Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed to in a mold box by a single forming member.

Abstract: A live working robot for replacing insulator string comprises four parts including a locating mechanism, a clamping mechanism, a transmission mechanism and working condition indicating lamps. The robot is supported to operate in a horizontal plane by an insulating pole. The robot is hung in a vertical plane to support operation by an insulating rope. The locating mechanism can grip a socket accurately, which can be indicated in place by a horizontally positioned lamp and a vertically positioned lamp. The clamping mechanism can clamp a W-pin for disassembling and assembling. The transmission mechanism can transmit the clamping mechanism to clamp, release, advance and retreat the clamp. Placement and clamping of the clamp can be indicated with a clamping position lamp and a limiting lamp. The live working robot can replace the insulator string without the need of power cut, is in simple structure, works reliably and accurately and is time and labor saving.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a permissions-based alarm system for use in climbing environment. The permissions-based alarm system includes an identification device storing a permission setting relating to an aspect of the climbing environment and a detection module in communication with the identification device. The detection module detects the permission setting stored on the identification device and detects proximity of the identification device to an area restricted by the permission setting. When the identification device enters the restricted area of the climbing environment, an alert is provided.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system which encodes different streams of information. The information may include video, audio, speech recognized versions of the audio, and language translated versions of the audio. Text may be sent as part of the videoconference.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a roadside barrier segment to sit on top of a retaining wall to provide impact resistance to vehicular traffic. Concrete traffic barriers are pre-cast in a controlled manufacturing environment then transported as a modular precast concrete segment to the jobsite and installed interlocking directly on top of an earth retaining wall. The precast concrete segment is designed to have a counterweight from soil backfill on a stem of the precast segment that resists overturning pressures from vehicle impact on the traffic barrier segment that extends above the roadway surface. The stem may be triangular in shape to capture more of the backfill soil. A vertical node may be placed on one side of the segment and a receiving channel on the opposite side of the segment to allow the interaction of adjacent segments to share impact loads from motor vehicles.

Abstract: A landscaping block, patio block, wall block and/or retaining wall block having a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface that can be used in landscaping, retaining wall, and/or patio block systems utilizing a plurality of blocks with a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface. The blocks having the multi-textured or patterned exposed surface can be used in landscaping, retaining wall, and/or patio block systems having a first block type and a second block type. The multi-textured or patterned exposed surface blocks can be used in the construction of walls, fences, and patios to create a geometric design or pattern or a repeating geometric design or pattern in a visually exposed surface of the wall, fence and/or patio constructed.

Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment and related methods for producing concrete blocks. The equipment and methods described herein utilize splitting assemblies having larger projections and/or smaller projections or peaks disposed on at least one side of a splitting line and which engage the workpiece as it is split into at least two pieces.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for supporting the trading of bonds in a computerized system using broker dealers as intermediaries. Broker dealers receive orders relating to particular transactions and have the option to accept the order by submitting a matching counter order, or to rebroker the order with the same or modified terms to a number of other investors or additional broker dealers. The additional broker dealers have similar options, thus providing a system wherein orders can be quickly proliferated to a large number of parties. This order proliferation can be fully or partially automated through the use of predefined rules stored in a database which dictate for each broker dealer whether, to whom and under what terms to rebroker orders. When an order is received, the system processes all such rules to output a set of orders which are then communicated to the corresponding parties.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a substrate and first and second gate structures formed over a first surface of the substrate. A drain region is formed in the substrate as a second surface of the substrate. An epitaxial region is formed in the substrate over the drain region. A sidewall spacer is formed over the first and second gate structures. A lateral LDD region is formed between the first and second gate structures. A trench is formed through the lateral LDD region and partially through the substrate self-aligned to the sidewall spacer. A vertical drift region is formed along a sidewall of the trench. An insulating material is deposited in the trench. A first source region is formed adjacent to the first gate structure opposite the lateral LDD region. A second source region is formed adjacent to the second gate structure opposite the lateral LDD region.

Abstract: A computer system for hosting electronic group chat is provided. The computer system includes a memory device for storing data and a processor coupled in communication with the memory device. The processor is programmed to electronically host a plurality of chat rooms, associate a first chat room of the plurality of chat rooms with a first element inputted into the computer system, and transmit chat communications between a plurality of users of the chat rooms.

Abstract: Wall panel systems are provided. The systems use interlocking brackets to attach photovoltaic (PV), ceramic, or other rigid wall panels to an exterior wall of a building. The interlocking components include a plurality of wall mounting brackets configured to carry the dead loads of the respective wall panels, and a plurality of panel brackets that may be quickly hung from the wall mounting brackets. The wall mounting brackets are configured to be operatively fastened to an exterior wall surface, while each of the panel brackets is adhesively attached to the rear surface of a respective panel. Each of the wall mounting brackets and the nested panel brackets is substantially similar in dimension and configuration. Further, the system is configured to allow wall panels to be attached to the bracket assemblies in any sequence. A method for attaching architectural wall panels is also provided herein.