Abstract: A simple, low-cost wearable ornament system is disclosed that allows the user to easily interchange ornaments and may be used on wearable items such as garments, footwear, belts, hats, helmets, purses, backpacks, tote bags, scarves and other items. The system generally comprises a reinforced opening, grommet or eyelet in the garment, headwear or other item, an extended base, a screw cap, bottom housing and a decorative item or ornament member. A user desiring to change the design on the ornament system can easily interchange an existing ornament member with a new ornament member without damaging the wearable item and, if desired, without having to remove the garment or other wearable item.

Abstract: A footwear system (S) and corresponding methods (M1) and (M2) for providing a plethora of footwear fashion options via a plurality of interchangeable components, the interchangeability of which being facilitated by structurally stable quick-coupling and quick-decoupling techniques. The system (S) includes a plurality of interchangeable uppers (100), a plurality of interchangeable heels (200), and a quick-release device (300) for easily and selectively engaging a heel (200) of the plurality of interchangeable heels (200) with an upper (100) of the plurality of interchangeable uppers (100). The quick-release device (300) has a safety feature for providing structural stability.

Abstract: A rodent repeller having an audio signal generator configured to generate a chattering sound that mimics a distressed rodent. The audio signal generator produces a variable sound frequency to generate the chattering sound of distressed rodents.

Abstract: A vehicle testing lamp system comprising an onboard controller unit, an off-board controller unit, and a lamp fixture. The onboard controller unit comprises a solid state relay, the solid state relay being switchable between an idle output power setting and a high output power setting; a timing circuit,; a transfer circuit; a current sensor; a current regulator; and batteries or other auxiliary power supply. The off-board controller unit comprises a power supply electrically connected to a voltage booster circuit. The lamp fixture comprises an ignitor; a shock mount; and a lamp that is electrically connected to the igniter. The off-board controller supplies power to the lamp at its idle level. The onboard transfer circuit permits the off-board power supply to be disconnected while the onboard controller unit maintains the lamp at idle, and the onboard timing circuit limits the time that the lamp remains at high output. Also disclosed is a method for using a vehicle testing lamp system.

Abstract: A gaming where a hosts search for and select particular events they desire to manage; where players can wager on specific events with potentially no financial loss; and where vendors can engage in interactive advertising to increase sales. The host manages the game by setting up the odds and establishing other rules of play. Where hosts are also vendors, they may offer prizes in exchange for credits from the players. Players place their wagers on a particular outcome of the event. Both the host and the player may gain additional credits for clicking or viewing an advertisement displayed on the webpage. If the desire outcome occurs, the player's wager is accounted for by the host and the credits can be applied to the purchase of prizes offered by the host. Those who lose may receive communications from the vendor, with permission from the operator of the website, to offer its goods or services.

Abstract: An underwater exhaust system and method which includes an exhaust valve having a sealing edge, an exhaust outlet for exiting an exhaust gas, and a projection for directing water flow away from the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve includes a valve head and a valve stem, the valve stem being coupled with the valve head. The system and method prevent a siphoning effect, whereby leakage of water into the exhaust valve is minimized or prevented.

Abstract: An affordable, sustainable building, comprising substantially entirely mass-produced, prefabricated constituent parts manufactured off-site, the prefabricated constituent parts comprising a foundation, a frame module comprising a plurality of frames, wherein the frame module is secured to the foundation, a reversible connector to connect the plurality of frames to form the frame module, a wall panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, a floor panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, and a ceiling panel configured to be mounted on to the frame module. Each constituent part forms part of a library of parts from which the constituent parts are selected. The constituent parts are preferably made in standardized sizes to facilitate efficient mass production. The constituent parts are predominantly made of recyclable material so as to be environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A decorative holder for holding potpourri or decorative items having hinged opening at the top, side, or bottom, the hinged opening capable of being secured closed, for example, by a latch or hook and loop closure, and capable of holding materials therein. The framed holder is formed by a plurality of frame supports that form a base and a lid and side frame supports and simulating the shape of one or more natural products such as a fruit, vegetable, nut, seed, animal, reptile, sea creature, star, or ball, box, or other similar object. The plurality of frame supports may further include a framework that is woven in and about the holder to secure the decorative items. The materials to be secured in the holder may include decorative items; botanicals, natural and/or synthetic; food stuffs; personal effects; and the like, all having a size and shape larger than any aperture in the holder.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating multiplayer online gaming is disclosed. The system 100 includes a client gaming program 108 and a gaming layered service provider (“LSP”) 114, which are stored and operate on a client computer terminal 120. The client gaming program 108 detects when certain individuals identified by a user are playing online games and notifies the user of the individuals currently playing games online and the games that the individuals are playing. The client gaming program 108 allows the user to easily join the games in progress. The gaming program 108 and LSP 114 also monitor and detect games that are running on the terminal 120 and the connection status of the games. The gaming program 108 communicates data regarding the user, games and connection status over the computer network for receipt by selected individuals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for broad tuning of single wavelength quantum cascade lasers and the use of light output from such lasers for highly sensitive detection of trace gases such as nitrogen dioxide, acetylene, and vapors of explosives such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and TATP's precursors including acetone and hydrogen peroxide. These methods and apparatus are also suitable for high sensitivity, high selectivity detection of other chemical compounds including chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. A quantum cascade laser (QCL) system that better achieves single mode, continuous, mode-hop free tuning for use in L-PAS (laser photoacoustic spectroscopy) by independently coordinating gain chip current, diffraction grating angle and external cavity length is described. An all mechanical method that achieves similar performance is also described. Additionally, methods for improving the sensor performance by critical selection of wavelengths are presented.