Abstract: According to one aspect, a method includes obtaining a command on a vehicle, the command being arranged to identify a first action to be taken by the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is in a first vehicle state and the command has a first command state. The method also includes determining, on the vehicle, whether the first command state is consistent with the first vehicle state. When it is determined that the first command state is consistent with the first vehicle state, the method includes executing the first command. When it is determined that the first command state is not consistent with the first vehicle state, the method includes identifying the first command as an illegitimate command and ignoring the illegitimate command.

Abstract: A herd management system for monitoring and managing the movements of animals within a herd comprises a user interface for defining one or more virtual fences for each to comprise a paddock, a plurality of wireless tags affixed to the monitored animals, and a network server for managing communications between the user interface and wireless communication with the tags. The tags include devices for stimulating the animal to move as desired by the herd management system, including staying within a paddock or moving from one paddock to another as guided by the system.

Abstract: A herd management system for monitoring and managing the movements of animals within a herd comprises a user interface for defining one or more virtual fences for each to comprise a paddock, a plurality of wireless tags affixed to the monitored animals, and a network server for managing communications between the user interface and wireless communication with the tags. The tags include devices for stimulating the animal to move as desired by the herd management system, including staying within a paddock or moving from one paddock to another as guided by the system.

Abstract: A Healthy Hand Tool (HHT) that provides a device to help users to manipulate public items without requiring human touch is disclosed. The tool includes a poking tool having a top end and a bottom end, an open manipulation tool having a top edge, a bottom edge, and an opening in one side exposing a cavity, and a handle coupled to the bottom edge of the open manipulation tool. The poking tool extends away from the top edge of an open manipulation tool in the opposite direction of a handle, and the poking tool is coupled to the open manipulation tool along the top edge of the open manipulation tool at the back end of the top edge. The top edge of the open manipulation tool is coupled to the bottom end of the poking tool. The open manipulation tool has an oval shape with opposing straight sides running between the top edge and the bottom edge, and the opening in the open manipulation tool extends the majority of the length of an open side between the top edge and the bottom edge.

Abstract: A herd management system for monitoring and managing the movements of animals within a herd comprises a user interface for defining one or more virtual fences for each to comprise a paddock, a plurality of wireless tags affixed to the monitored animals, and a network server for managing communications between the user interface and wireless communication with the tags. The tags include devices for stimulating the animal to move as desired by the herd management system, including staying within a paddock or moving from one paddock to another as guided by the system.

Abstract: An assembly line technique is described in which food items with a deposited layer of smear prior to baking can be cut and segregated into small pieces. The food pieces are deposited randomly into an ovenable serving container in such a way as to reduce contact between the smear coated surface(s) of the food pieces. This results in a “pull-apart” food product that can be rapidly microwave heated in the container and served in the container.

Abstract: A tie bar for connecting two horizontal beams includes first and second elongate walls arranged parallel to each other, and a third elongate wall arranged perpendicular to the first and second elongate walls and coupled to a lateral side of each of the first and second elongate walls. The tie bar further includes at least one pair of hook elements positioned at terminal ends of at least one of the first, second, or third elongate walls. Each of the hook elements includes a depending tab configured to be received by an elongate slot of a horizontal beam of a shelving unit. The first and second elongate walls may be top and bottom walls, respectively, the third elongate wall may be a side wall, and the at least one pair of hook elements may include first and second hook elements positioned on the second elongate wall.

Abstract: A modular fiber optic cabling infrastructure system for use in combination with fiber optic cabling, connecting hardware and at least one corresponding transitionary device includes a chassis enclosure surrounding a cavity and forming a plurality of orifices for supporting incoming and exiting fiber optic cabling connections; a plurality of unique integration plates each being sized and configured for selective attachment to at least one of the plurality of orifices and each including a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of each of the plurality of unique integration plates forming an o-ring groove along a perimeter zone of the bottom surface, and wherein each of the plurality of unique integration plates is structured and disposed for supporting a corresponding style of connecting hardware; an o-ring sized for congruent receipt within the o-ring groove; and wherein each of the plurality of unique integration plates is selectively interchangeable.

Abstract: A tie bar for connecting two horizontal beams includes first and second elongate walls arranged parallel to each other, and a third elongate wall arranged perpendicular to the first and second elongate walls and coupled to a lateral side of each of the first and second elongate walls. The tie bar further includes at least one pair of hook elements positioned at terminal ends of at least one of the first, second, or third elongate walls. Each of the hook elements includes a depending tab configured to be received by an elongate slot of a horizontal beam of a shelving unit. The first and second elongate walls may be top and bottom walls, respectively, the third elongate wall may be a side wall, and the at least one pair of hook elements may include first and second hook elements positioned on the second elongate wall.

Abstract: A variable configuration shelving apparatus including shelf-supporting reversible beams. In one position, beam top edges are flush with a shelf thereon. In another position, the beams form upstanding lips about a shelf. Beam structure is included.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of table-top display devices for displaying advertising content associated with advertiser to patrons of a business establishment. Each of the plurality of table-top display devices includes a display screen configured to display the advertising content, a data storage configured to store content data that defines the advertising or promotional content, and a control unit configured to access the content data in the data storage and control the display of the advertising content on the display screen. The display screen is a touchscreen display. The system also includes a server subsystem configured to allow user selection of the content data and to facilitate distribution of the content data to the plurality of table-top display devices. Distribution of the advertising content to the plurality of table-top display devices is at least partially managed by the advertiser.