Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods enable a user to receive feedback regarding a computer-implemented design of an architectural structure as the user is designing or otherwise modifying the computer-implemented design using a computer-aided design (CAD) software tool. The feedback (hereafter also referred to as “design feedback”) may provide the user with useful analysis information regarding the architectural structure's predicted characteristics (e.g., operational performance, resource consumption, cost, etc.) based on the current state of the computer-implemented design. As the user performs one or more actions on the computer-implemented design model (e.g., through the CAD software tool), particularly with respect to the geometry or texture of the computer-implemented design model, systems and methods can provide the impact of those actions, possibly at or near the time the actions were executed (e.g., at or near real-time).

Abstract: Systems and methods for issuance, use, and replacement of multi-purpose devices are disclosed. A method for providing a multi-purpose device for use with a plurality of systems may include (1) a first party assigning a first account number to the multi-purpose device, the first account number associated with a first account with the first party for use in a first system; (2) the first party assigning a second account number to the multi-purpose device, the second account number associated with a second account with a second party for use in a second system; and (3) the first party issuing the multi-purpose device to a customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for making a food product (2), said product having a solid outer shell (3) with top (4), bottom (5) and side (6) walls, and optionally an inner core (7) filled with liquid, semi-solid and/or solid filling, characterized in that said apparatus comprises: (i) a support frame (8) holding at least one matrix (9) that goes through said support frame (8) and has opposed openings, (ii) two punches (11a, 11b) disposed respectively each side of said matrix (9) and facing said openings, said punches having a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of said openings, and being movable along a common axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of said matrix, said matrix and said pair of punches defining respectively the side and the end walls of a mold (12), (iii) filling means for filling the mold (12), with a predetermined quantity of food product in a liquid or semi-solid form, (iv) actuating means for moving said punches (11a, 11b) and exerting a longitudin

Abstract: Techniques for locating places of lodging along a route and for displaying information relating to the places of lodging are described. A plurality of search points on a route are selected according to various selection techniques. Performance of a plurality of point searches is caused, where each point search of the plurality of point searches is associated with a respective search point of the plurality of search points and is a search for places of lodging near the respective search point. Search result information relating to at least some point searches of the plurality of point searches is displayed in association with route information relating to the route.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for the improved tracking of a data state. The present invention allows session states to be maintained by sites that run on multiple, load-balanced servers. The present invention removes a single point of failure in a system, thus preventing all active sessions from being lost by providing persistent session data distributable across one or more machines over a communications network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a liquid aromatised with aroma compounds from chocolate, wherein a gas comprising aroma derived from cocoa or a cocoa-based product and water is condensed to provide a liquid aqueous phase and a gas phase; and the gas phase is subjected to pressurisation in the presence of an absorption liquid. The resulting liquid can then be further treated and used to modify and improve the aroma profile of chocolate, compound or any chocolate-flavoured products or products where the intention is to impart chocolate aroma (e.g. packaging).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining part wear using a mobile device. One such exemplary method includes capturing, using the mobile device, at least one digital image of a wear part of a machine. The method further includes determining, by the mobile device and based on the at least one digital image, a degree of wear of the wear part.

Abstract: Systems and methods for issuance, use, and replacement of multi-purpose devices are disclosed. A method for providing a multi-purpose device for use with a plurality of systems may include (1) a first party assigning a first account number to the multi-purpose device, the first account number associated with a first account with the first party for use in a first system; (2) the first party assigning a second account number to the multi-purpose device, the second account number associated with a second account with a second party for use in a second system; and (3) the first party issuing the multi-purpose device to a customer.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells. Damage caused by thermal energy generated in the battery pack is minimized by a one or more graphite sheets in contact with a portion of each cylindrical battery cell.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for the improved tracking of a data state. The present invention allows session states to be maintained by sites that run on multiple, load-balanced servers. The present invention removes a single point of failure in a system, thus preventing all active sessions from being lost by providing persistent session data distributable across one or more machines over a communications network.

Abstract: A fan-equipped umbrella system comprising: an umbrella assembly having a tube; a runner; a spring assembly; a plurality of ribs; a domed cover; C-clips; a handle; a tip; foldable arms; at least one fan comprising blades, the blades being rotatable; an electrical wiring harness; an on/off switch; circuit gate; and at least one circuit breaker. The tube; the runner; the plurality of ribs; the domed cover; the handle; the tip; the foldable arms; and the spring assembly in combination operate the umbrella assembly. Further, the tube; runner; plurality of ribs; and the domed cover of umbrella assembly are deployable from a stored condition to a deployed condition to isolate at least one user from at least one environmental condition. The fans cause air movement when activated to provide comfort to a user of the novel umbrella.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for making a food product (2), said product having a solid outer shell (3) with top (4), bottom (5) and side (6) walls, and optionally an inner core (7) filled with liquid, semi-solid and/or solid filling, characterized in that said apparatus comprises: (i) a support frame (8) holding at least one matrix (9) that goes through said support frame (8) and has opposed openings, (ii) two punches (11a, 11b) disposed respectively each side of said matrix (9) and facing said openings, said punches having a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of said openings, and being movable along a common axis that corresponds to the longitudinal axis of said matrix, said matrix and said pair of punches defining respectively the side and the end walls of a mould (12), (iii) filling means for filling the mould (12), with a predetermined quantity of food product in a liquid or semi-solid form, (iv) actuating means for moving said punches (11a, 11b) and exerting a longitud

Abstract: A method of automatically generating models from a dataset includes multiple steps. First, a description of a view of a dataset is provided. The description includes multiple fields associated with the dataset. Next, a set of properties is determined for each of the multiple fields. Finally, the description is automatically translated into one or more models based on the respective properties of the multiple fields and a set of predefined heuristics.

Abstract: A system including a centralized organizational information system in communication with a centralized organizational information database. The system also includes a federated set of entitlements engines in communication with the centralized organizational information system and a plurality of entitlement databases, wherein each of the entitlements engines is for determining whether a user is entitled to access secured resources requested by the user.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for the improved tracking of a data state. The present invention allows session states to be maintained by sites that run on multiple, load-balanced servers. The present invention removes a single point of failure in a system, thus preventing all active sessions from being lost by providing persistent session data distributable across one or more machines over a communications network.

Abstract: An electric machine, such as an autonomous vacuum cleaner, is powered through a cable and includes a means or device for detecting the orientation of the cable with respect to the main body of the machine that may be in the form of a pivotable member such as pendulum, connected to a potentiometer. The potentiometer provides an output signal proportional to the position of the free end of the pendulum. Thus, the machine can detect the position of the cable and thus can avoid it or else follow it. Microswitches may also be provided to detect extreme positions of the cable.

Abstract: Information is received that has been electronically read in a machine-readable format stored on a driver's license presented by a visitor to the open house is used to derive the name of the visitor. A telephone number of the visitor is derived based on the received information. An open house report is generated that includes the name and the telephone number of the visitor.

Abstract: A networked telephony system and method allow users to deploy on the Internet computer telephony applications associated with designated telephone numbers. The telephony application is easily created by a user in XML (Extensible Markup Language) with predefined telephony XML tags and easily deployed on a website. The telephony XML tags include those for call control and media manipulation. A call to anyone of these designated telephone numbers may originate from anyone of the networked telephone system such as the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone System), a wireless network, or the Internet. The call is received by an application gateway center (AGC) installed on the Internet. Analogous to a web browser, the AGC provides facility for retrieving the associated XML application from its website and processing the call accordingly.

Abstract: A device for dispensing particulate material includes a dispenser housing having an interior divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, a roller member rotatably mounted at least partially within the upper portion of the dispenser housing interior and structure for supporting the particulate material spaced below the roller member.