Abstract: Techniques for providing notifications to user devices for the purpose of re-engaging users in content items they are consuming, such as electronic books, movies, videos, and the like. For instance, the techniques may calculate a frequency at which a user reads an electronic book. If the user does not request to read this electronic book for an abnormal amount of time, the techniques may provide a notification encouraging the user to again read the electronic book.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating collaborative consumption of content items, such as electronic books, movies, videos, songs, and the like. Multiple users may consume a content item over a substantially common period of time, such as over a day, week, month, etc. Each user may utilize one or more electronic devices (e.g., electronic book reader devices, tablet devices, laptop computers, etc.) to consume the item, and each user may share his or her thoughts and may otherwise provide progress updates to the other users over the period of time.

Abstract: A weighted towel manufactured from an absorbent material having weights near or at one end which allows a person with limited mobility, dexterity or range of motion to have the ability to dry himself; the weights allow the end to wrap around a body extremity to dry areas of a limb which are difficult to reach or touch, where the weights are heavy material enclosed in a pocket in the towel that allows the weight to conform to the limb, or the foot and toes when pressed against.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating collaborative consumption of content items, such as electronic books, movies, videos, songs, and the like. Multiple users may consume a content item over a substantially common period of time, such as over a day, week, month, etc. Each user may utilize one or more electronic devices (e.g., electronic book reader devices, tablet devices, laptop computers, etc.) to consume the item, and each user may share his or her thoughts and may otherwise provide progress updates to the other users over the period of time.

Abstract: A weighted towel with handles manufactured from an absorbent material having weights near or at one end which allows a person with limited mobility, dexterity or range of motion to have the ability to dry himself; the end having hook and loop fasteners which attach and allow the end to wrap around a body extremity to dry areas of a limb which are difficult to reach or touch, where the weights are heavy material enclosed in a tough, flexible bag that allows the weight to conform to the limb, or the foot and toes when pressed against.

Abstract: An adhesive insect repellent strip that provides a practical, effective, safer way to use plant-derived and synthetic chemical insect repellents, comprising an absorbent material layer affixed with polyurethane to an adhesive-backed foam mounting layer. An aluminum foil layer, secured between the polyurethane and adhesive-backed foam mounting layer, serves a unique dual function as a barrier to protect the adhesive properties of the mounting layer below, and as a hermetic packaging wrapper to encompass the entire strip after saturation with repellent. The adhesive insect repellent strip is self contained, durable and flexible, may be cut to size, affixes to most clean, dry surfaces without the insect repellent coming into contact with the wearer's skin or the surface where attached, can be resaturated for extended use, and is easily removed without leaving residue when no longer effective or desired.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is compatible with conventional magnetic tape loggers. Such a device is termed a message repeater, and it records and replays audio signals forming messages on a message channel, such as a telephone line or a radio channel. The message repeater includes circuits for converting the audio signals on a particular channel into corresponding digital signals and circuits for storing the digital signals. The message repeater also includes circuits for selectively recalling the signals that were stored and circuits for converting the signals that were recalled into analog audio signals. Messages on the selected message channel may be recorded and later replayed by the message repeater. Preferably, the message repeater includes a display with indications of the relative locations and lengths of the stored messages as well as a cursor or index.