Abstract: A torsion spring with adjustable length comprises a coil spring body having a first end and a second end; a first spring end connector being connected with said first end of said spring; and a second spring end connector being connected with said second end of said spring; at least one of the said first spring end connector and said second spring end connector also having a plurality of removable spacers.

Abstract: A pet bed cushion is disclosed, comprising a bottom foam support base and an upper layer featuring a series of zig-zagging Z-shaped air valleys or channels separated by tapering walls with varying thicknesses. The tapering walls offer increasing support as they compress under the pet's weight, creating a three-dimensional sea wave appearance. The design of the zig-zagging Z-shaped air channels, along with the tapering walls, promotes comforting and cooling airflow beneath the pet when resting on the mattress. This innovative structure provides enhanced comfort and support for pets, ensuring a restful and cooling experience.

Abstract: A winding device for adjusting the elastic energy of an overhead door spring system installed on a wall structure, the door having at least a door panel which can be moved up and down constrained within a track. The door also has a counterbalance system with a coil spring having a stationary end and a winding end. The door system also has a central shaft held within the counterbalance system. The winding device has a worm gear with a flange, or collar portion, a worm screw engaged by the worm gear, a box or container or a retainer to hold the worm gear and worm screw together in an engagement status. The worm gear is engaged with the central shaft by at least one fastener. It can also be used to lift said door directly when said spring is broken, or there is no spring at all.

Abstract: A system for measuring velocities and densities of a particle-free flow of molecules is provided. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the system may include a laser configured to form a two-dimensional light sheet for interrogating a flow of molecules at a measurement region with the two-dimensional light sheet. The system may include a first camera coupled with a first filter and a second camera coupled to a second filter. The cameras can be oriented toward the measurement region at a first angle and a second angle, respectively, with respect to a direction of the two-dimensional light sheet. The cameras are configured to capture images of scattered light from the measurement region through the filters. The two-dimensional spatial distribution of density and velocity values of the flow of molecules can be determined based on the images acquired via the first camera and the second camera.

Abstract: A salon rinsing system comprising a salon sink; the sink having a cavity, and a front wall portion having a recessed neck rest portion; the front wall portion also having at least one orifice with passage connected to a water supply.

Abstract: A winding device for adjusting the elastic energy of an overhead door spring system installed on a wall structure, the door having at least a door panel which can be moved up and down constrained within a track. The door also has a counterbalancing system with a coil spring having a stationary end and a winding end. The door system also has a central shaft held within the counterbalancing system. The winding device has a worm gear with a flange, or collar portion, a worm screw engaged by the worm gear, a box or container or a retainer to hold the worm gear and worm screw together in an engagement status. The worm gear is engaged with the central shaft by at least one fastener. It can also be used to lift said door directly when said spring is broken, or there is no spring at all.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a recommendation to alter the menu of a restaurant based on the transaction data associated with multiple merchants are described herein. In an example, a method generates one or more first representations of one or more items in the menu and comparing the one or more first representations with one or more candidate tags corresponding to generic names associated with menu items. Based on the similarity between the one or more first representations and the one or more candidate tags, the method identifies a portion of the one or more candidate tags. The method further determines that a first characteristic associated with the merchant corresponds to a second characteristic associated with multiple merchants and selects the multiple merchants based on the second characteristic. Based on transaction data associated with the multiple merchants, the method further generates a recommendation to alter the menu.

Abstract: Generating a vector space model to analyze menu items for restaurants in order to determine optimized geographic locations for merchants to position restaurants is described herein. In one example, the techniques include converting the menu items into vectors using the vector space model, and using the vectors, grouping or assigning the menu items to cuisine types. Once assigned to cuisine types, one or more servers of a food-ordering service may analyze transaction histories for customers in a particular geographic area to determine how “adventurous” the customers are, or how diverse the customer's orders are amongst cuisine types. If the customers in a particular geographic area are adventurous or diverse consumers, the food-ordering service may recommend that a merchant establish a dine-in restaurant in the geographic area, offer food delivery to the geographic area, and/or include the geographic area in a schedule for a mobile restaurant.

Abstract: Generating a vector space model to analyze menu items for restaurants in order to determine optimized geographic locations for merchants to position restaurants is described herein. In one example, the techniques include converting the menu items into vectors using the vector space model, and using the vectors, grouping or assigning the menu items to cuisine types. Once assigned to cuisine types, one or more servers of a food-ordering service may analyze transaction histories for customers in a particular geographic area to determine how “adventurous” the customers are, or how diverse the customer's orders are amongst cuisine types. If the customers in a particular geographic area are adventurous or diverse consumers, the food-ordering service may recommend that a merchant establish a dine-in restaurant in the geographic area, offer food delivery to the geographic area, and/or include the geographic area in a schedule for a mobile restaurant.

Abstract: A communication device having a controller transmits to a communication system a PKI certificate. Encrypted communications may commence responsive to receiving a public key. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner has a base member. The base member has an axial cavity within. An actuating member is hollow and fits within the axial cavity of the base member. The hollow actuating member telescopically slides within the axial cavity and an initiator fits within the hollow portion of the actuating member. In a critical situation such as a crash, the initiator is triggered and the expanding gasses move the actuating member. The actuating member is connected to seat belt webbing and this movement provides the necessary pretensioning of the seatbelt. In some embodiments, a locking means is used to prevent the belt pretensioner from loosening once triggered. One embodiment is provided for use with a child seat. A transversely mounted belt pretensioner embedment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving reaction information from one or more sensors located at a second location that is representative of a reaction by a second user at the second location to the presentation of the personalized content, analyzing the reaction information to determine a response based at least in part on trait information associated with different first users, selecting a second portion of the recorded segments based on a comparison of the determined response with a context identified for each of received recorded segments, and adjusting personalized content to include the selected second portion of the recorded segments. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A persona determination approach can be utilized to apply digital personas across multiple communications domains. A service gateway can determine whether to transfer a request for communications services to a Persona Determination Mechanism (PDM). The PDM can select a digital persona based on available information and transmit the digital persona to the service gateway. The service gateway can process the communications services based on the selected digital persona or based on the determination not to transfer the request. In some methods, the service gateway can forward the processed request to one or more network elements for further processing. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving reaction information from one or more sensors located at a second location that is representative of a reaction by a second user at the second location to the presentation of the personalized content, analyzing the reaction information to determine a response based at least in part on trait information associated with different first users, selecting a second portion of the recorded segments based on a comparison of the determined response with a context identified for each of received recorded segments, and adjusting personalized content to include the selected second portion of the recorded segments. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A belt pretensioner has a base member. The base member has an axial cavity within. An actuating member is hollow and fits within the axial cavity of the base member. The hollow actuating member telescopically slides within the axial cavity and an initiator fits within the hollow portion of the actuating member. In a critical situation such as a crash, the initiator is triggered and the expanding gasses move the actuating member. The actuating member is connected to seat belt webbing and this movement provides the necessary pretensioning of the seatbelt. In some embodiments, a locking means is used to prevent the belt pretensioner from loosening once triggered. One embodiment is provided for use with a child seat. A transversely mounted belt pretensioner embedment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication device having a controller transmits to a communication system a PKI certificate. Encrypted communications may commence responsive to receiving a public key. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network.

Abstract: The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a communication system a PKI certificate, and engage in encrypted communications responsive to receiving a public key from the communication system. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing cellular access to a mobile device when the device is out of a home network operated by a home wireless service provider. The method includes presenting an option to initiate a process to establish a temporary roaming agreement between the home wireless service provider and a foreign wireless service provider operating a foreign network in a location of the mobile device outside of the home network. The method also includes receiving a selection of the option, accessing a web application associated with a negotiation server in response to the selection, providing subscriber credentials to the negotiation server for use by the negotiation server to negotiate the temporary roaming agreement, and allowing the mobile device to access a foreign network operated by the foreign wireless service provider in accordance with the temporary roaming agreement.