Abstract: Techniques of determining user preferences are described. One embodiment can include a user's electronic device receiving, from a server, icons assigned to a category. The icons may be presented on a display associated with the electronic device. Next, the device may receive inputs via a user interface associated with the device. Each of the inputs may correspond to a selected one of the icons and includes at least one of a plurality of input types. In response to each input, a display status of a selected icon may be adjusted on the display based on the corresponding input type. The display status of each icon indicates a user preference level for the category assigned to the icon. The device can send the user preference levels for the plurality of categories to the server. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Techniques of determining user preferences are described. One embodiment can include a user's electronic device receiving, from a server, icons assigned to a category. The icons may be presented on a display associated with the electronic device. Next, the device may receive inputs via a user interface associated with the device. Each of the inputs may correspond to a selected one of the icons and includes at least one of a plurality of input types. In response to each input, a display status of a selected icon may be adjusted on the display based on the corresponding input type. The display status of each icon indicates a user preference level for the category assigned to the icon. The device can send the user preference levels for the plurality of categories to the server. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compiling personal preferences of a user are provided. A method comprises simultaneously displaying a plurality of icons in a clustered arrangement, each icon being assigned to a respective one of a plurality of values; receiving a first input in association with a first icon, the first input indicating a preference for the value assigned to the first icon; adjusting a size of the first icon in response to the first input; redistributing, within the clustered arrangement, the remaining icons to accommodate the size adjustment; receiving a second input in association with a second icon, the second input indicating a dislike for the value assigned to the second icon; deleting, from the clustered arrangement, the second icon in response to the second input; and redistributing, within the clustered arrangement, the remaining icons to fill a space emptied by the deletion.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an electronic device and method providing a plurality of playback indicators for controlling playback of a media object. Playback indicators include playback progress, download progress and volume control indicators. In one example embodiment, the method for controlling playback of a media object on an electronic device includes: receiving an input to initiate playback of the media object using the electronic device; displaying, on a display of the electronic device, a circular progress bar having an inner boundary, an outer boundary, and a first circular progress bar width disposed between the inner boundary and the outer boundary; and during the playback of the media object, radially filling the width of the circular progress bar to graphically depict a playback progress for the media object.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method for the simultaneous fusion of multiple plastic pipe sections. A plurality of pipe sections may be rigidly held, faced off, heated, and joined at the same time using a single piece of equipment. The inventive process allows increased throughput of the fusion process without significant additional costs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe cleaner apparatus that is attached to a pipe fusion machine. The pipe cleaner removes dirt, snow, mud, and other debris from the outer surface of pipe sections prior to the butt fusion process. The pipe cleaner may be a wiper through which the pipe slides, or may be a multi-piece scraper with spring loaded flaps that clean the outside surface of the pipe.

Abstract: A redundant battery power supply with combined battery charge indication which incorporates a main cell, conductively coupled to the supply bus which powers the load when activated, and a predictive cell, coupled to the bus by an optional diode which becomes forward biased when the main cell voltage drops below the predictive cell voltage. If the main cell becomes discharged, the predictive cell powers the bus. Each cell is coupled to a voltage comparator which compares the cell output voltage to a common reference voltage. When a cell voltage drops below the reference voltage, the corresponding comparator output goes low. The output of the two comparators are combined by a logical AND gate which controls a flashing light. When both the main cell and predictive cell have voltages greater than the reference voltage, the light flashes, but when either cell (or both) has a voltage less than the reference voltage, the light does not flash.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe cleaner apparatus that is attached to a pipe fusion machine. The pipe cleaner removes dirt, snow, mud, and other debris from the outer surface of pipe sections prior to the butt fusion process. The pipe cleaner may be a wiper through which the pipe slides, or may be a multi-piece scraper with spring loaded flaps that clean the outside surface of the pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and method for the simultaneous fusion of multiple plastic pipe sections. A plurality of pipe sections may be rigidly held, faced off, heated, and joined at the same time using a single piece of equipment. The inventive process allows increased throughput of the fusion process without significant additional costs.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of a useful eutectic layer formed on a zirconium alloy or a titanium alloy substrate. The layer is formed by the surface contact with a beryllium strip being held in intimate contact with the surface of the zirconium or titanium alloy substrate while the zirconium or titanium alloy and the contacting beryllium strip are heated in an inert atmosphere to a temperature which is above the eutectic melting point and is held constant at that temperature for a predetermined time. At the prescribed time, the materials are allowed to cool and the beryllium strip is "removed" from the "surface" of the zirconium or titanium alloy substrate and the newly formed zirconium-beryllium or titanium-beryllium alloy eutectic is formed in the surface of the zirconium or titanium alloy substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer/monomer (P/M) formulated system and method of making products from that system. The products have superior properties to and are substitutable for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based products, as well as a variety of other polymeric coating systems. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these P/M based coated substrates where the process takes place in a substantially inert atmosphere.