Abstract: A portable ice storage and dispensing device has a portable container for housing the ice to be dispensed. An opening is formed on the portable insulated container. The opening is used for dispensing the ice out of the portable insulated container. An ice dispenser is located internal to the portable insulated container and extends partially out of the portable insulated container. The ice dispenser is used for moving and directing the ice out of the opening.

Abstract: A guided parafoil system for delivering lightweight payloads provides an accurate, small and low-cost delivery system for small payloads such as chemical sensor packages. The delivery system is adapted to fit along with the payload within a standardized canister. The delivery system includes a parafoil and a guidance control system that includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and an electronic compass to detect a deviation and bearing from a desired target. The parafoil is guided by a single motor that turns the parafoil in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the current direction of travel in response to deviations detected from a desired course. The desired course is initially linear until the system reaches a predetermined horizontal radius from the target and then the course becomes a circular path around and above the target.

Abstract: A combination chair/ottoman and table assembly has a plurality of chairs/ottomans adapted to be alternatively positioned adjacent to one another and separated from one another. Each of the plurality of chairs/ottomans has a hollow interior section for storing items. A finished table surface is positioned at a top portion of each of the plurality of chairs/ottomans. A positioning member is adapted to position each of the plurality of chairs/ottomans adjacent to another of the plurality of chairs/ottomans. A “Lazy Susan” is located substantially at a middle portion of the positioning member.

Abstract: A writing implement having a forward-positioned eraser, and method. The eraser circumscribes the shaft of the writing implement, and may have an annular or doughnut shape. The eraser may be affixed to the shaft portion, for example where used with a fixed-length writing implement such as a mechanical pencil or erasable pen. The eraser may, alternatively, be slidable along the shaft portion, which would make the eraser useable with a sharpenable pencil, the length of which will be changed as a result of sharpening.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for determining the distance between two objects using an indirect propagation delay measurement is disclosed. A frequency hopping scheme (such as the Bluetooth™ technology) is used to measure the relative phase offset of the received signal between the various frequencies. For a given distance between the objects, the phase offset vs. frequency curve is a straight line with the slope dependent upon the measured distance. After the phase of the received signals is detected, the data is plotted on a curve and the slope is calculated. A wireless slave device remains phase locked with another device in a half-duplex communication mode by employing a low-drift phase locked loop employing a voltage controlled crystal oscillator. The phase locked loop further employs a mechanism that provides immunity from transitory phase slip at a time when the loop is opened.

Abstract: The system and method utilizes an apparatus for generating ozone having, preferably, a first electrode positioned within a channel in a second electrode. The first electrode is a tube made of dielectric material, having at least one electron gun positioned proximate an end thereof for firing electrons. In electrical communication with the electron gun is a rod, maintained in a tube also made of dielectric material, which acts to maintain a constant energy level through the length of the rod. Within the first electrode is an inert gas which, upon the firing of the electron gun, is formed into a plasma. When a feed gas (generally air) is passed between the first and second electrodes, the electrons and plasma cause the formation of ozone. The treated feed gas is then injected into the water to be treated. Preferably, the water is then centrifuged before introduction in the cooling tower system.

Abstract: Updating of information contained in a database is provided, in a more accurate manner, through the use of an update file as part of a coding engine. In particular, a database containing a plurality of data entries is provided to a coding engine. The coding engine will compare the data entries to a reference database. It will leave undisturbed those entries that match entries in the reference database. Entries in the database that do not match will be compared against information contained against an update file, with the update file reflecting events occurring after the last revision of the reference database. In one embodiment, the coding engine is utilized to update street address databases.

Abstract: A visible light modifier and method provide a new visual display. A projection is generated by the visible light modifier that includes a monochromatic or chromatically separated light beam having variations generating a stunning visual display. The display may be used in advertising, entertainment, psychotherapy and anywhere that attention-getting or mood-altering visual displays are desired. The visible light modifier includes a fluid refractive medium within a container and a a mirror positioned within the fluid refracting medium at a predetermined angle so that for multi-chromatic sources an angular chromatic separation is achieved in a beam reflected from the reflective surface through the refractive medium, or for monochromatic sources, a projected beam having a shape variance is achieved. Motion of the fluid generates variations in the shape and/or chromatic distribution within the reflected beam, which can be projected on a screen or other suitable background.

Abstract: A soup contains natural herbs which is healthy for a consumer's diet and further helps to increase the consumer's energy level. The soup has a meat product in a range of from about 45% to about 49% by volume of total composition which provides flavoring and protein to the soup. A liquid in a range of from about 45% to about 49% by volume of total composition is combined with the meat product to separate and dilute the meat product. Spices in a range of from about 1% to about 3% by volume of total composition are added to provide flavoring to the soup. Chinese herbs in a range from about 1% to about 7% by volume of total composition are also added for providing additional flavoring to the soup and for increasing an energy level and muscle strength of the consumer.

Abstract: A window safety guard is used for preventing an intrusive person or object from entering a home through a window when it is left open by the owner. It is also easily removable during emergency situations as it has a simple locking mechanism and may be removed as a single unit. The assembly has a series of vertical bars with tapered ends that are inserted into corresponding holes in a windowsill and in a bottom frame edge of a raised lower window. Support bars are coupled to the vertical bars to add strength and to help block the window opening. The window safety guard assembly also has a locking mechanism wherein a small rod is inserted in a corresponding hole in a side edge of an upper window frame. The small rod, when inserted, is also abutting the top frame edge of the raised lower window to prevent the lower window from being raised and the window safety guard from being removed.

Abstract: A system for installing wiring and cable in new and existing buildings has a tray member which will be coupled to a bottom section of a wall and run a length of the wall. A plurality of perforated knock-outs are located in an interior section of the tray member. A plurality of retaining clips are coupled to the interior section of the tray member. At least one electrical box is coupled to the tray member. An electrical accessory is coupled to the electrical box. A cover is coupled to the tray member for covering the wiring and the cables in the system. A face plate is coupled to the electrical box which mounts flush to and matches the cover.

Abstract: A rosary device which may be used during activities has a plurality of bead members. A string is slidably coupled to each of the plurality of bead members. The string is of sufficient thickness to prevent the plurality of bead members from freely moving. Connectors are coupled to the string for removably coupling the rosary device to an object.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus and method therefor having a frame capable of carrying a primary air storage tank and an emergency air storage tank, where the emergency air storage tank can either be released from the frame to replace a disabled person's tank, or the emergency air storage tank can remain on the frame and be coupled to a disabled person's face-mask by a hose thus allowing a rescuer to have both hands free in order to carry or drag a disabled person to safety

Abstract: A holding device for a fishing net which will hold a net portion of the fishing net to a pole section to prevent the net portion of the fishing net from becoming tangled and caught on items. The holding device has a body section having a first end coupled to the pole section. Fasteners are coupled to the first end and a second end of the body section. The fasteners are used for securing the net portion of the fishing net to the pole section and for releasing the net portion of the fishing net when pressure is applied to the net portion.

Abstract: A portable restroom facility has a housing. The housing has a door opening for entering and exiting the housing. A removable waste storage container is stored within the housing for holding bodily waste. When the removable waste storage container is full or partially full, the removable waste storage container can be removed and a new clean removable waste storage container can be inserted into the housing. Thus, a waste drainage truck does not need to visit each facility and drain each portable restroom facility.

Abstract: A method for creating a composite work of fine art that is the combination of two works of fine art. The creation of the first and second works of fine art that together form the composite work of fine art each include a hand-painting step. Preferably, for each of the first and second works of fine art, the hand-painting step follows the outputting of its corresponding image onto a substrate. Painting than occurs on top of the image on the substrate, which will speed the process and enhance its accuracy.

Abstract: A new method of playing multiple-draw poker that provides players with the opportunity to progressively build poker hands by duplicating held cards from a latest completed hand into a new hand and also receiving a bonus hand in the form of a five-card poker hand, with no re-draws, that is by itself capable of receiving a predetermined bonus amount based on the poker hand value of the bonus hand.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for efficiently driving a low-voltage device from a wide-range input supply uses and inductor and a diode coupled in parallel to provide a high-efficiency energy storage circuit. The parallel diode/inductor circuit is coupled to a switch for intermittently supplying a current to maintain a level of energy storage in the circuit. The switch is coupled to a control circuit for controlling the switch. The external device be a relay and the inductor may be a coil of the relay. The external device may be one or more LEDs connected in series and the diode may be the series LED circuit. The control circuit may include a fault-tolerant synchronization input for connection to multiple driver circuits, whereby audible noise produced by beat frequencies between the relays is eliminated.