Abstract: A plowing system is removably mountable onto a vehicle in order to provide the vehicle with lateral plowing capability along a given lateral range of the vehicle. The plowing system includes a mounting assembly, a plowing assembly and corresponding plowing component. The plowing system also has associated first and second actuating assemblies cooperable with one another so as to selectively operate the plowing component between retracted and deployed configurations, and so as to provide the plowing system and associated plowing assembly and corresponding plowing component with an increased plowing resistivity within the lateral range of the vehicle, due to a combined effect of the first and second actuating assemblies. A corresponding vehicle is provided with such a plowing system.

Abstract: An endoscope with particular adhesive elements and/or particular internal dry lubricants have improved compatibility to various oxidative processes such as the ones used for terminal sterilization. The particular adhesive elements and particular internal dry lubricants are disclosed herein. A method of manufacturing an endoscope and a method of repairing an old endoscope are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for providing credit card customers with an offer to finance large, unexpected, or general expenditures on a set installment plan associated with a fixed interest rate or fee. The rate or fee associated with the offer can be a flat one-time fee, a fixed interest rate, or a combination thereof. In some instances, a variable interest rate can be offered. In some instances, the fee can be an ongoing small or nominal fee added to each repayment over a period of time.

Abstract: There is described a system for sending, via a communication network, data originating from a monitoring of equipment in a network-inaccessible location. The system comprises a first interface device to be operated in a network-inaccessible location and comprising: sensors for monitoring a first equipment; a processor connected to the sensors for generating a data packet from the monitoring; and a local input/output (I/O) device for sending the data packet. The system further comprises a second interface device, to be displaced from the network-inaccessible location to a network-accessible location, comprising a local I/O device for receiving the data packet from the first interface device; and a network-connected I/O device to deliver the data packet via the communication network.

Abstract: There is described a system for sending, via a communication network, data originating from a monitoring of equipment in a network-inaccessible location. The system comprises a first interface device to be operated in a network-inaccessible location and comprising: sensors for monitoring a first equipment; a processor connected to the sensors for generating a data packet from the monitoring; and a local input/output (I/O) device for sending the data packet. The system further comprises a second interface device, to be displaced from the network-inaccessible location to a network-accessible location, comprising a local I/O device for receiving the data packet from the first interface device; and a network-connected I/O device to deliver the data packet via the communication network.

Abstract: There is described a system for sending, via a communication network, data originating from a monitoring of equipment in a network-inaccessible location. The system comprises a first interface device to be operated in a network-inaccessible location and comprising: sensors for monitoring a first equipment; a processor connected to the sensors for generating a data packet from the monitoring; and a local input/output (I/O) device for sending the data packet. The system further comprises a second interface device, to be displaced from the network-inaccessible location to a network-accessible location, comprising a local I/O device for receiving the data packet from the first interface device; and a network-connected I/O device to deliver the data packet via the communication network.

Abstract: An optical concentration/diffusion apparatus and method is provided that uses a waveguide having a graded index of refraction in a first direction. Light propagating in a second direction different from the first direction follows a curved, path being reflected at multiple intervals by a planar interface of the waveguide. Reflectors are located along the planar interface at a spacing that is selected to limit their interaction with the light propagating in the second direction. Coupling elements are located in optical communication with the reflectors. When used as a concentrator, light is focused by the elements onto the reflectors and redirected in the second direction towards one or more exit apertures. When used as a diffuser, light in the second direction is redirected by the reflectors toward the elements and diffused at multiple exit apertures.

Abstract: An optical concentration/diffusion apparatus and method is provided that uses a waveguide having a graded index of refraction in a first direction. Light propagating in a second direction different from the first direction follows a curved, path being reflected at multiple intervals by a planar interface of the waveguide. Reflectors are located along the planar interface at a spacing that is selected to limit their interaction with the light propagating in the second direction. Coupling elements are located in optical communication with the reflectors. When used as a concentrator, light is focused by the elements onto the reflectors and redirected in the second direction towards one or more exit apertures. When used as a diffuser, light in the second direction is redirected by the reflectors toward the elements and diffused at multiple exit apertures.

Abstract: There is described a system and method for establishing a performance of at least one of a vehicle and an operator of the vehicle over a given period. In particular, the method comprises: recording measured vehicle parameters at a continuous rate over a given period, the continuous rate being at least as great as the rate of change of the measured vehicle parameters; calculating criteria using, for each criterion, a selection of the measured vehicle parameters; and outputting the criteria, the criteria being representative of a performance of at least one of the operator and the vehicle over the given period.

Abstract: A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighboring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighboring unit.

Abstract: A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighbouring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighbouring unit.

Abstract: A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighboring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighboring unit.

Abstract: There is described a system and method for establishing a performance of at least one of a vehicle and an operator of the vehicle over a given period. In particular, the method comprises: recording measured vehicle parameters at a continuous rate over a given period, the continuous rate being at least as great as the rate of change of the measured vehicle parameters; calculating criteria using, for each criterion, a selection of the measured vehicle parameters; and outputting the criteria, the criteria being representative of a performance of at least one of the operator and the vehicle over the given period.

Abstract: A covering unit for use in combination with similar units for covering a surface with a natural random look, the unit having an hexagonal body comprising first, second and third pairs of opposed and parallel sides. Each side has a central point of angular symmetry. The second and third pairs are similar to each other while the first pair is different from the others. The sides of the second and third pairs are provided with at least one split deviation along their length arranged so that each side of the second pair is a rotational image of the sides of the third pair, whereby in use in combination with other covering units: each side is matingly engageable with the sides of an equivalent pair of a neighbouring unit; and the unit has a central point of angular symmetry and is matingly engageable with a plurality of neighbouring unit.