return more quickly and smoothly to a level position. The dampener may be provided as an add-on or temporarily electrically switched in accessory. The dampener may include a circuit that connects the first and second motors of the active stabilization system in series, and connects the series output of the two motors to a variable resistor through a rectifier. A transistor may be with the variable resistor to provide for more linear adjusting and a more compact variable resistor.

Abstract: The present application includes treatment systems having delivery-activated inflatable members, and associated systems and methods for treating the spinal cord and other tissues. A treatment system in accordance with one embodiment includes a lead body having an opening, an inner surface position around the opening, and an inflatable member carried by the lead body, with at least one of the inflatable member and the lead body including a frangible portion accessible from the opening. The inflatable member can have an expandable interior volume bounded at least in part by the frangible portion. The system can further include a delivery device received in the opening of the lead body and positioned to open a passage through the frangible portions between the interior volume of the inflatable member and the opening of the lead body when the delivery device is removed from the opening of the lead body.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards apparatuses, systems and methods to facilitate the pricing, sales and delivery of a commodity fuel to a Customer. In one embodiment, the disclosure teaches a Fuel Offer Generator that facilitates the purchase and management of fuel offerings. The Fuel Offer Generator allows Customers interested in securing fuel to obtain an offer for fuel at lock-in prices for various tenors. Fuel Customers can buy these fuel offers such that they may later exercise the fuel offers so their fuel costs are locked-in at desired levels (e.g., they may be set to strike prices). The Fuel Offer Generator also can establish a Premium Price that will be part of the fuel offer. The Fuel Offer Generator may generate hedges to counteract fuel related risks stemming from fuel offer purchases.

Abstract: A dynamic identity matching facility that enables an operator to determine the status of an individual based on identification information contained on an identification record provided by the individual. The operator scans the individual's identification information from the identification record using a scanning device. The facility decodes the scanned identification information and identifies a number of candidates based on the decoded identification information. For each identified candidate, the facility generates a candidate score. Based on the candidate score of each identified candidate, the facility selects a number of the identified candidates for display. The facility displays the selected candidates to the operator along with the candidate's criminal or other acts.

Abstract: A camera crane has a telescoping arm on a mobile base. The mobile base has a drive motor assembly at each corner of a chassis. The drive motor assemblies may have an electric motor linked to an axle via gearing, and two or more wheels attached to the axle. The wheels can be set to free wheel, so that the mobile base may be pushed or towed, without back driving the electric motor. The wheels may also be linked to the axle, so that the electric motor can provide torque to each of the wheels. The electric motors may be separately controlled to propel and steer the mobile base.

Abstract: Circuit boards, microelectronic devices, and other apparatuses having slanted vias are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for interconnecting electronic components includes a dielectric portion having a first surface and a second surface. A first terminal is disposed on the first surface of the dielectric portion for connection to a first electronic component. A second terminal is disposed on the second surface of the dielectric portion for connection to a second electronic component. The apparatus further includes a passage extending through the dielectric portion along a longitudinal axis oriented at an oblique angle relative to the first surface. The passage is at least partially filled with conductive material electrically connecting the first terminal to the second terminal.

Abstract: Method to induce sleep, using devices that are worn on the nose and around the diaphragm. The nose-band is made of a soft, flexible and elastic material, such as perforated rubber, and is configured to fit onto the nose of a user. The diaphragm-band is made of a soft, flexible and elastic material, and is configured to fit over the diaphragm of a user.

Abstract: A transmission method and apparatus for use in a multi-cell orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless system. A base station includes a plurality of antennas and a plurality of switches coupled to the plurality of antennas. In a unicast transmission mode, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals are generated and routed to multiple of the plurality of antennas for transmission by turning on multiple of the plurality of switches. In a single-frequency-network (SFN) transmission mode, OFDM signals are generated and routed to one of the plurality antennas for transmission by turning on one of the plurality of switches. The plurality of antennas produce a first beam pattern during the unicast transmission mode and a second beam pattern during the SFN transmission mode.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for encapsulating a gaseous solution in bubbles comprises a discharge tube having a diffuser and a foam solution spray nozzle mounted therein. The discharge tube has upstream and downstream ends. The discharge tube has a front face at the upstream end with a first opening configured to be joined to a gas supply line that provides a gaseous solution and a second opening configured to receive a non-expanded foam solution. The downstream end of the discharge tube is open. A chamber is formed within the discharge tube to receive the gaseous solution at the upstream end and release the gaseous solution through the diffuser into the discharge tube towards the downstream end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed management of keep-alive message signaling for mobile network resource conservation and optimization are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of monitoring rates of data communications with a mobile device, sending a periodic message to indicate operational state to the mobile device in response to a decrease in the rates of data communications with the mobile device, sending subsequent periodic messages to indicate operational state to the mobile device at increasing intervals between the subsequent periodic messages to decrease a number of periodic messages sent over the wireless network, and acknowledging to the mobile device that the subsequent periodic messages will be sent at increased intervals, or in a manner that conserves use of the mobile network.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems relating to options on a debt transaction (e.g., put and call options may be utilized to create an economic effect similar to a reduction in debt of an issuer in exchange for enhancing the terms of a debt holder's existing debt investment).

Abstract: A system and method for integrating a plurality of web-based applications with a web-based file management system. The web-based application may provide a service to the users of the web-based file management system, such that the web-based application can interact with the files of said users. The integration of the service of the web-based application with the web-based file management system is achieved through a simple web interface to configure the service, without the developer of the web-based application having to change the application programming interface (API) of the application. The user of the web-based file management system may add services of a plurality of available web-based applications and use these services with one or more files that are stored on the web-based file management system.

Abstract: Bipods and mounting devices for attaching to and supporting firearms, more specifically, bipods which allow independent tension-adjustable movement around two axes. For example, the bipod assembly can be tension-adjusted with a first cam lock for cant movement and can be tension-adjusted with a second cam lock for pivotal movement. Accordingly, independently tension-adjustable and lockable pivot and cam adjustments are provided by this bipod assembly.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments disclose a method and apparatus for replicating a file system at the logical block level in an unordered stream of individual data units. In at least certain embodiments, the replication operations include creating a snapshot of a file system of a source storage system, identifying changes in the file system since a previous replication operation by comparing the snapshot with a previous snapshot created during the earlier replication operation, and asynchronously transferring the identified changes to a destination storage system in an unordered stream of individual data units.