Abstract: A presence sensor system includes at least one resilient extending member defining an enclosed sensing volume. The sensing volume includes a fluid therein. A pressure within the sensing volume changes upon application of force to the extending member. The presence sensor system further includes a pressure sensor in fluid connection with the sensing volume, a processor system in communicative connection with the pressure sensor and a communication system in communicative connection with the processor system. In a number of embodiments, the presence sensor system is adapted to determine a pressure threshold associated with onset of presence after being placed in use.

Abstract: A system reads a digital image that includes a set of pixels. The system determines a distribution of colors of the pixels of the digital image. Also, the system analyzes the distribution to identify a range of colors of a background of the digital image. Further, the system identifies pixels whose colors are within the identified range, and the system modifies the identified pixels to have a different color.

Abstract: A system for receiving search criteria from users is disclosed. The search criteria are for application to a common information repository. The search criteria are received from at least two of the users. The system further associates the search criteria with source information that identifies multiple sources via which the search criteria are received. The system further generates a ranked set of search criteria based on the search criteria and presents a user interface including the ranked set of search criteria.

Abstract: A system for receiving a plurality of search criteria from a plurality of users is disclosed. The plurality of search criteria is for application to a common information repository. The plurality of search criteria includes a first search criterion that is received from at least two of the plurality of users. The system further associates the plurality of search criteria with source information. The source information includes a plurality of sources via which the plurality of search criteria are received and communicated. Further, the system maintains a count of instances of the first search criterion received from the at least two of the plurality of users for each of the plurality of sources including the first source.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for maximizing publisher revenue for online advertising is provided. The computer implemented method includes determining a ratio of guaranteed ad impressions to expected remaining ad impressions. If the ratio is less than a threshold, the method includes, identifying a minimum bid value, the minimum bid value based on the ratio; comparing the minimum bid value to a received bid value for an ad impression; allocating the ad impression to an owner of the received bid when the received bid value is greater than or equal to the minimum bid value; and displaying an ad of the owner of the received bid. If the ratio is greater than the threshold, the method includes, allocating the ad impression to an owner of the guaranteed ad impressions. In one embodiment, the method operations are stored on a computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second tip ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides thereof. A tip baffle bifurcates the airfoil tip into two pockets, with a first pocket being laterally open at its aft end to recover leakage flow, and a second pocket being laterally closed.

Abstract: A writing assist device includes a hand-receiving body having an exterior surface with a convex contour for ergonomically receiving the palm and/or fingers of the hand of a user from underneath and a base adapted to easily move by pushing or pulling on a writing surface to allow writing by the user. The body includes an inclined channel for receiving a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil, and a securing element to releasably secure the writing instrument at an inclined angle in the channel. The channel is disposed on the body such that the thumb and index finger of the user lie on opposite sides of the channel during writing in manner that generally resembles the natural gripping of a pen or pencil between the thumb and index finger of an able-bodied person to impart a more natural feeling of writing control. A removable, stretchable cover can be placed on the exterior surface of the body for the comfort of the user before the user places his/her hand on the device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring wellness of a person, includes a local system in the vicinity of the person. The local system includes a plurality of sensor systems. Each of the plurality of sensor systems is associated with at least one monitored system to monitor changes in state of the monitored systems caused by activity or lack of activity of the person. The local system further includes a local data communication device in communicative connection with each of the plurality of sensor system to receive data from each of the plurality of sensor systems. The system further includes a remote system in communication with the local data communication device. The remote system includes a processing system to process data from the plurality of sensor system based upon predetermined rules. The local data communication device is programmed to transmit data to the remote system. The data transmitted to the remote system includes information on state history of the monitored systems.

Abstract: A system for receiving a plurality of search criteria from a plurality of users is disclosed. The plurality of search criteria is for application to a common information repository. The plurality of search criteria includes a first search criterion that is received from at least two of the plurality of users. The system further associates the plurality of search criteria with source information. The source information includes a plurality of sources via which the plurality of search criteria are received and communicated. Further, the system maintains a count of instances of the first search criterion received from the at least two of the plurality of users for each of the plurality of sources including the first source.

Abstract: A trophy or award which includes a statue or figurine shown in a position playing a sporting event with a game piece, and includes a member indicating dynamic movement of the game piece and/or a body part of the statue or figurine.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for compiling and presenting popular searches in an information repository are provided. Example embodiments may include receiving a number of search criteria from one or more users, respectively. The search criteria may be applied to a common information repository. Source and category information may be associated with each search criteria. The category information may identify a category of a number of categories into which information in the common information repository may be categorized. The source information may identify a source of a number of sources via which the search criteria are receivable. Each search criteria may be stored in association with the source and the category information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a moving substrate of indefinite length. The apparatus has a control surface positioned in close proximity to a surface of the substrate to define a control gap between the substrate and the control surface. A first chamber is positioned near the control surface, with the first chamber having a gas introduction device. A second chamber is positioned near the control surface, the second chamber having a gas withdrawal device. The control surface and the chambers together define a region wherein the adjacent gas phases possess an amount of mass. Upon inducement of at least a portion of the mass within the region, the mass flow is controlled to significantly reduce dilution of the gas phase component in the adjacent gas phase. This is accomplished through the introduction of a controlled gas stream thereby reducing the flow of an uncontrolled ambient gas stream due to pressure gradients in the system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for maximizing publisher revenue for online advertising is provided. The computer implemented method includes determining a ratio of guaranteed ad impressions to expected remaining ad impressions. If the ratio is less than a threshold, the method includes, identifying a minimum bid value, the minimum bid value based on the ratio; comparing the minimum bid value to a received bid value for an ad impression; allocating the ad impression to an owner of the received bid when the received bid value is greater than or equal to the minimum bid value; and displaying an ad of the owner of the received bid. If the ratio is greater than the threshold, the method includes, allocating the ad impression to an owner of the guaranteed ad impressions. In one embodiment, the method operations are stored on a computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a moving substrate of indefinite length. The apparatus has a control surface positioned in close proximity to a surface of the substrate to define a control gap between the substrate and the control surface. A first chamber is positioned near the control surface, with the first chamber having a gas introduction device. A second chamber is positioned near the control surface, the second chamber having a gas withdrawal device. The control surface and the chambers together define a region wherein the adjacent gas phases possess an amount of mass. Upon inducement of at least a portion of the mass within the region, the mass flow is controlled to significantly reduce dilution of the gas phase component in the adjacent gas phase. This is accomplished through the introduction of a controlled gas stream thereby reducing the flow of an uncontrolled ambient gas stream due to pressure gradients in the system.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil and integral platform. The platform is biformally contoured in elevation to include bilaterally disposed elevated ridges and depressed troughs on opposite sides of the airfoil.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second tip ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides thereof. A tip baffle bifurcates the airfoil tip into two pockets, with a first pocket being laterally open at its aft end to recover leakage flow, and a second pocket being laterally closed.

Abstract: A stator vane that may be used in an engine assembly is provided. The stator vane includes an airfoil that has a first sidewall and a second sidewall, which connects to the first sidewall at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. The airfoil also includes a root portion and a tip portion. The first and second sidewalls both extend from the root portion to the tip portion. The airfoil root portion is formed with a negative lean, and the airfoil tip portion is formed with a positive lean.

Abstract: A system reads a digital image that includes a set of pixels. The system determines a distribution of colors of the pixels of the digital image. Also, the system analyzes the distribution to identify a range of colors of a background of the digital image. Further, the system identifies pixels whose colors are within the identified range, and the system modifies the identified pixels to have a different color.

Abstract: A transonic turbine blade. Expansion waves are generated by a lifting surface on the blade. The expansion waves extend downstream, through a shock generated at the trailing edge of an adjacent blade. The invention increases the strength of the shock, thereby attenuating the expansion waves passing through the shock. One stratagem for increasing the shock is to reduce the aerodynamic load of the trailing edge generating the shock.

Abstract: A method of operating a network is beneficially conducted on a municipality or neighborhood level. The method in disclosed embodiments comprises installing a digital communications network within a limited selected geographical region. The network is formed from a high speed backbone and a plurality of nodes branching outward from the high speed backbone. A plurality of communicating stations are connected to the network and users at each communicating station subscribe to communicate over the network. Due to the unique scope of the network, the users are related primarily by virtue of their residence in a common geographical region. The network may be installed within a public utility right of way and may be used to monitor utility usage and to bill utility users. The network is thus independent of public telephone infrastructure. The network is preferably partitioned and communications are direct from station to station without broadcasting.