Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes using a portable computing device to remotely control devices and/or systems wirelessly. Specifically, a software timer application operating on the portable computing device enables its user to predefine the time, date, and the operation(s) that one or more properly enabled devices and/or systems perform in the future. That is, the timer software operating on the portable computing device is able at some predefined time to wirelessly trigger an action or a sequence of actions from devices and/or systems. For example, a user of the portable computing device is able to utilize the timer software to program a predefined date and time that the portable computing device will turn on a favorite radio program and turn up the thermostat. The wireless communication of the portable computing device may occur using a radio frequency (RF) technology like Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, or HomeRF.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and providing one or more guest passes for temporary access to one or more video games to a first player that was previously granted membership to a platform that offers access to playing these video games. One or more different determinations are made on information related to the first player and/or available video games to generate one or more guest passes for a video game that is at least somewhat relevant to the first player. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the different determinations can be intrinsically and/or extrinsically weighted to further refine the generation of a guest pass for a video games that is at least somewhat relevant to the first player, and thereby more likely to be offered by the first player to a second player. Also, the platform enables the determining and generating of the one or more guest passes to the one or more video games for the first player.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes using a portable computing device to remotely control devices and/or systems wirelessly. Specifically, a software timer application operating on the portable computing device enables its user to predefine the time, date, and the operation(s) that one or more properly enabled devices and/or systems perform in the future. That is, the timer software operating on the portable computing device is able at some predefined time to wirelessly trigger an action or a sequence of actions from devices and/or systems. For example, a user of the portable computing device is able to utilize the timer software to program a predefined date and time that the portable computing device will turn on a favorite radio, program and turn up the thermostat. The wireless communication of the portable computing device may occur using a radio frequency (RF) technology like Bluetooth, IEEE 802.1 1, or HomeRF.

Abstract: A method for laying a foundation that includes the following steps (a) digging a foundation trench (2), (b) pouring concrete (4) into the foundation trench to a first level (6); (c) allowing the concrete to partially cure to a predetermined state; (d) pressing blocks (10) into the concrete to a desired level equal to the desired finish height (11) of the foundation; (e) filling the blocks with sufficient concrete (13) to complete the foundation; where the predetermined state of the partially cured concrete is such that the partially cured concrete allows the blocks to be pressed into the surface of the concrete without risk of sinking further.

Abstract: A steerable drilling system comprises a rotary drill bit 14 secured to a housing 16, a secondary rotary drill component 22 carried by the housing and rotatable therewith, the second rotary drill component 22 having a gauge dimension greater than that of the rotary drill bit 14, and a drive arrangement operable to displace the secondary rotary drill component 22 relative to the housing 16 whilst maintaining an axis 24 of the secondary rotary drill component 22 substantially parallel to an axis 18 of the housing 16.

Abstract: Stretch wrap films are used to hold goods to pallets during storage and shipping. A multilayer stretch wrap film with at least one outer layer of a polypropylene and polystyrene mixture, and other layers of blends of polyethylenes. The film of the present invention optimizes physical properties enabling the film to exhibit superior abrasion resistance in order to protect wrapped contents from damage and exposure during shipment as well as good cling thereby eliminating the need for taping of the film in order to secure the contents.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a composition and a process for forming a flexible polyurethane foam sealing device having improved compression set properties at increased temperatures. The sealing device is formed without the use of chemical blowing agents. The composition includes an isocyanate component for reaction with a resin component comprising an isocyanate-reactive component having a functionality of least four and a hydroxyl number of less than 40, a graft dispersion, and a physical blowing agent. The most preferred physical blowing agent is HFC-245 fa or 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane.

Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

Abstract: An automated process (and system) for facilitating the creation of a frame based Knowledge tree for use with a configuration system is provided. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a database induction module interacts with a user interface and a vendor provided database containing product information in the form of database files. The user sets induction preferences via a graphical user interface, and the induction module accesses product information from the client database file and automatically generates a frame based product knowledge tree in light of the user's preferences, where the frame based product knowledge tree is intended for use with a configuration system for configuring certain desired products, services, or other assemblages.

Abstract: A computer system includes an electronic recording system and a pen input device that is suitable for use with forms in a paperless environment and optionally a paper environment. The pen input device may be an inertial type device so that it can be used on virtual writing surfaces and may optionally be configured to have a selectable electronic edit function, such as an electronic erase, highlight and red-line function. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the computer system is provided with an electronic forms library. These forms are selectable by the pen input device. The pen input device may also be configured to create the forms that it uses. The pen input device is able to fill out a virtual form on a virtual writing surface and transmit the data to the computer system for recordation. The pen input device may also be configured with a voice to text function which enables boxes on a form, selected by the pen input device, to be filled in via voice commands.

Abstract: A current transformer test method implemented using a test device, is useful to verify proper CT installation and operation, and does not rely on the generator (or other system) to be in a state of relatively high assembly. The test device allows a current transformer to be tested by supplying an alternating current (AC) signal to a primary winding of the current transformer to thereby induce an AC signal in a secondary winding of the current transformer. The test device is used to simultaneously monitor the phases of the supplied AC signal and the induced AC signal so that a determination can be made as to whether the current transformer secondary winding is properly installed relative to the current transformer primary winding, and to simultaneously monitor the current magnitudes of the supplied AC signal and the induced AC signal so that the turns ratio of the current transformer can be determined.

Abstract: Stretch wrap films are used to hold goods to pallets during storage and shipping. Multilayer stretch wrap films are provided herein with at least one outer layer of polypropylene and other layers of blends of polyethylenes. In preferred embodiments, stretch wrap films comprise a cling layer comprising a heterogeneously branched ultra low density polyethylene, a non-cling layer, and at least one core layer comprising linear low density polyethylene and low density polyethylene. Preferred embodiments of films of the present technology optimize physical properties enabling the film to have sufficient cling while creating a tolerable noise level upon unwinding. The optimized properties can include good clarity, high load containment, high puncture resistance, high stretch and good tear resistance.

Abstract: A system for and a method of providing a telephony service is disclosed. Supplying power to a node in a telecommunications network from a subscriber's premises conflicts with the plain old telephone service POTS. Until the advent of the present invention it was thought that supplying power in this way required either an additional electrical transmission wire or providing voice support within a digital subscriber line (DSL) service. In the proposed system telephony control signals, as supplied by an exchange (103) on to a first section (107) of an electrical transmission line, are converted into modified downstream control signals having a different frequency to electrical power, which is supplied onto a second section (109) of the electrical transmission line, and electrical equipment in a node that interconnects the first and second sections can draw electrical power supplied by the power supply without affecting the operation of a telephone (101).

Abstract: Stretch wrap films are used to hold goods to pallets during storage and shipping. A multilayer stretch wrap film with at least one outer layer of polypropylene and other layers of blends of polyethylenes. The film of the present invention optimizes physical properties enabling the film to have sufficient cling while creating a tolerable noise level upon unwinding. The optimized properties include good clarity, high load containment, high puncture resistance, high stretch and good tear resistance.

Abstract: A tree stand substantially comprising at least three generally vertical upright members, at least as many supporting members as upright members and a continuous connecting member.

Abstract: Two techniques are commonly used when developing database applications. First, script files containing batched database commands are frequently used to establish the schema of database tables. Second, the software design pattern “Data Access Objects” are sometimes used to contain programmatic database requests while providing an application programmer a more abstract, easier to use interface to the database. Both of these techniques require essentially the same information: an understanding of the organization of particular database tables. The present invention reduces the labor associated with maintaining synchronicity between these two components by a method that allows both the schema and the format of the Data Access Object to be determined by evaluating the properties of an object to be stored in the database.