Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating a transaction between two or more parties. One or more electronic documents are received at a server computer from a client communications device of a first party to the transaction. All of the one or more electronic documents are locked against future changes. The identity validation of the first party indicates that the first party has agreed to the one or more electronic documents. Registration information is received from the client communications device of a second party to the transaction. The registration information includes the identity validation of the second party. The second party is provided with access to the received electronic documents. Whenever an acceptance of the electronic documents is received from the client communications devices of the second party, the identity validation from the first party and the second party to the agreed to electronic document.

Abstract: A left and right hemisphere independently adjustable azimuth antenna with a new method of electrically floating reflector device when used with the cooperating antenna array geometry, yields an modified directed radiated beam which can be actuated by means of a simple mechanical mechanism. The adjustment in the azimuth pattern is accomplished by means of moving the electrically floating reflector device in an arc around a line parallel to the axis of the antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provides a redundant prime mover system to drive a machine having an engine coupled to the machine, and a motor/generator coupled to the machine and an electrical network connection. The engine and the motor/generator have three or four operating modes. The first operating mode drives the machine with the engine. The second operating mode drives the machine with the motor/generator. The third operating mode drives the machine and the motor/generator with the engine such that the motor/generator generates electricity for delivery to the electrical network connection. Alternatively, the third operating mode drives the machine with both the engine and the motor/generator. This alternate operating mode can also be included as a fourth operating mode.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for handling cargo that includes a motorized electric pallet truck (12) to which a tower (30) having two or more legs (32) is attached, the tower (30) includes a transverse member (34) connected to the two or more legs (32), and at least one mast (36) that extends from the transverse member (34) opposite the two or more legs (32), the mast (36) includes a chamber therein, at least one mechanical arm (40) is operably attached to the mast (36) and includes at least one pneumatically operated device (44) having lifting capability and an electric pump (50) is electrically connected to the electric power supply of the pallet truck (12) and provides pneumatic pressure to the interior of the tower (30).

Abstract: A phased array antenna is disclosed with a new method of phase shifting device when used with the cooperating antenna array feed system structure, yields an adjustable electrically directed radiated beam that may be actuated by means of a simple mechanical mechanism. The phase shift is accomplished by mechanically moving the phase shift coupling device upwards or downwards along the parallel feed body between adjacent feed lines in cavities within the antenna housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for an electricity transfer station. The present invention provides a method for providing a first electricity flow at a first network connection by monitoring a second electricity flow from a second network connection to one or more third network connections and one or more electricity transfer devices. The present invention then controls the one or more electricity transfer devices and one or more electricity sources so that the second electricity flow is less than or equal to a first value and the first electricity flow is provided at the first network connection. In addition, the present invention provides a system for providing a first electricity flow.at a first network connection using a second electricity flow at a second network connection.

Abstract: A left and right hemisphere independently adjustable azimuth antenna with a new method of electrically floating reflector device when used with the cooperating antenna array geometry, yields an modified directed radiated beam which can be actuated by means of a simple mechanical mechanism. The adjustment in the azimuth pattern is accomplished by means of moving the electrically floating reflector device in an arc around a line parallel to the axis of the antenna.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents and method for isolation thereof from the gel liquid of Aloe vera includes at least one antimicrobial agent isolated from the clear gel isolated from the whole leaf of the Aloe vera plant, wherein the antimicrobial agent is an agent produced by the Aloe vera and/or indigenous bacteria that colonize the Aloe vera plant, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for providing an executive compensation system having a first entity, a money lender, and an insurer. The first entity receives a taxable sum of money from a second entity, which owes the taxable sum of money to a person. The first entity provides one or more periodic payments to the person until the person dies, wherein the one or more periodic payments determined from the taxable sum of money and the person's life expectancy. The money lender loans a non-taxable sum of money to the person and in return receives one or more periodic interest payments from the person. The non-taxable sum of money is determined from a fixed rate of interest and the one or more periodic interest payments that are substantially equivalent to the one or more periodic payments. The insurer provides a life insurance policy for the person's life such that the life insurance policy pays a death benefit substantially equivalent to the non-taxable sum of money.

Abstract: An automated railroad crossing warning system includes a controller for servicing the intersection of a railroad track and a roadway with directional horns oriented in opposite directions to direct horn blasts along the roadway is disclosed. A controller detects the presence of a train approaching the intersection and transmits a signal to the horns to activate the horns. A horn detector transmits a signal to the controller upon activation of the horns at a predetermined decibel level. The controller then activates the light such that the railroad engineer can visually determine that the horns at the intersection are being activated. The controller includes an electronic circuit which causes the horns to produce blasts in a predetermined sequence which matches the conventional signal produced by a train engine upon approaching such a crossing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preventing a fault condition in a DC-DC converter (10, 20, 50) having a first secondary winding (Ns1) coupled to a first synchronous rectifier (SQ1) and a second secondary winding (Ns2) coupled to a second synchronous rectifier (SQ2). The first synchronous rectifier (SQ1) is turned on based on a voltage across the first secondary winding (Ns1) and is turned off based on a first driver signal. The second synchronous rectifier (SQ2) is turned on based on a voltage across the second secondary winding (Ns2) and is turned off based on a second driver signal. The present invention also provides a DC-DC converter (10, 20, 50) wherein a first control circuit is coupled to and controls the first synchronous rectifier (SQ1) pursuant to the method described above, and a second control circuit is coupled to and controls the second synchronous rectifier (SQ2) pursuant to the method described above.

Abstract: A computer implemented transaction processing system is presented for processing transactions between an application and one or more transaction processors. The system utilizes a first communication link between the application and a transaction processor interoperability component. Then, the system determines which of the one or more transaction processors will process transactions for the application and establishes a communication link between the transaction processor interoperability component and the transaction processor that will process transactions for the application.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for managing data having a first database for storing system data, a second database for storing client data and at least one database server to control the first database and the second database. In addition, a first set of objects are linked to the first database through the database server, and a second set of objects are linked to the second database through the database server. Moreover, a set of minions is linked to the second set of objects, an agent manger is linked to the first set of objects and the set of minions, and an interactive manager is linked to the first set of objects, the agent manager and a user application via an inter-process communication interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for transmitting a digital message from a source to one or more receiving devices. After the digital message is received from the source, the one or more receiving devices are selected from a list of addressable receiving devices and the digital message is routed through a local area network until the digital message can be transmitted to the one or more receiving devices. The digital message is then transmitted to the one or more receiving devices using a single wireless transmission. Alternatively, the present invention provides a method and system for transmitting a digital message from a source to one or more destinations. After the digital message is received from the source, the digital message is transmitted over a wireless communications link to each of the one or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving the digital message over the wireless communications link.

Abstract: A tractor (20) for unloading a trailer (12) from a railcar (14) is disclosed. The tractor (20) comprises a trigger actuator (34) and a bumper (30). The trigger actuator (34) is fixably mounted to the tractor (20) and remains stationary. The bumper (30) of the tractor (20) may be operated between an extended position and a retracted position. When the bumper (30) is in the extended position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to a stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) does not engage the trigger of the stanchion (16). When the bumper (30) is in the retracted position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to the stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) engages the trigger (28) of the stanchion (16) to operate the stanchion (16) from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby transferring the trailer (12) from the stanchion (16) to the tractor (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides a hat and a method for manufacturing a hat comprising a top, a band and a brim. The band has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the band is attached to the perimeter of the top. The brim is attached to the lower portion of the band. The brim comprises a fusing material disposed between a first brim layer and a second brim layer to bond the first brim layer to the second brim layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) is disclosed for automatically controlling the volume level of an audio signal transmitted to or received by a mobile station and/or terminal within a telecommunications network, the apparatus including a noise measuring device (102), a volume controller (104) communicably coupled to the noise measuring device, and a memory module (108) communicably coupled to the noise measuring device. In a wireless telecommunications network, the memory module may comprise a subscriber identity module (SIM) and contain preferred volume levels for given levels of noise for that particular subscriber.

Abstract: A computer implemented transaction processing system is presented for processing transactions between an application and one or more transaction processors. The system utilizes a first communication link between the application and a transaction processor interoperability component. Then, the system determines which of the one or more transaction processors will process transactions for the application and establishes a communication link between the transaction processor interoperability component and the transaction processor that will process transactions for the application.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of flower pots are disclosed. The pots include a transparent or transluent panel or cylindrical portion which exhibit a pattern when one or more light sources are provided behind the panels or cylindrical portions.