Abstract: An automated safety notification system is proposed herein in which one or more safe zone access points may be physically deployed to one or more safe zones associated with a disaster area. If a person with a mobile phone or other mobile device enters the safe zone, the safe zone access point may detect the presence of the mobile device and perform certain functions in response to the detection. For example, the safe zone access point may initiate contact of a predetermined plurality of contacts that the person may have already designated before the disaster. The safe zone access point may also be used to initiate an insurance claim.

Abstract: A method and system of automated remote collaborative learning broadcasting. A computer-based server receives a plurality of video feeds for a remote interaction. Server receives unique user identifier and bandwidth of unique user viewing a remote interaction. Unique user is identified based upon bandwidth connection as either active or passive. Local audience viewers receive the plurality of video feeds and may select a video feed among the plurality of video feeds. Local audience viewers may seamlessly switch between the plurality of video feeds based upon individual preference. Server tracks local audience viewer's video feed selection. Remote audience viewers receive single video feed determined by local audience viewer selection. Minimum video switching time must be met before switching single video feed to a new view. Video threshold automatically switches video feed based upon prolonged static view if predetermined criteria is met.

Abstract: A technique for efficient swap space management creates a swap reservation file using thick provisioning to accommodate a maximum amount of memory reclamation from a set of one or more associated virtual machines (VMs). A VM swap file is created for each VM using thin provisioning. When a new block is needed to accommodate page swaps to a given VM swap file, a block is removed from the swap reservation file and a block is added to the VM swap file, thereby maintaining a net zero difference in overall swap storage. The removed block and the added block may be the same storage block if a block move operation is supported by a file system implementing the swap reservation file and VM swap files. The technique also accommodates swap space management of resource pools.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for analyzing damage to process claims associated with an insured item, such as a vehicle. An enhanced claims processing server may analyze damage associated with the insured item using photos/video transmitted to the server from a user device (e.g., a mobile device). The enhanced claims processing server may submit a signal that locks one or more portions of an application on the mobile device used to submit the photos/videos. The mobile device may receive feedback from the server regarding the acceptability of submitted photos/video. The photos may further be annotated using, for example, a touch screen display. An estimate, such as a cost estimate, may be determined for the damage associated with the insured item based on the photos and/or annotations.

Abstract: A sheath for a knife is ventilated or is formed with gaps in a way that sand and other debris cannot collect to dull the knife's blade. The sheath holds the knife, protects and safely covers the sharp edge, but does not provide a surface for abrasive sand to dull the edge. The sheath can include front and rear panels, held together with a plurality of spacers disposed between the panels. The spacers can be rounded to as to minimize contact between the spacers and the blade of the knife.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing an automated and dynamically responsive infrastructure to support online subscription services. The system includes one or more components to coordinate and manage a plurality of services offered by multiple service providers. This can include automatically creating and managing billing accounts for customers subscribing to such services. At least one engine is provided to process multiple rules in response to subscription events that occur in connection with the services in order to facilitate service delivery. At least one rating processor is provided to process multiple rating rules in response to subscription events for currency and non-currency resources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing an automated and dynamically responsive infrastructure to support online subscription services. The system includes one or more components to coordinate and manage a plurality of services offered by multiple service providers. This can include automatically creating and managing billing accounts for customers subscribing to such services. At least one engine is provided to process multiple rules in response to subscription events that occur in connection with the services in order to facilitate service delivery. At least one rating processor is provided to process multiple rating rules in response to subscription events for currency and non-currency resources.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a hose assembly (10, 10?) attached at one end to the base (1, 1?) of the cleaner. The hose assembly is stowed alongside the handle (6, 6?) and is retained by the free end (19) of the assembly engaging a fixture (21) on the handle. The hose assembly (10, 10?) comprises a rigid wand (12, 12?) and a flexible hose (11, 11?) with a natural extended length. The hose can be retracted to a shorter length using the power of the vacuum cleaner by closing a valve (20, 20?) on the wand (12, 12?) to prevent air flow along the hose assembly and produce a reduced pressure. The wand (12, 12?) is stowed by sliding inside or outside the hose (11, 11?) and has a flange (18, 18?) at one end that engages and seals with a flange (15, 15?) at the free end of the hose when the wand is extended.

Abstract: There is provided an optical plate. The optical plate includes a supporting substrate and an optical diffuser film. The optical diffuser film has a density of light scattering particles to provide light diffusion. The optical diffuser film has a surface facing the supporting substrate, wherein a first portion of the surface facing the supporting substrate contacts the supporting substrate. There exists a gap between a second portion of the surface facing the supporting substrate and the supporting substrate, wherein the ratio of the area of the first portion to the second portion is less than 10%.

Abstract: There is provided an optical diffuser sheet. The optical diffuser sheet has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface has a plurality of optical structures arranged to diffuse and direct light illuminated onto the first surface. The optical diffuser sheet when illuminated is characterized by an absorption of less than 10% and an absolute hiding power of less than 10%.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a system and/or methodology that provides an automated and dynamically responsive infrastructure to support online subscription services. The system coordinates and manages services offered by service providers. This can include automatically creating and managing billing accounts for customers. At least one engine is provided to process multiple rules in response to subscription events that occur in connection with the services to facilitate service delivery. At least one rating processor is provided to process multiple rating rules in response to subscription events.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of making an optical film comprises heating the optical film comprising greater than or equal to 80 wt. % polycarbonate to a sufficient temperature to stretch the optical film, wherein the weight percent is based on a total weight of the optical film; and stretching the optical film. A resulting stretched optical film has a linear CTE measured in a direction parallel to a stretching direction of less than or equal to 50×10?6 cm/cm/° C.

Abstract: A light-diffusing film comprises about 90 wt. % to about 99.999 wt. % polycarbonate, wherein the polycarbonate comprises a yellowness index of about 0.8 to about 1.5 as measured in accordance with ASTM E313-73 (D1925); about 0.001 wt. % to about 3 wt. % light-diffusing particles; wherein weight percents are based on a total weight of the light-diffusing film; and wherein the light-diffusing film comprises a light transmission of about 45% to about 65% as measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00, and a hiding power of 0 to about 0.5.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are light diffusing films, methods of making the same and articles using the same. In one embodiment, a light diffusing film is formed from a composition comprising: a polycarbonate, phosphite stabilizer, epoxy stabilizer, hindered phenol stabilizer, and light diffusing particles having a refractive index of about 1.3 to about 1.7. The film comprises a hiding power of 0 to about 0.5. In one embodiment, a method for producing a film comprises combining a polycarbonate, a phosphite stabilizer, an epoxy stabilizer, and light diffusing particles to form a combination, and forming the combination into the film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are light diffusing films, methods of making the same and articles using the same. In one embodiment, a light diffusing film comprises: a polycarbonate and light diffusing particles. The light diffusing particles have a refractive index of about 1.49 to about 1.59. The light diffusing film comprises a hiding power of 0 to about 0.5.

Abstract: A method of making an optical film comprises heating the optical film comprising greater than or equal to 80 wt. % polycarbonate to a sufficient temperature to stretch the optical film, wherein the weight percent is based on a total weight of the optical film; and stretching the optical film, wherein a resulting stretched optical film has a linear CTE measured in a direction parallel to a stretching direction of less than or equal to 50×10?6 cm/cm/° C.

Abstract: A vaccum cleaner has a hose (10, 30, 30′) that is retractable in length by the application of reduced pressure from the vacuum cleaner. After use, the free end (14, 21, 33) of the hose is occluded so that pressure falls within the hose and it is retracted in length. The hose is restrained in its shortened length before suction is turned off. The hose in its retracted state may be stored on or off the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A gradient sequential compression system for preventing deep vein thrombosis includes a pressure-based system controller for controlling transfers of air from a source of pressurized air to inflatable chambers of a limb sleeve, so that a prophylactic modality is provided to the limb. The controller also includes a plurality of feeder valves pneumatically connected to each of the chambers and a microprocessor-based control unit for opening only one of the feeder valves at a time during an inflation cycle, so that each of the chambers can be independently inflated to predetermined pressure levels. The control unit also regulates the pressures in each of the chambers at the respective pressure levels by repeatedly independently measuring the pressures in the chambers and adjusting the pressure levels upward or downward, if necessary. The predetermined pressure levels can be default levels or selected by a user or health care professional for a particular application.

Abstract: A gradient sequential compression system for preventing deep vein thrombosis includes a pressure-based system controller for controlling transfers of air from a source of pressurized air to inflatable chambers of a limb sleeve, so that a prophylactic modality is provided to the limb. The controller also includes a plurality of feeder valves pneumatically connected to each of the chambers and a microprocessor-based control unit for opening only one of the feeder valves at a time during an inflation cycle, so that each of the chambers can be independently inflated to predetermined pressure levels. The control unit also regulates the pressures in each of the chambers at the respective pressure levels by repeatedly independently measuring the pressures in the chambers and adjusting the pressure levels upward or downward, if necessary. The predetermined pressure levels can be default levels or selected by a user or health care professional for a particular application.