Abstract: In a first participant in a network—such as an ad hoc wireless network—a facility performs peer regulation of the network. The facility monitors behavior of a second participant in the network that has appointed itself a routing participant for the network. Among the monitored behavior, the facility identifies behavior of the second participant that is inconsistent with its routing participant status. In response to this identifying, the facility sends a message to participants of the network including a third participant indicating that the second participant is no longer a routing participant.

Abstract: A facility for operating a first node in a mesh network having other nodes is described. The first node directly receives signals each encoding an identifier of one of the other nodes, at least a portion of the signals also encoding an indication that the node having the identifier has appointed itself a routing node. The facility determines a first value equal to the number of unique node identifiers encoded in signals received during a first period of time, and a second value equal to the number of unique node identifiers encoded by signals received during the first period of time that also encode the indication. The facility determines a routing score for the first node based at least upon the first value and the second value that reflects the first node's suitability as a routing node in the mesh network.

Abstract: A facility for operating a first node in a mesh network having other nodes is described. The first node directly receives signals each encoding an identifier of one of the other nodes, at least a portion of the signals also encoding an indication that the node having the identifier has appointed itself a routing node. The facility determines a first value equal to the number of unique node identifiers encoded in signals received during a first period of time, and a second value equal to the number of unique node identifiers encoded by signals received during the first period of time that also encode the indication. The facility determines a routing score for the first node based at least upon the first value and the second value that reflects the first node's suitability as a routing node in the mesh network.

Abstract: A facility for operating a communication device is described. The facility joins a network to which one or more other communication devices are connected, and identifies a type of network service not being provided in the network. In response, the facility determines to provide the identified type of network service in the network, and proceeds to provide the identified type of network service in the network.

Abstract: A facility for generating a network announcement message for a first communication device is described. In the message generated by the facility, first data encodes values determined for the first communication device of standard attributes specified by a wireless networking standard. Second data encoded values determined for the first communication device of expanded attributes including at least one expanded attribute characterizing the first communication device's connection to an internetwork. The message is usable by a second communication device that receives the message to compare the first communication device to other communication devices to which the second communication device is capable of connecting.

Abstract: In a first participant in a network—such as an ad hoc wireless network—a facility performs peer regulation of the network. The facility monitors behavior of a second participant in the network that has appointed itself a routing participant for the network. Among the monitored behavior, the facility identifies behavior of the second participant that is inconsistent with its routing participant status. In response to this identifying, the facility sends a message to participants of the network including a third participant indicating that the second participant is no longer a routing participant.

Abstract: A facility for operating a first node in a mesh network having other nodes is described. The first node directly receives signals each encoding an identifier of one of the other nodes, at least a portion of the signals also encoding an indication that the node having the identifier has appointed itself a routing node. The facility determines a first value equal to the number of unique node identifiers encoded in signals received during a first period of time, and a second value equal to the number of unique node identifiers encoded by signals received during the first period of time that also encode the indication. The facility determines a routing score for the first node based at least upon the first value and the second value that reflects the first node's suitability as a routing node in the mesh network.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes: a base; a heater basin mounted above the base and comprising a floor and a side wall that form a cavity configured to hold water, the side wall having a perimeter edge; a heating element mounted beneath the floor of the heater basin and configured to be connected to a power source; an egg cup unit comprising a main panel and at least one cup depending from the main panel, the main panel having a perimeter edge, the at least one cup having a floor that contacts the floor of the heater basin; and a lid attached to the base and configured to cover the egg cup unit. The perimeter edge of the heater basin and the perimeter edge of the egg cup unit are in contact, the interaction of the perimeter edge of the egg cup unit and the perimeter edge of the heater basin configured to impede flow of steam generated by boiling water in the cavity of the heater basin.

Abstract: A mixer includes: a housing containing a motor and first and second beater mounting locations; and first and second beaters. Each of the first and second beaters comprises: an elongate shaft that defines a longitudinal axis between first and second ends; and a blade complex including a central body and at least three blades, the central body attached to the first end of the shaft, the blades attached to and extending radially outwardly from the shaft, each of the blades including a partially helical radially-outward edge, each blade including a continuous surface devoid of openings between the body and the radially-outward edge.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes: a base; a heater basin mounted above the base and comprising a floor and a side wall that form a cavity configured to hold water, the side wall having a perimeter edge; a heating element mounted beneath the floor of the heater basin and configured to be connected to a power source; an egg cup unit comprising a main panel and at least one cup depending from the main panel, the main panel having a perimeter edge, the at least one cup having a floor that contacts the floor of the heater basin; and a lid attached to the base and configured to cover the egg cup unit. The perimeter edge of the heater basin and the perimeter edge of the egg cup unit are in contact, the interaction of the perimeter edge of the egg cup unit and the perimeter edge of the heater basin configured to impede flow of steam generated by boiling water in the cavity of the heater basin.

Abstract: A countertop oven includes a housing having a rear panel, an upper panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, an opposing second side panel and an open front end, together defining a cooking cavity therebetween. The cooking cavity is accessible via the open front end of the housing. At least one heating element within the housing selectively heats the cooking cavity. A door is movably attached to the housing via at least one 4-bar linkage mechanism. The door is selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the open front end of the housing is covered by the door, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned generally atop the upper panel of the housing, thereby uncovering the open front end of the housing to access the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A countertop oven includes a housing having a rear panel, an upper panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, an opposing second side panel and an open front end, together defining a cooking cavity therebetween. The cooking cavity is accessible via the open front end of the housing. At least one heating element within the housing selectively heats the cooking cavity. A door is movably attached to the housing via at least one 4-bar linkage mechanism. The door is selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the open front end of the housing is covered by the door, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned generally atop the upper panel of the housing, thereby uncovering the open front end of the housing to access the cooking cavity.

Abstract: An appliance for cooking a food item comprises a bottom housing, a top housing, and a cooking assembly. The cooking assembly comprises a top heated plate, a bottom heated plate, and a center ring therebetween. The top heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a top cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate and the top housing when the top housing is in a closed position. The bottom heated plate is selectively movable between (i) an open position and (ii) a closed position in which a bottom cooking cavity is selectively formed by the bottom housing and the bottom heated plate. A center cooking cavity is selectively formed by the top heated plate, the center ring, and the bottom heated plate when the top and bottom heated plates are in their respective closed positions.

Abstract: A countertop oven includes a housing having a rear panel, an upper panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, an opposing second side panel and an open front end, together defining a cooking cavity therebetween. The cooking cavity is accessible via the open front end of the housing. At least one heating element within the housing selectively heats the cooking cavity. A door is movably attached to the housing via at least one 4-bar linkage mechanism. The door is selectively movable between a closed position, wherein the open front end of the housing is covered by the door, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned generally atop the upper panel of the housing, thereby uncovering the open front end of the housing to access the cooking cavity.