Abstract: A slat replacement system for removing damaged slats and inserting new slats in an animal pen. The slat replacement system includes a base assembly for resting on a floor of the animal pen. A frame member is rotatably coupled to the base assembly. A motor assembly is operationally coupled to a drive assembly and is coupled to the frame member. The drive assembly is operationally coupled to the base assembly for rotating the frame member with respect to the base assembly. A lifting assembly is pivotally coupled to the frame member and operationally coupled to the drive assembly for pivoting the lifting assembly with respect to the frame member for lifting and moving of one of the slats. A control assembly is operationally coupled to the drive assembly for controlling rotation of the frame member with respect to the base assembly and pivoting of the lifting assembly.

Abstract: A system for holding golf tees on a hand of a golfer, comprising a tee holding device removably mounted on a securing flap of a glove, and including a mounting portion for mounting on the securing flap of the glove and a tee receiving portion mounted on the mounting portion for removably receiving at least one golf tee. The mounting portion defines a slot with closed ends for receiving the flap. The system may include a glove with a securing flap for selectively securing together sections of a back portion of the glove located on opposite sides of an expansion slit.

Abstract: The phone number or other identifying information of an incoming phone call or other network communication is optionally stored, and a call-back is optionally scheduled. The user is prompted whether to schedule a call back, and if so, a call-back sequence is initiated at an appropriate time. When a call-back sequence is initiated, the scheduled call-back number or address may be automatically dialed, or alternatively the user selects whether to go forward with the call-back routine, at which time the call-back continues if the user selects an affirmative response. As an option, the user can delay the call-back to a predetermined time in the future, or the call-back can be rescheduled or canceled. Associated notes or other text can be saved in a calendar along with the scheduled call-back event to remind the user the reason and subject matter of the call back. The invention provides integrated communications and calendaring features.

Abstract: A display and scanning assembly is disclosed wherein light reflected from or transmitted through an image being scanned is transmitted to an optical sensor through an optical shutter assembly via a light guide assembly. The optical shutter assembly is made substantially opaque except for one or more selected optical shutter elements that are made substantially transparent or opened. Light is then reflected from or transmitted through the medium containing the image to be scanned through substantially transparent shutter element or elements and transmitted to the optical sensor via a light guide assembly. The image may then be scanned by advancing selection of shutter element or elements that are opened across the medium.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining the software load process. In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for determining computer system software load process may start with loading computer system software on a computer. Then a marker file may be provided in the loaded computer system software. The marker file may indicate whether the loaded computer system software was loaded in a computer manufacturer's factory, loaded by a system restoration CD (SRCD), or loaded by downloading an image. When a program running on the computer abnormally terminates and the computer is able to send the marker file to a central authority, the marker file may be sent to the central authority by the computer. When a program running on the computer abnormally terminates and the computer is not able to send the marker file to a central authority, the marker file may be sent to the central authority by the computer after the computer reboots.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for defining and redefining adynamic graphical user interface, which can control multiple applications or applets with one graphical user interface. As new applications or applets are launched, the graphical user interface determines the functionality of the newly added application. Existing functions are used if they are equal to functions required of the new application or applet. New functionality is added if required.

Abstract: Foldout tabs for assisting with the removal of contents from a carton. When extended, the foldout tabs provide a leverage point on which a user may place one or both feet so that while pulling the contents from within the carton, the carton does not exhibit its normal tendency to follow the contents.

Abstract: A hitch damping system for dampening forces transferred between a towed vehicle and a towing vehicle. The hitch damping system includes a first assembly being designed for being operationally coupled to the towed vehicle. A second assembly is designed for being operationally coupled to the towing vehicle. A plurality of dampening members are operationally coupled between the first assembly and the second assembly. The dampening members permit the first assembly to swing in an arc with respect to the second assembly whereby the dampening members are designed for reducing longitudinal forces exerted on the towing vehicle, such as a truck, by the towed vehicle, such as a fifth wheel trailer, when a momentum of the towed vehicle differs from a momentum of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An audio player is constructed in an ear module fully supported by the ear. The ear module is an in ear canal device, or ear bud with a clip that securely attaches it to the ear. The ear module contains all components required for storing and playing digitized audio such as MP3, RealAudio, WMA or ASF. The ear module is coupled to a hub that is also fully supported by the ear. The hub comprises a micro controller and connectors for receiving digitized audio. The hub has a connector hub from which peripheral devices are supportable.

Abstract: An information system that determines the apparent emotional state of the user and, based upon that determination, reacts appropriately. Appropriate reactions of the system include marking user text input to convey the apparent emotional state of the user to recipients. Other embodiments incorporate reactions of the system that warn or prompt a user, prior to system execution of a user directed operation, when the system has determined that the apparent emotional state of the user merits a warning or a prompt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a circuit board within a computer chassis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a standoff support mounted in a channel so that the standoff can be positioned along the length of the channel by moving or sliding the standoff within the channel. This movable standoff facilitates the mounting of a variety of circuit boards within the same computer chassis.

Abstract: A sailing accessory for selectively receiving and holding personal accessories of a user and providing convenient access to the accessories for a helmsman. The sailing accessory includes a top member and a bottom member. The top member includes a slot which extends therethrough. The slot is designed for receiving a top portion of a pedestal guard. The top member defines a work surface. The bottom member is operationally coupled to the top member. The bottom member includes a front edge designed for abutting a back side of the pedestal guard.

Abstract: A wheel mounting apparatus is disclosed for mounting a wheel carrying a track onto a vehicle. The wheel mounting apparatus comprises a mounting structure for mounting onto an axle of the vehicle. The mounting structure is removably mountable to the axle of the vehicle. The wheel mounting apparatus also includes an aligning structure for aligning the wheel with an end of an axle of the vehicle for permitting mounting of the wheel on the axle. The aligning structure is coupled to the mounting structure.

Abstract: An overhead livestock enclosure washing system for cleaning the pens of a livestock confinement building. The overhead livestock enclosure washing system includes a track member coupled to the ceiling of the building. A mobile unit operationally engages the track member and selectively advances along the track member. The mobile unit is for being in fluid communication with a fluid source to spray fluid into the interior space of the livestock confinement building to clean the interior space of the building when the mobile unit advances along the track member. A base unit is positioned on the floor of the livestock confinement building. The base unit is in fluid communication with the mobile unit whereby the base unit controls the flow of the fluid from the fluid source to provide the mobile unit with pressurized fluid when the mobile unit is cleaning the interior space of the building.

Abstract: The present invention assigns appropriate IP addresses to hosts in a local network depending upon the desired features for each host. A list of hosts in the network along with features available for each host may be generated, for example, by a graphical user interface displayed to a user. The user may select a desired feature for a specific host in the network. The selected feature may be analyzed to determine if it requires a static IP address for the host, and if required, a static IP address may be assigned to the host. If the specified feature requiring the static IP address is subsequently disabled, the static IP address may be returned to a pool of available IP addresses, and a dynamic IP address may be assigned to the host. The IP addresses are preferably assigned to the host in accordance with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

Abstract: A motion absorbing hitch for dampening forces on a towing vehicle from movement of a trailer assembly towed by the towing vehicle includes a towing attachment assembly coupled to a towing vehicle, a trailer attachment assembly pivotally coupled to the towing attachment assembly and adapted for coupling to a trailer assembly, and a shock absorbing assembly coupled between the towing attachment assembly and the trailer attachment assembly to dampen pivoting between the towing attachment assembly and the trailer attachment assembly.

Abstract: A automatic truss jig setting system is disclosed that includes a table including a plurality of segments with a side edge of adjacent segments defining a slot. At least one pin assembly, and optionally a pair of pin assemblies, is movable independently of each other along the slot. Movement apparatus is provided for independently moving the pin assemblies along the slot. Each of the side edges of the segments associated with the slot defines a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes of the side edges, and the movement apparatus is located substantially outside of the zone of the slot. The invention may optionally include a system for handling the obstruction of pin assembly movement, and a system for keeping track of the position of the pin assembly when the pin assembly has encountered an obstruction.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling a trailer behind a trailer is disclosed, and includes a mounting bracket assembly for mounting on the rear of the trailer, and a main trailing member mounted on the mounting bracket assembly in a manner such that the main trailing member is swingable about a substantially vertical axis for permitting movement of the trailing member in a transverse direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The main trailing member may be mounted on the mounting bracket assembly in a manner such that the trailing member is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis for permitting movement of the main trailing member in a substantially vertical direction. The apparatus may include at least one support configured for connecting to a boat carried on the trailer to provide support to the main trailing member from the boat.

Abstract: A volleyball training apparatus is disclosed that generally includes a standard assembly, a support assembly mounted on the standard assembly, a ball assembly, and a ball suspension assembly mounted on the support assembly and supporting the ball assembly. The ball assembly may be secured to the ball suspension assembly in a manner such that the ball assembly remains secured to the ball suspension assembly upon spiking of the ball assembly by a user. In some embodiments of the invention, the ball suspension assembly comprises an elongate elastic member having opposite ends attached to the ball assembly. In some embodiments, the support assembly comprises a support member having a passage therethrough, and the ball suspension assembly comprises an elongate elastic member with a portion of the elongate elastic member extending through the support member.

Abstract: An automated multiple point fastener driving system is disclosed for driving fasteners into a plurality of structural elements for connecting the elements together while the elements are substantially continuously moving along a path The automated multiple point fastener driving system includes a frame with the path extending through the frame for movement of structural elements, a moving assembly for moving a plurality of structural elements along the path in a substantially continuous manner, an entry clamping assembly for clamping together the structural elements as the elements move substantially continuously along the path, an alignment assembly for aligning at least one edge of the plurality of structural elements as the elements move substantially continuously along the path, and fastener driving assembly for driving fasteners into the plurality of structural elements as the elements move substantially continuously along the path.