Abstract: Systems and Methods disclosed herein relate to an application programming interface (API) server that receives, from an API client device connected to the system, one or more requests to perform an activity. The activity includes reading, editing by making additions, deletions, modifications or any combination thereof, or both reading and editing, to at least one portion of a data model comprising information related to one or more smart-devices, one or more smart-device environment structures comprising the smart-devices, or both; perform the activity based upon the one or more requests; log the activity, by storing a responsible party for the activity, based upon a vendor, user, or other party or entity associated with the API client device; and present at least a portion of the log.

Abstract: An enhanced belay bar, comprising a rigid tube affixed to rigid plates, each comprising a plurality of attachment surface and attachment points to affix the belay device to a surface, and a plurality of attachment points to affix an automatic belay device to the enhanced belay bar.

Abstract: A multiple-tube propeller shaft assembly includes a first tube with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion, a second tube with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion, and a third tube with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion. In an embodiment, one end of the third tube is telescopically received within the first tube in a slip tube spline connection, while the other end is received within the second tube in a locked tube spline connection. In another embodiment, the first tube is telescopically received in one end of the third tube in a slip tube spline connection, while the second tube is received in the other end of the third tube in a locked tube spline connection. The propeller shaft assembly can be tuned to absorb crash energy between 0 and 50 kN.

Abstract: A DHCP response is intercepted and the DNS address in the DHCP response is placed with an address for a server device when the server device is present on a local network. When the server device is not present, the DNS address from the DHCP response is used. The server device may provide authentication, shared resources, or other services to devices within a local area network and may also serve as a gateway to other networks including the Internet.

Abstract: A backup system may create one or more archived copies of a file system, such as through successive periodic backup operations. When a virus or other malicious software is found on a system, that system's backup data is scanned to determine the last uninfected backup. A full or partial restore of the system may be performed using the last uninfected backup. In some cases, a malicious software scan may be performed by a second system on the backup data of a first system that has been infected. By using a second system, any malicious software on the first system may not be operating on the system that performs the malicious software scan.

Abstract: The present invention provides moldings of lignocellulose materials comprising based on the weight of the molding 5-20% by weight of glue resin, and 2-30% by weight of microcapsules comprising a polymer wall and a core composed predominantly of latent heat storage materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering oxygen to a nasopharynx and withdrawing exhale gas from the nasopharynx to a carbon dioxide monitor. In one embodiment, the apparatus can comprise one or more tubes and an airway fitting forming an airway. The airway fitting can be configured to engage at least one of the tubes and maintain the one or more tubes within the airway, and to provide an outlet to the atmosphere for the airway. In another embodiment, the tube might be in fluid communication with a junction that can direct oxygen from an oxygen supply through the tube and exhale gas from the tube to the carbon dioxide monitor. Further, the tube might comprise an outer tube and an inner tube.

Abstract: A telescoping propeller shaft includes an elongated hollow cylindrical body having a splined interior surface, the splines defining a minor diameter (x) and a major diameter (y), and a correspondingly splined shaft mating in register with the cylindrical body along an engagement length (L). Major (c) and minor (b) diameters of the splined shaft are less than the respective major (y) and minor (x) diameters of the interior splines of the cylindrical body such that the two shafts can freely telescope at least along the engagement length (L) and a free plunge region (D1). In response to a sufficient inward axial load, the cylindrical body is adapted to telescope over the splined shaft through an interference region (D2) comprising an interference mechanism for energy dissipation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented sorting method for efficiently sorting large data sets in computing environments that include virtual memory and processor caching, the method including determining available physical memory, identifying portions of the data set that each fit in the available physical memory, determining available cache, identifying sub-portions within the portions that each fit in the available cache, sorting each sub-portion, repeating the identifying portions, identifying sub-portions, and sorting for each portion of the data set, and merging the sorted sub-portions and portions such that the data set is sorted. The sorting method avoids the use of virtual memory and seeks to identify sub-portions that fit in available cache.

Abstract: Backup and restore technology comprising a backup engine, one or more client backup modules coupled to the backup engine via a backup protocol, and a backup database coupled to the backup engine, the backup database including a set of clusters, the set of clusters forming one or more backups, wherein each cluster of the set of clusters is unique such that single-instance storage across clients is achieved.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly comprises a connect shaft portion, a plungable constant velocity joint, and a hollow shaft portion with a cavity. An energy absorbing material is disposed within at least a portion of the cavity. The material absorbs energy when the constant velocity joint plunges into the hollow shaft portion when a predetermined force is exerted upon the constant velocity joint. The energy absorbing material may comprise a foam material, such as, an organic foam, a cellular foam, a synthetic foam, a metal foam, and the like. In addition to absorbing energy, the foam material minimizes the transmission of high frequency vibration of the propeller shaft assembly.

Abstract: The relationships between physical data store schema, object model, and end-user property may be encoded in the source of the object model using attributes. Reflection may be used to build the table of those relationships so that changes to the relationships between those three layers can be easily and quickly made without impacting higher levels in the software stack.

Abstract: A power system for providing an output power to a load is provided. The system comprises a generator configured to generate an alternating current input power and an power converter system coupled to the generator and configured to generate an output power and provide the output power to the load through at least one transformer. The system further comprises a converter control system coupled to the converter system and configured to drive the converter system in an interleaved pattern to reduce harmonic components in the output power and the alternating current input power.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly comprises a connect shaft portion, a plungable constant velocity joint, and a hollow shaft portion with a cavity. An energy absorbing material is disposed within at least a portion of the cavity. The material absorbs energy when the constant velocity joint plunges into the hollow shaft portion when a predetermined force is exerted upon the constant velocity joint. The energy absorbing material may comprise a foam material, such as, an organic foam, a cellular foam, a synthetic foam, a metal foam, and the like. In addition to absorbing energy, the foam material minimizes the transmission of high frequency vibration of the propeller shaft assembly.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that enable dynamic programming and execution of an electronic communications dialog. In one aspect, a configurable messaging system is provided. The system includes a configuration file to describe interface options of a computerized dialog session, wherein the configuration file specifies interface activities and state transitions between the interface options within the configuration file. A state controller executes the interface options during communications activities with the dialog session. The configuration file can also describe prompt elements to solicit information from users or applications.

Abstract: A hollow retroreflector includes three mutually perpendicular reflective plates each having at least one hole on a surface thereof and at least three threaded fasteners, such as screws or bolts. One of the threaded fasteners passes though the holes of each adjoining pairs of reflective plates. Beneficially, epoxy is applied to at least one surface of each adjoining pair of reflective plates before passing the threaded fastener through the holes of each adjoining pair of reflective plates. The hollow retroreflector may be incorporated into a hollow retroreflector assembly by passing at least one threaded fastener through a hole in a hollow retroreflector mount and through one of the holes in one of the reflective plates.

Abstract: A display system may include a frame, column connection members connected to the frame, and column members positioned adjacent one another and rotatably connected to the column connection members. Each column member may include a connector and elongate display members positioned adjacent one another and pivotally connected to the connector. The display system may also include a drive assembly carried by the frame that engages the column connection members to rotate each column member so that selective display members pivot in a predetermined direction during rotation to change the shape of the column members allowing rotation thereof when positioned adjacent one another.

Abstract: A display system may include a frame, column connection members connected to the frame, and column members rotatably connected to the column connection members. The display system may also include a magnetic drive assembly carried by the frame that engages the column connection members to selectively rotate the column members. The magnetic drive assembly may include a power source, energizing members connected to the power source, and column movement members connected to the column connection members. The energizing members may include an electromagnet, and the column movement members may be positioned spaced-apart from and overlying the energizing members. The electromagnet of the energizing members may be selectively energized to form a magnetic field between the energizing members and the column movement members to selectively cause rotation of the column members.

Abstract: A display system may include a frame, column connection members connected to the frame, and four-sided column members positioned adjacent one another and rotatably connected to the column connection members. Each column member may include a connector and elongate display members positioned adjacent one another and pivotally connected to the connector. The display system may also include a drive assembly carried by the frame that engages the column connection members to rotate each column member so that selective display members pivot in a: predetermined direction during rotation to change the shape of the column members allowing rotation thereof when positioned adjacent one another.

Abstract: A constant velocity joint has an outer part, an inner part, a plurality of balls, and a cage having windows for retaining the balls in the ball tracks of the outer and inner parts. The cage retains the balls in a plane. Corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks guide the balls. Corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks that are axially straight alternate with corresponding pairs of outer and inner ball tracks forming angles of intersection with respect to an axis. The outer part and the inner part operate in a normal axial range, there being at least one energy absorption surfaces located in the outer extended axial range or the inner extended axial range of either part. The energy absorption surface interferes with at least one of the balls when the joint is operated beyond the normal axial range.