Abstract: According to one implementation, a network supervision system includes one or more computing platform(s) coupled to multiple nodes of a network including the computing platform(s), the computing platform(s) including a hardware processor and a system memory storing a network participant supervising software code and a network participant registry. The hardware processor executes the network participant supervising software code to detect an anonymously administered node of the network, aggregate system log files of the anonymously administered node, and perform an analysis of the system log files using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to identify an administrator of the anonymously administered node. The hardware processor further executes the network participant supervising software code to generate a registration record associating the administrator with the anonymously administered node, and update the network participant registry using the registration record.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a network supervision system includes one or more computing platform(s) coupled to multiple nodes of a network including the computing platform(s), the computing platform(s) including a hardware processor and a system memory storing a network participant supervising software code and a network participant registry. The hardware processor executes the network participant supervising software code to detect an anonymously administered node of the network, aggregate system log files of the anonymously administered node, and perform an analysis of the system log files using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm to identify an administrator of the anonymously administered node. The hardware processor further executes the network participant supervising software code to generate a registration record associating the administrator with the anonymously administered node, and update the network participant registry using the registration record.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the introduction of air into a burner. More particularly, the invention provides for a damper system that controls the introduction of air into a burner system by altering the size of a peripheral flow path for the introduction of air into the plenum of the burner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the introduction of air into a burner. More particularly, the invention provides for a damper system that controls the introduction of air into a burner system by altering the size of a peripheral flow path for the introduction of air into the plenum of the burner.

Abstract: A method for characterizing the health of a rechargeable battery includes measuring initial condition parameters of a rechargeable battery prior to the battery being placed into service. A baseline normalization of the initial condition parameters is performed using a standardized relationship data set for a norm battery to generate baseline normalization coefficients to normalize the initial condition parameters to the norm battery. Run-time condition parameters of the battery are measured after the battery is in service as part of a continuous built in test system. The run-time condition parameters are normalized using the standardized relationship data set for the norm battery and the baseline normalization coefficients to generate normalized run-time condition parameters for the battery. The normalized run-time condition parameters are then compared to the standardized relationship data set for the norm battery to calculate a state-of-charge and state-of-health for the battery as the run-time condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the introduction of air into a burner. More particularly, the invention provides for a damper system that controls the introduction of air into a burner system by altering the size of a peripheral flow path for the introduction of air into the plenum of the burner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the introduction of air into a burner. More particularly, the invention provides for a damper system that controls the introduction of air into a burner system by altering the size of a peripheral flow path for the introduction of air into the plenum of the burner.

Abstract: The present invention enables service agents in a call center to monitor portions of calls that are especially error-prone (e.g., automated speech recognition of an address, etc.), while portions of calls that are not error-prone occur without any human monitoring. An interactive voice response (IVR) system script (e.g., a VXML script, etc.) is divided into a plurality of independent dialog sequences, each of which is assigned a human-monitoring requirement that indicates whether (and optionally, to what degree) the dialog sequence requires monitoring by a service agent. In addition, instances of the dialog sequences in calls are prioritized based on an indication of caller intelligibility during (i) prior dialog sequences in the current call, and (ii) prior calls involving the same caller and/or the same contact identifier (e.g., telephone number, email address, Internet Protocol address, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention enables service agents in a call center to monitor portions of calls that are especially error-prone (e.g., automated speech recognition of an address, etc.), while portions of calls that are not error-prone occur without any human monitoring. An interactive voice response (IVR) system script (e.g., a VXML script, etc.) is divided into a plurality of independent dialog sequences, each of which is assigned a human-monitoring requirement that indicates whether (and optionally, to what degree) the dialog sequence requires monitoring by a service agent. In addition, instances of the dialog sequences in calls are prioritized based on an indication of caller intelligibility during (i) prior dialog sequences in the current call, and (ii) prior calls involving the same caller and/or the same contact identifier (e.g., telephone number, email address, Internet Protocol address, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention enables service agents in a call center to monitor portions of calls that are especially error-prone (e.g., automated speech recognition of an address, etc.), while portions of calls that are not error-prone occur without any human monitoring. An interactive voice response (IVR) system script (e.g., a VXML script, etc.) is divided into a plurality of independent dialog sequences, each of which is assigned a human-monitoring requirement that indicates whether (and optionally, to what degree) the dialog sequence requires monitoring by a service agent. In the first illustrative embodiment, a partial ordering enables some dialog sequences to appear in a different order in that of the IVR script when it is advantageous to do so. In the second illustrative embodiment, each dialog sequence that requires human monitoring is recorded and packaged into an agent-review task that is subsequently sent to an available service agent for review.

Abstract: A strap reel for winding load securing straps is comprised of a circular base, an arbor, and a protruding element. The arbor is centered on a first side of the circular base, and is adapted to be received by a motorized drill. The protruding element is centered on the opposing side of the circular base, and is configured to receive the hook of the strap. The strap reel provides an easy and quick way to wind straps for storage.

Abstract: The present invention enables service agents in a call center to monitor portions of calls that are especially error-prone (e.g., automated speech recognition of an address, etc.), while portions of calls that are not error-prone occur without any human monitoring. An interactive voice response (IVR) system script (e.g., a VXML script, etc.) is divided into a plurality of independent dialog sequences, each of which is assigned a human-monitoring requirement that indicates whether (and optionally, to what degree) the dialog sequence requires monitoring by a service agent. In the first illustrative embodiment, a partial ordering enables some dialog sequences to appear in a different order in that of the IVR script when it is advantageous to do so. In the second illustrative embodiment, each dialog sequence that requires human monitoring is recorded and packaged into an agent-review task that is subsequently sent to an available service agent for review.

Abstract: A process, apparatus and system are disclosed for verifying the authenticity of a user before providing the user with a desired service. The process involves first receiving a request from the user. Next, a question set is fetched corresponding to the user. The question set concerns information of a private nature that someone with rightful access to the desired services should know. The question set has at least one question and a possible answer or list of possible answers corresponding to the question. The question is then transmitted to the user along with the possible answer(s). After receiving a response from the user, a record is made whether the response correctly identified the possible answer as being correct or not. Finally, after the number of questions transmitted to the user reaches a predetermined number, a determination is made whether the number of incorrect responses exceeds a certain limit.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: Tailored aluminum blanks, such as structural automotive components, are formed by gas tungsten arc welding a plurality of aluminum or aluminum-alloy sections. Preferably, a backup plate having a shallow longitudinal groove or a plurality of longitudinal grooves and a beveled electrode are employed. A preferred embodiment comprises the use of a multi-torch assembly for initial cleaning and subsequent smoothing of the resulting weld.

Abstract: A spot welding apparatus adapted particularly for joining aluminum workpieces utilizes a twisting or vibrating motion to break up oxides on the workpiece surface for improved welding and increased welding tip life. In one embodiment, a vibration inducing device is fixed to the electrode holder of a spot welding apparatus for vibrating the electrode tip during welding. In another embodiment, a camming mechanism rotates the electrode tip of the spot welding head in response to the spot welding head contacting the workpiece surface. The electrode tip rotates or twists in a limited arc after the tip contacts the workpiece to break up oxides on the workpiece surface. The electrode tip, upon removal from the workpiece surface, reverses its rotation for subsequent spot welding and to minimize the possibility of the electrode sticking to the workpiece.