Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes: a main body having a main body volume configured to receive a bulk product; a dispensing chute positioned below and connected to the main body; and a flow wing positioned above the dispensing chute in the main body volume. The dispensing chute is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. Additionally, the dispensing chute is configured to transfer the bulk product out of the dispensing apparatus when in the open position. Further, the flow wing is configured to reduce a force of the bulk product within the main body volume on the dispensing chute when the dispensing chute is in the closed position.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. The dispensing apparatus includes a main body configured to receive a bulk product into a main body volume via an open top. The dispensing apparatus further includes a drop valve positioned below and connected to the main body at a pivot point, wherein the drop valve is configured to move about the pivot point between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the dispensing apparatus includes a securing force configured to secure the bulk product from exiting the dispensing apparatus. In the open position, the drop valve is configured to provide an opening for the bulk product to exit the dispensing apparatus via gravity. The drop valve is configured to move about the pivot point between the closed position and the open position via a dispensing force applied to the drop valve that is greater than the securing force.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. The dispensing apparatus includes a main body configured to receive a bulk product into a main body volume via an open top. The dispensing apparatus further includes a drop valve positioned below and connected to the main body at a pivot point, wherein the drop valve is configured to move about the pivot point between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the dispensing apparatus includes a securing force configured to secure the bulk product from exiting the dispensing apparatus. In the open position, the drop valve is configured to provide an opening for the bulk product to exit the dispensing apparatus via gravity. The drop valve is configured to move about the pivot point between the closed position and the open position via a dispensing force applied to the drop valve that is greater than the securing force.

Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly or smartcase having interchangeable accessory cap portions, and a method for using the same to monitor environmental conditions around the tablet computer and smartcase. The smartcase provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The smartcase has a tablet carrier connected to selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing connected to the tablet carrier. The exterior housing/cap contains at least one battery, a memory, sensor(s) and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes accessory cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The data collected by the sensor(s) is utilized to monitor conditions associated with the smartcase such that preemptive or corrective action regarding the smartcase and/or tablet computer may be implemented. The smartcase can also include one or more programmable LED buttons and/or indicators.

Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly or smartcase having interchangeable accessory cap portions, and a method for using the same to monitor environmental conditions around the tablet computer and smartcase. The smartcase provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The smartcase has a tablet carrier connected to selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing connected to the tablet carrier. The exterior housing/cap contains at least one battery, a memory, sensor(s) and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes accessory cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The data collected by the sensor(s) is utilized to monitor conditions associated with the smartcase such that preemptive or corrective action regarding the smartcase and/or tablet computer may be implemented. The smartcase can also include one or more programmable LED buttons and/or indicators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality of storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded. The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality f storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded, The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality of storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded. The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.

Abstract: A signal variance sensing power controller is described. The power controller functions by measuring the power consumption of a first device, and detecting fluctuations in the power consumption. The power controller then determines a level of variability, based on measured changes in the first device. Based on the level of variability, the power controller then determines a state of the first device, and influences a second device based on that state.

Abstract: A methodology for dynamic (i.e., run-time) uploading and execution of applications and drivers between devices (e.g., between “client” device and one or more (host) devices), in a fully automated manner, is described. The device which is to be hosted (e.g., the “client” device) initially probes its environment to determine which device or devices it is attached to (e.g., the “host” device(s)). Once it has correctly discerned the relevant host or target device(s), the client device includes the capability of immediately sending out (i.e., uploading) a particular driver or application (i.e., object or file of interest) for placement, and ultimately execution, at the host device. Once the particular object or file of interest has been “injected” into the host device and is executing, the client device may simply revert to a “listening mode” in which it waits to be told what to do (i.e., receive commands from the application or driver which is now executing at the host device).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality of storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded. The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a user inbox on an multi-media service center (MMSC), the user inbox using a central repository for storing multimedia content on the MMSC.

Abstract: A signal variance sensing power controller is described. The power controller functions by measuring the power consumption of a first device, and detecting fluctuations in the power consumption. The power controller then determines a level of variability, based on measured changes in the first device. Based on the level of variability, the power controller then determines a state of the first device, and influences a second device based on that state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer-implemented adaptive automation module comprising an event recorder to store one or more events for a predetermined period, and a timeline pattern generator logic to create a timeline for the predetermined period. The module further comprising marker creator logic to generate a marker to abstract the timeline data from the event data for controlling a device.

Abstract: An in-camera two-stage compression implementation is described that reduces the latency between snapshots to a fraction of that otherwise required by other systems that either process complete compression following each snapshot or that incorporate heavy, bulky, and expensive RAM hardware capable of maintaining several raw luminosity records (unprocessed file containing a digital image). In the 1st stage compression the raw luminosity record is quickly, yet partially, compressed to available RAM buffer space to allow a user to expeditiously capture a succeeding image. When the higher-priority processes, the user shooting pictures, and stage one compression subside, a 2nd stage compression, which is slower but more effective, decompresses the earlier partially-compressed images, and re-compresses them for saving in flash memory until they are distributed to a remote platform to be finally converted to the JPEG2000 format.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a send-to framework is described. The method enables a round-trip mechanism between a stateless device and a third party service provider. In one embodiment, the method includes interposing a central server between the stateless device and the third party service provider, which maintains a state for the stateless device, and in one embodiment communicates the state to the third party service provide and/or the stateless device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality of storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded. The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for of storing data comprising monitoring a plurality of storage units within a mass storage area and detecting when a storage unit within the mass storage area is overloaded. The method further comprising randomly distributing the data on the overloaded storage unit to the other storage units within the mass storage area.

Abstract: System and methodology are described that allow a new user of a user-operated device (e.g., wireless digital camera, cellular phone, video camera, audio device, or the like) to immediately begin using the features and services of the device without having to first activate a new user account. Thus in the instance where the user-operated device is a newly-acquired wireless digital camera, for example, the user can immediately begin taking and uploading his or her pictures to a photo Web site prior to having to open a user account, or having to perform other cumbersome activation steps. In such a wireless digital camera embodiment, the photo Web site and vendors of either cellular-enabled digital cameras or camera-enabled cellular phones provide user Web accounts based upon the unique ID or phone number belonging to one of these two devices. The user need only bother to “open” his or her account, that is, establish a user name and password, at some subsequent point in time that is convenient for the user (e.g.

Abstract: A media spooler system is described that provides a methodology for efficient transmission of media content from client devices, such transmission of digital images from wireless digital cameras. The media spooler or gateway addresses wireless transmission problems by acting as a protocol gateway between a thin-client device and a target host or server (supported by a server infrastructure). More particularly, the media spooler of the present invention acts as a protocol gateway between thin-client devices (e.g., “mobile visual communicator” in the form of a wireless digital camera) and server infrastructure (e.g., server-based computer systems or “Web servers” of a photographic service provider). This task entails accepting multiple, simultaneous connections from various client devices (e.g., wireless digital cameras), extracting information from those devices (e.g., digital photographs or other media content), and then uploading that information to the target server infrastructure.