Abstract: A system and with an associated method for preloading advertisements from a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, user devices of the members present advertisements to the members and the server keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the server identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements to the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry by the user's device, the server determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the server sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.

Abstract: An automated communication system with an associated method for presenting customized voices is disclosed. The system which performs a predetermined task accepts information regarding an intended user indicating the intended user's identity, preferences, etc. Next, the system customizes one or more voices for the intended user based on the accepted information. The system then presents to the intended user one or more audible communications converted from text associated with a predetermined task performed by the system using the one or more customized voices.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: Devices and methods for well logging using a wear-resistant electrode are provided. A downhole device may include a drill collar and a first electrode mounted on the drill collar. Further, the first electrode may include a wear-resistant face. The first electrode may be movably coupled within the drill collar, and the first electrode may be configured to extend and retract into a wellbore to maintain contact with a wall of the wellbore. Furthermore, the first electrode may be configured to measure impedance of a geological formation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for well logging using a wear resistant electrode are provided. A downhole device may include a drill bit, a gauge pad mounted on the drill bit, and a first electrode mounted in the gauge pad. An insulating polycrystalline diamond (PCD) material may surround at least a portion of the first electrode. Additionally, the first electrode may include an electrically conductive wear resistant contact point that maintains constant contact with a wall of a wellbore. Additionally, the first electrode may measure an impedance of a geological formation during a drilling operation.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for responding to a user's voice inquiry are disclosed. The system accepts the voice inquiry and obtains personal data regarding the user. The system then identifies potential subjects of interest in the voice inquiry from media content currently provided to the user through a device which has captured the voice inquiry, media content present in or capturing the user's surroundings, or media content previously provided to the user as responses to previous voice inquiries by the user. Next, the system determines at least one subject of interest based on at least one of the personal data and the user's previous voice inquiries. The system then presents a response related to the determined subject of interest to the user's voice inquiry.

Abstract: A system with an associated method for preloading advertisements by a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, the system presents advertisements to the members and keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the system identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements on the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry from the user's device, the system determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the system sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.

Abstract: An automated communication system with an associated method for presenting customized voices is disclosed. The system which performs a predetermined task accepts information regarding an intended user indicating the intended user's identity, preferences, etc. Next, the system customizes one or more voices for the intended user based on the accepted information. The system then presents to the intended user one or more audible communications converted from text associated with a predetermined task performed by the system using the one or more customized voices.

Abstract: A system and with an associated method for preloading advertisements from a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, user devices of the members present advertisements to the members and the server keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the server identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements to the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry by the user's device, the server determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the server sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: A recommendation system communicates with end user devices over a computer communications network and includes a recommendations engine that communicates with the network from behind a firewall that inhibits unauthorized communications from the network, a data file system that receives disposition update data in response to purchase actions initiated by an end user device and receives ingested user activity data in response to activity at a network storefront initiated by an end user device, and a database system that updates a recommendation model for the end user device in response to receiving the disposition update data and ingested user activity data. The recommendations engine generates a recommendation for the end user device in response to the update of the recommendation model.

Abstract: Data is remotely collected from a plurality of fasteners in response to a query signal wirelessly transmitted by a reader. Each of the fasteners includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to the stress on the fastener. A device adapted to be attached to each of the fasteners receives the query signal, activates the sensor to measure the parameter and wirelessly transmits the data including the parameter to the reader.

Abstract: A method and system for ranking relevancy of metadata associated with media on a computer network, such as multimedia and streaming media, include categorizing the metadata into sets of metadata. The categories are broad categories relating to areas such as who, what, when, and where, such as artist, media type, and creation date, creation location. Weights are assigned to each set of metadata. Weights are related to technical information such as bit rate, duration, sampling rate, frequency of occurrence of a specific term, etc. A score is calculated for ranking the relevancy of each set of metadata. The score is calculated in accordance with the assigned weight and category. This score is available for search systems (e.g., search engines) and/or users to determine the relative ranking of search results.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for substantially reducing or eliminating bacteria in bacteria laden fluids used with machine tools. An electron beam emitter is used to irradiate the fluid with an electron beam. The electron beam creates an atmospheric plasma region that kills bacteria exposed to it. The fluid is thus decontaminated when circulated through the electron beam emitter. In one embodiment a filter is employed to remove particulates entrained in the fluid. A pump is also employed for withdrawing fluid from the sump of the machine tool. In another embodiment a plurality of electron beam emitters are disposed in longitudinal alignment with one another and closely adjacent a fluid carrying conduit to provide an intensified atmospheric plasma region through which the bacteria laden fluid flows. The system eliminates the need for unscheduled fluid changing due to bacterial laden fluid problems.

Abstract: Quick change chuck systems with integral fluid inducer. A quick change drill bushing system reduces misalignment of bushing to motor spindles and enables rapid change of cutting tools and bushing thereby reducing the number of dedicated working systems. The quick change chuck system with integral fluid inducer may utilize a quick change nosepiece system in combination.

Abstract: Quick change chuck systems with integral fluid inducer. A quick change drill bushing system reduces misalignment of bushing to motor spindles and enables rapid change of cutting tools and bushing thereby reducing the number of dedicated working systems. The quick change chuck system with integral fluid inducer may utilize a quick change nosepiece system in combination.

Abstract: Disclosed is device (10) for orienting and conveying a headed fastener (14), wherein the device is positioned beneath any suitable dispenser (12) whereby headed fasteners are removed from a supply container and successively dropped with random orientation onto the device. The device (10) is configured to receive the headed fasteners (14) within a selected groove (32, 132) so that the headed fastener will assume a predetermined orientation within the device. The oriented fastener is then conveyed from the point it is received in the groove to a conduit (55, 57) which directs the headed fastener into the feeder tube (16) of the fastening machine. The fasteners are rotated as they are conveyed along the device in order to create a gyroscopic effect in the fastener as a means of maintaining the relative orientation of the fastener as it moves through the groove toward the feeder tube.

Abstract: One end of a pull rod (66) is pivotably attached to a lever (82), and the other end of rod (66) has a T-shaped slot (70) for receiving the head (28) and part of the shaft (24) of a plastic blind rivet fastener (22). Rod (66) slides axially in a tube (54) which has a radial end wall (60) with a slot (62) for slidably receiving the shaft (24). A spring (76) biases the rod (66) into a fastener-receiving position adjacent to wall (60). The lever (82) is squeezed toward a handle (56) to pull the rod (66) away from the wall (60) and the fastener head (28) axially inwardly. The abutment of the wall (60) against a collar (36) on shaft (24) slides collar (36) along shaft (24) to force a portion of a sleeve (30) on shaft (24) radially outwardly. A bent tube (104) may be provided instead of the straight tube (54). The pull member (110) received in the tube (104) has two rod portions (112,120) on oposite sides of the bend (106). These portions (112,120) are connected by a flexible cable (116).