Abstract: A method of playing a stock trading simulation game is disclosed and includes providing a game apparatus including a game board having a plurality of spaces marked thereon defining a path of movement on the game board, with a portion of the plurality of spaces representing individual stock positions. The method further includes a plurality of methods for ending play of the game, establishing an Exchange for handling exchange of game money and stock positions during play of the game, and taking a turn by one of the players, with the turn comprising taking a hidden turn and taking an open turn. A game apparatus may include the game board, a trade transaction sheet for recording trades of stock positions, a hidden bid card for secretly recording hidden bids, and a number of game pieces including open turn and hidden turn game pieces.

Abstract: A tool storage device for selectively retaining a tool against a structure. The tool storage device includes a mounting assembly, a first jaw assembly, and a second jaw assembly. The mounting assembly is for selectively coupling the system to a vertical surface of a structure. The first jaw assembly is operationally coupled to the mounting assembly, and is designed for abutting a first side of the handle of the tool being retained. The second jaw assembly is pivotally coupled to the mounting assembly, and is designed for abutting a second side of the handle of the tool being retained. The handle is selectively retained between the first jaw assembly and the second jaw assembly.

Abstract: A trailer protection system is disclosed that includes a support assembly for being supported on the tow hitch assembly of a vehicle and a flexible deflection structure that extends downwardly from the support assembly. A reinforcing element comprises a first portion extending transverse to and rearwardly of the deflection structure, and second and third portions extending rearwardly and downwardly from the support assembly to the first portion through a plane defined by the deflection structure in a skewed relationship to the plane. A mounting assembly may comprise a clamp plate defining an aperture for receiving the tow hitch assembly with a slot being formed in the clamp plate, and a constriction structure for selectively reducing a size of an inner perimeter of the aperture of the clamp plate to thereby clamp the clamp plate on the portion of the tow hitch assembly. A mounting track may slidably receive a portion of the deflection structure.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.

Abstract: Information stored in a database of an electronic program guide is utilized to launch or terminate execution of one or more applications based upon the electronic program guide information. An application to be controlled is associated with an event and registered in a registry database. The event is determined in one embodiment by the electronic program guide. As information is received by an information handling system, the event information is monitored to determine whether the event has occurred. Upon the occurrence of the event, such as when the present time is a predetermined time, the associated application is launched or terminated according to the determined event.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal information appliance management system capable of utilizing a distributed object system without regard to whether the appliance is embodied as a hardware device or embodied as software capable of being executed by any other hardware device such that the hardware device is indistinguishable from the software device. In addition, the invention provides a virtual reality interface including a dynamic virtual reality object capable of adapting to interaction by the user. Additionally, the invention provides a system and method for providing distributed functionality over a network including receiving a request to perform a task on a first digital information appliance, the task requiring a resource not included on the first digital information appliance. The digital information appliance locates a second digital information appliance over a network, the second digital information appliance including the resource.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a circuit board within a computer chassis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a standoff support mounted in a channel so that the standoff can be positioned along the length of the channel by moving or sliding the standoff within the channel. This movable standoff facilitates the mounting of a variety of circuit boards within the same computer chassis.

Abstract: A yard waste collection bag for providing a user with a biodegradable bag that would be attached to a yard machine discharge chute. The yard waste collection bag includes a main bag member having a perimeter wall that extends between a first and second end. The first end is open. The first end is designed for engaging an output of yard maintenance equipment. The second end is closed such that the second and the perimeter wall form a bag for collecting yard waste discharged from the yard maintenance equipment. At least one elongate member is coupled to the second end of the main bag member. The elongate member is for facilitating holding and transporting the main bag member.

Abstract: A client device, or information appliance such as a personal digital assistant, is capable of receiving multimedia data streams from a server. However, due to processing and display capabilities, the client device may not be able to present the complete data stream, or a user may elect to configure the client device not to process data that will unduly reduce the client device's performance. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for allowing a server to determine the native, or user selected, capabilities of a client device, such that the server can filter and parse the data into meaningfully presentable data and non-meaningfully presentable data, and then transmit only the meaningfully presentable data to the client device for processing and display.

Abstract: A method of promptly transferring cash from a sender to a receiver who is some distance from the sender. The intended receiver obtains a free unactivated cash card. The card includes an identification number, a magnetic strip for recording an amount of money and a passcode and indicia identifying the agency supplying the card. The receiver contacts an activating agent who activates the card and provides a passcode, typically four digits. The receiver contacts the sender and agree on the amount of money to be transferred. The sender then contacts the agent and requests that a sum of money be transferred to the cash card, identifying the particular card by the card identification number. The sender then deposits the sum with the agent, who credits the cash card with that amount.

Abstract: A deflection gauge dislodging system for performing deflection tests of pipes while permitting the deflection gauge to be readily dislodged from the interior of the pipe should it become stuck in the pipe. The deflection gauge dislodging system includes an elongate deflection gauge for measuring a minimum diameter of a lumen of a pipe. A dislodging apparatus is provided for dislodging the deflection gauge from a lodged condition in the lumen of a pipe. The dislodging apparatus is adapted to impact against the deflection gauge while the deflection gauge is positioned in the lumen of the pipe.

Abstract: A system for organizing elongated objects (such as wires, cables, pipes, hoses, ducts, tubing, and other similar items) into bundles to create a more uniform, neat and functional arrangement is disclosed. The system includes a fastener adapted to extend along the length of an elongated object. The fastener provides a continuous attachment to another elongated object or to another object for a distance along the length of the elongated object. The fastener is preferably integrated with the structure of the elongated object, or alternatively, it may be applied as a wrap around the elongated object.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product that pre-caches or downloads information from internet sites that the system expects the user to request. The system schedules the pre-caching to occur at the most appropriate time of day in order to increase the likelihood that the most recent information is provided to the user in a timely manner. Actual usage is monitored to adjust to user-changing habits, conserve resources at both the server and client ends, and prioritize information against interrupted downloads and exhausted or limited cache or memory space. For users that use the telephone to dial-in to the internet, the system and method pre-caches content in a manner which decreases the likelihood that the pre-caching process will interfere with the user's use of the telephone for other purposes.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for applying suction adjacent to a tooth is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a suction conduit structure that includes a main conduit portion and a pair of secondary conduit portions extending from the main conduit portion. A pair of pad support members are positionable adjacent to lateral surfaces of the focus tooth, and each pad support member is mounted on one of the secondary conduit portions. A suction pad is mounted on each pad support member for positioning adjacent to the focus tooth. In one embodiment, a tooth gripping structure is mounted on each of the pad support members for gripping a lateral surface of an anchor tooth located next to the focus tooth of the patient. The tooth gripping structures extend toward each other. In another embodiment, a tooth engaging structure is mounted on each of the pad support members for engaging a jaw of the patient at a position of meeting of the focus tooth and an adjacent tooth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing a power on self test includes executing a primary subset of POST tests during initial startup of a computer, and executing a secondary subset of non-essential POST tests transparent to a user at a later time. The secondary subset of POST tests may be performed after a period of computer inactivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of providing a data image cache. A system suitable for transferring data images includes an image cache suitable for being accessed locally, the image cache suitable for storing at least one data image. Image storage is connected to the image cache over a network, the image storage including a plurality of data images. Wherein, a query is received by the image cache for a data image not included in the image cache, a data image corresponding to the queried image is transferred from the image storage to the image cache over the network.

Abstract: A automatic truss jig setting system is disclosed that includes a table including a plurality of segments with a side edge of adjacent segments defining a slot. At least one pin assembly, and optionally a pair of pin assemblies, is movable independently of each other along the slot. Movement apparatus is provided for independently moving the pin assemblies along the slot. Each of the side edges of the segments associated with the slot defines a substantially vertical plane with a zone being defined between the substantially vertical planes of the side edges, and the movement apparatus is located substantially outside of the zone of the slot. The invention may optionally include a system for handling the obstruction of pin assembly movement, and a system for keeping track of the position of the pin assembly when the pin assembly has encountered an obstruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing improved efficiency in data browsing is disclosed. Automatic continuation of a data browsing session is enabled, while a download of a requested data file, that has been temporarily delayed, is handled separately in a background process. This separate background process generates additional requests for the requested data file as needed, thereby overcoming delays caused by transient network traffic and also enabling automatic downloading of data files that are undeliverable when first requested. When the download of the requested data file is successfully completed, a notification is provided and the requested data file is made observable.

Abstract: An instructional plan generating and monitoring system for assisting instructors in the formation of lesson plans incorporating teaching elements that meet the goals of the instructor and the instructor's supervisors. The instructional plan generating and monitoring system includes creating an account file on a database according to setup information provided by a user, the account file including account information, creating a class file on the database for an instructional class covering a course or subject as initiated by an instructor user for the instructional class, the class file containing requirements for the course or subject, assembling an instructional lesson plan file for one of the instructional classes having a class file on the database, and generating a summary report counting and tallying the elements of the instructional lesson plans of the instructor user according to criteria based on reporting requirements of the group account or the individual account covering the instructor user.

Abstract: A core for minimizing the circuit board footprint of a core-based component while also minimizing the total harmonic distortion exhibited by the component. The core includes a back wall portion, a central wall portion, and an outside wall portion. The back wall portion has a front and a back, with a lower end, an upper end, and a pair of sides extending between the lower and upper ends. The central leg portion protrudes from the front of the back wall portion, and the central leg portion is substantially centrally located on the front of the back wall portion. The outside wall portion protrudes from the front of the back wall portion. In one aspect of the invention, the central leg portion is elongated along a first axis extending between the upper and lower ends of the back wall portion. In another aspect of the invention, the central leg portion is spaced from the lower edge of the back wall portion.