Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that supports a suction source, a dirt separation device that has an elongate axis, and a user graspable handle having an elongate axis. A passage member transports dirt-laden air to the dirt separation device. The passage member has an elongate axis. The elongate axis of the passage member and the elongate axis of the user graspable handle lie in a plane. The elongate axis of the dirt collection chamber intersects the plane. During operation, while the housing is supported on a floor surface, the elongate axis of the dirt separation device is parallel with the floor surface.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing that supports a motor which rotates a fan about an axle axis and a dirt collection chamber having an elongate axis about which the dirt-laden air rotates. The dirt collection chamber receives dirt-laden air from the passage in response to rotation of the fan. The dirt collection chamber axis is spaced from the axle axis and includes an openable door that permits a user to empty dirt from the dirt collection chamber while the dirt collection chamber is supported on the housing. A battery that operates the suction source includes a plurality of battery cells, has an elongate battery axis that extends through a majority of the battery cells. While the passage axis extends horizontally, both the axle axis and the dirt collection chamber axis are positioned above the elongate axis and the battery axis is positioned below the passage axis.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes a housing having an elongate axis (H) and supports a suction source, and a dirt separation device having an elongate axis (A). The dirt separation device includes a separator for separating dirt from dirt-laden air, and a dirt collection chamber for receiving separated dirt. The dirt separation device or a part of the dirt separation device is releasably connected to the housing. A passage member that transports dirt-laden air to the dirt separation device has an elongate axis (B). The dirt separation device is pivotally moveable relative to the housing to effect release of the dirt separation device.

Abstract: A dirt separation device for a surface cleaning apparatus including: a separator for separating dirt from dirt-laden air; an inlet through which dirt-laden air is drawn into the separator; an outlet through which cleaner air exits the separator; a dirt collection chamber for receiving separated dirt; a cover member movable between a first position in which the cover member inhibits access to the dirt collection chamber and a second position in which the cover member permits access to the dirt collection chamber; an actuator device coupled to the cover member for effecting movement of the cover member from the first position to the second position, wherein the actuator device is rotationally movable, or an engagement part operably connected to the actuator device is rotationally movable, to effect movement of the closing member from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Electronic conferences are a common method of conducting a meeting when the participants are not at the same location. When a conference drops a portion of the audio, such carrying speech from a speaker, participants may be excluded from the full content of the conference. By having a device associated with a speaking participant convey both audio and generated text from the speech provided by the speaking participant, a server may be able to determine that speech is missing from the audio portion and automatically insert text content. As a result, poor audio quality may be mitigated with text and omitting unwanted text when the audio quality is sufficient.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including: a housing supporting: a suction source including a motor with an axle having an axis (A) which rotates a fan; a dirt collection chamber having an elongate axis (B); and a battery for providing power to operate the suction source, wherein the battery has an elongate axis (C); wherein the axis (A) of the motor axle and the elongate axis (B) of the dirt collection chamber extend transversely with respect to the elongate axis (C) of the battery.

Abstract: A tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, including a floor head including a floor facing surface which defines an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air, which inlet is generally positioned in a first plane P; a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the apparatus; a connecting member for connecting the tool to a surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the floor head and connecting member are pivotally connected about an axis A; and a blocking device for inhibiting pivotal movement of the connecting member about axis A. The blocking device is moveable to a blocking condition in which pivotal movement of the connecting member downwardly outside of a pre-determined use condition is inhibited.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device includes a body, a suction opening, a suction source, and a separation chamber. The body has a handle and a receptacle. The suction source is at least partially located within the body. The suction source is in fluid communication with the suction opening and is operable to draw a fluid mixture of liquid and air through the suction opening. Liquid is separated from the fluid mixture in the separation chamber. The separation chamber is coupled to the body for rotation relative to the receptacle about a rotational axis. The separation chamber includes an inlet in fluid communication with the suction opening, an outlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a drainage outlet in fluid communication with the receptacle.

Abstract: Electronic conferences are a common method of conducting a meeting when the participants are not at the same location. When a conference drops a portion of the audio, such carrying speech from a speaker, participants may be excluded from the full content of the conference. By having a device associated with a speaking participant convey both audio and generated text from the speech provided by the speaking participant, a server may be able to determine that speech is missing from the audio portion and automatically insert text content. As a result, poor audio quality may be mitigated with text and omitting unwanted text when the audio quality is sufficient.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air includes a first separating chamber, a first dirt collection chamber in communication with the first separating chamber, a shroud, a second separating chamber positioned generally within the shroud, and a second dirt collection chamber in communication with the second separating chamber. The second separating chamber includes a generally frusto-conical portion that has an end part in communication with the second dirt collection chamber through which fine dust or debris exits therethrough into the second dirt collection chamber. A first portion of the second dirt collection chamber surrounds an outer surface of the end part of the generally frusto-conical portion to define a space S1 therebetween and said first portion of the second dirt collection chamber extends into a space S2 defined by the inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion of the shroud having said openings therein.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air includes a first separating chamber, a first dirt collection chamber in communication with the first separating chamber, a shroud, a second separating chamber positioned generally within the shroud, and a second dirt collection chamber in communication with the second separating chamber. The second separating chamber includes a generally frusto-conical portion that has an end part in communication with the second dirt collection chamber through which fine dust or debris exits therethrough into the second dirt collection chamber. A first portion of the second dirt collection chamber surrounds an outer surface of the end part of the generally frusto-conical portion to define a space S1 therebetween and said first portion of the second dirt collection chamber extends into a space S2 defined by the inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion of the shroud having said openings therein.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including: a housing supporting: a suction source including a motor with an axle having an axis (A) which rotates a fan; a dirt collection chamber having an elongate axis (B); and a battery for providing power to operate the suction source, wherein the battery has an elongate axis (C); wherein the axis (A) of the motor axle and the elongate axis (B) of the dirt collection chamber extend transversely with respect to the elongate axis (C) of the battery.

Abstract: A tool for a surface cleaning apparatus, including a floor head including a floor facing surface which defines an inlet for receiving dirt-laden air, which inlet is generally positioned in a first plane P; a passage for carrying dirt-laden air from the floor head to the apparatus; a connecting member for connecting the tool to a surface cleaning apparatus, wherein the floor head and connecting member are pivotally connected about an axis A; and a blocking device for inhibiting pivotal movement of the connecting member about axis A. The blocking device is moveable to a blocking condition in which pivotal movement of the connecting member downwardly outside of a pre-determined use condition is inhibited.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device includes a body, a suction opening, a suction source, and a separation chamber. The body has a handle and a receptacle. The suction source is at least partially located within the body. The suction source is in fluid communication with the suction opening and is operable to draw a fluid mixture of liquid and air through the suction opening. Liquid is separated from the fluid mixture in the separation chamber. The separation chamber is coupled to the body for rotation relative to the receptacle about a rotational axis. The separation chamber includes an inlet in fluid communication with the suction opening, an outlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a drainage outlet in fluid communication with the receptacle.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device including a surface-contacting assembly having a suction opening; a body; a suction source in fluid communication with the suction opening for sucking a fluid mixture of liquid and air from a surface; a rotation assembly mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body, the rotation assembly being rotationally fixed relative to the surface-contacting assembly, a separation chamber in which liquid is separated from the fluid mixture, the separation chamber providing a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction opening, a suction outlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a drainage outlet for connection to a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture; and a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture via the drainage outlet.

Abstract: A hard surface cleaning device including a surface-contacting assembly having a suction opening; a body providing a suction source in fluid communication with the suction opening for sucking a fluid mixture of liquid and air from a hard surface; a rotation assembly mounted on the body for rotation relative to the body, the rotation assembly being rotationally fixed relative to the surface-contacting assembly, a separation chamber in which liquid is separated from the fluid mixture, the separation chamber providing a suction inlet in fluid communication with the suction opening, a suction outlet in fluid communication with the suction source, and a drainage outlet for connection to a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture; and a receptacle for receiving liquid separated from the fluid mixture via the drainage outlet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for initiating a call in a mobile telephone system, comprising the steps of: comparing a current location of a mobile terminal to at least one predetermined location; and, responsive to a location match, initiating a call from the mobile terminal to a predetermined number associated with said at least one predetermined location.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for initiating a call in a mobile telephone system, comprising the steps of: comparing a current location of a mobile terminal to at least one predetermined location; and, responsive to a location match, initiating a call from the mobile terminal to a predetermined number associated with said at least one predetermined location.

Abstract: Modified insulinotropic peptides are disclosed. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming a peptidase stabilized insulinotropic peptide. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components to form a conjugate. The conjugates may be formed in vivo or ex vivo. The modified peptides are administered to treat humans with diabetes and other related diseases.

Abstract: Modified insulinotropic peptides are disclosed. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming a peptidase stabilized insulinotropic peptide. The modified insulinotropic peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components to form a conjugate. The conjugates may be formed in vivo or ex vivo. The modified peptides are administered to treat humans with diabetes and other related diseases.