Abstract: An exemplary system for delivering an item price notification to a mobile device can include a processor, an inventory database including a plurality of inventory items, and a memory that is in communication with the processor. The memory can be configured to store instructions that, when executed, perform the steps of an exemplary method. An exemplary method can include querying the inventory database to determine if an inventory item meets a price reduction threshold, generating the item price notification including a sale price for the inventory item, if the inventory item meets the price reduction threshold, and transmitting the item price notification to the mobile device. The query can be invoked by the mobile device being proximate the inventory item, such as the mobile device being located at a merchant premises.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system comprises at least a first processor core, at least one memory module coupled to the first processor core and the second processor core, the memory module comprising at least one application for execution by at least one of the first processor core, at least one resource manager to configure at least one component of the computer system according to at least one configuration parameter collected during a previous execution of the software application on the computer system.

Abstract: A modeling system predicts natural frequency responses in tube sub-systems including shrouded bellows components. The system determines a stiffness multiplier from input values and uses the determined flexibility factor to determine the natural frequency responses. The input values include geometry inputs and dynamic operating condition inputs. The flexibility factor is determined with a regression equation. The regression equation, based on dynamic stiffness test data of various shrouded bellows configurations, permits the system to characterize the shrouded bellows using a geometry element that includes an assigned flexibility factor based on dynamic stiffness test data.

Abstract: Systems, methods and processes for computer-assisted soft tissue balancing, including ligament balancing, determining surgical cuts, and positioning or placement of the components of the prosthetic knee during TKR. The improved methods, systems and processes resolve several problems related to the prosthetic knee component positioning and soft-tissue balancing during computer-assisted TKR. The improved methods, systems and processes are flexible and versatile, provide reliable recommendations to the surgeon, and improve restoration of the knee function and patient recovery.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring a plurality of programmable logic devices which include the steps of providing a source of configuration data and transferring the configuration data directly from the source to each of the programmable logic devices. In some embodiments, the methods permit the programmable logic devices to configure themselves without the intervention of an intelligent host such as a CPU, a microcontroller, or other types of intelligent logic. In other embodiments, configuration data files are used in conjunction with an intelligent host to configure the programmable logic devices. Configuration is performed at power-up or, alternatively, under user or software control.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring a plurality of programmable logic devices which include the steps of providing a source of configuration data and transferring the configuration data directly from the source to each of the programmable logic devices. In some embodiments, the methods permit the programmable logic devices to configure themselves without the intervention of an intelligent host such as a CPU, a microcontroller, or other types of intelligent logic. In other embodiments, configuration data files are used in conjunction with an intelligent host to configure the programmable logic devices. Configuration is performed at power-up or, alternatively, under user or software control.

Abstract: An article assembly comprising a plurality of members includes a multi-layered brazed joint provided in the assembly between a first member that can be affected adversely by thermal exposure at a limiting and a second member requiring exposure, such as for brazing, at least at the limiting temperature. The assembly is provided with a multi-layered brazed joint directly or indirectly between such members by brazing to the second member a second brazing alloy that can be brazed at a temperature required to braze the second member, providing a preform. The assembly is brazed to include the first member by brazing members of the assembly together with a first brazing alloy, brazing at a temperature less than the limiting temperature, brazed at the second brazing alloy.

Abstract: Programmable logic array devices are programmed from programming devices in networks that facilitate programming any number of such logic devices with programs of any size or complexity. The source of programming data and control may be a microprocessor or one or more serial EPROMs, one EPROM being equipped with a clock circuit. Several parallel data streams may be used to speed up the programming operation. A clock circuit with a programmably variable speed may be provided to facilitate programming logic devices with different speed characteristics. The programming protocol may include an acknowledgment from the logic device(s) to the programming data source after each programming data transmission so that the source can automatically transmit programming data at the speed at which the logic device is able to accept that data.

Abstract: Programmable logic array devices are programmed from programming devices in networks that facilitate programming any number of such logic devices with programs of any size or complexity. The source of programming data and control may be a microprocessor or one or more serial EPROMs, one EPROM being equipped with a clock circuit. Several parallel data streams may be used to speed up the programming operation. A clock circuit with a programmably variable speed may be provided to facilitate programming logic devices with different speed characteristics. The programming protocol may include an acknowledgment from the logic device(s) to the programming data source after each programming data transmission so that the source can automatically transmit programming data at the speed at which the logic device is able to accept that data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for configuring a plurality of programmable logic devices which include the steps of providing a source of configuration data and transferring the configuration data directly from the source to each of the programmable logic devices. In some embodiments, the methods permit the programmable logic devices to configure themselves without the intervention of an intelligent host such as a CPU, a microcontroller, or other types of intelligent logic. In other embodiments, configuration data files are used in conjunction with an intelligent host to configure the programmable logic devices. Configuration is performed at power-up or, alternatively, under user or software control.

Abstract: An ion exchange separation, recovery and regeneration process for the control of iron is disclosed that can replace the conventional bleed stream process used in copper electrowinning. The disclosed process minimizes the loss of cobalt from the electrowinning circuit and can effect a lowering of the total iron concentration in the electrolyte circuit with an associated increase in current efficiency. The process captures the iron as iron(III) on an ion exchange medium containing a plurality of --CH(PO.sub.3 R.sub.2).sub.2 or --C(PO.sub.3 R.sub.2).sub.2 -- groups through which the divalvent metal ions pass. The iron(III) is then reduced with copper(I) to form iron(II) that is freed from the exchange medium, thereby permitting regeneration of the medium.

Abstract: A cauliflower coring apparatus and method in which cauliflower heads are fed one-by-one into a housing by a conveyor having bowls for receiving the heads, each bowl having a number of spikes on which the heads are impaled. A shiftable beam in the housing carries a first rotary cutter and a vertically adjustable hold-down ring for engaging a head to keep it from moving out of its bowl as the first cutter rotates and removes the culls from the head by a coring effect. After its culls have been removed, the head is engaged and cut by a second rotary cutter which disintegrates the head and separates it into curds. The culls and curds drop into respective first and second chutes and onto first and second conveyors for movement away from the housing.

Abstract: A cauliflower coring apparatus and method in which cauliflower heads are fed one-by-one into a housing by a conveyor having bowls for receiving the heads, each bowl having a number of spikes on which the heads are impaled. A shiftable beam in the housing carries a first rotary cutter and a vertically adjustable hold-down ring for engaging a head to keep it from moving out of its bowl as the first cutter rotates and removes the culls from the head by a coring effect. After its culls have been removed, the head is engaged and cut by a second rotary cutter which disintegrates the head and separates it into curds. The culls and curds drop into respective first and second chutes and onto first and second conveyors for movement away from the housing.

Abstract: Beverage compositions comprise flavor granules coated on the outer surface with a powdered beverage such as tea, cocoa or coffee, preferably prepared by coating the flavor granules in a rotating granulator.

Abstract: Detergent formulations are granulated commercially by spray drying a slurry of the formulation. There is now proposed a method in which the components in powder form are granulated with a binder in a substantially horizontal annular rotating bed. The binder may be released by the action of the rotating bed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for filling packages with cooked or blanched foods in the form of sticky masses containing water wherein the foods are first placed in a hopper and caused to gravitate into pockets on the outer periphery of a drum rotatable about a generally horizontal axis above a conveyor carrying a number of open packages. As the drum rotates, a mass of the food product is received in each pocket as the pocket moves beneath the hopper. The food product mass in each pocket is retained therein until the pocket approaches the conveyor below the drum. At this point, the food product mass gravitates from the pocket into a package aligned with the pocket and carried by the conveyor. The gravitational movement is assisted by a shiftable piston at the radially inner end of the pocket.

Abstract: The alarm circuit is for detecting the theft of a vehicle and receives its power from the vehicle storage battery. The grounded battery cable is passed through a ferromagnetic toroid having one or more turns of wire wound thereon. An oscillator circuit couples to the toroid and establishes an AC voltage across the coil of wire. If the vehicle is entered the grounded battery cable draws current either from an illuminated light or from the ignition circuit causing a decrease in the voltage across the coil. This decrease in voltage is detected and an alarm is generated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the protection of solid precursors in powder detergent compositions using a hydrogen peroxide bleach system. The finely divided precursor is formed, with a carrier material, into a composite particle which is then coated. The coated particle gives good dispersion of the precursor in the wash liquor.