Abstract: An exercise garment is in the form of pants having a high waist area which can be worn without the need for suspenders although suspenders can be optionally attached. Other forms of exercise garments include structure for specifically exercising the muscles in the abdominal region. The structure can include an abdominal panel made of resistance material arranged in the form of adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A wearable upper body exercise device for providing resistance to the natural forward arm swinging motion. The device comprises a wearable structure having one or more resistance units each attached to one end of a cord having an engagement interface attached at the other end of the cord. Each resistance unit provides resistance to pulling of the cord away from it. Each cord is engaged by a cord guide located in back of the user, below waist level, and, optionally, outward relative to the spine of the user. Each cord guide is connected to a cord-positioning structure, each comprising a shaft extending rearward and downward from the point of attachment to the wearable structure. One of the engagement interface or the resistance unit engages an arm or hand of the user, and the other engages the mounting unit.

Abstract: Exercise apparatus for exercising the upper body simultaneously with lower body exercise, comprising a lower body exercise machine and at least one upper body exercise module positioned for use in conjunction with the lower body exercise machine. The upper body exercise module comprises an elongated connector having first and second ends; a user engagement connected to the elongated connector first end for engaging or being engaged by a body appendage of a user; and a resistance mechanism for resisting a force applied to the first end of the elongated connector. Each upper body exercise module is adapted to provide resistance to a full, natural arm swing of at least one arm of the user. Various types of lower body exercise machines, resistance devices, user engagements, relationships between the upper body exercise module and the lower body exercise machine, and exercise methods using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A combined toothpaste dispenser and oral hygiene assembly includes a toothpaste dispenser which is preferably a rigid pump. A holder is mounted to the outer component of the pump for detachably housing at least one oral hygiene or personal care tool. Such tool may be a dental floss dispenser and/or toothbrushes. Preferably, a cover is mounted over the top of the dispenser to provide sanitary protection for the dispenser and the personal care tools and to function as a cup as well as enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the assembly.

Abstract: A shoe having a rubberized sole, a heel section having a heel support, an at least partially covered toe section, and a generally open midsection extending from approximately the wearer's toe/instep joint to the front of the wearer's ankle. In some embodiments, the shoe may comprise waterproof materials or water resistant materials. The midsection may comprise a side rail that rises above the sole between the toe section and the heel section. The shoe may further comprise a strap anchored to one side of the shoe and adapted to wrap around the wearer's foot to a securing member on the other side of the shoe to secure the wearer's foot in the shoe.

Abstract: A jumping toy comprising a projectile comprising a cushioned head, a propulsion mechanism, a base, and, in some embodiments, a releasable catch mechanism that prevents the propulsion mechanism from activating until the catch mechanism is released. In various embodiments, the propulsion mechanism may comprise a spring with the cushioned head attached to the spring; the base may comprise a launching tube into which the spring is compressed; the toy may comprise an article with a spring mounted in an inner compartment; or the toy may comprise a launching apparatus comprising a projectile interface and a base, wherein movement of the projectile interface relative to the base creates stored energy that is subsequently converted to kinetic energy and transferred to the projectile.

Abstract: A process for investment in intellectual property, comprising providing an accounting for an intellectual property investment; providing a valuation with respect to the intellectual property investment; performing financial analysis related to the intellectual property investment and making a recommendation based upon the financial analysis; and managing the investment based upon the accounting, valuation, and analysis for the investment. The financial analysis includes computing one or more financial ratios or indices, comparing financial information relating to the IP investments to one or more other IP investments, and making a financial transaction recommendation with respect to the IP investment. The analysis and recommendation process may stand alone or may be used in conjunction with pre-existing, non-IP-based securities analysis and recommendation/estimation processes.

Abstract: A method for commercialization of intellectual property (IP) comprising the steps of providing a comprehensive, centralized network of service provider members, each member having expertise in at least one facet of IP commercialization, offering an interested party access to the network, such as by computer, telephone, or attendance at a network event, and one or more network members providing services to the interested party. The method may comprise creating a financial market for IP assets where IP assets, or securities based upon IP assets, can be bought and sold. The method may comprise providing a certification program for certifying IP analysts qualified to provide tangible valuation of IP assets. One aspect of the invention may comprise providing a trade show in which the service providers are grouped in a physical layout by a corresponding step in an IP asset life cycle.

Abstract: An exercise reel comprising an elongated tension member having first and second ends, a user engagement connected to the elongated tension member first end for engaging a body appendage, a spool connected to the elongated tension member second end and on which the elongated tension member is adapted to be wound, a resistance mechanism comprising a rotatable disk and a pair of calipers for engaging the rotatable disk for resisting unwinding of the spool, and a retraction mechanism for automatically rewinding the spool. One aspect of the invention comprises an exercise machine comprising at least one exercise reel of the invention, preferably an aerobic leg exercise machine wherein the exercise reel comprises an arm exercise reel for providing resistance to the user's natural forward arm swing. Exercise machines comprising other types of resistance devices for providing resistance to the natural forward arm swing are also claimed.

Abstract: A method for auditing one or more intellectual property assets of an entity. The method comprises the steps of: identifying and classifying each intellectual property asset; inspecting documentation related to each intellectual property asset; determining validity of each intellectual property asset; identifying and verifying relevant financial data for each intellectual property asset; identifying and verifying a proper tangible valuation formula for each intellectual property asset; computing and verifying a tangible valuation for each intellectual property asset using the formula; preparing an income statement reflecting revenue and expenses associated with each intellectual property asset; preparing a balance sheet reflecting each intellectual property asset and corresponding valuation; and issuing an opinion certifying that the one or more intellectual property assets and corresponding tangible values are fairly stated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Abstract: A method of providing insurance for an intellectual property (IP) asset comprising the steps of: identifying the IP asset for which insurance is desired; identifying one or more risks associated with the IP asset; identifying and gathering relevant risk data and financial data related to the IP asset and the one or more risks; computing a valuation for each risk; computing a total risk value; constructing an IP insurance policy for the asset related to at least one of the identified risks, the policy comprising a scope of coverage including a monetary coverage amount for a length of time in consideration for a premium to be charged; issuing or underwriting the IP insurance policy; and collecting premiums.

Abstract: A shoe that greatly reduces and/or eliminates toe pressure, restriction and movement problems caused by the conventional shoe. The shoe would have either a completely open toe box, partially opened toe box, or a completely covered toe box. The toe box can be made of a flexible material, such that when the toes apply pressure, the toe box actually moves away thereby reducing pressure and reducing or eliminating associated pain on the toes and lastly, a flexible or non-flexible raised toe box section.

Abstract: A method for a user to conduct research on an information network. The user contacts a service provider having access to the information network; the user communicates information regarding a desired research project to the service provider; the service provider conducts the research on the information network and finds one or more or no results; and the service provider communicates the results or lack thereof to the user. The research project may comprise obtaining information about a goods or services, in which case the method may further comprise the user placing an order for the goods or services through the service provider and the service provider obtaining the goods or services for the user through the information network. A similar method may be used for soliciting customers for goods and services. The invention also comprises a system to enable a user to indirectly conduct research on an information network in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A method for a service provider to facilitate financial transactions between demanders and suppliers. In one embodiment, the service provider receives a referral from a first supplier regarding a first demander rejected by the first supplier. Data relating to the first demander is entered into a database in association with a confidential demander code. A second supplier, through a database search, is provided information on prospective demanders, initially only by confidential code, and ultimately arranges a meeting with the first demander arranged by the service provider. If the first demander and second supplier consummate a financial transaction, the service provider is compensated and the service provider shares the compensation with the first supplier who referred the first demander. Related methods allow suppliers to search for other suppliers and demanders to search for suppliers or other demanders. Computer program products for carrying out the method steps of the invention are also claimed.

Abstract: A process for conducting research and development on a project comprises the steps of establishing a competition between at least two identifiably distinct R&D teams to work on the project, including at least one team leader responsible for leading members of each team and one project manager to oversee the competition, and including providing an incentive for winning the competition. As each team works on the project and develops a proposed solution, their progress is periodically evaluated to determine if any team can be declared a winner or can be eliminated from the competition. A winning solution is designated and the incentive is awarded the incentive to the winning team. The process preferably involves an internal R&D team competing against an external R&D team.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating tangible valuation of intellectual property assets. The method comprises providing a centralized intellectual property market accessible to others in which one or more financial instruments, each instrument representing an interest in at least one intellectual property asset, may be exchanged in one or more transactions for a tangible value. The market may comprise means for accepting bids from one or more first parties interested in acquiring one or more financial instruments, means for accepting asking positions from one or more second parties interested in receiving value in exchange for the one or more financial instruments, and means for matching the bids and asking positions and facilitating transactions between the first and second parties.

Abstract: An aerobic climbing step/bench device includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform having a downwardly extending apron. Height adjustability is achieved by the use of detachable legs which are mounted to the base by mounting elements and complementary mounting elements on the legs and underside of the base. At least one set of mounting and complementary mounting elements includes a cylindrical post and a recess shaped to receive the post.

Abstract: An aerobic resistance garment is particularly designed for warm weather or indoor or high temperature use by including elastic resistance bands and base fabric material wherein the base fabric material is breathable such as by being made from an open mesh or net material. If desired at least a portion of the midriff may be bare.

Abstract: An energy expenditure garment includes various elastic resistance elements located on the garment so as to help in the training of a user while participating in a swinging sport, such as golf or racquet sports. The garment could also include a biofeedback sensor to indicate when a proper swing has or has not been performed.

Abstract: A remote control movable ball amusement device includes a plurality of shell parts so as to result in a non-spherical ball. Preferably each shell part is driven independently of the other. An antenna is provided which extends externally of the shell parts to increase the range of operability of the device.