Abstract: A frame for receiving a filter element includes: a pair of first members and a pair of second members. The first members may be arranged alternately with the second members in the assembled orientation to establish a plurality of joining structures between adjoining members. Each respective joining structure of the plurality of joining structures maintains the adjoining members oriented substantially about a respective axis. The first members and the second members cooperate to define a volume for effecting the receiving.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a passenger compartment and a messaging system having a user input device with a display. The input device receives an outgoing communication from an occupant and presents the outgoing communication on the display. The messaging system generates an outgoing e-mail message describing the outgoing communication, and containing a text file corresponding to a speech message and/or a digital image file describing a handwritten trace message, and transmits the outgoing e-mail message to a remote source. A method for exchanging electronic messages between a vehicle and a remote source includes recording an outgoing message using a user input device, generating an outgoing e-mail message by recording a voice message as a first electronic audio or text file and/or recording a handwritten trace of as a second electronic image file, and transmitting the e-mail message to the remote source.

Abstract: A media portal for a vehicle includes a structure within a vehicle passenger compartment that defines a cavity. The cavity is selectively variable in size in order to retain a portable electronic device. A sensor is configured to detect the presence of the portable electronic device in the cavity. An inductive charger is positioned to generate a changing magnetic field in the cavity to inductively charge a battery of the portable electronic device. At least one user interface device is included through which data can be received from or transmitted to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and methods for use with, e.g., a multi-component reactive material process. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a completely disposable static mixer, manifold and atomizer cap assembly. Such a configuration allows for, inter alia, reduced cost, rapid component changes with minimal material waste, as well as reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous solvents. Precise and repeatable configuration of the dispensing assembly is also provided by way of the substantially fixed relationship of the critical components and surfaces therein.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling memory accesses between subcontexts in a computing device. The apparatus, system and method implement subcontexts which associate groups of memory blocks. The apparatus, system and method maintain a permissions mapping for inter-subcontext memory accesses. A control module monitors all inter-subcontext memory accesses and prevents those accesses for which a permissions mapping does not exist.

Abstract: Mixing and dispensing apparatus and methods for use with, e.g., a multi-component reactive material process is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a series of positive displacement pumps adapted for stacked or “piggy-back” mating to a common motive source. At least one of the pumps is supplied by a sealed and collapsible reservoir bag and flexible tubing, thereby allowing removal (and optionally disposal) of one or more complete material pathways within the system. Such a configuration allows for, inter alia, rapid colorant changing with minimal material waste, obviates the use of hazardous solvents, and increases process efficiency and worker productivity. This arrangement also obviates complex metering apparatus common to prior art systems, thereby allowing it to be as small and power/cost efficient as possible.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided where the functions of an economizer heat exchanger and liquid-suction heat exchanger are combined. The two configurations are disclosed with a single common heat exchanger construction. In a first configuration, a series of valves selectively routes only one of two possible refrigerant flows through a common heat exchanger such that a control can selectively activate either an economizer heat exchanger circuit or a liquid-suction heat exchanger function. In a second configuration, both refrigerant flows are passed to the common heat exchanger through separate fluid lines and are selectively activated by the control. Variations of the second configuration are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a first storage unit is coupled to a second storage unit. The first storage unit and the second storage unit are detected. A determination is made that the first storage unit is capable of responding to a write operation faster than the second storage unit, and that the second storage unit is capable of responding to a read operation at least as fast as the first storage unit. Data is written to the first storage unit. A transfer of the data is initiated from the first storage unit to the second storage unit. The data is read from the second storage unit, in response to a read request directed at both the first and the second storage units.

Abstract: A vehicle window includes a first window side and a second window side. The first window side includes an optical center and a plurality of grooves positioned about the optical center. The grooves have a number of dimensions including a depth and a width. The grooves define surfaces effective to redirect light that passes through said window. At least one dimension of the grooves is varied about the optical center. The window is effective to provide a plurality of angles of light redirection about the optical center.

Abstract: A method to generate a formatted trace for a second device embedded in a first device. The method provides source code comprising a trace entry, compiles that source code to form an embedded device code image comprising a trace description string and a trace description string address, and assigns the trace description string address as the traceId. The method creates a database comprising the trace description string and the trace description string address. The method uploads to the second device the embedded device code image, and generates trace data using that stripped code. The method then downloads that trace data to the first device, merges that trace data with the database, and forms a formatted trace.

Abstract: A technique for improving the efficiency of a loop detecting, reference counting storage reclamation program in a computer system. A depth value is maintained for data objects in a memory resource to indicate a distance from a global, live data object. A reference count is also maintained based on a number of objects pointing to each object. A particular object is processed by the storage reclamation program when another object that previously pointed to the particular object no longer points to it, e.g., because the object was deleted or reset to point to another object, and when the depth value of the another object is one less than the depth value of the particular object. If the particular object is determined to be live, its depth value, and the depth values of other objects it points to or “roots” are reset. If the particular object is dead, it is cleaned up.

Abstract: An assembly is provided having a first circuit board and a second circuit board, each circuit board having a plurality of electrical connection points, electrical connection points on the first circuit board being connected to specified electrical connection points on the second circuit board by solder structures, the first and second circuit boards being stacked with respect to each other and with a defined standoff distance there between, the assembly comprising one or more stops having an inserted portion placed between the first and second circuit board along the perimeter of at least one of the electrical circuit boards, the inserted portion of each of the stops having a fixed, predetermined height.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal sulfide composition for use as a machining aid comprising 55.0% to 65.0% by weight of manganese, 29.0% to 36.0% by weight of sulfur, and greater than 2.0% to 10% by weight of iron. Also disclosed is a method of making the metal sulfide composition comprising mixing manganese, sulfur, and iron; initiating an exothermic reaction between the manganese and sulfur, wherein the iron component moderates and cools the exothermic reaction; forming a solid mass of manganese sulfide composition containing a portion of the iron suspended therein; and recovering the solid manganese sulfide composition. A method of using the manganese sulfide composition according to the present invention as a machining aid comprises mixing into a blend a desired metal powder with the manganese sulfide composition; spreading the blend into a metal part die; compacting the blend into the die; sintering the compacted part; and machining the sintered part.