Abstract: Disclosed is a release material that can be applied as a liquid, gel, emulsion, foam, etc. in a shingle manufacturing line. The release material can also be used in the manufacturing of roll roofing. The release material primarily constitutes an emulsion of polymers that can be cured with heat, IR light or other methods. Silicone may also be included in the emulsion which assists in releasability. The release material can be sprayed or extruded on to the surface of the shingle in an automated fashion, eliminating the necessity for operator interaction.

Abstract: An excavator comprises a machine chassis, boom, stick, and implement. The boom, stick, and implement collectively define a variable implement angle ?Bucket(t) indicative of a current position of the implement relative to horizontal as a function of time t. The implement comprises teeth extending a tooth height h from an internal leading edge JI to an external leading edge JE. The teeth are spaced along JI and define an active raking ratio r. Controllers are programmed to execute an implement teeth grading offset determination process that comprises determining a variable implement offset angle ?Delta(t) at least partially based on a difference between an original target design angle ?Tgt(t) and the variable implement angle ?Bucket(t), determining an implement offset IO based on h, r, and ?Delta(t), and determining a new target design elevation ElvTgt,New(t) based on IO and an original target design elevation ElvTgt,Orig(t).

Abstract: A building system is disclosed as it may enable placement and removal of housing units within a support structure. An example building system includes a support frame, and a plurality of bays within the support frame. The example building system also includes a service core for providing utilities to each of the plurality of bays of the support frame. The example building system also includes an integral hoist on the support frame. The example building system also includes a tray system to support a plurality of housing units in the plurality of bays of the support frame. In an example, the tray system includes a plurality of trays in a stacked arrangement. each tray slides out of a respective bay to provide access for the housing unit by the integral hoist. Each tray slides in to the respective bay to position a respective housing unit within the support frame.

Abstract: An excavator comprises a control architecture having one or more actuators and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers are programmed to execute instructions. The instructions determine if there is a request to operate the excavator boom and the excavating implement in automatics mode. The instructions also receive target design surface data representing a target design surface of an excavating operation. The instructions still further receive an implement angle representing an operating angle of the excavating implement relative to the target design surface. The instructions also determine whether the implement angle is within an activation angle, determine whether the implement angle is outside of a deactivation angle, activate the excavating implement in the automatics mode when the implement angle is within the activation angle and the deactivation angle, and deactivate when the implement angle is outside of the deactivation angle subsequent to the automatics mode activation.

Abstract: An excavator comprises a control architecture having one or more linkage assembly actuators and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers are programmed to execute instructions. The instructions determine if there is a request to operate the excavator boom and the excavating implement in automatics mode. The instructions also receive target design surface data representing a target design surface of an excavating operation. The instructions further receive an implement position representing a position of the excavating implement relative to the target design surface. The instructions still further receive an implement angle representing an operating angle of the excavating implement relative to the target design surface. The instructions also determine whether the implement position is within an automatics region of the target design surface, wherein the automatics region represents a region on one or both sides of the target design surface.

Abstract: A building system is disclosed as it may enable placement and removal of housing units within a support structure. An example building system includes a support frame, and a plurality of bays within the support frame. The example building system also includes a service core for providing utilities to each of the plurality of bays of the support frame. The example building system also includes an integral hoist on the support frame. The example building system also includes a tray system to support a plurality of housing units in the plurality of bays of the support frame. In an example, the tray system includes a plurality of trays in a stacked arrangement. each tray slides out of a respective bay to provide access for the housing unit by the integral hoist. Each tray slides in to the respective bay to position a respective housing unit within the support frame.

Abstract: An asphalt shingle manufacturing machine that includes a curtain die for applying a liquid release layer on an asphalt coated substrate. The moisture of the liquid release layer evaporates leaving a dispersed solid particulate release layer. The curtain die includes a first body section and a second body section with a shim disposed between the body sections to define a distribution channel. The second body section may include chamber manifold defined therein to store a volume of liquid release agent. The distribution channel places the chamber manifold in fluid communication with a discharge outlet of the curtain die in order to disperse a volume of liquid release agent from a chamber manifold out of the discharge outlet. The shim may be configured to define a width of the distribution channel to determine the flow rate and discharge pattern of the liquid release agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for measuring and controlling the thickness of asphalt roofing materials during manufacturing. Light beams are used to generate a time of flight signal that is used to determine the thickness of the asphalt roofing layer. A controller generates a thickness control signal that controls a coater to modify parameters of the coater to produce the asphalt roofing layer with a desired thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for measuring and controlling the thickness of asphalt roofing materials during manufacturing. Light beams are used to generate a time of flight signal that is used to determine the thickness of the asphalt roofing layer. A controller generates a thickness control signal that controls a coater to modify parameters of the coater to produce the asphalt roofing layer with a desired thickness.

Abstract: An excavator comprises a control architecture having one or more linkage assembly actuators and one or more controllers. The one or more controllers are programmed to execute instructions. The instructions determine if there is a request to operate the excavator boom and the excavating implement in automatics mode. The instructions also receive target design surface data representing a target design surface of an excavating operation. The instructions further receive an implement position representing a position of the excavating implement relative to the target design surface. The instructions still further receive an implement angle representing an operating angle of the excavating implement relative to the target design surface. The instructions also determine whether the implement position is within an automatics region of the target design surface, wherein the automatics region represents a region on one or both sides of the target design surface.

Abstract: A content delivery system supplying themes for user computers based on user interest. Each theme may be a collection of components that define an audio, visual or functional aspect of computer operation related to a topic or area of interest, such as sports, a sports team, travel or fine art. The system includes client and server components. At each client, information about user interactions is collected and compared to information defining a set of user interest categories, allowing the client to determine one or more interest categories for the user. The client offers themes that are classified in accordance with the same set of user categories. The server can supply information defining user interest categories and a manifest of themes with associated categories. Additionally, the server can receive indications of when each theme is presented to a user and when the user elects to acquire a theme or engages with theme elements. The server may also supply, unlock or otherwise provide selected themes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for measuring and controlling the thickness of asphalt roofing materials during manufacturing. Light beams are used to generate a time of flight signal that is used to determine the thickness of the asphalt roofing layer. A controller generates a thickness control signal that controls a coater to modify parameters of the coater to produce the asphalt roofing layer with a desired thickness.

Abstract: A two-piece sanding block presents base and handle/grip components. The base presents a flat surface for extension of a strip of sandpaper or other abrasive material therealong. Prongs extending from the base pierce the ends of the strip. The prongs seat within the handle and cooperate with a post which seats in the base for precluding slippage between the base and handle during the sanding process. Upon placing the handle atop the base the strip is further held in place. The top surface of the handle presents a particularly configured arch-like surface for complementing the fingers and palm of the user in an ergonomic fit therebetween.

Abstract: A two-piece sanding block presents base and handle/grip components. The base presents a flat surface for extension of a strip of sandpaper or other abrasive material therealong. Prongs extending from the base pierce the ends of the strip. The prongs seat within the handle and cooperate with a post which seats in the base for precluding slippage between the base and handle during the sanding process. Upon placing the handle atop the base the strip is further held in place. The top surface of the handle presents a particularly configured arch-like surface for complementing the fingers and palm of the user in an ergonomic fit therebetween.

Abstract: Techniques for observing user operations and recognizing a current user of a computer based on those operations. Characteristics of observed user operations are compared to characteristics of operations performed by known users, such as those users with existing user profiles. The current user may be recognized as a user having a known user profile or a new user, for which information on user interests or other profile information may be stored. The profile of the current user may be used to customize presentation of services according to preferences for the current user. Components that collect information on user interactions may be incorporated in an operating system of the computer so that user interactions with both the operating system and applications that access operating system facilities may be used to recognize a user. Customization of the operating system or other components based on inferred user recognition may improve the user experience.

Abstract: A content delivery system that is based on user interest. The system includes client and server components. At each client, information about user interactions is collected and compared to information defining a set of user interest categories. In this way, the client can determine one or more interest categories in which the user fits. The client can then offer to the user content that is classified in accordance with the same set of user categories. The server can supply the client with the information defining user interest categories and a manifest of content options with associated categories. Additionally, the server can receive indications of when each content offering is presented to a user and when the user selects to acquire a content option. The server may also participate in offering the content. The content may be software applications.

Abstract: A content delivery system supplying themes for user computers based on user interest. Each theme may be a collection of components that define an audio, visual or functional aspect of computer operation related to a topic or area of interest, such as sports, a sports team, travel or fine art. The system includes client and server components. At each client, information about user interactions is collected and compared to information defining a set of user interest categories, allowing the client to determine one or more interest categories for the user. The client offers themes that are classified in accordance with the same set of user categories. The server can supply information defining user interest categories and a manifest of themes with associated categories. Additionally, the server can receive indications of when each theme is presented to a user and when the user elects to acquire a theme or engages with theme elements. The server may also supply, unlock or otherwise provide selected themes.

Abstract: A content delivery system that provides advertisements based on user interest. The system includes clients and an advertising platform. At each client, a user may elect the nature of information about user interest to be shared with the advertising platform. In response to such an election, a client device may provide broad user interest category information to an advertising platform or may provide more detailed user interaction information relating to user interaction with the client. In exchange for the user providing more detailed information, the advertising platform can direct more relevant advertising information to the user. The user interaction information collected on the client can accurately predict user interest because it can relate to interactions with multiple web sites, through multiple applications. Other forms of user interactions with the client may also yield information useful for classifying the user or for provision to the advertising platform.