Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities' online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a credit card account or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a credit card account or other bank account. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee's behalf.

Abstract: A method of creating architectural models that includes scaled surface textures for at least one exterior surface of the architectural design is provided. The method includes printing scaled templates for component parts of an architectural model and a set of building instructions for the architectural model suing a computer-aided design system. Once the scaled templates for the component parts are printed, they are trimmed and affixed to a suitable model-making material, such as foamboard, after which the model-making material is trimmed to correspond to the shape of each template. The component parts are assembled and a plurality of template texture overlays are printed, which correspond to the desired surface textures and colors of the component parts forming the model. The scaled template texture overlays are permanently affixed to the component parts.

Abstract: A method and computer program for viewing a two-dimensional digital image (82) within a three-dimensional environment (46) is disclosed. The inventive method and program enable a user to view relatively simple self-generated two-dimensional images such as photographs or the like in a computer-generated three-dimensional environment and manipulated as if it's a three-dimensional image thereby having the advantages of a three-dimensional digital image while eliminating the relatively complex, costly and time-consuming task of creating the three-dimensional digital image.

Abstract: A hinge system for deploying panels or other structures from a satellite or spacecraft has at least two configurations. The panels are held in a substantially stacked disposition in the stowed configuration by the hinge system which connects to each panel and includes an intermediate arm sized to span any necessary space between the two panels in the stowed configuration. A deployment cable is attached to one of the panels and threaded over a series of pulleys disposed on the hinge system and onto a spool in the other panel. When the spool is driven to wind the deployment cable onto it, the tension in the cable pulls on the pulleys, causing the hinge to unfold and then slide into a housing located on one of the panels. This deployed configuration allows the panels to be held aligned and directly adjacent to one another by the tension of the deployment cable.

Abstract: A method of creating architectural models that includes scaled surface textures for at least one exterior surface of the architectural design is provided. The method includes printing scaled templates for component parts of an architectural model and a set of building instructions for the architectural model suing a computer-aided design system. Once the scaled templates for the component parts are printed, they are trimmed and affixed to a suitable model-making material, such as foamboard, after which the model-making material is trimmed to correspond to the shape of each template. The component parts are assembled and a plurality of template texture overlays are printed, which correspond to the desired surface textures and colors of the component parts forming the model. The scaled template texture overlays are permanently affixed to the component parts.

Abstract: A method of creating architectural models that includes scaled surface textures for at least one exterior surface of the architectural design is provided. The method includes printing scaled templates for component parts of an architectural model and a set of building instructions for the architectural model using a computer-aided design system. Once the scaled templates for the component parts are printed, they are trimmed and affixed to a suitable model-making material, such as foamboard, after which the model-making material is trimmed to correspond to the shape of each template. The component parts are assembled and a plurality of template texture overlays are printed, which correspond to the desired surface textures and colors of the component parts forming the model. The scaled template texture overlays are permanently affixed to the component parts.

Abstract: A seat cushion comprising a resilient wedge-shaped pad having an upper surface at an incline sloping downwardly from a higher end to a lower end. A plurality of spaced apart gel packs are on the upper surface of the resilient wedge-shaped pad. The gel packs closest to the higher end are of a high density, while other gel packs will decrease in density toward the lower end of the resilient wedge-shaped pad. A waterproof covering is over the resilient wedge-shaped pad and the gel packs to protect the resilient wedge-shaped pad and the gel packs from wear and damage.

Abstract: A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource. The method includes the steps of (a) digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, (b) digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and (c) based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade. The upgrade information may be stored on a portable medium along with copies of the resources and the upgrade information may include instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.

Abstract: A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource. The method includes the steps of (a) digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, (b) digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and (c) based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade. The upgrade information may be stored on a portable medium along with copies of the resources and the upgrade information may include instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.

Abstract: A control system for a liquid supply fixture including a microprocessor for receiving inputs from a plurality of sources and to provide outputs to a plurality of receivers for the control of the liquid supply fixture, and a collection of inputs receivable by the microprocessor from sources activated in response to infrared rays received after transmission from an infrared transmitter associated with the microprocessor to activate a liquid supply control to control the supply of liquid to the fixture.

Abstract: A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource. The method includes the steps of (a) digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, (b) digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and (c) based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade. The upgrade information may be stored on a portable medium along with copies of the resources and the upgrade information may include instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.

Abstract: A method for use in upgrading a resource of a computer from an existing version of the resource to a later version of the resource. The method includes the steps of (a) digitally storing upgrade information which identifies the later version and describes features of the later version relative to one or more earlier versions of the resource, (b) digitally storing in the computer information identifying the existing version, by computer, automatically determining which of the earlier versions is the existing version, and (c) based on the results of the comparing step, automatically determining, or displaying to a user at least some of the upgrade information to aid the user in determining, whether to perform an upgrade. The upgrade information may be stored on a portable medium along with copies of the resources and the upgrade information may include instructions, in accordance with a predefined common syntax, for installing each of the resources.

Abstract: Pulsed infrared sensor including a solenoid to detect the presence of a person or object whereupon the solenoid is activated to regulate fluid flow, including a microprocessor for receiving inputs from a plurality of sources and to provide outputs to a plurality of receivers for the control of the fluid flow, and a collection of inputs receivable by the microprocessor from sources activated in response to infrared rays received after transmission from an infrared transmitter including a remote transmitter associated with the microprocessor to activate a fluid supply control to control the supply of fluid to the fixture.