Abstract: A method of updating templates includes maintaining libraries of the templates at a lifecycle management server to track versions and locations of the templates respectively stored in source, development, testing, and production data centers, copying a first template from the source data center to the development data center, storing the first template that has been updated at the development data center in the testing data center and performing unit testing on the updated first template at the testing data center, and upon successful unit testing, copying the updated first template from the development data center to the source data center and releasing the updated first template into production by storing the updated first template in the production data center. The library of the templates indicates the first template, prior to the update, as a first version, and after the update, as a later, second version.

Abstract: A method of updating templates includes maintaining libraries of the templates at a lifecycle management server to track versions and locations of the templates respectively stored in source, development, testing, and production data centers, copying a first template from the source data center to the development data center, storing the first template that has been updated at the development data center in the testing data center and performing unit testing on the updated first template at the testing data center, and upon successful unit testing, copying the updated first template from the development data center to the source data center and releasing the updated first template into production by storing the updated first template in the production data center. The library of the templates indicates the first template, prior to the update, as a first version, and after the update, as a later, second version.

Abstract: Ride-on devices are disclosed. The ride-on device may include a deck having a top surface and a bottom surface and at least two wheels attached to the bottom surface of the deck. The deck includes a bulk flexible material having a first stiffness and at least two resilient members extending in a fore-aft direction and having a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness. The bulk flexible material may be a polymer, such as a thermoplastic, and the resilient members may be formed of a fiber composite, such as a fiberglass or carbon composite. The resilient members may be formed integral with the base or may be attached in a separate process. One resilient member may extend along an outer edge on a port side of the deck and another resilient member may extend along an outer edge on a starboard side of the deck.

Abstract: A scooter is provided. The scooter may include a front wheel assembly, a pair of connector elements, and a pair of rear wheel caster assemblies. The pair of connector elements may be cooperable with the front wheel assembly for lateral movement relative thereto. Each of the pair of rear wheel caster assemblies may be secured to a rear portion of one of the connector elements and may have a caster defining a caster axis and a rear wheel mounted for rotation to the caster. The front wheel assembly and connector elements may be arranged with one another such that adjustment of a height of a front portion of each of the connector elements adjusts an angle of the respective caster axis relative to an underlying surface. The scooter may include a lock mechanism to selectively engage the connector elements and to facilitate transition between multiple types of scooter movement.

Abstract: A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.

Abstract: A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.

Abstract: A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.

Abstract: A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.

Abstract: A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for overcoming the inefficiencies associated with inter-buffer data transfers between separate processing components such as kernel mode drivers that are chained together. Provided is a standard mechanism for allocating and managing data buffers needed for processing data in a system, wherein multiple drivers are chained together using a standardized connection method in the connection pin instances. Drivers having different buffer requirements and capabilities may be queried and matched for easy data transition between the chained drivers requiring the least number of buffers and, hence the least expensive yet most efficient inter-buffer data transfer. Examples of buffer requirements include previous frame storage for adaptive processing, byte alignment, frame size, outstanding frames allowed, etc. The buffer requirements of an input connection pin instance may be queried by an application initializing the chained drivers.

Abstract: This invention involves user mode proxy of kernel mode operations in a computer operating system. The broad contours of the invention allow drivers operating in the kernel mode of an operating system to be proxied by a corresponding user mode object. A user mode process wishing to communicate with or manipulate the kernel mode driver may perform such communication or manipulation by communicating with or manipulating the corresponding user mode proxy. The present invention has particular applicability to emerging operating systems which allow kernel mode drivers to be interconnected in order to create a processing stream in the kernel where data is passed from kernel mode driver to kernel mode driver without transitioning to user mode. User mode proxy of such kernel mode drivers allows user mode processes to manipulate such kernel mode drivers using familiar user mode protocols without the necessity of learning new kernel mode protocols.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for overcoming the inefficiencies associated with inter-buffer data transfers between separate processing components such as kernel mode drivers that are chained together. Provided is a standard mechanism for allocating and managing data buffers needed for processing data in a system, wherein multiple drivers are chained together using a standardized connection method in the connection pin instances. Drivers having different buffer requirements and capabilities may be queried and matched for easy data transition between the chained drivers requiring the least number of buffers and, hence the least expensive yet most efficient inter-buffer data transfer. Examples of buffer requirements include previous frame storage for adaptive processing, byte alignment, frame size, outstanding frames allowed, etc. The buffer requirements of an input connection pin instance may be queried by an application initializing the chained drivers.

Abstract: A method and computer program product are presented that overcome the inefficiencies in user mode processing of multimedia data by allowing an application running as a user mode process simply to start and connect multiple blocks of kernel mode functionality in the form of drivers or filters (separate logical blocks of driver executable code). Once the kernel mode filters are set up and connected, the user mode application need not be active until notified by the filters. Such notification may occur at the end of processing or at any relevant event chosen by the application as part of the filter initiation and set up. Furthermore, a user mode application may query a kernel mode filter or driver of its capabilities and requirements so that it may properly make the connections between the different filters chained together to process a stream of data and request appropriate notifications. These connection may represent actual driver to driver data exchange, or remote connections.

Abstract: A water toy apparatus includes an elongated buoyant torso having first and second ends. A head is defined on the first end of the torso. First and second arms are connected to an intermediate location on the torso. The first and second arms include first and second manually squeezable pump bulbs each of which has an inlet and an outlet. A discharge conduit has a first end communicated with the outlets of the first and second pump bulbs, and has a second end terminating in the head, so that upon squeezing the pump bulbs water is squirted out of the head.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for synchronizing processing between two or more data streams (e.g., video and sound input) and for rate matching between two different hardware clocks that may drift with respect to one another (e.g., an originating clock represented in a timestamped data stream versus a clock actually rendering the data) in a system of interconnected software drivers running in kernel mode. The present invention overcomes the coordination complexity and inaccuracies in the prior art by providing a clocking mechanism in a system wherein multiple drivers having input and output connection pin instances are chained together. The clocking mechanism synchronizes between data streams by providing a master clock on an input pin instance of a driver that is used to synchronize with other input pin instances on other drivers and "slave" clocks.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an illuminated ball. The illuminated ball has a translucent core which is, in the preferred embodiment, made of polyurethane which is translucent. Integrally molded with the shell is a component tree or light source having branches extending from the center. At the tip of each of these branches is placed a high density LED light. A plug is provided on an lower side of the ball to allow access to the light assembly and to allow the battery to be changed. On an upper side of the ball there is placed a power switch which allows the light to be turned on and off.

Abstract: A novel recreational game includes in combination a shield and a dart both including one-half of a structure for retaining the dart on the shield when the dart is thrown towards the shield. The dart is provided with an enlarged front head with an impact surface. The enlarged front head is weighted relative to the rest of the dart so that regardless of how it is thrown, the impact surface is in position to contact the shield when thrown towards the shield.

Abstract: Described is a process for augmenting or enhancing the aroma of a dryer-added fabric softener article comprising the step of intimately admixing with the coating composition for the outer coating of said dryer-added fabric softener article an aroma augmenting or enhancing quantity of at least one tricyclic ketone having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 lower alkyl.

Abstract: Described are compounds covered by the generic structure. ##STR1## where one, two or all of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen or lower alkyl of from 1 up to 3 carbon atoms; a process for preparing same using compounds having the generic structure; ##STR2## where one of the dashed lines is a carbon-carbon double bond and the other of the dashed lines represents carbon-carbon single bonds and organoleptic uses thereof in perfumes, colognes, perfumed articles such as anionic, cationic and non-ionic detergents, cosmetic powders and dryer-added fabric softener articles, as well as in smoking tobaccos and smoking tobacco articles, e.g., the body of smoking tobacco, the wrapper or the filter therefor.