Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for distribution of advertisements between communication devices. The system and method provides for accounting and distribution of incentives related to distribution of the advertisements. The system further provides for association of testimonials from advertising recipients related to the advertisement and for distribution of the testimonials to communication devices. A bi-directional selection between subscribers and advertisers using the system is created whereby both advertisers and subscribers agree to participate in the distribution of advertisements and testimonials.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one reconfigurable system having a plurality of selectively variable parameters, and a controller that is operatively connected to the at least one reconfigurable system to control the values of the plurality of selectively variable parameters. The controller is also configured to receive data indicative of physical characteristics of a person from at least one data storage medium, and configured to determine values of the selectively variable parameters according to a predetermined algorithm based on the data indicative of physical characteristics of a person. The controller is also configured to cause the selectively variable parameters to assume the determined values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain fused tricyclic heteroaryl rings compounds of the Formula (I) (also referred to herein as the “Fused Tricyclic Compounds”), wherein M, Q, U, W, X, Y, Z, R1, R2, and R3, and rings C and D are as herein described. The present invention also provides compositions comprising at least one Fused Tricyclic Compound, and use of such compounds in the treatment of central nervous system diseases or disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides antisapstain compositions comprising a haloalkynyl compound, an azole and an unsaturated carboxylic or sulphonic acid. The compositions of the invention are surprisingly effective at protecting wood and other cellulosic substrates, in particular at providing antisapstain activity. The invention also provides methods for treating wood and other cellulosic substrates with said compositions.

Abstract: A cooling system for a motor powering a compressor in a vapor compression system includes a housing enclosing the motor and a cavity located within the housing. A fluid circuit circulates a cooling fluid in the motor, and includes a first connection in the housing to receive cooling fluid and a second connection in the housing to remove cooling fluid. The fluid circuit includes a passageway for cooling fluid positioned in an internal chamber formed in a motor shaft.

Abstract: A system for cooling a power transfer unit includes a case enclosing said unit and including an outer surface, a chamber bounded by said outer surface, an inlet for carrying coolant from a source of pressurized coolant into the chamber, and an outlet for carrying coolant from the chamber.

Abstract: Cutting elements for downhole cutting tools comprise a top surface having a cutting surface portion and a cutting profile asymmetrically disposed across the top surface. The cutting elements comprise first and second longitudinal side surfaces and first and second lateral side surfaces, each having a respective cross-section. The cross-section of one of the longitudinal side surfaces can have one beveled portion and the cross-sections of the other longitudinal side surface and the first and second lateral side surfaces can have two beveled portions. A cutting end of a downhole cutting tool comprises two cutting elements disposed facing each another with a portion of the cutting surface portion of a first cutting element being disposed opposite the cutting profile of the second cutting element and the cutting surface portion of the second cutting element being disposed opposite the cutting profile of the first cutting element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for propagating data between multiple terminal devices includes determining the functional operability of a plurality of devices to assess which devices are properly configured. If a device is properly configured, operating the device in a transmit-mode to transmit functional operability data. If a device is not properly configured, operating the device in a receive-mode to receive the functional operability data. Coupling a transmitting device and at least one receiving device to a plurality of ports that are operably connected together so that the transmitting device and receiving device share the functional operability data.

Abstract: A vehicle visor is provided that includes a mirror assembly. The visor body has a first side and a second side and pivots between a stowed position and a downward use position. The visor body further includes a mirror assembly located on the visor body. The mirror assembly includes a conversation mirror that is extendable from a first side of the visor body for viewing from the first side of the visor body, and is stowable within the visor body for viewing through an aperture from the second side of the visor body. The mirror may serve as a vanity mirror.

Abstract: A system for cooling a developer roll inside an image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the system for cooling the developer roll includes an air duct for carrying an airflow, the air duct having at least one opening to allow airflow to pass therethrough, and at least one toner cartridge in fluid communication with the air duct. The at least one toner cartridge includes the developer roll and at least one input port. The at least one input port is coupled to the at least one opening of the air duct to receive the airflow and to direct the received airflow towards end portions of the developer roll via a conduit and nozzles located within the toner cartridge. The system provides an effective way for introducing the airflow into the toner cartridge for cooling the developer roll.

Abstract: A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product.

Abstract: A method of controlling a choke valve of an engine with a controller is disclosed. Also disclosed is an automatic choke performing the method, an engine having the automatic choke, and an apparatus having the engine. The controller includes an electronic circuit, such as a programmable device, and is coupled to a temperature sensor and a motor. The method includes determining a temperature value using the temperature sensor, determining a time period to hold the choke valve in a first position, keeping the choke valve at the first position for the time period, moving the choke valve from the first position toward a second position using the motor, determining a count to hold the choke valve, keeping the choke valve at the second position for the count, and moving the choke valve from the second position toward a fully open position.

Abstract: A steerable rotate-to-advance device for accessing a bodily passageway, said steerable rotate-to-advance device comprising: an inner flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; an outer flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a longitudinal axis extending between said distal end and said proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; the outer flexible tube being disposed coaxially over the inner flexible tube and being rotatable with respect thereto; an external thread disposed over said distal end of said outer flexible tube, said external thread having a sufficient structural integrity, and a sufficient surface profile, such that when said outer flexible tube is disposed in a bodily passageway, rotation of said outer flexible tube about said longitudinal axis will result in longitudinal motion of said outer f

Abstract: A payment processing system and method comprising a POS module providing an interface to effect sales of FGS in a retail environment, a device module operatively connected to at least one retail device configured to supply FGS and comprising a card reader adapted to receive a first payment card data for payment for the FGS, wherein the device module is adapted to control operation of the at least one retail device, and a payment system module operatively connected to the POS module and the device module, the payment system module adapted to validate payment for the FGS. The payment system module and the device module are separated from the POS module in order to segment a portion of the payment processing system configured to handle payment card data from a portion of the system that does not handle payment card data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for attenuating an optical beam. The method includes selecting a level of attenuation to be applied to the optical beam. A pattern of on-state and off-state pixels in a two dimensional spatial light modulator (SLM) is selected such that the pattern will modulate the optical beam to provide the selected level of attenuation. Finally, the optical beam is directed onto the SLM while tile pixels are arranged in the selected pattern. The pattern is periodic along a first axis and symmetric along a second axis along which an intensity distribution of die optical beam extends.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods are provided for establishing (e.g., online) a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products. A second plurality of products that the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first plurality of products does not correspond to the second plurality of products.

Abstract: A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method that parses an unstructured document that includes a number of primitive elements. The method stores the primitive elements in a random order in a first storage. The method stores references to the primitive elements in a second storage in an order based on locations of the primitive elements in the unstructured document. The method receives instructions to perform a document reconstruction operation. The method performs the received instructions without storing any new references to the primitive elements.