Abstract: In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method includes detecting a plurality of context providing devices accessible to a vehicle computing system. The illustrative method further includes evaluating context relevant information from each of the detected devices to compile a display. The illustrative method also includes outputting a compiled display to a vehicle display, including at least one portion of the display initially dedicated to vehicle-based service content and at least one portion of the display dedicated to content from a context providing device.

Abstract: A medical device, system and method tor an open surgical procedure configured to couple, for example, open ends of anatomical structures. The system includes an expandable tubular structure and inflatable balloon positioned within the tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a lateral opening defined in a wall of the tubular structure through which the balloon is inflated to radially expand the tubular structure, after which the balloon is deflated, and then removed from the tubular structure to, thereby, provide a fluid flow path through the tubular structure.

Abstract: A method for allowing a user to select a contractor is provided. The method includes providing a contractor database, the database allowing the contractor to input contractor information; displaying a list of tasks that the contractor offers to perform and a billable rate at which the contractor offers to perform each task on the list; allowing the user to input a list of desired tasks to be performed and available dates for the contractor to perform each desired task; generating a list of contractors available to perform the desired tasks within the available dates; and allowing the user to select a contractor from the list of contractors. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method includes detecting a plurality of context providing devices accessible to a vehicle computing system. The illustrative method further includes evaluating context relevant information from each of the detected devices to compile a display. The illustrative method also includes outputting a compiled display to a vehicle display, including at least one portion of the display initially dedicated to vehicle-based service content and at least one portion of the display dedicated to content from a context providing device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a vehicle user may prepare for a health care facility visit. Information identifying one or more health facilities may be received at a vehicle computer. Based on the health facility identifying information, data representing one or more electronic patient information records for the health facility may be received. The electronic patient information record(s) may be prepared based on vehicle user health information received at a vehicle computer. The electronic patient information record(s) may be stored and/or transmitted in response to vehicle-based event(s).

Abstract: A method of handling a data stream during a handover in a communications network comprising a first user agent having a fixed address, a proxy server and a second user agent, said method comprising the steps of: mapping at the proxy server the fixed address with a dynamic network address allocated to the first user agent; sending a request by the first user agent to the second user agent for a data stream; generating by the second user agent in response to the request a plurality of messages each comprising part of the data stream requested and the fixed address of the first user agent, wherein the message is a session initiation protocol message, and sending the messages to the proxy server; receiving the messages at the proxy server and determining the mapped dynamic network address corresponding to the fixed address in the message, and forwarding the messages to the determined dynamic network address; and when the first user agent is allocated a new dynamic network address, replacing by the proxy server th

Abstract: A method for guarding against telephony-based fraud that includes, at a telephony device, identifying a caller ID of an incoming call or a dialled number of an outgoing call attempt or a number to be dialled. The identified caller ID or dialled number or number to be dialled is then compared against a blacklist of telephone numbers. In the event that a match is found, a warning is presented to a user of the device and/or the call or call attempt is terminated.

Abstract: A method of handling a data stream during a handover in a communications network comprising a first user agent having a fixed address, a proxy server and a second user agent, said method comprising the steps of: mapping at the proxy server the fixed address with a dynamic network address allocated to the first user agent; sending a request by the first user agent to the second user agent for a data stream; generating by the second user agent in response to the request a plurality of messages each comprising part of the data stream requested and the fixed address of the first user agent, wherein the message is a session initiation protocol message, and sending the messages to the proxy server; receiving the messages at the proxy server and determining the mapped dynamic network address corresponding to the fixed address in the message, and forwarding the messages to the determined dynamic network address; and when the first user agent is allocated a new dynamic network address, replacing by the proxy server th

Abstract: A method of acquiring network information from a network is disclosed. The network comprises an end terminal and a target terminal and installed on the end terminal is (a) a plurality of applications; and (b) mediation means arranged in operation to mediate between the plurality of applications and the target terminal. The method comprises: (i) receiving at the mediation means a query from one of the plurality of applications, the query requesting network information from a target terminal; (ii) operating the mediation means to: check if there is an existing connection to the target terminal; in the absence of an existing connection, establish a new connection between the mediation means and the target terminal; and acquire the requested network information over the new connection.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a freezer compartment having an access opening and a closure member for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces and an ice storage bin is removably mounted to the closure member below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker. The ice storage bin has an upper portion which is transparent and has a bottom opening. An ice discharge chute extends through the closure member below the bottom opening of the ice storage bin. A motor is mounted on the closure member. An auger is vertically disposed within the ice storage bin and is drivingly connected to the motor. Upon energization of the motor, the auger moves ice pieces from the ice storage bin through the bottom opening to the ice discharge chute for dispensing ice pieces from the ice storage bin.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a middle fresh food compartment and a relatively large bottom freezer compartment arranged below the fresh food compartment and a relatively small freezer compartment arranged above the fresh food compartment. The bottom freezer compartment preferably supports a drawer including a frame and a removable bin. Cool air can be supplied to the compartments of the refrigerator by employing a two fan control system such that no electromechanical baffles are required. Alternatively, cool air can be directed to the compartments of the refrigerator by use of a baffle which requires only a single electromechanical device to control air flow into three different compartments. The baffle includes a main rotary damper which can be positioned to provide proportional amounts of chilled air to the three separate compartments based on the degree of cooling required.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a middle fresh food compartment and a relatively large bottom freezer compartment arranged below the fresh food compartment and a relatively small freezer compartment arranged above the fresh food compartment. The bottom freezer compartment preferably supports a drawer including a frame and a removable bin. Cool air can be supplied to the compartments of the refrigerator by employing a two fan control system such that no electro-mechanical baffles are required. Alternatively, cool air can be directed to the compartments of the refrigerator by use of a baffle which requires only a single electro-mechanical device to control air flow into three different compartments. The baffle includes a main rotary damper which can be positioned to provide proportional amounts of chilled air to the three separate compartments based on the degree of cooling required.

Abstract: A wash system is provided having a rotatable wash basket for receiving fabric items disposed within an imperforate wash tub. A quantity of wash liquid is initially applied to the fabric items while the fabric items are tumbled within the wash basket until the fabric items are saturated with wash liquid and have had a chance to roll-up. The washing liquid is then extracted from the fabric items and the extracted wash liquid is stored for later use in a holding tank. A portion of the stored wash liquid is reintroduced from the holding tank to a mixing tank and mixed with detergent to form a wash liquor having a detergent concentration within a predetermined range. This wash liquor is then continuously passed through the fabric items while the wash basket rotates at a speed to maintain the fabric items against a peripheral wall of the wash basket.

Abstract: A vertical axis washer is provided with a rotatable wash basket that has one or more inwardly directed baffles, but no central agitator structure. Surfaces are provided in association with the baffles, which may be in the form of ramps on the bottom wall of the basket, to cause the fabric load within the washer to move up the side of the basket wall and to slide along the baffles in a swirling motion as the basket is accelerated and decelerated during the washing cycle, which causes the fabric to be flexed and rearranged in the basket. This washer construction is particularly suited to be used in conjunction with a concentrated detergent solution wash cycle.

Abstract: In an automatic washer including a perforate wash basket, valves are provided which restrict the fluid flow through the perforations during portions of the wash cycle when the basket is stationary or slowly rotating or oscillating, but permit extraction and fluid flow therethrough during higher spin speeds. These valves may take the form of individual elastomeric sheet-like components which are attached around the basket, or they may be grouped into functional units occupying larger areas, such as bands or sheets of elastomeric material. The valve openings are formed as slits or cuts in the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A reciprocating laundry basket for an automatic washer is provided in which the basket has a peripheral wall, a bottom wall contiguous with the peripheral wall, a post mounted within the basket for rotation with the basket, a spray device mounted on the post for spraying wash liquid into the interior of the wash basket and spray inlets and vertical fins positioned adjacent the peripheral wall for enhancing agitation of the fabric load.

Abstract: A centrally mounted spray inlet is provided for an automatic washer laundry basket in which the basket has a vertical axis rigid post mounted therein to rotate with the basket and a spray inlet is carried on a post to rotate relative to the post about an axis of rotation. A liquid conduit extends along the post for carrying wash liquid to the spray inlet. The post and spray inlet may be concentrically mounted about an axis of rotation of the wash basket with the spray inlet mounted at the top of the post. The spray inlet provides a fan of spray in a vertical orientation so that the entire height of the wash basket will be sprayed by the spray inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for laundering a textile wash load that includes an imperforate wash tub having a sump at its lower end. A perforate wash basket that is adapted to receive a load of textile materials to be laundered is disposed concentrically within the wash tub. The wash basket includes an inner surface upon which are disposed a plurality of agitator vanes. A fluid conducting tower is disposed along the central longitudinal axis of the wash basket. The tower includes a nozzle assembly that is adapted to spray liquid onto the wash load. The tower also includes a mixing tank that receives wash additive.

Abstract: A method of washing fabric in a washer having a wash chamber rotatable about a vertical axis and charged with a detergent solution is provided. The wash chamber is rotated about its vertical axis a number of revolutions sufficient to cause the fabric and detergent solution within the wash chamber to rotate at a speed approximately the same as the wash chamber. The wash chamber is periodically decelerated to cause the fabric and detergent solution to move relative to the wash chamber due to rotational inertia of the fabric and detergent solution. The fabric is caused to tumble within the wash chamber by impinging the fabric on structures in the wash chamber as the fabric is moving relative to the wash chamber. The steps of rotating, decelerating, and tumbling are repeated for a predetermined first period of time. A recirculating spray of concentrated detergent solution is directed on to the fabric during the first period of time as the fabric is rotating with and tumbling in the wash chamber.

Abstract: A valve is provided for use in an automatic washer which is positioned in a liquid conduit for directing a flow of wash liquid to a first spray jet during a first predetermined condition of the washer and for directing a flow of wash liquid to a second spray jet during a second predetermined condition of the washer. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the valve is a centrifugal valve and the predetermined conditions of the washer are the rotational speeds of the basket. When the basket rotates at a relatively slow speed, such as during agitation, liquid is directed to a spray jet which enhances agitation. When the wash basket is rotated at a high speed, such as during spin, the wash liquid is directed to a spray jet which enhances the rinsing of the wash load.