Abstract: A center electrode is electrically coupled with a main terminal. A ground electrode is opposed to the center electrode to form a gap therebetween. A piezo actuator changes in length on application of a voltage. The piezo actuator actuates one of the center electrode and the ground electrode to manipulate the gap.

Abstract: To identify important access roads for a geographic location, multiple previous requests for directions between a multiplicity of sources and one or more destinations identical, or proximate, to the geographic location are identified. Further, routes between the multiplicity of sources and the one or more destinations are determined. Still further, common road segments shared by at least some of the determined routes are identified, and a set of important access roads for the geographic location are selected from among the identified road segments based on how frequently the identified road segments are used.

Abstract: A center electrode is electrically coupled with a main terminal. A ground electrode is opposed to the center electrode to form a gap therebetween. A piezo actuator changes in length on application of a voltage. The piezo actuator actuates one of the center electrode and the ground electrode to manipulate the gap.

Abstract: A map data server may provide metadata about available indoor map data that accompanies map data for drawing a base map. For example, map data may include vector data for drawing a footprint of a building, and the metadata may include information about the physical properties of the building (e.g., an indication of how many floors the building has and if detailed map data is available for the indicated floors, etc.). A mapping application running on the client can use this metadata to display an interface that allows a user to select floors or otherwise interact with the floor data. Further, the metadata accompanying map data can include a bounding box, or a bounding polygon, for one or more floors. The mapping application can use these bounding shapes to properly reposition the viewport as map data for a new floor is being loaded, for example.

Abstract: To provide map data for rendering map images corresponding to a selected geographic region at a client device, a map server generates a set of base map tiles having vector descriptors, each of which indicates a geometry of a respective map element, in accordance with a non-raster format for rendering a first map image. The map server, at some point, provides the base map tiles to the client device. Upon receiving an indication that a specific map image for the selected geographic region is to be rendered at the client device, the map server further generates a set of difference map tiles that indicate changes to be made to the set of base map tiles and sends the difference map tiles to the client device for use, along with the set of base map tiles, in rendering the requested specific map image.

Abstract: A mapping system determines points of interest that are related to a selected point of interest within a digital map displayed at a client computing device. The system receives a request for mapping system data from a client computing device. The request indicates a selected point of interest (POI) that is displayed at a geographic location within the digital map. The selected POI corresponds to a list of words describing characteristics of the selected POI, and each word corresponding to the selected POI word includes a base score describing an importance of the word compared to a list of all words corresponding to displayable POIs. The system determines POIs that are related to the selected POI by comparing base scores of the selected POI words to base scores of related POI words, where the related POIs each include at least one word in common with the selected POI.

Abstract: A partition configured to be positioned within an aircraft. The partition includes a first divider assembly that includes a first wall portion having a first jamb member secured to an inboard surface thereof and a first door hingedly connected to the first jamb member. The first jamb member includes first lighting that illuminates the first door, and the first door is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The partition also includes a second divider assembly that includes a second wall portion having a second jamb member secured to an inboard surface thereof and a second door hingedly connected to the second jamb member. The second jamb member includes second lighting that illuminates the second door, and the second door is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The second door is spaced apart from the first door.

Abstract: A method for efficiently fetching map tiles for digital maps includes receiving, at a client device such as a mapping user interface device, a request to display a digital map and identifying a plurality of map tiles for the request, each map tile representing a portion of the digital map. The user interface device generates a single map content request including multiple identifiers corresponding to the plurality of map tiles. The user interface device then sends the map content request to a map content server as a single request requesting multiple map tiles. In response to the map content request, the map content server retrieves the plurality of map tiles from a content database and sends the plurality of map tiles to the client device. The client device can then display the digital map based on the plurality of map tiles.

Abstract: A graphics display module that includes a frame with a front portion and a rear portion that cooperate to secure a lighted panel having a front surface and a rear surface therebetween. The front portion defines a central opening through which the front surface of the lighted panel can be viewed. The front portion and rear portion cooperate to define a channel that includes lighting disposed therein that is configured to back light the lighted panel.

Abstract: A monument assembly configured to be positioned interior of an aircraft that includes a galley module, a first lavatory module and a second lavatory module. The module is positioned between the first and second lavatory modules, and the first lavatory module and the galley module share a first inboard dividing wall that includes at least a first non-vertical wall section.

Abstract: A mapping system determines points of interest that are related to a selected point of interest within a digital map displayed at a client computing device. The system receives a request for mapping system data from a client computing device. The request indicates a selected point of interest (POI) that is displayed at a geographic location within the digital map. The selected POI corresponds to a list of words describing characteristics of the selected POI, and each word corresponding to the selected POI word includes a base score describing an importance of the word compared to a list of all words corresponding to displayable POIs. The system determines POIs that are related to the selected POI by comparing base scores of the selected POI words to base scores of related POI words, where the related POIs each include at least one word in common with the selected POI.

Abstract: A garment steamer (1) comprising a base body (10) accommodating a liquid water tank (26); a liquid water pump (32), having a water inlet (32a) and a water outlet (32b), wherein the water inlet (32a) is fluidly connected to the liquid water tank (26). The garment steamer also comprises a steam head (50) that is moveable with respect to the base body (10) and that accommodates a steam chamber (70), having a liquid water inlet and a steam outlet, wherein said steam outlet includes at least one steam nozzle (76); a heating element (72) that is provided in or adjacent said steam chamber (70), and configured to evaporate liquid water passing through said steam chamber. A liquid water tube (38b, 38c) fluidly interconnects the water outlet (32b) of the water pump (32) and the liquid water inlet of the steam chamber (70) in the steam head (50).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing targeted video promotional material includes providing a first video advertisement for presentation by a video display system, receiving an indication that a user chose to skip at least part of the presentation of the first video advertisement, identifying for the user a characteristic associated with the first video advertisement, selecting a second video advertisement based at least in part on the identified characteristic for the user, and providing the second video advertisement for presentation to the user with the video display system, wherein an advertiser is caused to charge for display of video advertisements that are determined to have not been skipped, and not charged for display for video advertisements that are determined to have been skipped.

Abstract: A map data server may provide map data to a client device by generating a description of a geographic area that includes outdoor map features including a multi-story building. The multi-story building includes a “default” floor. The map data server may also provide data to the client device to graphically represent the indoor features of the default floor in the description of the geographic area. The indoor map features may be annotated to allow the client device to selectively activate or deactivate the display of the indoor map features.

Abstract: A map data server may provide metadata about available indoor map data that accompanies map data for drawing a base map. For example, map data may include vector data for drawing a footprint of a building, and the metadata may include information about the physical properties of the building (e.g., an indication of how many floors the building has and if detailed map data is available for the indicated floors, etc.). A mapping application running on the client can use this metadata to display an interface that allows a user to select floors or otherwise interact with the floor data. Further, the metadata accompanying map data can include a bounding box, or a bounding polygon, for one or more floors. The mapping application can use these bounding shapes to properly reposition the viewport as map data for a new floor is being loaded, for example.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly for use with a tub or shower enclosure, said assembly comprising a rod, having a first end and a second end extending along said enclosure; at least one door, having a top, bottom, first end, second end, first surface and second surface; at least one roller attached to said door at a predetermined position and slidably engaging said rod; a stopper attached to said rod, at a predetermined position; a striker attached to said door, at a predetermined position; said striker further comprising at least one striking member; said stopper further comprising at least one striking member receiver; wherein when said door is in a first position, said at least one striking member and said at least one striking member receiver are not engaged and when said door is in a second position, said at least one striking member and said at least one striking member receiver are engaged, preventing said at least one door from substantial horizontal and vertical movement along said rod.

Abstract: To identify important access roads for a geographic location, multiple previous requests for directions between a multiplicity of sources and one or more destinations identical, or proximate, to the geographic location are identified. Further, routes between the multiplicity of sources and the one or more destinations are determined. Still further, common road segments shared by at least some of the determined routes are identified, and a set of important access roads for the geographic location are selected from among the identified road segments based on how frequently the identified road segments are used.

Abstract: To provide map data for rendering map images corresponding to a selected geographic region at a client device, a map server generates a set of base map tiles having vector descriptors, each of which indicates a geometry of a respective map element, in accordance with a non-raster format for rendering a first map image. The map server, at some point, provides the base map tiles to the client device. Upon receiving an indication that a specific map image for the selected geographic region is to be rendered at the client device, the map server further generates a set of difference map tiles that indicate changes to be made to the set of base map tiles and sends the difference map tiles to the client device for use, along with the set of base map tiles, in rendering the requested specific map image.

Abstract: A method for efficiently fetching map tiles for digital maps includes receiving, at a client device such as a mapping user interface device, a request to display a digital map and identifying a plurality of map tiles for the request, each map tile representing a portion of the digital map. The user interface device generates a single map content request including multiple identifiers corresponding to the plurality of map tiles. The user interface device then sends the map content request to a map content server as a single request requesting multiple map tiles. In response to the map content request, the map content server retrieves the plurality of map tiles from a content database and sends the plurality of map tiles to the client device. The client device can then display the digital map based on the plurality of map tiles.

Abstract: To identify important access roads for a geographic location, multiple previous requests for directions between a multiplicity of sources and one or more destinations identical, or proximate, to the geographic location are identified. Further, routes between the multiplicity of sources and the one or more destinations are determined. Still further, common road segments shared by at least some of the determined routes are identified, and a set of important access roads for the geographic location are selected from among the identified road segments based on how frequently the identified road segments are used.