Abstract: A system that allows for channel and platform agnostic automated scheduling. A user that is registered with the system may add an automated assistant into a pre-existing communication thread or channel, such as a short messaging service (“SMS”) conversation between multiple friends. Any user in the thread may interact with the assistant even if not registered with the system. Once present, the assistant analyzes messages sent to the thread for wake words that trigger actions or responses by the system, including automated scheduling actions. When scheduling is invoked, the system will find acceptable times based on top-down and bottom-up availability provided by registered users, and will propose meeting times until one is accepted by some or all of the participants. Once accepted, the system will confirm the meeting, update linked calendars, and provide reminders to attendees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing therapeutic bubbling massage of a person's body. The apparatus may be adapted to float on, for example, a pond, lake or pool. The apparatus may be formed of an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is pressurized with air. The weight of a user disposed on the upper surfaces of the inflatable bladder may force a portion of the bladder below the surface of the fluid in which the apparatus is floating, such that bubbles are formed when the pressurized gas is allowed to escape the bladder through openings impacting the body of the user. The gas may be heated or may be infused with an aroma.

Abstract: A battery cell inspection system and method are disclosed. The system performs an ultrasound interrogation session of a cell by directing ultrasound at different frequencies at target points across surfaces of the cell, detecting ultrasound at the target points that is transmitted through and/or reflected from the cell, generating response signals from the detected ultrasound at each of the target points, and determining characteristics of the cell including defects, anomalies and cell capacity based upon the response signals. During the session, the transducers are not in contact with the surfaces of the cell, and the transducers and the cell are immersed in an electrically non-conductive fluid. The system can also configure the ultrasound transmitted at the target points into focused beams. Alternatively, an inspection system can be configured to determine characteristics of a cell during a formation stage of the cell.

Abstract: An oil receiving system is provided and includes a housing with front, side, and a bottom wall, the front wall configured to be connectable to an outer edge of a vat, the combined front, side, and bottom walls form a plenum for receipt of oil therein. A fluid connection is disposed in either the side wall or the bottom wall, the fluid connection vertically disposed below a top edge of the front wall. A piped system allows flow from within the plenum through the fluid connection. A valve is disposed at or proximate to the fluid connection and operable to either allow flow from the plenum through the fluid connection or prevent flow from the plenum through the fluid connection. The oil receiving system can be provided with a vat for frying foods or as a separate item that is attached to a vat after the vat has been installed.

Abstract: A portable aquatic exercise device for performing callisthenic workouts using water weight includes an outer bag having an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface of the outer bag creates an interior. The outer bag has a top end and a bottom end. The top end has an aperture and the bottom end has an opening. The opening has a draw string positioning the opening from an open position to a closed position. A pair of ropes is coupled to the outer surface of the outer bag. An inner bag is positioned within the interior of the outer bag. An inside of the inner bag is fills with water wherein expanding against the outer bag. A hole of the inner bag has an insert. A cap is positioned on the aperture of the outer bag and engages by threading to the insert of the inner bag.

Abstract: A system that allows for channel and platform agnostic automated scheduling. A user that is registered with the system may add an automated assistant into a pre-existing communication thread or channel, such as a short messaging service (“SMS”) conversation between multiple friends. Any user in the thread may interact with the assistant even if not registered with the system. Once present, the assistant analyzes messages sent to the thread for wake words that trigger actions or responses by the system, including automated scheduling actions. When scheduling is invoked, the system will find acceptable times based on top-down and bottom-up availability provided by registered users, and will propose meeting times until one is accepted by some or all of the participants. Once accepted, the system will confirm the meeting, update linked calendars, and provide reminders to attendees.

Abstract: In a first aspect, embodiments described herein relate to a submersible robot system for inspecting and/or grooming objects (e.g., naval vessels) in a marine environment. In some embodiments, the robot system includes a housing; a plurality of adhesion engines disposed within the housing; an illumination device; and an imaging device. In some applications, each adhesion engine includes a plurality of adhesion devices structured and arranged to secure the system to the object; a magnetic switch motor for switching on and off the adhesion devices; at least one grooming element; and a body rotation motor for moving the grooming element across a surface of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing therapeutic bubbling massage of a person's body. The apparatus may be adapted to float on, for example, a pond, lake or pool. The apparatus may be formed of an inflatable bladder having an interior volume that is pressurized with air. The weight of a user disposed on the upper surfaces of the inflatable bladder may force a portion of the bladder below the surface of the fluid in which the apparatus is floating, such that bubbles are formed when the pressurized gas is allowed to escape the bladder through openings impacting the body of the user. The gas may be heated or may be infused with an aroma.

Abstract: A system that allows for channel and platform agnostic automated scheduling. A user that is registered with the system may add an automated assistant into a pre-existing communication thread or channel, such as a short messaging service (“SMS”) conversation between multiple friends. Any user in the thread may interact with the assistant even if not registered with the system. Once present, the assistant analyzes messages sent to the thread for wake words that trigger actions or responses by the system, including automated scheduling actions. When scheduling is invoked, the system will find acceptable times based on top-down and bottom-up availability provided by registered users, and will propose meeting times until one is accepted by some or all of the participants. Once accepted, the system will confirm the meeting, update linked calendars, and provide reminders to attendees.

Abstract: A carpet tile and process for making the same, wherein the carpet tile comprises a woven facecloth with an applied latex or hot-melt adhesive precoat, an extruded polymer backing layer, and an optional polyester cushion, comprising a reinforcing scrim layer within a polyester layer. The top surface and bottom surface of the carpet tile are defined by the facecloth and the polyester cushion or extruded layer, respectively. A polymer-based resin is extruded onto the pre-coat of the coated facecloth to form an at least substantially uniform backing layer, and the polyester cushion may be laid onto the extruded polymer backing layer while the extruded polymer backing layer remains above a softening temperature for the resin. The entire multi-layer web is then passed through a nip to embed the reinforcing scrim layer into the extruded polymer backing layer, and the entire web is chilled.

Abstract: A portable aquatic exercise device for performing callisthenic workouts using water weight includes an outer bag having an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface of the outer bag creates an interior. The outer bag has a top end and a bottom end. The top end has an aperture and the bottom end has an opening. The opening has a draw string positioning the opening from an open position to a closed position. A pair of ropes is coupled to the outer surface of the outer bag. An inner bag is positioned within the interior of the outer bag. An inside of the inner bag is fills with water wherein expanding against the outer bag. A hole of the inner bag has an insert. A cap is positioned on the aperture of the outer bag and engages by threading to the insert of the inner bag.

Abstract: A stowable table mountable to a handle of luggage is disclosed. In an example, the stowable table includes a rigid or semi-rigid main panel, a pair of flap portions mounted to a first side of the main panel, and a first restraint system mounted to the first side of the main panel between the pair of flap portions to secure the main panel to a handle grip of the handle. Each flap portion has a folding axis relative to the main panel that is spaced apart from the folding axis of the other flap portion to define a region that accommodates the handle between the pair of flap portions. The stowable table further includes a second restraint system that tensions the pair of flap portions toward each other, and spans the distance between the pair of flap portions on each side of the region to surround the handle.

Abstract: A system that allows for channel and platform agnostic automated scheduling. A user that is registered with the system may add an automated assistant into a pre-existing communication thread or channel, such as a short messaging service (“SMS”) conversation between multiple friends. Any user in the thread may interact with the assistant even if not registered with the system. Once present, the assistant analyzes messages sent to the thread for wake words that trigger actions or responses by the system, including automated scheduling actions. When scheduling is invoked, the system will find acceptable times based on top-down and bottom-up availability provided by registered users, and will propose meeting times until one is accepted by some or all of the participants. Once accepted, the system will confirm the meeting, update linked calendars, and provide reminders to attendees.

Abstract: A stowable table mountable to a handle of luggage is disclosed. In an example, the stowable table includes a rigid or semi-rigid main panel, a pair of flap portions mounted to a first side of the main panel, and a first restraint system mounted to the first side of the main panel between the pair of flap portions to secure the main panel to a handle grip of the handle. Each flap portion has a folding axis relative to the main panel that is spaced apart from the folding axis of the other flap portion to define a region that accommodates the handle between the pair of flap portions. The stowable table further includes a second restraint system that tensions the pair of flap portions toward each other, and spans the distance between the pair of flap portions on each side of the region to surround the handle.

Abstract: A system that allows for channel and platform agnostic automated scheduling. A user that is registered with the system may add an automated assistant into a pre-existing communication thread or channel, such as a short messaging service (“SMS”) conversation between multiple friends. Any user in the thread may interact with the assistant even if not registered with the system. Once present, the assistant analyzes messages sent to the thread for wake words that trigger actions or responses by the system, including automated scheduling actions. When scheduling is invoked, the system will find acceptable times based on top-down and bottom-up availability provided by registered users, and will propose meeting times until one is accepted by some or all of the participants. Once accepted, the system will confirm the meeting, update linked calendars, and provide reminders to attendees.

Abstract: A polysulfone has sulfone units that are separated by alkylene units in a polymer chain or a copolymer chain where the alkylene units have at least four carbons between sulfone units. The alkylene units can include an ethenylene unit separated from the sulfone units by at least one methylene units. The polysulfones can be crosslinked for enhanced thermal stability. Membranes can be formed from the polysulfones.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a plumbing tool support accessory designed to support and stabilize a drain snake tool during a drain clearing process. The plumbing tool support accessory comprises at least two cutout grooves or notches along the rim of a bucket or other receptacle, such that the cutout grooves or notches are present diametrically opposite each other, thereby enabling the drain snake tool to be easily and securely placed in said grooves or notches. The plumbing tool support accessory of the present invention provides hands-free support to the drain snake tool and may also feature a cover having pockets to enable the user to keep smaller tools and equipment required for plumbing tasks stored therein.

Abstract: Processing data in a communications system comprising a plurality of servers is provided. First data received from a communications device is directed to a given server in the plurality of servers. A server identifier identifying the given server is transmitted to the communications device. Subsequent data is received from the communications device. The subsequent data comprises the server identifier and a further parameter. The given server is selected on the basis of at least the server identifier and some of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the given server. In the event of a need to redirect subsequent data to a server other than the given server, a different server is selected on the basis of at least the further parameter and further of the subsequent data received from the communications device is directed to the selected different server.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for displaying scenes included in media assets. The technique includes selecting a first scene included in a first video asset based on one or more preferences and metadata associated with multiple scenes. The first video asset is one of multiple video assets, and each scene included in the multiple scenes is included in one of the video assets included in the multiple video assets. The technique further includes displaying the first scene within a first portion of a display area.