Abstract: A blower includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, a bearing-housing structure provided to the housing and adapted to rotatably support a rotor, a motor provided to the bearing-housing structure and adapted to drive the rotor, and an impeller provided to the rotor. The bearing-housing structure includes a bearing shaft having a bearing surface that rotatably supports the rotor. The bearing shaft provides only a single bearing of the non-ball bearing type for the rotor.

Abstract: A composition comprising an ampholytic copolymer or terpolymer and a non ionic surfactant is shown useful in soil treatment, especially moisture and nutrient retention. The highly surface active compositions described herein self-assemble onto root zone plant surfaces and near-root soil, forming a moisture barrier that still permits root growth and oxygen flow. The inventive compositions increases the wettability of the soil allowing the soil to better absorb water at the beneficial root zone, and release it, along with essential nutrients, to the plant root structure. By targeting moisture retention in the root zone, the polymer decreases the migration potential to the root zone, producing higher irrigation efficiency for optimal plant growth with lower treatment levels. Different dilutions of the composition determine the final settling location of the composition, and the formation of the barrier. The compositions may be applied through known means, such as an irrigation system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and controller with memory provisions for storing, receiving, and transmitting customer equipment profiles. The controller may include a plurality of profiles that allows a selection thereof for restoration. A method for configuring HVAC equipment, including a customer profile database and efficiently transmitting unique customer and factory profiles, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and techniques for displaying information in response to motion picture programming are herein described. A handheld remote control can comprise a storage device. The handheld remote control can be configured to receive user input to select an element in a scene of non-commercial programming, where the element can represent an item for purchase. The handheld remote control can also be configured to retrieve purchase information for the element from a set-top box. The set-top box can be configured to display the non-commercial programming on a television display. The handheld remote control can also be configured to store the purchase information in the storage device and store user information, including account information, in the storage device. The handheld remote control can be configured to electronically complete a purchase transaction for the item using the stored purchase information and the stored user information.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and techniques for displaying information in response to motion picture programming are herein described. A handheld digital device can comprise a display and a processor. The processor can be configured to receive a watermark via programming. The programming can include an element representing a sale target. The sale target can be an item or service for sale. The watermark can include sale target information about the sale target. The processor can also be configured to identify the sale target via the sale target information in the watermark. The processor can also be configured to present the sale target to a user via the display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and controller with memory provisions for storing, receiving, and transmitting customer equipment profiles. The controller may include a plurality of profiles that allows a selection thereof for restoration. A method for configuring HVAC equipment, including a customer profile database and efficiently transmitting unique customer and factory profiles, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes an enclosure for containing components of the HVAC system. Associated with the enclosure is an HVAC system control unit including a microcontroller for controlling an operation of the HVAC system. The HVAC system control unit further includes a memory associated with the microcontroller and configured to store data associated with operation of the HVAC system. The microcontroller is configurable to directly transfer the data between the memory and a portable flash memory device. The HVAC system control unit further includes a portable flash memory device interface for coupling the portable flash memory device directly thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, a real world setting identified in motion picture programming can be made electronically identifiable by a viewer of the programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information about the real world setting. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a real world setting or location identified in the programming. In turn, information about the real world setting can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, a content element identified in a broadcast can be made identifiable by a user of the broadcast, and thereby enabling a user to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the content element. Using this concept, for example, a user viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a content element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the user, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, a beauty product element identified in motion picture programming can be made electronically identifiable by a viewer of the programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source or other information about the beauty product element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a beauty product element worn or used by an actor or actress. In turn, information about the beauty product element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an audio element identified in a broadcast can be made identifiable by a user of the broadcast, and thereby enabling a user to determine the source, location, or other information about the audio element. Using this concept, for example, a user viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select an audio element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information about the audio can be displayed to the user, including purchase information. Using this particular concept of the invention, traditionally non-commercial programming can be efficiently used to indirectly advertise goods or services and offer them for sale on-line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, an element identified in motion picture programming can be made identifiable by a viewer of the motion picture programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source, location, or other information referred to by the element. Using this concept, for example, a viewer viewing a soap opera is able to use a device to electronically select a element identified in the broadcast. In turn, information referred to by the content element can be displayed to the viewer, including purchase information.

Abstract: A sled system for mounting a parking brake hand lever assembly and a gear shift assembly to a vehicle floor pan, the sled system having a predetermined configuration to mount on a vehicle floor pan.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, are methods and apparatus incorporating, among other things, the concept of using, in particular but without limitation, traditionally non-commercial programming as a medium for selling products or services on-line, and again in particular over the Internet. Using this concept, for example, items used for props or settings of a scene in motion picture programming are made electronically identifiable by a viewer of the programming, and thereby enabling a viewer to determine the source or location of the goods or setting or other thing for sale, using an electronic system deployed in part as a portion of the viewer's television viewing equipment. Using this concept, for example, a user viewing a soap opera is able to use a hand held device to electronically point to a dress or item of jewelry worn by an actress, and selects the dress or jewelry. In turn, the user is taken to a web site that offers the dress for sale.

Abstract: A multilayer composite tubular structure for use as a stent in surgical procedures has an outer layer of biocompatible material, a middle layer of radiopaque material, and an inner layer of biocompatible material. The layers are metallurgically bonded, to form a composite stent which is ductile and permits large deformation without delamination between the biocompatible and radiopaque layers. The composite structure formed is visible on a fluoroscope, yet does not obstruct the details of the stent itself, or of the anatomical features surrounding the stent.A process of forming a multilayer composite tubular structure is also disclosed. A tube formed from radiopaque material is coaxially surrounded by a tube of biocompatible material. The tubes are simultaneously reduced, such as by tube drawing, swaging, or deep drawing, until a composite structure of a desirable diameter and wall thickness is formed. The tubes are then heat treated to cause diffusion bonding of the biocompatible and radiopaque layers.