Abstract: A communications system embodiment including an input device reactive to user input, circuitry, an output device, and an electronic device communicatively connected to the input device and/or the output device is provided. A tangible non-transitory computer readable medium having program instructions executed by a processor for determining a preselected public or private mode, determining a preselected type of communication for receipt, and filtering the communication based on the mode selected and the type of communication selected as well as whether the sender is on a particular contact list. The communications system embodiment may provide for responding to the incoming communication by speech response or via an input device or an output device, to reduce or eliminate the need for a user of the system to view the electronic device or contact the electronic device to receive or send communications, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for hands-free signaling for tracking, locating and/or monitoring a person are provided in embodiments herein. A system including a portable signaling unit comprising an intra-oral element and a sensor for detecting a compressive force from a user is provided in an embodiment herein. The portable signaling unit may be configured to generate a signal in response to the compressive force detected, in one embodiment. The embodiment further includes a relay device configured to transmit a signal from the sensor, a receiver configured to detect the signal from the relay device, and a processor enabled to receive a signal from the receiver, wherein the signal is used to identify and provide information about a location of the portable signaling unit.

Abstract: A mailpiece transfer apparatus uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.

Abstract: Simulating performance of a virtual camera operating inside a 3-D environment having scenes generated for motion pictures and video games including: tracking position and orientation of an object within a physical volume of space; placing the virtual camera within the virtual 3-D environment corresponding to the tracked position of the object within the physical volume of space; capturing shots within a field of view of the virtual camera, wherein the field of view of the virtual camera is measured in accordance with the tracked position and orientation of the object; and displaying the captured shots of the 3-D environment captured with the virtual camera.

Abstract: A mailpiece transfer apparatus uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.

Abstract: A mailpiece transfer system uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.

Abstract: A scraper blade has a tip of hard material and a base of resilient material. The base has at least one concave surface on the front side adjacent to the base and may have an additional concave surface on the back side adjacent to the tip. When the blade is urged against a conveyor belt for removing material, a substantial vertical force created by a significant obstruction on the belt will compress the scraper blade and will cause the blade to deform and move away from the belt until the obstruction has passed. A scraper blade system includes the scraper blade and an adjustment block for holding and adjusting the scraper blade against the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A floating plant culture system has improved strength and durability and includes a substantially planar platform having a length along opposed sides thereof and a width along front and back thereof generally perpendicular to the sides. The platform is adapted for growing a culture of attached plants including micro- and macrophytes thereon. Beneath the platform are affixed a plurality of cells extending in bridging relation to the sides and open at each end adjacent the sides. The cells are placeable in fluid communication with a body of water desired to be remediated. Affixed along at least a portion of the sides extend a pair of opposed hollow beams, for providing flotation to the platform. The beams are also placeable in fluid communication with the body of water, and an upper surface of the platform is floodable by the body of water from beneath for submerging plants attached thereto.

Abstract: A scraper blade has a tip of hard material and a base of resilient material. The base has at least one concave surface on the front side adjacent to the base and may have an additional concave surface on the back side adjacent to the tip. When the blade is urged against a conveyor belt for removing material, a substantial vertical force created by a significant obstruction on the belt will compress the scraper blade and will cause the blade to deform and move away from the belt until the obstruction has passed. A scraper blade system includes the scraper blade and an adjustment block for holding and adjusting the scraper blade against the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A mailpiece transfer system uses a transfer box to unload a plurality of mailpieces from an open tray, while maintaining an orientation alignment of the flat items. The tray is placed in the transfer box, after which the transfer box, holding the tray, is rotated to cause the mailpieces to rest against a cover of the transfer box. The tray is then removed, and the transfer box rotated again, allowing the substantially flat items to rest against a bottom of the transfer box, but without the tray. The mailpieces are then guided to a next workstation. The mailpieces may be edged for delivery to the next workstation.

Abstract: Simulating performance of a virtual camera operating inside a 3-D environment having scenes generated for motion pictures and video games including: tracking position and orientation of an object within a physical volume of space; placing the virtual camera within the virtual 3-D environment corresponding to the tracked position of the object within the physical volume of space; capturing shots within a field of view of the virtual camera, wherein the field of view of the virtual camera is measured in accordance with the tracked position and orientation of the object; and displaying the captured shots of the 3-D environment captured with the virtual camera.

Abstract: A floating plant culture system has improved strength and durability and includes a substantially planar platform having a length along opposed sides thereof and a width along front and back thereof generally perpendicular to the sides. The platform is adapted for growing a culture of attached plants including micro- and macrophytes thereon. Beneath the platform are affixed a plurality of cells extending in bridging relation to the sides and open at each end adjacent the sides. The cells are placeable in fluid communication with a body of water desired to be remediated. Affixed along at least a portion of the sides extend a pair of opposed hollow beams, for providing flotation to the platform. The beams are also placeable in fluid communication with the body of water, and an upper surface of the platform is floodable by the body of water from beneath for submerging plants attached thereto.