Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: determining an occupancy status of a first region of a vehicle; determining, based at least in part on the occupancy status, a first climate control setting for the first region; controlling a climate control system of the vehicle to adjust a climate of the first region according to the first climate control setting; determining that a second region of the vehicle is unoccupied, wherein the second region is fluidly connected to the first region; determining a second climate control setting, wherein the second climate control setting is based at least in part on the occupancy status of the first region and characteristic data associated with a predicted potential change in occupancy status for the second region; and controlling the climate control system to adjust a climate of the second region according to the second climate control setting.

Abstract: A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system may effectively provide and/or substantially maintain adjacent thermal zones that have different temperatures and/or humidities from one another. The HVAC system may include a duct network including zonal ducts each having a zonal duct exit configured to create aerodynamic profiles that result in a thermal zone. A thermal zone may be characterized by a volume having a temperature and/or humidity which may differ from an adjacent thermal zone, such that a temperature and/or humidity gradient exists at a thermal zone boundary between adjacent thermal zones, and such that diffusion of the temperature and/or humidity between the adjacent thermal zones is aerodynamically inhibited, or otherwise minimized.

Abstract: A thermal management system may include a cabin heating and cooling system configured to control temperature in a vehicle cabin. The cabin heating and cooling system may include a cabin refrigerant circuit including a cabin refrigerant cycle configured to cool air. The thermal management system may also include an auxiliary heating and cooling system including an auxiliary coolant circuit, and the auxiliary coolant circuit may be in flow communication with an auxiliary device of the vehicle. The thermal management system may also include a chiller in flow communication with the cabin refrigerant circuit and the auxiliary coolant circuit. The chiller may be configured to exchange thermal energy between the cabin refrigerant circuit and the auxiliary coolant circuit. The thermal management system may also include a powertrain heating and cooling system including a powertrain coolant conduit configured to be in flow communication with an electric machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a characteristic of an injector are set forth. In one example, a compressed gas is applied to the inlet chamber of the injector while the spoolvalve is closed until the pressure of the compressed gas in the inlet chamber reaches a predetermined pressure. A change in pressure of the compressed gas in the inlet chamber is measured over time while the spool valve is closed. The pressure change measurement corresponds to the characteristic of the injector that is to be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a characteristic of an injector are set forth. In one example, a compressed gas is applied to the inlet chamber of the injector while the spoolvalve is closed until the pressure of the compressed gas in the inlet chamber reaches a predetermined pressure. A change in pressure of the compressed gas in the inlet chamber is measured over time while the spool valve is closed. The pressure change measurement corresponds to the characteristic of the injector that is to be determined.

Abstract: A mechanism for dispute mediation and resolution in a virtual environment is provided. The mechanism may involve the breach of a virtual contract and the determination of suitable penalties against the breaching parties. In some embodiments, the mechanism may include a judge or jury comprising members of the virtual community.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to allow inheritance between player characters. The method provides a player character with an ability to designate one or more character attributes acquired in a virtual environment to one or more other player characters. The inheritance method and system includes multiple options for gameplay, e.g. will creation, debt satisfaction, taxation, distribution.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which players are able to receive alerts intended to indicate the occurrence of a given event within the virtual environment. The alerts may be delivered to the player while he is playing the game via an in-game messaging service or other similar device. Alternatively the alerts may be delivered to the player via a real world communication device such as a cell phone, pager, text messaging device, or the like.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which characters are able to engage in a variety of financial transactions is provided. Characters who are unable to fulfill their financial obligations may enter into bankruptcy. Bankruptcy contracts may identify various conditions which must be fulfilled by the character in order to get out of bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy, the player's avatar or avatar's may be altered to indicate to the player and/or others that the character represented by the avatar is in bankruptcy.

Abstract: A system including a browser configured to generate a request to access a content server, a dynamic proxy dynamically downloaded onto the browser, and a plurality of proxy settings located on the browser and configured to be modified by the dynamic proxy, wherein the proxy settings are modified to redirect the request to the dynamic proxy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosed invention enables a game environment that progresses in discrete time frames such as eras or ages. Under certain controlled situations, play may return to previous eras via temporary time travel to alter or change the outcome of a previous era in an effort to ultimately improve the outcome of the current game environment.

Abstract: A document priority queuing system is described wherein a document that is received for processing is assigned a position in a queue and a fee can be paid to change the documents position in the queue. Also provided are mechanisms for ensuring fairness to documents provided by applicants who are unable or unwilling to pay priority processing fees.

Abstract: A system wherein software developers can develop modules compatible for use with a patent application drafting tool (PDT) is described. The PDT and modules may or may not be part of a open source system. Various fee systems are also described wherein the owner or provider of the PDT and software developers may or may not share revenue. A peer (or other) review system may be implemented to identify modules that are performing well and those that are performing poorly.

Abstract: A patent figure drafting tool is described. The patent figure drafting tool includes a database of drawings which can be used alone, or in combination with each other or other drawings, to create patent figures. The tool may further include exemplary descriptions of the drawings, which may be automatically included in a draft patent application. The tool may further include an auto numbering program configured to auto number drawings and/or descriptions of the drawings.

Abstract: A virtual environment in which players are able to enter into financial transactions which result in a financial obligation such as a debt. If a player defaults on a debt, the debts may then be sold or otherwise transferred to a virtual collection agency, which may be able to mete out a consequence to the defaulting player. Alternatively, the consequence may be meted out by the game server or other entity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel means for outsourcing patent applications for examination. The disclosure describes various automated and non-automated means for selecting a qualified agency and examiner to perform the examination. The disclosure further discloses means for review of a patent at the request of holders of patents, licensees or other third parties who may be interested in acquiring a patent or application.

Abstract: A system is described wherein interested entities are able to review opinions rendered by patent examiners and provide commentary on the opinion. The commentary may be stored with the opinion for review by other parties. Moreover, the commentary may be used to refine the types and number of applications that are given to the examiner for examination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel means for selecting and assigning patent applications for examination. The disclosure describes various automated and non-automated means for selecting a qualified examiner based on a number of criteria including the examiner's history, current workload and the subject matter of the filed application. The disclosure further describes means for adjusting examiners workloads and ensuring the quality of examined applications.

Abstract: A database, such as a patent database, including a plurality of electronic documents, such as patents and patent applications, is described. The documents include words, phrases, and/or pictures that have been hyperlinked to advertisements or other documents. Also described are methods of indexing words and phrases in the documents and allowing advertisers, merchants, or other entities to pay for the right to hyperlink selected words, phrases, pictures that appear in the documents in the database to web-based documents of their choosing.

Abstract: A database, such as a patent database, including a plurality of electronic documents, such as patents and patent applications, is described. The documents include words, phrases, and/or pictures that have been hyperlinked to advertisements or other documents. Also described are methods of indexing words and phrases in the documents and allowing advertisers, merchants, or other entities to pay for the right to hyperlink selected words, phrases, pictures that appear in the documents in the database to web-based documents of their choosing.