All The Claims

1. A service task facilitator device configured to facilitate performance of service tasks, the device comprising:
a service task icon memory configured to store at least one service task icon of predominantly pictorial form representing at least one service task;
a service task memory configured to store at least one service task record representing a service task; and
a display component configured to display service task icons representing the service task records.
2. The device of claim 1, the service tasks comprising activities of daily living performed on behalf of an assisted living individual, and the activities of daily living comprising at least one of a personal care activity performed on the assisted living individual and an environmental care activity performed on a daily living item of the assisted living individual.
3. The device of claim 1, the service tasks comprising lodging housekeeping tasks in relation to a lodging service.
4. The device of claim 1, comprising:
an individual memory configured to store at least one individual record representing at least one individual on whose behalf at least one available service task may be performed; and
the display component configured to display the at least one individual record related to a displayed service task.
5. The device of claim 1, comprising:
an input component configured to receive user input comprising at least one service task,
the service task memory configured to store a service task record representing the user input comprising the at least one service task.
6. The device of claim 1, comprising:
a coordinating system receiver component configured to receive from a service task coordinating system at least one service task record.
7. The device of claim 1, comprising:
an input component configured to receive a device communication representing a performance of the at least one service task; and
a service task performance memory configured to store at least one service task performance record representing the performance input representing the at least one service task.
8. The device of claim 1, comprising:
an input component configured to receive user input comprising a performance of the at least one service task; and
a service task performance memory configured to store at least one service task performance record representing the performance input representing the at least one service task.
9. The device of claim 8:
the display component configured to receive user input representing a service task performance option set comprising at least a complete service task performance option, an incorrect service task performance option, and an incomplete service task performance option;
the input component configured to receive a service task performance input representing a user selection among the service performance options related to the performance of the service task; and
the service task performance memory configured to store at least one service task performance record representing the selected service task performance option.
10. The device of claim 8:
the display component configured to present a service task alternative performance option set comprising at least two alternative performances of a service task;
the input component configured to receive user input representing a user selection of at least one of the service task alternative performance options; and
the service task performance memory configured to store at least one service task alternative performance record representing the at least one selected service task alternative performance option.
11. The device of claim 8, comprising:
a service task coordinating system transmitter component configured to send to a service task coordinating system at least one service task performance record.
12. The device of claim 8:
the input component configured to receive user input comprising a service task performance annotation related to a service task performance record representing the performance of a service task; and

the device comprising:
a service task performance annotation memory configured to store at least one service task performance annotation record representing the service task performance annotation and related to the service task record.
13. The device of claim 12, comprising:
a coordinating system transmitter component configured to send to the coordinating system at least one service task performance annotation record.
14. A service task coordinating system configured to coordinate the performance of service tasks, the system comprising:
a service task icon memory configured to store at least one service task icon of predominantly pictorial form representing at least one service task;
an available service task memory configured to store an available service task record set comprising at least one available service task record representing an available service task;
a service task memory configured to store at least one service task record representing a service task selected from the available service tasks;
a display component configured to display service task icons representing the service tasks in the service task memory;
an input component configured to receive user input comprising a selection of at least one available service task, and to store at least one service task record in the service task memory representing the at least one selected available service task; and
a facilitator device transmitter component configured to send at least one service task record to at least one service task facilitator device.
15. The system of claim 14, the input component configured to receive user input comprising a service task annotation related to a service task record representing a service task, and the system comprising:
a service task annotation memory configured to store a service task annotation record representing the service task annotation related to the service task record.
16. The system of claim 14, comprising:
an individual memory configured to store at least one individual record representing at least one individual on whose behalf at least one available service task may be performed;
the display component configured to display the individual records while displaying the available service task set;
the service task input component configured to receive user input comprising a selection of at least one individual record representing the individuals on whose behalf the selected service tasks are to be performed; and
the service task memory configured to relate the service task records to the individual records.
17. The system of claim 14, comprising:
a facilitator device receiver component configured to receive from a facilitator device at least one service task performance annotation record related to a service task record and representing a performance of a service task; and
a service task performance annotation memory configured to store the service task annotation record received from the facilitator device.
18. The system of claim 17, comprising:
an available service task alternative performance memory configured to store available service task alternative performance records related to at least two alternative performance options related to a service task;
the display component configured to present the available service task alternative performance options while displaying an available service task performance record;
the service input task configured to receive user input comprising a selection of at least one available service task alternative performance option related to the service task;
the service task memory configured to store at least two service task alternative performance records representing the selected service task alternative performance options related to a service task record; and
the facilitator device transmitter component configured to send the at least two service task alternative performance records to the at least one service task facilitator device.
19. The system of claim 18, the facilitator device receiver component configured to receive from a facilitator device at least one service task alternative performance record related to a selected service task alternative performance option related to a service task, and
the service task performance memory configured to store the at least one service task alternative performance record related to the service task.
20. A tangible computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to implement a service task coordinating system configured to coordinate the performance of service tasks, the system comprising:
a service task icon memory configured to store at least one service task icon of predominantly pictorial form representing at least one service task;
an available service task memory configured to store an available service task record set comprising at least one available service task record representing an available service task;
a service task memory configured to store at least one service task record representing a service task selected from the available service tasks;
a display component configured to display service task icons representing the service tasks in the service task memory;
an input component configured to receive user input comprising a selection of at least one available service task, and to store at least one service task record in the service task memory representing the at least one selected available service task; and
a facilitator device transmitter component configured to send at least one service task record to at least one service task facilitator device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. In a bowling lane maintenance machine having a lane dressing application system, the improvement comprising:
a roller;
a dressing reservoir adjacent said roller;
a wick received within said reservoir and having a portion that projects upwardly out of the reservoir for use in transferring dressing to said roller by contacting engagement therewith;
a dressing supply tank coupled with the reservoir in a manner to provide dressing to the reservoir by gravity flow;
a control valve operable when open to permit dressing flow from the tank to the reservoir by gravity and when closed to preclude such flow; and
a dressing level sensor operably coupled with said valve for opening and closing the valve in a manner to maintain the level of dressing within the reservoir substantially constant.
2. In a bowling lane maintenance machine as claimed in claim 1,
further including a pilot chamber upstream from the reservoir and downstream from the supply tank,
said pilot chamber being in open flow communication with the reservoir and being located at such a height that dressing in the pilot chamber and the reservoir are maintained at substantially the same level,
said sensor being located within said pilot chamber and being responsive to changes in the level of dressing within said pilot chamber.
3. In a bowling lane maintenance machine as claimed in claim 2,
said pilot chamber being substantially shorter than said reservoir in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the machine.
4. In a bowling lane maintenance machine as claimed in claim 2, said sensor comprising a float switch.
5. In a bowling lane maintenance machine as claimed in claim 2,
further including a dressing supply conduit extending between the control valve and the pilot chamber,
said supply conduit being disposed to receive dressing that drains from the pilot chamber when the machine is upended for transport.
6. In a bowling lane maintenance machine as claimed in claim 5,
further including vent conduits communicating the supply tank and the pilot chamber with atmosphere,
said vent conduits being disposed to receive and collect dressing that drains from the pilot chamber when the machine is upended for transport.
7. In a bowling lane maintenance machine as claimed in claim 1, said sensor comprising a float switch.

1-60. (canceled)
61. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) an optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to a precision of sub-microns, said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon; and
(ii) a lens-positioning guide groove formed to a precision of sub-microns, said lens-positioning guide groove extending in the surface of the optical package substrate from another side surface thereof, opposite to the predetermined side surface, to the predetermined location;

a lens affixed to said lens-positioning guide groove; and
an optical fiber affixed to said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove such that an optical axis of said optical fiber is aligned with an optical axis of said lens.
62. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) an optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to a precision of sub-microns, said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon, and
(ii) a lens-positioning guide depression, in the surface of said optical package substrate, formed to a precision of sub-microns;

a lens affixed to said lens-positioning guide depression; and
an optical fiber affixed to said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove such that an optical axis of said optical fiber is aligned with an optical axis of said lens.
63. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) an optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to precision of sub-microns, said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon, and
(ii) an optical-component-positioning guide depression, in the surface of said optical package substrate, formed to a precision of sub-microns;

an optical fiber affixed to said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove; and
an optical component affixed to said optical-component-positioning guide depression such that an optical axis of said optical fiber is aligned with an optical axis of said optical component,
wherein said optical-component-positioning guide depression extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said optical fiber.
64. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) an optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to a precision of sub-microns, said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon,
(ii) an optical-component-positioning guide depression, in the surface of said optical package substrate, formed to a precision of sub-microns, and
(iii) a lens-positioning guide groove, in the surface of said optical package substrate, formed to a precision of sub-microns;

an optical fiber affixed to said optical-fiber-positioning guide groove,
an optical component affixed to said optical-component-positioning guide depression, and
a lens affixed to said lens-positioning guide groove such that respective optical axes of said optical fiber, said optical component and said lens are aligned with one another,
wherein said optical-component-positioning guide depression extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said optical fiber.
65. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) a first optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to a precision of sub-microns, said first optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon,
(ii) a second optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to a precision of sub-microns, said second optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in the surface of said optical package substrate from another side surface thereof, opposite to the predetermined side surface, to the predetermined location,
(iii) a third optical-fiber-positioning guide groove formed to a precision sub-microns, said third optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in the surface of said optical package substrate parallel to said first and second optical-fiber-positioning guide grooves, and
(iv) an optical-component-positioning guide depression formed to a precision of sub-microns, said optical-component-positioning guide depression extending in the surface of said optical package substrate between said first and second optical-fiber-positioning guide grooves;

an optical component affixed to said optical-component-positioning guide depression;
a first optical fiber affixed to said first optical-fiber-positioning guide groove and abutted against said optical component;
a second optical fiber affixed to said second optical-fiber-positioning guide groove and abutted against said optical component such that respective optical axes of said first optical fiber, said second optical fiber and said optical component are aligned with one another; and
a third optical fiber affixed to said third optical-fiber-positioning guide groove,
wherein said optical-component-positioning guide depression extends in a direction perpendicular to the respective optical axes of said first and second optical fibers.
66. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) a waveguide groove corresponding to a predetermined optical waveguide core pattern, said waveguide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon, and
(ii) a lens-positioning guide groove extending in the surface of said optical package substrate from another side surface thereof, opposite to the predetermined side surface, to the predetermined location;

an optical waveguide defined by core material in said waveguide groove;
a lens affixed to said lens-positioning guide groove such that an optical axis of said lens is aligned with an optical axis of said optical waveguide; and
a substrate attached to said optical package substrate via an adhesive so as to cover said waveguide groove,
wherein said core material has a higher refractive index than a refractive index of material of said optical package substrate, and said adhesive has a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said core material.
67. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) a waveguide groove corresponding to a predetermined optical waveguide core pattern, said waveguide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon, and
(ii) an optical-component-positioning guide depression in the surface of said optical package substrate;

an optical fiber;
an optical component affixed to said optical-component-positioning guide depression such that an optical axis of said optical component is aligned with an optical axis of said optical fiber;
an optical waveguide defined by core material in said waveguide groove; and
a substrate attached to said optical package substrate via an adhesive so as to cover said waveguide groove,
wherein said optical-component-positioning guide depression extends in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of said optical waveguide, and
wherein said core material has a higher refractive index than a refractive index of material of said optical package substrate, and said adhesive has a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said core material.
68. An optical module comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) a waveguide groove, corresponding to a predetermined optical waveguide core pattern, in a surface of said optical package substrate,
(ii) an optical-component-positioning guide depression in the surface of said optical package substrate,
(iii) a lens-positioning guide groove in the surface of said optical package substrate,
(iv) a first stage on the surface of said optical package substrate, and
(v) a second stage on the surface of said optical package substrate;

an optical waveguide defined by core material in said waveguide groove;
an isolator or an optical filter affixed to said optical-component positioning guide depression such that an optical axis of said isolator or optical filter is aligned with an optical axis of said optical waveguide;
a lens affixed to said lens-positioning guide groove such that an optical axis of said lens is aligned with the optical axis of said optical waveguide;
a light emitting element affixed to said first stage such that an optical axis of said light emitting element is aligned with the optical axis of said optical waveguide;
a light receiving element affixed to said second stage such that an optical axis of said light receiving element is aligned with an optical axis of said optical waveguide; and
a substrate attached to said optical package substrate via an adhesive so as to cover said waveguide groove,
wherein said optical-component-positioning guide depression extends in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said optical waveguide that is aligned with the optical axis of said isolator or optical filter, and
wherein said core material has a higher refractive index than a refractive index of material of said optical package substrate, and said adhesive has a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said core material.
69. The optical module according to claim 68, wherein the optical waveguide core pattern corresponds to a waveguide diverging into branches, and said optical-component-positioning guide depression is provided for one of the branches so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the one of the branches.
70. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) at least one optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon, and
(ii) a substrate-positioning depression in the surface of said optical package substrate and adjoining said at least one optical-fiber-positioning guide groove at the predetermined location;

at least one optical fiber affixed to said at least one optical-fiber-positioning guide groove;
an optical waveguide substrate affixed to said substrate-positioning depression, said optical waveguide substrate having a waveguide groove that is molded therein and corresponds to an optical waveguide core pattern;
core material in said waveguide groove; and
a substrate attached to said optical package substrate via an adhesive so as to cover said waveguide groove,
wherein said core material has a higher refractive index than a refractive index of material of said optical package substrate and a refractive index of material of said optical waveguide substrate, and said adhesive has a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said core material.
71. An optical device comprising:
an optical package substrate including
(i) at least one optical-fiber-positioning guide groove extending in a surface of said optical package substrate from a predetermined side surface thereof to a predetermined location thereon, and
(ii) a depression in the surface of said optical package substrate and adjoining said at least one optical-fiber-positioning groove at the predetermined location;

at least one waveguide section corresponding to an optical waveguide core pattern, said at least one waveguide section being on a surface defining said depression;
core material in said at least one waveguide section;
at least one optical fiber mounted to said at least one optical-fiber-positioning guide groove, said at least one optical fiber being aligned with an optical axis of said at least one waveguide section; and
an optical-fiber-fixing substrate affixed to said at least one optical fiber via an adhesive,
wherein said core material has a higher refractive index than a refractive index of material of said optical package substrate, and said adhesive has a lower refractive index than the refractive index of said core material.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of preparing a nanoparticle-containing resin system comprising mixing surface-modified silica nanoparticles with a reactive monomer resin system to form a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises less than 5% by weight solvent and less than 1% by weight of a dispersant; and milling the mixture in a first continuous wet milling apparatus comprising milling beads to form a first milled resin system.
2. The method claim 1, wherein at least one component of the reactive monomer resin system is a low-boiling-temperature volatile component having a boiling point of less than 190\xb0 C. at atmospheric pressure.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture comprises less than 1% by weight of solvent and less than 0.5% by weight of the dispersant.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is substantially free of an inhibitor.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein no greater than 5 wt. % of the reactive monomers in the mixture are polymerized in the first milled resin system.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the mixture entering the first milling apparatus is no greater than 30\xb0 C.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the mixture entering the first milling apparatus is at least 50\xb0 C.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the difference between the temperature of the first milled resin system and the temperature of the mixture entering the first milling apparatus is no greater than 20\xb0 C.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of each component of the reactive monomer resin system in the first milled mixture is at least 95 wt. % of the amount of that component of the reactive monomer resin system in the mixture.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising milling the first milled resin system in a second continuous wet milling apparatus comprising milling beads to form a second milled resin system.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture comprises at least 30% by weight nanoparticles.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin is selected from the group consisting of a vinyl ester resin and an unsaturated polyester resin.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin comprises styrene.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles comprise silica nanoparticles surface-modified with a silane surface-treatment agent.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the resin is an epoxy resin.