Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device via the tangential outlet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for diet performance tracking includes receiving one or more diet performance parameters from a first user and displaying these one or more diet performance parameters at a first user device. It also includes displaying, at the first user device, one or more diet challenges and receiving a selection from the first user, at the first user device, of a diet challenge. After receiving the selection of the diet challenge, the method includes displaying, at the first user device, video and audio content corresponding to the selected diet challenge. Also after receiving the selection of the diet challenge, the method includes displaying, at the first user device, one or more diet performance parameters received from the first user and displaying, at the first user device, one or more diet parameters corresponding to a second user at a location remote from the first user.

Abstract: Reservation selling and/or buying systems and methods are described that provide a platform that allows users to buy and/or sell reservations using mobile devices. The systems and methods described herein also allow the buyers and sellers to complete a reservation sell/buy transaction by effecting payment from the buyer to the seller.

Abstract: Reservation selling and/or buying systems and methods are described that provide a platform that allows users to buy and/or sell reservations using mobile devices. The systems and methods described herein also allow the buyers and sellers to complete a reservation sell/buy transaction by effecting payment from the buyer to the seller.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the transmission of best-effort filed data or programs on channels from one of plural controllers to one or more client nodes. A program is a group of files and has program information indicating to a client node how to use the files of the program. A channel is a virtual path, wherein a client node can receive program files from different channels in a separable fashion. Channels also have channel information. Multiple controllers are provided which self configure in rank order to control the scheduled transmission of programs files on channels. Client nodes receive announcements of programs and channels from the controllers and selectively subscribe to the channels and programs. Client nodes can be instructed to positively acknowledge receipt of programs and also send back negative acknowledgements for ranges of data words in program files not received. The negative acknowledgements can be consolidated to reduce the number of packets on the network.

Abstract: An improved cutting device control system for analyzing designs, blueprints, and other drawings, and for creating low level computer instructions to fully automate the cutting process is provided. The program utilizes several algorithms, constraints, and program features to fully automate creation of the instructions--thereby eliminating the need for an operator to input cutting, moving, or operating instructions to the cutting device. The apparatus includes a microprocessor and associated memory to store the various programming steps, to store the various data tables, and to implement the algorithms and programmed constraints. Additionally, the preferred apparatus includes associated communication devices for transmitting the generated codes to the electronic controller for the cutting device, Similarly, the input format may also be transmitted to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An integrated system for selecting, ordering and manufacturing art glass panels is provided. An artistic art glass design is combined with a set of design rules specifically applicable to such art glass design to produce a digitized data file uniquely identifying the art glass design. The digitized data file information is used to reconfigure the initial art glass design, according to the entered set of design rules, to conform the art glass design to the unique panel size and shape requirements of a customer. A data file of the reconfigured art glass panel information is forwarded to the manufacturer. The digitized reconfigured file data includes all of the information regarding component sizes, shapes and cutting and assembly instructions required to enable automated assembly and costing for the art glass panel fabrication.

Abstract: A rule based parametric design apparatus and method utilize one or more predetermined designs including draw primitives and/or other objects. Designs for the draw primitives are preferably created by artists who refine and distill the designs into a set of rules, with the rules residing in a computer program. This allows the original, or "parent" design, to be automatically adapted to differently shaped and sized windows and window groupings, while the shapes of the grouping change as units are added to the overall design, the unity of the overall art work is maintained. A computer, with associated memory to store the various data tables, implements the algorithms and program constraints associated with the present invention.