Abstract: A method for measuring and cutting a tile. The method including: laying tiles other than the tile to be cut to define a space corresponding to the tile to be cut; arranging a plurality of pieces in the space to cover at least a portion of a surface area of the space, the plurality of pieces sticking together to form a tile blank; removing the tile blank from the space; and transferring dimensions of the tile blank to an uncut tile. Also provided is a kit for measuring a tile. The kit including a plurality of flat pieces, the plurality of flat pieces being formed in at least one of a plurality of different shapes and a plurality of different sizes, the plurality of flat pieces being capable of sticking to each other.

Abstract: A dressing for covering a wound. The dressing including: a first component having a first shape with a first dimension; a second component releasably attached to a first surface of the first component to maintain the first component in a second shape different from the first shape, the second shape having a second dimension longer than the first dimension; and an adhesive disposed on a surface of the first component different from the first surface for attaching the first component to the wound such that the second component can be released from the first component to allow the first component to take the first shape to apply a pressure to portions of the skin surrounding the wound to close the wound. Wherein the first and second dimensions are a length in more than one direction.

Abstract: A portable electrical generator including: a housing; a generator disposed within the housing and operable by a user from outside the housing to generate electrical energy; an output for outputting the energy from the generator to another device; and a connector to connect the housing to an other device or an article of clothing. The generator can include a cord having a portion within the housing and a portion movable outside the housing and connected to the generator such that pulling the cord to move the movable portion away from the housing produces the energy. The output and the connector can include contacts disposed on an external surface of the housing where the contacts can be magnetic contacts for releasably connecting the housing to mating magnetic contacts on the other device or the article of clothing.

Abstract: A defrost indicator including: a body member defining a cavity; two or more fluids, each having one or more of a different composition or characteristic; and wherein when the two or more fluids are exposed to a predetermined temperature, the two or more fluids mix or interact to produce a different composition or characteristic.

Abstract: A method for preventing holding of one or more of a hot liquid or hot food in a utensil. The method including: configuring a utensil portion for holding one or more of a liquid or food to have a first orientation relative to a handle portion when a temperature of a shape memory alloy neck portion connecting the utensil portion to the handle portion is below a transition temperature and changing the orientation of the utensil portion relative to the handle portion to a second orientation when the temperature of the shape memory alloy neck portion is greater than the transition temperature so as to not hold the liquid or food.

Abstract: A device and method for retrofitting a light fixture from a conventional fluorescent or tube or metal halide lamp, to use with a light emitting diode (LED) based lamp assembly. The lamp fixture has a magnetized flat wall curved extending outer from the base. The (LED) based lamp assembly includes a magnetized annular outer wall having a shaped outside surface that is placed into direct surface contact with the inner surface of the existing fixture, to provide an effective heat-dissipating interface to dissipate heat away from the LED module. The (LED)-based lamp assembly can direct light to 130 degrees. The (LED)-based lamp assembly provides a power source connection to the existing fixtures power source and direct connect via by means male/female connector of a novel clip.

Abstract: A method for calculating a rate of UV radiation absorbed by a user's skin including: capturing image data of an area of the user's skin; determining a skin tone of the user's skin based on the captured image data; calculating a rate of UV radiation absorption for the determined skin tone; measuring an amount of UV radiation exposed to the user's skin; and calculating a rate of UV radiation that would be absorbed by the user's skin based on the user's skin tone and the amount of UV radiation exposed to the user's skin. The method can further comprise calculating an amount of time that the user can be exposed to the amount of UV radiation exposed to the user's skin based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria can at least include an SPF level of sunscreen applied to the user's skin.

Abstract: A method for providing actuation thrust to a projectile. The method including: providing two or more individual actuators movably disposed in a stack housing, each of the two or more individual actuators being separated by a separation layer; accelerating exhaust from the two or more individual actuators with an accelerating nozzle having at least a convergent section terminating at a throat; and maintaining a constant volume in the accelerating nozzle after actuation of each of the two or more individual actuators.

Abstract: A defrost indicator including: a body member, at least a portion of which is capable of having a restrained shape or size and an unrestrained shape of size; and an indicia disposed on at least one surface of the body member, an appearance of the indicia being different in the restrained shape or size than in the unrestrained shape or size; wherein the body member is restrained into the restrained shape by freezing one or more liquids associated with the body member.

Abstract: A method for automated treatment of an area of skin of a patient with laser energy. The method including: identifying the area to be treated with the laser; modeling the identified area of the skin to be treated; and controlling the laser to direct laser energy to within the modeled area of the skin.

Abstract: A method for measuring and cutting a tile. The method including: laying tiles other than the tile to be cut to define a space corresponding to the tile to be cut; arranging a plurality of pieces in the space to cover at least a portion of a surface area of the space, the plurality of pieces sticking together to form a tile blank; removing the tile blank from the space; and transferring dimensions of the tile blank to an uncut tile. Also provided is a kit for measuring a tile. The kit including a plurality of flat pieces, the plurality of flat pieces being formed in at least one of a plurality of different shapes and a plurality of different sizes, the plurality of flat pieces being capable of sticking to each other.

Abstract: A device for automatically paying a fee. The device including: a transponder for emitting an identifying signal responsive to a signal from a fee payment system; a storage device for storing fee payment system information to be emitted in the identifying signal; a display for displaying fee payment information; and a processor for controlling the transponder, storage device and display. Where at least one of the storage device, display or processor is used for both operation of the transponder and for operation of at least one additional function of the device. The device can be one of a cellular phone, pad computer, GPS device, laptop computer and computer. Furthermore, at least one of the transponder, storage device, display and processor can be provided in one of the devices and the other of the transponder, storage device, display and processor can be provided in another device.

Abstract: A method for automatically paying a fee and for performing at least one additional function with a device. The method including: emitting an identifying signal from a transponder responsive to a signal from a fee payment system; storing fee payment system information in a storage device to be emitted in the identifying signal; displaying fee payment information on a display; and electronically controlling the transponder, storage device and display. Where at least one of the storage device, display or processor is used for both the operation of the transponder and for operation of the at least one additional function of the device.

Abstract: A method for igniting a thermal battery upon a predetermined acceleration event. The method including: rotatably connecting a striker mass to a base; aligning a first projection on the striker mass with a second projection on the base such that when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; and preventing impact of the first and second projections unless the predetermined acceleration event is experienced.

Abstract: A method is provided for optically providing at least one of power and data to a projectile from an external optical source. The method including: outputting an optical signal from an external optical source into an interior of the projectile; receiving the optical signal in the interior of projectile and at least one of converting the optical signal to electrical energy and storing data provided in the optical signal. The electrical energy can be provided to the one or more electronic components and/or energy storage medium disposed on the interior of the projectile. The data provided in the optical signal can be provided to a data storage medium disposed on the interior of the projectile.

Abstract: A method for igniting a thermal battery upon a predetermined acceleration event. The method including: rotatably connecting a striker mass to a base; aligning a first projection on the striker mass with a second projection on the base such that when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; and preventing impact of the first and second projections unless the predetermined acceleration event is experienced.

Abstract: A method for igniting a thermal battery upon a predetermined acceleration event. The method including: rotatably connecting a striker mass to a base; aligning a first projection on the striker mass with a second projection on the base such that when the striker mass is rotated towards the base, the first projection impacts the second projection; and preventing impact of the first and second projections unless the predetermined acceleration event is experienced.

Abstract: A device and method for retrofitting a light fixture from a conventional fluorescent or tube or metal halide lamp, to use with a light emitting diode (LED) based lamp assembly. The lamp fixture has a magnetized flat wall curved extending outer from the base. The (LED) based lamp assembly includes a magnetized annular outer wall having a shaped outside surface that is placed into direct surface contact with the inner surface of the existing fixture, to provide an effective heat-dissipating interface to dissipate heat away from the LED module. The (LED)-based lamp assembly can direct light to 130 degrees. The (LED)-based lamp assembly provides a power source connection to the existing fixtures power source and direct connect via by means male/female connector of a novel clip.

Abstract: A defrost indicator including: a body member defining a cavity; two or more fluids, each having one or more of a different composition or characteristic; and wherein when the two or more fluids are exposed to a predetermined temperature, the two or more fluids mix or interact to produce a different composition or characteristic.

Abstract: A defrost indicator including: a body member, at least a portion of which is capable of having a restrained shape or size and an unrestrained shape of size; and an indicia disposed on at least one surface of the body member, an appearance of the indicia being different in the restrained shape or size than in the unrestrained shape or size; wherein the body member is restrained into the restrained shape by freezing one or more liquids associated with the body member.