Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing premature or unnecessary replacement of a consumable used in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include sensing the removal of the consumable from the image production device, determining if the removed consumable's life span is greater than a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold relating to the consumable's expected life span, wherein if it is determined that the removed consumable's life span is not greater than the predetermined threshold, sending a notification to a user at a user interface for the user to enter an identification code, receiving an identification code at the user interface, determining if the correct identification code has been entered, wherein if it is determined that the correct identification code has been entered, permitting operation of the image production device, otherwise, preventing operation of the image production device.

Abstract: Low weight and non-square carpet tile suitable for use in mass transit vehicles, particularly passenger aircraft. The carpet tile preferably weighs less than about 82 ounces per square yard. The carpet tile of this invention may have a carpet pile and at least one backing layer. The backing layer may use a low weight filler material. The carpet tiles satisfy transportation industry standards for flame, smoke and toxicity.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to receive from a communication device a request for media content, receive a key and a record associated with the communications device from an interactive television system, wherein the record comprises a list of entitled media content, determine whether the requested media content is in the list of entitled media content, retrieve the requested media content from the interactive television system when the requested media content is determined to be in the list of entitled media content, encrypt the retrieved media content utilizing the key, and transmit the encrypted media content to the communications device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated, multi-service virtual private network (VPN) network client for cellular mobile devices is described. The multi-service network client can be deployed as a single software package on cellular mobile network devices to provide integrated services including secure enterprise VPN connectivity, acceleration, security management including monitored and enforced endpoint compliance, and collaboration services. The multi-service client integrates with an operating system of the device to provide a VPN handler to establish a VPN connection with a remote VPN security device. The VPN network client includes to data acceleration module exchange network packets with the VPN handler and apply at least one acceleration service to the network packets, and a VPN control application that provides a unified user interface that allows a user to configure both the VPN handler and the data acceleration module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pH responsive polymer made with mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phthalate and/or mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl hexahydro]phthalate. Also disclosed is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer, at least one pigment, and water. Also provided is a method of preparing an aqueous coating composition such as a latex paint including the above components. Also provided are methods of preparing mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phthalate. Also provided are compositions and methods using the polymer in hydraulic fracturing, personal care and or home and industrial cleaners.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a message comprising location information indicating a geographic location of a first user device is received. Then environmental information indicating at least one physical environmental condition in the vicinity of the first user device, as detected by an environmental sensor is received. Values representing logical connection strengths between first user of the first user device and other users, the logical connection strengths based, at least partially, on the location information and at least partially on the environmental information, are calculated. Then a second user and a third user to form a group with the first user are determined, based on the values representing the logical connection strengths. A user group is formed containing the first user, the second user, and the third user. Content is received from the first user device and transmitted to users of the user group.

Abstract: In some aspects, polarization of a spin ensemble can be increased using cavity-based techniques. A resonator applies drive field to a spin ensemble in a static magnetic field. The drive field couples the spin ensemble with a cavity, and the coupling increases the polarization of the spin ensemble. In some cases, the cavity is detuned from the spin- resonance frequency, and the Rabi frequency associated with the drive field can be matched to the cavity detuning.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to receive from a communication device a request for media content, receive a key and a record associated with the communications device from an interactive television system, wherein the record comprises a list of entitled media content, determine whether the requested media content is in the list of entitled media content, retrieve the requested media content from the interactive television system when the requested media content is determined to be in the list of entitled media content, encrypt the retrieved media content utilizing the key, and transmit the encrypted media content to the communications device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In some aspects, polarization of a spin ensemble can be increased using cavity-based techniques. A cavity is coupled with a spin ensemble, and a drive field generates an interaction between the cavity and the spin ensemble. In some cases, the interaction increases the polarization of the spin ensemble faster than the thermal (T1) relaxation process or any other thermal polarizing process affecting the spin ensemble. In some cases, polarization is increased by iteratively acting on angular momentum subspaces of the spin ensemble, and mixing the angular momentum subspaces, for example, by a dipolar interaction, a transverse (T2) relaxation process, application of a gradient field, or a combination of these and other processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pH responsive polymer made with mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phthalate and/or mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl hexahydro]phthalate. Also disclosed is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer, at least one pigment, and water. Also provided is a method of preparing an aqueous coating composition such as a latex paint including the above components. Also provided are methods of preparing mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phthalate. Also provided are compositions and methods using the polymer in hydraulic fracturing, personal care and or home and industrial cleaners.

Abstract: A knowledge system is provided that is operable for producing how-to segments of information for use with a maintenance system, an equipment and asset tracking system, and a job function competency system to utilize a plurality of types of display devices for maintaining a plurality of types of industrial assets located at a plurality of locations. In one embodiment, a low energy communicator is mounted to said each of said plurality of industrial equipment assets and operable for providing more precise location information of a selected industrial equipment asset.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, decoding first and second encoded audio portions extracted from a digitally encoded data stream to obtain first and second decoded audio portions. The digitally encoded data stream includes an encoded video portion, multiple encoded audio portions including the first and second audio portions and a reference marker. The first and second decoded audio portions are synchronized to a decoded video portion based on the reference marker. The first decoded audio portion is forwarded to equipment of a first user and the second decoded audio portion is forwarded to equipment of a second user. Presentations of the first decoded audio portion by the equipment of the first user and the second decoded audio portion by the equipment of the second user are synchronized to a presentation of the decoded video portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed. Potential membership of a first user in a first group of users is determined based on scores generated for each of a plurality of possible groups of users, the scores based on the logical relationship information. Then the first user is added to the first group of users. Content from an electronic device of the first user is received for broadcast to the first group of users. In response to the receiving of content, the scores for each of the plurality of possible groups of users are regenerated based on the content. Then the first user is added to or removed from a second group of users selected from the plurality of possible groups of users based on the regenerated scores.

Abstract: A score is generated for each of a plurality of potential user groups in which to add the first user, each potential user group containing a plurality of users, the score based on a location of the first user. The first user is added to a first user group based on the score generated for the first user group. A pinning action by the first user pinning the first user to the first user group is then received. A change in location of the first mobile device is detected, and the score of each of the potential user groups is regenerated based on the changed location, causing a determination that the first user should be removed from the first user group. The first user is maintained as a member of the first user group despite the determination that the first user should be removed based on the pinning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of user devices is accessed. Scores for each of a plurality of possible groups are generated based at least partially on the logical relationship information and information about a first user device, but the scores not being based on any personally identifiable information about the first user of the first user device. A first group is selected from the plurality of possible groups based on the scores. Then the first user device is added to the first group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the measuring of affinity levels via passive and active interactions are provided. A first group of users are selected from a plurality of possible groups of users. Affinity levels are measured among the users of the first group, the affinity levels based at least partially on both passive and active interactions between an electronic device of a first user and electronic devices of users in the first group. The first user is added to the first group based on the affinity levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, potential membership of a first user in a first group of users is determined, the first group of users containing a plurality of users, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, the scores based at least partially on the a loneliness score for the first user, the loneliness score being an estimate of how lonely the first user is and being calculated by examining past communications between an electronic device of the first user and other electronic devices via a social network service. The first user is then added to the first group of users based on the loneliness score. Content from a second user in the first group of users is received, and then the content is distributed to users in the first group of users.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a message comprising location information indicating a geographic location of a first user device is received. Then environmental information indicating at least one physical environmental condition in the vicinity of the first user device, as detected by an environmental sensor is received. Values representing logical connection strengths between a first user of the first user device and other users, the logical connection strengths based, at least partially, on the location information and at least partially on the environmental information, are calculated. Then a second user and a third user to form a group with the first user are determined, based on the values representing the logical connection strengths. A user group is formed containing the first user, the second user, and the third user. Content is received from the first user device and transmitted to users of the user group.

Abstract: Transesterification processes for producing a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is H or a methyl group, A and B are each, independently, a linear or branched C2-C5 alkylene group, comprising reacting: an acrylate or methacrylate of formula (II) wherein R1 is H or a methyl group and R2 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, with a compound of formula (III) wherein the reaction is performed: (i) in the presence of calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide, and (ii) wherein the molar ratio of the compounds of formula (II) to formula (III) is less than 4:1 or 3:1 respectively.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. First, logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed. Then potential membership of a first user of a first user device in a first group of users is determined based on the logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module, the scores based at least partially on information about the first user device, but the scores not being based on any personal information about the first user the first group of users containing a plurality of users, including one or more users who are not logically connected to the first user. Then the first user is added to the first group of users.