Abstract: A system and method for storing and distributing DC power, comprising: a first desk with a horizontal desktop surface and vertical support surfaces, batteries, a charging circuit with an AC to DC power converter, one AC power input channel, one DC power input channel, and DC power output channels; a second desk with a horizontal desktop surface and vertical support surfaces, batteries, a charging circuit with an AC to DC power converter, one AC power input channel, one DC power input channel, and DC power output channels; and electrical information processors adapted to the charging circuits to regulate and allocate DC power between batteries and DC power output channels within a chain of electrically connected desks by measuring and controlling charges and electric currents from charging circuits to batteries, from charging circuits to DC power output channels, and from batteries to DC output channels.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and distributing DC power, comprising: a first desk with a horizontal desktop surface and vertical support surfaces, batteries, a charging circuit with an AC to DC power converter, one AC power input channel, one DC power input channel, and DC power output channels; a second desk with a horizontal desktop surface and vertical support surfaces, batteries, a charging circuit with an AC to DC power converter, one AC power input channel, one DC power input channel, and DC power output channels; and electrical information processors adapted to the charging circuits to regulate and allocate DC power between batteries and DC power output channels within a chain of electrically connected desks by measuring and controlling charges and electric currents from charging circuits to batteries, from charging circuits to DC power output channels, and from batteries to DC output channels.

Abstract: An organization stores customer relationship management information in a social networking system. For example, the customer relationship management information is stored in a graph maintained by the social networking system. The graph includes nodes representing organizations and other objects maintained by the social networking system that are connected by edges. The edges store information describing relationships between the nodes, including information determining a user's authority to access an organization's resources or to act on behalf of an organization on the social networking system. The organization may reconstruct its customer relationship information from the graph and dynamically modify the edges used by the social networking system to represent the customer relationship management information.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiment includes a container that functions to hold objects for shipping and storage; a sensor system coupled to the container that functions to detect the state of the container and an area surrounding the container; an output element that functions to display the detected information; a power supply that functions to collect, convert, store, and supply energy to the elements of the system; and a processor that functions to collect and store detected information from the sensors in order to connect the power supply to the elements of the system and to supply power to these elements on an as-needed basis to conserve energy.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiment includes multiple first sensors adapted to detect the state of a designated area, multiple second sensors adapted to detect changes or events within the designated area, multiple recording devices adapted to record information, a processor adapted to allocate recording resources and to prioritize the recorded information, and an output element adapted to display the recorded information. The processor connects the first sensors and second sensors to the recording devices and contains a storage device adapted to store the recorded information.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the invention includes a collaborative design process for a design team that generates an incomplete design for a project, outside suppliers that supply components for the project, and outside manufacturers that manufacturer the complete design for the project. The process includes storing an incomplete design generated by the design team within a secure network; providing access to the incomplete design over the secure network and facilitating comments from outside suppliers on the incomplete design; storing a complete design generated by the design team within the secure network; providing access to the complete design to the outside manufacturers over the secure network; and facilitating use of the complete design by at least one of the outside manufacturers. In a second embodiment, the invention includes a method of managing several collaborative design processes within the same secure network.

Abstract: The system 10 of the preferred embodiment includes a sensor 12 to detect temperature; a user interface 14 that includes a display 16 to output the detected temperature, controls 18 to receive a target temperature, and an alert 20 to signal the user when an event occurs; and a base 22. The system 10 of the preferred embodiment has been specifically designed to grasp the neck of a wine bottle of any various size, detect the temperature of the wine, compare the detected temperature to the target temperature, and signal the user when the detected temperature is equivalent to the target temperature.

Abstract: The system 10 of the preferred embodiment includes a sensor 12 to detect the status of an enclosure, a light source 14 to illuminate the enclosure, a power source 16, a circuit board 18, a housing element 20, and a fastener 22. The system 10 of the preferred embodiment has been specifically designed to detect the opening of a drawer, a door, or a lid of an enclosure and to illuminate the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the invention is an amperage apparatus 10 for displaying relative amperage load. The amperage apparatus 10 includes a sensor 12 adapted to measure an amperage value, a processor 14 coupled to the sensor 12 and adapted to allow selection of an amperage rating, and a display 16 coupled to the processor 14 and adapted to display information based on the measured amperage value and the selected amperage rating. The amperage apparatus 10 may be used as a stand-alone device or may be incorporated into a power supply system, such as a power strip, a surge protector, or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

Abstract: A environmental sensor network having at least two environmental sensor units and a central display unit. Each sensor unit includes a sensor adapted to measure a condition and a transmitter adapted to operate in an “activation” mode in which the transmitter transmits a predefined sequence and a sensor ID and a “data” mode in which the transmitter transmits data based on the measurement. The central display unit includes a receiver adapted to receive a transmission from the two environmental sensors, a memory device, and a processor adapted to selectively operate in an “add” mode in which the processor records the presence of an environment sensor unit in the memory device upon the receipt of the predefined sequence and the sensor ID, and a “display” mode in which the processor outputs information based on the measurement.

Abstract: The container 10 of the preferred embodiment comprises an outer shell 12 and an inner membrane 14 which cooperatively define a first compartment 16 and a second compartment 18. The first compartment 16 defines a first opening 20, through which the first compartment 16 receives a consumable liquid. The second compartment 18 defines a second opening 22, through which the second compartment 18 receives a second liquid. The first compartment 16 and the second compartment 18 are shaped and arranged such that greater than 50% of the surface area of the second compartment 18 is located adjacent to the first compartment 16. Alternatively, the first compartment 16 and the second compartment 18 may be shaped and arranged such that the first compartment 16 substantially surrounds at least a portion of the second compartment 18.

Abstract: The moisture sensor 10 of the preferred embodiment includes a first platform 12, conductive traces 14, and a processor 16. The moisture sensor 10 can be inserted into the soil of a plant and used to measure the moisture in the soil. In the preferred embodiment, the moisture sensor 10 indicates the moisture in the soil of the plant. With this knowledge, a user can determine whether to hydrate the plant at any given time.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the system 10 includes a sensor 12, a transmitter 14 coupled to the sensor 12 and adapted to transmit a signal, a receiver 16 adapted to receive the signal, and a remote indicator 18 coupled to the receiver 16. In a second embodiment, the receivers 16? are actually transceivers that can retransmit the signals to a receiver 16? of another remote indicator 18 and that cooperatively form a mesh network. This arrangement may be quite useful in certain environments, such as a tall apartment building and a long private street, where multiple users are relatively spread out.