Abstract: The notification system identifies media content based on personal preferences of individual users and provides notification of identified media content to the users. In one embodiment, the system (100) includes a number of user nodes (102, 104, and 106) that communicate with a registration site (110) and a notification site (112) via the internet (108). The notification site (112) includes a media content database (120) and a processor (118) running contents election logic. The processor (118) accesses the media content database (120) in order to identify content that may be of interest to particular users of the user nodes (102,104 and 106). In this regard, content for a particular user may be identified by matching interest information obtained from the registration site (110) with the content information of the media content database (120).

Abstract: A subframe for retrofitting an existing roof with a new roof is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subframe comprises a base, a first and second longitudinal flanges, a first wall extending between the base and the first longitudinal flange, a second wall spaced apart from the first wall and extending between the base and the second longitudinal flange, and a traversely-oriented punch out passing through the base, the first wall and the second wall. The punch out is configured to receive a rib of the existing roof. Once installed on the existing roof and coupled to the new roof, the subframe and new roof form an enclosed, self-supporting structure with increased structural capacity and stability in comparison to conventional retrofitted roof systems.

Abstract: Devices, and methods of extending legs from vertical fore grip handles on firearms, such as rifles, to different height positions. The vertical fore grip can include expandable bipod legs. The legs can be individually extended to different lengths by moving telescoping rod members in leg housings from retracted positions to extended positions. A lever switch can allow for the legs to be locked into the different extended positions, and depressing the switch can allow for the legs to go back to the retracted positions. Anti-rotation pins and slots can prevent the telescoping members from rotating relative to the legs.

Abstract: Flexible and elastic mechanisms for extracting power from a moving fluid. Sheet-like material is deformed during fabrication through an applied force so as to create undulations in said material, whose stresses are maintained through restraining components, thereby maintaining the occurrence of said deformations in the material. When placed in moving fluid, the resulting pressure differentials cause the positions of the undulations within the material to travel along said material in the same direction as the moving fluid. Power is extracted in one of two principle ways. The first is via a mechanical coupling of the sheet-like material to a rotating mechanism, which turns an electro-magnetic dynamo or other output device. The second is via the utilization of a flexible material which exhibits an electrical response to mechanical strain, whereby the strains caused by the travel of undulations along the material create an electrical current which is extracted via two or more electrodes.

Abstract: A sub-surface tubing arrangement for use in a direct exchange (DX) geothermal heating/cooling system includes a primary sub-surface liquid refrigerant transport line, a primary sub-surface vapor refrigerant transport line, at least one sub-surface heat exchange refrigerant transport line functionally connecting the primary sub-surface liquid refrigerant transport line to the primary sub-surface vapor refrigerant transport line, and either vertical or horizontal supplemental sub-surface refrigerant line connected to one of the primary sub-surface liquid or vapor refrigerant transport lines.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for searching and concomitantly interfacing with multiple information providers, relevant individuals and communities, and information provided over a network are provided. A single interface including windows is provided. User interactions with the windows of the single interface are monitored, and information from one or more network resources is provided to the single interface based at least in part on the monitored user interactions with the windows.

Abstract: A security system associated with places physically protected by corresponding security mechanisms used to gain physical entry to the places by security mechanism users is managed using a searchable database that stores information on a plurality of places, a plurality of security mechanisms, and a plurality of security mechanism users. Program code provides access to the searchable database and interacts with database users using an Internet-accessible web site. The program code further authenticates each database user attempting to connect to the searchable database, and after authentication, interactively communicates a plurality of screens to database users, where each screen includes only hotlinks associated with security management operations for which those database users are authorized such that the screens do not include any hotlinks associated with security management operations for which the database users are not authorized.

Abstract: A data-synchronization computer program allows many personal portable workstations to wirelessly communicate with a server and to provide updates to an applications database. Each personal portable workstation maintains its own copy of the database with opportunistic updates that occur as the network amongst them allows. Data synchronization object data structures are generated as new data is entered at each personal portable workstation, and these are placed in synch queues for transmission when possible. Each personal portable workstation can continue to operate with its own instance of the applications database and does not depend on instant or continuous network access.

Abstract: Antenna systems for passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The antenna systems have a very small form factor with good power harvesting and good performance in proximity to other antennas. The antenna system includes at least one, and preferably two, parallel serpentine antenna elements formed on, or otherwise supported by, an antenna substrate so that a RFID-tag integrated circuit (IC) can be electrically contacted to the antenna system at one end of the antenna substrate. A conducting wire that runs in the same direction as the at least one serpentine antenna element is used to match impedance and enhance antenna performance and power flow between the antenna and the IC. An impedance-matching circuit may be employed in place of the conducting wire to facilitate impedance matching between the antenna and the IC.

Abstract: Patch panel assemblies (150) that contain patch panel modules (50) for use in optical fiber telecommunication systems are disclosed. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a front mounting frame (210F) and at least one internal mounting frame (210I) that support a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel assembly also includes a hinge assembly (224) configured allow bend-insensitive fiber cables (70) to be routed therethrough. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a housing (152) with a drawer (270) that supports a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel modules employ bend-insensitive optical fibers (12C) to connect front and rear ports (92, 98) so that the patch panels have a reduced size as compared to conventional patch panel modules.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassible.

Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle for transferring case units to and from predefined storage areas in an automated case unit storage system, the automated case unit storage system including an array of multilevel storage racks with picking aisles passing therebetween and at least one multilevel vertical conveyor having movable shelves, the autonomous transport vehicle including a frame configured to traverse the picking aisles and a transfer deck connecting the picking aisles to the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor for transferring case units between the predefined storage areas and the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor, and a controller connected to the frame, the controller being configured to effect movement of the autonomous transport vehicle through the picking aisles for accessing each storage area within a respective level of the array of multilevel storage racks and each shelf of the at least one multilevel vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A method and system for effectively and rapidly migrating recorded content from one storage-media to a second storage-media. The method and system includes an operator and a robotic handler with multiple processing and analytical tools where the operator loads the storage-media into the robotic handler and ensures each storage-media is placed in an efficient order as determined by the system. The system retrieves the storage-media from the input bay and places it into an appropriate playback deck; migrates the recorded data to one or more destination storage-media in accordance with the established parameters; analyzes the timing, video signal, and audio signal of the storage-media; and periodically calibrates its internal to consistently calibrated quality control.

Abstract: A user interface for interacting with an emergency notification system. The user interface comprises at least one software module installed on a computer readable medium and containing instructions for operating a computer processor. The instructions comprise first instructions for causing the processor to display on a computing device display an alert selection window configured to receive a user entered alert message; second instructions for causing the processor to display on the computing device display a group selection window configured to receive a user selection of one or more notification units to receive the alert message; and third instructions for causing the processor to display on the computer device display a selection button for instructing the processor, upon selection, to transmit the alert message to the selected one or more notification units.

Abstract: The Present invention provides a system and method for fast computing the Cholesky factorization of a positive definite matrix. In order to reduce the computation time of matrix factorizations, the present invention uses three atomic components, namely MA atoms, M atoms, and an S atom. The three kinds of components are arranged in a configuration that returns the Cholesky factorization of the input matrix.

Abstract: A defect in a horizontal or vertical seam at the edge of a roof membrane is detected by applying a DC voltage between the roof deck a probe in the form of a flexible wetted sponge and wiping the sponge probe over the seams. The current to the probe is detected and indicated to the operator so that the operator may determine a maximum current at the defect. The receiver provides an audible signal emitter to the operator and includes a calibration circuit arranged to automatically maintain, despite changes in voltage applied between the roof deck and the peripheral conductor, a “0” set calibration point so as to indicate at the calibration point when zero difference in voltage is detected. Conductors can be applied to the membrane to define an area to be tested within the conductors.

Abstract: A radio-over-fiber (RoF) wireless picocellular system adapted to form an array of substantially non-overlapping individual picocells by operating adjacent picocells at different frequencies is operated to form one or more combined picocells. The combined picocells are formed from two or more neighboring picocells by the central head-end station operating neighboring picocells at a common frequency. Communication between the central head-end station and a client device residing within a combined picocell is enhanced by the availability of two or more transponder antenna systems. Thus, enhanced communication techniques such as antenna diversity, phased-array antenna networks and multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) methods can be implemented to provide the system with enhanced performance capability. These techniques are preferably implemented at the central head-end station to avoid having to make substantial changes to the wireless picocellular system infrastructure.

Abstract: A low-cost training and synthetic visualization system and method directed to improving an individual's airborne performance in general aviation, skydiving, and other aerial applications. The system is comprised of a self-contained mobile sensor and data storage device for recording the travel path, orientation, and forces acting upon an object as it moves through space, a desktop graphics software program for creating a playback of the recorded data on a three-dimensional representation of the environment through which the object moved, a means of linking the sensor and data storage device to the software program for the purpose of exchanging information, and a centralized data storage and retrieval system designed to accept, assimilate and redistribute the recorded data.

Abstract: A welding system and method includes a main torch including a main electrode configured to form a first arc with a base metal; a first bypass torch including a first bypass electrode configured to form a second arc with the main electrode; and a second bypass torch including a second bypass electrode configured to form a third arc with the main electrode.