Abstract: A salon treatment assembly (10) includes a salon chair (12) that supports the user during the salon treatment; and a foot bath system (14) that is coupled to the salon chair (12). The foot bath system (14) includes (i) a foot bath (15) that is configured to receive and retain a bath liquid (15A); and (ii) a ventilation system (16) that includes a vent inlet (16A) that is coupled to the foot bath (15), and a vacuum source (61) that creates at least a partial vacuum in the vent inlet (16A) to draw gas away from near the foot bath (15).

Abstract: A method and system of real-time replenishment and electronic confirmation of sale, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to purchase or referral of long distance calling minutes, including real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s). A computer based server receives a phone number, monetary amount, and an indication of whether an increase or decrease to the balance is requested. Phone number is then compared with a stored list of registered phone numbers having a unique pin and a balance amount. The balance is increased or decreased by desired amount if comparison results in a match. If comparison does not result in a match a new pin is created associating the phone with the balance amount. A message is then sent containing an access number for use in pre-paid long distance calling.

Abstract: A method and system of real-time replenishment and electronic confirmation of sale, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to purchase or referral of long distance calling minutes, including real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s). A computer based server receives a phone number, monetary amount, and an indication of whether an increase or decrease to the balance is requested. Phone number is then compared with a stored list of registered phone numbers having a unique pin and a balance amount. The balance is increased or decreased by desired amount if comparison results in a match. If comparison does not result in a match a new pin is created associating the phone with the balance amount. A message is then sent containing an access number for use in pre-paid long distance calling.

Abstract: A method and system of providing an electronic receipt, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to a purchase of long distance calling minutes, real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s).

Abstract: A method and system of providing an electronic receipt, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to a purchase of long distance calling minutes, real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s).

Abstract: A convertible furniture assembly (10) for positioning on a floor (18) includes a furniture frame (20), a top assembly (22), and a mover assembly (24). The furniture frame (20) engages the floor (18). The top assembly (22) is generally flat. The mover assembly (24) couples the top assembly (22) to the furniture frame (20). The mover assembly (24) allows the top assembly (22) to move between a furniture configuration (12) in which top assembly (22) and the furniture frame (20) cooperate to define a piece of furniture, and a massage configuration (14) in which the top assembly (22) provides a generally flat massage upper surface (16B) for supporting a person during a massage. For example, the top assembly (22) can positioned a greater distance from the floor (18) in the massage configuration (14) than in the furniture configuration (12).

Abstract: A massage table (10) for supporting a person above a surface (20) during a massage includes a table top assembly (12), a leg assembly (14), and a first support assembly (46A). The table top assembly (12) supports the person. The leg assembly (14) including a first pair of spaced apart legs (40A) that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly (12). Each leg (38A) (38B) (38C) (38D) is moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the first pair of legs (40A) support the table top assembly (12) above the surface (20) and a folded configuration. The first support assembly (46A) supports the first pair of legs (40A) in the unfolded configuration. The first support assembly (46A) includes a first arm segment (48A) and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments (48B) that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly (12) and the first pair of legs (40A).

Abstract: A method of determining a path having an ordered set of waypoints to be visited by a mobile agent to accomplish a mission includes: producing candidate paths using a multi-objective optimization algorithm, subject to a path production heuristic; selecting a path from the candidate paths, subject to a path selection heuristic; instructing the mobile agent to move according to the selected path; modifying a maintained subset of the candidate paths to produce a new candidate path using the algorithm and subject to the path production heuristic; designating either the currently-selected path or the new candidate path as the newly-selected path, subject to the path selection heuristic; and instructing the mobile agent to move according to the newly-selected path. The method may further include iterating production of new candidate paths, either randomly or based on modifications of previous candidate paths, to continually update an operation plan for the mobile agent.