Abstract: An example method of video conferencing includes: receiving, from a control sewer, an initiation package for a client account associated with a client device, the initiation package including a client participant identifier defining the client account within a video conferencing session, a base map, and a position of the client account on the base map; displaying, at the client device, the base map and a position marker on the base map, the position marker representing the position of the client account on the base map; obtaining a set of nearby participant identifiers representing nearby participant accounts selected based on a proximity of respective positions of the nearby participant accounts to the position of the client account; obtaining, based on the set of nearby participant identifiers, a set of media streams for the nearby participant accounts; and outputting the set of media streams at the client device.

Abstract: A vehicle lift utilizes a locally stored energy source configured to deliver energy at a high rate to a DC motor to provide a fast rise time and to replenish that energy at a lower rate over a relatively longer period of time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing multiple devices to display and annotate (or modify) a video image are described, where a content renderer device displays a video image that is also displayed (or viewed) by one or more content viewer devices, which can both display and annotate (or modify) the same video image at the same time, and the content renderer selectively determines whether or not a GUI menu is displayed on its display screen. Annotation commands (e.g., screen touch data) on the viewer devices are captured, packaged and sent to the content renderer, which creates a combined modified video image having the annotations from the viewer devices, displays it to the renderer display and sends it to the viewer devices for display thereon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing multiple devices to display and annotate (or modify) a video image are described, where a content renderer device displays a video image that is also displayed (or viewed) by one or more content viewer devices, which can both display and annotate (or modify) the same video image at the same time, and the content renderer selectively determines whether or not a GUI menu is displayed on its display screen. Annotation commands (e.g., screen touch data) on the viewer devices are captured, packaged and sent to the content renderer, which creates a combined modified video image having the annotations from the viewer devices, displays it to the renderer display and sends it to the viewer devices for display thereon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing multiple devices to display and annotate (or modify) a video image are described, where a content renderer device displays a video image that is also displayed (or viewed) by one or more content viewer devices, which can both display and annotate (or modify) the same video image at the same time, and the content renderer selectively determines whether or not a GUI menu is displayed on its display screen. Annotation commands (e.g., screen touch data) on the viewer devices are captured, packaged and sent to the content renderer, which creates a combined modified video image having the annotations from the viewer devices, displays it to the renderer display and sends it to the viewer devices for display thereon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing multiple devices to display and annotate (or modify) a video image are described, where a content renderer device displays a video image that is also displayed (or viewed) by one or more content viewer devices, which can both display and annotate (or modify) the same video image at the same time, and the content renderer selectively determines whether or not a GUI menu is displayed on its display screen. Annotation commands (e.g., screen touch data) on the viewer devices are captured, packaged and sent to the content renderer, which creates a combined modified video image having the annotations from the viewer devices, displays it to the renderer display and sends it to the viewer devices for display thereon.

Abstract: A lift control interface is operable to control and monitor a lift system. Each lift column in the system has such a lift control interface. The lift control interface allows a user to assign lift columns to a lift system. One or more of the assigned lift columns may be assigned to a column control group. The user may lock the selection of these columns. The status of the assigned, selected, and locked lift columns may appear on every lift control interface in the lift system. The user may govern operation of the selected columns in the column control group from a single control interface, such as any control interface at any of the selected columns. The lift control interfaces may include visual representations showing the relationships between the lift columns and a vehicle, such as with lift column icons being positioned around a vehicle icon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention feature methods and apparatus for the efficient utilization of detectors and other components. The apparatus comprises a pump for receiving and propelling one or more samples in a fluid path. The apparatus further comprises a valve element in fluid communication with the pump for receiving the samples from the pump and directing the sample along one fluid path selected from a group. The group comprises a delay path comprising a delay volume, and a chromatography assembly having at least one chromatography column. The apparatus further comprises a detector or grouping of detectors in fluid communication with the delay path and the chromatography assembly for detecting compounds of interest to allow a single detector or single grouping of detectors to receive samples from the two fluid paths.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system comprising a chiral mobile phase used to separate enantiomeric molecules present in a sample is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the mobile phase comprises a chiral solvent. In another aspect, the mobile phase includes a chiral solvent but also a buffering agent. The liquid chromatography system described herein includes both high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as high pressure capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC).

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system comprising a chiral mobile phase used to separate enantiomeric molecules present in a sample is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the mobile phase comprises a chiral solvent. In another aspect, the mobile phase includes a chiral solvent but also a buffering agent. The liquid chromatography system described herein includes both high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as high pressure capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC).

Abstract: A lift control interface is operable to control and monitor a lift system. Each lift column in the system has such a lift control interface. The lift control interface allows a user to assign lift columns to a lift system. One or more of the assigned lift columns may be assigned to a column control group. The user may lock the selection of these columns. The status of the assigned, selected, and locked lift columns may appear on every lift control interface in the lift system. The user may govern operation of the selected columns in the column control group from a single control interface, such as any control interface at any of the selected columns. The lift control interfaces may include visual representations showing the relationships between the lift columns and a vehicle, such as with lift column icons being positioned around a vehicle icon.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system comprising a chiral mobile phase used to separate enantiomeric molecules present in a sample is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the mobile phase comprises a chiral solvent. In another aspect, the mobile phase includes a chiral solvent but also a buffering agent. The liquid chromatography system described herein includes both high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as high pressure capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention feature methods and apparatus for the efficient utilization of detectors and other components. The apparatus comprises a pump for receiving and propelling one or more samples in a fluid path. The apparatus further comprises a valve element in fluid communication with the pump for receiving the samples from the pump and directing the sample along one fluid path selected from a group. The group comprises a delay path comprising a delay volume, and a chromatography assembly having at least one chromatography column. The apparatus further comprises a detector or grouping of detectors in fluid communication with the delay path and the chromatography assembly for detecting compounds of interest to allow a single detector or single grouping of detectors to receive samples from the two fluid paths.

Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.

Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.

Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.

Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser trimming a shaped plastic workpiece use a laser beam positioned and directed by a robotic arm traveling along a pre-programmed path to trim the edges of a workpiece held against a positioning block. Preferably, the positioning block includes a laser beam capturing channel comprising suction holes for removing smoke generated by the ablation and burning of the plastic so as to minimize the risk of smoke damage to the workpiece and to remove soot and vapors from the work area. At the same time, laser beams are inhibited form reflecting back off the block onto the workpiece by positioning the channel under the workpiece and along the predetermined cutting path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser trimming a shaped plastic workpiece use a laser beam positioned and directed by a robotic arm traveling along a pre-programmed path to trim the edges of a workpiece held against a positioning block. Preferably, the positioning block includes a laser beam capturing channel comprising suction holes for removing smoke generated by the ablation and burning of the plastic so as to minimize the risk of smoke damage to the workpiece and to remove soot and vapors from the work area. At the same time, laser beams are inhibited form reflecting back off the block onto the workpiece by positioning the channel under the workpiece and along the predetermined cutting path.

Abstract: A tube printer and method for printing information on an interior surface of a tube. The tube printer including a housing, an ink wheel assembly and a print wheel. The housing having at least two side members interconnected by a top plate extending there between and including spring biased guide wheels that cooperatively center the housing within the tube. An operating handle is operatively attached to an end of the housing to provide a means to push and pull the tube printer within the tube. The ink wheel assembly is operatively positioned between the side members of the housing and the print wheel is operatively positioned between the side members of the housing and adjacent the ink wheel and includes a raised surface containing the information to be printed on the interior surface of the tube.