Abstract: A rotatable coupling for a vacuum cleaner is described. The rotatable coupling includes: an inner conduit having an outer surface; a compressible strip disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit; an outer conduit adapted to snugly fit over the strip and the first conduit. The rotatable coupling can include a non-reactive high-viscosity lubricant disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit adjacent the strip. The outer conduit of the coupling can be rotatable about the inner conduit and an interference fit is formed between the inner conduit and the outer conduit.

Abstract: An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.

Abstract: Abstract Compounds of a formula entitled, trans-4-[[(5S)-5-[[[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]methyl](2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)amino]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7,9-dimethyl-1H-1-benzazepin-1-yl]methyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, as a free acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, hydrate, and hydrate in crystalline form; pharmaceutical formulations; and methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection apparatuses and devices, and methods related to communication in and with the same. One such micro-fluid ejection apparatus includes a controller configured to generate a data signal, and a transmitter configured to convert the data signal to a current signal. The apparatus further includes a conductor capable of carrying the current signal, and a receiver configured to receive the current signal from the conductor and to convert the current signal to a second data signal. The micro-fluid ejection apparatus is configured to operate on the second data signal. In one embodiment, the micro-fluid ejection apparatus may be a printing apparatus, such as an inkjet printing apparatus. In some embodiments, the current signal comprises a pair of corresponding differential current signals and/or current transfer logic signals offset from a base amperage level.

Abstract: A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treadmill belt with foamed cushion layer and method of making same. In one embodiment, the treadmill belt includes a fabric base layer and a foamed cushion layer foamed on and integral with the fabric base layer. The foamed cushion layer includes a thermoplastic composition and has a Shore A hardness of about 20 to about 80. In one example, the first foamed cushion layer is from about 0.05 inches to about 0.35 inches thick. The thermoplastic composition, prior to being foamed, includes about 1 part to about 5 parts of a foaming agent, e.g., a chemical foaming agent, based on 100 parts thermoplastic material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. An outer wear layer is securely adhered on the foamed cushion layer to sandwich the foamed cushion layer between the fabric base layer and outer wear layer thereby defining the treadmill belt.

Abstract: A steerable vacuum cleaner and a method to steer the vacuum is described. The vacuum cleaner include: a base; a handle having a longitudinal axis and including a conduit; and a rotatable coupling pivotally attached between the base and the handle, with the coupling defining an air channel for providing a flow of air from the base to the conduit in the handle. The base of the vacuum rotates about the longitudinal axis while pushing the vacuum by twisting the handle. The rotatable coupling of the vacuum cleaner includes: an inner conduit having an outer surface; a compressible strip disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit, wherein the strip is disposed the outer surface of the inner conduit; an outer conduit adapted to snugly fit over the strip and the first conduit; and a non-reactive high-viscosity lubricant disposed on the outer surface of the inner conduit adjacent the strip.

Abstract: An earpiece (100) and a method (640) for acoustic management of multiple microphones is provided. The method can include capturing an ambient acoustic signal from an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) to produce an electronic ambient signal, capturing in an ear canal an internal sound from an Ear Canal Microphone (ECM) to produce an electronic internal signal, measuring a background noise signal, and mixing the electronic ambient signal with the electronic internal signal in a ratio dependent on the background noise signal to produce a mixed signal. The mixing can adjust an internal gain of the electronic internal signal and an external gain of the electronic ambient signal based on the background noise characteristics. The mixing can account for an acoustic attenuation level and an audio content level of the earpiece. Other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.

Abstract: The present invention is a flush unit that can quickly and safely connect to a conventional soda fountain dispenser for cleaning the drain system of the dispenser. The flush unit comprises a one-piece unitary flush block or housing, a flexible hose, and a nozzle. The flush block comprises a fluid conduit having a water inlet port and a water outlet port. The flush block further comprises a plug port for plugging the syrup outlet port of a conventional back block. The water inlet and plug ports are spaced to engage with the water and syrup outlet ports, respectively, of the back block. The flush block further comprises a fastener adapted to engage with a fastener of the back block. The flexible hose has a first end connected by a fastener to the water outlet port of the flush block and a second end connected to the nozzle. The present invention allows a person to quickly connect the flush unit to a conventional dispenser and flush the drain system of the dispenser using its own hydrostatic water source.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a payload control system for a machine having traction devices. The payload control system may have a force sensor configured to measure a force transmitted through the traction devices. The payload control system may also have a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine. The payload control system may further have a controller in communication with the force sensor and the speed sensor. The controller may be configured to modify a weight limit of the machine based on the measured force and the measured speed.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for creating a static dictionary in which longer byte-strings are preferred. To that end, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, a new heuristic is defined to replace the aforementioned frequency count metric used to record the number of times a particular node in a data tree is visited. The new heuristic is based on counting the number of times an end-node of a particular byte-string is visited, while not incrementing a count for nodes storing characters in the middle of the byte-string as often as each time such nodes are visited. The result is an occurrence count metric that favors longer byte-strings, by being biased towards not incrementing the respective occurrence count values for nodes storing characters in the middle of a byte-string.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying events that impact aircraft availability. Operational data, maintenance data, supply data, and provisioning data are collected for a plurality of aircraft from a plurality of sources to form collected data. The collected data is processed to form processed data containing a plurality of events, wherein the processed data is in a form needed to perform an analysis on the aircraft availability for the plurality of aircraft. A set of metrics relating to the aircraft availability for the plurality of aircraft is calculated from the processed data to form a set of calculated metrics. A set of trends relating to the set of calculated metrics affecting availability of the plurality of aircraft is identified.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner attachment and a method of control of the vacuum cleaner attachment are described. The vacuum cleaner attachment comprises an ultraviolet light source to irradiate and disinfect various cleaning surfaces. Various embodiments of the attachment include one or more safety features concerning activation, enabling, and disabling of the ultraviolet light source based on various parameters such as distance between the attachment and a cleaning surface, time that such a distance is greater than a predetermined time period, and temperature of the ultraviolet light source in order to enable safe and effective operation of the attachment.

Abstract: A machine data acquisition system is disclosed. The data acquisition system may include a sensor disposed on a machine and configured to produce a signal indicative of an operational parameter of the machine. The system may also include a data processor and controller configured to convert the signal into a plurality of parameter data points. The system may further include a primary data circular buffer disposed on the machine and configured to store the plurality of parameter data points. Additionally, a variable resolution circular buffer may be disposed on the machine and configured to store a compressed parameter data point calculated from the plurality of parameter data points.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for searching microblog entries. The microblog entries may be generated through a single microblog website or across multiple microblog sites. Upon receiving a search input, a series of microblog entries responsive to the search input may be displayed to the user. The displayed microblog entries may be the most recently generated microblog entries that are responsive to the search input. In another embodiment, the microblog entries returned are a best match to the search criteria, which may be based on a user authority score for a user that drafted a microblog entry and additional characteristics of the microblog entry.

Abstract: Adapters and methods related to aeration applications. An adapter for use in water treatment applications. The adapter includes a generally circular member for conversion of an aeration diffuser holder from a membrane diffuser element holder to a ceramic diffuser element holder. The generally circular member includes a top adapted to receive a retaining ring, a bottom adapted to receive an aeration diffuser holder, a diameter adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element, and a height adapted to receive a ceramic diffuser element.

Abstract: A method for modeling the performance of a gas turbine engine is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature of a printhead by configuring its I/O pad to multitask. In one embodiment of the invention, a system includes an I/O pad affixed to the printhead to supply a signal to a circuit disposed on the printhead, a controller to interrupt the supply of the signal to the circuit when the temperature of the printhead exceeds a predetermined value, a drive mechanism to drive the I/O pad to a ground level when the temperature of the printhead falls back below the predetermined value, and a polling circuit to measure an electric level of the I/O pad such that the controller reestablishes the supply of the signal to the circuit when a ground level is measured by the polling circuit thereby providing an efficient way to constantly monitor and control the temperature of the printhead.

Abstract: Pneumatic rubber tire with an outer, circumferential tread comprised of specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber based silica/carbon black reinforced rubber composition.