Abstract: A refuge shelter includes a container. The shelter includes a tent that is disposed in the container in an undeployed state. The tent includes an inflatable support structure which is inflatable from an undeployed state in the container to a deployed state, and a seal which seals the tent to the container in a deployed state. The support structure has a plurality of hoses interconnected by couplers. The hoses have an inside diameter of less than 5 inches. A gas flow apparatus. A refuge shelter for miners in a mine includes a container and a tent that is disposed in the container. The tent has a test support to which a sample of the external environment can be obtained from inside the tent when the tent is deployed. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine.

Abstract: Emitter packages and LEDs displays utilizing the packages are disclosed, with the packages providing advantages such as reducing the cost and interconnect complexity for the packages and displays. One emitter package comprises a casing with a plurality of cavities, each cavity having at least one LED. A lead frame structure is included integral to the casing, with the at least one LED from each of the cavities mounted to the lead frame structure. The package is capable of receiving electrical signals for independently controlling the emission from a first and second of the cavities. One LED display utilizes the LED packages mounted in relation to one another to generate a message or image. The LED packages comprise multiple pixels each having at least one LED, with each package capable of receiving electrical signals for independently controlling the emission of at least a first and second of the pixels.

Abstract: A system for conducting a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control the selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call in response to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television. The system also includes a wireless set in communication with the set-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of the voice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiated by the set-top box.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a content notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives security information at a web portal and the security information has identification information for a user assigned to a set-top box, services a request to create a content notification preference for the set-top box at the web portal in response to successful entry of security information, determines media content received by the set-top box and the media content selected for display, determines the content notification preference associated with the set-top box, the content notification preference has a content notification rule to monitor media content received by the set-top box, and sends a content notification to a recipient based on the content notification preference.

Abstract: The KSV 4in1 Fire Pit can be used in four different ways. It comes standard as a portable fire pit. However, you can also add to the KSV Fire Pit a powder coated steel pan accessory which during the day turns makes it an ice chest and cooler. It's perfect for keeping your wine, beer, soda, water, hors d'oeuvres, etc. . . . cold throughout the day. When it's time to start a fire, the user removes the cooler safety sleeve and slides out the cooler pan, and then slides in the heavier gauge stainless steel fire pan followed by the stainless steel safety sleeve. When you've created enough hot coals in the pan, the user can add the KSV soap stone accessory for sauteing their favorite meat, fish or vegetables or insert the stainless steel grill that fits directly inside and on top of the stainless safety sleeve. Once the coals cool, the user can cover the fire pan with the coffee table top that turns the KSV Pit into a handsome coffee table for breakfast and morning coffee.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing an audio signal are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of delivering an audio signal from a device toward a user's ear includes, for example, transmitting a filtered audio signal from a transducer positioned at a location on the device that is longitudinally spaced apart from an entrance of an auditory canal of the user's ear when the device is worn on the user's head.

Abstract: An outdoor patio accessory that serves a primary fire pit function can be converted into other primary patio accessory functions such as a coffee table, ice cooler, or grill that make use of the present invention's unique and one of a kind railing system or rail-like device.

Abstract: A system for conducting a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control the selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call in response to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television. The system also includes a wireless set in communication with the set-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of the voice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiated by the set-top box.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a content notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives security information at a web portal and the security information has identification information for a user assigned to a set-top box, services a request to create a content notification preference for the set-top box at the web portal in response to successful entry of security information, determines media content received by the set-top box and the media content selected for display, determines the content notification preference associated with the set-top box, the content notification preference has a content notification rule to monitor media content received by the set-top box, and sends a content notification to a recipient based on the content notification preference.

Abstract: A modular sun-shading system comprised of a plurality of latticed shading panels together with supporting rails and orthogonal brackets to provide substantially perpendicular mounting to a building structure outer wall above a window opening, providing a reduced heat load and reduced cooling expenses of a building by shading a building window opening and interior, while having latticed shading panels that allow for snow and rain to pass through and also having reduced wind dynamic drag.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method for providing viewing notifications for a set-top box that includes the steps of: storing usage information associated with a media content received by the set-top box, the usage information containing a length of time that the media content was displayed; determining, using a processor, whether a viewing notification is to be sent to a particular user based on user preferences and the usage information; responsive to a determination that the viewing notification is to be sent to the particular user, retrieving a notification identifier associated with the particular user and sending the viewing notification regarding the usage information; receiving a response to the viewing notification from the particular user, wherein the response includes a partial command that is interpreted based on the viewing notification as a requested command to be performed by the set-top box; and performing, using the processor, the requested command.

Abstract: A system for conducting a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control the selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call in response to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television. The system also includes a wireless set in communication with the set-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of the voice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiated by the set-top box.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a content notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives security information at a web portal and the security information has identification information for a user assigned to a set-top box, services a request to create a content notification preference for the set-top box at the web portal in response to successful entry of security information, determines media content received by the set-top box and the media content selected for display, determines the content notification preference associated with the set-top box, the content notification preference has a content notification rule to monitor media content received by the set-top box, and sends a content notification to a recipient based on the content notification preference.

Abstract: Emitter packages and LEDs displays utilizing the packages are disclosed, with the packages providing advantages such as reducing the cost and interconnect complexity for the packages and displays. One emitter package comprises a casing with a plurality of cavities, each cavity having at least one LED. A lead frame structure is included integral to the casing, with the at least one LED from each of the cavities mounted to the lead frame structure. The package is capable of receiving electrical signals for independently controlling the emission from a first and second of the cavities. One LED display utilizes the LED packages mounted in relation to one another to generate a message or image. The LED packages comprise multiple pixels each having at least one LED, with each package capable of receiving electrical signals for independently controlling the emission of at least a first and second of the pixels.

Abstract: An outdoor patio accessory that serves a primary fire pit function can be converted into other primary patio accessory functions such as a coffee table, ice cooler, or grill that make use of the present invention's unique and one of a kind railing system or rail-like device

Abstract: A refuge shelter includes a container. The shelter includes a tent that is disposed in the container in an undeployed state. The tent includes an inflatable support structure which is inflatable from an undeployed state in the container to a deployed state, and a seal which seals the tent to the container in a deployed state. The support structure has a plurality of hoses interconnected by couplers. The hoses have an inside diameter of less than 5 inches. A gas flow apparatus. A refuge shelter for miners in a mine includes a container and a tent that is disposed in the container. The tent has a test support to which a sample of the external environment can be obtained from inside the tent when the tent is deployed. A method for providing a refuge chamber for miners in a mine.

Abstract: A method for executing an application on a processor, wherein executing the application includes accessing a data file on a local storage. The method includes the steps of: producing an instruction to use a data file on a local storage; sending a request to retrieve the data file; intercepting the request and temporarily suspending it; downloading the data file from a remote storage to the local storage; allowing the request to retrieve the data file to complete; and using the data file.

Abstract: Emitter packages and LEDs displays utilizing the packages are disclosed, with the packages providing advantages such as reducing the cost and interconnect complexity for the packages and displays. One emitter package comprises a casing with a plurality of cavities, each cavity having at least one LED. A lead frame structure is included integral to the casing, with the at least one LED from each of the cavities mounted to the lead frame structure. The package is capable of receiving electrical signals for independently controlling the emission from a first and second of the cavities. One LED display utilizes the LED packages mounted in relation to one another to generate a message or image. The LED packages comprise multiple pixels each having at least one LED, with each package capable of receiving electrical signals for independently controlling the emission of at least a first and second of the pixels.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing an audio signal are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of delivering an audio signal from a device toward a user's ear includes, for example, transmitting a filtered audio signal from a transducer positioned at a location on the device that is longitudinally spaced apart from an entrance of an auditory canal of the user's ear when the device is worn on the user's head.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for selecting a proposed utility rate structure for a residential electric system. In some examples, a method is performed by one or more computers and includes receiving a historic consumption time series of electric consumption measurements of a residential electric system. The method includes executing a photovoltaic simulator to computationally simulate a predicted production time series of electric production values for a photovoltaic solar system of the residential electric system. The method includes selecting, using the historic consumption time series and the predicted production time series, a proposed utility rate structure from utility rate structures for the residential electric system.