Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, product data is repeatedly communicated from an application on a device associated with a retail location to a server of a platform controlled independently of the application on the device. The product data identifies (a) current numbers of units of products available for retail customers at the retail location and (b) purchasing behavior of retail customers of the retail location with respect to combinations of the products. The retail location is repeatedly restocked with additional units of products to maintain the products in an in-stock state, the additional units have been received in deliveries made from one or more upstream product distribution entities based on predictions facilitated by the server of future demand for the products by retail customers of the retail location.

Abstract: Among other things, product data is repeatedly communicated from an application on a device associated with a retail location to a server of a platform controlled independently of the application on the device. The product data identifies (a) current numbers of units of products available for retail customers at the retail location and (b) purchasing behavior of retail customers of the retail location with respect to combinations of the products. The retail location is repeatedly restocked with additional units of products to maintain the products in an in-stock state, the additional units have been received in deliveries made from one or more upstream product distribution entities based on predictions facilitated by the server of future demand for the products by retail customers of the retail location.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, product data is repeatedly communicated from an application on a device associated with a retail location to a server of a platform controlled independently of the application on the device. The product data identifies (a) current numbers of units of products available for retail customers at the retail location and (b) purchasing behavior of retail customers of the retail location with respect to combinations of the products. The retail location is repeatedly restocked with additional units of products to maintain the products in an in-stock state, the additional units have been received in deliveries made from one or more upstream product distribution entities based on predictions facilitated by the server of future demand for the products by retail customers of the retail location.

Abstract: Among other things, product data is repeatedly communicated from an application on a device associated with a retail location to a server of a platform controlled independently of the application on the device. The product data identifies (a) current numbers of units of products available for retail customers at the retail location and (b) purchasing behavior of retail customers of the retail location with respect to combinations of the products. The retail location is repeatedly restocked with additional units of products to maintain the products in an in-stock state, the additional units have been received in deliveries made from one or more upstream product distribution entities based on predictions facilitated by the server of future demand for the products by retail customers of the retail location.

Abstract: Among other things, product data is repeatedly communicated from an application on a device associated with a retail location to a server of a platform controlled independently of the application on the device. The product data identifies (a) current numbers of units of products available for retail customers at the retail location and (b) purchasing behavior of retail customers of the retail location with respect to combinations of the products. The retail location is repeatedly restocked with additional units of products to maintain the products in an in-stock state, the additional units have been received in deliveries made from one or more upstream product distribution entities based on predictions facilitated by the server of future demand for the products by retail customers of the retail location.

Abstract: Among other things, product data is repeatedly communicated from an application on a device associated with a retail location to a server of a platform controlled independently of the application on the device. The product data identifies (a) current numbers of units of products available for retail customers at the retail location and (b) purchasing behavior of retail customers of the retail location with respect to combinations of the products. The retail location is repeatedly restocked with additional units of products to maintain the products in an in-stock state, the additional units have been received in deliveries made from one or more upstream product distribution entities based on predictions facilitated by the server of future demand for the products by retail customers of the retail location.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: Among other things, a central server maintains information representative of requests communicated through the Internet from devices at request locations. Each of the requests represents a proposed reservation for services to be managed by devices at delivery locations.

Abstract: A variable valve timing device for an engine utilizing hydraulically actuated valves. A cam follower block, complete with radial bores, and cam followers within these bores, is pivotally mounted about a rotating camshaft. The rotating camshaft displaces the cam followers within the bores, causing the followers to displace hydraulic fluid, forcing movement of either, an intake or exhaust valve, by hydraulic force on a secondary hydraulic cylinder. The cam follower block angular position about the camshaft is mechanically adjustable during operation. Separate cam follower blocks are used for intake and exhaust valve operation such that the valve timing of the intake and exhaust valves can be changed independently.

Abstract: This invention will provide a means for the lobe separation angle of the camshaft between the intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, or any other piston type machine, using a camshaft and valves to control the air flow into and/or out of the engine or piston type pumping or power machine, to vary as the engine or machine operates. This invention will effectively reduce or increase the angular measurement from the intake lobe centerline to the exhaust valve lobe centerline during operation. This modulation of the valve events may be controlled by a computer, manually or automatically. This modulation of the valve events may be controlled by an operator, whether manually or semi-automatically. This modulation of the valve events may be controlled by some other means. The invention will be commanded by an external command to change the valve events as the engine or machine operates and the invention will then change the valve events of the intake valve(s), the exhaust valve(s) or both.

Abstract: An electrical resistance is produced in a semiconductor device by first providing a semiconductor resistor structure that includes a semiconductor resistor having formed thereon a native oxide layer. A portion of the native oxide layer that overlies a corresponding top surface portion of the semiconductor resistor is removed, in order to expose the top surface portion of the semiconductor resistor. Metal is deposited on the exposed top surface portion of the semiconductor resistor. A chemical reaction is effectuated in order to reduce the likelihood of metal reacting with the underlying silicon on any portion of the semiconductor resistor other than the top surface portion thereof. The chemical reaction can be an oxidation reaction that produces on the semiconductor resistor structure an oxide layer other than the native oxide layer and substantially thicker than the native oxide layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for designing a communications network. A variation of parameters is introduced into a set of parameters located in at least one of a plurality of databases related to the communications network. A set of business rules is applied to the varied set of parameters in order to produce a business projection. An evaluation is made of the business projection that results from applying the business rules to the variation. Evaluating the business projection includes comparing the business projection to an actual business outcome. Further changes may be made to the varied set of parameters based on the comparison of the business projection to the actual business outcome. A communication network may be designed in line with the business projection. Statistics are calculated that relate to a business objective.

Abstract: A tester for verifying the integrity of insulation in a branch circuit of a power distribution system. Two test circuits are included; the first providing an insulation test; and a second, a shared/grounded neutral test. In the insulation test, a 500-volt ac output limited to 5 milliamps is selectively applied to the pairs of wires of the branch circuit. If an output current of greater than 3 milliamps is recorded, an insulation failure is noted and the operator proceeds to the second test which applies a pulsed 3 volt, 1 ampere current-limited voltage across the suspected leads. One of the suspected leads is monitored with a portable ammeter to detect any pulse current.

Abstract: A GFCI/AFCI circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. A first trip mechanism includes a GFCI/AFCI trip circuit having a resistor. The resistor is energized in response to a trip condition. The first trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to the trip condition. The resistor has a body which burns open in response to a failure of the separable contacts to trip open. A second trip mechanism engages the body of the resistor and cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts in response to the body of the resistor burning open.