Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive communication requests from a plurality of applications executing on a remote device, requesting communication with a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is also configured to save an identifier for each requesting application. The processor is further configured to establish a single communication channel to handle the communication requests. Also, the processor is configured to order the communication requests for delivery and relay data requests from the applications to the VCS over the identified transport format.

Abstract: An electromechanical powered surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a control assembly. The handle assembly is configured to engage an end effector to manipulate a tool assembly thereof. The control assembly is positioned on the candle assembly and includes a plurality of buttons. Each of the plurality of buttons is associated with a function of the end effector. Each of the plurality of buttons is also associated with a light source. The light source is configured to selectively backlight the associated button.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method, a system and a computer program product for secure data communication between a user device and a server. User credentials, a device id and a first hash are received at server from a user device. The first hash is generated using the user credentials. At server, a second hash is computed using the user credentials stored in the database of the server. The first has is verified with the second hash. Once verified, an encryption key and a sequence number corresponding to the user credentials and device id are generated. The encryption key and the sequence number are encrypted using a pre-defined key and one or more user credentials. The encrypted encryption key and the sequence number are sent to the user device to encrypt data.

Abstract: A blade for a rotating machine, particularly for a gas turbine engine, has a leading edge and a trailing edge joined by pressure and suction surfaces. The trailing edge has a serrated form including a first periodic variation and a second periodic variation of higher frequency and lower amplitude than the first periodic variation.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed.

Abstract: Systems and method of providing a web-based marketplace for distributing leads to a network of agents are provided. A method includes receiving data indicative of user identification and user insurance coverage from a plurality of website users, identifying a subset of the plurality of website users that fail to purchase insurance, generating a database that stores the data received from the subset of website users, and generating a price for purchasing the data received from each of the subset of website users. The price is added to the respective website user's data in the database. The method includes transmitting a portion of the database including the price to a third party, and receiving a request to purchase a first website user's data.

Abstract: Systems and method of providing a web-based marketplace for distributing leads to a network of agents are provided. A method includes receiving data indicative of user identification and user insurance coverage from a plurality of website users, identifying a subset of the plurality of website users that fail to purchase insurance, generating a database that stores the data received from the subset of website users, and generating a price for purchasing the data received from each of the subset of website users. The price is added to the respective website user's data in the database. The method includes transmitting a portion of the database including the price to a third party, and receiving a request to purchase a first website user's data.

Abstract: An attachment is provided, which is to be clipped to the bell of a contemporary wind instrument, hereinafter called a horn, such as a trumpet, trombone, euphonium, etc., permitting musical playing by lip control alone, eliminating the need for valves, or scale slides. An attachment bracket is designed to support one, or more, tubular waveguide reflectors. The waveguide reflectors each have a proximal end near the bell end of the horn and extend relative to the horn's mouthpiece, toward a distal end, at a calculated position, producing a fundamental pitch of one scale tone lower or higher, as may be required, from the fundamental pitch of the horn. A single port may be added to the horn calculated to produce a fundamental pitch, one tone higher than the fundamental pitch of the horn, providing the sharps and flats for a full chromatic scale.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are disclosed wherein the ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed varies continuously in some operating modes and is controlled to simulate a discrete ratio transmission in other operating modes. The disclosure specifies the method of controlling the engine speed and the combined output torque of the engine and at least one traction motor in each of the operating modes. Transitions among operating modes occur in response to driver movement of a shift lever, driver operation of shift selectors, and changes in vehicle speed.

Abstract: A dual-powered utility vehicle that includes a gasoline engine configured to rotate a first axle that rotates at least a first wheel; an electrical motor configured to rotate a second axle that rotates at least a second wheel; and at least one battery. The at least second wheel also rotates the second axle. The at least one battery is connected to the electrical motor. The vehicle is configured such that when being moved under power from the gasoline engine, the at least second wheel of the electrical drive train is rotated by virtue of its ground contact when the gasoline engine rotates the at least first wheel. Energy created by the at least second wheel rotating is transferred to the at least one battery to recharge the battery and make available for use by the electrical motor to rotate the at least one second wheel when activated to do so.

Abstract: A dual-powered utility vehicle is provided that includes a gasoline engine and an electrical motor. The gasoline engine is configured to drive at least a first wheel at first revolutions per minute. The electrical motor is configured to drive at least a second wheel at second revolutions per minute. A throttle is configured to affect the gasoline engine and the electric motor separately, or both the gasoline engine and electric motor simultaneously.

Abstract: An attachment is provided, which is to be clipped to the bell of a contemporary wind instrument, hereinafter called a horn, such as a trumpet, trombone, euphonium, etc., permitting musical playing by lip control alone, eliminating the need for valves, or scale slides. An attachment bracket is designed to support one, or more, tubular waveguide reflectors. The waveguide reflectors each have a proximal end near the bell end of the horn and extend relative to the horn's mouthpiece, toward a distal end, at a calculated position, producing a fundamental pitch of one scale tone lower or higher, as may be required, from the fundamental pitch of the horn. A single port may be added to the horn calculated to produce a fundamental pitch, one tone higher than the fundamental pitch of the horn, providing the sharps and flats for a full chromatic scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing of material, the apparatus comprising: a compartment for accommodating said material during processing, said compartment having at least one wall, an inlet for receiving the material to be processed and an outlet for material once processed to exit the compartment; and a radiation source for directing electromagnetic radiation into the compartment through a portion of the compartment wall that is at least partially transparent to the radiation, the radiation being microwave or radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation; wherein the apparatus is configured to place at least some of the material in the compartment in contact with the at least partially transparent portion of the compartment wall through which the radiation is admitted to the compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle air duct includes a plurality of walls that are connected and define an interior air space. The plurality of walls includes inner and outer surfaces. The air duct extends from a first end to a second end where the first end includes a connection opening. At least one of the plurality of walls includes at least one rib in a region corresponding to the connection opening. The rib extends outward from the outer surface of the at least one wall for maintaining the shape of the vehicle air duct.

Abstract: A device for lifting an article comprises a housing having a leading edge region in fluid communication with an inner chamber. The leading edge region is arranged to engage a region between an article and a support surface beneath the article. An elongate tubular member, closed at one end, and at the other end, in fluid communication with the leading edge region and the inner chamber. The housing is arranged to provide a retracted position in which the elongate tubular member is held relative to the leading edge region and responsive to an operative pressure within the inner chamber so as to unfurl beyond the leading edge region where the elongate tubular member migrates along the access region toward a deployed position in which the tubular member extends a distance such that opposed ends of the tubular member may be used in lifting the article from the support surface.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided that includes first and second pairs of wheels, a controller, and a potentiometer. The first pair of wheels is propelled by an internal combustion engine. The second pair of wheels is propelled by a battery-operated motor. The motor drives a transaxle that drives the second pair of wheels. The controller controls operation of the motor. The potentiometer is configured to be manually activated to propel the utility vehicle, and is coupled to the controller to send a signal to the controller to rotate the motor. The potentiometer is also configured to activate fuel flow into the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for lifting an article comprising a housing having an inner chamber, the housing having a leading edge region in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the leading edge region being arranged to engage an access region between an article and a support surface beneath the article, an elongate tubular member having a first open end region and a second closed end region, the first open end region being directly or indirectly in fluid tight relation with the leading edge region, the elongate tubular member having a first surface in fluid communication with the inner chamber and an opposite second surface, the housing being arranged to provide a retracted position in which the elongate tubular member is held relative to the leading edge region and responsive to an operative pressure within the inner chamber to unfurl beyond the leading edge region to cause the elongate tubular member to migrate along the access region with the second surface in contact with the article and the supp

Abstract: A face shield comprising a contoured visor with three-dimensional structures with varying angles along multiple axes for improved protection and user comfort, an adjustable attachment member for easy user adjustment, and head contact area with improved ventilation. Methods of producing optically clear three-dimensional plastic structures with varying angles along multiple axes and tools for said method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for lifting an article comprising a housing having an inner chamber, the housing having a leading edge region in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the leading edge region being arranged to engage an access region between an article and a support surface beneath the article, an elongate tubular member having a first open end region and a second closed end region, the first open end region being directly or indirectly in fluid tight relation with the leading edge region, the elongate tubular member having a first surface in fluid communication with the inner chamber and an opposite second surface, the housing being arranged to provide a retracted position in which the elongate tubular member is held relative to the leading edge region and responsive to an operative pressure within the inner chamber to unfurl beyond the leading edge region to cause the elongate tubular member to migrate along the access region with the second surface in contact with the article and the supp