Abstract: A wipe comprises fibres selected from at least one of cellulosic material, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or a combination thereof; together with a binder which is soluble in water at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP). The wipe can be flushed away and is suitable for carrying a solution. The wipe is especially suitable for carrying a solution for medical purposes.

Abstract: A gaming server device may conduct a networked bingo game with client devices, each client device associated with a respective bingo ticket. Conducting the game may involve: (i) randomly selecting symbols from the symbol set, (ii) marking the selected symbols on any bingo tickets that contain the selected symbols, and (iii) repeating the random selecting and marking until one or more of the bingo tickets are marked with a winning pattern. The gaming server device may transmit an offer to a particular client device associated with a particular bingo ticket that is not marked with the winning pattern. The offer may be for the gaming server device to randomly select a further symbol from the symbol set at a cost to the particular client device, where the cost is based on an expected gain that acceptance of the offer provides to the particular client device.

Abstract: One elevator system includes an elevator car, counterweight, traction sheave, support wrapped around the traction sheave and suspending the car and the counterweight, a compensation sheave, a compensation member wrapped around the compensation sheave and being affixed at a first end to the elevator car and at a second end to the counterweight, and a tensioner. The support is driven by rotation of the traction sheave to raise and lower the car, and the tensioner is in communication with the traction sheave for linearly displacing a rotational centerpoint of the traction sheave. Another elevator system has an elevator car, counterweight, compensation sheave, compensation rope wrapped around the compensation sheave and being affixed to the car and the counterweight, a traction sheave driving a support suspending the car and the counterweight, and a tensioner in communication with the traction sheave for inducing a variation in tension of the compensation rope.

Abstract: A gaming server device may conduct a networked bingo game with client devices, each client device associated with a respective bingo ticket. Conducting the game may involve: (i) randomly selecting symbols from the symbol set, (ii) marking the selected symbols on any bingo tickets that contain the selected symbols, and (iii) repeating the random selecting and marking until one or more of the bingo tickets are marked with a winning pattern. The gaming server device may transmit an offer to a particular client device associated with a particular bingo ticket that is not marked with the winning pattern. The offer may be for the gaming server device to randomly select a further symbol from the symbol set at a cost to the particular client device, where the cost is based on an expected gain that acceptance of the offer provides to the particular client device.

Abstract: A control system for an elevator system may comprise elevator cars and an elevator control for assigning elevator cars to destination calls. In a first mode of operation, the elevator control may be adapted to determine and assign an elevator car to transport a passenger based on at least one elevator car determination criterion. The elevator control may wait to provide information identifying the elevator car assigned to the passenger until the assigned elevator car approaches or arrives at a floor on which the passenger is located. Waiting to provide such information permits the elevator control to modify which elevator car ultimately transports the passenger based on intervening factors such as a door being held on an elevator car that was initially assigned to transport the passenger. In a second mode of operation, the passenger may be provided with the information that identifies the assigned elevator car immediately after the destination call is placed.

Abstract: An ostomy bag (1) for receiving bodily waste comprising; an outer protective pouch (3) comprising a laminated material with an outer layer of water-impermeable material (15) and an inner layer of water-soluble material (13); an inner waste-collecting pouch (5) enclosed within the outer protective pouch (3) comprising a laminated material with an outer layer of water-soluble material (9) and an inner layer of water-impermeable material (7), and means (23) defining an orifice (19) to enable bodily waste to enter the inner pouch (5); wherein the outer protective pouch (3) is removeably sealed and both the outer protective pouch (3) and inner waste-collecting pouch (5) are of a structure which is weakened upon immersion in a toilet bowl to both become less buoyant such that the bag (1) can be flushed away.

Abstract: A wipe comprises fibres selected from at least one of cellulosic material, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or a combination thereof; together with a binder which is soluble in water at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP). The wipe can be flushed away and is suitable for carrying a solution. The wipe is especially suitable for carrying a solution for medical purposes.

Abstract: One elevator system includes an elevator car, counterweight, traction sheave, support wrapped around the traction sheave and suspending the car and the counterweight, a compensation sheave, a compensation member wrapped around the compensation sheave and being affixed at a first end to the elevator car and at a second end to the counterweight, and a tensioner. The support is driven by rotation of the traction sheave to raise and lower the car, and the tensioner is in communication with the traction sheave for linearly displacing a rotational centerpoint of the traction sheave. Another elevator system has an elevator car, counterweight, compensation sheave, compensation rope wrapped around the compensation sheave and being affixed to the car and the counterweight, a traction sheave driving a support suspending the car and the counterweight, and a tensioner in communication with the traction sheave for inducing a variation in tension of the compensation rope.

Abstract: An elevator control system to govern elevator movement to avoid or minimize passenger discomfort caused by pressure changes associated with an elevator's movement and to optimize elevator operation. In one exemplary embodiment, the system uses the passenger's natural relief which occurs while the elevator car is stopped to reduce the pressure difference experienced by the passengers' ears as a factor to optimally control the operation of the elevator. In another example, the system obtains input regarding the traveling speed and conditions of the elevator system. This system then simulates individual trips for passengers that includes monitoring the pressure changes being experienced by passengers throughout the elevator's travels in order to ensure that the pressure differential level for each passenger remains below a designated maximum comfortable and safe level. This system uses the parameters of a successful simulation to govern the actual operation of the elevators.

Abstract: An elevator control system to govern elevator movement to avoid or minimize passenger discomfort caused by pressure changes associated with an elevator's movement and to optimize elevator operation. In one exemplary embodiment, the system uses the passenger's natural relief which occurs while the elevator car is stopped to reduce the pressure difference experienced by the passengers' ears as a factor to optimally control the operation of the elevator. In another example, the system obtains input regarding the traveling speed and conditions of the elevator system. This system then simulates individual trips for passengers that includes monitoring the pressure changes being experienced by passengers throughout the elevator's travels in order to ensure that the pressure differential level for each passenger remains below a designated maximum comfortable and safe level. This system uses the parameters of a successful simulation to govern the actual operation of the elevators.

Abstract: An ostomy bag (1) for receiving bodily waste comprising; an outer protective pouch (3) comprising a laminated material with an outer layer of water-impermeable material (15) and an inner layer of water-soluble material (13); an inner waste-collecting pouch (5) enclosed within the outer protective pouch (3) comprising a laminated material with an outer layer of water-soluble material (9) and an inner layer of water-impermeable material (7), and means (23) defining an orifice (19) to enable bodily waste to enter the inner pouch (5); wherein the outer protective pouch (3) is removeably sealed and both the outer protective pouch (3) and inner waste-collecting pouch (5) are of a structure which is weakened upon immersion in a toilet bowl to both become less buoyant such that the bag (1) can be flushed away.

Abstract: Described is a method for assigning hall calls comprising the steps of receiving a hall call signal, receiving information regarding an elevator system, assigning a destination to the hall call signal, and calculating a call cost value for each elevator car using a handing capacity coefficient. The controller designates the elevator with the lowest call cost value to respond to a call signal. The handling capacity coefficient is a value that reflects the current traffic conditions of an elevator system.

Abstract: A system and method for actively damping tension members modulates the natural frequency of shape memory alloys incorporated into tension members, such as suspension ropes or cables. The frequency of the tension member can be modulated by heating the shape memory alloy, such modulation preventing potentially destructive resonance with natural exciting forces.

Abstract: A method for assigning an elevator car to respond to a call signal includes a controller that determines which elevator car will respond to the call signal based on certain wait time thresholds. The controller receives a hall call signal, and the controller is programmed with wait time thresholds that can include, e.g., an estimated wait time (EWT), and/or estimated travel time (ETT). In this example, these thresholds are time values above which a passenger is likely to become impatient, either waiting for an elevator car to arrive, or waiting for their elevator car to arrive at its destination. Based on system information an EWT and ETT are calculated and compared to the thresholds. An elevator car is assigned based on this comparison. In some versions, an estimated time to destination (ETD) is used in determining which elevator car to assign. In some versions, a handling capacity coefficient (HCx), which reflects current traffic conditions, is used in determining which elevator car to assign.

Abstract: One version of this disclosure includes a system for assigning an elevator car to respond to a call signal wherein a controller is responsible for determining which elevator car will respond to a call signal. This version includes the controller receiving a hall call signal, receiving information regarding the elevator system, determining whether the call assignment can be made in view of a first rule associated with a banned call assignment, and eliminating the rule against banned call assignments when necessary to avoid saturation of the elevator system.

Abstract: An Internet protocol (IP) packet switching communication system using real time transport protocol (RTP). Control packets map group identification codes to a multicast address on a network. Control packets are distributed on the network using simple object access protocol (SOAP) messages with extensible markup language (XML) payloads. Mapping may include dynamic or static functions. Multicast address data is distributed among routers. A message from a caller is multicast by the routers, based on the multicast address, to one or more destinations.

Abstract: A tube holder (1) for removeably securing a tube (19) to the skin of a patient comprising a plastics film (3) bonded to an adhesive material on a bodyside surface of the film (3); and a separate first (7,9) and second means for applying pressure to a tube (19) located in the holder (1) during use, wherein the first (7,9) and second means are bonded to a tube-side surface of the plastics film (3) and pressure can be applied, in use, to at least two opposing sides of the tube (19).

Abstract: Versions of an elevator system are shown having a drive system including a driven sheave and a non-driven sheave. The driven sheave is configured to move an elevator car in a generally upward and downward direction. The non-driven sheave is configured to support the elevator car in the event of a loss of traction. The driven sheave is fixedly coupled to a drive shaft of the motor and the non-driven sheave is supported by the drive shaft but is freely rotatable relative to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An elevator control system to govern elevator movement to avoid or minimize passenger discomfort caused by pressure changes associated with an elevator's movement and to optimize elevator operation. In one exemplary embodiment, the system uses the passenger's natural relief which occurs while the elevator car is stopped to reduce the pressure difference experienced by the passengers' ears as a factor to optimally control the operation of the elevator. In another example, the system obtains input regarding the traveling speed and conditions of the elevator system. This system then simulates individual trips for passengers that includes monitoring the pressure changes being experienced by passengers throughout the elevator's travels in order to ensure that the pressure differential level for each passenger remains below a designated maximum comfortable and safe level. This system uses the parameters of a successful simulation to govern the actual operation of the elevators.

Abstract: Described is a method for assigning hall calls comprising the steps of receiving a hall call signal, receiving information regarding an elevator system, assigning a destination to the hall call signal, and calculating a call cost value for each elevator car using a handing capacity coefficient. The controller designates the elevator with the lowest call cost value to respond to a call signal. The handling capacity coefficient is a value that reflects the current traffic conditions of an elevator system.