Abstract:
A self-driving or autonomous vehicle transmits a vehicle-to-vehicle offer message from a user of a vehicle-connected mobile communication device riding in the self-driving vehicle to a second user of a second mobile communication device riding in a second vehicle to pay for a traffic prioritization relative to the second vehicle. The first mobile communication device receives a reply message and sends a payment to the second mobile communication device or an account associated with the second mobile communication device to obtain the traffic prioritization relative to the other vehicle. For example, the traffic prioritization may enable one vehicle to pass the other vehicle, to take precedence at an intersection or to be given priority to take a parking place or any other traffic-related advantage.
Abstract:
A computing device for navigation of a vehicle, the computing device comprising a processor and a display screen presenting a map showing multiple routes for navigating to a destination. The display screen also presents prices and travel times for the multiple routes. Responsive to a user selection of one of the multiple routes, the processor cooperates with a radiofrequency data transceiver to communicate with one or more other vehicles or with a central server to negotiate a traffic reprioritization for a user-selected route to the destination.
Abstract:
An autonomous vehicle has a temperature sensor for sensing an air temperature or a road temperature, a processor communicatively connected to the temperature sensor to receive a signal from the temperature sensor, to process the signal and to generate an estimated instantaneous coefficient of friction between a tire of the vehicle and a snow-covered roadway, and a camera to detect salt and/or sand on the roadway and to apply a salt correction factor and/or a sand correction factor to the coefficient of friction to thereby provide a salt-corrected coefficient of friction or a sand-corrected coefficient of friction.
Abstract:
A vehicle has a seat movable between an upright position and a reclined position and an automatically adjustable headrest connected to the seat, the automatically adjustable headrest being automatically adjusted for a posture of a head of a user when the user is reclined in the reclined position. The automatically adjustable headrest is automatically adjusted in response to a camera detecting that the user is sleeping or resting either on his or her back or on his or her side, the headrest being adjusted for either a side sleeping posture or a back sleeping posture.
Abstract:
A stacking block for supporting one or more lattice boom crane elements in a stacked storage condition. The stacking block may be formed of a lightweight plastic or resilient material that can easily be lifted overhead. The stacking block provides the space needed in between boom elements in order to safely stack the elements on a ground surface or on top of one another, without damaging parts.
Abstract:
An apparatus for heating the handle of an electric hand tool, the handle having an interior wall defining a cavity therein comprises an electric heating element adapted to be adhered to the interior wall of the handle and an electrical connection adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical supply for the tool. An electric hand tool comprises a tool body having a handle therein, the handle having an interior wall defining a cavity therein and an electrical supply input cord operable to be connected to a power source. The electric hand tool further comprises an electric heating element adapted to be adhered to the interior wall of the handle and an electrical connection adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical supply for the tool.
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for preparing polymer beads incorporating magnetic iron oxide particles, which process comprises producing a dispersion having a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed organic phase, the organic phase comprising one or more polymerisable monomers, magnetic iron oxide particles and an organophosphorus dispersing agent for dispersing the magnetic iron oxide particles in the organic phase, and polymerising the one or more polymerisable monomers to form the polymer beads incorporating the magnetic iron oxide particles; complexing and ion exchange resins prepared by this process; methods for separating transition metal ions and other ions from an aqueous solution using the complexing and ion exchange resins; and polymer beads comprising a polymeric matrix having magnetic iron oxide particles and organophosphorus dispersing agent dispersed substantially uniformly therein.
Abstract:
A set of programs is disclosed comprising a web display interface program (WIP), a Display Configuration Program (DCP) and a Sequence Logging Program (SLP). Responsive to user actions, the set of programs provide instructions to a server connected to storage containing a facet tree database and a rules database. The WIP comprises a user interface and a set of servlets that read the facet element to be displayed from the facet tree database, and based upon the user characteristics, acquire the appropriate display rules for the user from the rules database. The DCP allows an administrator to select or configure rules that will establish views for different end users that are tailored to those particular end users. The SLP allows end users to navigate through a set of facets using a standard faceted search, or using a previously constructed sequence of facets, and logs the user choices for later use.
Abstract:
A sawdust collection hood for a table saw. The hood has an identical pair of vertical, spaced-apart side panels, an upper cowl mounted between the side panels, a canted nose panel mounted between front portions of the side panels, and a lower cowl that extends rearwardly between the side panels below the upper cowl from a forward edge of the lower cowl disposed over a trailing edge of the nose panel. A pair of side skirts suspended from each of the side panels, extend rearwardly from the nose panel, and are movable between a raised and a lowered position. When placed upon the saw work table, straddling the saw blade, and with side skirts lowered, a work piece moved rearward against the canted nose panel causes the hood to rise. As the work piece progresses rearwardly past the saw blade, the side skirts remain lowered, resting on the work piece, until the work piece just clears the nose panel, whereupon the hood drops down to the work table, raising the skirts relative to the nose panel and closing a gap that would otherwise permit sawdust to escape below the front of the hood. The hood may be pivotally attached to a table saw splitter or, alternatively, may be pivotally attached by a collar joint to an overhead vacuum conduit assembly.
Abstract:
A computing device for navigation of a vehicle, the computing device comprising a processor and a display screen presenting a map showing multiple routes for navigating to a destination. The display screen also presents prices and travel times for the multiple routes. Responsive to a user selection of one of the multiple routes, the processor cooperates with a radiofrequency data transceiver to communicate with one or more other vehicles or with a central server to negotiate a traffic reprioritization for a user-selected route to the destination.