Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for starting and determining the winner of a staggered race between two racers. The method includes the use of a display having two columns of lights, each column having three countdown lights, a start light and a foul light. A race is started by illuminating the countdown lights on both columns and, upon illumination of the last countdown light, illuminating a first start light for a first driver and illuminating a second start light for the other driver after a predetermined time. In the event of an action that triggers a foul light by the first driver, delaying the illumination of a foul light for the first driver until both racers have started.

Abstract: A method of accessing a dial-up service is disclosed. An example method of providing access to a service includes receiving a first speech signal from a user to form a first utterance; recognizing the first utterance using speaker independent speaker recognition; requesting the user to enter a personal identification number; and when the personal identification number is valid, receiving a second speech signal to form a second utterance and providing access to the service.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for rendering views to an output device and controlling a vehicle. The method includes determining a maneuver path for the vehicle within a spatial environment around the vehicle based on vehicle data from one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle. The method includes updating a view based on the spatial environment and the maneuver path, by augmenting one or more components of a model to provide a representation of the maneuver path virtually in the view as an available maneuver path or an unavailable maneuver path. The view is rendered to an output device and a vehicle maneuver request is generated based on the maneuver path. Further, the one or more vehicle systems are controlled to execute the vehicle maneuver request.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for starting and determining the winner of a staggered race between two racers. The method includes the use of a display having two columns of lights, each column having three countdown lights, a start light and a foul light. A race is started by illuminating the countdown lights on both columns and, upon illumination of the last countdown light, illuminating a first start light for a first driver and illuminating a second start light for the other driver after a predetermined time. In the event of an action that triggers a foul light by the first driver, delaying the illumination of a foul light for the first driver until both racers have started.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: The controller may include a switch modeling interface that maintains switch models of switches in a network. The switch modeling interface may receive a desired network configuration from application modules that respond to network events. The switch modeling interface may compare the desired network configuration with the current network configuration represented by the switch models. The switch modeling interface may generate control messages to the switches for only identified differences between the desired network configuration and the current network configuration as identified by the switch models. The differences may be identified based on digest values retrieved from the switches. The switch modeling interface may determine whether the control messages were successfully received and processed by a switch and may indicate success or failure to the application module that provided the desired network configuration.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A system that identifies road conditions associated with a road surface is provided. The system includes a first sensor recording a first motion amount related to a head of a rider and at least a second sensor recording at least a second motion amount of a portion of a vehicle. The system also includes a comparison manager determining a severity level based on a comparison between the first motion amount and the second motion amount. Also included is a notification manager providing recommendations to the rider based on the severity level. Additionally, an implementation manager may dynamically implement one or more actions based on the severity level.

Abstract: A modulating burner apparatus includes a burner and a blower placed upstream of the burner. A venturi is placed upstream of the blower. A damper valve is placed upstream of the venturi. The damper valve has an open position and a restricted position. A smaller gas valve and a larger gas valve are communicated with the venturi. A controller is operably associated with the system to select a position of the damper valve and to select the appropriate one of the gas valves so as to provide a low output operation mode and a high output operation mode, which in combination provide an overall turndown ratio of at least 25:1.

Abstract: A system that identifies road conditions associated with a road surface is provided. The system includes a first sensor recording a first motion amount related to a head of a rider and at least a second sensor recording at least a second motion amount of a portion of a vehicle. The system also includes a comparison manager determining a severity level based on a comparison between the first motion amount and the second motion amount. Also included is a notification manager providing recommendations to the rider based on the severity level. Additionally, an implementation manager may dynamically implement one or more actions based on the severity level.

Abstract: A method of accessing a dial-up service is disclosed. An example method of providing access to a service includes receiving a first speech signal from a user to form a first utterance; recognizing the first utterance using speaker independent speaker recognition; requesting the user to enter a personal identification number; and when the personal identification number is valid, receiving a second speech signal to form a second utterance and providing access to the service.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A shoe tongue bracket is provided. The bracket is formed of a band having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion in between. A middle bend is formed at the middle portion and is shaped to contour with an underside of a shoe tongue. A first end bend is formed at the first end and bends in an opposite direction of the middle bend. A second end bend is formed at the second end and is bending in an opposite direction of the middle bend. A first aperture is formed through the band at the first end and a second aperture is formed through the band at the second end.

Abstract: A modulating burner apparatus includes a burner and a blower placed upstream of the burner. A venturi is placed upstream of the blower. A damper valve is placed upstream of the venturi. The damper valve has an open position and a restricted position. A smaller gas valve and a larger gas valve are communicated with the venturi. A controller is operably associated with the system to select a position of the damper valve and to select the appropriate one of the gas valves so as to provide a low output operation mode and a high output operation mode, which in combination provide an overall turndown ratio of at least 25:1.

Abstract: An organic gathering system for route sharing is provided. The system includes a profile manager that determines settings associated with a first user that desires to pair with one or more other users during travel. An observation manager determines a group of users in a defined geographic area for pairing with the first user during at least a portion of the travel. The system also includes a navigation manager that provides instructions to the first user related to the pairing. The instructions include an action to be performed by the first user to pair with one or more of the other users.

Abstract: A method for in-vehicle dynamic virtual reality includes receiving vehicle data and user data from one or more portable devices, wherein the vehicle data comprises vehicle dynamics data of the vehicle. The method includes generating a virtual view based on the vehicle data, the user data and a virtual world model. The virtual world model including one or more components that define the virtual view and wherein generating the virtual view includes augmenting one or more components of the virtual world model according to at least one of the vehicle data and the user data. The method includes rendering the virtual view to an output device by controlling the output device to update display of the virtual view according to at least one of the vehicle data or the user data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for rendering views to an output device and controlling a vehicle. The method includes determining a maneuver path for the vehicle within a spatial environment around the vehicle based on vehicle data from one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle. The method includes updating a view based on the spatial environment and the maneuver path, by augmenting one or more components of a model to provide a representation of the maneuver path virtually in the view as an available maneuver path or an unavailable maneuver path. The view is rendered to an output device and a vehicle maneuver request is generated based on the maneuver path. Further, the one or more vehicle systems are controlled to execute the vehicle maneuver request.