Abstract: A system (10), apparatus (12) and method (40) for providing content channels to end users based on end user wish lists. The method includes a domain channel manager apparatus accessing a plurality of end user wish lists maintained at end user devices, such as end user residential gateways and home servers. The domain channel manager accesses the plurality of wish lists and aggregates the wish list items, organizing and ranking the wish list items if necessary. Based on the aggregated wish list items from the plurality of end users, the domain channel manager retrieves content from all available content sources, such as content providers and existing content repositories. The domain channel manager creates content channels based on the retrieved content and offers those content channels to end users whose preferences match the content of the particular channel offered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a thermal interface for an electronic product. A thermally conductive polymer having an adhesive layer formed thereon is provided, a surface of an electronic assembly is pressed against the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer is allowed to cure so that the thermally conductive polymer and the electronic assembly are in thermal communication with each other. The electronic assembly could be pressed against the thermally conductive polymer using a press and die assembly having a pad for supporting the polymer and a controller for controlling operation of the press. The thermally conductive polymer is bonded to the electronic assembly so that no air pockets or voids are formed therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combination venturi check valve for introducing a composition, such as ozone, into the fluid circulation line of a swimming pool, spa, and/or other recreational body of water. The combination venturi check valve preferably includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a venturi passage for suctioning in the composition, and a bypass passage with a valve enabling compatibility with pumps having different flow rates, for example. In an aspect of the invention, the venturi and bypass passages are inline with the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. In another aspect of the invention, the venturi and bypass passages share a common wall, and/or the housing is modular and/or integrally formed. In yet another aspect of the invention, the valve automatically adjusts the flow rate of fluid through the bypass passage without requiring human intervention.

Abstract: A scalable and adaptive technique determines which particular software features should be installed in a device (such as a data collection device) without rebuilding the operating system of the device. The device stores a product configuration matrix (PCM) that provides identification information, including which software features should be installed in the device. A configuration control file (CCF) is externally stored at any suitable location, such as in a local file system or on a network. The CCF contains product configuration masks, identifications of external locations where software features can be obtained, and identifications of locations within the device where the software feature is to be loaded. During an installation process, the PCM is read from the device and compared with the product configuration mask in the CCF. When there is a match, the software features corresponding to the matching product configuration mask are obtained and loaded into the device.

Abstract: A system (10), apparatus (12) and method (40) for providing content channels to end users based on end user wish lists. The method includes a domain channel manager apparatus accessing a plurality of end user wish lists maintained at end user devices, such as end user residential gateways and home servers. The domain channel manager accesses the plurality of wish lists and aggregates the wish list items, organizing and ranking the wish list items if necessary. Based on the aggregated wish list items from the plurality of end users, the domain channel manager retrieves content from all available content sources, such as content providers and existing content repositories. The domain channel manager creates content channels based on the retrieved content and offers those content channels to end users whose preferences match the content of the particular channel offered.

Abstract: A shield may be provided over a printer developer roll, adjacent to a doctor blade, to reduce toner dusting and toner accumulations. The shield may slightly conform to the curvature of the developer roll in some embodiments. As a result, toner accumulations on surface which the customer must touch may be reduced.

Abstract: A shock absorber leash incorporates grasping, attaching and elongated strap assemblies. The latter incorporates a strap subassembly, having a strap of non elastic, continuous structure for connecting the grasping and attaching assemblies, and a resilient, adjustable in length subassembly including an elastic strip having its ends attached to a cam-buckle for adjusting a length of the elastic strip. The resilient, adjustable in length subassembly is interposed laterally between the ends of a segment of the strap. The segment is provided adjacent to its ends with a first and second rings and forms a loop when the resilient, adjustable in length subassembly is not completely stretched. The latter is detachable from a remaining of the shock absorber leash by means of the cam-buckle and a free passage of the elastic strip through the first and second rings.

Abstract: A scalable and adaptive technique determines which particular software features should be installed in a device (such as a data collection device) without having to rebuild the operating system of the device. The device stores a product configuration matrix (PCM) that provides identification information, including which software features should be installed in the device. A configuration control file (CCF) is externally stored at any suitable location, such as in a local file system or on a network (wired or wireless). The CCF contains product configuration masks, identifications of external locations where software features can be obtained, and identifications of locations within the device where the software feature is to be loaded. During an installation process, the PCM is read from the device and compared with the product configuration mask in the CCF.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring posture deficiencies in the spine and including a flexible body (30) encapsulating a flexible operating arm (31) cantilevered from a base moulding (34). The operating arm (31) is provided with upper (37) and lower (40) strain gauges bonded to the upper and lower faces respectively of the operating arm (31) at the point beyond the stiffening base moulding (34) to ensure that differential strain is experienced on deflection of the operating arm (31). Wire tails (41) are terminated as a PCB assembly (45) mounted to the printed circuit support (35), which assembly comprises a PC board bearing an LSI processor (46), rechargeable battery (47), vibrating motor (50) and inductive coil (51) selected to fulfil the functions of transmitting and receiving element, and inductive power supply for charging the battery (47), under the control of processor (46).

Abstract: The invention permits network management services, utilized by a user via a software based console, used on any network connected device, viewed as a web page via the internet. Dynamic updating of the devices available to the console is performed by a Multicast Discovery Protocol. Multicast Remote Procedure Calls permit simultaneous command processing among an authorized target group of devices. A Multicast File Transfer Protocol permits time and bandwidth efficient one to many file transfers via a data stream at a pre-specified address which many clients simultaneously monitor. Hand shaking for the transfer is rotated among the clients so that they may each recover any lost data frames. Use of client registries for storing network data allows clients to be automatically configured upon connection to the network. Virtual monitoring and control over the clients may be exercised from the console by executing remote procedure calls.

Abstract: A hardware logic network, operating at real-time data rates, generates a signal which matches the Mth-largest signal of an input data set. To accomplish this signal-matching, the network utilizes an iterative series of value adjustments which cause an intermediate working quantity to converge to a number whose rank in comparison to the input set is the same as that of the true Mth-largest. When test comparisons indicate that the intermediate value's relative rank is too low, the value-adjustment is upward. The adjustment is downward otherwise. Operating upon input data whose range of possible values is limited to a predetermined interval, the system takes as its initial working quantity the midpoint of this interval. The magnitude of the first adjustment is one-half of the remaining interval on either side of the initial approximation. Subsequent magnitude adjustments are in turn one-half of the preceeding half-remaining-interval magnitude.

Abstract: A former for moulding a fabric garment shape, said former having hip and waist planes corresponding to a person's body and comprising at least seven members arranged in two groups about an imaginary common line, such that the first group comprising at least 6 interconnected members define a geometrical figure selected from the group consisting of a quadrilateral, pentagon and hexagon at the waist-plane and a hexagon at the hip-plane, and the second group comprising at least one member located between the first group extending at least from the hip-plane to the waist-plane.