Abstract: A universal joint comprising a first ring cross link configured to be coupled to a driving yoke; a second ring cross link configured to be coupled to a driven yoke; an internal coupling yoke operably coupling yoke coupling the first ring cross link and the second ring cross link together, wherein at least one of the internal coupling yoke, the first cross link, and the second cross link include a wobble joint where the internal coupling yoke is coupled to the first cross link and/or the second cross link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning display elements are disclosed. One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method of positioning a set of display elements on a display. The method includes obtaining a hierarchy of nested wrapper elements, each display element in the set of display elements located within one of the nested wrapper elements, identifying visible and hidden subsets of display elements, and positioning the visible subset of display elements adjacent to each other by translating the wrapper elements of display elements in at least one of the hidden subset of display elements or the visible subset of display elements by a pre-determined distance so that each display element in the hidden subset of display elements becomes positioned at least one of behind one or more display elements in the visible subset of display elements or outside of a visible area of the display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associate a computed difference factor to avatars that are to interact with one another in a simulated environment. Applying a difference factor to the avatars enables identification of similar avatars in order to avoid mistaken identities among the avatars. The difference factor predicts probability that one avatar is mimicking another avatar. An attribute uniqueness algorithm may assign the difference factor based on name, appearance, and/or accessory similarity between two avatars. A user index may be used to store data describing attributes of each avatar for analysis using programs that are stored in memory and that execute the attribute uniqueness algorithm. Further, system validation of each avatar provides ability to protect and control likeness of the avatars in the virtual world.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, method, and apparatus for configuring a logical partition (LPAR), comprises one or more screens for configuring an LPAR having allocated resources residing on a server computer, the LPAR being uniquely identified by a partition ID; the one or more screens comprising an SNA selection element configured for user-selection of a shared network adapter (SNA) ID from one or more available SNA IDs, wherein each selectable SNA ID uniquely identifies a respective SNA installed on the server computer; a physical port selection element configured for user-selection of a physical port ID from one or more physical port IDs each corresponding to a respective physical port, wherein the one or more physical port IDs uniquely identify all physical ports residing on the respective SNA for the selected SNA ID; and an active configure button which, when selected by a user, causes the display of one or more screens for configuring a logical shared adapter (LSA) associated with the respective SNA.

Abstract: A partitioned vending machine including: a user interface portion for receiving an input from a user; an insert for dispensing a product; a plurality of compartments designed to receive the insert; and a communications module for allowing communications with the partitioned vending machine.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for implementing location-specific transaction services by a dispensing device situated in a defined geographic community are provided. The method includes providing location-specific information, including costs for items specific to the defined geographic community, and which are representative of a cost of living for the defined geographic community. The location-specific information is presented in a currency and language native to a requester of the location-specific information, as well as in a currency native to the defined geographic community. The location-specific information also includes a summation of costs for items selected by the requester, which is presented in a currency and language native to the requester and in a currency native to the defined geographic community. The method also includes executing a transaction between a financial institution and the requester based upon the summation of costs.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing automatic cookie synchronization between distinct web browsers. A proxy server is used to allow a user to synchronize cookies for the user among a plurality of browsers. A user first authenticates to the proxy server, which could be a traditional user id/password login or a passive authentication based upon a static IP address of a client browser. The proxy server receives a HTTP request from a client browser and forwards the HTTP request to a web server. The proxy server receives a HTTP response from a Web server and forwards the HTTP response to the client browser. The proxy server monitors the HTTP request and response communications, and stores cookies locally to the proxy server. When the user switches from one browser to another browser, the cookies created for the first browser automatically transfer to the second browser.

Abstract: A molded composite panel for a vehicle and a method of constructing a panel assembly. The individual panels have laminated layers of abutting dissimilar materials including a core of material and outer layers of fibrous material molded on opposite sides of the core. The outer layers are molded at least in part about a plurality of connection features such that the connection features are carried by at least one of the outer layers or the core. The connection features of one panel are accessible for operable attachment to connection features of an adjacent panel to form a panel assembly.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, create an alternative audio file with alternative audio segments and embed markers in the alternative audio file. Each of the markers is associated with a respective alternative audio segment, and the markers identify original closed caption data segments in a program. The alternative audio file is sent to a client. The client receives the program from a content provider, matches the markers to the original closed caption data segments, and substitutes the alternative audio segments for the original audio segments via the matches during presentation of the program. In an embodiment, alternative closed caption data is created that includes alternative closed caption data segments. Markers are embedded in the alternative closed caption data, each of the markers is associated with a respective one of the alternative closed caption data segments, and the markers identify the original closed caption data segments in the program.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and products are disclosed for software upgrades that include storing an upgrade on a computer, the upgrade having semantics for disparate configurations of computers; determining on the computer whether the upgrade can be effected concurrently; and, if the upgrade cannot be effected concurrently, advising a user of the upgrade's semantics on the computer.

Abstract: A television video recorder controlled by a viewer automatically compares a closed captioning stream from a current program instance with one or more respective closed captioning streams associated with previously recorded program instances to determine whether the current instance matches a previously recorded instance. If the closed captioning streams match, it is assumed that the current instance is a duplicate of a previously recorded instance, and the video recorder automatically takes an appropriate action with respect to recording at least one program instance. Preferably, one of the program instances is automatically deleted, so that there are no duplicates. Alternatively, the recorder might delete or mark from the saved program instance any portions thereof which do not match corresponding portions of a duplicate program instance, on the assumption that such portions are commercial advertisements.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, in response to a read command directed to a first directory, a query associated with the first directory is performed against a second directory, and the results of the query are returned in response to the read command. In response to an open command directed to a file in the first directory, the associated query is performed against the second directory, and the file is found in the query results. A file handle associated with the file is then created. If the query has an associated API, an instance of the API is created and a pointer to the instance is stored in the file handle. In response to a file command directed to the file handle, if the file handle contains a pointer to the API instance, the file operation is passed to the API instance.

Abstract: Automatic network configuration of a device including receiving a packet and selecting a network address in dependence upon a network address of the packet. In typical embodiments, receiving a packet also includes determining whether the received packet is an ARP query. If the received packet is an ARP query, selecting a network address in dependence upon a network address of the packet may include selecting a possible network address similar to the network address of the source of the packet; and sending an ARP query for the selected possible network address. If an ARP response is returned for the ARP query, embodiments may include selecting another possible network address similar to the network address of the source of the packet. If no ARP response is returned for the ARP query, embodiments may include accepting the possible network address as a network address for the device.

Abstract: A stiff torque box is used with frame rail segments to compose a vehicle frame. The stiff torque box is used to cross-link the left hand and right hand sides of a vehicle frame and is made up of an extruded aluminum skeleton which forms a number of internal cavities, as well as connecting tabs. The connecting tabs are used to fix the frame rail segments to the stiff torque box. Implementing stiff torque boxes in vehicle frame construction allows for more rigid vehicle frames with the advantage of additional weight savings. This construction is ideal for aluminum frame, front wheel drive and body on frame vehicles. Because of the characteristics of such a vehicle frame, opportunities arise to implement other weight conservative vehicle components.

Abstract: A protective liner is provided for vehicles having a rear hatch or opening doors. The protective liner attaches to the opening of the rear hatch or opening and extends into the rear vehicle cavity protecting the vehicle interior form damage and debris when the vehicle is used for hauling lumber, logs, sand, gravel or debris.