Abstract: A computer system for generating an insurance policy for a user includes a processor and a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: (i) receiving, from a wearable electronic user device, biometric data associated with a user; (ii) analyzing, based upon a plurality of rules, the biometric data; (iii) determining a health score associated with the user, based in part upon the analysis of the biometric data, wherein the health score represents a likelihood that the user will maintain a level of health for a predefined period of time; (iv) retrieving terms and conditions for an insurance policy from a database based upon the health score; and (v) generating, based upon the determining, an insurance policy for the user based upon the terms and conditions.

Abstract: Building automation systems, energy meters, and associated methods. A method includes receiving a plurality of voltage inputs and a plurality of current inputs from a multiphase power source. The method includes selecting a first voltage input from the plurality of voltage inputs. The method includes performing a signed power factor computation between respective pairs of the first voltage input and each of the plurality of current inputs. The method includes identifying a pair with a greatest positive power factor value. The method includes designating the identified pair with the greatest positive power factor value as an associated phase pair.

Abstract: A stapler having ergonomic benefits includes a housing situated along a principal axis. The housing is conformed to include a handle and a head with a staple discharge opening spaced apart from the handle along the principal axis. A generally planar knife is within the head and oriented in parallel to a plane defined by an intersection of the principal axis and a normal axis. A magazine includes a sole at the staple discharge opening. The sole receives at least one first strip of staples. The first strip of staples is aligned such that the bight of a first staple within the strip of staples is parallel to the principal axis and the first strip is aligned with a lateral axis orthogonal to both of the principal and normal axes.

Abstract: A communication scheme is employed for transmitting control signals from a remote control to a toy vehicle. The remote control includes control switches, an encoder and a transmitter and the toy vehicle includes a receiver, a decoder and actuators for controlling the operation of the toy vehicle in accordance with received control signals. The encoder generates a continuous stream of control signal packets with each of the packets including a predetermined number of biphase encoded bits. Each biphase encoded bit is of the same predetermined width with a 50% duty cycle, including two transmit elements. For one binary state, both of the transmit elements are the same and for the other binary state both of the transmit elements are opposite. Each packet includes a first predetermined number of flag bits, a second predetermined number of data bits and at least one checksum bit.

Abstract: A communication scheme is employed for transmitting control signals from a remote control to a toy vehicle. The remote control includes control switches, an encoder and a transmitter and the toy vehicle includes a receiver, a decoder and actuators for controlling the operation of the toy vehicle in accordance with received control signals. The encoder generates a continuous stream of control signal packets with each of the packets including a predetermined number of biphase encoded bits. Each biphase encoded bit is of the same predetermined width with a 50% duty cycle, including two transmit elements. For one binary state, both of the transmit elements are the same and for the other binary state both of the transmit elements are opposite. Each packet includes a first predetermined number of flag bits, a second predetermined number of data bits and at least one checksum bit.

Abstract: A siphon break for a washing machine comprises a siphon body and a reservoir. The siphon body includes first and second openings arranged to receive fill water, a third opening arranged to direct fill water from the first opening to a tub of the washing machine, a fourth opening arranged to siphon overflow water from the siphon body, and a siphon body mounting device arranged to mount the siphon body to the washing machine. The reservoir includes a first opening arranged to receive a chemical, a second opening arranged to spill a mixture of water and the chemical to the siphon body, and a reservoir mounting device arranged to mount the reservoir to the washing machine so that the reservoir is mounted separately from the siphon body and so that the reservoir receives water from the second opening of the siphon body.

Abstract: A foot support for a bed rests on the upper surface of the mattress and includes an upwardly inclined foot plate. Lateral motion and twisting of the foot support with respect to the mattress are prevented by downwardly depending fences that lie adjacent the sides of the mattress. In a preferred embodiment, the foot support consists entirely of flat stock which results in a unitary structure that is easy to clean and that nests so that a number of the foot supports can be stacked for storage in a relatively small space.

Abstract: A washing machine having a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension system. The washing machine includes a tub assembly disposed over a support, with the assembly having a center of mass disposed at approximately the same axial position as the typical out-of-balance load. The pivoting force is a function of the distance between the center of mass of the tub assembly and the out-of-balance load. Thus, the pivoting forces are reduced, as well as the corresponding reaction forces transferred to the floor.