Abstract: A system and method for monitoring account usage on a platform that includes creating an account on a platform; assigning a usage model of the account; running an application of the account on the platform; monitoring usage of the application of the account; identifying a usage event of the usage model in the monitored usage; and generating an event response based on the usage event.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a computing cluster including hosting a plurality of machines in a networked computing cluster, wherein the plurality of machines include service instances running on hosts, where the services have configured machine state; and wherein machine state includes configuration data and software of the machine; integrating the plurality of machines of the cluster with at least one configuration controller component; and the at least one configuration controller component, altering the machine state of at least one service instance.

Abstract: A method for providing clean endpoints including managing a collection of endpoints; testing communication of an endpoint of the collection of endpoints; and generating a cleanliness score for the endpoint according to results of the test. The method functions to create a metric that can be used to evaluate undesired communication activity and functionality of an endpoint. The method may be implemented by any suitable platform providing endpoint addresses to clients, which may include service providers, internet-telephony platforms, or any suitable entity. The method is preferably applied to telephony endpoints used in internet-telephony applications, but may be used in any suitable application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shipping a package from a package sender to an intended recipient, utilizing Internet communications to place shipping orders, request on demand package pickup, maintain and utilize pre-stored profile information, view shipping history, track orders, etc. A package sender with an Internet-accessible computer accesses an Internet site and associated shipping system operated by a shipping service provider. The package sender enters information required for shipping the package, including shipping options and methods for payment, and the shipment transaction is validated. If the transaction is validated, printer indicia are communicated to the customer's computer, which is enabled to locally print a prepaid label containing special machine-readable as well as human-readable indicia.

Abstract: A system and methods for shipping a package (12) from a package sender (16) to an intended recipient (18), utilizing Internet communications (30) to place shipping orders, request on demand package pickup, maintain and utilize prestored profile information, view shipping history, track orders, etc. A package sender (16) with an Internet-accessible computer (20) accesses an Internet site and associated shipping system (10) operated by a shipping service provider (14). The package sender (16) enters information required for shipping the package (12), including shipping options and methods for payment. The options and payment for the shipment transaction are validated. If the transaction is validated, printer indicia are communicated to the customer's computer (20), which is enabled to locally print a prepaid label (25) containing special machine-readable (876) as well as human-readable indicia (904).

Abstract: A system for facilitating the opening of accounts by a plurality of backend systems. The account opening system includes a front-end interface that interacts with a customer to collect customer information such as an account-type selection, billing information and pickup location information. A backend interface of the system pre-validates the customer information and routes the customer information to the backend systems for activation of the account. The backend interface also includes a monitor that determines the availability of the backend systems and a cache that stores the open account request and customer information for later routing when the backend systems are temporarily unavailable. Advantageously, pre-validation of the customer information allows the backend interface to distribute an account number to the customer in real time when the backend systems are unavailable.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a method for notifying a user of a live event. The method includes the following steps: (a) analyzing data related to media associated with different performers within a user's collection or usage history; (b) deducing a performer preferred by the user based on the analysis; (c) receiving data related to a location from the user; (d) determining a live event associated with the preferred performer and located near the received location; and (e) notifying the user of the live event. The method of the preferred embodiment is preferably incorporated into an online media store that provides media associated with particular performers (such as songs, audiobooks, podcasts, music videos, short films, TV shows, sporting events, and movies). Because the online media store offers the media content, they are in a “trusted” position to offer other services, such as the notification of live events.

Abstract: Liquid compositions containing a specific hindered phenol or a hindered phenol in combination with an aromatic phosphite are provided which are used as a thermal interface between a heatsink and a chip during a test procedure for electronic components which compositions enhance the thermal conductivity between the heatsink and the chip, are easily removed from the heatsink and the chip after the test procedure without any deleterious residue and which allow the use of high temperatures for extended periods during the test procedure without any significant degradation of the composition. A method for using the compositions in electronic component test procedures such as burn-in procedures is also provided.

Abstract: Solar powered aquarium with a water holding vessel suitable for use as a table top aquarium powered by one or more solar cells. The aquarium vessel includes a secondary bottom held up from the main bottom by a side wall. A small cylinder is mounted between the main bottom and the secondary bottom. A downwardly extending skirt houses a DC motor mounted below the main bottom. A ferrous metal plate mounted to the shaft of the DC motor causes a magnetic spinning member located within the small cylinder to rotate. Apertures in the small cylinder and the side wall of the secondary bottom allow water to be drawn into the small cylinder and out the side wall. Gravel located in the bottom of the vessel traps debris as the water is drawn through it. Outwardly attached solar cells provide power for recharging circuit and attached motor.

Abstract: Displaced force backing wedge with a rigid wedge shape, a rigid handle, the wedge shape having a plurality of rounded ridges extending from left to right at its top most surface. The wedge shape has a centrally located slot extending perpendicularly from the thin edge of the wedge to the center area of the wedge. The handle extends outward perpendicularly from a central portion of the thick side of the wedge. A preferred embodiment includes rounded ridges that run parallel to the front surface and start as a small radius and progress to larger radius.

Abstract: A sensing system that includes a plurality of LEDs situated at the trailing edge of an automobile power window. The LEDs are activated when the power window is closing. The light emitted by the LEDs propagates through the window is emitted from the leading edge of the window as the window is closing. An array of detectors sense the light and transmit a signal indicating detection to a logical circuit. The logical circuit performs a logical analysis, and it transmits a signal to a controller or to the motor of the power window. A sensing method that includes transmitting light through an automobile window and detecting the signal as the window is moving to a closed position. When the signals indicate that an object is present, deactivate the motor to avoid injury or damage to an object in the line of movement of the window.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the opening of accounts by a plurality of backend systems. The account opening system includes a front-end interface that interacts with a customer to collect customer information such as an account-type selection, billing information and pickup location information. A backend interface of the system pre-validates the customer information and routes the customer information to the backend systems for activation of the account. The backend interface also includes a monitor that determines the availability of the backend systems and a cache that stores the open account request and customer information for later routing when the backend systems are temporarily unavailable. Advantageously, pre-validation of the customer information allows the backend interface to distribute an account number to the customer in real time when the backend systems are unavailable.

Abstract: An agricultural machine for effectively mulching fodder within the space between crop rows with a single pass includes a frame having an adjustable tongue assembly for towing by a tractor at a preselected pitch and a retractable wheel assembly for transporting the machine over roads. Carriages attached to the frame carry freely rotating drums. Each carriage is slidable and rotatable on the frame for securing the carriage at a preselected orientation. Each drum has a rolling surface for engaging the ground being cultivated. Two carriages form a drum pair which straddles the crop row for permitting the drums within the drum pair to freely roll over ground on opposing sides of the crop row. A plurality of blades is carried on each of the rolling surfaces of the drums for penetrating the ground surface, with the blades extends radially outward from the axis of rotation. Each blade includes a cutting edge oriented with the blades on one drum orthogonal to the blades an the second drum of the drum pair.

Abstract: A control system to automate operations for wheel tractor scrapers. The control system simplifies the operation of the wheel tractor scraper by automating the many operations of the wheel tractor scraper which alleviates the operator from many of the operations of the wheel tractor scraper during the use thereof. The control system has a load control module, a haul control module associated with the load control module and an eject control module. The eject control module is associated with the load control module and the haul control module. The load control module, the haul control module and the eject control module control the loading, hauling and ejecting operations of the wheel tractor scraper.

Abstract: A utility bag for storing equipment for a baseball/softball team. The bag is constructed to be strapped to and transported on a golf cart. The bag includes a bag having a collar at an open end and a cap enclosing a lower end . The collar at the upper end has a recessed shoulder enabling the collar to engage the lip of a bucket of balls so that balls are retained in the bucket when a lid is positioned down onto the collar. A frame inside the utility bag retains the utility bag in an open configuration. A bat bag for storing bats is detachably attached to the outside surface of the bag. The inside of the bag is dimensioned for storing a collection of helmets and catchers gear as well as one or more pouches for storing catcher's shinguards.

Abstract: A fully internally manifolded fuel cell stack is provided by each separator plate, current collector, electrode, and electrolyte in the fuel cell stack having a plurality of aligned perforations forming gas manifolds extending for the length of the cell stack. Each perforation through the separator plate is surrounded by a flattened manifold wet seal structure extending to contact the current collector and/or electrode on each face of the separator plate to form electrolyte/electrode wet seals under cell operating conditions.

Abstract: A fully internally manifolded fuel cell stack is provided by each separator plate and electrolyte in the fuel cell stack having a plurality of aligned perforations forming gas manifolds extending for the length of the cell stack. Each perforation through the separator plate is surrounded by a flattened manifold wet seal structure extending to contact the electrolytes on each face of the separator plate to form separator plate/electrolyte wet seals under cell operating conditions.

Abstract: A fully internally manifolded fuel cell stack is provided by each separator plate and electrolyte in the fuel cell stack having a plurality of aligned perforations forming gas manifolds extending for the length of the cell stack. Each perforation through the separator plate is surrounded by a flattened manifold wet seal structure extending to contact the electrolytes on each face of the separator plate to form separator plate/electrolyte wet seals under cell operating conditions. Conduits through the extended manifold wet seal structure provides gas communication between one set of manifolds and the anode chambers on one face of the separator plates and conduits through the extended manifold wet seal structure on the opposite face of the separator plates provides gas communication between the other set of the manifolds and the cathode chambers on the other face of the separator plates. Extended wet seal structures formed of thin plate metal provide limited flexibility and resiliency to assure good sealing.

Abstract: A high voltage, gas filled, pipe type electrical cable and method of manufacture thereof. The cable comprises a plurality of insulated conductors, each conductor having a central gas passageway and being gas permeable. The conductor is wrapped with tapes impregnated with an insulating oil, and the wrapped tapes are encircled by gas permeable layers and skid wires. Three of such insulated conductors are encircled by a gas impermeable pipe, and the pipe and the conductor passageways are filled with an insulating gas under pressure above atmospheric pressure so that both the interior and exterior surfaces of the wrapped tapes are subjected to such gas. Preferably, the gas is a mixture of sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen at a pressure of at least 200 psig. The tapes are impregnated with the oil and drained before they are wrapped around the conductor so as to provide gaps between the tapes which are substantially filled with the gas.

Abstract: A reusable, externally applied thermal protection system is disclosed and functions by utilizing shell tile structure 10 which effectively separates its primary functions as an insulator and load absorber. Tile 10 consists of structurally strong upper and lower metallic shells 12,16 manufactured from materials meeting the thermal and structural requirements incident to tile 10 placement on the spacecraft. A lightweight, high temperature package of insulation 26 is utilized in upper shell 12, while a lightweight, low temperature insulation 28 is utilized in lower shell 16. Assembly of tile 10, which is facilitated by self-locking mechanism 20, may occur subsequent to installation of lower shell 16 on the spacecraft structural skin 30.