Abstract: An electrical module is configured for connection with a first battery, a second battery, and an external electrical device. The electrical module includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller electrically connected to the first switch and the second switch. The controller is configured to determine at least one of a power requirement of, or an electrical load drawn by, the external electrical device. In response to determining the at least one of the power requirement of, or the electrical load drawn by, the external electrical device, the controller is configured to determine (i) a first power loss associated with the first battery and (ii) a second power loss associated with the second battery. The controller is configured to automatically select the first battery to supply electrical current to the external electrical device based on the first power loss being less than the second power loss.

Abstract: A water heater appliance is provided that includes a control panel assembly that has features that facilitate mounting of a control panel of the control panel assembly to a curved surface of the water heater appliance. For instance, the curved surface may be an outer surface of a wrapper or a shroud of the water heater appliance. Particularly, the control panel assembly includes features that permit mounting of the control panel assembly to surfaces of variable radii. Moreover, the control panel assembly includes features that facilitate access to the electrical components of the control panel during assembly and servicing of the control panel assembly. Specifically, the control panel assembly includes features that allow the control panel to hinge downward to permit easy access to the electrical components during assembly and service.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance. The method also includes monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance and monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance. When the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold, the method includes turning the lower heating element on. When the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature, the method includes turning the lower heating element off. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A water heater appliance is provided that includes a control panel assembly that has features that facilitate mounting of a control panel of the control panel assembly to a curved surface of the water heater appliance. For instance, the curved surface may be an outer surface of a wrapper or a shroud of the water heater appliance. Particularly, the control panel assembly includes features that permit mounting of the control panel assembly to surfaces of variable radii. Moreover, the control panel assembly includes features that facilitate access to the electrical components of the control panel during assembly and servicing of the control panel assembly. Specifically, the control panel assembly includes features that allow the control panel to hinge downward to permit easy access to the electrical components during assembly and service.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance. The method also includes monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance and monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance. When the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold, the method includes turning the lower heating element on. When the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature, the method includes turning the lower heating element off. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A multifunctional dental workstation for manipulating and shaping dental wax comprises a plurality of electric hotplates; an electrically controlled knife power socket, control panels; and an induction coil heater. The workstation comprises at least two electric hotplates.

Abstract: Scrolling data in a display window having peripheral controls on a user interface of a data processing system includes a two-dimensional scrolling control that is integrated as part of the peripheral controls. The two-dimensional scrolling control includes at least three directional components. Each directional component is associated with a direction on the display window, and at least one of the directions corresponds to a change in both of the two dimensions. User input is accepted from a user. The user input includes a selected directional component. The data in the display window is scrolled in the direction associated with the selected directional component.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for controlling a user's interaction with a keyboard of a multi-application electronic device such as a personal digital assistant. In one embodiment, a keyboard usage statistic for the user is determined and compared with a usage limit. Responsive to the comparison, an input mode capability of the device may be altered by throttling keyboard input to a first application such as a text input application while permitting unlimited input to a second application such as a speech input application. Altering an input mode capability may include at least one of: disabling a keyboard function, enabling an alternate input mechanism, and instructing the user to use the alternate input mechanism.

Abstract: A method to control presentation of multiple tabs and associated content on a display may include distinguishing a selected tab from the multiple tabs and displaying the content associated with the selected tab on the display. The method may also include performing one of a group of functions that may include auto-scrolling the multiple tabs across the display in response to selecting another tab, wherein at least one tab is only partially visible; scrolling at least the unselected tabs in an animated ticker fashion across the display; or facilitating manual scrolling of at least the unselected tabs across the display.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable code for managing instant messages. An instant message is received at a client. A set of parameters in the instant message is identified. The instant message on a display in the client is presented, and the instant message is removed from the display after a period of time defined by the set of parameters.

Abstract: A user calls a directory assistance service provider to search for a desired telephone number and be connected to a party at the desired number. In one such connection, the user is afforded enhanced directory assistance upon a user command in the form of an out-of-band signaling message, e.g., SS7 signaling message. For example, the user may be afforded further operator assistance by pressing on the user telephone a predetermined key (e.g., “*” key), which is detectable by the directory assistance service provider as an SS7 signaling message.

Abstract: A mobile telephone, or personal communication services subscriber who wishes directory assistance services is connected in the conventional manner to an operator who identifies a destination telephone number desired by the subscriber. As known in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. In a preferred embodiment, the operator locates a desired destination telephone number in a computer database, and can select automatic dialing of the located number. Further, rather than dropping all further involvement with the call, the preferred embodiment of the present invention continually monitors the connection thereby established for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer, such as that obtained by pressing the “?” button. If such a signal is detected, the customer is transferred to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g., providing further directory assistance).

Abstract: Scrolling data in a display window having peripheral controls on a user interface of a data processing system includes a two-dimensional scrolling control that is integrated as part of the peripheral controls. The two-dimensional scrolling control includes at least three directional components. Each directional component is associated with a direction on the display window, and at least one of the directions corresponds to a change in both of the two dimensions. User input is accepted from a user. The user input includes a selected directional component. The data in the display window is scrolled in the direction associated with the selected directional component.