Abstract: A Home Resale Value Protection Plan provides a payment to a homeowner should the homeowner have to sell his or her house at a loss, wherein the loss is attributable to an overall drop in the housing market. In exchange for an upfront fee, the homeowner would receive a payment for the lesser of their actual loss or the loss calculated by multiplying their original purchase price by the proportional drop in an appropriate published house price index.

Abstract: A closed loop portable cooling system for a person comprises an air circulation pad, a desiccant module, an air pump module and a heat pump module. The air circulation pad is worn by the person and provides cooling air to the person's body and removes warm moist air from the person's body. Air is delivered and removed locally to evaporation chambers adjacent to the person's skin. The warm moist air removed from the evaporation chambers is dried, compressed and cooled. It is then returned to the air circulation vest. The system is a closed loop system so that outer protective garments may be worn over it.

Abstract: A Home Resale Price Protection Plan provides a payment to a homeowner should the homeowner have to sell his or her house at a loss. In exchange for an upfront fee, the homeowner would receive a payment for the lesser of their actual loss or the loss calculated by multiplying their original purchase price by the proportional drop in an appropriate housing price index.

Abstract: A system for providing flight accident insurance at low price and fixed coverage comprises means for limiting the number of policies that can be sold on any given flight to not more than a predetermined number. The predetermined number may be 20. The premium for the insurance is a function of the GDP of the country in which the airline operating said flight is domiciled such that said premium is a decreasing function of said GDP.

Abstract: A stabilized backpack comprises a hip suspension and a shoulder suspension. The hip suspension comprises vertical support rods pivotally attached to the hip belt and pack frame to allow motion of the wearer's hips without causing varying forces on the pack. The shoulder suspension comprises pulleys and cords attaching the shoulder straps to the pack so that the motion of the wearer's shoulders does not cause varying forces on the pack. The net effect is that a person can run with the pack, with heavy load, in rough terrain, with the pack staying relatively stable.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system for simultaneously managing the batteries in 100 or more remote locations, each with 100 or fewer cells, has an individual battery monitor operatively engaged with at least one of the cells, a network access module in communication with the battery monitor, and a battery manager that has a fixed IP address that can be connected via an M2M data protocol to the battery monitor. The network access module is programmed to periodically transfer battery monitor data, including ohmic measurements, to the battery manager at a frequency of not less than once per week and with a total rate of data transfer of not more than 1 Mb per month. When the network access module initiates contact with the battery manager, the M2M data communication protocol assigns a variable IP address to the modem of the network access module.

Abstract: An improved method for certifying that a manufacturing facility is capable of producing quality products of a particular type is disclosed. The improved method may comprise auditing the manufacturing facility against a process standard and issuing a certification to the process standard if the manufacturing facility passes the audit. This improved method is particularly suited to manufacturing facilities producing printed circuit assemblies and/or printed circuit boards. The method may further comprise auditing the manufacturing facility against an environmental compliance standard.

Abstract: A reinsurance participation plan allows an insurance carrier to provide novel loss participation plans to insureds. The insurance carrier cedes a portion of the risk to a reinsurance company, such as a captive reinsurance company. The captive reinsurance carrier then enters into a contractual agreement with the insured for the participation plan, subject to the appropriate regulations for the primary line of insurance in question. The participation plan may be a non-linear participation plan, such as a curvilinear participation plan, where the non-linearities allow the plan to be offered to smaller companies than would otherwise qualify for more traditional retrospective participation plans, and to provide more advantageous plans to larger companies than they would otherwise be offered. The plans may be offered on a multi-year basis with particular diligence in informed consent for the prospective insured.

Abstract: A border or perimeter is protected from intruders, such as illegal immigrants, terrorists with WMD or smugglers of drugs. The method comprises a detection and communication processing system capable of a high probability of detection and low probability of false positives. The system includes land-based sensor particles and sensitive airborne or land-based camera processing units. The sensors are sown over key border or perimeter landscape areas and are activated by specific pressure levels characteristic of the weight of transiting intruders whereby the sensors emit characteristic optical signals. Specific emitted indicators detect people, vehicles, or particular animals.

Abstract: Coating array technology is demonstrated for applications in aircraft ice removal in-situ, and for submarine periscope head window to remove fouling and provide enhanced optical features. The coating arrays comprise a first layer and a second layer with an adhesive interface therebetween. The first layer separates from the second layer upon application of energy to the interface. The method is applicable to many areas including ship antifouling, medical antifouling (antibacterial), chemical biological warfare agent removal, anti-corrosion, etc. It can be applied to substrates including: ships, vehicles (cars), windows, walls of buildings, clothing, etc.

Abstract: Partner protection insurance provides coverage for an innocent spouse in the event that a defendant has to pay damages uninsured by a liability insurance policy to a plaintiff due to a judgment in a lawsuit brought by the plaintiff against the defendant. The innocent partner is in a partnership with the defendant. Partner protection insurance covers the joint assets of the partnership that are assignable to the innocent partner in the event of the dissolution of said partnership. The partnership may be a marriage.

Abstract: Survival risk insurance is a method of transferring the financial consequences associated with the risk that deaths occurring within a specified period of time in a selected group of insured lives will be less in number than the expected number of deaths or less in amount than the expected amount of death benefits paid. More particularly, one entity, the Coverage Recipient, can transfer a financial risk that the actual number of deaths or the actual amount of death benefits paid during a specified period relative to a selected group of insured lives will be less than the expected deaths or the expected amount of death benefits paid to another entity, the Coverage Provider, for the payment of an appropriate premium based on the method of this invention.

Abstract: Electronic Tags are mounted on swimmers to reduce their risk of drowning by identifying when their heads are underwater for periods of time which may indicate a dangerous submersion situation, and for triggering corresponding alerts and alarms. In this method, each monitored person is equipped with a lightweight electronic Tag worn on the body that communicates with monitors that issue the alerts and alarms, including audible and visible distress signals. The monitors, in turn, communicate the alarms to receivers used by supervisory personnel, such as lifeguards or parents. The invention may be used in aquatic environments, such as public recreation facilities, pools, waterfronts, and water parks, as well as in more private settings, such as homes, apartment buildings or hotels.

Abstract: Swimmers are detected in a given body of water by dispersing sensors throughout the water column. The sensors adhere to the swimmer and reflect acoustic energy. Acoustic energy is broadcast in the water and the swimmer is detected by the characteristic motion of the sensors clinging to the swimmer as detected by acoustic monitors. The sensors may also fluoresce and be detectible by optical monitors when a portion of the swimmer is above the water.

Abstract: A holder for soft toys includes a sheet of material that contains at least one amoeba shaped opening. The amoeba shaped opening is adapted to hold and align the soft toy when the soft toy is inserted into the opening. The soft toy is held in position irrespective of the orientation of the opening with respect to gravity.

Abstract: A method for increasing the expected return of a game, such as a lottery, comprises selling tokens that have a residual value. The price of the tokens is divided between a prize pool and an investment fund. The game is played and the prizes are awarded from the prize pool. Assets are purchased with the investment fund such that the overall expected return of the game over a given period of time is positive. A commitment is made to provide the cash value of the assets to the owners of the tokens at the end of the period of time.

Abstract: Sensors suitable for submarine detection are in the form of multilayer polymer beads. The sensors have a change in detectible property, such as color, which occurs when said sensors are exposed to a particular stimulus such as an object or event to be detected. The change in property is thus detectible by an external monitor.

Abstract: A pneumatic locking swivel caster comprises a swivel caster and a locking device which may be activated by fluid pressure. The swivel caster may be a dual wheel swivel caster. An improved theatrical prop or scenery element comprises a pneumatic locking swivel caster and a control system. The control system may comprise a tank filled with pressurized air and a control valve. A pneumatic locking swivel caster may be locked into position by activating the control valve and pressuring the caster with air. The pneumatic locking swivel caster may comprise a triple swivel caster adapted such that all three sets of wheels are locked by air pressure.

Abstract: An improved method for certifying that a manufacturing facility is capable of producing quality products of a particular type is disclosed. The improved method may comprise auditing the manufacturing facility against a process standard and issuing a certification to the process standard if the manufacturing facility passes the audit. This improved method is particularly suited to manufacturing facilities producing printed circuit assemblies and/or printed circuit boards.