Abstract: Novel devices, systems, and methods for providing exterior flooring that can be installed over existing exterior surfaces, such as surfaces of an outdoor deck, are provided herein. In some aspects, a joint device or joint member for an exterior floor covering can include a body portion and at least one tongue portion extending from the body portion. The joint device can be adapted to connect adjacent floor panels and secure the floor panels to an underlying surface. The joint device can, but is not required to pass liquid therebetween. The joint device and adjacent floor panels can be made of water resistant materials. The joint device can further include an optional opening adapted to receive an attachment member for attaching portions of the joint member to an underlying surface.

Abstract: Novel devices, systems, and methods for providing exterior flooring that can be installed over existing exterior surfaces, such as surfaces of an outdoor deck, are provided herein. In some aspects, a joint device or joint member for an exterior floor covering can include a body portion and at least one tongue portion extending from the body portion. The joint device can be adapted to connect adjacent floor panels and secure the floor panels to an underlying surface. The joint device can, but is not required to pass liquid therebetween. The joint device and adjacent floor panels can be made of water resistant materials. The joint device can further include an optional opening adapted to receive an attachment member for attaching portions of the joint member to an underlying surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing relationships between individual components and configurations assembled to fulfill requirements in a computer system. In one embodiment, a method is provided whereby a configuration which includes a set of components is dynamically modified to add an additional component, so that the additional component can communicate with at least some of the set of components to fulfill a requirement. In one illustrative implementation in a retail store environment, a cash register configuration is dynamically modified to incorporate a handheld scanning device during periods of high customer traffic, so that a store employee can use the scanning device to provide input to the cash register while it would otherwise have sat idle (e.g., while the cashier is bagging another customer's items).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for managing relationships between individual components and configurations assembled to fulfill requirements in a computer system. In one embodiment, a method is provided whereby a configuration which includes a set of components is dynamically modified to add an additional component, so that the additional component can communicate with at least some of the set of components to fulfill a requirement. In one illustrative implementation in a retail store environment, a cash register configuration is dynamically modified to incorporate a handheld scanning device during periods of high customer traffic, so that a store employee can use the scanning device to provide input to the cash register while it would otherwise have sat idle (e.g., while the cashier is bagging another customer's items).

Abstract: Two similarly shaped, such as rectangular, shells are attached to one another such that they form a resulting thin airfoil-like structure. The resulting device has at least two stable equilibrium shapes. The device can be transformed from one shape to another with a snap-through action. One or more actuators can be used to effect the snap-through; i.e., transform the device from one stable shape to another. Power to the actuators is needed only to transform the device from one shape to another.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for integrating online and offline commerce. In one exemplary embodiment, a customer may select a first item from goods or services offered by a web site accessible from a vendor's place of business, select a second item from a source separate from the web site (e.g., from stock maintained at the vendor's place of business), and purchase both the first and second items in a single transaction. The vendor then initiates shipment of the first item from a separate location.