Abstract: A system for matching users in a wireless communication system based on proximity of the users and user-defined profiles includes at least two mobile units. The mobile units include a requesting unit and at least one target unit, and each mobile unit is capable of operating as both a requesting unit and a target unit. The system also includes profile means for storing a user profile on each of the mobile units and search means for searching for at least one target user by a requesting user. The search means compares the user profiles of each target user with the user profile of the requesting user. The search means can also indicate a match when a target unit is within a predetermined distance of the requesting unit.

Abstract: A plow device is disclosed. The plow device comprises a blade and a plurality of struts attached to the blade. Each strut comprises an arm comprising a first end and a second end. Each arm is attached to the blade at its first end. Each strut further comprising a tire wedge disposed at the second end of the arm.

Abstract: A wrench is disclosed comprising a shaft and a wrench head. The wrench head is attached to a first end of the shaft. The wrench head comprises at least two opposing jaws substantially perpendicular to the shaft, and a socket substantially parallel to the shaft. A water main distribution testing system and methods for remotely manipulating threaded components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing a business transaction between a selling vendor and a shipping vendor. The method includes receiving a query from a selling vendor. The query includes customer order data. The method also includes identifying at least one possible shipping vendor based on the customer order data and determining shipping information for each of the at least one possible shipping vendors. The method further includes selecting a preferred shipping vendor from among the at least one possible shipping vendors and completing the transaction between the selling vendor and the shipping vendor.

Abstract: A bartering system implements barters between a plurality of parties each having one or more classes of items available for barter. Preferably, barter orders are created by designating a selected quantity of a first class of items to be bartered, designating a date range for transferring title of the first class items to be bartered, designating a barter value of the first class of items to be bartered, and designating a second class of items to be acquired. Barter orders are posted via the Internet to a barter database and may be displayed via the Internet. Posted barter orders whose first class of items match the second class of items of a barterer's order are preferably displayed. Posted barter orders from the display are selected to effectuate a barter transaction which combines a barterer's barter order with the selected posted order(s). Toolkits are provided for enabling parties, particularly marketmakers, to respond to barter orders in an automated manner.

Abstract: A system for communicating information to a mobile unit comprising a broadband RF transceiver with antenna, a GPS receiver, an audio-visual interface, an electro-mechanical interface and a microprocessor with associated memory incorporated into each a mobile unit.

Abstract: Methods of communicating between a mobile unit and a peripheral device are described. In a first embodiment, a method of wireless communication is described. In a second embodiment, an apparatus for wirelessly communicating with a peripheral device is described.

Abstract: Methods of communicating with a mobile unit are described. In one embodiment, a method of communicating with a mobile unit comprises identifying a mobile unit with an identifier; determining a status of the mobile unit; constructing a communication comprising at least one communication packet, the at least one communication packet comprising a plurality of information fields, the information fields comprising an address, and the identifier; and transmitting the communication comprising the at least one communication packet to the mobile unit.

Abstract: Methods of communicating with a mobile unit using a wireless communication system are described. In one embodiment, a signal is received from a transmitting mobile unit. The status of the mobile unit is determined and a communication is constructed. The communication comprises at least one communication packet comprising a plurality of information fields. The communication is transmitted to the mobile unit.

Abstract: A bartering system implements barters between a plurality of parties each having one or more classes of items available for barter. Preferably, barter orders are created by designating a selected quantity of a first class of items to be bartered, designating a date range for transferring title of the first class items to be bartered, designating a barter value of the first class of items to be bartered, and designating a second class of items to be acquired. Barter orders are posted via the Internet to a barter database and may be displayed via the Internet. Posted barter orders whose first class of items match the second class of items of a barterer's order are preferably displayed. Posted barter orders from the display are selected to effectuate a barter transaction which combines a barterer's barter order with the selected posted order(s).

Abstract: Vehicles and methods for providing a communication between a mobile unit and a vehicle are described. In one embodiment, a communication is received from a mobile unit, the communication is interfaced to a vehicle's electromechanical system, an audio-visual interface associated with the vehicle's electromechanical system displays the communication; and a communication is transmitted to the mobile unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a communication between a cellular phone and a vehicle are described. In one embodiment, a user of a cellular phone inputs a communication via an audio-visual interface associated with the cellular phone. A microprocessor assembles at least one packet of the communication and transmits the at least one packet to an electromechanical system of a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently accessing Internet resources is disclosed. One example method for providing information from a database of an institution is disclosed which comprises the step of receiving a request from a centralized database management system to forward information from the database of an institution. The method further comprises the step of identifying information within the database based on a key phrase included in the request. The method also includes the steps of identifying a subset of the requested information based on a priority access level and formatting the subset of identified information into a data table having at least one row and at least two columns. The method further includes transmitting the data table.

Abstract: A bartering system implements barters between a plurality of parties each having one or more classes of items available for barter. Preferably, barter orders are created by designating a selected quantity of a first class of items to be bartered, designating a date range for transferring title of the first class items to be bartered, designating a barter value of the first class of items to be bartered, and designating a second class of items to be acquired. Barter orders are posted via the Internet to a barter database and may be displayed via the Internet. Posted barter orders whose first class of items match the second class of items of a barterer's order are preferably displayed. Posted barter orders from the display are selected to effectuate a barter transaction which combines a barterer's barter order with the selected posted order(s).

Abstract: A sweeper apparatus is disclosed, which concerns at least one wheel, at least one brush and a means for attaching a pulling agent. The wheels are pulled in one direction causing the one or more brushes to spin at a desired speed flicking sand particles into small or large holes on the ground. The brushes are in mechanical cooperation with the wheels allowing the wheels and brushes to spin in substantially opposite directions. The wheels are driven through the use of a pulling agent like golf cart, truckster, tractor or other movement device which can cause the sweeping apparatus to be moved over a desired area.