Abstract: A compressor has a rotor assembly having an impeller for generating an airflow through the compressor, a stator core assembly for causing rotation of the impeller, and a diffuser assembly for acting on the airflow generated by the impeller. The diffuser assembly has a first diffuser stage and a second diffuser stage. The first and second diffuser stages are separate components connected to one another by a fastener.

Abstract: An input device, discovery service, and associated discovery and device linking system are provided that allow for adhoc linking of input devices and display devices using discovery key codes. Input devices and display devices are assigned to discovery groups that simplify the process of connecting input devices to display devices for end users.

Abstract: A compressor has a rotor assembly having an impeller for generating an airflow through the compressor, a stator core assembly for causing rotation of the impeller, and a diffuser assembly for acting on the airflow generated by the impeller. The diffuser assembly has a first diffuser stage and a second diffuser stage. The first and second diffuser stages are separate components connected to one another by a fastener.

Abstract: A sensor controlled food and water system and method for pet animals. A collar of a pet animal can be attached to a sensor for selectively operating one or more bowls allocated to the pet animal. The bowl for storing the food and/or water can be linked with the sensor such that the lid of the bowl opens on detecting the presence of the pet animal near the bowl. Each animal can be provided with a collar having a sensor and a bowl linked with and/or which communicates wirelessly with the sensor (e.g., RFID tags). The lid of the bowl allocated to the animal opens when the pet is near the bowl and closes when the pet is at a distal or particular location from the bowl.

Abstract: A portable pointing apparatus utilized with a computing device such as a personal computer, laptop computer, and/or an Internet connected television. The pointing apparatus generally comprises a spin ball, a right click button, a left click button, and a hold button for performing various cursor movements and cursor operations on a display of the computing device. The hold button can be utilized to highlight data displayed on the computing device. The apparatus also includes a laser pointer for pointing out important data on the display. A tracking device generates a movement signal based on a movement of the pointing apparatus. The computing device receives a movement signal from a tracking system and controls the movement of a cursor displayed via the computing device. The pointing apparatus can be operated from any convenient location and can be of any shape or form for user comfort.

Abstract: A safe distance measuring device, methods, and processor-readable medium for measuring and displaying a safe distance between vehicle and surrounding traffic. A distance measuring device measures the distances between the vehicle and surrounding traffic. A speed sensor can be utilized for sensing a current speed of the vehicle. A processor calculates the safe distances between the vehicle and surrounding traffic by utilizing the distance measured by the distance measuring device and the current speed of vehicle. A display unit can be utilized for displaying the safe distance between the vehicle and other vehicles. A warning output device can be provided for outputting an alarm to the driver of the vehicle when a vehicle distance is less than the calculated safe distance.

Abstract: A portable pointing apparatus utilized with a computing device such as a personal computer, laptop computer, and/or an Internet connected television. The pointing apparatus generally comprises a spin ball, a right click button, a left click button, and a hold button for performing various cursor movements and cursor operations on a display of the computing device. The hold button can be utilized to highlight data displayed on the computing device. The apparatus also includes a laser pointer for pointing out important data on the display. A tracking device generates a movement signal based on a movement of the pointing apparatus. The computing device receives a movement signal from a tracking system and controls the movement of a cursor displayed via the computing device. The pointing apparatus can be operated from any convenient location and can be of any shape or form for user comfort.

Abstract: A safety system for a tire blowout in a vehicle is disclosed. The system can be activated when a tire blowout occurs. The system comprises of pellets arranged on the outer surface of the rim. The friction between the pavement, the rim, and the tire increases and heats the pellets when a tire blowout occurs. The pellets inflate inside the rim and cover a bigger space as soon as it heats up. The bigger sized pellets on the outer surface of the rim after blowout, acts like a secondary tire and avoids consequences of a tire blowout. The system can also comprise of a rim airbag which explodes as soon as the tire blows out and creates a pseudo tire. The safety system reduces the initial shock of the blowout and prevents losing control of the vehicle, Also, the system creates enough resistance to keep the vehicle in control and bring it to a safe speed. Note also that the “pseudo-tire” may be driven “X” amount of miles (under a certain speed), so the driver may drive to the nearest appropriate area.

Abstract: A protective screen apparatus for attachment to a front grille of an automotive vehicle to prevent insects and other debris from entering interior elements associated with the vehicle. The apparatus includes a removable frame surrounding a fine mesh material in order to form a protective screen that can be attached with respect to the front grille of the vehicle. The protective screen can be interchangeably located in a discrete area behind the front grille in order to protect the interior elements associated with the front region of the vehicle. The protective screen can be easily removed, cleaned, and inserted back into the front grille. Such a protective screen apparatus can cover the front grille of the automotive vehicle in a simple and efficient manner.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described to enhance embryo implantation. Cytokines capable of binding to a receptor complex (the complex comprising a member of the hematopoietic cytokine receptor family) are utilized to treat female mammals, and in particular, females receiving in vitro fertilized embryos.

Abstract: A reader such as a barcode reader identifies at least one potential target such as a barcode symbol in its field-of-view, and projects or transmits an indicator toward or proximate the potential target containing information about the respective potential target. Such information may include which target is currently active, the symbology in which the target is encoded, the relative position of the reader with respect to the target, the ability of the reader to decode the target, and/or ranked or sorted order information regarding the target and neighboring targets. The reader may rank, sort, prioritize or otherwise determine order based on various parameters, including symbology, position in field-of-view, size, etc., and may base such on past history of the reader and/or user, and may weight such.