Abstract: Water heaters are disclosed having first and second fluid conduits, where the second fluid conduit is fluidly coupled to and disposed about at least a portion of the first conduit. One or more heating device, and preferably an infrared light source, can be disposed between the first and second conduits, such that water flowing within the conduits can be heated by the heating device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically estimating a repair cost for a vehicle. A method includes: receiving, at a server computing device over an electronic network, one or more images of a damaged vehicle from a client computing device; performing image processing operations on each of the one or more images to detect external damage to a first set of parts of the vehicle; inferring internal damage to a second set of parts of the vehicle based on the detected external damage; and, calculating an estimated repair cost for the vehicle based on the detected external damage and inferred internal damage based on accessing a parts database that includes repair and labor costs for each part in the first and second sets of parts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a request to an appliance service provider include the use of a processor in operable arrangement with a microphone to receive an audio signal therefrom and a computer-readable medium to execute an appliance service program contained therein. The appliance service program includes a speech recognition module, a command intent discernment module configured to determine whether speech data from the speech recognition module includes command data and appliance data, a fetch module to send appliance data from the audio signal to a content server in response to the command intent discernment module determining the speech data includes a service connect command and to receive the appliance service data from the content server, and an interface module configured to transmit the appliance service data to a user interface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating the exchange of data between one or more price providers and customers who communicate with the price providers through various portals, each of which may use it own data format. In transmitting data from customer to price provider, the data output from each portal is normalized to a standardized format and then transmitted to the appropriate price provider(s) where the data exchanged with the various portals can be viewed by a trader at a single display or can be exchanged with an automated pricing engine. The customer may also be provided with a universal Web site at which a customer may access any of the portals' Web sites to simplify access for the customer as well.

Abstract: A computer system configured to evaluate a portfolio comprising instruments, comprising a computer memory configured to store, for each instrument, an instrument value for each portfolio scenario in an n-dimensional matrix, a first constraint and a second constraint; and a computer processor configured to transpose the n-dimensional matrix, to determine a first solution by maximizing the product of transpose of the n-dimensional matrix and the first constraint, determine whether the first solution is within an accepted range of an acceptable risk, if the expected first solution is not within an accepted range of an acceptable risk, process the second constraint with the first solution to obtain a second solution, and determine whether the second solution is within the accepted range of the acceptable risk.

Abstract: A fall detection and identification system includes a tag worn by a user and a server. The tag collects acceleration data from one or more sensors embedded within the tag and transmits the data to the server. The server receives the data from the tag and performs an analysis on the data to detect and identify a fall. The analysis includes determining a change in acceleration of the user over the time window based on the acceleration data; comparing the change in acceleration of the user against one or more thresholds; and determining a status of the user based on the comparison of the change in acceleration of the user against the one or more thresholds.

Abstract: A system and method are described to create and use an Integrated Object Environment (IOE) running in a graph database environment. Uses include storing, revealing and maintaining value and risk of information assets, such as the topology of an analytical infrastructure in query-driven, graph database. A graphical user interface is described to permit importation, viewing, modification and querying in the IOE.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to guided workflows for establishing a web presence include a customer user interface with a guided workflow layer based on a knowledge base about the customer, wherein the customer interface allows a customer to manage a customer's web presence based on operation of a logic engine that accesses information about what a customer has done and who the customer is (e.g. type of business), wherein the user interface presents a guided workflow of tasks associated with a recommended area of improvement for the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a hazard in a facility include the use of one or more cameras coupled with a hazard detection server. The hazard detection server is adapted to analyze images from the cameras, determine probabilities of hazards being present in the images, and provide an alert to a manager or workers when the probabilities exceed a hazard threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring privileged user access of a database using a computer having at least one processor are provided. The system monitors database transactions. If a transaction is made by a privileged user, the system records information relating to the transaction in an audit database and/or in an audit file. If a transaction is made by a terminated or otherwise unauthorized privileged user, the system can be adapted to alert management of a possible security breach.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing cybersecurity risk of a computer network include the use of a risk model application that is configured to determine an initial cyber risk score value based upon an underwriting process. A cyber risk data stream is sent from the client's computer network to the system processor to periodically calculate an updated cyber risk score based upon actual data. The system processor is adapted to use the data stream to generate client information that is accessible by the client via a web-based client portal. In embodiments, the cyber risk data stream can be actively monitored to identify a threat of a cybersecurity breach.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to automatically identify property-related risks through the use of computer vision, sensors, and/or building information models (BIMs). The ability to automatically identify a variety of hazards helps mitigate the associated risks, and thus reduces the number of accidents or fatalities that would otherwise occur. In some embodiments, a “risk map” can be generated by mapping the identified risks for a given property.

Abstract: A dual end container for products such as cosmetic products or applicators is provided. More specifically, a dual end container with a compact, integrated mechanism for selectively extending and retracting a first product or applicator without movement of a second product or applicator is disclosed. The dual end container includes a first cup, a second cup, which is at least partially housed within the first cup, and a driving member between the first cup and the second cup. The first cup has a first male thread, the second cup has a second male thread and the driving member has a first and second female thread. The first male thread interacts with the first female thread to extend and retract the first cup. The second male thread interacts with the second female thread to extend and retract the second cup.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the cleaning conditions of a facility include the use of a cleaning apparatus with a tracking device. The tracking device is adapted to detect an operating parameter of the cleaning apparatus. In embodiments, the operating parameter includes at least one of the location of the cleaning apparatus within a facility over time, the movement of the cleaning apparatus, and the dynamic coefficient of friction encountered by a cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus as it traverses a surface being cleaned in the facility.

Abstract: A method and system for processing communications between travel service providers and travel insurers where travel service providers use different messaging formats. A travel service provider transmits itinerary data to a travel insurer in one messaging format. The travel insurer may then convert the itinerary data into a format compatible with the travel insurer's system and determine an optimal policy choice based on the itinerary data. The travel insurer may then transmit this choice to the travel service provider in the travel service provider's preferred messaging format, and the travel service provider offers the product to the consumer through the travel service provider's interface.

Abstract: A system and method are described to create and use an Integrated Object Environment (IOE) running in a graph database environment. Uses include storing, revealing and maintaining value and risk of information assets, such as the topology of an analytical infrastructure in query-driven, graph database. A graphical user interface is described to permit importation, viewing, modification and querying in the IOE.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically estimating a repair cost for a vehicle. A method includes: receiving, at a server computing device over an electronic network, one or more images of a damaged vehicle from a client computing device; performing image processing operations on each of the one or more images to detect external damage to a first set of parts of the vehicle; inferring internal damage to a second set of parts of the vehicle based on the detected external damage; and, calculating an estimated repair cost for the vehicle based on the detected external damage and inferred internal damage based on accessing a parts database that includes repair and labor costs for each part in the first and second sets of parts.

Abstract: A retractable safety syringe includes a retractable needle hub holding a needle and having a first guiding means; and a hollow barrel having a second guiding means set correspondingly to the first guiding means; and a collapsible plunger comprising of a first plunger element having a protrusion releasably coupled with a second plunger element having a longitudinal slot with a pinched zone to curb the movement of said protrusion; and a spring disposed between the needle hub and hollow barrel and acts between the needle hub and the hollow barrel. The uncoupling of the collapsible plunger triggers the retraction mechanism to enable the needle hub to retract into the barrel by the decompression force of a spring. The reliability of retraction is further improved by a longitudinal slot and a protrusion to facilitate the retreating of the collapsible plunger in an orderly way.

Abstract: One or more techniques are disclosed for a process of preparing stearic acid from animal and/or plant sources may comprise: 1) deodorizing and distilling a fat; 2) concentrating fatty acids of the fat; and 3) hydrogenating the fatty acid to provide stearic acid. The process may include the use of co-products from plant and/or animal sources. The process may also include distilling the stearic acid to provide palmitic acid and/or fully hydrogenated fatty acid. Tallow fatty acid, vegetable fatty acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid prepared from the process described are also disclosed.