Abstract: Processes capable of producing bulk materials suitable for use by the horticulture industry, resulting bulk materials produced thereby, and applications for these processes and materials. Preferred bulk materials have physical properties similar to peat moss and comprise individual materials, each at least partially having a twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may further comprise small granular particles dispersed throughout the twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may be rolled fibers such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to sphagnum peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as, for example, a soil conditioner, an absorbent material, a chemical carrier, or a filtering material. Alternatively, the individual materials may be rolled particles such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to milled peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as propagation media.

Abstract: Processes capable of producing bulk materials suitable for use by the horticulture industry, resulting bulk materials produced thereby, and applications for these processes and materials. Preferred bulk materials have physical properties similar to peat moss and comprise individual materials, each at least partially having a twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may further comprise small granular particles dispersed throughout the twisted, curled, clumped and rolled structure. The individual materials may be rolled fibers such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to Sphagnum peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as, for example, a soil conditioner, an absorbent material, a chemical carrier, or a filtering material. Alternatively, the individual materials may be rolled particles such that the bulk material has physical properties similar to milled peat moss so as to be particularly suitable as propagation media.

Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional (3D) object on an additive fabrication device includes receiving, by a computer, print instructions for the 3D object. The print instructions include a sequence of print maps, each print map corresponding to a sub-instruction for producing a respective cross-section of the 3D object. The method also includes exposing, by an energy source, resin stored in a resin container at a print plane according to a first print map of the sequence of print maps, and modifying a second print map of the sequence of print maps. The method further includes exposing, by the energy source, resin stored in the resin container at the print plane according to the modified second print map.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for relieving upper airway obstructive breathing in a patient are disclosed. In some implementations, the apparatus comprises first and second pivot devices anchored to a mastoid bone and a mandible bone, respectively; an implant positioned between the first and second pivot device, the implant comprising a first end coupled to the first pivot device and a second end coupled to the second pivot device; an inactive position, the inactive position enabling a posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end; an active position, the active position preventing posterior displacement of the second end relative to the first end, and anteriorly positioning the second end relative to the first end; and an activation mechanism enabling transition between the inactive position and the active position, and vice versa.

Abstract: A curing system for an additive fabrication system includes a light source, a liquid crystal cell, and a first polarizer. The light source is configured to emit light at a wavelength suitable for curing a material. The liquid crystal cell is configured to receive the light from the light source. The first polarizer comprises a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and organic dyes impregnated into the PVA matrix.

Abstract: A curing system includes a basin configured to receive a photopolymer resin, an ultraviolet light source, and a translating device. The ultraviolet light source is configured to selectively emit ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light defines a pixelated array that illuminates at least a portion of the photopolymer resin. The pixelated array includes a first array axis and a second array axis oriented perpendicular to the first array axis. The translating device is configured to translate the pixelated array along a translation axis at an oblique angle relative to the first array axis.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for enabling users to attach a tag and highlight in a single action or activity to a select piece or portion of text in digital content (e.g., in a digital book or other content provided for viewing on an electronic device). In some implementations, the teacher may associate a tag with a particular text in the assignment, push the assignment embedding the tag to one or more students, and the tag becomes automatically visible to the one or more students through their highlight menu when they open up the assignment for completion. In some implementations, with this single activity, users may easily share tasks, comments etc., with ease. One or more other activities are also used among teachers and students to create and execute assignments with efficiency.

Abstract: An interactive organization architecture and application platform and methods for use with social reading systems and networks are disclosed for permitting users to interact while viewing the pages of electronic content, for example, a book. Users may highlight text and attach a comment, link, poll, or quiz to the text of the electronic content. As other readers peruse through the electronic content, they are either presented with the notes as they read or are presented with aggregated notes in their feed, which may be determined as relevant based on predetermined criteria. Users may share content with others in multiple private and public discussion threads. The social reading platform system and methods also include other features that facilitate discovery, collaborative reading, assignment of tasks, review of tasks by teachers and peers etc.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing phone calls between parties are disclosed. The method comprising receiving indications of the availability status of the parties, receiving call request from at least one of the parties and establishing a call between parties when availability conditions are met.

Abstract: During a conversation over the network, a microphone attachable to or included in a mobile computer system is used to input audio speech from the user of the computer system. The audio speech is processed into audio speech data. In the audio speech data, the processor monitors for a keyword previously defined by the user. Upon detecting the keyword in the audio speech data, a contextual portion of the audio speech data is extracted including the keyword. The contextual portion of the audio speech data may be converted to text and stored in memory of the computer system or on the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods of (remotely) controlling aspects of pools and spas and of modifying water contained therein are detailed. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) standard may be employed to facilitate formation of networks including networking devices associated with controllers of pool and spa equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods of retrofitting an existing mechanical time clock enclosure to an Internet controllable, electronic pool and/or spa controller with improved, multi-functionality. In some instances, the conversion can be made without the need for adding new, additional enclosures (and corresponding wiring) and can expand the functionality of the controller to operate one or more valve actuators, one or more circuits, provide two-way communication with variable speed pumps and/or allow the electronic controller to access and/or be controlled by the Internet or with interface software.

Abstract: An interactive organization architecture and application platform and methods for use with social reading systems and networks are disclosed for permitting users to interact while viewing the pages of electronic content, for example, a book. Users may highlight text and attach a comment, link, poll, or quiz to the text of the electronic content. As other readers peruse through the electronic content, they are either presented with the notes as they read or are presented with aggregated notes in their feed, which may be determined as relevant based on predetermined criteria. Users may share content with others in multiple private and public discussion threads. The social reading platform system and methods also include other features that facilitate discovery, collaborative reading, assignment of tasks, review of tasks by teachers and peers etc.

Abstract: A laser alignment system for a drill press includes first and second adjustable laser assemblies mountable on the drill press. Each adjustable laser assembly includes a base firmly affixed to the drill press, a rotatable element mounted on the base and being adapted to selectively rotate relative to the base, a pivotable element mounted on the rotatable element and being adapted to selectively pivot relative to the rotatable element, and a laser mounted on the pivotable element and being adapted to move simultaneously with the pivotable element. The laser alignment system includes a pivot adjusting mechanism coupled with the pivotable element for selectively pivoting the pivotable element relative to the rotatable element, and a rotation adjusting mechanism coupled with the rotatable element for selectively rotating the rotatable element relative to the base.

Abstract: A laser alignment system for a drill press includes first and second adjustable laser assemblies mountable on the drill press. Each adjustable laser assembly includes a base firmly affixed to the drill press, a rotatable element mounted on the base and being adapted to selectively rotate relative to the base, a pivotable element mounted on the rotatable element and being adapted to selectively pivot relative to the rotatable element, and a laser mounted on the pivotable element and being adapted to move simultaneously with the pivotable element. The laser alignment system includes a pivot adjusting mechanism coupled with the pivotable element for selectively pivoting the pivotable element relative to the rotatable element, and a rotation adjusting mechanism coupled with the rotatable element for selectively rotating the rotatable element relative to the base.

Abstract: A method includes personalizing a software installation file. The personalizing includes providing the file with a unique identifier included as part of a file name associated with the file. Another method includes installing a software application from the personalized installation file, extracting the indication from the file name and using the indication to personalize the software application.

Abstract: An optical position encoder employs spatial filtering of diffraction orders other than +/? 1st diffraction orders for greater accuracy. The encoder includes a light source, a scale including a diffractive scale pattern, an optical detector adjacent to the scale, and first and second spaced-apart diffraction gratings between the light source and the scale. The gratings and scale are configured to spatially separate +/? 1st diffraction orders from other diffraction orders and to direct the +/? 1st diffraction orders along respective optical paths. The optical paths diverge from the first grating to respective locations on the second grating that are separated by more than the beam width of the source light beam. The optical paths further converge from the locations on the second grating to an area of the scale adjacent to the detector, and then extend from the area of the scale to the detector to create an interference pattern as a function of the relative position between the scale and the light source.

Abstract: A method includes personalizing a software installation file. The personalizing includes providing the file with a unique identifier included as part of a file name associated with the file. Another method includes installing a software application from the personalized installation file, extracting the indication from the file name and using the indication to personalize the software application.

Abstract: A flexible optical marker is applied to an optical scale substrate to make an optical scale assembly for an optical position encoder. The marker may be a limit marker, index marker, or other type of marker. The marker substrate may be a plastic film such as polyester, singulated from a “recombine” roll created by a web process. The marker has a microstructured pattern on one surface that is covered with a reflective metal coating. The marker also has an adhesive layer and is affixed to the optical scale substrate by a process of aligning the marker to an edge of the scale and then applying pressure to the upper surface of the marker. The marker may be applied with a handle portion that is separated from the marker after the marker is affixed. The marker may be especially useful with a flexible scale substrate such as a metal tape substrate.

Abstract: A method includes initiating the playing of a user selected media clip on a buddy communication device through a community server. The method may include playing a buddy selected media clip on a user communication device. The community server brokers the media exchange. Another method includes receiving an SMS with a phone number of the buddy communication device after a conversation has concluded and then playing a buddy media clip.