Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to providing unified configuration of heterogeneous devices in a network. A request in a unified configuration format to configure a parameter of a device in a network may be received at a system. The system identifies a network device targeted by the request. Based on a command mapping, one or more commands usable to change a setting of the parameter at the target network device may be determined, and based on a command hierarchy, an order for the one or more commands may be determined. The system arranges the commands in the determined order to produce a command block having a device-specific configuration format for the target network device and causes the parameter to be set at the target network device. Based on the request, the system may further produce a command block having a second device-specific configuration format for a second device.

Abstract: A control module for residential environments, commercial environments, manufacturing environments, public buildings, and retail environments. Currently, configuring or reconfiguring systems for these environments is time consuming. It would be beneficial to provide arbitrarily configurable sensor and control modules and more particularly to intelligent arbitrarily configurable sensor and control modules and arrays of sensor and control modules allowing increased functionality, connectivity, intelligence, decision making, and communications within these systems. Provided is a module including a casing; one or more interfaces, each interface disposed at a predetermined position within a surface of the casing and supporting at least one of data communications and power; and one or more circuits coupled to the one or more interfaces.

Abstract: Aspects involve estimating transitions in properties of a concrete mixture prior to batching and during transport of the mixture from a first location, such as a concrete batch plant, to a second location, such as a job site and controlling a mixture of ingredients for concrete in response. A tool may execute a method for estimating an initial temperature at batching and a change in temperature of the concrete mixture during transport due to the exothermic reaction of the mixture, percentages and types of ingredients of the mixture, and/or environmental factors along a transit route. A control system at the concrete batching plant may control one or more components of the concrete batch plant in response to the estimated temperature change, such as a dispenser of an ingredient of the mixture and/or a heating or cooling mechanism to adjust the temperature of an ingredient of the concrete mixture.

Abstract: Aspects involve estimating transitions in properties of a concrete mixture prior to batching and during transport of the mixture from a first location, such as a concrete batch plant, to a second location, such as a job site and controlling a mixture of ingredients for concrete in response. A tool may execute a method for estimating an initial temperature at batching and a change in temperature of the concrete mixture during transport due to the exothermic reaction of the mixture, percentages and types of ingredients of the mixture, and/or environmental factors along a transit route. A control system at the concrete batching plant may control one or more components of the concrete batch plant in response to the estimated temperature change, such as a dispenser of an ingredient of the mixture and/or a heating or cooling mechanism to adjust the temperature of an ingredient of the concrete mixture.

Abstract: Aspects involve an aggregate plow system that may be used in a system for cooling aggregate, such as may be found in a batch plant involved in producing concrete. The plow system generally contacts aggregate as it is conveyed by a conveyor belt to create a furrow within the aggregate prior to dispensing of liquid nitrogen or other coolant onto the aggregate. Additionally, the plow assembly may mix the ingredients of the aggregate on the belt by disputing the aggregate piled on the conveyor belt. The formation of the furrow, in place of a mound of aggregate on the belt, aids in retaining liquid nitrogen in the furrow such that it may better penetrate into the aggregate and thereby improving cooling. In either and both ways, the plow assembly improves dispersion of the coolant on and into the aggregate as it is conveyed by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A cigarette ash catching assembly a housing that has a first end, a second end, and a perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends. The first end has a well extending therein. The well extends toward and is spaced from the second end such that the second end forms a closed wall. The well defines a cigarette receiving space. The housing is comprised of a mesh material such that air can freely flow through the perimeter wall and into the well. A mouth piece is removably attachable to the first end and is in fluid communication with the housing. A cigarette is positionable in the well such that smoke may be drawn from the cigarette and through the mouth piece wherein ashes from the cigarette are retained within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for controlling a simulated object in a video game using a rotatable reticle, which allows a player to control the precise angle of an action and to select from a variety of actions, and then adjusts the effectiveness of the selected action based on the quality of the player's use of the reticle. The Video Game Reticle invention comprises a method of generating a symbol comprising a pivot point and a directional pointer, wherein the symbol acts as a dial with directional keys. A left rotational direction control key causes the dial to swing left, and a right rotational direction control key causes the dial to swing right. One or more action keys allow a player to activate an action, once the player decides on the angle of the action; wherein the relative effectiveness of the action is determined by the angle selected by the player.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for controlling a simulated object in a video game using a rotatable reticle, which allows a player to control the precise angle of an action and to select from a variety of actions, and then adjusts the effectiveness of the selected action based on the quality of the player's use of the reticle. The Video Game Reticle invention comprises a method of generating a symbol comprising a pivot point and a directional pointer, wherein the symbol acts as a dial with directional keys. A left rotational direction control key causes the dial to swing left, and a right rotational direction control key causes the dial to swing right. One or more action keys allow a player to activate an action, once the player decides on the angle of the action; wherein the relative effectiveness of the action is determined by the angle selected by the player.

Abstract: A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which includes an amphiphilic polymer or copolymer, in embodiments polyethylene glycol, having a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. In some embodiments, the coating may also include iodine. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.

Abstract: A targeted method for providing coupons and samples to consumers, that provides extensive feedback to manufacturers, identifies consumers that represent a desired demographic profile, enables a convenient consumer couponing experience, controls and contains fraud through the use of expiration methods and location data.

Abstract: A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which includes an amphiphilic polymer or copolymer, in embodiments polyethylene glycol, having a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. In some embodiments, the coating may also include iodine. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.

Abstract: A targeted method for providing coupons and samples to consumers, that provides extensive feedback to manufacturers, identifies consumers that represent a desired demographic profile, enables a convenient consumer couponing experience, controls and contains fraud through the use of expiration methods and location data.

Abstract: A method and device for local delivery of a water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which includes an amphiphilic polymer or copolymer, in embodiments polyethylene glycol, having a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. In some embodiments, the coating may also include iodine. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale chamber configured to hold a front bale in the chamber forward of a rear bale in the chamber. A disintegrator apparatus removes shredded material from the front bale and forms a front stream of shredded material moving laterally, and removes shredded material from the rear bale and forms a rear stream of shredded material. An exhaust opening in the bale chamber adjacent to the front bale is oriented such that the front stream passes laterally through the exhaust opening. A conveyor receives the rear stream and carries same forward and moves same into contact with the front stream such that the rear stream is carried out through the exhaust opening with the front stream.

Abstract: A method of lifting corn stalks from a field surface and chopping the corn stalks with a rotary mower comprises configuring blades of the blade assembly such that as the blade assembly rotates, air is drawn upward under the mower deck; configuring the rotary mower such that an area of a circle defined by a circular path of outer tips of blades of the blade assembly is greater than 60 square feet; and rotating the blade assembly such that the outer tips of the blades move at a speed greater than 20,000 feet per minute and such that the air drawn upward under the mower deck draws corn stalks up from the field surface into contact with the blades.

Abstract: A bale processor apparatus has a bale chamber configured to hold a front bale in the chamber forward of a rear bale in the chamber. A disintegrator apparatus removes shredded material from the front bale and forms a front stream of shredded material moving laterally, and removes shredded material from the rear bale and forms a rear stream of shredded material. An exhaust opening in the bale chamber adjacent to the front bale is oriented such that the front stream passes laterally through the exhaust opening. A conveyor receives the rear stream and carries same forward and moves same into contact with the front stream such that the rear stream is carried out through the exhaust opening with the front stream.

Abstract: A targeted method for providing coupons and samples to consumers, that provides extensive feedback to manufacturers, identifies consumers that represent a desired demographic profile, enables a convenient consumer couponing experience, controls and contains fraud through the use of expiration methods and location data.

Abstract: An improved selective herbicide, as well of methods of controlling unwanted plants using such a herbicide, are provided. A method for treating undesired vegetation can include providing a selective herbicidal composition that includes a water-soluble selective auxin-type herbicide and a chelating agent complexed with at least one transition metal, and contacting vegetation with a herbicidally effective amount of the composition such that unwanted vegetation is controlled, while desired vegetation is unaffected.

Abstract: An environmentally safe, pesticidally effective composition is provided to control insect/mite pests. In an exemplary embodiment, a composition is provided that includes a pesticidally effective, yet environmentally safe, concentration of at least one spinosyn with at least one additional contact-acting insecticide and/or miticide and at least one solvent or carrier.

Abstract: Bait compositions of spinosyns in combination with metal complexones and other mollusicides are provided in an environmentally safe composition that is effective to a treat and/or control a wide spectrum of insect and mollusc pests.