Abstract: A system for facilitating the recovery of a user's lost item is provided that makes use of tags the user applies to the item and an interactive voice response (IVR) system. When a finder of the item calls a phone number displayed on the tag, the finder is directed to the IVR system. The finder is prompted to identify the item by providing a unique code displayed on the tag. Once the finder provides the unique code, a server in the system receives the phone number and unique code from the IVR system and verifies if there is a user associated with the tag. If so, the server sends a response back to the IVR system to obtain the finder's message indicating the location of the item. After the finder leaves a message, the message is transmitted automatically to the user in real time.

Abstract: A system and method that provide an interactive asset management interface display a visual representation of equipment under examination and one or more current parts of the equipment. The system and method receive a selection input from an operator of the computing system that identifies a selected part of the current parts of the equipment under examination and obtain state information of the selected part from one or more memory devices responsive to receiving the selection input. The system and method also (a) add the state information to one or more fields of a form used to at least one of acquire one or more replacement parts for the selected part, request repair of the selected part, and/or request inspection of the selected part; and/or (b) display the state information of the selected part using the display device of the computing system with the visual representation of the selected part.

Abstract: A method of processing a request for a reminder to be sent to a user, comprising: (a) receiving, at a first node in a distributed network, a request for a reminder to be sent to the user on a specified occasion; and then (b) sending a derivative of the reminder to a second node in the said network. The derivative may be a replica or a fragment of the reminder. In the first case, the method preferably further comprises: (c) sending the reminder to the user from the first node on the specified occasion; and (d) sending a cancellation signal to the second node to instruct it not to send a reminder to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides electronic document interpretation apparatus for providing explanatory text to assist in the interpretation of an electronic formal legal document with narrative language text, said apparatus comprising a database of explanatory and/or commentary text in records associated with textual elements of the said document, and a first processor operable to allow a user to read and/or write selected ones of said records whilst reading or writing the legal document. Also provided is an electronic formal legal document comprising a textual element and a tag associated with the said textual element, the said tag providing a link to reproducible explanatory or commentary text relating to the said textual element.

Abstract: A windmill including a hub, at least a pair of rotor roots rotatably coupled to the hub and rotor blades mounted on respective rotor roots, wherein wind forces produce rotation of the blades, the roots and the hub around an axis of rotation passing through the hub and the hub defines a plane of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Each rotor root is mounted in an initial position at a predetermined compound angle with respect to the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation. The rotor roots are spring biased in an initial position and are coupled to each other and to the hub by means of a spring and linkage members disposed in the hub. Upon rotation of the rotors, centrifugal force acts on the rotors in opposition to the spring biasing and produces synchronous rotation of the blade roots relative to the axis of rotation and the plane of rotation thereby decreasing the pitch of the blades with respect to the wind direction and correspondingly controlling the speed of rotation of the rotors.

Abstract: A combined handle and valve particularly, for piston type pneumatic tools is disclosed. The valve is positioned in a passageway between the supply and a vent to atmosphere. Another passageway starts between the valve and the supply and goes to a point of use. Thus, by throttling the exhaust, the amount of air not exhausted is directed to do useful work. The handle is extremely compact and comprises an annular port around the rear end of the cylinder.