Abstract: A holder for a mobile telephone includes a generally tube-shaped body comprising an exterior and an interior cavity having an opening at a first end of the body and an opening at an opposing second end of the body. The interior cavity has a surface comprising a material having frictional properties allowing the device to be slidingly inserted by hand into the interior of the tube-shaped body. The tube-shaped body is semi-rigid and sufficiently elastic so that the body can stretch to allow the hand insertion of the device into the interior of the body and can retain the inserted device in the interior of the body. The tube-shaped body can be positioned on a belt so that the belt extends through the interior cavity and out of the first opening and the second opening. A mobile electronic device can be slidingly inserted into the interior cavity, thereby stretching a portion of the body to cause the tube-shaped body to retain the inserted device in the interior cavity.

Abstract: Predictions are based primarily upon similarities in pairs of ratings, irrespective of the actual value of the ratings. A table is used to translate each pair of ratings into rankings that are used to make predictions of future ratings. Similar ratings are ranked higher than dissimilar ratings. The prediction is based upon the average () of the books linked to the book of interest, as rated by the user, plus the difference (&dgr;) between the average rating of the book of interest, as rated by all users, and the average ratings of the linked books, as rated by the user. The averages may be weighted by the rankings. Alternatively, the prediction is based upon the cumulative values applied to books linked to the books rated by the user, where the values are based upon the user's ratings of the rated books.

Abstract: An electronic system of locking and alarming one or more doors such that if an attempt is made to open the door, the alarm sounds. The device is preferably installed on vehicles having multiple built-in equipment compartments. The device is powered by the vehicle battery and includes a novel lock mechanism which requires very little power. The lock mechanism comprises a lock housing, a pin, a pivoting latch gate, a switch and a solenoid. The device is electrically connected to a vehicle's conventional remote-controlled security system and sounds an alarm if an attempt is made to open a compartment door.

Abstract: An exercise device for martial arts conditioning including a belt having rings, a torso harness a hand stirrup for each hand, a knee band for each knee, and an ankle band for each ankle. The harness includes front and back straps and is attached to the belt in the front and the back. A loop is attached on the harness at each shoulder for receiving an elastic cord. At least two more loops are attached to the back strap to receive elastic cords. Specialized channels in the knee band are adapted to receive elastic cords that are attached to the belt and the ankle. A method of use for practicing punching and blocking motions includes passing an elastic cord through the loops on the back harness strap, grasping each end of the cord with either hand, and repeatedly punching and blocking. A method of use for practicing kicking includes attaching elastic bands to the belt, passing them through the specialized channels on the knee band, attaching the cords at the ankle, and repeatedly kicking.