Abstract: A system for interfacing predetermined services to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system. The system further includes a data store for storing configuration information for enabling the operating system to interface with available physical system resources through the physical system resource interface associated therewith. A communication resource for interfacing with the operating system allows communication of the operating system with a central office for downloading configuration information to selectively enable ones of the available physical system resources to interface with the operating system through associated ones of the physical system resource interfaces in accordance with the configuration information and the predetermined service selected by a user. A plurality of configurations is stored in the data store, and each is associated with a predetermined service and one or more of the available physical system resources.

Abstract: A method of enabling an employee to utilize earned and unpaid earnings includes receiving, with a with a central office processor, a record of an employee's accrued and unpaid earnings for a predetermined time period and storing the record in a database. The method further includes receiving, with the central office processor, an electronic request from an employee to access the employee's record of accrued and unpaid earnings for the predetermined time period. Upon receipt of the request, the central office processor accesses the database including the record of the employee's accrued and unpaid earnings for the predetermined time period and determines an amount of the employee's accrued and unpaid earnings for the predetermined time period available to the employee and transmits the amount for display to the employee.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement are presented. A mobile device includes an outer body sized to be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood volume and a second measurement indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level measurement is determined based on the measure of impedance.

Abstract: An equipment security system includes one or more sensors or optical recording devices disposed on or inside a cargo container. A computing device receives data from the one or more sensors or optical recording devices, determines whether an event has occurred at the cargo container, determines a geofence associated with the cargo container, and selects or configures a dynamic script including instructions that specify whether to begin recording an event occurring at or inside the cargo container, whether to record the event in an overwritable, local memory associated with at least one of the one or more sensors or optical recording devices or the computing device, parameters that govern how data associated with the event will be recorded, and whether to upload the data from the local memory to a remote server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an inspection apparatus for inspecting a component. The inspection apparatus including a robotic arm. A micro-XRF instrument having an instrument head coupled to the robotic arm. A seat supporting the component within a scanning area during inspection; and a computer in communication with the robotic arm and the micro-XRF instrument.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement are presented. A mobile device includes an outer body sized to be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood volume and a second measurement indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level measurement is determined based on the measure of impedance.

Abstract: A distributed transaction system for enabling users to conduct transactions using services from third party service providers includes a central processing center with one or more communications interfaces to facilitate transactions initiated by users at a plurality of kiosks wherein each of the kiosks includes a user interface enabling a user to access a user selected service and a data store for storing configurations associated with services provided by the third party service providers, whereby a user interfaces with one or more of physical system resources of the kiosk to open a user identity session such that the kiosk is operative to facilitate at least one first user action with the physical resources to initiate a financial transaction and the central processing center is operative to execute at least a second action to facilitate the transaction and to communicate with a financial institution.

Abstract: Flow meters are disclosed that provide improved measurements of fluid flowing through fan coils. A flow meter includes a body that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending along a longitudinal axis between the inlet and the outlet. The flow meter also includes transducers coupled to the body and exposed to the flow path defined by the body. The transducers are configured to transmit and receive a signal travelling through the flow path to measure a flow rate of fluid of the fan coil. The flow meter also includes one or more reflectors coupled to the body and exposed to the flow path defined by the body. Each of the one or more reflectors has a flat reflective surface that is exposed to the flow path and is configured to reflect the signal to relay the signal between the transducers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a unitary article of clothing, typically referred to as a jumpsuit, comprising a jacket section and a pant section, one connected to the other by means of a joiner band. The joiner band is attached to both the jacket and pant sections and serves to provide additional warmth to a midsection of a user by providing at least three layers of fabric over the user's midsection. In addition to providing additional warmth, the joiner band also gives the jumpsuit the appearance of being a two-piece suit comprised of a sweater independent from the jogging pants. The jacket portion is also comprised of a closeable opening to allow a user to get into the pant section of the jumpsuit and subsequently also wear the jacket portion.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic circuit includes a piston chamber housing a piston rod and a ram piston coupled to an end of the piston rod, and a pump in fluid communication with the piston chamber at first and second hydraulic ports. Pumping a hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic port causes a forward stroke of the ram piston and the piston rod, and pumping the hydraulic fluid to the second hydraulic port causes a return stroke of the ram piston and the piston rod within the piston chamber. An accumulator is in fluid communication with the pump and the piston chamber, and a 3-2 valve is actuatable between a first position, where pressurized hydraulic fluid is conveyed from the accumulator to the pump during the forward stroke, and a second position, where excess hydraulic fluid is conveyed from the first hydraulic port to the accumulator during the return stroke.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a filter housing, a filter housing lid, a filter cartridge, an endplate, and a seal member. The filter housing defines a first cavity and comprises a return passage in fluid communication with the first cavity. The filter housing lid is selectively coupled to the filter housing and defines a second cavity coextensive with the first cavity. The filter cartridge is positioned within the first cavity. The endplate is coupled to a first end of the filter cartridge. The endplate is configured to interface with the filter housing. The seal member is coupled to the endplate and is configured to be received in the return passage. The endplate is configured to partially separate the filter housing from the filter cartridge.

Abstract: This document discloses a software, data structure, method, apparatus and article of manufacture that allows database engines to implement tables that simultaneously exhibit the advantages of both normalization and de-normalization. Examples of such advantages include no data replication or minimum data replication, no table joins or a minimum number of joins, the ability to update data in one place and one place only, and query performance comparable to the same queries on heavily or fully de-normalized tables.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic handle device for holding tools including an approximately spherical holder having an outer surface and surrounding three slots; any two of the three slots are perpendicular to each other; each of the three slots extends from a first end to a second end on two opposite sides of the approximately spherical holder, in a radial direction and through a center of the approximately spherical holder; each of the three slots being sized and configured for engaged receipt of a handle of the tool, wherein the handle of the tool passes through the first end of one of the three slots until the handle of the tool passes through the second end of the slot; a plurality of grip indentations on the outer surface of the approximately spherical holder; and wherein the user may operate the tool by gripping the grip indentations of the approximately spherical holder for an extended time without getting stiff hands and fingers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a unitary article of clothing, typically referred to as a jumpsuit, comprising a jacket section and a pant section, one connected to the other by means of a joiner band. The joiner band is attached to both the jacket and pant sections and serves to provide additional warmth to a midsection of a user by providing at least three layers of fabric over the user's midsection. In addition to providing additional warmth, the joiner band also gives the jumpsuit the appearance of being a two-piece suit comprised of a sweater independent from the jogging pants. The jacket portion is also comprised of a closeable opening to allow a user to get into the pant section of the jumpsuit and subsequently also wear the jacket portion.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic handle device for holding tools including an approximately spherical holder having an outer surface and surrounding three slots; any two of the three slots are perpendicular to each other; each of the three slots extends from a first end to a second end on two opposite sides of the approximately spherical holder, in a radial direction and through a center of the approximately spherical holder; each of the three slots being sized and configured for engaged receipt of a handle of the tool, wherein the handle of the tool passes through the first end of one of the three slots until the handle of the tool passes through the second end of the slot; a plurality of grip indentations on the outer surface of the approximately spherical holder; and wherein the user may operate the tool by gripping the grip indentations of the approximately spherical holder for an extended time without getting stiff hands and fingers.

Abstract: A closed loop system utilizing a solar refrigerant turbocharger and pump in conjunction with a solar collector to operate a heating and cooling system for a building by utilization of a renewable energy source. The liquid pump within the solar turbocharger is used to boost the refrigerant pressures into the solar collector, the refrigerant absorbs heat inside the solar collector and changes phase from a liquid to a vapor. The vapor is expanded across the turbine causing the turbine to spin. The ability of the refrigerant to change phase or flash from a liquid to a vapor is due to the solar energy that is transferred from evacuated tubes into the solar collector manifold and into the refrigerant. The gas is routed to the solar turbo pump turbine to drive the compressor and liquid pump. The resulting fluid gas leaving the turbine is routed to the condenser for normal operation.

Abstract: Described herein are extrusion processes to produce hollow pellets. Also disclosed are pelletizer devices that can be used to produce the hollow pellets. The processes and devices make use of an extrusion die having a die orifice and an insert that is placed in the die orifice to produce the hollow pellets.

Abstract: An apparatus and process to maintain control of the temperature of low-melting compounds, high melt flow polymers, and thermally sensitive materials for the pelletization of such materials. The addition of a cooling extruder, and a second melt cooler if desired, in advance of the die plate provides for regulation of the thermal, shear, and rheological characteristics of narrow melting-range materials and polymeric mixtures, formulations, dispersions or solutions. The apparatus and process can then be highly regulated to produce consistent, uniform pellets of low moisture content for these otherwise difficult materials to pelletize.