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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A system to energy being used from the electric grid as well as being used and generated from one or more energy generators or fuel-powered turbines, including, but not limited to, natural gas generators, fuel cells, diesel generators, bio-diesel generators, ethanol generators, propane generators, biogas generators and kerosene generators, or a combination of any or all of these sources, with or without a battery energy storage system, resulting in (a) a reduction of the peak power demand from the electric grid of a user of the system, and/or (b) a reduction of the high consumption charges during times in which consumption costs are higher due to variable billing or otherwise, and/or (c) the ability to provide energy to the user of the system at a time that such user is offsetting, in whole or in part, a reduction of its demand from the electric grid to, among other things, quality for, participate in and/or satisfy the requirements of demand response or similar programs with third parties.

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 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 computerized management system and methods including accounting, auditing, and correcting systems and processes are disclosed for use with game and/or gaming devices, systems, and methods enable users to remotely monitor, control, and modify financial data, reports, and information related to game and/or gaming machines and apparatuses of different classes, for example Class II and Class III gaming machines and table games, and different facilities, such as Class III gaming establishments, bingo establishments, and lottery establishments.

Abstract: Content placeholder markers may be provided. A request to insert a placeholder marker may be received during output of a content asset to a device. If memory storage is available to record the content asset, the asset may be recorded. Otherwise, the placeholder marker may be stored and/or used to resume playback of the content asset from another source.

Abstract: A computerized management system and methods including accounting, auditing, and correcting systems and processes are disclosed for use with game and/or gaming devices, systems, and methods enable users to remotely monitor, control, and modify financial data, reports, and information related to game and/or gaming machines and apparatuses of different classes, for example Class II and Class III gaming machines and table games, and different facilities, such as Class III gaming establishments, bingo establishments, and lottery establishments.

Abstract: A liner for use with a cooler. is disclosed. In one embodiment, the liner has 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 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.