Abstract: A computing system includes a network interface circuit and a processing circuit configured to receive a plurality of issuer ratings associated with issuers from a plurality of analyst devices, wherein the plurality of issuer ratings include qualitative ratings, generate numerical quality ratings for the issuers based on the qualitative ratings of the issuers, receive a plurality of investment parameters from a manager device, the plurality of investment parameters defining characteristics of a custom investment strategy, generate a dataset regarding securities issued by the issuers based on the numerical quality ratings of the issuers, the dataset including securities issued by the issuers having a numerical quality rating over a pre-determined value, generate the custom investment strategy by selecting securities from the dataset based on the numerical quality ratings and the plurality of investment parameters, and provide the custom investment strategy to the manager device.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a traction arrangement that defines a ground plane, and a docking interface for receiving a handheld vacuum cleaner. The docking interface defines a suction port, an electrical port, and a predefined interface geometry. The docking interface is reconfigurable from a first configuration for engaging with a first handheld vacuum cleaner, and a second configuration for engaging with a second handheld vacuum cleaner which is different to the first handheld vacuum cleaner. Conveniently, the system includes a robotic unit or module that is dockable or engageable with multiple handheld vacuum cleaners, thus allowing some flexibility with the type of machine that they are able to use with the robotic unit. This provides a cost effective solution for the user, because if the user upgrades their handheld vacuum cleaner that new handheld vacuum cleaner can still be used with the robotic unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a traction arrangement, and a docking interface for receiving a handheld vacuum cleaner, and a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be docked with the docking interface. The handheld vacuum cleaner includes a vacuum motor for drawing air through a suction flow path defined by the robot unit when docked with the docking interface. The handheld vacuum cleaner includes a main body from which extends a battery pack. When the handheld vacuum cleaner is docked with the docking interface, it is configured such that the battery pack extends over the top of at least part of the robotic unit. Conveniently, the robotic unit and the handheld vacuum cleaner may share one or more common suction tools, which means that both machines can be optimised for the surfaces they are intended to clean.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a traction arrangement, a docking interface and an articulated arm defining an end effector. The end effector includes a suction tool. The robotic unit defines a suction flow path which extends from the suction tool to the docking interface. The system further includes a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be docked with the docking interface, the handheld vacuum cleaner including a vacuum motor for drawing air through the suction flow path when docked with the docking interface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a traction arrangement, a docking interface and an articulated arm defining an end effector. The end effector includes a suction tool. The robotic unit defines a suction flow path which extends from the suction tool to the docking interface. The system further includes a handheld vacuum cleaner configured to be docked with the docking interface, the handheld vacuum cleaner including a vacuum motor for drawing air through the suction flow path when docked with the docking interface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system including a robotic unit including a main body, a traction arrangement defining a ground plane, and an articulated arm. The articulated arm includes an upper arm section and a lower arm section, wherein the upper arm section is attached to the main body at a shoulder joint, and wherein the lower arm section is attached to the upper arm section at an elbow joint, and wherein an end effector is defined at a distal end of the lower arm section. The articulated arm is configured such that the end effector is movable angularly about a first axis with respect to the elbow joint and is movable linearly along a second axis with respect to the elbow joint. The vacuum cleaning system equipped with a robotic arm that is able to bend and flex due to the pivotable upper and lower arm portions, but also extend and rotate through the lower arm or ‘forearm’ portion, providing improved dexterity for the machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for influencing an Internet-based marketing campaign are provided. An introduction panel is sent to a plurality of N generation recipients. Each respective N generation recipient that uses the introduction panel to invite N+1 generation recipients is tracked. An invitation panel is sent to the N+1 generation recipients. Which respective N+1 generation recipients use the invitation panel to perform a defined campaign action is tracked. Each respective N generation recipient is credited with N+1 generation recipients that (i) were invited to the campaign by the N generation recipient and (ii) performs a campaign action. These steps are repeated for subsequent generations N. For each N generation recipient credited during these repeated steps, each ancestor recipient that invited (i) the respective N generation recipient or (ii) another ancestor of the respective N generation recipient to the campaign is also credited.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques to facilitating delivery of a package or sensitive item to a user, where the package or sensitive item can be a credit card or debit card. Various techniques, methods, systems, and apparatuses include utilizing one or more factors for determining an optimal delivery location or path in relation to the user obtaining the sensitive package or item. Various embodiments can provide the user or the delivery courier with an interface that maps or otherwise indicates, by a color-scheme or other suitable scheme, one or more of demand and availability of the sensitive item or package in relation to a receiving or delivery location, where in various embodiments, the mapping or scheme associated with demand and availability can be based in whole or in part on the one or more factors associated with optimal delivery.

Abstract: A probe for use with a measuring instrument. The probe is a wired probe assembly comprising a housing with an integrated user interface. The wired probe assembly further comprises a measuring component for contacting a device to be measured and a cord component connecting the measuring component to the measuring instrument. The user interface can indicate a status of an electrical parameter and allow an operator to provide inputs remotely to the measuring device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a longer-lasting edible animal chew (1) having a longitudinal axis comprising: i) an outer wall (2) extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis; and ii) an internal support structure (4) that contacts the inner surface of said outer wall (2) at three or more points.

Abstract: An edible pet chew is disclosed that has a twisted body form with enhanced textural characteristics over un-twisted body forms. The pet chew is comprised of fibrous protein, water absorbing polymer, plasticizer, water, and additives. The pet chew provides enhanced textural and oral hygiene properties.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for cloud-based industrial equipment acquisition are provided. A query having a list of industrial equipment is received. Fraud analysis is performed on the query to determine whether the query is valid. When valid, at least two results are received for the query from vendors of the industrial equipment. Each result includes one or more pieces of industrial equipment. The results are reviewed by comparing the industrial equipment listed in each the results with the list of industrial equipment provided in the query and identifying any pieces of the industrial equipment that are missing from each of the results. At least one of the vendors is notified that at least one piece of industrial equipment is missing from the result associated with that vendor. A revision of the result associated with the vendor is received and delivered to the user in response to the query.

Abstract: A wand and hose assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a suction wand fluidly connected to the end of a suction hose by a duct and the duct incorporates an articulating joint for allowing articulated movement of the suction wand relative to the end of the suction hose. The wand and the duct are arranged for telescopic sliding movement relative to one another, and the articulating joint is moveable into a position in which the wand can slide telescopically through the duct for retraction into the suction hose.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical interconnect includes etching a lattice pattern into a contact pad on a circuit substrate as a first connection point, at least partially filling the lattice pattern with a conductive epoxy, contacting the conductive epoxy with a second connection point, and curing the epoxy.

Abstract: A two-phase method is provided for applying a lubricity layer to a surface. The two-phase method comprises a low power deposition step and a high power crosslinking step. The method includes providing a surface of a vessel or an object to be processed. A gas inlet having an internal passage having at least one outlet is provided. An outer electrode is provided. A gaseous PECVD precursor is introduced via at least one outlet of the internal passage. Electromagnetic energy is applied to the outer electrode under conditions effective to form a PECVD lubricity layer on at least a portion of the inner surface. Relative axial motion between the vessel or the object and the gas inlet is provided during at least some time when electromagnetic energy is applied to the outer electrode.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vac-motor for drawing dirty air in through a floor-engaging cleaner head on the vacuum cleaner, a separating apparatus for separating dirt from the dirty air, an elongate air duct for carrying air to or from the separating apparatus, and a suction wand which is stored on the vacuum cleaner and which can be connected to the separating apparatus via a hose as required to clean above the floor. The external surface of the air duct defines an elongate recess for receiving the stored suction wand such that the air duct partly surrounds the stored wand. This provides a compact configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that employ application fingerprinting and lifestyle fingerprinting, where each application fingerprint is associated with a corresponding application and is generated based at least in part on a static analysis and a dynamic analysis of the corresponding application. In one embodiment, an identification of an application is received, and a group of users are determined that have a preference for the application based at least in part on lifestyle fingerprint data and application fingerprint data. Correspondingly, a particular user is identified with a lifestyle fingerprint that is similar to lifestyle fingerprints of the group of users, whereby the particular application is transmitted to the particular user.

Abstract: An edible animal chew is provided. The animal chew comprises a starch content of 50 to 75 wt %, a humectant content of 5 to 20 wt % relative to the total weight of the chew; and a density of from 0.4 g cm?3 to 1.0 g cm?3.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for developing versions of applications based on application fingerprinting. For example, an application may be ported from one operating system platform to another, or an application may be modified to be compatible with a specific device. In one embodiment, an application fingerprint is received for an application. The application fingerprint may be generated based at least in part on a static analysis of the application and a dynamic analysis of the application. A device that is incompatible with the application based at least in part on the application fingerprint may be determined. A modification to the application to make the application compatible with the device may be determined.

Abstract: A wand and hose assembly for a vacuum cleaner includes a suction wand fluidly connected to the end of a suction hose by a duct and the duct incorporates an articulating joint for allowing articulated movement of the suction wand relative to the end of the suction hose. The wand and the duct are arranged for telescopic sliding movement relative to one another, and the articulating joint is moveable into a position in which the wand can slide telescopically through the duct for retraction into the suction hose.