Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for anaerobic dry digestion of lignocellulosic biomass including: a dry digester having a ground sheet and a cover for the lignocellulosic biomass. The digester generates leachate and biogas from anaerobic digestion. The system includes an irrigation/port system for wetting of the lignocellulosic biomass under the cover; a sump system for monitoring the leachate; a rotary valve-connected at least to the pump and the dry digester; a gas storage bladder for collecting the biogas, the gas storage bladder connected at least to a gas treatment unit and a gas booster pump; and a hi-rate digester tank connected at least to the rotary valve for receiving the leachate therefrom.

Abstract: A combination hair styling device, including: a base plate having a top face and a bottom face, both the top face and the bottom face having a groove therein, a top section with a bottom side opposite a first styling side having a first styling structure extending therefrom, the bottom side slidably coupled with the groove of the top face, a bottom section with a top side opposite a second styling side having a second styling structure extending therefrom, the top side slidably coupled with the groove of the bottom face, and a fastener, the fastener able to hold the bottom side within the groove of the top face so that the bottom side and top face do not move relative to one another without an outside force being applied

Abstract: An end effector cleaner for removing excess sealant from an end effector is provided. The end effector cleaner includes a first spool, a second spool, a medium for removing excess sealant from the end effector, a support member configured to support a portion of the medium, a motor for rotating the second spool, an advancement sensor for detecting a presence of the end effector and sending a signal for rotating the motor, and a roll sensor for detecting a dimension of the medium wound on at least one of the first spool and the second spool. One end of the medium is wound on the first spool and the other end of the medium is wound on the second spool, and the portion of the medium is positioned to receive excess sealant of the end effector.

Abstract: A removable handle operable to convert a commercially available glass to a mug. An exemplary handle includes a pair of spaced-apart rings in which to receive the glass. One or more of the rings may be incomplete, or interrupted in circumference, to provide accommodation to variance in size of a drink container (e.g., a glass, such as a Stainless Steel double-walled thermal cup). The rings fold with respect to the handle from a deployed configuration to a stored configuration having a reduced storage space requirement.

Abstract: An end effector cleaner for removing excess sealant from an end effector is provided. The end effector cleaner includes a first spool, a second spool, a medium for removing excess sealant from the end effector, a support member configured to support a portion of the medium, a motor for rotating the second spool, an advancement sensor for detecting a presence of the end effector and sending a signal for rotating the motor, and a roll sensor for detecting a dimension of the medium wound on at least one of the first spool and the second spool. One end of the medium is wound on the first spool and the other end of the medium is wound on the second spool, and the portion of the medium is positioned to receive excess sealant of the end effector.

Abstract: A headphone can have at least one wireless audio reproducing element attached to a headband. The headband may have parietal and temporal features with the temporal feature contacting a user's temporal bone and the parietal feature having a curvilinear extension from the temporal feature that contacts a predetermined portion of a user's parietal bone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for initiating a voice communication to a best-determined target includes associating a plurality of workers in a worker list with a skills profile for each worker. Upon receiving an assistance request for a task, the worker list can be searched automatically for target contacts having the skill profile best-matching the assistance request. Further search criteria can be compared between the task and the matched target contacts to facilitate the proper selection of the best-matched target contacts. Upon a match, a voice communication is automatically initiating between the requestor to the best-determined target contact.

Abstract: A programming recorder receives information after receiving at least two programming event recording requests, detects a conflict between the programming event recording requests based on the received information, creates a ranked list of alternative sources for the programming event recording requests, and resolves the conflict by fulfilling at least one of the at least two programming event recording requests utilizing an alternative source. The alternative source may be automatically selected or selected by a user. The ranked list of alternative sources may be ordered utilizing a set of one or more priority criteria. The programming event recording requests and/or the received programming information may include metadata and determining alternative sources may comprise comparing the metadata. The programming recorder may display an indication that the conflict between the at least two programming event recording requests was detected and resolved.

Abstract: A flexible fabric is provided for converting a broom into a mop. The flexible fabric has a center hole and a periphery region sufficiently large to cover the bristles of a broom. The center hole is sized so as to receive a traditional broom handle, but the center hole is sufficiently small so that it will not allow passage of the broom bristles. In use, the broom handle is projected through the flexible fabric's center hole and the fabric's edge is positioned downwardly so as to extend beyond the ends of the broom bristles so that the fabric's periphery region covers the broom bristles. Preferably, the flexible fabric is provided in a prepackaged format having a plurality of flexible fabrics which are saturated with a cleansing solution. Thus, the broom and fabric combination provide a mop construction which can be used for cleaning surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for initiating a voice communication to a best-determined target includes associating a plurality of workers in a worker list with a skills profile for each worker. Upon receiving an assistance request for a task, the worker list can be searched automatically for target contacts having the skill profile best-matching the assistance request. Further search criteria can be compared between the task and the matched target contacts to facilitate the proper selection of the best-matched target contacts. Upon a match, a voice communication is automatically initiating between the requestor to the best-determined target contact.

Abstract: A headphone can have at least one wireless audio reproducing element attached to a headband. The headband may have parietal and temporal features with the temporal feature contacting a user's temporal bone and the parietal feature having a curvilinear extension from the temporal feature that contacts a predetermined portion of a user's parietal bone.

Abstract: An animal leash is provided for affixing an animal to a pole, tree, or other inanimate object. The leash has a strap having a proximal end and distal end. The proximal end is formed as a loop handle for being held by a person. The leash has a first clip affixed to the leash's distal end. In addition, the leash has a second clip affixed to the strap near its proximal end, but immediately distal to the strap's loop handle. The animal leash has a ring which is both slidable along the length of the strap between the leash's first clip and second clip. In addition, the ring can be affixed near the leash's proximal end by clipping to the leash's second clip.

Abstract: A method of in situ immunohistochemical analysis of a biological sample is provided. The method allows for the multiplex and simultaneous detection of multiple antigens, including multiple nuclear antigens, in a tissue sample.

Abstract: A programming recorder receives information after receiving at least two programming event recording requests, detects a conflict between the programming event recording requests based on the received information, creates a ranked list of alternative sources for the programming event recording requests, and resolves the conflict by fulfilling at least one of the at least two programming event recording requests utilizing an alternative source. The alternative source may be automatically selected or selected by a user. The ranked list of alternative sources may be ordered utilizing a set of one or more priority criteria. The programming event recording requests and/or the received programming information may include metadata and determining alternative sources may comprise comparing the metadata. The programming recorder may display an indication that the conflict between the at least two programming event recording requests was detected and resolved.

Abstract: A charging cradle having an embedded server, wherein the server software is a ubiquitous and integral part of the charging cradle. Additionally, the server enables monitoring of an enterprise mobile device for battery level and availability, and can push software/firmware updates to the mobile device via an integrated data connection. Furthermore, the charging cradle can distribute services to the mobile devices, reducing the overall complexity of the mobile devices.

Abstract: In an information appliance system 100, a user device 108 comprises a client platform (200, FIG. 5) that includes a service framework (235, FIG. 5) to discover and connect with a variety of services, both remote and local, transient and persistent, and to disconnect from them when they are no longer of interest or become unavailable. The service framework 235 provides a standard, consistent, simplified way for services to make themselves available and for service-using entities to locate and connect with the services of interest to them. From the perspective of the client platform 200, all services, whether local or remote, are presented as local services to the application. Each remote service is represented as a local service through the use of a local proxy that insulates the service user from the complexities of communicating with a remote server. Various methods of operating a service framework are also described.