Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system applies a time of day setting to a virtual environment. In some embodiments, the time of day setting is updated based on an event. In some embodiments, a computer system displays content in an expanded display mode. In some embodiments, computer systems join a communication session while maintaining display of respective environments. In some embodiments, a computer system moves a portal based on user movement. In some embodiments, computer systems share a virtual environment. Computer systems can display media with simulated lighting. Computer systems can share an environment. In some embodiments, a computer system selects a position relative to content. A computer system can present representations of communication session participants based on content. A computer system can present user interfaces to control visual appearances of an environment including media. Computer systems can change an appearance of an environment based on environmental modes.

Abstract: Acoustic tags have been used for years in fisheries research to study survival and behavior of fish in various aquatic environments. The described techniques, devices and systems enhance the ability of researchers to understand the effect on fish (or other animal's) mortality by predators through an acoustic tag that includes a digestible fuse. When the implanted acoustic tag comes in contact with the digestive fluids in a predator's stomach, the fuse coating is dissolved causing the fuse to disintegrate and result in an open circuit. The open circuit in turn signals the electronics in the acoustic tag that the tagged animal has been consumed. In response, the electronics alter the tag transmit signal to indicate that predation has occurred.

Abstract: Acoustic tags have been used for years in fisheries research to study survival and behavior of fish in various aquatic environments. The described techniques, devices and systems enhance the ability of researchers to understand the effect on fish mortality by predators through an acoustic tag that includes a digestible fuse. When the implanted acoustic tag comes in contact with the digestive fluids in a predator's stomach, the fuse coating is dissolved causing the fuse to disintegrate and result in an open circuit. The open circuit in turn signals the electronics in the acoustic tag that the tagged fish has been consumed. In response, the electronics alter the tag transmit signal to indicate that predation has occurred.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is controlled responsive to gestures that are formed by a passenger of the vehicle. The vehicle entertainment system includes a display device, at least one gesture control camera, and a processor. The gesture control camera generates a camera signal responsive to light reflected from at least one object within a field of view of the at least one gesture control camera. The processor analyzes the camera signal to identify a gesture made by a passenger moving the at least one object, and controls at least one operation of the vehicle entertainment system responsive to the identified gesture.

Abstract: Acoustic tags have been used for years in fisheries research to study survival and behavior of fish in various aquatic environments. The described techniques, devices and systems enhance the ability of researchers to understand the effect on fish mortality by predators through an acoustic tag that includes a digestible fuse. When the implanted acoustic tag comes in contact with the digestive fluids in a predator's stomach, the fuse coating is dissolved causing the fuse to disintegrate and result in an open circuit. The open circuit in turn signals the electronics in the acoustic tag that the tagged fish has been consumed. In response, the electronics alter the tag transmit signal to indicate that predation has occurred.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is controlled responsive to gestures that are formed by a passenger of the vehicle. The vehicle entertainment system includes a display device, at least one gesture control camera, and a processor. The gesture control camera generates a camera signal responsive to light reflected from at least one object within a field of view of the at least one gesture control camera. The processor analyzes the camera signal to identify a gesture made by a passenger moving the at least one object, and controls at least one operation of the vehicle entertainment system responsive to the identified gesture.

Abstract: Presented is a coupling device designed to release two members that are connected together when more than a predetermined force is exerted to separate the two members. The coupling device is adjustable to increase or decrease the amount of force to which it responds. Structurally, the device includes a plug member having a spherical knob seated in a complementary seat formed in a surrounding tube having longitudinal slits. A sleeve surrounding the tube is slidable between maximum and minimum force settings to control the amount of force required to separate a member connected to the plug member from another member connected to the tube.

Abstract: A gas heated direct fired center tube revolving ironer for use in an automated fabric ironing environment features improved roller surface temperature distribution control. An adjustable hot air recirculation system with a venturi throat, a high momentum gas burner, an improved temperature control system and an exhaust blower cooperate to provide an even temperature along the ironing surface. Multiple high and low temperature controls provide backup and ensure accuracy and safety. The gas fuel consumption is minimized thereby reducing operating costs.

Abstract: A heated revolving ironing cylinder is affixed with a flexible ironing bed drawn taut against the polished revolving cylinder surface functioning to efficiently iron and dry laundry work pieces in a single pass through the ironer. The ironer is comprised of a feed conveyor system delivering laundry work pieces to the top of the revolving ironing cylinder. The flexible ironing bed features holes and anti-friction and anti-static materials to provide a dry, highly polished, static-free laundry work piece. Further ironing efficiency is gained by reduced roller maintenance by means of a roller and air cylinder cooling system.

Abstract: For operating the rollers and the steam chest in a laundry flatwork ironer a hydraulic system is provided which includes a hydraulic motor for driving the rollers, hydraulic cylinder-and-piston units for raising the steam chest, and a pump for operating the motor and the cylinder-and-piston units. Valves between the pump and the motor are selectively operable to establish low pressure standby operation of the pump with the hydraulic motor off, or low speed operation of the motor to jog the rollers or higher speed operation of the motor to drive the rollers at a speed appropriate for laundry flatwork. Other valves between the pump and the cylinder-and-piston units are selectively operable to raise the steam chest, reduce the cylinder pressure after the steam chest has been raised, and to increase the cylinder pressure whenever laundry flatwork is in the ironer.

Abstract: An apparatus for spreading laundry flatwork pieces, such as bed sheets, before feeding them to subsequent processing equipment, such as an ironer and a folder. The flatwork pieces are spread apart by pairs of clamps, there normally being one pair of clamps at the left end, another pair of clamps at the right end, and a third pair of clamps at the center of the apparatus. The spread-out flatwork pieces are blown onto a conveyor for conveying them to the subsequent processing apparatus. Trailing edge sensors are positioned at different levels below the clamps to sense the upward passage of the bottom edge of the laundry flat piece deposited on the conveyor, and a selector switch enables one of the sensors and disables the other, depending upon the speed at which the conveyor is being operated. Proximity switches sense the positions of the clamps. There is an overlying conveyor cooperating with the main conveyor for sandwiching the laundry flat piece as it is moved into the apparatus for stretching purposes.

Abstract: This apparatus is for spreading laundry flatwork pieces, such as bed sheets, before feeding them to subsequent processing equipment, such as an ironer and a folder. Separate pairs of flatwork clamps are normally located respectively at the left end, middle and right end of the apparatus. The left end and right end clamps are movable straight across the entry side of the apparatus to the middle before being spread apart. The paired clamps operate to spread their respective flatwork pieces in the order in which their respective start switches are operated manually. Interference among the paired clamps or between the clamps of each pair is prevented. No intermediate flatwork transfer operation is required between the insertion of a flatwork piece into a pair of clamps and the spreading of that flatwork piece.

Abstract: An improved CML (Current Mode Logic) gate having voltage and temperature compensating means for maintaining output levels and input thresholds invariant with fluctations in supply voltage and junction temperature. The output of the compensating means, measured with respect to ground, will track variations in supply voltage on a one-to-one basis except that the output is allowed to vary by one V.sub.be with junction temperature. This output is supplied to the base of the constant-current source transistor which feeds the differential amplifier stage of the CML gate and to the base of a constant current source transistor whose collector is coupled to the base of the non-input transistor of the differential amplifier stage of the CML gate.