Abstract: A knob assembly for operating a heating element for cooking food includes a user-engageable knob having a light guide. The knob assembly also includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing encloses a first switch adapted to operate the heating element, and the second housing encloses a light switch and a light source. The light switch is adapted to operate the light source to illuminate the knob. A rotatable stem is operatively coupled to the first switch, the light switch, and the knob. The knob is thus adapted to operate the first switch and the light switch via rotation thereof. The first housing is longitudinally stacked behind and attached to the second housing such that the stem extends at least partially through the first housing and the second housing. The knob is affixed to an end of the stem that protrudes forward from the second housing.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system and method includes at least one guidance sensor configured to mount on or adjacent to a pantograph along a lateral width of the pantograph. The pantograph installs on a vehicle and conducts electrical energy from a conductive pathway as the vehicle travels along a route. The vehicle guidance system and method includes a controller that receives one or more sensor signals generated by the at least one guidance sensor and determines a lateral position of the conductive pathway relative to the pantograph based on the one or more sensor signals.

Abstract: A system for casual driver ride sharing includes an interface and processor. The interface is to receive a request for a ride from a user, wherein the request includes GPS information for the user. The processor is to determine compatibility between the typical route information and the request for the ride; determine a ranked list based at least in part on the compatibility; and provide a ride offer to a driver of the one or more casual drivers based at least in part on the ranked list.

Abstract: A locator device for alternately locating keys and a mobile computing device includes a housing which houses a processor, a transceiver, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) module. The processor is operatively couped to the transceiver and the GPS module. The processor is configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile computing device via the transceiver. The GPS module is configured to determine location data for the locator device, and the processor is programmed to transmit the location data to the mobile computing device upon receiving a location request signal from the mobile computing device. The location data may be shown by the mobile computing device in the form of an indicator icon on a map and a route which directs a user to the locator device.

Abstract: A system for casual driver ride sharing includes an interface and processor. The interface is to receive a request for a ride from a user, wherein the request includes GPS information for the user. The processor is to determine compatibility between the typical route information and the request for the ride; determine a ranked list based at least in part on the compatibility; and provide a ride offer to a driver of the one or more casual drivers based at least in part on the ranked list.

Abstract: Aspects of present disclosure include devices within a transmission path of streamed content forwarding received data packets of the stream to the next device or “hop” in the path prior to buffering the data packet at the device. In this method, typical buffering of the data stream may therefore occur at the destination device for presentation at a consuming device, while the devices along the transmission path may transmit a received packet before buffering. Further, devices along the path may also buffer the content stream after forwarding to fill subsequent requests for dropped data packets of the content stream. Also, in response to receiving the request for the content stream, a device may first transmit a portion of the contents of the gateway buffer to the requesting device to fill a respective buffer at the receiving device.

Abstract: Aspects of present disclosure include devices within a transmission path of streamed content forwarding received data packets of the stream to the next device or “hop” in the path prior to buffering the data packet at the device. In this method, typical buffering of the data stream may therefore occur at the destination device for presentation at a consuming device, while the devices along the transmission path may transmit a received packet before buffering. Further, devices along the path may also buffer the content stream after forwarding to fill subsequent requests for dropped data packets of the content stream. Also, in response to receiving the request for the content stream, a device may first transmit a portion of the contents of the gateway buffer to the requesting device to fill a respective buffer at the receiving device.

Abstract: A shoe may include an upper portion constructed from a continuous textile (e.g., a knit textile) that includes an elastic region and a structural region. The elastic region may be positioned about a perimeter of an opening into a cavity configured to receive a wearer's foot, and the elastic region may be configured to secure the shoe to a wearer's foot. The elastic region may have a first elasticity that is greater than a second elasticity of the structural region. In an unworn configuration, the elastic region may cause a tread surface of a sole of the shoe to have a continuous curvature. In a worn configuration, substantially all of an intermediate section of the tread surface may contact a surface on which the shoe is placed. The elastic region may improve the performance of the shoe, including the comfort and durability.

Abstract: A shoe may include an upper portion constructed from a continuous textile (e.g., a knit textile) that includes an elastic region and a structural region. The elastic region may be positioned about a perimeter of an opening into a cavity configured to receive a wearer's foot, and the elastic region may be configured to secure the shoe to a wearer's foot. The elastic region may have a first elasticity that is greater than a second elasticity of the structural region. In an unworn configuration, the elastic region may cause a tread surface of a sole of the shoe to have a continuous curvature. In a worn configuration, substantially all of an intermediate section of the tread surface may contact a surface on which the shoe is placed. The elastic region may improve the performance of the shoe, including the comfort and durability.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines that a vehicle is not fully loaded with a payload, determines an upper limit on engine propulsion power for the vehicle that is not fully loaded with the payload, and reduces an engine speed of the vehicle to a determined speed at which a power capability of an engine of the vehicle matches the upper limit on the engine propulsion power of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system and method includes at least one guidance sensor configured to mount on or adjacent to a pantograph along a lateral width of the pantograph. The pantograph installs on a vehicle and conducts electrical energy from a conductive pathway as the vehicle travels along a route. The vehicle guidance system and method includes a controller that receives one or more sensor signals generated by the at least one guidance sensor and determines a lateral position of the conductive pathway relative to the pantograph based on the one or more sensor signals.

Abstract: A system for casual driver ride sharing includes an interface and processor. The interface is to receive a request for a ride from a user, wherein the request includes GPS information for the user. The processor is to determine compatibility between the typical route information and the request for the ride; determine a ranked list based at least in part on the compatibility; and provide a ride offer to a driver of the one or more casual drivers based at least in part on the ranked list.

Abstract: Aspects of present disclosure include devices within a transmission path of streamed content forwarding received data packets of the stream to the next device or “hop” in the path prior to buffering the data packet at the device. In this method, typical buffering of the data stream may therefore occur at the destination device for presentation at a consuming device, while the devices along the transmission path may transmit a received packet before buffering. Further, devices along the path may also buffer the content stream after forwarding to fill subsequent requests for dropped data packets of the content stream. Also, in response to receiving the request for the content stream, a device may first transmit a portion of the contents of the gateway buffer to the requesting device to fill a respective buffer at the receiving device.

Abstract: A system for casual driver ride sharing includes an interface and processor. The interface is to receive a request for a ride from a user, wherein the request includes GPS information for the user. The processor is to determine compatibility between the typical route information and the request for the ride; determine a ranked list based at least in part on the compatibility; and provide a ride offer to a driver of the one or more casual drivers based at least in part on the ranked list.

Abstract: Aspects of present disclosure include devices within a transmission path of streamed content forwarding received data packets of the stream to the next device or “hop” in the path prior to buffering the data packet at the device. In this method, typical buffering of the data stream may therefore occur at the destination device for presentation at a consuming device, while the devices along the transmission path may transmit a received packet before buffering. Further, devices along the path may also buffer the content stream after forwarding to fill subsequent requests for dropped data packets of the content stream. Also, in response to receiving the request for the content stream, a device may first transmit a portion of the contents of the gateway buffer to the requesting device to fill a respective buffer at the receiving device.

Abstract: A vehicle system is provided that has an unoccupied control vehicle with no onboard driver. The control vehicle has a first propulsion system that can propel the control vehicle along a route, and optionally to stop or slow the control vehicle. One or more onboard power sources that can generate, store or both generate and store energy for powering at least the first propulsion system. A controller having one or more processors can autonomously control the propulsion system to move the control vehicle along one or more routes, and to interface with and couple to a driver-operable vehicle that has a second propulsion system. The controller can obtain control over the second propulsion system when the control vehicle is interfaced and coupled with the driver-operable vehicle.

Abstract: System and method configured to determine a direction of movement of a vehicle in response to a brake being released or in response to initiating movement of the vehicle from a stopped position along a route. The direction of movement is determined based on a selected travel direction of the vehicle, a grade of the route, and at least one of applied tractive efforts or applied braking efforts.

Abstract: A system and method obtain first image data of a route at a location of interest from a first optical sensor disposed onboard a vehicle system moving along the route. The first image data depicts the route at the location of interest prior to passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. Second image data of the route at the location of interest is obtained from a second optical sensor disposed onboard the vehicle system. The second image data depicts the route at the location of interest after passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. A determination is made as to whether a change in the route has occurred at the location of interest by comparing the first image data with the second image data.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating a travel control system and attitude and heading (AHR) system in a vehicle are disclosed. The integrated system includes interface circuitry that enables data communication between constituent travel control system and AHR system of the integrated system, and can further communicate data between the travel control system and/or the AHR system and other system(s) or device(s) in or on the vehicle. In some embodiments, the travel control system includes processing circuitry that is fault tolerant. Alternatively, or additionally, the AHR system may include processing circuitry that has a processing power greater than the travel control system processing circuitry.