Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly including a body portion having a front wall, a rear wall, and lateral sidewalls. The receptacle assembly can also include a bag liner dispenser disposed on an exterior surface of the rear wall, such that an interior surface of the rear wall remains generally planar. The bag liner dispenser can extend around a periphery of an opening that can provide access from the bag liner dispenser to an interior space of the body portion.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly including a body portion, a lid portion, a pedal portion, a rod, and a motion damper. The body portion includes an upper portion and a base portion and defines an interior space. The lid portion is movably engaged with the body portion and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The pedal portion is configured to move the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. A rod extends between the lid portion and the pedal portion. The rod can also interface with the motion damper. The motion damper is positioned near the lid portion and is configured to dampen motion of the rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for transmitting event codes from a base station to a remote location. In one embodiment, a method is described, executed by a processor within an event communication module, the method comprising receiving an encoded event code from a base station over an interface connection, selecting a first transmission method from two or more communication methods based on the received event code, encoding the event code based on the first communication method, and transmitting the encoded event code to remote location by a communication module configured to communicate using the first communication method.

Abstract: A method determines a global optimum of a system defined by a plurality of nonlinear equations. The method includes applying a heuristic methodology to cluster a plurality of particles into at least one group for the plurality of nonlinear equations. The method also includes selecting a center point and a plurality of top points from the particles in each group and applying a local method starting from the center point and top points for each group to find a local optimum for each group in a tier-by-tier manner. The method further includes applying a TRUST-TECH methodology to each local optimum to find a set of tier-1 optima and identifying a best solution among the local optima and the tier-1 optima as the global optimum. In some embodiments, the heuristic methodology is a particle swarm optimization methodology.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly including a body portion, a lid portion, a pedal portion, a rod, and a motion damper. The body portion includes an upper portion and a base portion and defines an interior space. The lid portion is movably engaged with the body portion and is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The pedal portion is configured to move the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. A rod extends between the lid portion and the pedal portion. The rod can also interface with the motion damper. The motion damper is positioned near the lid portion and is configured to dampen motion of the rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for transmitting event codes from a base station to a remote location. In one embodiment, a method is described, executed by a processor within an event communication module, the method comprising receiving an encoded event code from a base station over an interface connection, selecting a first transmission method from two or more communication methods based on the received event code, encoding the event code based on the first communication method, and transmitting the encoded event code to remote location by a communication module configured to communicate using the first communication method.