Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring and influencing article selection in a social network are disclosed. A learning-and-guiding module tracks access to articles by users of the social network and determines patterns of users' attraction to articles based on contents of articles and attributes of users. The module utilizes learned user-articles characteristics to influence article selection through communicating with users through the social network. The module relies on historical usage data characterizing user's affinity to articles. To guard against usage data obsolescence due to shifting interests, usage data are frequently adjusted to place more emphasis on recent usage patterns.

Abstract: A marketing inference engine determines prospective clients, drawn from a population of users, for a commodity. A set of relevant consumer traits is conjectured or determined from data relevant to prior clients of the commodity. Massive data characterizing the population is analysed to determine a superset of user communities of the population of users, each community corresponding to a respective trait of a predefined superset of traits. A set of primary communities, corresponding to the set of relevant consumer traits, is selected from the superset of communities. A set of secondary communities, each determined to have a significant kinship to the set of primary communities, is selected from the superset of communities. A set of primary prospective clients is determined from the primary communities. An expanded set of prospective clients is determined from both the primary communities and the secondary communities.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring and influencing article selection in a social network are disclosed. A learning-and-guiding module tracks access to articles by users of the social network and determines patterns of users' attraction to articles based on contents of articles and attributes of users. The module utilizes learnt user-articles characteristics to influence article selection through communicating with users through the social network. The module relies on historical usage data characterizing user's affinity to articles. To guard against usage data obsolescence due to shifting interests, usage data are frequently adjusted to place more emphasis on recent usage patterns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machine-aided marketing are disclosed. A hardware processor executes instructions for tracking a population of social-media users, segmenting the population of users into a set of clusters based on individual user properties, acquiring metrics of user behaviour, and determining saturation of candidate metrics within each cluster based on the individual user metrics. The method identifies a set of distinctive metrics and corresponding distinct clusters according to metric-saturation levels. To promote a specific commodity, the method determines compatible distinctive metrics and at least one distinct cluster. Various means of communicating with users of the at least one distinct cluster may then be employed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding article selection from a vast collection of articles are disclosed. Inter-article affinity measures are determined based on individual article characteristics and network-users' successive access to articles. For each detected access to an article, the apparatus determines a complementing article according to the inter-article affinity measures and communicates an identifier of the complementing article to a respective user. The apparatus employs multiple hardware processor and maintains a registry of article-selection data, for active users detected by the apparatus, and a storage medium storing inter-article transition scores and inter-article affinity coefficients which are continually updated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for directing access to sources of information through an information dissemination network are disclosed. Upon detecting a user's access to a source, a recommendation to access a complementing source is communicated to the user. The recommendation is based on affinity measures for pairs of sources of information. Upon detecting the user's access transition to a new source of information within a predefined time interval, inter-source transition scores are recorded and new affinity levels of the current source to the new source are determined for each affinity measure. Affinity merits corresponding to affinity levels are determined based on tracking a population of users and determining users' compliance with recommendation. A complementing source is selected according to affinity merits corresponding to specific affinity levels of a current source to a set of sources.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for interacting with an information distribution system to determine a preferred article to access following inspection of any article of a collection of articles are disclosed. A candidate target article is evaluated based on content similarity to a currently inspected article as well as usage data indicating article-transition patterns. Usage data of the population of users is sorted according to predefined users' groups. For a user, of a specific group, currently inspecting a specific article, a recommendation of a candidate successor article is influenced by content similarity, article transition-pattern of the population of users, and respective group-specific article-transition patterns, with the latter preferably given more weight.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring and influencing article selection in a social network are disclosed. A learning-and-guiding module tracks access to articles by users of the social network and determines patterns of users' attraction to articles based on contents of articles and attributes of users. The module utilizes learnt user-articles characteristics to influence article selection through communicating with users through the social network. The module relies on historical usage data characterizing user's affinity to articles. To guard against usage data obsolescence due to shifting interests, usage data are frequently adjusted to place more emphasis on recent usage patterns.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner comprises an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a valve assembly body in fluid communication with the inlet of the inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction and a second one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a reverse direction, and a valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from the first one of the outlets to the second one of the outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric top bottom cleaner for pools or spas that includes internal pumps for suction and propulsion purposes. The pool cleaner includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a first side, a second side, a bottom wall, and a top wall, with a first aperture extending through the bottom wall and a second aperture extending through the top wall. A tube extends through the housing between the first aperture and the second aperture. A debris retention mechanism is connectable to the housing. A first pump, a second pump, and a third pump are positioned within the housing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a pool cleaner having a body and articulated cleaning member extending from the body. The articulated cleaning member can be pivotally and/or rotatably coupled to the body. The articulated cleaning member can be pivoted or rotated with respect to the body to accommodate changes in the terrain of a pool. A method for cleaning a swimming pool is also provided where a pool cleaner having articulated cleaning members is submerged in a pool and allowing the pool cleaner to traverse an immersed surface of the pool. The method further rotates the articulated cleaning member in response to a difference in an elevation of the immersed surface between the articulated cleaning member and the body.

Abstract: A mattress including a base layer, at least one intermediary layer, and a top layer. The base layer is constructed from a foam material defining an Indentation Level Deflection (ILD) Rating from 25 to 35 pounds, and defines a thickness of between four and eight inches (4?-8?), and having a density from 1 to 4 lb/ft3. Each intermediary layer is constructed from a foam material defining an ILD Rating of between 10 and 25 and defines a thickness from 1.5? to 3?, and having a density from ˜2 to ˜4 lb/ft3. A top layer is fabricated from a vertically-oriented synthetic memory fiber blend comprised of bi-copolymer fibers and fibers having spring-like molecular structure. The top layer defines a thickness of between 0.75? and 1.25? and a weight of between about 200 to about 500 grams per square yard. A cover layer may be disposed above said top layer, the cover layer being fabricated from a selected foam material, and defining a thickness of up to about one inch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for an underwater pool cleaner comprises an inlet body having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a valve assembly body in fluid communication with the inlet of the inlet body and including a plurality of fluid outlets, a first one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a forward direction and a second one of the outlets provides fluid for propelling the underwater pool cleaner in a reverse direction, and a valve subassembly fluidicly driven by the supply of pressurized fluid and periodically switching the supply of pressurized fluid from the first one of the outlets to the second one of the outlets to periodically change direction of propulsion of the underwater pool cleaner.