Abstract: A fixture lock is provided to lock two movable parts of a fixture so that one part may not be moved relative to another part to gain access to a receptacle formed in the fixture. The fixture lock could be used to lock a cabinet drawer in a closed position in a cabinet base to block access to a storage region formed in the cabinet drawer.

Abstract: An access-control system is provided for a door lock that is associated with a door and a rotatable doorknob. The access-control system includes a doorknob cover.

Abstract: A middle ear ossicle prosthesis in which the component for ossicular attachment comprises a surface bearing a plurality of discrete projections facing the ossicle to which it is attached which minimize total contact between the prosthesis and the ossicle. The prosthesis may comprise a loop forming a partial circle for encircling an ossicle, a piston for transmitting vibrations from the loop to the inner ear, and a rod solidly connecting the loop to the piston. The loop may have an upwardly turned end to facilitate placement of the loop over the ossicle. The projections may be provided in one row, two rows, or may be otherwise arrayed, and may be dissimilar from one another in configuration and dimensions.

Abstract: A vehicle lock and personal protection baton uses a telescoping construction to combine an elongated base and an elongated extension. The elongated extension slides within the elongated base in order to switch between configurations, specifically for use as a lock or for use as a protection baton. A locking mechanism couples the elongated extension with the elongated base, and a user can easily twist the locking mechanism to allow or prevent sliding of the elongated extension with respect to the elongated base. The elongated extension includes an end segment with one or more intermediate segments to allow for greater length. The end segment is slidably engaged with the intermediate segment, allowing the end segment to telescope with the intermediate segment. A first brace and second brace are connected to opposite ends of the telescoping body and inserted between a door frame and handle to lock a vehicle from the interior.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nonverbally communicating patient comfort data are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include one or more operations including receiving patient comfort data associated with one or more patients through a patient comfort level input device during a course of a treatment session, transmitting the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device, and alerting one or more practitioners of the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating bioreactor wastewater streams are provided. In some embodiments, the methods and systems involve producing a composition, for example in the form of a solution, comprising ammonia or ammonium from the bioreactor wastewater stream. In some cases, the bioreactor is an anaerobic digester.

Abstract: A spider web clearing device is mountable on the front of an off road vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle. The device includes an upright flexible rod that when positioned at the front will engage and sever or snap any spider webs and will prevent the spider webs from engaging the driver. The rod will deflect equally in any direction when it strikes and obstruction. The rod is attachable to a mounting bracket which includes a top and a bottom mount. Curved recesses in each mount allow the bracket to be secured to a tubular member on the vehicle and the bottom mount can serve as a spacer when the top mount is attached directly to a horizontal surface on the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nonverbally communicating patient comfort data are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include one or more operations including receiving patient comfort data associated with one or more patients through a patient comfort level input device during a course of a treatment session, transmitting the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device, and alerting one or more practitioners of the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device.

Abstract: A robotic system is integrated with one or more mobile computing devices. Physical configurations of individual components of the system in physical space, or agents, under control of a user or users, are duplicated in a representation in virtual space. Some degree of real-time parity is maintained between the physical and virtual spaces, so as to implement a virtual environment that mirrors the physical one. Events occurring within one environment can directly influence and bear consequence on the course of events occurring within the other environment. Elements of virtual space thereby become truly interdependent and unified on a peer footing with elements in physical space. In at least one embodiment, the system is implemented as an application in entertainment, such as the manifestation of a video game in physical space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nonverbally communicating patient comfort data are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods may include one or more operations including receiving patient comfort data associated with one or more patients through a patient comfort level input device during a course of a treatment session, transmitting the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device, and alerting one or more practitioners of the patient comfort data associated with one or more patients received through the patient comfort level input device.

Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis comprises an ossicular attachment component contiguous with a vibration transmission element, the attachment component comprising a loop or other structure to surround and attach the prosthesis to an ossicle. The prosthesis has a plurality of recesses designed to be securely engaged by the jaws of an applicator or forceps into the recesses. This engagement can allow the attachment element to be opened or closed via an expanding or compressing force from the applicator. The recesses may be squared off in appearance or rounded and may have a complex shape to more precisely accommodate the jaws of the applicator. The applicator can also be angled, configured, and dimensioned to provide an optimum engagement with the prosthesis.

Abstract: A robotic system is integrated with one or more mobile computing devices. Physical configurations of individual components of the system in physical space, or agents, under control of a user or users, are duplicated in a representation in virtual space. Some degree of real-time parity is maintained between the physical and virtual spaces, so as to implement a virtual environment that mirrors the physical one. Events occurring within one environment can directly influence and bear consequence on the course of events occurring within the other environment. Elements of virtual space thereby become truly interdependent and unified on a peer footing with elements in physical space. In at least one embodiment, the system is implemented as an application in entertainment, such as the manifestation of a video game in physical space.

Abstract: A middle ear ossicle prosthesis in which the component for ossicular attachment comprises a surface bearing a plurality of discrete projections facing the ossicle to which it is attached which minimize total contact between the prosthesis and the ossicle. The prosthesis may comprise a loop forming a partial circle for encircling an ossicle, a piston for transmitting vibrations from the loop to the inner ear, and a rod solidly connecting the loop to the piston. The loop may have an upwardly turned end to facilitate placement of the loop over the ossicle. The projections may be provided in one row, two rows, or may be otherwise arrayed, and may be dissimilar from one another in configuration and dimensions.

Abstract: A robotic system is integrated with one or more mobile computing devices. Physical configurations of individual components of the system in physical space, or agents, under control of a user or users, are duplicated in a representation in virtual space. Some degree of real-time parity is maintained between the physical and virtual spaces, so as to implement a virtual environment that mirrors the physical one. Events occurring within one environment can directly influence and bear consequence on the course of events occurring within the other environment. Elements of virtual space thereby become truly interdependent and unified on a peer footing with elements in physical space. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented as an application in entertainment, such as the manifestation of a video game in physical space.

Abstract: A system to manage the storage of energy to, and the release of energy from, an energy storage system with such energy being generated from one or more renewable sources of energy, traditional sources of energy or the electric grid, or a combination of any or all of these sources, resulting in a reduction of the power demand from the electric grid of a user of the system and/or of the high consumption charges during peak usage times of a user of the system.

Abstract: A middle ear ossicle prosthesis in which the component for ossicular attachment comprises a surface bearing a plurality of discrete projections facing the ossicle to which it is attached which minimize total contact between the prosthesis and the ossicle. The prosthesis may comprise a loop forming a partial circle for encircling an ossicle, a piston for transmitting vibrations from the loop to the inner ear, and a rod solidly connecting the loop to the piston. The loop may have an upwardly turned end to facilitate placement of the loop over the ossicle. The projections may be provided in one row, two rows, or may be otherwise arrayed, and may be dissimilar from one another in configuration and dimensions.

Abstract: A point-of-sale system is provided that permits users to self-manage prepaid debit cards. Such a system may be capable of identifying and managing a number of different prepaid debit cards provided by different card issuers. The system may permit, for example, a user to purchase, activate, load funds, or perform other management operations with such cards. The system may also enforce restrictions associated with particular card types, and follow process flows for activating and performing other operations of such cards. The system may also be easily extendible to other types of prepaid cards through established card network relationships.

Abstract: The hydration pack apparatus for a bicyclist herein described includes a hydration fluid container that is removably mounted to a bicycle. Hydration fluid is transported from the container to the bicyclist via a flexible tube with one end connecting to an outlet on the container and the other end terminating at a bite actuated valve. The tube is routed on and mounted to the bicycle in a novel fashion. The cyclist, with the brief use of one hand, is able to easily access the bite valve and tube to retrieve hydration while continuing to ride the bicycle and maintaining a neutral and ergonomic posture. Retracting reel assemblies are used to automatically return and hold the tube in a stored position on the bicycle while not in use. The hydration pack can be equipped with additional features allowing for convenient storage and retrieval of nutrition supplements and for secure storage of other accessory items commonly employed by bicyclists.

Abstract: A liner for use with a cooler is provided comprising a body forming a containment space. An opening is connected to the containment space, wherein the opening comprises two pairs of opposed sides with adjacent sides connected together by corners, the opening thereby forming either a rectangular or square shape. Further, at least one of the corners has an extended portion extending outwardly from the respective sides associated with the corner. In some embodiments, two or more of the corners has an extended portion extending outwardly from the respective sides associated with the corner. In other embodiments, the liner has a straight edge where none of the corners have an extended portion extending outwardly from the respective sides associated with the corners.

Abstract: A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.