Abstract: A user's context history is analyzed to build a personality model describing the user's personality and interests. The personality model includes a plurality of metrics indicating the user's position on a plurality of personality dimensions, such as desire for novelty, tendency for extravagance, willingness to travel, love of the outdoors, preference for physical activity, and desire for solitude. A customized recommendation agent is then built based on the personality model, which selects a recommendation from a corpus to present to the user based on an affinity between the user's personality and the selected recommendation.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing classification of body orientation of a mammal. The apparatus includes means (10, 11) for measuring position of said body relative to a frame of reference at one or more points on the body, wherein said means for measuring includes at least one position sensor. The apparatus includes means (12) for providing first data indicative of said position; means (15) for storing said data at least temporarily; and means (13, 14) for processing said data to provide said classification of body orientation. A method for providing classification of body orientation of a mammal is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR2 receptor. Animal testing demonstrates that these compounds are useful for treating inflammation, a hallmark disease for CCR2. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR2-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of CCR2 antagonists.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver includes an analog receiver chain followed by digital circuitry for reducing nonlinear distortion components within an output signal of the analog receiver chain. In at least one embodiment, the digital circuitry includes a digital equalizer that is configured with a sparse set of Volterra series coefficients. In this manner, a desired level of linearity performance may be achieved in the receiver with relatively low power consumption.

Abstract: To lengthen the service period on DC plasma abatement devices a modified DC plasma torch is provided with an electrically conductive cathode and an electrically conductive anode spaced apart from one another to form a gap therebetween; a metal swirl bush at least partially located within the gap and comprising a channel adapted to permit, in use, a gas to flow through the gap; and a ceramic element interposed between any one or more of: the cathode and the swirl bush; and the anode and the swirl bush.

Abstract: A method for selecting and controlling massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a control system comprising the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; providing a menu list having options for querying the user's requirements during the massage; selection of an option by the user and providing predefined responses to the respective query and selection of the response by the user and if necessary repeating the steps for further queries; and terminating the selection mode and automatically determining suitable massage settings on the basis of the user's selection and controlling the massage actuators in the motor vehicle seat on the basis of determined massage settings to perform the massage function.

Abstract: In an oil field fracing operation, a direct fire heater is provided that is mobile and self-contained on a trailer chassis. The direct fire heater has the maximum heat exchange possible between a burning gas and the fracing fluid by direct contact therewith. Recirculation is provided to maintain the fracing fluid at the desired temperature. A stack for the direct fire heater is removable for movement from one frac job or frac water heating site to another. Pellets in the stack helps insure a more complete heat exchange between the fracing fluid and the burning gas.

Abstract: The invention provides novel devices, systems, designs, materials and fabrication methods that enable high-load capacity, easy release, and suitable for extended/repeated use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a device and a vehicle associated with the device are provided. An example method can comprise monitoring a behavior of a first device in a vehicle, collecting the data associated with the behavior of the first device, and transmitting the data to a second device remote from the vehicle. In an aspect, the first and second device can be a mobile device such as a cell phone, smart phone, PDA, tablet, computer or the like. As an example, the behavior of the device can comprise at least one of a speed, an acceleration, a location, and an orientation, a user authentication, a type of use, and a time of use, whether the device is actively used while device is moving, etc.

Abstract: A mobile robot has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. The mobile robot includes a chassis, drive system components, power components, a main processor, a communication system and a power and data distribution system. The chassis has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. Drive system components are operably attached to the chassis and power components are operably connected to the drive system components and the power and data distribution system. Each drive system component has a predetermined size that is compatible with the chassis. The main processor, the communication system and the power and data distribution system are all operably connected together and operably connected to the traction components and the power components. The main processor, the communication system, and the power and data distribution system are all compatible with the predetermined size of the chassis and at least one other size.

Abstract: A method for color correcting an input color image having input color values adapted for display on a reference display device having a plurality of input color primaries to account to provide reduced observer metemaric failure on a narrow-band display device. A metamerism correction transform is applied to the input color image to determine an output color image having output color values in an output color space appropriate for display on the narrow-band display device. The metamerism correction transform modifies colorimetry associated with the input colors to provide output color values such that an average observer metameric failure is reduced for a distribution of target observers, and is formed responsive to a distribution of perceived color differences for a set of input colors that are determined for a set of target observers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for user interfaces. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving a first goal information representative of at least a first goal of a user; receiving a second goal information representative of at least another goal of at least one other user; storing the first goal information and the second goal information; generating, by a page generator, a page including a graphical element representative of a bloom, wherein the bloom corresponds to the first goal of the user; and providing the page to a user interface for presentation. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A patient interface device is provided that includes a patient sealing assembly and a headgear assembly coupled to the patient sealing assembly. The headgear assembly includes an adjustment mechanism having a first portion, a second portion, and a fastening mechanism. The first portion has a first end and an opposite second end, with the first end being coupled to the patient sealing assembly. The second portion has a first end and an opposite second end, the first end movably coupled to the second end of the first portion and the second end coupled to a portion of the headgear assembly. The second portion is movable among a first position in which the first and second portions are generally aligned and a second position in which the first and second portions are disposed generally parallel. The fastening mechanism fastens the first and second portions in the second position.

Abstract: Methods and systems electronically integrate a claims workflow management system and a claim handling application with a property records system.

Abstract: A back end of the line (BEOL) fuse structure having a stack of vias. The stacking of vias leads to high aspect ratios making liner and seed coverage inside the vias poorer. The weakness of the liner and seed layers leads to a higher probability of electromigration (EM) failure. The fuse structure addresses failures due to poor liner and seed coverage. Design features permit determining where failures occur, determining the extent of the damaged region after fuse programming and preventing further propagation of the damaged dielectric region.

Abstract: A method includes a processor receiving transaction information from a merchant device, which includes a transaction amount, merchant identifying information and customer addressing information. The processer transmits the merchant identifying information to a customer mobile device, and receives a payment transaction request to transfer funds from a customer account to a merchant. The processor translates the customer addressing information into a customer payment card account number, and the merchant identifying information into a merchant payment card account number. The processor then transmits the payment transaction request to the customer's issuer financial institution, which request includes the customer payment card account number, the transaction amount, and the merchant payment card account number.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method of displaying a data flow, wherein a description of a data flow application to be displayed is received. The data flow application includes nodes and edges connecting the nodes, wherein the nodes represent operators and the edges represent data connections for data flowing between the operations. A reason that a user is to view the data flow and/or a user constraint on a complexity of the data flow application to be displayed is determined with a processor; and, the time required to render a display of the data flow application is estimated. A transformed representation of the data flow application is created with the processor. The transformed representation is created based upon the user reason, the user constraint, the estimated time of rendering, and/or a layout strategy. The transformed representation is displayed on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating disturbances in a dual gridded reflector antenna are provided. An antenna system that includes a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an intercostal ring is provided. The intercostal ring is configured to connect the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. A baffle is disposed between the intercostal ring and a path of the electromagnetic waves. The baffle is configured to redirect the electromagnetic waves away from the intercostal ring. Alternatively, the baffle is not present, and the intercostal ring is configured to redirect a perturbed portion of an electromagnetic wave away from wave paths of electromagnetic waves reflected by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface, respectively.

Abstract: A multiband spatial heterodyne spectrometer for determining spectra in first and second wavelength bands has a beamsplitter configured to split incident light and to direct the incident light upon a first and a second diffraction grating. The gratings are configured for Littrow reflection of incident light of the first wavelength band at a first order and Littrow reflection of incident light of the second wavelength band at a second order. Light reflected by the first and the second diffraction grating forms diffraction patterns imaged by an electronic camera. A dispersive device separates the imaged interference patterns onto separate groups of pixel sensors corresponding to the wavelength bands. A processing device receives information from the detector and computes spectra therefrom. The second diffraction grating is split spatially or temporally to provide two different responses, so the system can disambiguate spectra. In embodiments, the spectrometer computes hyperspectral images of a target.

Abstract: A semiconductor measuring tool has a folding mirror configuration that directs a light beam to pass the same space multiple times to reduce the size and footprint. Furthermore, the folding mirrors may reflect the light beam at less than forty-five degrees; thereby allowing for smaller folding mirrors as compared to the prior art.