Abstract: A follower device is disclosed which includes a friction surface, a neck, and at least one shelf. The at least one friction surface and the at least one shelf may extend from the neck, and the slot may be adjacent to the neck. The follower may be disposed in a telescoping tube and allow closure or retraction of the telescoping tube automatically by pulling on an inner tube to disengage a button lock, termed an overpull and then collapsing the telescoping tube without interference from the button lock.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve for an anode supply of a fuel cell system, the electromagnetic valve configured as a purge or drain valve including an actuator including a magnet coil configured to electromagnetically actuate an armature, and a valve plunger operatively connected with the armature; a valve seat openable and closable as a function of an actuation of the valve plunger so that a media connection between an inlet and an outlet is controlled through a valve chamber, wherein the valve seat and the inlet are configured at a connection spout connected with the actuator, and wherein an additional magnet coil is provided as a heating coil.

Abstract: A system, device and method for nail care is provided. The nail care system includes a shaping system, a polish removal system and/or a cuticle management system; a vision system; a nail polish application system; and a mobility system. The nail system may further include an accelerated drying system, a hand massage system, a nail identification/diagnosis/estimation of conditions system, an enclosure, a hand/foot rest system, a computer software system, a computer hardware system, a cartridge/pod system, and a multi-tool system. Related apparatuses, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods to prevent or diminish message thread explosion are disclosed. Message data sent between members of a communal profile and/or between members of multiple communal profiles may be consolidated into a single message thread, which may be displayed on devices associated with the members associated with of the communal profile(s). Consolidation of the message data into a communal message thread may allow users to more intuitively view conversations between members of their communal profile and/or between members of their communal profile and other communal profiles without viewing individual message threads between members of the communal profile(s).

Abstract: A portable base and grill assembly with few parts, that is collapsible, robust, and easily portable and storable is provided. The base includes two parts: a collapsible frame for containing combustion and an insert for holding combustible material including wood and charcoal. The portable grill includes two parts: a collapsible stand and a cooking surface. The cooking surface is a mil-able grill that can support cookware or be used to cook food directly. The height of the stand may be adjusted to raise or lower the cooking surface above a heat source. The portable base, portable grill and cooking surface may each be used as a standalone apparatus or combined and used together as in the assembly. The base and grill assembly may be constructed wholly of stainless steel for durability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying potentially illicit purchases, especially in card-not-present transactions. In one implementation, a merchant transaction system comprises a processor and memory. The system receives a transaction request from a customer for a card-not-present sale transaction. The system transmits over an electronic network a transaction risk request message to a transaction risk evaluator, and receives over the electronic network a reply message from the transaction risk evaluator, indicating a level of risk associated with the sale transaction. The system can decide whether to proceed with the card-not-present sale transaction based at least in part on the content of the reply message.

Abstract: Example control systems for automated power management of a motive machine. The features are described with reference to a hybrid powered sweeper-scrubber machine, but is not limited as such. The machine can include a main machine controller (MMC) operably coupled to an engine, and a power module operably coupled to the MMC by a controller area network (CAN) bus. A sub-system, including a sub-system having one or more electrical components such as motors, can be operably coupled to the power module by the CAN bus. To provide automated power control, the power module can monitor a load of the sub-system, and using the monitored load of the sub-system, the power module can communicate sub-system load information to the MMC. The MMC can automatically adjust an engine speed based on the monitored sub-system load information and the selected functional mode of the machine.

Abstract: A motive machine can be selectively operable in a plurality of functional modes. The motive machine can include a drive wheel, a steering assembly, and a controller. The drive wheel can be rotatably secured to a body of the motive machine. The steering assembly can be operable to steer the motive machine. The controller can be in communication with a steering sensor, a steering motor, and a limit sensor, where the controller can be configured to synchronize the steering motor to the steering sensor as a function of a limit signal.

Abstract: Example control systems for automated power management of a machine are described herein. In some examples, the control system can be used with a motive machine. The features are described with reference to a hybrid powered sweeper-scrubber machine, but is not limited as such. The machine can include a main machine controller (MMC) operably coupled to an engine, and a power module operably coupled to the MMC by a controller area network (CAN) bus. A sub-system, including a sub-system having motors, can be operably coupled to the power module by the CAN bus. To provide automated power control, the power module can monitor a load of the sub-system, and using the monitored load of the sub-system, the power module can communicate sub-system load information to the MMC. The MMC can automatically adjust an engine speed based on the sub-system load information and the selected functional mode of the machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying potentially illicit purchases, especially in card-not-present transactions. In one implementation, a merchant transaction system comprises a processor and memory. The system receives a transaction request from a customer for a card-not-present sale transaction. The system transmits over an electronic network a transaction risk request message to a transaction risk evaluator, and receives over the electronic network a reply message from the transaction risk evaluator, indicating a level of risk associated with the sale transaction. The system can decide whether to proceed with the card-not-present sale transaction based at least in part on the content of the reply message.

Abstract: Using common points-of-purchase revealed by back trace windows, a merchant risk system provides suspect merchants to a financial institution (such as a card issuer), identifying merchants who may have had account data (such as credit card numbers) compromised. In one embodiment, merchants are ranked based on spikes in fraudulent transactions on cards used at those merchants. Merchants may also be identified based on merchant risk scores that are calculated using data from the back trace windows.

Abstract: The invention generally features methods for providing engineered pluripotent stem cells that can be used to study biological response and pathways, including differentiation and drug effects. For example, these cells are provided comprising two or more exogenous expression cassettes including a selectable or screenable marker under the control of different condition-responsive regulatory elements, such as differentiation-responsive promoters or regulatory element of a receptor, drug target, drug metabolizing enzyme or signaling pathway gene. Also provided are sets of stem cell lines each comprising a different exogenous expression cassette including a selectable or screenable marker under the control of a different condition-responsive regulatory element.

Abstract: A method and system for disassociating an electronic shelf label (ESL) from one node in a network and re-associating the ESL with another node in the network so as to establish a more reliable wireless link for the ESL to receive commands for updating goods-related information display by the ESL.

Abstract: Several sole components and a method of manufacturing those sole components are disclosed. In general, each sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing element extending around a portion of the bladder. The reinforcing element is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some configurations, the reinforcing element is die-cut from a sheet of polymer material, and the reinforcing element may exhibit a layered configuration. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing element may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing element during the molding process.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment provides for a management and resource policy for computers. The policy may control whether users can access or not access local and network software and hardware resources and affects the computer's human interface. A hierarchy of management data may be combined into managed and unmanaged preference data and conflicts within the management data are resolved based on the policy.

Abstract: Computer-storage media, systems, and methods for facilitating development of web pages with cross-communicating tags are provided. The libraries and controls do not require a page transition or refresh operation to update information or instantiate features because the tags subscribe to a server for the information supplied to them. The update information can be requested by a first set of tags or pushed by a second set of tags. A package available online to developers includes development components for execution as part of a web page. These applications utilize APIs and a set of tags that are at least a portion of a markup language library. The tags are for initiating and executing web features, including instant messaging features. There is a developer interface to code the web page with the web application.

Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating speckle noise from retro reflectors. A polyethylene film is introduced in an optical path between a retro reflector and a radiation receiver to reduce coherence length of collected light and eliminate sparkle noise.

Abstract: A knife block is formed from two lateral halves (20, 22), each having an inner profile which comprises a plurality of laterally extending Projections (24, 25). These projections mesh in a comb-like manner, with spaces (28) defined between the two halves (20, 22) when connected together. Each space (28) is for receiving a knife blade. The two halves (20, 22) are releasably connected together by a magnet arrangement (26) to enable cleaning.