Abstract: A vehicle includes a system for storing containers in a cavity of a spare wheel at an exterior of the vehicle. The system includes a dock having a bracket secures the wheel to the exterior surface of a vehicle with an outer face of the wheel facing inwards toward the vehicle and the cavity of the wheel facing outwards away from the vehicle. The container is arranged in the cavity of the wheel. The container and dock may include one or more electrical connectors or ports, fluid ports, communications ports, or a combination thereof. The container may include a first aid kit, waste can, water container, cooler, auxiliary battery, vacuum cannister, compressed air system, toolbox, storage space, electric appliance, electric cord wound on a reel, a camera, or other types of containers. The container may be secured to the wheel, to the dock, or to both.

Abstract: A platform module having switchable power for a vehicle including a movable member capable of achieving multiple positions and a position sensor. The movable member includes a plurality of ports configured to provide power. The position sensor is configured to detect a position of the movable member. A first port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide power when the movable member is in a first position; and a second port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide power in response to detecting that the movable member is in a second position. Further, a method is provided for switching power to the platform module.

Abstract: A platform module having switchable power for a vehicle including a movable member capable of achieving multiple positions and a position sensor. The movable member includes a plurality of ports configured to provide power. The position sensor is configured to detect a position of the movable member. A first port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide power when the movable member is in a first position; and a second port from the plurality of ports is configured to provide power in response to detecting that the movable member is in a second position. Further, a method is provided for switching power to the platform module.

Abstract: A sole plate includes slots spaced apart from each other and extending along a longitudinal axis to define at least one interior bridge portion disposed therebetween. A lateral bridge portion is disposed between a lateral side of the sole plate and a lateral most one of the slots, and a medial bridge portion is disposed between a medial side of the sole plate and a medial most one of the slots. A stiffness controlling device is interlaced between the lateral bridge portion, the interior bridge portions, and the medial bridge portion, and is moveable within the slots, between a first position and a second position, for changing between a first bending stiffness at a specific flex angle when the stiffness controlling device is in the first position, and a second bending stiffness at the specific flex angle when the stiffness controlling device is in the second position.

Abstract: A sole plate includes slots spaced apart from each other and extending along a longitudinal axis to define at least one interior bridge portion disposed therebetween. A lateral bridge portion is disposed between a lateral side of the sole plate and a lateral most one of the slots, and a medial bridge portion is disposed between a medial side of the sole plate and a medial most one of the slots. A stiffness controlling device is interlaced between the lateral bridge portion, the interior bridge portions, and the medial bridge portion, and is moveable within the slots, between a first position and a second position, for changing between a first bending stiffness at a specific flex angle when the stiffness controlling device is in the first position, and a second bending stiffness at the specific flex angle when the stiffness controlling device is in the second position.

Abstract: Embodiments of medium stiffness determination are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that detects approachment of an edge of a media sheet by detecting light reflected by the media sheet. Upon detecting the approachment of the edge of the media sheet, the method detects the location of the edge by detecting light transmitted through the media sheet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmissive optical sensing of media information encoding are disclosed. In addition, print media and methods of making print media are disclosed. One embodiment of an exemplary method, among others, includes, advancing a portion of a print medium through a transmissive sensor assembly, the portion of the print medium having a barcode, the barcode being minimally transmissive of a set of light wavelengths, and the barcode being encoded with at least one type of information corresponding to the print medium; transmitting light at the set of light wavelengths substantially absorbed by the barcode through the print medium; and detecting changes in the light transmitted through the print medium, the changes being produced by the substantially absorptive barcode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for varying a printing speed based upon ink/toner dry time profiles, comprising the steps of: determining a gloss reading of an ink/toner located on a media; determining an actual ink/toner dry time profile for the media; determining the type of media; and adjusting, if possible, a printing speed of a printing device that is utilizing the ink/toner.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that detects approachment of an edge of a media sheet by detecting light reflected by the media sheet. Upon detecting the approachment of the edge of the media sheet, the method detects the location of the edge by detecting light transmitted through the media sheet.