Abstract: An authentication system includes one or more terminals in communication with a server on a network. The server is operable to receive user login information; and generate an authentication data set having: a plurality of decoy data; an anchor data, wherein the anchor data is based on information from a user profile; and target data in a predetermined relationship relative to the anchor data. The server is also operable to generate a decoy data set having: a plurality of second decoy data; and at least one anchor data. The server may then display the authentication data set and decoy data set and determine an authentication result by performing a predetermined manipulation of the target data. The server may receive a user response to an authentication prompt; and authenticate the user if the authentication result and user response are the same.

Abstract: A system and method for illuminating a seat and a system and method for displaying information in response to audience feedback. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of the auditorium and a computer for receiving the captured image. The computer analyzes the image to detect seats in the auditorium. The computer maps seats within the captured image to determine a specified seat. The system also includes a projector for illuminating the specified seat. The system also may display information based on audience feedback. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of audience members and a computer for receiving and analyzing the captured image. A query is presented to the audience members which requires a visual response. The computer compiles the visual responses to form a result of the query. Information based on the result is then display by a projector to the audience members.

Abstract: A trailer alignment apparatus for aligning a trailer with a hitch on a vehicle. The apparatus includes an elongated member having an upper end and an opposite lower end. A light is located on the upper end and a base is locating on the lower end. The base is attachable to a base surface of the vehicle. The elongated member is sized for a portion of the elongated member to be visible when seated on the base surface of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a contact mechanism for sensing when a portion of the elongated member is touched by the trailer. The light illuminates when the contact mechanism senses the trailer touching the contact mechanism. A driver of the vehicle laterally aligns the elongated member with the trailer and stops the vehicle when the light illuminates.

Abstract: A grip attachment for an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, which enables a user to grasp and control a camera of the mobile phone with one hand. The grip attachment includes a main body and an enlarged grip extension attached to a first end of the main body. The enlarged grip extension is sized and shaped to enable a user's hand to hold the grip extension and attached mobile phone with one hand. The grip attachment also includes a locking mechanism for attaching the attachment grip to a portion of a mobile phone protective case. A second end of the grip extension includes a connector for interfacing with a connector of the mobile phone. The grip extension includes an external control located on an outer surface of the grip attachment for activating a camera control of the mobile phone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing noise in a vehicle having a soft top roof. The apparatus includes a main extension bar having a first end and an opposing second end. A first coupling mechanism is affixed to the first end and a second coupling mechanism is affixed to the second end. The first and second coupling mechanisms are attached to roll bars located on a top portion of the vehicle. With the apparatus in place upon the roll bars, the main extension bar exerts upward force against the soft top roof of the vehicle, thereby reducing movement of the soft top roof and noise within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically removing debris from a surface of a pool. The apparatus for cleaning debris from a pool surface includes a support and a conveyor belt supported by the support. The conveyor belt is inclined and includes upper and lower ends. The conveyor belt is driven from the lower end to the upper end. A diverter is used for diverting debris from the pool surface to the lower end of the conveyor belt. The diverter is connected at the lower end of the support and configured to be positioned outside a skimmer opening of a pool. The apparatus is positioned at the skimmer opening to receive floating debris prior to entering the skimmer opening. The conveyor belt moves the floating debris to the upper end of the conveyor belt. The debris is then deposited into a receptacle.

Abstract: A system for counting people in a specified area. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of the specified area and a computer for receiving the captured image. The computer analyzes the image to detect people by detecting head or face shapes in the image. The computer counts the detected head or face shapes to determine a number of people within the specified area. The computer may confirm that the head or face shapes are human by determining if the shapes have the approximate coloration of a human. The system may detect stationary or moving persons. In addition, the system may detect the presence of video recording devices in a room. The system may also detect if a seat is occupied by determining that a pattern in the seat is blocked or the outline of the seat is blocked.

Abstract: A system and method for propelling a carriage on a cable of a space elevator. The space elevator system includes a cable anchored to a terrestrial body on a first end and a counterweight on an opposing second end and a carriage riding along the cable. The system also includes an oscillator for generating a mechanical wave upon the cable. Mechanical energy created by the generated mechanical wave is converted into power to propel the carriage upon the cable. The oscillator may include a pair of opposing pistons contacting the cable on opposite sides of the cable or an electromagnetic driver powered by electromagnets located on opposite sides of the cable.

Abstract: A system for securely storing a weapon. The system includes a tray for containing a weapon. The tray has an opening for accessing a weapon. The system also includes a portable safe having an interior space sized and shaped for retaining the tray and the contained weapon. In addition, the system includes a mounting module attachable to a fixed surface. The mounting module includes an interior space for holding the portable safe and an access control system for locking the portable safe within the interior space of the mounting module. The access control system allows access by an authorized user and denies access of the weapon within the portable safe to an unauthorized user. The weapon is contained in the tray, the tray is retained in the portable safe and the portable safe is held in the interior space of the mounting module.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining a pet. The apparatus includes a sphere having a weighted center and a chain attached to the sphere and a collar worn by the pet. The chain allows the sphere to hang from the pet. Thus, the movement of the pet is restricted by the added weight of the sphere. Preferably, the sphere includes at least two bars affixed to an outer surface of the sphere. In addition, the chain preferably includes at least two chain extensions. Each extension of the chain is attached to each of the bar. In addition, the chain is of a sufficient length to allow the sphere to roll upon the ground. The sphere may be constructed of a rubberized material. In addition, the chain may be covered by a fabric material.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for automatically opening and closing a bathroom stall door. The system includes a motor for driving the door open or closed. A control unit controls the operation of the motor. An outer activation sensor senses a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor. Upon sensing a presence of a person in proximity to the outer activation sensor by the outer activation sensor, the control unit commands the motor to open the door and automatically close the door after a predetermined time period. When an inner activation sensor senses a presence in the proximity to the inner activation sensor, the control unit locks the door lock. When the inner activation sensor senses a presence in proximity to the inner activation sensor a second time, the control unit unlocks the door lock and commands the motor to open the door.

Abstract: A system and method of broadcasting a tone during an electronic transaction. The system includes a point of sale (POS) unit for receiving credit card information utilized for an electronic transaction, an authorization system for authorizing the electronic transaction by the credit card, and a tone bank for storing a tone. The tone bank associates the tone with the credit card information. The POS unit includes a speaker for broadcasting the tone. The stored tone is retrieved and broadcast at the POS unit in response to utilizing the credit card information for the electronic transaction. The POS unit may optionally broadcast a video clip.

Abstract: A system for authenticating a user in a network. The authentication system includes a computer resource having secure data, an authentication computing system providing dynamic authentication of a user accessing the computer resource, and a user communication device for communicating between the user and the computer resource. The computing system presents a challenge for which a specified response is required based upon a pre-determined function. Access is then granted by the computing system upon providing the correct response to the presented challenge by the user.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity. The system includes a platform having a top surface. The platform floats on a body of water and includes a plurality of energy modules. Each energy module produces electricity from a different source of energy and is affixed to the platform. Each module contributes produced electricity to the system for storage and distribution. Modules may include wind turbines for generating electricity from wind, water-driven generators for generating electricity from water currents, solar panels for generating electricity from solar energy, an apparatus which floats on water and converts kinetic energy of wave movements into electricity, and an apparatus which extends below the water where the platform is located upon and generates electricity from differences in water temperature at various levels of water depth. An apparatus may be mounted on the platform which produces hydrogen and oxygen gases through a process of electrolysis.

Abstract: In an optical data transmission system, one channel is removed from a group of wavelength division multiplexed optical channels and another channel carrying different information at the same wavelength is inserted in its place. The process occurs by adding an optical signal whose electric field is the difference between the electric field of the new and old channels. The difference calculation takes into account the phase of the incoming WDM channel and phase of the laser source of the difference signal. The method has applications in optical transmission networks as add-drop nodes and optical regenerators, for generation of high bandwidth optical signals, and for secret optical communications.

Abstract: A detachable footrest for use on a vehicle. The footrest has a surface area sized and shaped to accommodate a foot of a user and at least one support arm attached to a support structure. The footrest also includes two downward projections projecting from the support structure. The downward projections are sized and shaped to fit within hinge mounts of a removed door of the vehicle. The projections are slid into the hinge mounts of the removed door of the vehicle, thereby providing a surface area outside of the vehicle for resting the foot of the user. The footrest may also include a stabilizer projecting from the support structure and fastened to a mounting post located in an interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for remotely actuating the safety lock of individual oil pumping apparatuses, (also known as AIB) employed in oil wells for extraction of this fluid. The actuating device or locking device permits an AIB operator to remotely actuate a safety lock for locking the entire movement of the AIB, without the need for the operator to go into an area of the AIB where the safety lock is usually housed. For this purpose the locking device includes an actuator for moving upwardly and downwardly the safety lock. The locking device also includes an indicator for indicating the position of the safety lock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing noise in a vehicle having a soft top roof. The apparatus includes a main extension bar having a first end and an opposing second end. A first coupling mechanism is affixed to the first end and a second coupling mechanism is affixed to the second end. The first and second coupling mechanisms are attached to roll bars located on a top portion of the vehicle. With the apparatus in place upon the roll bars, the main extension bar exerts upward force against the soft top roof of the vehicle, thereby reducing movement of the soft top roof and noise within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ducting structure for generating wind power from a vertical structure. The ducting structure includes a main housing sized and shaped to be coupled to a wind turbine and located on the vertical structure. The main housing includes a vertically oriented aperture having a first duct leading to the coupled wind turbine and a horizontally oriented aperture having a second duct leading to the coupled wind turbine. The vertically oriented aperture captures a prevailing wind and the horizontally oriented aperture captures an updraft flowing upwardly along the vertical structure. The captured updraft and the prevailing wind are guided through the first and second ducts past the coupled wind turbine.

Abstract: In an optical data transmission system, one channel is removed from a group of wavelength division multiplexed optical channels and another channel carrying different information at the same wavelength is inserted in its place. The process occurs by adding an optical signal whose electric field is the difference between the electric field of the new and old channels. The difference calculation takes into account the phase of the incoming WDM channel and phase of the laser source of the difference signal. The method has applications in optical transmission networks as add-drop nodes and optical regenerators, for generation of high bandwidth optical signals, and for secret optical communications.