Abstract: The use of reusable containers is coupled to merchant loyalty programs. Use of a reusable container by a customer in a transaction with a merchant earns benefits in the merchant's loyalty program to incentivize use of the reusable container. Each reusable container incorporates unique identity information. The unique identity information is associated with a customer. Used reusable containers can be exchanged for reprocessed or new reusable containers, and customer associations updated when containers are exchanged. Merchants associated with different corporate entities can participate together where reusable containers can be exchanged between different corporate entities.

Abstract: The use of reusable containers is coupled to merchant loyalty programs. Use of a reusable container by a customer in a transaction with a merchant earns benefits in the merchant's loyalty program to incentivize use of the reusable container. Each reusable container incorporates unique identity information. The unique identity information is associated with a customer. Used reusable containers can be exchanged for reprocessed or new reusable containers, and customer associations updated when containers are exchanged. Merchants associated with different corporate entities can participate together where reusable containers can be exchanged between different corporate entities.

Abstract: A removable cooling apparatus for a hat spaces a headband of the hat away from a wearer's head, creating an air gap that allows air flow over the wearer's head. A removable cooling apparatus uses coupling structures to hold the removable cooling apparatus in place against the headband. The removable cooling apparatus can be removed completely from the hat when not needed or for cleaning, leaving the hat in an unaltered state. A removable cooling apparatus may use a thin flexible strip to keep the headband of the hat from falling open into the air gap created by the removable cooling apparatus. The removable cooling apparatus use compressible pads to space the headband away from the wearer's head. The contact location of the compressible pads with the wearer's head can be easily adjusted by the wearer.

Abstract: Scrapers for removing adhered material from surfaces employ continuous and discontinuous material removal edges to remove different types of material. Continuous and sometimes discontinuous material removal edges are constructed and arranged to conform to the curvature of a surface from which material is to be removed, when a user forces the scraper against the surface. Some scrapers include multiple material removal edges designed to simultaneously contact the surface. The use of multiple points of contact combined with locations of handles provide stable designs that reduce hand and wrist strain.

Abstract: A removable cooling apparatus for a hat spaces a headband of the hat away from a wearer's head, creating an air gap that allows air flow over the wearer's head. A removable cooling apparatus uses coupling structures to hold the removable cooling apparatus in place against the headband. The removable cooling apparatus can be removed completely from the hat when not needed or for cleaning, leaving the hat in an unaltered state. A removable cooling apparatus may use a thin flexible strip to keep the headband of the hat from falling open into the air gap created by the removable cooling apparatus. The removable cooling apparatus use compressible pads to space the headband away from the wearer's head. The contact location of the compressible pads with the wearer's head can be easily adjusted by the wearer.

Abstract: The use of reusable containers is coupled to merchant loyalty programs. Use of a reusable container by a customer in a transaction with a merchant earns benefits in the merchant's loyalty program to incentivize use of the reusable container. Each reusable container incorporates unique identity information. The unique identity information is associated with a customer. Used reusable containers can be exchanged for reprocessed or new reusable containers, and customer associations updated when containers are exchanged. Merchants associated with different corporate entities can participate together where reusable containers can be exchanged between different corporate entities.

Abstract: Scrapers for removing adhered material from surfaces employ continuous and discontinuous material removal edges to remove different types of material. Continuous and sometimes discontinuous material removal edges are constructed and arranged to conform to the curvature of a surface from which material is to be removed, when a user forces the scraper against the surface. Some scrapers include multiple material removal edges designed to simultaneously contact the surface. The use of multiple points of contact combined with locations of handles provide stable designs that reduce hand and wrist strain.

Abstract: Scrapers for removing adhered material from surfaces employ continuous and discontinuous material removal edges to remove different types of material. Continuous and sometimes discontinuous material removal edges are constructed and arranged to conform to the curvature of a surface from which material is to be removed, when a user forces the scraper against the surface. Some scrapers include multiple material removal edges designed to simultaneously contact the surface. The use of multiple points of contact combined with locations of handles provide stable designs that reduce hand and wrist strain.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing snow from vehicles incorporates an elongated flexible wall with gripping structures at either end of the flexible wall. The device can be used by an individual or a pair of individuals together. A single user bends the flexible wall into a generally U-shaped form, places the U-shaped flexible wall onto a vehicle surface and pulls the flexible wall toward themselves to remove snow. A pair of individuals extend the flexible wall so that it spans the vehicle width. The individuals stand on opposite sides of the vehicle where each individual grabs a gripping structure on one end of the flexible wall. The two individuals then pull the extended flexible wall along the vehicle length to remove snow. The flexible wall can roll up into a compact cylinder when not in use.

Abstract: Material moving devices include ergonomic improvements that reduce extraneous work required and lessen strain experienced by users. Material moving devices include a head for receiving material to be moved and a first elongated handle with a grip at the far end for gripping by a first hand of a user. A second handle is coupled to the head for gripping by a second hand of the user. The second handle can be pivotably coupled to the head in a location or locations generally longitudinally aligned with the expected location of the center of mass of the head when loaded with material to be moved.

Abstract: Material moving devices include ergonomic improvements that reduce extraneous work required and lessen strain experienced by users. Material moving devices include a head for receiving material to be moved and a first elongated handle with a grip at the far end for gripping by a first hand of a user. A second handle is coupled to the head for gripping by a second hand of the user. The second handle can be pivotably coupled to the head in a location or locations generally longitudinally aligned with the expected location of the center of mass of the head when loaded with material to be moved.

Abstract: Scrapers for removing adhered material from surfaces employ continuous and discontinuous material removal edges to remove different types of material. Continuous and sometimes discontinuous material removal edges are constructed and arranged to conform to the curvature of a surface from which material is to be removed, when a user forces the scraper against the surface. Some scrapers include multiple material removal edges designed to simultaneously contact the surface. The use of multiple points of contact combined with locations of handles provide stable designs that reduce hand and wrist strain.

Abstract: A detecting circuit measures at least one response characteristic of an output channel in an electro-acoustic transducer system. A memory stores a plurality of equalizations, each equalization corresponding to a known electro-acoustic transducer system associated with at least one response characteristic stored in the memory. A processor in communication with the detecting circuit and the memory selects one of the stored response characteristics matching the response characteristic measured by the detecting circuit. In some cases, an appropriate equalization is loaded based on the selected response characteristic.

Abstract: User occupancy is monitored within a space in which a video display of a content rendering system is viewable. The user occupancy can be monitored based on physical user attributes. At least one of audio rendering and video rendering by the content rendering system is adjusted based on the monitored user occupancy.

Abstract: An audio system includes mounting one or more speakers on the surface between an exterior side panel and an interior side panel of a door on a vehicle. The one or more speakers may face substantially along an axis in the longitudinal direction of the door. When the door is open, a cover may be controlled to extend over and close an opening in the interior side panel, thereby allowing sound from the one or more speakers to project to an exterior of the vehicle. When the door is closed, the cover may be controlled to expose the opening, thereby allowing sound from the one or more speakers to enter an interior of the vehicle through the opening.

Abstract: An audio device has passive radiators that are driven by acoustic drivers. The passive radiators are arranged so that the net mechanical vibration is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing baffle vibration includes a baffle that is subject to vibration. A first transducer that is seated in the baffle includes a first diaphragm that is acoustically coupled to a listening area in a vehicle and also acoustically coupled to a cavity in the vehicle. A first input signal applied to the first transducer causes the first diaphragm to move in a first direction, thereby generating an acoustic output. A second transducer is mechanically coupled to the first transducer. The second transducer includes a second diaphragm that is acoustically coupled to the first diaphragm and also acoustically coupled to the listening area. A second input signal applied to the second transducer causes the second diaphragm to move in a second direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction to reduce a vibration imparted to the baffle while substantially maintaining the acoustic output.

Abstract: A circuit to supply power to a load incorporates a first power source, a second power source that may be detachable, a power converter and at least one capacitor (capacitive element), where the first power source is capable of powering the load when charged, where the second power source is not capable of powering the load, but the second power source is capable of trickle-charging the first power source at a time when the first power source is not powering the load, where the power converter may impose a limit on a flow of current through the power converter, and where the at least one capacitor may cooperate to temporarily support a flow of additional current that circumvents the power converter at a time when the load attempts to draw a relatively greater amount of current.

Abstract: A load is powered by a power source and a capacitive element in series such that the voltage provided to the load is the sum of the voltages of the power source and the capacitive element. A power converter imposing a limit on a flow of current through at least a portion of the power converter is coupled to the power source and the capacitive element, and selectively causes the capacitive element to either be charged or to discharge depending on the amount of current drawn by the load. As the capacitor discharges, the power source is permitted to supply a relatively higher amount of current to the load.