Abstract: The hoisting apparatus includes a climbing rail, which is adapted to be suspended on and translated vertically along a construction at a distance from the ground. There is an enclosure supported by the climbing rail. There is also a lifting platform that is housed within the enclosure and is vertically movable relative to the enclosure.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and methods for balancing network loads across distinct provider networks. In one implementation, a virtual network representative of at least a first provider network is established having at least one interconnection point where network traffic is exchanged between the first provider network and a second provider network and having at least one provider edge port and at least one potential interconnection point. A measurement of a bandwidth between the at least one provider edge port and the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A measurement of a distance between the at least one provider edge port and a geographically closest of the at least one potential interconnection point or the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A network load indication for the first provider network as a function of the bandwidth measurement and the distance measurement is obtained.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and methods for balancing network loads across distinct provider networks. In one implementation, a virtual network representative of at least a first provider network is established having at least one interconnection point where network traffic is exchanged between the first provider network and a second provider network and having at least one provider edge port and at least one potential interconnection point. A measurement of a bandwidth between the at least one provider edge port and the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A measurement of a distance between the at least one provider edge port and a geographically closest of the at least one potential interconnection point or the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A network load indication for the first provider network as a function of the bandwidth measurement and the distance measurement is obtained.

Abstract: Check valves including in situ cleaning mechanisms are shown and described. The check valves include a side wall, an opening, a disc disposed within the opening and configured to be moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes a port in the side wall configured to be coupled to a fluid source to spray fluid onto an inner surface of the side wall and the disc to clear debris from the check valve. In some examples, the port is an access port configured to be coupled to a nozzle for coupling the fluid source to the port. In some further examples, the cleaning mechanism includes a handle operatively coupled to the disc to move the disc between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein providing systems and methods for modeling and visualizing interconnection relationships between a first provider network and a partner. In one implementation, a partner of a provider network is defined by at least one interconnection point where network traffic may be exchanged between the provider network and the partner. An interconnection relationship is generated based on the at least one interconnection point. The interconnection relationship is modeled.

Abstract: A platform system includes a support structure of variable length; a platform mountable on the support structure; and a plurality of platform supports for supporting the platform. At least one of the platform supports is slideably mounted on the support structure such that it is slideable with respect to the support structure. At least one of the platform supports includes a spacing element, which extends between that platform support and an adjacent one of the platform supports and engages the adjacent platform support, such that the maximum spacing between those platform supports is limited by the spacing element.

Abstract: Processing video and sensor data associated with a vehicle Apparatus (5) is configured to: obtain first data corresponding to video data from a video camera (6) associated with a vehicle; obtain second data corresponding to sensor data from one or more sensors (8) associated with the vehicle; form a data structure including metadata and the first and second data, wherein first timing information for the first data is included in the metadata and second timing information for the second data is included in the second data, wherein the first and second timing information enable the first and second data to be temporally related.

Abstract: A piano training device is described herein. The piano training device comprising a plurality of keys which may be illuminated by a light source associated with each key. The light source associated with each key is oriented such that the light source transmits light toward the front surface of the key. The key is further manufactured so that the light transmitted toward the front surface of the key is redirected to the top surface of the key.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are provided for migrating data blocks around a cluster during node addition and node deletion. Migration requires no downtime, as a newly added node is immediately operational while the data blocks are being moved. Blockmap files and deduplication dictionaries need not be updated.

Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of an air cleaner assembly for a machine. The air cleaner assembly may include a filter housing and a filter element. The filter housing may include a mating surface extending in a first plane and defining a filter opening thereon. The filter housing also includes a filter engaging member associated with the mating surface. The filter element may include a filter frame extending generally in a second plane and defining an opening for receiving a filter medium. The filter element may also include a sealing member disposed in the filter frame around the opening and configured to seal around the opening when the filter frame is brought into contact with the mating surface. The filter element may further include a blade extending from the filter frame and configured to engage with the filter engaging member.

Abstract: A computer-based reading-fluency training tool for helping a reader increase her/his reading speed and comprehension. In some embodiments, the training tool includes a reading frame that displays multiple lines of multiline reading material. The displayed multiple lines are masked, and the training tool moves a guided window through the multiple lines in a controlled manner to temporarily unmask a portion of the multiple lines to guide the reader through the reading material. The multiline reading material can be text-based material for reading-comprehension sessions.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a time and attendance apparatus receives biometric information; processes the biometric information to determine an identity of a current user of the apparatus and receives user input relating to time and attendance. The system/method further stores and/or transfers data based on the time and attendance user input to create or update a time and attendance record for the user; presents at least one further question to the user; receives further user input in response to the at least one further question, and stores and/or transfers data based on the further user input for creating or updating profile information for the user.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms provide a storage optimization manager. Data may be optimized and maintained on various nodes in a cluster. Particular nodes may be overburdened while other nodes remain relatively unused. Techniques are provided to efficiently optimize data onto nodes to enhance operational efficiency. Data access requests for optimized data are monitored and managed to allow for intelligent maintenance of optimized data.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include methods and systems for use in delivering resources to a client device over a local network. An exemplary system comprises a plurality of caching devices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality of content providers, and a local caching device communicatively situated between an access network and the client device, wherein the access network is communicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and the local caching device. The local caching device is operable to retrieve a requested resource from at least one of the plurality of caching devices, deliver the requested resource to the client device over the local network, and store the requested resource for future requests by other client devices.

Abstract: The present invention extends to a portable art easel that is lightweight, contains minimal parts, and is easy to transport and set-up thereby facilitating the use of the easel in virtually any desired location. The portable easel can be configured to form a box shape when closed making the easel easily transportable. The lid of the box shape can be folded open and include an adjustable canvas holder for supporting a canvas while the bottom portion of the box shape can serve as a palette or palette holder. The bottom portion can also be configured to attach to a tripod.

Abstract: A piano training device is described herein. The piano training device comprising a plurality of keys which may be illuminated by a light source associated with each key. The light source associated with each key is oriented such that the light source transmits light toward the front surface of the key. The key is further manufactured so that the light transmitted toward the front surface of the key is redirected to the top surface of the key.

Abstract: A piano training device is described herein. The piano training device comprising a plurality of keys which may be illuminated by a light source associated with each key. The light source associated with each key is oriented such that the light source transmits light toward the front surface of the key. The key is further manufactured so that the light transmitted toward the front surface of the key is redirected to the top surface of the key.

Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a machine-readable code placed on an article and containing information relating to the article, where the code may be readable by a machine to retrieve the information. A portion of the code may be formed of a material that is reactive to a predetermined condition such that, when the article is subjected to the predetermined condition, the portion of the code may be changed to reflect in the information retrievable by the machine that the article has been subjected to the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and methods for balancing network loads across distinct provider networks. In one implementation, a virtual network representative of at least a first provider network is established having at least one interconnection point where network traffic is exchanged between the first provider network and a second provider network and having at least one provider edge port and at least one potential interconnection point. A measurement of a bandwidth between the at least one provider edge port and the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A measurement of a distance between the at least one provider edge port and a geographically closest of the at least one potential interconnection point or the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A network load indication for the first provider network as a function of the bandwidth measurement and the distance measurement is obtained.