Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.

Abstract: A system for aggregating data from a plurality of operational databases, and a method for providing the same, are provided. The system includes a data store storing a collection of pre-defined extraction scripts. The extraction scripts identify data available for extraction from a plurality of operational database products, and including parameters for specifying which of the data to extract. A data warehouse server executes the extraction scripts to extract, merge, transform and load the specified data from the plurality of operational databases into a multidimensional database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for storing performance data in a transit organization. Sets of performance data for runs over a plurality of routes are stored. The routes are divided into links. Associations between the sets of performance data and the links are also stored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for storing performance data in a transit organization. Sets of performance data for runs over a plurality of routes are stored. The routes are divided into links. Associations between the sets of performance data and the links are also stored.

Abstract: A system for aggregating data from a plurality of operational databases, and a method for providing the same, are provided. The system includes a data store storing a collection of pre-defined extraction scripts. The extraction scripts identify data available for extraction from a plurality of operational database products, and including parameters for specifying which of the data to extract. A data warehouse server executes the extraction scripts to extract, merge, transform and load the specified data from the plurality of operational databases into a multidimensional database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-service engine for implementation in a business management system for rendering a virtual host. The virtual host replaces a customer service representative usually employed in an enterprise, such as a retail outlet, hotel or the like, who assists a customer. The self-service engine determines responses to events based on a set of rules, and renders the response on output devices. The response might, for example, be rendered as an animated human with a voice output.