Abstract: A plumbing component includes a cold water inlet; a hot water inlet; an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof; a flow shut-off mechanism for restricting the flow of water out of the outlet; a first flow control valve for controlling the flow of cold water; and a second flow control valve for controlling the flow of hot water. Each of the flow control valves comprises a valve member and an associated valve seat, each valve member arranged to engage with the associated valve seat to control the flow of water through the flow control valves to the water outlet. One or both of the valve members includes a graduated flow control bead arranged to seal against the associated valve seat to provide a graduated flow transition between a maximum flow state and a minimum flow state of the, or each, control valve.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method for storing and sharing images such as photographs via a communications network (16) and for permitting the identification of objects within the images. The invention allows the identification of objects such as persons within the photos without requiring the person submitting the photos to type in identification information for each and every photo in a photo album. The invention also allows users to automatically share their photos with others and to automatically search for photos and/or certain people in photos.

Abstract: A method, system and devices to selectively control modal vibrations in an elastic panel with a number of force actuators distributed throughout the surface of the elastic panel to excite/depress the response of one or more vibrational resonant modes included in a prescribed subset. The force actuators are disposed such that prescribed modal excitation/depression may be realized when the actuators are driven by a common source signal.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system with viscoelastic material affixed between two flexible panels is disclosed. The loudspeaker system dissipates the energy of motion, resulting in less pronounced resonant peaks. The effect may be especially evident at high frequencies, where energy is dissipated over many cycles in a shorter period of time. Also disclosed are the method of making the loudspeaker system and a method of using the loudspeaker system.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling device and methods of use for concentrating dynamic force transmitted from a dynamic force actuator to a panel. The device comprises a concentrator surface that is coupled to an elastic panel. The concentrator surface is a continuous region with a surface area that may be smaller, larger, or the same surface area as a region in contact with a dynamic force actuator. The concentrator surface transmits a dynamic force to a region of the panel coupled to the concentrator surface.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method for storing and sharing images such as photographs via a communications network (16) and for permitting the identification of objects within the images. The invention allows the identification of objects such as persons within the photos without requiring the person submitting the photos to type in identification information for each and every photo in a photo album. The invention also allows users to automatically share their photos with others and to automatically search for photos and/or certain people in photos.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method for storing and sharing images such as photographs via a communications network (16) and for permitting the identification of objects within the images. The invention allows the identification of objects such as persons within the photos without requiring the person submitting the photos to type in identification information for each and every photo in a photo album. The invention also allows users to automatically share their photos with others and to automatically search for photos and/or certain people in photos.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for processing a metal ribbon (116) comprising a main portion (118) and a sacrificial portion (120) adjoining the main portion (118) of the metal ribbon (116), is disclosed.

Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.

Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method for storing and sharing images such as photographs via a communications network (16) and for permitting the identification of objects within the images. The invention allows the identification of objects such as persons within the photos without requiring the person submitting the photos to type in identification information for each and every photo in a photo album. The invention also allows users to automatically share their photos with others and to automatically search for photos and/or certain people in photos.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method for storing and sharing images such as photographs via a communications network (16) and for permitting the identification of objects within the images. The invention allows the identification of objects such as persons within the photos without requiring the person submitting the photos to type in identification information for each and every photo in a photo album. The invention also allows users to automatically share their photos with others and to automatically search for photos and/or certain people in photos.

Abstract: A passive display accessory for an electronic device includes an image transmission portion, a base having an optically transparent major face, and a body coupling the base to the image transmission portion. The body can include one or more optical transmission devices delivering light received at the optically transparent major face to the image transmission portion. Additionally, the base can include one or more electrically conductive elements disposed along the optically transparent major face in a predefined pattern to identify the passive display accessory, its location, its geometric orientation in three-dimensional space, or combinations thereof to an electronic device.

Abstract: An interlocking method and blending apparatus is provided which includes a base, container, and lid. The apparatus comprises light emitters, light sensors, and light reflectors. Light is emitted by the light emitters from the base, through the container, and toward the lid. Light reflectors in the lid reflect the light back through the container and toward the base. The light sensors detect the reflected light and can be used to control operation of the blender and illumination of the container. Light may be in the visible spectrum, or sub-visible spectrum. The light emitters and light sensors may be at the base and/or the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method for storing and sharing images such as photographs via a communications network (16) and for permitting the identification of objects within the images. The invention allows the identification of objects such as persons within the photos without requiring the person submitting the photos to type in identification information for each and every photo in a photo album. The invention also allows users to automatically share their photos with others and to automatically search for photos and/or certain people in photos.

Abstract: A safety device that is worn by a worker in a manufacturing facility is presented. The safety device includes a microprocessor, memory, an antenna and transceiver and a plurality of sensors that sense environmental conditions surrounding the worker such as light levels, noise levels, temperature, humidity, air quality and CO levels. The safety device also tracks the position of the worker and includes an accelerometer that detects trips and falls. The safety device also includes an event trigger which can be activated by the worker when a notable event or near miss occurs. The environmental information recorded by the safety device is used to both track accidents and near misses and is aggregated in a database for datamining purposes so as to predict future accidents and near misses. This information is also used to create correlations and better understand the root cause of accidents and near misses.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more processors and a display that is flexible. A louvered filter, which can be optionally configured in an electronic device attachment, as a first louvered filter and a second louvered filter, or otherwise, is then disposed along the flexible display. When the flexible display is deformed by one or more bends, the one or more processors can present a first image through a first portion of the louvered filter and a second image through a second portion of the louvered filter to present stereoscopic content without the need of special glasses.