Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a shrimp body, the shrimp body having a tail portion that includes a plurality of tail sections connected by joints. A motorized driving mechanism mounted inside a housing drives a cutting mechanism mounted outside the housing. The cutting mechanism includes a rotating cutting disk and a holding and carrying mechanism configured to securely hold the shrimp body and carry the shrimp body past the rotating cutting disk. The holding and carrying mechanism is configured to position the shrimp body in relation to the rotating cutting disk so that when the cutting disk cuts the shrimp body, the cutting disk leaves intact, a first joint at a head end of the tail portion and a last joint at a tail end of the tail portion, while cutting at least one intermediate joint between the first and last joints.

Abstract: A spill-resistant beverage container having an inwardly projecting, annular contoured lip forming an aperture at the top of a beverage reservoir. The aperture is smaller than the diameter of the top rim of the reservoir. The contoured lip reduces spillage, especially when used with shallow containers such as a martini glass. A smaller aperture in the surface of the contoured lip enables beverage consumption, either directly by mouth or through a straw.

Abstract: A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order.

Abstract: A system, method, and access device enabling a user to securely access a plurality of password-protected servers with a single entry of the user's User ID and associated password. When the access device receives the User ID and password from the user, it sends only the User ID to each of the password-protected servers. The servers each return a unique index value to the access device. The access device uses each index value to retrieve different password modification information from a database or lookup table. The access device then creates a plurality of modified passwords based at least in part on the password modification information. The access device then transmits each of the modified passwords to the corresponding password-protected server.

Abstract: A method and a computer-controlled, multi-function device for generating and dispensing retail cards such as gift cards and loyalty cards and for collecting customer survey information. The device includes a reader such as a magnetic strip reader for receiving payment for the gift card from the customer. A card inspector determines whether the gift card is electronically readable and if not, disposes the card in a bad card hopper. If the card is readable, the device dispenses the card to the customer. An electronic survey apparatus obtains customer information and stores it in an external server. The customer information may include customer responses to survey questions or customer contact information. An external interface enables survey questions to be automatically uploaded to the device and for responses and customer contact information to be downloaded from the device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure access to a computer system. An access device divides the password into multiple segments and places them in data packets. In one embodiment, an authentication server has multiple addresses, and each packet is sent to a different address. The server then reassembles the password. In another embodiment, when the server receives a password, the server sends an index value back to the access device, which then accesses the server on another address indicated by the index value. Alternatively, the password is sent to multiple addresses for the server, and the server determines whether any of the received packets have been altered. The multiple password packets may be forced to follow different paths to the server, thereby denying hackers the ability to intercept all of the password characters or determine the inter-packet timing factor. The system is effective against passive and active hackers, Trojans, and phishing techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure credit and debit transactions across unsecure data networks. The present invention provides a one-time-use combination of account number, PIN, and added factors. A merchant terminal receives a customer identifier such as a PIN from a customer and combines secret information with the PIN when the terminal sends the PIN to an authorization server. The secret information is stored in an indexed database protected by a mechanical switch, which must be physically closed to access the database. The database may be implemented in the merchant terminal or in a customer device in communication with the merchant terminal. The authorization server provides an index pointing to one or more secret factors to be combined with the PIN for each given transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure access to a computer system. An access device divides the password into multiple segments and places them in data packets. In one embodiment, an authentication server has multiple addresses, and each packet is sent to a different address. The server then reassembles the password. In another embodiment, when the server receives a password, the server sends an index value back to the access device, which then accesses the server on another address indicated by the index value. Alternatively, the password is sent to multiple addresses for the server, and the server determines whether any of the received packets have been altered. The multiple password packets may be forced to follow different paths to the server, thereby denying hackers the ability to intercept all of the password characters or determine the inter-packet timing factor. The system is effective against passive and active hackers, Trojans, and phishing techniques.

Abstract: A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order.

Abstract: A client device, system, and method for constructing a two-factor password utilized by an authentication device to authenticate an accessing computer. The client device connects to the accessing computer through an input/output (I/O) port such as a USB connection. When a user desires to access a network, he enters a user ID, which is sent from the accessing computer to the client device. The client device includes a client application, which retrieves a second factor from an internal database, and combines the user ID and the retrieved second factor to form the two-factor password. The two-factor password is sent to the accessing computer, which transmits it to the authentication device. The accessing computer is authenticated only if both the user ID and the second factor match a user ID and second factor stored in the authentication device.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a process material such as powdered plastic to usable fossil fuel. A hollow cylinder having a piston slidably mounted therein is externally heated to produce an internal temperature of approximately 500.degree. C. The powdered plastic is injected into the heated cylinder utilizing an inert gas, thereby vaporizing the powdered plastic and forming a volatile gas. An electric motor rotates a crankshaft to slide the piston and expel the volatile gas from the cylinder. A condenser receives the volatile gas and condenses the gas into the usable fossil fuel. A first stage condenser condenses oil, and a secondary stage condenses Diesel fuel, kerosene, toluene, gasoline, or natural gas.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and authenticating a password to protect a computer system from unauthorized access. The characters of the password are placed in data packets by an access device. Prior to sending the packets, the device inserts predefined time intervals between each of the data packets. The value of the time intervals is retrieved from a sequence of time intervals that is shared between the access device and an authentication device. The authentication device determines whether the received set of password characters matches a stored set of password characters, measures the time intervals between the packets, and determines whether the measured time intervals match the predefined time intervals. The authentication device positively authenticates the access device only if both the characters and the time intervals match. Periodically, different time intervals from the sequence are inserted to change the password.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for constructing, transmitting, and authenticating a password utilized by an authentication device to authenticate an access device. The authentication device receives the password from the access device, authenticates the access device if the password matches stored information, and returns an acknowledgment message that includes an index value associated with a stored character set. The access device constructs and transmits the password. The access device receives from a user, a plurality of predefined characters forming a User ID. The access device also receives the acknowledgment message and index value from the authentication device. The index value is used to identify a character set from a plurality of character sets stored in a lookup table. The access device integrates the User ID and the identified character set to generate a password, and transmits the password to the authentication device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing secure access to a computer system. An access device divides the password into multiple segments and places them in data packets. In one embodiment, an authentication server has multiple addresses, and each packet is sent to a different address. The server then reassembles the password. In another embodiment, when the server receives a password, the server sends an index value back to the access device, which then accesses the server on another address indicated by the index value. Alternatively, the password is sent to multiple addresses for the server, and the server determines whether any of the received packets have been altered. The multiple password packets may be forced to follow different paths to the server, thereby denying hackers the ability to intercept all of the password characters or determine the inter-packet timing factor. The system is effective against passive and active hackers, Trojans, and phishing techniques.

Abstract: A combination surveillance and alerting system and method in a restaurant that serves take-out customers. A video camera monitors a parking space for take-out customers, and sends video to an image recognition program, which detects when a vehicle enters the parking space. The detection triggers a controller to start a timer and instruct an on-premises paging transmitter to page an employee responsible for serving takeout customers. The image recognition program detects when the employee enters a greeting zone for greeting customers, and the controller prepares an elapsed greeting time report for management. The image recognition program also detects when the vehicle leaves the parking space, and the controller prepares a total service time report for management.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mechanically belly-cutting shrimp to precise depths for shrimp of various sizes. The apparatus includes a motorized circular cutting blade; a curved guide channel adjacent the circular cutting blade for receiving a shrimp body and guiding the shrimp body to the circular cutting blade; and motorized flexible disks adjacent to the blade and the guide channel for gripping the shrimp body and propelling the shrimp body along the guide channel. The curvature of the guide channel longitudinally stabilizes the shrimp body while a V-shaped cross-section laterally stabilizes the body, ensuring that the body arrives at the blade in the proper orientation. The guide channel may be adjusted to provide belly-cuts to desired depths on shrimp of various sizes.

Abstract: A 3-number bingo game adapted to ensures there can be only a single winner. The numbers from 1 to 75 are divided into fifteen groups of five numbers each. For each group, the unique 3-number combinations of the five numbers taken three at a time are determined and printed on game cards. A single winner is determined if the unique 3-number combination on a player's game card matches a winning set of three numbers randomly determined by the House.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and authenticating a password to protect a computer system from unauthorized access. The characters of the password are placed in data packets by an access device. Prior to sending the packets, the device inserts a predefined number of blank packets between each of the character-carrying packets. The number of blank packets is retrieved from a number sequence that is shared between the access device and an authentication device. The authentication device determines whether the received set of password characters matches a stored set of password characters, determines whether the received number of blank packets between the received character-carrying packets matches a predefined number of blank packets, and positively authenticates the access device only if both conditions are met.

Abstract: An earpiece-less lenticular eyeglass frame and removable retainer strap. Attachment mechanisms on each side of the lenticular frame enable a retainer strap to be directly connected to the frame. The retainer strap includes an end-piece at each end of the strap that is compatible with the two attachment mechanisms for attaching the strap to the frame and for removing the strap from the frame. A sliding clasp is used to adjust tension on the retainer strap for different activities such as reading or playing sports. A user may remove the retainer strap to interchange straps or to move the retainer strap from one pair of eyeglasses to another. The absence of earpieces makes the eyeglasses more comfortable, lightweight, less bulky, and less susceptible to damage.