Abstract: This invention provides elevating storage apparatus (10) for storing an article or articles in an elevated position from which the article(s) cannot be vertically lowered because an obstacle obscures the space there beneath. To achieve this the article(s) which are supported on article support means (14) are moved outwardly with the article support means (14) supported by a pair of spaced apart slide assemblies (11, 12) for longitudinal movement between the stowed elevated position above the obscuring obstacle and a withdrawn elevated position forward of the obstacle. The article support means (14) is connected to the slide assemblies (11, 12) by links (52, 53) which enable the article support means to be raised and lowered between substantially vertically aligned withdrawn elevated position and the lower accessible position.

Abstract: One example includes a method for making a switch. The method includes forming an insulating layer over a substrate. The method also includes forming a resistive heating material over the insulating layer. The method also includes depositing a thermally conductive electrically insulating barrier layer over the heating material. The method also includes forming a phase-change material (PCM) component over the barrier layer spaced apart and proximal to the resistive heating material. The method also includes forming a quench layer proximal to at least one of the resistive heating material and the PCM component. The method further includes forming conductive lines from ends of the PCM component and control lines from ends of the resistive heating material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include: •electroluminescent layer constructions; •stacked or side-by-side arrangements of electroluminescent elements; and •color pixels, displays and light sources comprising multiple such arrangements. Embodiments of the invention may include touch sensitive, haptic and/or lenticular 3D features.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include providing an on-sale vehicle, receiving an access request for the on-sale vehicle from a buyer, approving the access request, transmitting at least one authentication key, confirming an identity of the buyer, initiating a test drive, monitoring the test drive, and completing a transaction upon conclusion of the test drive including revoking the at least one authentication key in response to the buyer not purchasing the on-sale vehicle or revoking an authentication key of a prior titleholder in response to the buyer purchasing the on-sale vehicle.

Abstract: A heat shield for a thrust bearing assembly of a pump. The heat shield includes a member having an inner surface and an outer surface. A raised flange is formed on a perimeter of the inner surface. The raised flange is configured to seal with a back surface of a thrust shoe holder, and form a cavity between the inner surface and the back surface of the thrust shoe holder. At least one weep hole is on the flange. The weep hole is configured to allow water to enter the cavity to form an insulating stagnant water layer.

Abstract: A system for continuous circuit fabrication comprising means for storing and dispensing (74) the substrate (2), means for laminating (1) the substrate (2), means for printing (76) the substrate (2), means for optical inspection (4) of the substrate (2), means for photolithography (6) of the substrate (2), means for drying (78) the substrate (2), means for developing (8, 16) the substrate (2), means for washing (10, 14) the substrate (2) and means for electroplating (82) the substrate (2).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a phase-change material switch. The switch includes a first terminal that receives an input signal and a second terminal. The switch includes an actuation portion that receives a control signal in one of a first state to emit a first heat profile and a second state to emit a second heat profile. The switch further includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material arranged as a plurality of longitudinal strips that each interconnect the first terminal and the second terminal and that are each in proximity with the actuation portion. The phase-change material can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to block the input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal.

Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) switch is disclosed that includes a resistive heater element, and a PCM element proximate the resistive heater element. A thermally conductive electrical insulating barrier layer positioned between the PCM heating element and the resistive heating element, and conductive lines extend from ends of the PCM element and control lines extend from ends of the resistive heater element.

Abstract: This invention provides elevating storage apparatus (10) for storing an article or articles in an elevated position from which the article(s) cannot be vertically lowered because an obstacle obscures the space there beneath. To achieve this the article(s) which are supported on article support means (14) are moved outwardly with the article support means (14) supported by a pair of spaced apart slide assemblies (11, 12) for longitudinal movement between the stowed elevated position above the obscuring obstacle and a withdrawn elevated position forward of the obstacle. The article support means (14) is connected to the slide assemblies (11, 12) by links (52, 53) which enable the article support means to be raised and lowered between substantially vertically aligned withdrawn elevated position and the lower accessible position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include: electroluminescent layer constructions; stacked or side-by-side arrangements of electroluminescent elements; and colour pixels, displays and light sources comprising multiple such arrangements. Embodiments of the invention may include touch sensitive, haptic and/or lenticular 3D features.

Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) switch is disclosed that includes a resistive heater element, and a PCM element proximate the resistive heater element.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a reconfigurable circuit comprising a phase-change material switch. The phase-change material switch includes an actuation portion configured to receive a control signal having one of a first state and a second state and to emit a first heat profile in response to the first state of the control signal and a second heat profile in response to the second state of the control signal. The phase-change material switch also includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material in proximity with the actuation portion. The switch portion can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from an input to an output of the phase-change material switch and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to substantially block the input signal from the input to the output.

Abstract: A massively multiplayer online game allowing players to use their influence to affect outcomes of the game. A method in the massively multiplayer online game comprises providing currency to a plurality of players for an online game having a duration; receiving spending information from a first player of the plurality of players, wherein the spending information affects an influence amount of a second player of the plurality of players; and updating a stored influence amount of the second player based on the received spending information, wherein, at the end of the duration, a stored influence amount of the second player is evaluated to determine whether the second player has one of the top stored influence amounts, and wherein the players amongst the plurality of players having the top stored influence amounts compete to potentially win a prize.

Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus for storing one or more items. The apparatus comprises a first part adapted to be mounted to a surface or a wall and a second part mounted by a linkage arrangement to a sliding mechanism that can slidably move relative to the first part. The second part is adapted to store or hold one or more items. The second part is movable relative to the first part such that the second part can be moved from a storage position to a first access position at which the second part is at one level. The linkage arrangement is operative to move the second part from the first access position to a second access position, the second access position being located at a level spaced from that of the first access position.

Abstract: This invention provides for an apparatus for storing one or more items. The apparatus comprises a first part adapted to be mounted to a surface or a wall and a second part mounted by a linkage arrangement to a sliding mechanism that can slidably move relative to the first part. The second part is adapted to store or hold one or more items. The second part is movable relative to the first part such that the second part can be moved from a storage position to a first access position at which the second part is at one level. The linkage arrangement is operative to move the second part from the first access position to a second access position, the second access position being located at a level spaced from that of the first access position.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for predicting a response of a gamma ray measurement tool located in a borehole surrounded by a subterranean formation. A response of the tool is calculated according to one or more properties at a plurality of spatial locations in relation to the measurement tool using a forward model that assumes a non-linear relationship between the one or more properties at the plurality of spatial locations and the corresponding response of the tool.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for predicting a response of a gamma ray measurement tool located in a borehole surrounded by a subterranean formation. A response of the tool is calculated according to one or more properties at a plurality of spatial locations in relation to the measurement tool using a forward model that assumes a non-linear relationship between the one or more properties at the plurality of spatial locations and the corresponding response of the tool.

Abstract: Media content is recorded in a format that includes embedded control information for controlling reproduction of the media content.

Abstract: The present invention includes a data model which supports database operations that are associated with an insurance product issued by an issuer that provides a consumer with an ability to purchase an investment style life insurance policy, the individual components of which (e.g., term insurance, investments, cash and fees) can be controlled and/or replaced by the consumer. The data model enables the individual components to be tracked by the issuer so that the correct insurance coverage and investment returns are provided (and appropriate fees levied) as the consumer makes changes to the individual insurance policy components.

Abstract: A scaffold assembly comprising at least one pair of hook-on scaffold elements; said scaffold elements adapted for support of at least one builder's plank; each of said elements comprising a vertical main shaft provided with a hook structure at an upper end of said main shaft and a securing bracket at a lower end of said main shaft; each of said hook-on scaffold elements further comprising a braced hook-on arm; said hook structure adapted for engagement with a horizontal top plate of a building frame, and said securing bracket adapted for engagement with a vertical stud or a horizontal element of said building frame.