Abstract: A fiber optic security system is provided. The fiber optic security system includes at least one length of fiber optic cable affixed to at least one item to be monitored using the fiber optic security system. The fiber optic security system also includes at least one local control node, the at least one local control node including at least one light source for generating and transmitting light through the at least one length of fiber optic cable, and the at least one local control node monitoring a status of the light. The fiber optic security system also includes a remote control unit for receiving information from the at least one local control node regarding the status of the light.

Abstract: A computing device creates verification information and a challenge token and sends the verification information and token to a server. A server receives a command and authentication information and uses the verification information to verify the authentication information. The server creates authentication credentials based on the authentication information and the challenge token. The computing device receives the command and the authentication credentials from the server, determines whether the credentials are valid, and then processes the command if the credentials are valid.

Abstract: An orthopedic seat cushion for placement on a seat for supporting the weight of an occupant includes an envelope comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed together to define an interior volume. The interior volume is subdivided into a plurality of depressible cells wherein adjacent cells are in fluid communication with one another. The envelope has an opening penetrated through the upper sheet and lower sheet, wherein the opening has a front end and a back end and is configured to allow clearance for a sensitive area of the occupant. At least one cell has a height dimension that inhibits the sensitive area from contacting the seat when the at least one cell is depressed by the weight of the occupant.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can be configured to present a graphical user interface that enables the dynamic authoring of music by a user of the computing device. The computing device can present a grid of cells, where each cell represents a music segment. The cells can be configured to playback the music segment once or playback the music segment in a repeating loop. The user can select (e.g., touch) one or more cells in the grid to cause the corresponding music segment to play. While playing selected cells, the user can provide input selecting various musical effects to apply to the playing music. The user can record a dynamically selected sequence of cells and musical effects to create an original musical product.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system that enable consumers to have deliveries made and services performed safely and securely when they are not at the location at which the delivery is made or service is performed.

Abstract: An action is permitted to be performed on a computing device only after the action has been confirmed by two or more authorized and/or authenticated parties. A security component receives a request from to initiate an action on a computing device. Before the action is allowed to be initiated on the computing device the security component requires the authentication of first and second parties or authorizations from first and second parties, or both the authentications of and authorizations from first and second parties. After receiving the required authorizations and/or successfully performing the required authentications, the security component allows the requested action to be initiated on the computing device.

Abstract: A fiber optic transducer is provided. The fiber optic transducer includes a fixed portion configured to be secured to a body of interest, a moveable portion having a range of motion with respect to the fixed portion, a spring positioned between the fixed portion and the moveable portion, and a length of fiber wound between the fixed portion and the moveable portion. The length of fiber spans the spring. The fiber optic transducer also includes a mass engaged with the moveable portion. In one disclosed aspect of the transducer, the mass envelopes the moveable portion.

Abstract: A gasket retaining apparatus and a method which uses the apparatus to install a gasket between a pair of flanges. The retaining apparatus includes a gasket holding element which is temporarily secured between the flanges while joining the flanges together. A gasket groove is formed in the forward edge of the gasket holding element and one or more bolting slots extend into the body of the holding element from the forward edge. The gasket holding element preferably also includes a pair of retention holes so that a pair of releasable locking pins can be inserted through a pair of the bolt holes of one of the flanges and into the retention holes to temporarily secure the gasket holding element during the installation process.

Abstract: The invention provides a grass trimmer and a cord delivering method for a grass trimmer, the grass trimmer comprises an extending rod, an housing, a grass trimming head, a handle, a main motor and a main switch, wherein the grass trimming head comprises a base, a cap and a spool having a first state relative static with the base, and the grass trimmer further comprises a cord delivering mechanism; the cord delivering mechanism comprises a cord delivering electronic switch independent of the main switch and a control device; and the cord delivering electronic switch operably electrically controls the control device to enable the spool to be in a second state capable of generating a rotary speed difference with the base. An operator does not need to interrupt work of the grass trimmer and can timely pay off required and the cord delivering operation is simple and convenient.

Abstract: A fiber optic transducer is provided. The fiber optic transducer includes a fixed portion configured to be secured to a body of interest, a moveable portion having a range of motion with respect to the fixed portion, a spring positioned between the fixed portion and the moveable portion, and a length of fiber wound between the fixed portion and the moveable portion. The length of fiber spans the spring. The fiber optic transducer also includes a mass engaged with the moveable portion. In one disclosed aspect of the transducer, the mass envelopes the moveable portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a grass trimmer and a cord delivering method for a grass trimmer, the grass trimmer comprises an extending rod, an housing, a grass trimming head, a handle, a main motor and a main switch, wherein the grass trimming head comprises a base, a cap and a spool having a first state relative static with the base, and the grass trimmer further comprises a cord delivering mechanism; the cord delivering mechanism comprises a cord delivering electronic switch independent of the main switch and a control device; and the cord delivering electronic switch operably electrically controls the control device to enable the spool to be in a second state capable of generating a rotary speed difference with the base. An operator does not need to interrupt work of the grass trimmer and can timely pay off required and the cord delivering operation is simple and convenient.

Abstract: A gasket retaining apparatus and a method which uses the apparatus to install a gasket between a pair of flanges. The retaining apparatus includes a gasket holding element which is temporarily secured between the flanges while joining the flanges together. A gasket groove is formed in the forward edge of the gasket holding element and one or more bolting slots extend into the body of the holding element from the forward edge. The gasket holding element preferably also includes a pair of retention holes so that a pair of releasable locking pins can be inserted through a pair of the bolt holes of one of the flanges and into the retention holes to temporarily secure the gasket holding element during the installation process.

Abstract: A new composition of matter is disclosed wherein oxygen vacancies in a semiconducting transition metal oxide such as titanium dioxide are filled with a halogen such as Fluorine, whereby the conductivity of the composition is greatly enhanced, while at the same time the chemical stability of the composition is greatly improved. Stoichiometric titanium dioxide having less than 3 % oxygen vacancies is subject to fluorine insertion such that oxygen vacancies are filled, limited amounts of fluorine replace additional oxygen atoms and fluorine interstitially inserts into the body of the TiO2 composition.

Abstract: An optical detection system. The optical detection system includes a host node having (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver. The optical detection system also includes a plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors having: (1) at least one length of optical fiber configured to sense at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy; (2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber; and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus, typically for microwave ovens and the like, that has separate compartments for different foods or food components. These separate compartments are such that food components are kept separate during storage, prior to cooking or heating, as well as during cooking or heating, avoiding unwanted mixing of the food components. The apparatus includes compartments configured such that steam, generated by the heating of a food component in a lower compartment is used to steam cook or heat a food component in an upper compartment.

Abstract: A method for improving the distribution of agriculturally active ingredients on the surface of granules includes preparing a sprayable liquid solution of at least one agriculturally active ingredient, and applying the sprayable liquid solution on the granules by spraying the liquid solution in atomized form onto the surface of the granules to provide a coating on the surface of the granules which enables substantially all of the agriculturally active ingredient on the granule to be solubilized by the naturally occurring moisture present on the foliage of a treated weed for absorption into the cells of the treated weed when the granules are applied thereto.

Abstract: An optical detection system for monitoring a pipeline. The optical detection system includes a host node in the vicinity of, or remote from, a pipeline to be monitored. The optical detection system includes (a) an optical source for generating optical signals, and (b) an optical receiver.

Abstract: A fiber optic microseismic sensing system is provided. The system includes a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes including a surface portion, an underground portion, and an optical cable extending between the surface portion and the underground portion. The surface portion includes (1) an optical source for transmitting an optical signal along the optical cable to the underground portion, and (2) an optical receiver for receiving a return optical signal propagating along the optical cable from the underground portion. The underground portion includes at least one transducer, each of the at least one transducer including (1) a fixed portion configured to be secured to a body of interest, (2) a moveable portion having a range of motion with respect to the fixed portion, (3) a spring positioned between the fixed portion and the moveable portion, and (4) a mass engaged with the moveable portion.

Abstract: A fiber optic transducer is provided. The fiber optic transducer includes a fixed portion configured to be secured to a body of interest, a moveable portion having a range of motion with respect to the fixed portion, a spring positioned between the fixed portion and the moveable portion, and a length of fiber wound between the fixed portion and the moveable portion. The length of fiber spans the spring. The fiber optic transducer also includes a mass engaged with the moveable portion. In one disclosed aspect of the transducer, the mass envelopes the moveable portion.