Abstract: A personal watercraft includes a floatation member, a thrust assembly, a steering assembly, and a braking assembly. The assemblies may be actuated either mechanically or electrically. The thrust assembly is human powered, solar powered, or electric powered. The thrust, steering, and braking assemblies can be added after-market to an existing stand-up paddle board (SUP), or built into one or a plurality of SUPs during initial manufacturing. When the thrust assembly is human powered, it is leg or arm powered. When the thrust assembly is leg powered, the legs can move backward and forward in a sliding motion, up and down in a stomping fashion, or move in a loop trajectory. When the thrust assembly is arm powered, the arms can move forward/backward together or separately. The thrust assembly includes one or a plurality of paddles or flippers that are positioned to the side or under the SUP.

Abstract: An active foodware system includes a visual-stimulating component for displaying information related to a plurality of sensing components, such as load cells, sensing weight of food on respective dining surfaces of supporting dining plates. A mechanical structure supports and positions the dining plates in a constrained relationship to each other, and cavities in the mechanical structure may unattachedly mate with the dining plates. A wireless communication component wirelessly sends weight data to the visual-stimulating component, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. The system is configured to determine calories of the food, and the system may include a camera for sensing the food or a diner. The visual-stimulating component may display information other than information provided by a scale, and auditory and haptic stimuli may also be provided.

Abstract: An active foodware system includes a visual-stimulating component for displaying information related to a plurality of sensing components, such as load cells, sensing weight of food on respective dining surfaces of supporting dining plates. A mechanical structure supports and positions the dining plates in a constrained relationship to each other, and cavities in the mechanical structure may unattachedly mate with the dining plates. A wireless communication component wirelessly sends weight data to the visual-stimulating component, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. The system is configured to determine calories of the food, and the system may include a camera for sensing the food or a diner. The visual-stimulating component may display information other than information provided by a scale, and auditory and haptic stimuli may also be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for dispensing into a liquid a soluble substance, such as a soluble flavoring. The soluble flavoring may include a lime flavoring with citric acid. It may include a cannabinoid. Alternatively, the soluble flavoring may not include citric acid or sugar. A useful application of the subject invention includes a lime flavoring held by a gelatinous elastic lime wedge. The gelatinous lime wedge may be retrieved from a protective covering and acted upon so it mixes the lime flavoring into a beverage, such as when it's inserted into a water or beer bottle or can. Rather than needing to buy and store a perishable natural lime, and cut it up, a gelatinous lime wedge holding soluble lime flavoring may be stored for an extended period of time, and placed in functional contact with water, beer, or other liquid, at time of consumption.

Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.

Abstract: An active foodware system senses food characteristics, such as weight, calories, and other nutrition. Dining dishes are removably mated with dish holders supported by a mechanical structure having visual stimulating, sensing, and wireless communication components. A visual stimulating component emits light from a dining dish. The mechanical structure protects the components and circuitry from liquid. The system may include a camera. Other components may provide data processing, auditory and haptic stimuli, wireless power, temperature sensing, and heating of food. Data related to the food is displayed on a visual stimulating component of a computer or mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. The data may also be sent to the internet. Computer software displays nutrition information on the visual stimulating component, which may be displayed before, during, and/or after dining. Computer software may also provide visual and auditory encouragement for children to eat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for storing and dispensing into a liquid a soluble substance, such as a flavoring, a body fuel, a nutritional supplement, a stimulant, a relaxant, an alcohol neutralizer, or a medical drug. A useful application of the subject invention includes a lime flavoring held by a gelatinous artificial lime wedge stored with a beer bottle or can, or attached to a 6-pack or 12-pack carton. The artificial lime wedge may be retrieved from a protective covering and acted upon so it mixes the lime flavoring into the beer when it is inserted into the beer bottle or can. Rather than needing to buy and store a perishable natural lime, and cut it up, an artificial lime wedge may be stored for an extended period of time with a beer vessel and placed in functional contact with the beer at time of consumption.

Abstract: An information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, transfers information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.

Abstract: An active foodware system includes dining plates having visual stimulating, sensing, and wireless communication components. A visual stimulating component emits light to provide information or entertainment. The sensing component detects characteristics of the food received in the dining plate, such as weight or temperature. Data related to the food may be displayed on the visual stimulating component, or sent by the wireless communication component to a computer or mobile communication device. Computer software may display nutrition information on the visual stimulating component before, during, and after dining, or provide visual and auditory encouragement for children to eat.

Abstract: An active foodware system includes a mechanical structure supporting a food surface recessed in relation to an area surrounding the food surface; a heating component for heating food received by the food surface; a sensing component for maintaining the heating component at a desired temperature; a wireless communication component; and a visual stimulating component responsive to data from the sensing component or the wireless communication component.

Abstract: An information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, transfers information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.

Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.

Abstract: Product vendors are provided with a system for performing a marketing campaign to mobile communication device users, providing offers as instruments, such as digital coupons, to a selected group of users of the mobile communication devices and validating the integrity of the instruments. The invention has two phases: the selection of the components of the instrument from a menu provided by a social networking organization; and validating the instrument upon redemption from the product vendor. In the first phase, the product vendor selects elements from the menu relevant to the campaign, such as timing, nature of the offer, targeting of the recipients, etc. In the second phase, the instrument is encoded as to the marketing campaign and an arbitrary designation which initiates a pattern as the instrument is redeemed. The product vendor inspects the instrument to ensure that the encoding is correct during the redemption process.

Abstract: An information source, such as an advertiser or product vendor, transfers information to contacts for which the information source has no contact data. The information source stores information in an information database which communicates the information to a referrer which has the desired contact data. The referrer uses a communication device to transfer the information to one or more contacts using contact data.

Abstract: A system can determine that a mobile device, located at a physical place of business transmits a first electronic communication for redemption of an electronic offer at the physical place of business. The system can further detect a second electronic communication transmitted from the mobile device, which indicates a first identifier. The first identifier can be associated with a verifier of the electronic offer (e.g., a staff member) at the physical place of business. The system can further determine, based on analysis of the first identifier, a second identifier (e.g., contact data, a telephone number, etc.), that corresponds to the verifier, without providing the second identifier to the mobile device. The system can further electronically transmit, utilizing the second identifier, a third electronic communication that indicates information about the redemption of the electronic offer.

Abstract: An active foodware system senses food characteristics, such as weight, calories, and other nutrition. Dining dishes may be removably mated with dish holders supported by a mechanical structure having visual stimulating, sensing, and wireless communication components. A visual stimulating component may emit light from a dining dish. The mechanical structure may protect the components and circuitry from liquid. The system may include a camera. Other components may provide data processing, auditory and haptic stimuli, wireless power, temperature sensing, and heating of food. Data related to the food may be sent to the internet as well as displayed on a visual stimulating component of a computer or mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. Computer software may display nutrition information on the visual stimulating component before, during, and after dining. Computer software may provide visual and auditory encouragement for children to eat.

Abstract: A personal watercraft includes a floatation member, a thrust assembly, a steering assembly, and a braking assembly. The assemblies may be actuated either mechanically or electrically. The thrust assembly is human powered, solar powered, or electric powered. The thrust, steering, and braking assemblies can be added after-market to an existing stand-up paddle board (SUP), or built into one or a plurality of SUPs during initial manufacturing. When the thrust assembly is human powered, it is leg or arm powered. When the thrust assembly is leg powered, the legs can move backward and forward in a sliding motion, up and down in a stomping fashion, or move in a loop trajectory. When the thrust assembly is arm powered, the arms can move forward/backward together or separately. The thrust assembly includes one or a plurality of paddles or flippers that are positioned to the side or under the SUP.

Abstract: An active foodware system includes a mechanical structure supporting a food surface recessed in relation to an area surrounding the food surface; a heating component for heating food received by the food surface; a sensing component for maintaining the heating component at a desired temperature; a wireless communication component; and a visual stimulating component responsive to data from the sensing component or the wireless communication component.

Abstract: A personal watercraft includes a floatation member, a thrust assembly, a steering assembly, and a braking assembly. The assemblies may be actuated either mechanically or electrically. The thrust assembly is human powered, solar powered, or electric powered. The thrust, steering, and braking assemblies can be added after-market to an existing stand-up paddle board (SUP), or built into one or a plurality of SUPs during initial manufacturing. When the thrust assembly is human powered, it is leg or arm powered. When the thrust assembly is leg powered, the legs can move backward and forward in a sliding motion, up and down in a stomping fashion, or move in a loop trajectory. When the thrust assembly is arm powered, the arms can move forward/backward together or separately. The thrust assembly includes one or a plurality of paddles or flippers that are positioned to the side or under the SUP.