Abstract: A method for providing access to dynamically provisioned resources and on-demand courses includes receiving, by an instantiation engine executing on a first computing device, from a second computing device associated with a user, an indication that the user has purchased access to the course at a scheduled time. A type of computing resource is identified for use during the course at the scheduled time. A service provider computing device is selected from a plurality of service provider computing devices, based upon an ability to provide access to the identified type of computing resource at the scheduled time. Before the scheduled time, the instantiation engine instructs the selected service provider computing device to provision a computing resource of the identified type. The method includes transmitting, to the second computing device, an instruction to establish a connection to the provisioned computing resource at the scheduled time.

Abstract: A method for creating a course for dynamic provisioning includes receiving, by a creation engine, from a second computing device associated with a user, a request to create a course. The creation engine receives, from the second computing device, an identification of a type of computing resource for use during the course. A service provider computing device is selected from a plurality of service provider computing devices based upon an ability to provide access to the identified type of computing resource. The service provider computing device is instructed to provision a computing resource of the identified type. The second computing device is directed to connect to the provisioned computing resource. The method includes receiving, from the second computing device, an indication that the user configured the provisioned computing resource for use during the course. A state management engine is directed to save a state of the provisioned computing resource.

Abstract: A method for creating a course for dynamic provisioning includes receiving, by a creation engine, from a second computing device associated with a user, a request to create a course. The creation engine receives, from the second computing device, an identification of a type of computing resource for use during the course. A service provider computing device is selected from a plurality of service provider computing devices based upon an ability to provide access to the identified type of computing resource. The service provider computing device is instructed to provision a computing resource of the identified type. The second computing device is directed to connect to the provisioned computing resource. The method includes receiving, from the second computing device, an indication that the user configured the provisioned computing resource for use during the course. A state management engine is directed to save a state of the provisioned computing resource.

Abstract: A method for providing access to dynamically provisioned resources and on-demand courses includes receiving, by an instantiation engine executing on a first computing device, from a second computing device associated with a user, an indication that the user has purchased access to the course at a scheduled time. A type of computing resource is identified for use during the course at the scheduled time. A service provider computing device is selected from a plurality of service provider computing devices, based upon an ability to provide access to the identified type of computing resource at the scheduled time. Before the scheduled time, the instantiation engine instructs the selected service provider computing device to provision a computing resource of the identified type. The method includes transmitting, to the second computing device, an instruction to establish a connection to the provisioned computing resource at the scheduled time.

Abstract: A control system for a cooking appliance enables a consumer to selectively program a cooking appliance through a control panel in a conventional mode based on established cooking times and temperatures, as well as in a simplified mode incorporating a minimal number of programming steps. In the simplified mode, the consumer selects a first, non-temperature related special features button and inputs a cook time. Immediately following input of the cook time, the control system starts a cooking operation. If the selected time is greater than a predetermined value, the control system automatically operates the cooking appliance in a cold start mode. An override is provided to disable the cold start mode if so desired. In addition, the control system allows a consumer to input both minimum and maximum cook times for the cooking operation.

Abstract: A man-portable sensor fusion system (M) includes a sensor unit (F) that has at least a first and second sensor (10, 12) arranged along a sensor axis (14). A head adapter (16) provides support to mount at least one selected device about a user's cranium (18). A securing module (20) is attached to the sensor unit for mounting the sensor unit (F) to the head adapter (16). The sensor unit (F) is to be mounted above an ocular axis (22) formed between a pair of eyes (24) of the user (U) when the sensor unit (F) is attached to the head adapter element (16). When the sensor unit (F) is secured to the user (U) with the head adapter element (16), the sensor axis (14) is essentially perpendicular to the user's ocular axis (22).

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having at least one heating element, a controller and a control element linked to the controller and associated with operation of the heating element. Specifically, the control element includes first and second operational setting schemes which provide a consumer with a higher degree of control over operation of the heating element. More specifically, selection of the first scheme operates the heating element at a selected level, while selection of the second scheme causes the heating element to operate at an initial high level and then to automatically convert to a lower level.