Abstract: An ignition system with means for quick ignition is provided. The ignition system includes a hollow body having a first opening and a second opening; an ignition element for inducing combustion of a solid combustible material at the second opening; a current source electrically coupled to the ignition element; and a blower at the first opening, wherein the blower is configured to induce air flow from the first opening to the second opening.

Abstract: A modular shoe is provided by a two part shoe design. A first part is an internal support structure that includes a midsole portion and a heel counter. A second part is a removable cover that is configured to accept a specific size internal support structure to provide internal support to the soft material and outsole which comprise the cover. Various cover designs are configured to accept a single size internal support structure thereby providing for interchangeable cover and a plurality of shoe designs all sharing a single internal support structure. The removable cover takes substantially less packing space that supported shoe, thereby requiring reduced storage for a traveler packing several shoe designs all sharing a single internal support.

Abstract: An automated expert system that uses split-run and factorial design methods to determine which factors are most important in an experiment. The expert system is architected into Design, Execute and Evaluate phases, to assist a user in developing a Factorial Design experiment in which one, two or three factors are tested simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, a database infrastructure and web client, browser-based methodology functions as the expert system (a “wizard”) to design experiments, build control groups and evaluate results, all with the goal of discovering what values for which factors will yield the optimum response from subjects.

Abstract: A hood for directing smoke from a wood burning fireplace through a filter or catalytic converter enables a substantial reduction in pollutants released to the environment. In an exemplary embodiment, a hood includes a housing, in which an exhaust cleaner support unit supports an exhaust cleaner for reducing pollutants as smoke is directed from an intake opening of the housing to an exhaust opening of the housing. A rear surface of the housing and side surfaces of the housing abut three walls of the fireplace, reducing air paths behind or beside the hood to capture a substantial amount of the smoke from the fire. The front of the hood is tapered to direct the smoke toward the exhaust cleaner. Due to a mild suction effect from heating of the exhaust cleaner, the front surface of the hood need not extend all the way to the front of the fireplace, and air flow in front of the hood into the flue is not impeded.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic component comprising barrier layers for the encapsulation of the component comprises, in particular, the following steps: providing a substrate (1) with at least one functional layer (22), applying at least one first barrier layer (3) on the functional layer (22) by means of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and applying at least one second barrier layer (4) on the functional layer (22) by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD).

Abstract: A brick assembly may include a molded brick having a planar surface and at least one magnetic attachment for magnetically securing the brick assembly to a ferromagnetic surface. A mold assembly for manufacturing a brick assembly may include a mold chamber and at least one magnetic attachment seat or a hinged metal door. A method for manufacturing a brick assembly may include using a mold assembly, a mold material, and at least one magnetic attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a panel, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of bricks secured to the panel by the fastener.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an ETF 401(k) retirement plan administration are described. The typical requirement of purchasing full shares is addressed by establishing a breakage account. This account absorbs any extra money that would have bought a fraction of a share, purchases shares for the pool, and allows for an allotment of fractional shares that would not be possible otherwise.

Abstract: A modular shoe is provided by a two part shoe design. A first part is an internal support structure that includes a midsole portion and a heel counter. A second part is a removable cover that is configured to accept a specific size internal support structure to provide internal support to the soft material and outsole which comprise the cover. Various cover designs are configured to accept a single size internal support structure thereby providing for interchangeable cover and a plurality of shoe designs all sharing a single internal support structure. The removable cover takes substantially less packing space that supported shoe, thereby requiring reduced storage for a traveler packing several shoe designs all sharing a single internal support.

Abstract: An automated expert system that uses split-run and factorial design methods to determine which factors are most important in an experiment. The expert system is architected into Design, Execute and Evaluate phases, to assist a user in developing a Factorial Design experiment in which one, two or three factors are tested simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment, a database infrastructure and web client, browser-based methodology functions as the expert system (a “wizard”) to design experiments, build control groups and evaluate results, all with the goal of discovering what values for which factors will yield the optimum response from subjects.

Abstract: An automated, unified, interactive system and methods for marketing. After a Marketer uploads transaction and customer data, the system automatically analyzes this data to predict at least one of the group consisting of purchase probabilities, likely buyers, up-sell opportunities, cross-sell opportunities, and potential defectors; selects a marketing campaign and customers to target in that marketing campaign, the step of selecting customers being based upon results from the step of analyzing customer and transaction data; predicts anticipated response rate and/or revenue from the marketing campaign; delivers at least one list of the customers to target, wherein the list of customers further comprises customer records; supplies an expert system to test elements of the campaigns such as targeting and offers; and collects fees based on a number of the records downloaded.

Abstract: A process for predicting response rates, such as to a marketing campaign.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for real-time call control. When a call is received at a telephone server for a service subscriber, the server identifies the subscriber and retrieves information that will allow the server to contact the subscriber via instant messaging. An instant message is sent to the subscriber, and includes any number of options for controlling or handling the call. The options may be presented as hyperlinks, or the selected option may be returned in another instant message. The subscriber selects an option and communicates it to the server, which effects the selected option. The server may establish an audio connection between the server and the subscriber's computer or communication device (to allow the parties to talk), may transfer the call to another number, play a message for the caller (which may be pre-recorded or recorded in real-time), record a voicemail (which the subscriber may screen), etc.

Abstract: A modular fireplace burner assembly replacement method comprises providing a burner assembly positioned on a floor of a fireplace, turning off the gas source, decoupling a gas connection of the burner assembly from the gas source, removing the burner assembly from the fireplace, altering the burner assembly, positioning the burner assembly on floor of the fireplace, coupling the gas connection to the gas source, and turning on the gas source. The step of altering the burner assembly may include repairing the burner assembly or one or more subcomponents thereof, performing maintenance on the burner assembly or one or more subcomponents thereof, cleaning the burner assembly or one or more subcomponents thereof, or replacing the burner assembly or one or more subcomponents thereof.

Abstract: In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a method of providing transparent file backup service based on networked computers. The method includes establishing an online redundant array of independent disks (RAID) of a plurality of networked computers maintained by a central service controller on a server. The plurality of networked computers belong to one or more subscribed users. The method further includes storing backup files of each subscribed user on the online RAID. Each subscribed user dedicating at least a portion of storage spaces on corresponding computers to the online RAID for backup files of one or more alternative subscribed users. The central service controller in conjunction of a client software running on each user's computer is configured to coordinate backup file distribution and restoration.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for real-time call control. When a call is received at a telephone server for a service subscriber, the server identifies the subscriber and retrieves information that will allow the server to contact the subscriber via instant messaging. An instant message is sent to the subscriber, and includes any number of options for controlling or handling the call. The options may be presented as hyperlinks, or the selected option may be returned in another instant message. The subscriber selects an option and communicates it to the server, which effects the selected option. The server may establish an audio connection between the server and the subscriber's computer or communication device (to allow the parties to talk), may transfer the call to another number, play a message for the caller (which may be pre-recorded or recorded in real-time), record a voicemail (which the subscriber may screen), etc.

Abstract: A modular shoe system having interchangeable uppers and outsoles, comprising an internal support structure, a plurality of interchangeable first removable covers and a plurality of interchangeable second removable covers. The internal support structure includes a midsole, a heel counter and a toe box. The internal support structure has a front portion including the toe box and a rear portion including the heel counter. Each of the first removable covers includes a front upper and a front outsole. Each of the first removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the front portion. Each of the second removable covers includes a rear upper and a rear outsole. Each of the second removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the rear portion.

Abstract: A modular shoe system having interchangeable uppers and outsoles, comprising an internal support structure, a plurality of interchangeable first removable covers and a plurality of interchangeable second removable covers. The internal support structure includes a midsole, a heel counter and a toe box. The internal support structure has a front portion including the toe box and a rear portion including the heel counter. Each of the first removable covers includes a front upper and a front outsole. Each of the first removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the front portion. Each of the second removable covers includes a rear upper and a rear outsole. Each of the second removable covers is configured for being alternately removably attached to the rear portion.

Abstract: Audible media among different channels is recorded and analyzed to identify repeated instances of the same media item, either within a channel or from channel to channel, over a span of time. Such media items are identified as possible advertisements. A verification process is performed to determine which of these advertisement candidates are in fact advertisements. Once advertisements are so identified, audio from various sources is monitored to identify subsequent occurrences of that advertisement by matching the monitored audio against the stored signatures. In such a manner, advertisement flighting (broadcasts) as well as user exposure to advertisements can be detected and tracked.

Abstract: Music preferences for users are determined by direct sampling and analysis of the user's listening behavior. A user's preferences are derived by identifying songs listened to by the user and analyzing the user's switching-behavior among songs actually being played on the air.