Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing a user or a session associated with a user interface and customizing the user interface responsive to the characterization such that a sales transaction is facilitated. The methods and systems are applicable in the vehicle sales, leasing, subscription, and rental contexts, as well as in other contexts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing a user experience such that customers/users who are online looking to purchase or lease/subscribe/rent vehicles are presented UI/UX user flows defaulting to or otherwise favoring a vehicle model/version (and trim and color and add-ons) that are as optimal as possible for both the customer/user and for the vehicle manufacturer. These concepts may be extended beyond the automotive context as well.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing duplicate orders in a client-server architecture, the method including and the system operable for: storing in a database an indicator that an order has been placed for an order identification; when a front-end system calls a back-end system to place a subsequent order for another order identification, the back-end system checking the database to see if the another order identification matches the order identification for the placed order using the indicator; and, if so, the back-end system labeling the subsequent order as a duplicate order and disregarding the subsequent order, but returning a successful return code to the front-end system. The indicator that the order has been placed for the order identification is only stored in the database for a dynamically adjustable threshold period of time, after which period of time the subsequent order is determined to be a new order that is processed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can comprise determining, by a device comprising a processor, personally identifying data elements of data, representative of a group of transactions, that comprise personally identifying information according to an anonymization criterion associated with personally identifying information being determined not to be satisfied by the data elements, and storing, by the device, non-identifying data elements of the data to a non-identifying data store.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can comprise determining, by a device comprising a processor, personally identifying data elements of data, representative of a group of transactions, that comprise personally identifying information according to an anonymization criterion associated with personally identifying information being determined not to be satisfied by the data elements, and storing, by the device, non-identifying data elements of the data to a non-identifying data store.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user to subscribe to, lease, or purchase an asset or asset service using an application, the method including: receiving user and asset information via the application; receiving credit check information via the application; based on the user, asset, and credit check information, via a customer service organization link, designating the user as one status of “approved”, “denied”, and “maybe”; in the event of a “denied” or “maybe” status designation, requesting additional user information via the application or manually or automatically taking a dynamic rule action to change the status designation to “approved” in a systematic manner based on the additional user information or dynamic rule action; and notifying the user of the status designation via the application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a device to operate based on a current configuration state of the device in a manner agnostic to an assumed configuration state of a device. Systems can include a local state aware device manager and a state aware device configuration agnostic mediator. Methods can include locally determining an actual current configuration state of a device in operation, generating desired configuration instructions based on the actual current configuration state of the device, and locally configuring the device to operate according to the desired configuration instructions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a device to operate based on a current configuration state of the device in a manner agnostic to an assumed configuration state of a device. Systems can include a local state aware device manager and a state aware device configuration agnostic mediator. Methods can include locally determining an actual current configuration state of a device in operation, generating desired configuration instructions based on the actual current configuration state of the device, and locally configuring the device to operate according to the desired configuration instructions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom having a bottom cushion, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom with the seat back having a back cushion, and at least one of the bottom cushion and the back cushion having a passage. The assembly further includes a flow control layer coupled to the cushion having the passage with the flow control layer defining a first support area having a first plurality of slits and a second support area, adjacent to the first support area, having a second plurality of slits. Each slit defines a width that is moveable between a restricted position and a free-flowing position. The width of the first slits can move to the free-flowing position while the width of the second slits remains in the restricted position when the first support area receives a first load for flowing air through the first slits and the passage.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for determining a characteristic of a fluid, such as the volumetric flow rate, flowing through a non-linear section of a pipe is disclosed having a first strain gauge mountable to the non-linear section of the pipe offset from the bending neutral axis of the non-linear section of the pipe, to detect a bending force on the non-linear section of the pipe induced by the inertia of the fluid flowing through the pipe. A second strain gauge is mountable to the pipe disposed on the bending neutral axis of the non-linear section of the pipe, to detect at least one of the hoop strains, longitudinal strains and radial strains imparted on the pipe by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the pipe. A controller is configured to determine the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the pipe based on the bending force determined by the first strain gauge and the at least one of the hoop strains, longitudinal strains and radial strains determined by the second strain gauge.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for determining a characteristic of a fluid, such as the volumetric flow rate, flowing through a non-linear section of a pipe is disclosed having a first strain gauge mountable to the non-linear section of the pipe offset from the bending neutral axis of the non-linear section of the pipe, to detect a bending force on the non-linear section of the pipe induced by the inertia of the fluid flowing through the pipe. A second strain gauge is mountable to the pipe disposed on the bending neutral axis of the non-linear section of the pipe, to detect at least one of the hoop strains, longitudinal strains and radial strains imparted on the pipe by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the pipe. A controller is configured to determine the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the pipe based on the bending force determined by the first strain gauge and the at least one of the hoop strains, longitudinal strains and radial strains determined by the second strain gauge.

Abstract: A glazing unit is provided in which a two part bush is provided such that relative movement between a fastener, a glazing component and a wing skin is permitted, thus avoiding stress concentrations and lowering risk of damage in use.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a stern flotation compartment. The hull is carved out underneath the gunwales to admit a vertical cylindrical sleeve extending through the flotation compartment from top to bottom, and sealed top and bottom. A studded vertical mounting tube carrying an electric motor fits within a slotted cylindrical steering tube; the latter is carried on rotatable bearings affixed to the vertical cylindrical sleeve. A steering assembly is affixed to the slotted cylindrical steering tube and a guide tube fits closely within the vertical mounting tube. An electrical power cable is connected to the electric motor and a retraction assembly is affixed to the electric motor.

Abstract: A method of making an interior automotive panel. The method includes placing at least one three dimensional panel component on a first mold component having a mold surface shaped to form the exterior surface of the interior automotive panel. The at least one three-dimensional panel component has an exterior surface in contact with the mold surface. The method includes registering a registration feature of the at least one three-dimensional panel component with a groove defined by the mold surface of the first mold component and positioning a second mold component in registered communication with the first mold component. Together the first and second mold components define a void in the shape of the interior automotive panel. The method includes injecting resin into the void and removing a formed interior automotive panel from the first and second molds, the interior automotive panel having multiple surfaces of different surface qualities.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a stern flotation compartment. The hull is carved out underneath the gunwales to admit a vertical cylindrical sleeve extending through the flotation compartment from top to bottom, and sealed top and bottom. A studded vertical mounting tube carrying an electric motor fits within a slotted cylindrical steering tube; the latter is carried on rotatable bearings affixed to the vertical cylindrical sleeve. A steering assembly is affixed to the slotted cylindrical steering tube and a guide tube fits closely within the vertical mounting tube. An electrical power cable is connected to the electric motor and a retraction assembly is affixed to the electric motor.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a stern flotation compartment. The hull is carved out underneath the gunwales to admit a vertical cylindrical sleeve extending through the flotation compartment from top to bottom, and sealed top and bottom. A studded vertical mounting tube carrying an electric motor fits within a slotted cylindrical steering tube; the latter is carried on rotatable bearings affixed to the vertical cylindrical sleeve. A steering assembly is affixed to the slotted cylindrical steering tube and a guide tube fits closely within the vertical mounting tube. An electrical power cable is connected to the electric motor and a retraction assembly is affixed to the electric motor.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a stern flotation compartment. The hull is carved out underneath the gunwales to admit a vertical cylindrical sleeve extending through the flotation compartment from top to bottom, and sealed top and bottom. A studded vertical mounting tube carrying an electric motor fits within a slotted cylindrical steering tube; the latter is carried on rotatable bearings affixed to the vertical cylindrical sleeve. A steering assembly is affixed to the slotted cylindrical steering tube and a guide tube fits closely within the vertical mounting tube. An electrical power cable is connected to the electric motor and a retraction assembly is affixed to the electric motor.

Abstract: A glazing unit is provided in which a two part bush is provided such that relative movement between a fastener, a glazing component and a wing skin is permitted, thus avoiding stress concentrations and lowering risk of damage in use.

Abstract: A method (300) of making an interior automotive panel (100). The method (300) includes placing at least one three dimensional panel component (110) on a first mold component (410) having a mold surface (412) shaped to form the exterior surface of the interior automotive panel (100). The at least one three-dimensional panel component (110) has an exterior surface in contact with the mold surface (412). The method (300) includes registering a registration feature (114) of the at least one three-dimensional panel component (110) with a groove defined by the mold surface (412) of the first mold component (410) and positioning a second mold component (420) in registered communication with the first mold component (410). Together the first and second mold components (410, 420) define a void in the shape of the interior automotive panel (100).