Abstract: An oral care implement that emits a scent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a toothbrush comprising: a base component having a gripping region and an oral engaging region, wherein said base component comprises a first scenting agent; and a second component covering at least a portion of said base component in said gripping region, to control a rate of release of said first scenting agent from said base component in said gripping region.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a releasable material (e.g., an oral medicament) and a tissue cleanser for cleaning the soft tissues and removing odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. In one arrangement, the releasable material is disposed on the surface of the tissue cleanser. In one arrangement, the releasable material is disposed behind the tissue cleanser. In one arrangement, the releasable material is incorporated in the composition of the tissue cleanser.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a releasable sensory material that invokes a sensory response when in contact with tissues or surfaces of a mouth of a user. In one embodiment, an element is provided that is visually indicative of the sensory response. The oral care implement may also include a soft tissue cleaner provided with the sensory material.

Abstract: The invention relates to solution-processable, p-type, low-optical gap oligothiophene compounds for use in solar cell application, comprising at least one thiophene-containing group, at least one electron-withdrawing dicyanovinyl or tricyanovinyl group, and at least one electron-donating diphenylaminofluorenyl or N-alkylcarbazole group.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a releasable sensory material that invokes a sensory response when in contact with tissues or surfaces of a mouth of a user. In one embodiment, an element is provided that is visually indicative of the sensory response. The oral care implement may also include a soft tissue cleaner provided with the sensory material.

Abstract: An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a releasable material (e.g., an oral medicament) and a tissue cleaner for cleaning the soft tissues and removing odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. In one arrangement, the releasable material is disposed on the surface of the tissue cleaner. In one arrangement, the releasable material is disposed behind the tissue cleaner. In one arrangement, the releasable material is incorporated in the composition of the tissue cleaner.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for an LED lighting device. The LED lighting device includes a light emission section and a heat dissipation section. The lighting device has opposite ends each provided with the fastener. The fastener has a base that includes a retention section and first and support sections extending upward therefrom. The first and second support sections are arranged at opposite sides of the retention section. The first and second support sections each have a top end forming a flat top surface. The retention section includes a pawl. Two fasteners are coupled to the opposite ends of the LED lighting device so that the LED lighting device can be independently mounted to positioning rails. When the LED lighting device gets broken, it only needs to remove the LED lighting device alone for replacement. In this way, the operation of replacement and maintenance of the LED lighting device is simplified.

Abstract: Described herein are dental floss compositions comprising an elastomeric matrix containing one or more particles, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Toothbrushes comprising components with light transmitting and structural characteristics provide enhanced visual and other sensory effects. The components in combination are generally chemically compatible and function to provide areas of varying visibility of features and optionally varying scent release.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus that interacts with a user and a personal computer (PC) receives inputs from a user and from the PC and reacts and interacts. The interactive apparatus includes a USB interface with the PC to receive power and data such as key strokes, key combinations, email notifications, and web cam events, for example. The interactive apparatus also includes microphones and a phototransistor to detect sounds and movement. The interactive apparatus includes an eye assembly attached to a body and leg, which is responsive to inputs and interactions with the user and PC.

Abstract: An interactive robotic apparatus that interacts with a user, especially an elderly individual to provide companionship and comfort. The interactive apparatus receives inputs from the user and reacts and interacts. The interactive robotic apparatus includes microphones and a phototransistor to detect sounds and movement. The interactive robotic apparatus also includes a speaker to generate sounds responsive to the interaction with the user and exhibits a breathing animation and heartbeat.

Abstract: A turbine airfoil includes an airfoil body with a leading edge, trailing edge, and an exterior surface including a suction side and a pressure side located opposite to the suction side. The exterior surface shows away from the interior of the airfoil body. A thermal barrier coating system is present on the exterior surface of the airfoil body in a coated surface region. The airfoil also includes an uncoated surface region where a thermal barrier coating system is not present. The uncoated region extends on the suction side of the exterior surface from the trailing edge towards the leading edge to a boundary line between the coated surface region and the uncoated surface region, wherein the boundary line is located on the suction side between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The airfoil body also includes a step in the exterior surface extending along the boundary line.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a material that invokes a sensory response when in contact with tissues or surfaces of a mouth of a user. In one embodiment, the material is provided in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape indicative of visually communicating the response to the user. The oral care implement may also include a soft tissue cleaner provided with the sensory material.

Abstract: A system (10) for relaxation, the system (10) comprising: electrodes (15) worn by a user to measure the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the user; a processor (18) to process the ECG to remove noise and analyse the ECG signal in the time and frequency domains, and compute an index of stress (33) from the processed ECG; and a multimedia device (14) to provide real-time biofeedback by communicating the index of stress (33) to the user together with a relaxation video (31) to cause the user to relax.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and computer readable media for upgrading firmware stored in a non-volatile memory, in phases, and restoring firmware in-situ to compensate for failed firmware upgrades. In various embodiments, methods and computer readable media can upgrade and restore the firmware as the non-volatile memory remains functioning. In one embodiment, a method includes designating a first copy of firmware for accessing, and designating a second copy of the firmware for upgrading. The method continues by accessing one or more firmware instructions from the first copy. It also can include upgrading at least a portion of the second copy with at least a portion of new firmware. Upgrading the second copy can be coincident or substantially coincident to accessing the one or more firmware instructions in the first copy.

Abstract: Toothbrushes comprising components with light transmitting and structural characteristics provide enhanced visual and other sensory effects. The components in combination are generally chemically compatible and function to provide areas of varying visibility of features. At least one of the components may include a scenting agent.

Abstract: A pick tool for picking a planar object from a supply station is presented, in particular to be used for picking a semiconductor die from a carrier tape, said pick tool comprising: a work surface, said work surface comprising at least one contact region that may be brought into contact with a first surface on a first side of the planar object; one or more vacuum outlets in the work surface that may be connected to a vacuum source to allow for temporarily fixing the planar object to the work surface; and wherein a flexible seal is provided to maintain vacuum if the planar object becomes deformed.

Abstract: In a system for protecting a user from injury sustained during sleep, a sensing device is operated to automatically monitor orientation or posture of a user during sleep of the user. A signal is transmitted from the sensing device to a control unit, which is operated to activate an appliance so that the appliance generates an alert signal upon detection by the sensing device and control unit of an undesirable orientation or posture of the user.

Abstract: An adjustable contour mattress is provided with a multiplicity of zones each having a mattress height independently adjustable by a respective electro-mechanical actuator. The actuators are disposed within the mattress between a lower panel member and an upper mattress layer. A control unit is connected to the actuators for operating them to alternately raise and lower respective zones of the upper mattress layer. A remote control is operatively connected to the control unit and includes command input elements enabling an individual user to selectively operate the actuators independently of other ones of the actuators, whereby the user can adjust heights of the zones independently of one another.