Abstract: A communication arrangement including a room having at least one communication device therein, the at least one communication device receiving in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio within the room. The communication arrangement also includes a communication system for transmitting the in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio from within the room to a location remote from the room. The communication system has a privacy setting that, when activated, prevents viewing of the in-room images or in-room video and/or hearing of the in-room audio from within the room at the location remote from the room and communicates to the location remote from the room that the privacy setting is activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for compensating for common failures in fail operational systems are described herein. An example system may include a primary controller configured to perform functions of a vehicle such as propulsion, braking and steering and a secondary controller configured in a redundant configuration with the primary controller. The controllers may perform cross-checks of each other and may each perform internal self-checks as well. Additionally, the system may include a control module configured to transfer control of the vehicle between the controllers based on detecting a fault. The control module may detect a common fault of the controllers that causes the control module to output a common fault signal. In response, the system may transfer of control to a safety controller configured to perform the vehicle functions until the system may transfer control back to the primary controller.

Abstract: A testing apparatus measures cooling power of an electrically-powered Microclimate Cooling Unit (MCU) at the point of use of the MCU. The tester includes fluid supply and return ports for fluidly connecting to the MCU. A fluid heater provides a heat load to fluid in the tester. Fluid temperatures upstream and downstream of the heater are measured. The fluid flow rate is adjustable and measurable. A digital processor extracts the temperature and fluid flow rate data and computes cooling watts. The computed cooling watts are compared to the manufacturer's specifications to determine if the MCU is operating properly.

Abstract: A harness retaining device is disclosed for retaining a harness and causing the harness together with a connection element for an electric/electronic circuit to be supported with respect to a portion of a frame of a vehicle seat. The harness retaining device includes a support arm having first and second end portions, the first end portion of the support arm being engagingly connectable with the connection element, an anchor-like clip provided on the first end portion of the support arm, and a locking member provided on the second end portion of the support arm for fastening the harness. When the first end portion of the support arm is connected to the connection element and the anchor-like clip is fitted through the portion of the seat frame, the connection element and the harness are supported with respect to the portion of the frame of the vehicle seat through the support arm.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.

Abstract: A communication arrangement including a room having at least one communication device therein, the at least one communication device receiving in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio within the room. The communication arrangement also includes a communication system for transmitting the in-room images, in-room video and/or in-room audio from within the room to a location remote from the room. The communication system has a privacy setting that, when activated, prevents viewing of the in-room images or in-room video and/or hearing of the in-room audio from within the room at the location remote from the room and communicates to the location remote from the room that the privacy setting is activated.

Abstract: An adjustable seat indicating assembly is provided and includes a stationary component attached to a stationary part of an adjustable seat assembly, a movable component attached to a movable part of the adjustable seat assembly, and an indicating component that changes state upon an interaction between the stationary component and the movable component, wherein the indicating component indicates that the movable part of the seat is in a desired seating position.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.

Abstract: There is disclosed a harness retaining device for retaining a harness and causing the harness together with a connection element for an electric/electronic circuit to be supported with respect to a portion of a frame of a vehicle seat. The harness retaining device includes a support arm having first and second end portions, the first end portion of the support arm being configured so as to be engagingly connectable with the connection element, an anchor-like clip provided on the first end portion of the support arm, and a locking member provided on the second end portion of the support arm for fastening the harness. When the first end portion of the support arm is connected to the connection element and the anchor-like clip is fitted through the portion of the seat frame of the vehicle seat, the connection element and the harness are supported with respect to the portion of the frame of the vehicle seat through the support arm.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a gaze direction of a camera, the camera is placed on a top surface of a substrate that is pivotally coupled to a frame, wherein a movement arm depends downwardly from the substrate. The movement arm is moved with two spaced apart amplified piezoelectric ceramic stack actuators that are affixed to the frame and coupled to the movement arm by deforming the amplified piezoelectric ceramic stack actuators as a result of applying a voltage thereto, thereby changing an angular orientation of the substrate.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a gaze direction of a camera, the camera is placed on a top surface of a substrate that is pivotally coupled to a frame, wherein a movement arm depends downwardly from the substrate. The movement arm is moved with two spaced apart amplified piezoelectric ceramic stack actuators that are affixed to the frame and coupled to the movement arm by deforming the amplified piezoelectric ceramic stack actuators as a result of applying a voltage thereto, thereby changing an angular orientation of the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle seat system and method in which a seat belt assembly is secured directly to the seat is provided. The vehicle seat system includes a first stop operating at rear portions of a base and a seat frame to couple the base and seat frame and to limit forward pivoting movement of the seat frame upon sudden deceleration. The first stop includes two distinct rod ends each fixedly attached to opposite portions of a seat frame. The system may also include another stop to limit rearward pivoting movement of the seat frame. The coupling of the base and seat frame provides the seat system with strength to satisfy load testing requirements and to provide comfort to the occupant. The vehicle system may include a mechanism that allows tilting of the seat frame and that may also form part of a cushion slide function.

Abstract: A seat adjustment system for a seat assembly in a vehicle is provided and includes a seat locking device attached to a forward suspension rod of the seat assembly, a first seat adjustment mechanism cooperating with the seat locking device to facilitate a sliding motion of a seat assembly, and a second seat adjustment mechanism cooperating with the seat locking device to facilitate a pivoting motion of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.

Abstract: There is disclosed a harness retaining device for retaining a harness and causing the harness together with a connection element for an electric/electronic circuit to be supported with respect to a portion of a frame of a vehicle seat. The harness retaining device includes a support arm having first and second end portions, the first end portion of the support arm being configured so as to be engagingly connectable with the connection element, an anchor-like clip provided on the first end portion of the support arm, and a locking member provided on the second end portion of the support arm for fastening the harness. When the first end portion of the support arm is connected to the connection element and the anchor-like clip is fitted through the portion of the seat frame of the vehicle seat, the connection element and the harness are supported with respect to the portion of the frame of the vehicle seat through the support arm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to determine execution errors in distributed computing environments. In an illustrative implementation, a computing environment comprises a test amplification engine and at least one instruction set to instruct the test amplification engine to process data representative of a request to perform a test for one or more execution errors in an distributed computing environment according to a selected execution error testing paradigm dependent on identifying critical sources of non-determinism for execution within the exemplary distributed computing environment. In an illustrative operation, a participating distributed computing environment operator (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to determine execution errors in distributed computing environments. In an illustrative implementation, a computing environment comprises a test amplification engine and at least one instruction set to instruct the test amplification engine to process data representative of a request to perform a test for one or more execution errors in an distributed computing environment according to a selected execution error testing paradigm dependent on identifying critical sources of non-determinism for execution within the exemplary distributed computing environment. In an illustrative operation, a participating distributed computing environment operator (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable hand-warming apparatus for athletes that is easily attached and detached from the athlete's clothing but remains safely unobtrusive with the movement of the player during an athletic event. The apparatus is made of multiple layers of materials to reduce moisture, insulate, and resist wind and water. In one specific embodiment, the apparatus may be used to warm the throwing hand of a baseball or softball player while inactive during play, such as between pitches or while playing in the field.