Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and apparatus for receiving a package are disclosed. For example, the method via a processor receives an indication that the package is to be placed into a delivery box, captures an image of the delivery of the package, and sends a confirmation that the package has been placed into the delivery box.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and apparatus for receiving a package are disclosed. For example, the method via a processor receives an indication that the package is to be placed into a delivery box, captures an image of the delivery of the package, and sends a confirmation that the package has been placed into the delivery box.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies provided herein pertain to network based distribution for compute resource and application accessibility. A processor executing instructions can intercept, at a provider edge that communicatively couples with a private network, a domain name system address record query from a domain name system client. A processor can receive, at the provider edge, a border gateway protocol update message, and determine, from a border gateway protocol server, whether information about a domain name system service record exists within the border gateway protocol update message. In response to determining that the border gateway protocol update message includes information about the domain name system service record, a processor can obtain a provider edge proxy application address from the border gateway protocol server, and provide the provider edge proxy application address to the domain name service client in a response to the domain name system address record query.

Abstract: A soap dispensing brush. The soap dispensing brush includes a handle having a first end, a second end, and an interior volume configured to store liquid cleaner therein. A depressible end cap is removably secured to the second end of the handle. A brush head is disposed on the first end of the handle, the brush head comprising a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of bristles thereon. A plurality of apertures are disposed on the first side of the brush. A push rod is disposed within the interior volume and is communication with the end cap and with a valve. The valve is configured to open when the end cap is depressed, and opening of the valve dispenses liquid from the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies provided herein pertain to network based distribution for compute resource and application accessibility. A processor executing instructions can intercept, at a provider edge that communicatively couples with a private network, a domain name system address record query from a domain name system client. A processor can receive, at the provider edge, a border gateway protocol update message, and determine, from a border gateway protocol server, whether information about a domain name system service record exists within the border gateway protocol update message. In response to determining that the border gateway protocol update message includes information about the domain name system service record, a processor can obtain a provider edge proxy application address from the border gateway protocol server, and provide the provider edge proxy application address to the domain name service client in a response to the domain name system address record query.

Abstract: This invention discloses how Virtual Database Technology can be used to make disparate data appear to be (or act as) the sort of uniform data one expects to find within a single relational database. In particular, we show how to process queries similar to those one might use in a database, even though the underlying data may be missing some of the capabilities that are required by normal databases. Whereas traditional databases require that all the tuples in a table be stored, our approach allows queries over tables where the tuples are generated as required from the data sources, and may not be stored anywhere. We show how such facilities can be used as a new foundation for Internet search.

Abstract: A soap dispensing brush. The soap dispensing brush includes a handle having a first end, a second end, and an interior volume configured to store liquid cleaner therein. A depressible end cap is removably secured to the second end of the handle. A brush head is disposed on the first end of the handle, the brush head comprising a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of bristles thereon. A plurality of apertures are disposed on the first side of the brush. A push rod is disposed within the interior volume and is communication with the end cap and with a valve. The valve is configured to open when the end cap is depressed, and opening of the valve dispenses liquid from the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and apparatus for receiving a package are disclosed. For example, the method via a processor receives an indication that the package is to be placed into a delivery box, captures an image of the delivery of the package, and sends a confirmation that the package has been placed into the delivery box.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for controlling disposition of a call comprises detecting an incoming call to a network station; checking for an active instant messaging session for the network station; and if the active instant messaging session exists, sending an instant message to the network station with call disposition choices with regard to the incoming call. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for controlling disposition of a call comprises detecting an incoming call to a network station; checking for an active instant messaging session for the network station; and if the active instant messaging session exists, sending an instant message to the network station with call disposition choices with regard to the incoming call. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A portable system for air separation or air dehydration, or both, is carried on a truck or equivalent vehicle. The air separation system includes, at a minimum, a feed compressor and a gas separation membrane. The air dehydration system includes a feed compressor and an air dehydration membrane. The feed compressor receives power from the engine of the vehicle, only when the vehicle is not moving under its own power. Heat from the vehicle engine may also be used to heat the compressed air stream to prevent the formation of water. The system can also be used to perform air dehydration and air separation simultaneously. The system is substantially self-contained, and can be easily driven from one location to another, simply by driving the vehicle to another location. The invention is especially useful in providing air separation or air dehydration services, or both, for relatively brief periods, at multiple locations.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process includes non-cryogenically generating a relatively inert gas, such as nitrogen, or nitrogen-enriched air, near the site of an oil-bearing formation. The relatively inert gas is injected into the formation, so as to displace oil from the formation. One or more off-gases, also obtained from the formation with the oil, are separated from the oil, compressed, and recycled into the formation. The use of the compressed off-gas therefore reduces the amount of relatively inert gas required, and reduces the required size and energy consumption of the equipment used to produce the inert gas. The invention therefore substantially reduces the cost of an enhanced oil recovery process.

Abstract: An in-situ combustion process heats an oil-bearing formation so as to reduce the viscosity of heavy oil, and/or to extract oil from solid or semi-solid materials in the formation. Oxygen-enriched air for the combustion is generated non-cryogenically at the surface, preferably with a membrane system or a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit. The oxygen-enriched air may be blended with other air to adjust its oxygen content, and is then compressed at the surface, and conveyed into an injection well. The oxygen-enriched air is especially intended for use in a toe-to-heel in-situ combustion process, in which combustion proceeds along a horizontal well. Nitrogen resulting from the production of the oxygen-enriched air may be used to compress the oxygen-enriched air, or for other purposes.

Abstract: A smokable rod for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, possesses a co-axial or concentric construction. A longitudinally extending inner core of tobacco cut filler is positioned within a smokable rod. The outer material that circumscribes the inner core in an annular fashion is composed of a tobacco material treated with an optional burn suppressing agent, and the outer material acts as a substrate for an aerosol forming material. A preferred aerosol forming material is glycerin. An outer paper wrapper circumscribes the length of the smokable rod, and another paper wrapping material also can circumscribe the inner core material. In use, one end of the smokable rod is lit. When the opposite end of the smokable rod is drawn upon, an aerosol composed of tobacco smoke, thermal decomposition products of tobacco, and volatilized aerosol forming material, is provided.

Abstract: A shower drain tool includes a blade for engagement with the ribs on the internal surface of a shower drain. The tool also includes a stabilizer plate connected to the blade to seat the tool on the drain and prevent the tool from falling through the drain into the drain pipe. The tool further includes one of various tool adapters. The tool adapter can be a nut to be spanned by an adjustable or open-end wrench, or a hole into which a socket wrench drive or the tip of a breaker bar or T bar can be inserted, to rotate the tool. The tool adapter can also be a pipe wrench extension so that a pipe wrench can be used to rotate the tool. Alternatively, the tool can include a device, such as a T bar, integral with the stabilizer plate to rotate the tool.

Abstract: This invention provides tobacco expansion processes and apparatus that can be employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates employing high pressure tobacco impregnation conditions. The processes and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful in tobacco expansion processes employing cycle times of less than 20-30 seconds; the use of preheated, prepressurized expansion agent such as propane; preheating of tobacco batches; and/or compression of tobacco within a high pressure impregnation zone for greatly improving use of available space in a high pressure impregnation vessel.

Abstract: This invention provides tobacco expansion processes and apparatus that can be employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates employing high pressure tobacco impregnation conditions. The processes and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful in tobacco expansion processes employing cycle times of less than 20-30 seconds; the use of preheated, prepressurized expansion agent such as propane; preheating of tobacco batches; and/or compression of tobacco within a high pressure impregnation zone for greatly improving use of available space in a high pressure impregnation vessel.

Abstract: This invention provides tobacco expansion processes and apparatus that can be employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates employing high pressure tobacco impregnation conditions. The processes and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful in tobacco expansion processes employing cycle times of less than 20-30 seconds; the use of preheated, prepressurized expansion agent such as propane; preheating of tobacco batches; and/or compression of tobacco within a high pressure impregnation zone for greatly improving use of available space in a high pressure impregnation vessel.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is subjected to extraction conditions using tap water as a solvent using a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus. The extracted tobacco material which is collected undergoes no significant physical degradation while having a high level of water extractables removed therefrom. Aqueous tobacco extracts having relatively high levels of tobacco extractables also can be provided. Extracted tobacco material also can be re-equilibrated with a tobacco extract by contacting the extracted tobacco material and an aqueous tobacco extract in a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus.