Abstract: Methods and devices for determining a mass concentration of an airborne or respirable species in real time are provided. Methods can include drawing in a particulate species through an inlet and into a chamber of a resonator of a monitoring device and directing a laser beam into the chamber of the resonator and toward the particulate species such that the particulate species absorbs energy from the laser beam and transmits heat to the surrounding air within the chamber of the resonator. A power of the laser beam as it leaves the resonator and a sound pressure within the chamber of the resonator can be determined. Determining a mass concentration of the particulate species based on a ratio of the measured sound pressure and power of the laser beam, and whether the mass concentration of the particulate species exceeds a threshold concentration can be achieved.

Abstract: A system includes a door, an external electrical connection electrically coupled to a charge store, an opening assembly including a controller, an actuator, a gear, and an actuator arm. The actuator arm is mechanically coupled to the actuator and removably coupled to the door such that the actuator arm opens or closes the door upon actuation of the actuator and the external electrical connection electrically couples to a mobile robotic power delivery device that includes a battery to provide electrical power to the actuator and the controller.

Abstract: A system includes a door, an external electrical connection electrically coupled to a charge store, an opening assembly including a controller, an actuator, a gear, and an actuator arm. The actuator arm is mechanically coupled to the actuator and removably coupled to the door such that the actuator arm opens or closes the door upon actuation of the actuator and the external electrical connection electrically couples to a mobile robotic power delivery device that includes a battery to provide electrical power to the actuator and the controller.

Abstract: Technologies provide a heat pipe having a controlled torque resistance. The techniques disclosed herein provide a heat pipe that can function as a coupling device and as a thermal interface between two moving components of a device without the need of a mechanical hinge. In some configurations, a heat pipe comprises a housing having an outer surface and having an inner surface defining a cavity. The heat pipe can also comprise one or more components for transferring heat from a first region to a second region. In addition, the heat pipe is configured to provide a predetermined torque resistance about a first axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the heat pipe. Components, such as a heat source and a heat sink, that are attached to the heat pipe can be hingeably coupled with a predetermined torque resistance without requiring a hinge and a separate thermal interface device.

Abstract: Technologies provide a heat pipe having a controlled torque resistance. The techniques disclosed herein provide a heat pipe that can function as a coupling device and as a thermal interface between two moving components of a device without the need of a mechanical hinge. In some configurations, a heat pipe comprises a housing having an outer surface and having an inner surface defining a cavity. The heat pipe can also comprise one or more components for transferring heat from a first region to a second region. In addition, the heat pipe is configured to provide a predetermined torque resistance about a first axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the heat pipe. Components, such as a heat source and a heat sink, that are attached to the heat pipe can be hingeably coupled with a predetermined torque resistance without requiring a hinge and a separate thermal interface device.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing the operation of networked media playback devices. One embodiment includes Graphical User Interface for coordinating playback of media via one or more networked wireless speaker devices. In particular, a user is able to “drag and drop” audio tracks to icons that are respectively indicative of one or more networked wireless speaker devices, thereby to affect playback of those audio tracks via those speaker devices.

Abstract: A camera is integrated into eyeglasses to allow hands-free recording of video or still images. The eyeglasses also include electronic components, such as a processor for encoding the video and a radio for transmitting the video. The eyeglasses may stream the video to a server, where the video may be viewed my other users. The eyeglasses may connect to a cellular data network to stream the data or connect to a nearby mobile device that relays the streaming video to the cellular data network. The size of the eyeglasses with the integrated camera may be reduced by overmolding wiring and/or electronic components into temples of the frame and coupling components with the integrated camera through the temples and the front frame of the eyeglasses.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing the operation of networked media playback devices. One embodiment includes Graphical User Interface for coordinating playback of media via one or more networked wireless speaker devices. In particular, a user is able to “drag and drop” audio tracks to icons that are respectively indicative of one or more networked wireless speaker devices, thereby to affect playback of those audio tracks via those speaker devices.

Abstract: An insulating cover for an attic or other opening is provided which mounts on top of a stair frame or framed opening or the like without the necessity of attic flooring, characterized by economical construction, economical shipping, ease of assembly, ease of installation above the opening, and a footprint substantially similar to the frame of the folding stair or the empty opening. The present invention further provides an insulating cover that is rugged enough for continued use yet light enough and supported in such as way as to have an ease of opening, staying open and closing as the consumer needs. In a further embodiment, the invention components may be substantially flat packed for ease of shipping and handling. In a further embodiment, the invention provides a multifunction insulating cover that may be fitted with a ventilation means, such as a louver or powered fan to enable ventilation through the framed opening even though the attic cover would be closed.

Abstract: A system for the automatic collection of closed caption text wherein broadcast source of closed caption text are received by a tuner, then decoded and a text handler writes text files. A remote inquiry client is operably connected to the tuner and a server, to push the text files from the inquiry client to the server. A previously submitted search profile originated by the inquiry client is automatically compared with the text files and parsed to create a inquiry client search result, and the useful inquiry client is then automatically contacted regarding the search result.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus suitable for cleaning pots comprising a drive, a shaft assembly, and at least one (1) pad attached to the shaft assembly. The drive rotates the shaft assembly which rotates the at least one (1) pad which is capable of scouring a pot surface held against the rotating pad.

Abstract: There is a need for degradable films, particularily in agricultural mulch applications. The present invention provides for films having a controlled life from 30 to 160 days. The film comprises photodegradable sheet material having a thickness from 0.1 to 10, preferably, from 0.2 to 5, most preferably from 0.3 to 1.0, mils and comprising a polyolefin sheet and from 50 to 1,000 parts per million of cerium salt of a C.sub.16-20 fatty acid and from 1,000 to 20,000 parts per million of titanium dioxide having a particle size less than 0.05 microns.