Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling media playback via physical tokens (e.g., items of media content such as photographs) are disclosed. A media playback system can include an audio playback device and a control device. The control device includes a sensor configured to sense a tag of the physical token. The control device can obtain data by sensing the tag of the physical token via the sensor. Based on the obtained data, the control device transmits a request for media content to one or more remote computing devices associated with a media content service, and causes playback of the requested media content via the audio playback device. Additionally or alternatively, spatial audio content can be generated and played back based on a media item characteristic obtained via the sensor data.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for recording and reporting employee absences. It tracks and administers information needed to comply with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), state and employer authorized leave along with employee attendance policies and vacation plans within the employer's system. In a preferred embodiment, the system is deployed through the Internet and interacts with Short Term Disability and Workers' Compensation vendors and tracks which employee absences should be classified as such. With all absence data integrated into one system, the invention easily creates reports that have been difficult, if not impossible, to compile previously.

Abstract: A self-normalizing contour surface drilling apparatus drills holes into contour surfaces with the drill bit of the apparatus oriented normally to the contour surface. The apparatus first determines a location of a hole to be drilled and the orientation of the drill bit relative to the surface at the hole location, and adjusts the position of the drill bit so that the drill bit is positioned normally to the hole location. The apparatus then drills the hole at the location, and then repeats the process seeking out the next location for a drilled hole.

Abstract: A parallel processing computer having a three dimensional (3D) torus topology. The computer includes multiple nodes formed in rows, multiple leap frog connections, and multiple end connections. The rows extend into the X, Y, and Z dimensions. The 3D torus topology of the present invention is achieved as follows. Along every row, end nodes are connected to adjacent nodes by the end connections. Also, along every row, alternate nodes are connected by the leap frog connections. Thus, the use of the leap frog connections results in an alternating connection pattern among the nodes.