Abstract: An illuminated coaster comprising a plurality of light emitters, and a control unit associated with the illuminated coaster are provided. The control unit comprises a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The control unit comprises a processor in communication with the memory, the processor being configured to execute the computer-executable instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to detect presence of a container on the coaster, estimate a volume of liquid within the container present on the coaster, and activate a plurality of light emitters to emit one of a light of first color, a light of second color, or a light of third color based on the estimate volume of liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for a controller of economizers operatively connected to HVAC equipment. The controller is adapted to maintain the temperature within a facility based on inside air setpoints and outside air setpoints. The controller receives inside air temperature readings and compares them to inside air setpoints in order to determine the cooling demand for the facility. The controller also receives outside air temperature readings and compares them to outside air setpoints in order to determine which economizers may be activated. The outside air setpoints may be dynamically adjusted to adapt and meet the cooling demand of the facility. The controller compares the outside air setpoints to predetermined maximum and minimum setpoints in order to determine whether to adjust the outside air setpoints.

Abstract: A system and method for a controller of economizers operatively connected to HVAC equipment. The controller is adapted to maintain the temperature within a facility based on inside air setpoints and outside air setpoints. The controller receives inside air temperature readings and compares them to inside air setpoints in order to determine the cooling demand for the facility. The controller also receives outside air temperature readings and compares them to outside air setpoints in order to determine which economizers may be activated. The outside air setpoints may be dynamically adjusted to adapt and meet the cooling demand of the facility. The controller compares the outside air setpoints to predetermined maximum and minimum setpoints in order to determine whether to adjust the outside air setpoints.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a portable information device and associated wearable band and, more particularly, to thematic coordination of a portable information device and associated wearable band. One example embodiment includes a portable electronic information device comprising a display and a communication interface configured to receive identification from an attached wearable band—the received identification is used to determine one or more thematic elements intended to correspond with at least one visual attribute of a surface of the wearable band, and one or more of these thematic elements are presented on the information device display. Another example embodiment includes a wearable band comprising an interface configured for electrically coupling to a portable electronic information device—communication over the interface is used by the information device, the wearable band, or both to instantiate thematic coordination between the wearable band and the information device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for securing golf clubs stored in a golf bag so that their tendency to bounce and collide with one another, and thereby produce an undesirable chattering noise, is greatly reduced or eliminated while the golf bag is being carried. The system includes one or more lines or other extended items that make a serpentine path over the top of the golf bag, winding through the golf club shafts. One end of each of the one or more lines is attached to the carrying strap of the golf bag. When the golf bag carrying strap is raised to lift the golf bag off the ground for carrying, tension is placed on the lines and they are caused to retract, securing the clubs against the dividers so that they do not move around and collide with one another as the golf bag is being carried.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate generally to a bottle opener and, more particularly, to a bottle opener for a container and for a drinking vessel lid. One example embodiment includes a container for removing a bottle cap secured to a bottle, with a bottle opener provided on a container lid. Another example embodiment allows a user to remove the bottle cap from the bottle with the bottle opener and then pour a liquid from the bottle into the drinking vessel in substantially one motion. Additionally, a further example embodiment includes a removable lid with a top surface to be used as a coaster for a drinking vessel, and the lid may further include a bottle opener on a bottom surface for removal of the bottle cap from the bottle.

Abstract: An equalizer bar end joint may include a pin defining a longitudinal axis; and a bearing configured to support the pin. The bearing may include an inner race including a bore configured to cooperate with the pin and a semispherical outer surface. The bearing may also include an outer race including a semispherical inner surface, wherein the semispherical inner surface of the outer race is configured to cooperate with the semispherical outer surface of the inner race. A solid lubricant may be disposed about a surface of the bore, and a first seal may be positioned within a first groove disposed about the bore at a first end and a second seal may be positioned within a second groove disposed about the bore at a second end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for securing golf clubs stored in a golf bag so that their tendency to bounce and collide with one another, and thereby produce an undesirable chattering noise, is greatly reduced or eliminated while the golf bag is being carried. The system includes one or more lines or other extended items that make a serpentine path over the top of the golf bag, winding through the golf club shafts. One end of each of the one or more lines is attached to the carrying strap of the golf bag. When the golf bag carrying strap is raised to lift the golf bag off the ground for carrying, tension is placed on the lines and they are caused to retract, securing the clubs against the dividers so that they do not move around and collide with one another as the golf bag is being carried.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: Complex nested if-then statement on data objects in a digital computer are organized as a plurality of logical case statements; for each case statement, a set of binary condition arrays is provided and for each data object a condition set. Case statements are executed on the data objects for which a condition array from the set of binary condition arrays matches the condition set for the data object.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing M application rules across N database instances. N and M are each at least 2. A rule synchronization agent is executed which updates N1 database instances with the M application rules and does not update a remaining N-N1 database instances with the M application rules if N1 is equal to N. N1 is at least 1. If N1 is less than N, then each of the remaining N-N1 database instances include a first and/or second characteristic. The first characteristic is that the remaining database instances include the M application rules upon initiation of the executing. The second characteristic is that the agent is unable to access the remaining database instance during the executing.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying and reporting project completion information of a large-scale project having a number of individual subprojects. A rollup agent is employed for acquiring project completion information from a number of subproject databases to provide overall project-wide display and reporting capabilities. The rollup agent collects and organizes the information, and stores it on a rollup database. The rollup agent also interacts with a user to select aspects of any subprojects to report or display. The rollup agent then creates and stores reports of the selected information, or displays the report interactively as a pop-up summary report or a spreadsheet format report to a user. A number of scheduled agents provide scheduled reporting at the subproject level. A number of on demand agents provides the interactive database view, pop-up reporting and spreadsheet reporting for each of the individual subprojects.

Abstract: A system for managing temporary processing agents. A first code routine is provided as an empty routine in an agent including first executable code, the empty routine consisting of non-executable code. A programming component selectively loads second executable code to the first routine for converting the empty routine to a populated routine. A code element issues a call to the first routine. An agent execution component is responsive to the first routine being a populated routine for executing the second executable code.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for providing revisional delta billing and re-billing in a dynamic project environment. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes capturing data points associated with a first billing at a first point in time, capturing data points associated with a second billing at a second point in time, comparing the data points captured at the first and second points in time; and generating a revisional delta bill based on differences between the data points captured at the first and second points in time.