Abstract: An entertainment system receives entertainment programming interposed with commercials. The entertainment system selectively renders the commercial in accordance with characteristics associated with a user of the entertainment programming. In one embodiment, the entertainment system selectively renders a selected one among multiple received versions of a commercial. In another embodiment, the entertainment system selectively renders a selected one among multiple received commercials.

Abstract: A rotor wheel for a gas turbine rotor has a first side having a plurality of curved paddles separated by a plurality of curved slots and a second side having a plurality of radial paddles separated by a plurality of radial slots. A method of purging a rotor of a gas turbine includes providing a flow of compressed air between adjacent rotor wheels of the rotor in a radially downward direction on a first side of each wheel and in a radially upward direction on a second side of each wheel; passing the flow through a curved slots on the first side of each rotor wheel; and passing the flow through radial slots on the second side of each rotor wheel.

Abstract: A turbine engine includes a plurality of compressor rotors that include ventilation slots to vent the spaces between adjacent compressor rotors. Each compressor rotor is formed from a flat disk of material having first and second circular faces. A circular ridge of material protrudes outward from the one of the circular faces of the disc adjacent an outer edge of the disc. The ventilation slots are formed in the circular ridge of material. Each ventilation slot is a depression in the circular ridge of material, the depression having a longitudinal axis that extends substantially in a radial direction of the disc.

Abstract: A system and a method to supply a coolant to a turbine bucket of a turbine. The system includes an extraction system configured to extract air from a main compressor airflow, a supply circuit, at least a part of which is disposed at an exterior of the gas turbine, coupled to the extraction system and configured to transport the extracted air, as an ingredient of the coolant, from the extraction system to a coolant insertion region, and a cooling system, disposed proximate to the coolant insertion region of the gas turbine and coupled to the supply circuit at a position on-board the gas turbine, the cooling system being configured to supply the turbine bucket with the coolant, including the extracted air.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a child safety net. The device may act as a barrier to prevent items, such as a basketball, from inadvertently exiting a playing area. As a result, the device may prevent a child from chasing after a ball and running into traffic. Further, the device is useful in eliminating the need to spend time chasing a ball even in a safe environment, such as a park. The device is particularly suitable for use at the end of a driveway. The device has a lightweight net which is easily installed at any location. The net may be easily rolled up for storage and transportation. The base of the device is weighted and has a plurality of female slots for receiving a plurality of posts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus to collect and provide viewer feedback to broadcasts. According to one aspect of the present invention, a rating is generated for a broadcast by a server system. The rating is based at least in part on viewer feedback to the broadcast, and the rating indicates a likelihood of interest in the broadcast for potential subsequent viewers. Access to the rating is then provided so that predications can be made as to whether or not the broadcast will be of interest to potential subsequent viewers. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rating is provided from the server system to an entertainment system, and the broadcast can be selected for viewing at an entertainment system based on the rating generated by the server system. In one embodiment, the viewer feedback is received at the entertainment system in response to a feedback questionnaire.

Abstract: A system and a method to supply a coolant to a turbine bucket of a turbine. The system includes an extraction system configured to extract air from a main compressor airflow, a supply circuit, at least a part of which is disposed at an exterior of the gas turbine, coupled to the extraction system and configured to transport the extracted air, as an ingredient of the coolant, from the extraction system to a coolant insertion region, and a cooling system, disposed proximate to the coolant insertion region of the gas turbine and coupled to the supply circuit at a position on-board the gas turbine, the cooling system being configured to supply the turbine bucket with the coolant, including the extracted air.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus to collect and provide viewer feedback to broadcasts. According to one aspect of the present invention, a rating is generated for a broadcast by a server system. The rating is based at least in part on viewer feedback to the broadcast, and the rating indicates a likelihood of interest in the broadcast for potential subsequent viewers. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rating is provided from the server system to an entertainment system, and the broadcast can be selected for viewing at an entertainment system. In one embodiment, the viewer feedback is received at the entertainment system in response to a feedback questionnaire.

Abstract: An adjustable support mechanism for a flat-panel display is provided. The flat-panel display is attached to a diagnostic ultrasound system by way of the adjustable mechanism. The adjustable support mechanism allows the orientation of the flat-panel display to be tiltably, rotatably or vertically adjusted such that a user can maneuver the flat-panel display to a comfortable, ergonomic position.

Abstract: An adjustable support mechanism for a flat-panel display is provided. The flat-panel display is attached to a diagnostic ultrasound system by way of the adjustable mechanism. The adjustable support mechanism allows the orientation of the flat-panel display to be tiltably, rotatably or vertically adjusted such that a user can maneuver the flat-panel display to a comfortable, ergonomic position.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to collect electrocardiograph data using a patient's hands. The patient's first hand is placed on a first and a second electrically conductive surface, such that the patient's first hand contacts portions of both the first and second electrically conductive surfaces and does not contact a third and a fourth electrically conductive surface. The patient's second hand is placed on the third and fourth electrically conductive surfaces, such that the patient's second hand contacts portions of both the third and fourth electrically conductive surfaces and does not contact the first and second electrically conductive surfaces. The electrically conductive surfaces are electrically isolated from one another and electrically connect the patient to an electrocardiograph. The ECG data is collected and displayed. The caregiver may use the resulting electrocardiogram to determine the patient's need for immediate medical treatment.

Abstract: A system and method of fully supporting, substantially planarly, a variable thickness stack of non-uniform thickness print media sheets on a single integral and substantially planer pivotal supporting tray which is automatically variably tilted in response to the height of the stack by being mounted on, and moved by, an existing elevator tray, the vertical movement of which automatically changes the pivotal tilt angle of the tray by a lever arm pivotal connection between the pivotal tray and a fixed position to maintain the top sheet of the stack substantially horizontal as the stack thickness changes while the elevator tray is simultaneously vertically moving the pivotal tray.

Abstract: A pneumatic sheet feeder is selectively actuable to acquire a sheet from a stack and transport the sheet towards a take-away nip. The feeder includes a feedhead having an acquisition surface substantially aligned with the take-away nip. A sensing apparatus detects three separate distances between the stack and the acquisition surface at three separate locations over the stack. The stack is then tilted based upon the distances sensed by the sensors. In embodiments, the feedhead has two sensors, and moves so that the third distance can be measured by one of the sensors. In other embodiments, the feedhead includes three sensors for measuring each of the distances.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for dispensing a fluid comprising a bottle for containing a fluid, a dispensing pump fixed to the bottle and comprising a button capable of being actuated to deliver the fluid and a cover arranged to protect the button from actuation, and the cover being capable of being moved relative to the bottle between an OPEN position, in which the cover is retracted in a substantially parallel manner along the bottle and the button is exposed, and a CLOSED position, in which the cover covers the button to prevent actuation thereof, wherein the cover and the bottle include elastically-engaging stop means arranged to stop the movement of the cover at the defined OPEN and CLOSED positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sheet feeding apparatus including a blower for blowing air through a stack of sheets, and a controller configured to operate the blower at a high power setting for a predetermined time period based upon elapsed off time and to subsequently operate the blower at a target power setting. A printer, a method of controlling blower power, and a method of minimizing misfeeds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet feeder assembly for acquiring and conveying a sheet comprises a plenum connectable to a vacuum source and having an opening facing the sheet to be conveyed, and a slide plate covering the opening. The slide plate has an acquisition surface facing the sheet to be conveyed and defining a plurality of apertures in communication with the plenum. A drive mechanism is connected to the slide plate and supported within the plenum, and is operable to translate the slide plate relative to the plenum to convey the sheet acquired thereby while maintaining the vacuum through the apertures. The drive mechanism includes a motor and eccentrically driven link connected to a carriage supporting the slide plate. The motor is coupled to a cam element that drives a flapper valve disposed between the plenum and a vacuum duct. The cam element also drives a height sensing arm supported to contact the top of the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus that is useful for acquiring and conveying a sheet includes a plenum having an opening for coupling a vacuum source to the plenum, a slide plate having a stop member positioned proximate a drop box opening in the slide plate, and a drop box adapted to slide within the drop box opening until a portion of the drop box engages the stop member so that the drop box is slidably installed in the slide plate. The apparatus may be used in an electrostatographic printing machine to improve top sheet acquisition.

Abstract: Shaft-coupling assemblies using the same shaft but different removable coupling devices (pulleys or gears, etc). The coupling devices are located at any location on the shaft and can be the same or different sizes.

Abstract: An automatic car wash with a high pressure wand moves the wand slightly back and forth when the wand is spraying to provide a direct spray at an angle to horizontal and lateral axis of the car. The high pressure wand is used only once during each car wash, the other fluids being applied by low pressure pipes and nozzles attached to an overhead gantry which moves from one end of the car to the other usually applying a different type of solution with each pass.

Abstract: An in-memory storage manager represents XML-compliant documents as a collection of objects in memory. The collection of objects allows the storage manager to manipulate the document, or parts of the document with a consistent interface and to provide for features that are not available in conventional XML documents, such as element attributes with types other than text and documents that contain binary rather than text information. In addition, in the storage manager, the XML-compliant document is associated with a schema document which defines the arrangement of the document elements and attributes. The schema data associated with a document can contain a mapping between document elements and program code to be associated with each element. The storage manager further has methods for retrieving the code from the element tag. The retrieved code can then be invoked using attributes and content from the associated element and the element then acts like a conventional object.