Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a contaminant resistant structure includes a substrate having a substrate surface, at least one contaminant resistant material provided on the substrate surface and a hydrophobic or oleophobic, and alternatively, a hydrophilic or oleophilic material provided on at least a portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: One robotic destination dispatch system for elevators comprises a destination dispatch module configured to determine an optimal elevator for a passenger. The robotic destination dispatch system includes a guide robot in wireless data communication with the destination dispatch module. The guide robot has a processor in communication with a propelling device, a sensory device, and a memory comprising software. The software includes computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to: (a) implement an auction-based scheduling algorithm; (b) determine an identity of the passenger; (c) receive from the destination dispatch module the optimal elevator for the passenger; and (d) activate the propelling device to cause the guide robot to move and physically guide the passenger to the optimal elevator.

Abstract: A system for regulating pressure in one or more vessels by adapting a fluid input to receive a fluid from a fluid source such as an air compressor at a constant pressure. At least one fluid outlet assembly is used to attach the system to a vessel such as a bike tire, ball, or car tire. At least one controllable valve is used to couple the fluid outlet assembly to the fluid input, the valve is controllable to pulsate air going through it, check the new pressure in the vessel, and either continue to increase pressure in the vessel, decrease pressure, or stop inflating. A pressure sensor corresponding to a fluid outlet assembly adaptable to provide pressure values from each vessel to a controller. The controller receives at least one desired pressure input, compares that value to the pressure value from the at least one pressure sensor, and selectively energizes the controllable valve to adjust the pressure in the corresponding vessel until the pressure within the vessel is equal to the desired pressure.

Abstract: A system for determining tension in a suspended rope includes an acceleration measuring device for measuring the acceleration of rope movement and an adapter for attaching the acceleration measuring device to the suspended rope. The system optionally includes a user device communicatively coupled to the acceleration measuring device. The user device computes rope tension based on the measured acceleration. The acceleration measuring device and user device can be combined into a single smart device. Examples of the system can accurately determine the tension in ropes used to suspend an elevator cabin, allowing a field technician to tighten the ropes to equal tension and to determine the weight of the cabin. In turn, a smoother and more secure operation of the elevator can be achieved.

Abstract: A software tool configured on a mobile device can be executed while ascending in an elevator car, causing the device to utilize one or more sensor capabilities, such as an accelerometer or microphone, to capture data relating to the ascent. Captured data can be filtered, manipulated, and combined to generate scores relating to one or more aspects of the elevator car's performance. Scores and captured data can be saved, reviewed and shared via the device.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a contaminant resistant structure includes a substrate having a substrate surface, at least one contaminant resistant material provided on the substrate surface and a hydrophobic or oleophobic, and alternatively, a hydrophilic or oleophilic material provided on at least a portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method of detecting, comparing, blocking, and eliminating spam emails sent through email servers of Internet service providers (ISPs) or to email users' email-boxes. The method includes the steps of generating a spam decipher signature for each email in an ISP's mail server or a user's email-box, comparing newly generated spam decipher signatures to a server or user database containing spam decipher signatures of known spam emails to detect spam emails when there is a probability match at a pre-determined high percentage, and preventing the spam emails from going through the ISP's mail server or to the email user as non-spam emails.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a financial services pricing process. The method includes the steps of receiving data in at least one input file of a pricing process summary tool from at least one data source and generating a waterfall based on the data received. The step of generating the waterfall includes measuring predetermined pricing metrics using the received data, and graphing the predetermined pricing metrics. The waterfall identifies the present value of each of the predetermined pricing metrics in relation to others of the predetermined pricing metrics.