Abstract: A method for transferring adverse event information from a plurality of remote hydrants to a municipal monitoring server comprises detecting an adverse event in a hydrant that relates to an adverse hydrant condition; transferring data representative of the adverse condition to a host server by routing the data along a predefined hopping path; and transferring the data from the host monitor to the municipal monitoring server. A system for detecting adverse events at a hydrant and event information to a municipal monitoring sever is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for developing an avatar personalized from a user's own DNA, where the avatar can borrow or include additional traits from other avatars. The avatar may be used in a variety of platforms, including games, profiles, etc. An avatar may be created from the DNA of others, such as a celebrity avatar. Examples of traits derived from a helix profile include, but are not limited to: Strength, Speed, Health, and Activity.

Abstract: A tank level monitoring system with wireless transmission capability. The monitoring system includes a wireless tank monitor for level sensing and connected to one or more float level switches. The system regularly measures the level of fluid in a tank, but may change the measurement rate based upon the float switch. This system actively monitors conditions of a tank and alerts a user when conditions exceed a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A customer's server datagram request and/or customer field unit's datagram is wrapped with a header and footer that contains a defined hopping path with direction control. An IP Host stores predefined hopping paths to all of the customer's field units, and looks at the address of the customer's request packet to determine the correct hopping path. A communication device receives the customer's field unit's datagrams and adds a defined hopping path to send the datagram to the IP Host which removes the hopping path and sends the datagram to the customer server.

Abstract: A patient with amblyopia is treated using a pair of shutter glasses (100). The shutter glasses (100) have first (104b) and second (106b) shutters and respective first (104c) and second (106c) variable focus lenses corresponding respectively to a lazy eye and a preferred eye of the patient. A power of at least one of the first (104c) or second (106c) variable focus lenses is adjusted. An opacity of the first shutter (104b) is controlled according to a first scheme. An opacity of the second shutter (106c) is controlled according to a second scheme. The first and second schemes are adhered to while the shutter glasses (100) are worn by the patient during a treatment period. The use of variable focus lenses together with shutters provides for a greater flexibility and improved procedures including correction of the refractive error in one or both eyes and/or using sub-optimal refractive powers as part of the treatment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to using an object detected at long range to increase the accuracy of a location and heading estimate based on near range information. For example, an autonomous vehicle may use data points collected from a sensor such as a laser to generate an environmental map of environmental features. The environmental map is then compared to pre-stored map data to determine the vehicle's geographic location and heading. A second sensor, such as a laser or camera, having a longer range than the first sensor may detect an object outside of the range and field of view of the first sensor. For example, the object may have retroreflective properties which make it identifiable in a camera image or from laser data points. The location of the object is then compared to the pre-stored map data and used to refine the vehicle's estimated location and heading.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an indication that a decision has been requested, selected, or applied with respect to one or more users may be obtained. After the indication that a decision that has been requested, selected, or applied is obtained, a value function may be updated, where the value function approximates an expected reward associated with the one or more users over time since the decision has been requested, selected, or applied with respect to the one or more users. The value function may be updated by performing or providing one or more updates to the value function, where a time at which each of the one or more updates is performed or provided is independent of activity of the one or more users.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or presenting a clinically isolated syndrome comprising administering to the subject laquinimod as an add-on therapy to or in combination with flupirtine. This invention also provides a package and a pharmaceutical composition comprising laquinimod and flupirtine for treating a subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or presenting a clinically isolated syndrome. This invention also provides laquinimod for use as an add-on therapy or in combination with flupirtine in treating a subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or presenting a clinically isolated syndrome. This invention further provides use of laquinimod and flupirtine in the preparation of a combination for treating a subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or presenting a clinically isolated syndrome.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an indication of a Decision Request or an Update Request may be received, where the Update Request is activated independent of user activity. A user state pertaining to at least one user may be received, obtained, accessed or constructed. For the Decision Request, one or more actions may be scored according to one or more value functions associated with a computing device, a policy associated with the computing device may be applied to identify one of the scored actions as a decision, and an indication of the decision may be provided or applied. For the Update Request, the one or more value functions and/or the policy may be updated. An indication of updates to the one or more value functions and/or an indication of updates to the policy may be provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an indication that a decision has been requested, selected, or applied with respect to one or more users may be obtained. After the indication that a decision that has been requested, selected, or applied is obtained, a value function may be updated, where the value function approximates an expected reward associated with the one or more users over time since the decision has been requested, selected, or applied with respect to the one or more users. The value function may be updated by performing or providing one or more updates to the value function, where a time at which each of the one or more updates is performed or provided is independent of activity of the one or more users.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an indication of a Decision Request or an Update Request may be received, where the Update Request is activated independent of user activity. A user state pertaining to at least one user may be received, obtained, accessed or constructed. For the Decision Request, one or more actions may be scored according to one or more value functions associated with a computing device, a policy associated with the computing device may be applied to identify one of the scored actions as a decision, and an indication of the decision may be provided or applied. For the Update Request, the one or more value functions and/or the policy may be updated. An indication of updates to the one or more value functions and/or an indication of updates to the policy may be provided.

Abstract: Optical apparatus comprises at least one variable power lens 1 formed by a fluid-filled cavity 2 defined between two transparent walls 3, 4, at least one of which is provided by a flexible membrane 4. The apparatus further comprises a first pump 10 in fluid communication with the cavity 2 for varying the volume of fluid in the cavity 2 in order to change the optical power of the lens 1. A second pump 20 is provided in fluid communication with the cavity 2 for varying the volume of fluid in the cavity 2 in order to change the optical power of the lens 1. The second pump 20 is in fluid communication with the cavity 2 via a detachable connection 7, so that the second pump 20 can be removed from the apparatus after adjustment of the optical power of the lens 1.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of moulding a vision correction lens from a transparent resin. The resin is introduced into a mould cavity, the sides of which cavity which correspond to the front and rear surfaces of the lens being formed by two sheets, at least one of which is flexible. The amount of resin in the cavity is adjusted to deform the flexible sheet(s) so that the shape of the lens defined by the sheet(s) will provide a desired power, and the resin is then cured. The sheets can be transparent, and a user can look through them as the amount of resin is adjusted, to ensure that the lens is of the desired power. Further, the amount of resin in the cavity can be adjusted to accommodate changes in the refractive index of the resin as it cures.

Abstract: A wicker repair tool lands on a casing hanger within a wellhead. The wicker repair tool engages cutters with the inner diameter of the wellhead and rotates to reform wickers in the wellhead. The wicker repair tool includes a tubular member having an upper end that couples to a tubing string. A tubular tool head is formed on a lower end of the tubular member. At least one cutter is coupled to the tool head and is radially moveable between an engaged and a disengaged position. The cutters are adapted to engage an inner diameter surface of a wellhead so that rotation of the tool head relative to the wellhead will reform the wickers.

Abstract: A variable focus lens includes a ring with a front surface and a rear surface. A flexible membrane is held between the front surface of the ring and a generally rigid transparent front cover, and a rear cover is attached to the rear surface of the ring, optionally with a second flexible membrane sandwiched between the rear cover and the ring. A cavity is formed between the flexible membrane and the rear cover or the second flexible membrane is filled with a liquid, and the amount of fluid in the cavity can be varied to vary the curvature of the flexible membrane and so vary the optical characteristics of the lens. The ring of the lens may be coloured, and may be transparent, translucent or opaque. Alternatively, a decorative cover may be attached to the front of the ring to give the appearance of a frame. The lenses may be used in variable focus spectacles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable focus lens (10), comprising a rigid ring (22), a flexible membrane (20) attached to the front surface of the ring, a rigid transparent front cover (40), attached to the flexible membrane (50), and a rigid rear cover (20) on the rear surface of the ring (22). A cavity (60) is formed between the flexible membrane (50) and the rear cover (20), and the cavity is filled with a liquid. The amount of liquid in the cavity can be varied to vary the curvature of the flexible membrane and so vary the optical characteristics of the lens. The rear cover can be integral with the ring, or formed separately. Further, a second flexible membrane can be positioned between the rear cover and the ring. The various parts of the lens can be held together by adhesive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of moulding a vision correction lens from a transparent resin. The resin is introduced into a mould cavity, the sides of which cavity which correspond to the front and rear surfaces of the lens being formed by two sheets, at least one of which is flexible. The amount of resin in the cavity is adjusted to deform the flexible sheet(s) so that the shape of the lens defined by the sheet(s) will provide a desired power, and the resin is then cured. The sheets can be transparent, and a user can look through them as the amount of resin is adjusted, to ensure that the lens is of the desired power. Further, the amount of resin in the cavity can be adjusted to accommodate changes in the refractive index of the resin as it cures.

Abstract: Variable focus optical devices, in particular lenses, can include a cavity at least partially defined by a flexible member (2), which may be retained between engaging portions of a frame member (8) and a ring member (12), such that a peripheral region of the membrane is caused to change direction, more than twice. The engaging portions of the ring and frame may be high-friction surfaces. In addition, methods of filling a cavity of a lens with transparent fluid, methods of adjusting the pressure of fluid in the cavity, and methods of sealing such a cavity are described, as well the use of such lenses in adjustable spectacles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable focus lens (10), comprising a rigid ring (22), a flexible membrane (20) attached to the front surface of the ring, a rigid transparent front cover (40), attached to the flexible membrane (50), and a rigid rear cover (20) on the rear surface of the ring (22). A cavity (60) is formed between the flexible membrane (50) and the rear cover (20), and the cavity is filled with a liquid. The amount of liquid in the cavity can be varied to vary the curvature of the flexible membrane and so vary the optical characteristics of the lens. The rear cover can be integral with the ring, or formed separately. Further, a second flexible membrane can be positioned between the rear cover and the ring. The various parts of the lens can be held together by adhesive.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for validating ownership of a domain name. According to one embodiment, a validating ownership of a domain name can comprise retrieving one or more domain name ownership records. For example, the one or more domain name ownership records comprise Who Is records. Validity of the one or more domain name records can be confirmed with a designated domain manager. According to one embodiment, confirming validity of the one or more domain name records with the designated domain manager can comprise authenticating the designated domain manager based on a certificate provided by the designated domain manager.