Abstract: A method for making a neutral hybrid braided structure may involve positioning a first set of wires on a braiding machine in a first set of positions, positioning a second set of wires on the braiding machine in a second set of positions so that the first set of positions and the second set of positions form a neutral hybrid braiding pattern, and braiding the first set of wires and the second set of wires on the braiding machine to form the neutral hybrid braided structure. Each wire in the first set of wires has a first cross-sectional diameter, and each wire in the second set of wires has a second cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than the first cross-sectional diameter.

Abstract: A Scale Integration Framework that allows secondary applications installed on a PC-based scale or at a remote location to interact with a Scale Application that controls the scale equipment in accordance with applicable requirements. The scale integration framework comprises a plurality of Integration Points within the Scale Application such that other value added applications can interact with the Scale Application at these Integration Points.

Abstract: User interface and policy loading aspects of a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one aspect, a user selects policies using a graphical user interface (GUI) with a two paned window having a tree view of the policies in one pane. In another aspect, the policies are (1) created in the GUI format (e.g., XML), (2) sent over a network (e.g., the internet) to a service center in the same format, and (3) are loaded, manipulated and stored in the same format. In another aspect, the initial loading of the policies is done using a bulk loader in a logic layer. In another aspect, the logic layer also includes a configuration checker which handles changes or additions to policies in a finished network management system. Any aspects of the new or changed policy that are inconsistent with the finished system are parsed and stripped out. In another aspect, where the details of a new policy or change aren't specified, a base configuration creator creates a policy with minimal attributes.

Abstract: Food service workers prepare a number of items throughout the day at a food counter, so the workers may need to track process steps for entirely different processes that are running concurrently. For example, the worker may need to remove a pizza from an oven one moment, and remove breadstick dough from a refrigerator one minute later. A programmable weighing scale guides users through process steps of a process, and tracks completion time of process steps for multiple processes, and alerts a food service worker when a next step in one of multiple, concurrently running processes needs to be completed. Because data stored for each process can be selected throughout, for example, an entire working day, the controller of the weighing scale can track timing requirements for each step of each process. The weighing apparatus is independent of other apparatuses used in completing the process steps (e.g., refrigerators, ovens, mixers, etc.

Abstract: User interface and policy loading aspects of a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one aspect, a user selects policies using a graphical user interface (GUI) with a two paned window having a tree view of the policies in one pane. In another aspect, the policies are (1) created in the GUI format (e.g., XML), (2) sent over a network (e.g., the internet) to a service center in the same format, and (3) are loaded, manipulated and stored in the same format. In another aspect, the initial loading of the policies is done using a bulk loader in a logic layer. In another aspect, the logic layer also includes a configuration checker which handles changes or additions to policies in a finished network management system. Any aspects of the new or changed policy that are inconsistent with the finished system are parsed and stripped out. In another aspect, where the details of a new policy or change aren't specified, a base configuration creator creates a policy with minimal attributes.

Abstract: A weighing scale adapted to automatically present one or more recipes to a user thereof, and a method of presenting such recipes. The recipes are preferably, but not necessarily, related in some way to a product being weighed or otherwise examined by the weighing scale. A recipe software application selects one or more recipes from a database of recipes and presents the recipes on one or more display devices of the weighing scale. One or more of the presented recipes may be selected by a user for delivery in one or more forms. Recipes may be delivered to a user according to the present invention, by one or more of providing the user with a printout of the selected recipe(s), by emailing the selected recipe(s) to a user, and/or by providing the user with a website URL from which the selected recipe(s) can be downloaded.

Abstract: A system for alerting an operator of a weighing apparatus is described. The weighing apparatus may be capable of displaying a message in a message area to an operator. The message may be displayed in response to a command sent from a remote device.

Abstract: A Scale Integration Framework that allows secondary applications installed on a PC-based scale or at a remote location to interact with a Scale Application that controls the scale equipment in accordance with applicable requirements. The scale integration framework comprises a plurality of Integration Points within the Scale Application such that other value added applications can interact with the Scale Application at these Integration Points.

Abstract: A system for alerting an operator of a weighing apparatus is described. The weighing apparatus may be capable of displaying a message in a message area to an operator. The message may be displayed in response to a command sent from a remote device.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus adapted to facilitate process management and methods associated therewith are described. The weighing apparatus may include a process control interface for including process data onto a label for managing a process.

Abstract: The present invention provides device configuration and policy configuration data to network devices over a public network, e.g., the internet. A secure communication link is first established over the public network to the network device. Next, policy and configuration information is downloaded to the network device using that secure communication link. In one embodiment, the communication link is an IPSec tunnel. In particular, the network policy may include a virtual private network (VPN) policy. The invention addresses the secure downloading of configuration and policy information, which has not been an issue in prior art devices where there was an ability to provide such information internally to a network, without the need to go over the internet.

Abstract: User interface and policy loading aspects of a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one aspect, a user selects policies using a graphical user interface (GUI) with a two paned window having a tree view of the policies in one pane. In another aspect, the policies are (1) created in the GUI format (e.g., XML), (2) sent over a network (e.g., the internet) to a service center in the same format, and (3) are loaded, manipulated and stored in the same format. In another aspect, the initial loading of the policies is done using a bulk loader in a logic layer. In another aspect, the logic layer also includes a configuration checker which handles changes or additions to policies in a finished network management system. Any aspects of the new or changed policy that are inconsistent with the finished system are parsed and stripped out. In another aspect, where the details of a new policy or change aren't specified, a base configuration creator creates a policy with minimal attributes.

Abstract: User interface and policy loading aspects of a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one aspect, a user selects policies using a graphical user interface (GUI) with a two paned window having a tree view of the policies in one pane. In another aspect, the policies are (1) created in the GUI format (e.g., XML), (2) sent over a network (e.g., the internet) to a service center in the same format, and (3) are loaded, manipulated and stored in the same format. In another aspect, the initial loading of the policies is done using a bulk loader in a logic layer. In another aspect, the logic layer also includes a configuration checker which handles changes or additions to policies in a finished network management system. Any aspects of the new or changed policy that are inconsistent with the finished system are parsed and stripped out. In another aspect, where the details of a new policy or change aren't specified, a base configuration creator creates a policy with minimal attributes.

Abstract: User interface and policy loading aspects of a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one aspect, a user selects policies using a graphical user interface (GUI) with a two paned window having a tree view of the policies in one pane. In another aspect, the policies are (1) created in the GUI format (e.g., XML), (2) sent over a network (e.g., the internet) to a service center in the same format, and (3) are loaded, manipulated and stored in the same format. In another aspect, the initial loading of the policies is done using a bulk loader in a logic layer. In another aspect, the logic layer also includes a configuration checker which handles changes or additions to policies in a finished network management system. Any aspects of the new or changed policy that are inconsistent with the finished system are parsed and stripped out. In another aspect, where the details of a new policy or change aren't specified, a base configuration creator creates a policy with minimal attributes.

Abstract: A policy engine in a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one embodiment, the management system is multi-layered, modular and stores device configuration data in non-device specific format, which are subsequently translated to device-specific format by lower layers of the management system. The non-device specific format is the same (e.g., XML) as that used to create the policies with the user GUI (e.g., browser) and transport them to the service center over the internet. A database stores a policy directory in a hierarchical format that is separate from a policy store (configuration store) for devices in a flat (non-hierarchical or parallel) format. In one embodiment, a policy engine develops policies in a hierarchical format, but then stores the device schema, or objects, in a low-level, flat database.

Abstract: User interface and policy loading aspects of a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one aspect, a user selects policies using a graphical user interface (GUI) with a two paned window having a tree view of the policies in one pane. In another aspect, the policies are (1) created in the GUI format (e.g., XML), (2) sent over a network (e.g., the internet) to a service center in the same format, and (3) are loaded, manipulated and stored in the same format. In another aspect, the initial loading of the policies is done using a bulk loader in a logic layer. In another aspect, the logic layer also includes a configuration checker which handles changes or additions to policies in a finished network management system. Any aspects of the new or changed policy that are inconsistent with the finished system are parsed and stripped out. In another aspect, where the details of a new policy or change aren't specified, a base configuration creator creates a policy with minimal attributes.

Abstract: A policy engine in a policy-based, outsourced, network management system. In one embodiment, the management system is multi-layered, modular and stores device configuration data in non-device specific format, which are subsequently translated to device-specific format by lower layers of the management system. The non-device specific format is the same (e.g., XML) as that used to create the policies with the user GUI (e.g., browser) and transport them to the service center over the internet. A database stores a policy directory in a hierarchical format that is separate from a policy store (configuration store) for devices in a flat (non-hierarchical or parallel) format. In one embodiment, a policy engine develops policies in a hierarchical format, but then stores the device schema, or objects, in a low-level, flat database.

Abstract: An event manager for a remote network management system. The event manager provides dynamic response for the purposes of controlling policy updates, generation and deployment. Dynamic events are used to communicate the fact that policy changes/updates/creations have occurred. In prior art systems, a user would simply make a data update, and then the system would retrieve the latest data from the data storage synchronously.

Abstract: A modular remote network management system which can configure a customer's network over the internet. A first module receives customer descriptions of desired customer network policy configurations. Another module automatically translates that description into device-level policy configuration data. Finally, a third module transmits the device-level policy configuration data over the internet to the devices of the customer network.

Abstract: The present invention provides device configuration and policy configuration data to network devices over a public network, e.g., the internet. A secure communication link is first established over the public network to the network device. Next, policy and configuration information is downloaded to the network device using that secure communication link. In one embodiment, the communication link is an IPSec tunnel. In particular, the network policy may include a virtual private network (VPN) policy. The invention addresses the secure downloading of configuration and policy information, which has not been an issue in prior art devices where there was an ability to provide such information internally to a network, without the need to go over the internet.