Abstract: A method for transporting a parcel comprises a marine unmanned vehicle (MUMV) receiving a waterproof tote, coupling the tote to a tether, and towing the tether and the tote, with the tether floating on the transport waterway and the tote immersed in the the transport waterway, to a delivery location. The method can include an MUMV receiving the tote from, and/or delivering the tote to, an aerial vehicle. An unmanned water transport system (UWTS) comprises an MUMV, a floating tether, and a waterproof tote containing a parcel for transport on a transport waterway. The MUMV and tether are configured to tow the tether, with the tether floating on the transport waterway, and the tote coupled to the tether and immersed in the water of the transport waterway, to transport the tote from a source location to a delivery location on the transport waterway. The UWTS can perform the method.

Abstract: A method comprises a computer-implemented virtual reality (VR) system connecting VR devices in a collaborative VR session. The VR devices are associated with participants in a collaborative activity to perform an ordered procedure directed to a real-world assembly. The VR system receives session inputs from VR devices associated with the participants. The session inputs correspond to actions of the participants to modify a virtual object included in a VR expression of the VR session. The virtual object corresponds to the real-world assembly. In response to the session inputs, the VR system performs a transaction directed to the virtual object, which produces modifications of the real-world assembly corresponding to the modifications of the virtual object. A collaborative VR system can comprise a VR server and VR devices configured to perform the method. A computer program product can instruct processors of a VR system to perform the method.

Abstract: A method for transporting parcels in an aerial and roadway restricted area comprises an unmanned water transport train (UWTT) utilizing marine unmanned vehicles (MUMVs) receiving and transporting a waterproof tote on a transport waterway. The method can also include a UWTT receiving a waterproof tote from, and/or delivering a waterproof tote to, an aerial unmanned vehicle (AUMV). The method can include adding one or more MUMVs to the UWTT, and/or replacing a failing MUMV with one or more substitute MUMVs. An unmanned water transport system (UWTS) comprises a UWTT that includes MUMVs and waterproof totes. The UWTT is configured to transport the totes on a transport waterway. An MUMV can include a tether and a tote can attach to the tether. The UWTS can include a control center and/or AUMVs, and the UWTT can receive a tote from, or deliver a tote to, an AUMV, and/or receive additional MUMV(s).

Abstract: In a method for performing a collaborative activity, a processor connects Virtual Reality (VR) devices in a collaborative VR session. The processor presents a VR expression to a VR device. The VR expression represents a real-world object associated with the collaborative activity. The method includes receiving an input from a VR device, associated with a real-world object in the VR expression, and, in response, performing a transaction associated with the real-world object. A collaborative VR system comprises a VR server and VR devices configured to perform aspects of the method. The collaborative VR system can include a collaborative VR database. A computer program product can instruct one or more processors to perform aspects of the method.

Abstract: A method, programmed medium and system are disclosed which provide increased secure tracking of materials and products through the use of a unique coding scheme. The coding scheme contains a unique security code identifier issued by a sole certification agency, and includes a non-coded scheme for public information, and a coded scheme for private information regarding the sourcing and development of materials and products. The disclosure provides for full tracking of a product throughout the supply chain by only certified participants. The disclosed system allows for increased secure tracking of materials and products, and allows for access to greater amounts of information at various stages of manufacture and/or assembly regarding a given material or product.

Abstract: Tracking all accessing of individual files in a database that do not change a files content, and generating and storing for an accessed file, metadata defining the accessing. Thus, the stored metadata for metadata describing the accessing of the files in said database covers all accessing of files irrespective of whether files have been modified.

Abstract: An opposing airbag contacts the primary inflating airbag to counter or modulate the thrust or force of the primary airbag, wherein the force of the primary airbag may be reduced dependent upon the size of the seated person of unusual size.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to coolant flow control apparatus, in association with a liquid flow through heat exchanger situated to cool one or more electronic or other device. The apparatus comprises a first input channel for carrying liquid coolant to a first input of the heat exchanger, and further comprises a flow control device positioned along a flow path that includes the first input channel. The flow control device is provided with a gating element supported for selected movement across the flow path, in order to selectively vary the amount of coolant moving through the flow path. The apparatus further include an actuator located in the flow control device that comprises a metal component which is directly tied to the gating element, wherein the metal component changes its shape in response to specified changes in coolant temperature, and a given change in the shape of the metal component acts to selectively move the gating element with respect to the flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering telephone calls includes a fee module, an exemption list module, a call module, a matching module, and a fee waiver module. The fee module charges a fee to a caller for an incoming call made by the caller to a user. The fee is specific to the incoming call. The exemption list module maintains an exemption list, which includes callers exempt from the fee, and their information. This information identifies an exempted caller when the call module receives an incoming call. The matching module determines if information associated with the incoming call matches an exempt caller's information on the exemption list. The fee waiver module exempts the incoming call from the fee when the matching module determines that the caller's information matches the information on the exemption list. The fee module charges the fee for incoming calls not exempted from the fee.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering telephone calls includes a fee module, an exemption list module, a call module, a matching module, and a fee waiver module. The fee module charges a fee to a caller for an incoming call made by the caller to a user. The fee is specific to the incoming call. The exemption list module maintains an exemption list, which includes callers exempt from the fee, and their information. This information identifies an exempted caller when the call module receives an incoming call. The matching module determines if information associated with the incoming call matches an exempt caller's information on the exemption list. The fee waiver module exempts the incoming call from the fee when the matching module determines that the caller's information matches the information on the exemption list. The fee module charges the fee for incoming calls not exempted from the fee.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to an IC mounting assembly that comprises an IC device having a first planar surface, wherein multiple electrically conductive first terminals are located at the first surface. The assembly further comprises an IC device mounting platform having a second planar surface in closely spaced relationship with the first surface, wherein multiple electrically conductive second terminals are located at the second surface, each second terminal corresponding to one of the first terminals. A solder element extends between each first terminal and its corresponding second terminal, and a constraining element is fixably joined to the second surface, wherein the constraining element has a CTE which is selectively less than the CTE of the mounting platform at the second surface. The constraining element is provided with a number of holes or apertures, and each hole is traversed by a solder element that extends between a first terminal and its corresponding second terminal.

Abstract: A method, programmed medium and system are disclosed which provide increased secure tracking of materials and products through the use of a unique coding scheme. The coding scheme contains a unique security code identifier issued by a sole certification agency, and includes a non-coded scheme for public information, and a coded scheme for private information regarding the sourcing and development of materials and products. The disclosure provides for full tracking of a product throughout the supply chain by only certified participants. The disclosed system allows for increased secure tracking of materials and products, and allows for access to greater amounts of information at various stages of manufacture and/or assembly regarding a given material or product.

Abstract: A thermal flow material-free thermally conductive interface between a mounted integrated circuit device and a heat sink that comprises a mounted integrated circuit device, a heat sink vertically disposed over the device, a vertically compressible thermally conductive member unattachably disposed between the device and the heat sink, and an unattached frame member horizontally enclosing the compressible member.

Abstract: A thermal flow material-free thermally conductive interface between a mounted integrated circuit device and a heat sink that comprises a mounted integrated circuit device, a heat sink vertically disposed over the device, a vertically compressible thermally conductive member unattachably disposed between the device and the heat sink, and an unattached frame member horizontally enclosing the compressible member.

Abstract: A composition for containing metal ions in an electronic device includes an immobile particle and a chelating agent which is bonded to the immobile particle. The chelating agent complexes with metal ions that leach out of metal sources within the electronic device so that the metal ions are prevented from entering an aqueous environment when the electronic device is discarded.