Abstract: Improved techniques for presenting sound effects at a portable media device are disclosed. The sound effects can be output as audio sounds to an internal speaker, an external speaker, or both. In addition, the audio sounds for the sound effects can be output together with other audio sounds pertaining to media assets (e.g., audio tracks being played). In one embodiment, the sound effects can serve to provide auditory feedback to a user of the portable media device. A user interface can facilitate a user's selection of sound effect usages, types or characteristics.

Abstract: A method for authenticating control boards in an appliance includes reading a serial number from a memory of a first control board positioned within the appliance, reading a serial number from a memory of a second control board positioned within the appliance and in communication with the first control board, comparing the serial number from the memory of the first control board to the serial number from the memory of the second control board, and authenticating the first and second control boards when the serial number from the memory of the first control board matches the serial number from the memory of the second control board.

Abstract: A configurable user interface architecture to be used in high integrity safety critical avionic systems and is adaptable to multiple cockpit displays has a protocol-agnostic layer that handles entry and display update behaviors, and a protocol-specific layer that connects the entry and display behaviors to protocol-specific input/output messages using configuration tables. The configuration tables are built using a specially designed configuration tool and the configuration table built by the tool can be embedded in the target user interface software or loaded externally into a pre-compiled application.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube product comprising: blending an unaligned carbon nanotube material with solid solvent particles; activating a nanotube solvent by liquefying the solid solvent particles; producing a nanotube dope solution by mixing the nanotube solvent and the unaligned carbon nanotube material; forming a carbon nanotube proto-product by extruding the nanotube dope solution; and forming an aligned carbon nanotube product by solidifying the carbon nanotube proto-product.

Abstract: An architectural covering may include an adjustment member configured and positioned to adjust friction affecting movement of the covering. The adjustment member may be manipulated to increase friction in the architectural covering so a covering member (e.g., a panel) of the architectural covering does not move as freely as it would without the increased friction, yet the covering member nonetheless remains simple to operate. The additional friction may be effective to inhibit the covering member from moving across an associated architectural feature on its own without a user's input.

Abstract: A string, rope, or strap with repetitively spaced openings/flexible eyelets from bifurcated braiding or weaving, or from cutting and sealing. The bifurcated openings are preferably created from a single rope or strap that is subsequently braided or weaved into two strings, ropes, or straps and then back into one. The frequent and periodic placement of these eyelets on the string, rope, or strap, allows the user to easily tie down items. The rope or strap is flexible enough to pull it in on its self, through its eyelets. The ends of the string, rope, or strap are finished into a hard tip.

Abstract: An apparatus to distribute pressurized fluid from one or more sources to multiple wellbores. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least two inlets and at least two outlets. Pressurized fluid is brought into the manifold from opposing directions so that the fluid from one inlet will impinge upon the fluid from the other inlet thereby de-energizing the fluid. Additionally, the manifold is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the inlets is less than the cross-sectional area of the manifold thereby decreasing velocity minimizing the kinetic energy available to erode or otherwise damage equipment, while providing a pressure decrease as the fluid enters the manifold. The outlets are configured such that the cross-sectional area of the outlets providing fluid to a single wellbore is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlets such that no pressure increase occurs within the manifold or the outlets as the fluid exits the manifold.

Abstract: Methods of servicing one or more consumer appliances are provided herein. The method may include establishing an automatic wireless connection to the consumer appliance with a removably attached dongle through a cellular communications network. The method may also include identifying a consumer appliance as one appliance type of a predetermined plurality of appliance types. The method may further include receiving a recorded log data set from the consumer appliance through the dongle based on the identified appliance type. The method may still further include determining whether an errant event has occurred at the consumer appliance based on the recorded log data set.

Abstract: An article can have a surface with selected wetting properties for various liquids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently updating a software configuration of an appliance are provided. In particular, the systems and methods include features for performing software updates based on the unique identity or fingerprint of one or more control boards present in the appliance. Further, methods for tracking appliances with unknown software configurations are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus to distribute pressurized fluid from one or more sources to multiple wellbores. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least two inlets and at least two outlets. Pressurized fluid is brought into the manifold from opposing directions so that the fluid from one inlet will impinge upon the fluid from the other inlet thereby deenergizing the fluid. Additionally, the manifold is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the inlets is less than the cross-sectional area of the manifold thereby decreasing velocity minimizing the kinetic energy available to erode or otherwise damage equipment, while providing a pressure decrease as the fluid enters the manifold. The outlets are configured such that the cross-sectional area of the outlets providing fluid to a single wellbore is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlets such that no pressure increase occurs within the manifold or the outlets as the fluid exits the manifold.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds comprising a substituted pyrrolo-, indolino- or tetrahydroisoquinoline-benzodiazepines alkylating moiety linked via the A-ring to aromatic groups of formula (Ia), and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are useful as medicaments, in particular as anti-proliferative agents.

Abstract: An improved process for fabricating expanded thermoplastic polymers (eTP) starting from non-expanded TP is disclosed whereby said process has improved thermal control, uses preferably environmentally friendly foaming gasses, avoids anisotropy and sticking of the eTP during the processing and minimises the duration of the charging step.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently updating a software configuration of an appliance are provided. In particular, the systems and methods include features for performing software updates based on the unique identity or fingerprint of one or more control boards present in the appliance. Further, methods for tracking appliances with unknown software configurations are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to pyrridinobenzodiazepines (PDDs) comprising three fused 6-7- 6-membered rings and to benzopyrridodiazecines (BPDs) comprising three fused 6-8- 6-membered rings and, in particular, to PDD or BPD dimers linked together or PDD and BPD monomers linked to aromatic groups, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are useful as medicaments, such as anti-proliferative agents.

Abstract: A method for data rate switching in an appliance that is connected to a network includes polling data at a first rate when a value of a status of the appliance is a first value, transmitting the data polled at the first rate from the appliance via the network, polling data at a second rate when the value of the status of the appliance is a second value, and transmitting the data polled at the second rate from the appliance via the network.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method of servicing a consumer appliance is provided herein. The diagnostic tool may include a casing and a controller. The casing may be spaced apart from the consumer appliance. The controller may be selectively connected to the consumer appliance. The controller may be configured to direct a service operation. Moreover, the service operation may include receiving non-functional character data from the consumer appliance at the diagnostic tool, assigning an appliance configuration manifest to the consumer appliance based on the received non-functional character data, determining a service action based on the appliance configuration manifest, and initiating the determined service action at the diagnostic tool.

Abstract: Methods of servicing one or more consumer appliances are provided herein. The method may include establishing an automatic wireless connection to the consumer appliance with a removably attached dongle through a cellular communications network. The method may also include identifying a consumer appliance as one appliance type of a predetermined plurality of appliance types. The method may further include receiving a recorded log data set from the consumer appliance through the dongle based on the identified appliance type. The method may still further include determining whether an errant event has occurred at the consumer appliance based on the recorded log data set.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a utility vehicle having a pivotable seat connected by a hinge to a fixed platform. The pivotable seat configured to pivot between a first position and a second position defining a standard seat location and a first wall of a cargo bay, respectively. A seatback is configured to form a second wall of a cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position. First and second opposing side walls are positioned on either side of the pivotable seat. The side walls are configured to form barriers at either side of the cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device includes a rotor configured for rotation about a rotational axis, a brake plate disposed on a first axial side of the rotor, an armature disposed on a second axial side of the rotor opposite the brake plate, and an electromagnet disposed on one axial side of the armature opposite the rotor and the brake plate. A spacer is disposed axially between the brake plate and the electromagnet and radially outwardly of the rotor and the armature. A seal is supported on a radially inner surface of the spacer radially outward of the armature and seals the interface between armature and electromagnet.