Abstract: A method of providing multiple level, price-per-unit (PPU) discounts on gasoline to a customer who purchases at least one cross-marketed product at a point of sale (POS) checkout. The customer is awarded a first PPU discount on the gasoline based on a purchase by the customer of a first cross-marketed product, and is awarded a second PPU discount based on the purchase of a second cross-marketed product. The first discount is then added to the second discount to determine a total PPU discount. The total discount is stored in a discounts issued database. When the customer redeems the discount, the total discount is retrieved from the discounts issued database, and the gasoline station then reduces the PPU of the gasoline by an amount equal to the total discount. Portions of the discount redeemed are then allocated to vendors of the first and second cross-marketed products according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A fluid-powered energy conversion device converts energy in a moving fluid into mechanical energy. A rigid cylindrical frame of toroidal baffles forms an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber, each of the chambers having open sides to allow entry of the fluid. The toroidal baffles create an upstream drive vortex in an upstream central vortex chamber, and a downstream extraction vortex rotating in the opposite direction in a downstream central vortex chamber. A plurality of hinged louvers surround the vortex chambers and allow the fluid to enter each chamber only in the direction of vortex rotation, and prevent the fluid from exiting through the sides of the device. The drive vortex passes through and rotates a turbine in a central aperture between the chambers. The turbine is rotated by rotational momentum of the drive vortex, lift from each turbine blade, and additional momentum imparted by the vortex reversal.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an automated fueling station having a plurality of fuel dispensers that accepting payment from a customer and dispense fuel. The system may perform consumer card authorizations utilizing a remote host server or a local database. A plurality of dispenser controllers are located at the fueling station, and each of the controllers is associated with and controls one of the dispensers. Each of the dispenser controllers includes a network connection to the server or local database for accessing consumer card authorization information. A failure of a single dispenser controller affects only the fuel dispenser associated with the failed controller. In another embodiment, the dispenser controllers are connected to the fuel dispensers through an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network that enables any controller to control any dispenser or combination of dispensers.

Abstract: A restaurant cleaning towel made from a substrate such as a woven, nonwoven, or knit fabric. A sanitizer release polymer composition comprising at least one cationic (or alternatively, nonionic) surfactant is bound to the surface of the towel. Preferably, the cationic surfactant is present in the sanitizer release polymer composition in an amount of about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based on a total weight of the composition. The composition may also include at least one nonionic co-surfactant in combination with the cationic surfactant. The towel also includes a color label on its surface to identify the area of the restaurant in which the cleaning towel is to be utilized. The towel may optionally include an international icon, a tactile label, and/or a label in a plurality of languages identifying the area where the towel is to be utilized.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant paging system and method for paging a customer in the restaurant. A data token provided to the customer includes an encoded customer identifier which the customer inputs into one of a plurality of paging receivers that are mounted on different tables in the restaurant. Each of the paging receivers includes a data input device for reading the data token, and storing the customer identifier in a database. A programmable paging transmitter broadcasts a paging message in the restaurant that includes a broadcast customer identifier. Each of the fixed paging receivers receives the broadcast paging message, extracts the broadcast customer identifier, and compares the broadcast customer identifier with the customer identifier stored in its database. The paging receiver that determines a match generates an alert signal to alert the customer.

Abstract: A system and method of cross-selling products and increasing fuel sales at a fuel service station. A price-per-unit (PPU) discount for fuel is associated with a purchase of a non-fuel product. A display screen at the dispenser then informs the customer of the PPU discount and that a future purchase of fuel can be currently made at today's price, or may be purchased over the Internet at a later time. The system determines whether the customer ordered a non-fuel product or future fuel, and records the customer's orders. The system then accepts the customer's payment for the non-fuel product and the future fuel, and discounts the PPU of the fuel by the amount associated with the purchase of the non-fuel product during a current fuel purchase by the customer.

Abstract: An interfacing method and Virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) Framework that provides high fault tolerance and linear scalability of servers and network interfaces. The Framework has minimal impact on the surrounding network infrastructure. The preferred embodiment operates at the IP level, thus enabling the Framework to operate with any application that runs on top of IP. Incoming data packets and packet fragments are received from the Internet in a plurality of network terminations. Routing processes provide external routers with addresses of the network terminations. Each network termination is associated with one of a plurality of forwarding processes, and each forwarding process is connected to a plurality of fragmenter/de-fragmenters. Each forwarding process selects a single fragmenter/de-fragmenter to receive all of the incoming data packets and packet fragments having a common source address.

Abstract: A method of providing multiple level, price-per-unit (PPU) discounts on gasoline to a customer who purchases at least one cross-marketed product. The customer is awarded a first PPU discount on the gasoline based on a purchase by the customer of a first cross-marketed product, and is awarded a second PPU discount based on the purchase of a second cross-marketed product. The first discount is then added to the second discount to determine a total PPU discount, and a paper receipt is printed for the customer with a customer identification and a transaction identification encoded in a bar code thereon. The total discount is stored in a discounts issued database. The customer then scans the encoded bar code with a bar code scanner at a gasoline dispenser to redeem the discount. The total discount is retrieved from the discounts issued database, and the gasoline station then reduces the price-per-unit-volume of the gasoline by an amount equal to the total discount.

Abstract: A system and method for the rapid configuration and connection of a backup controller in a distributed data network such as an automated fuel distribution network. Each service-station site in the network has a site controller that supervises operations of the site components, such as the fuel dispenser and credit-card reader, communicating with them through an on-site router, or hub. The fuel-distribution site also communicates with the central network controller through the same hub. In the event of a site-controller outage, one of several spare controllers, usually co-located with the network controller, is loaded and configured to function as the site controller. It is then placed in communication with the site components via a data-network connection, such as through the Internet. The hub switches communications protocols from serial data to packets suitable for Internet communications.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant communication system for communicating a particular customer's table location to a food server at a central service counter. A communication device is mounted on each of the tables in the restaurant, and has a unique table identifier stored therein. The particular customer is provided with a data token on which a customer number is encoded. The customer selects a table and inputs the token in the communication device mounted on the selected table. In response to reading the customer number, the communication device sends a message to the central service counter that includes the unique table identifier and the customer number. There, the table identifier and the customer number are extracted from the received message, and a table location is determined and provided to the food server.

Abstract: A fluid-powered energy conversion device for converting energy in a moving fluid such as air into mechanical energy. A rigid cylindrical frame includes an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber, each of the chambers having sides that are open to allow entry of the wind. A plurality of longitudinal baffles form a toroidal pattern that creates an upstream drive vortex in the upstream chamber, and a downstream extraction vortex rotating in the opposite direction in the downstream chamber. The drive vortex rises and changes direction as it passes through a turbine mounted on a longitudinal drive shaft in a central aperture between the chambers. The turbine is rotated by the rotational momentum of the drive vortex, by lift that is generated by each turbine blade, and by additional momentum that is created by the vortex reversal.

Abstract: An article for sanitizing a surface with a sanitizing solution while maintaining the concentration level of a sanitizer in the sanitizing solution at an effective concentration level. A substrate that absorbs and holds the sanitizing solution is treated with a sanitizer release polymer composition. The substrate may be a woven, nonwoven, or knit fabric, a foam or sponge, or the like. The sanitizer release polymer composition may include a cationic or nonionic surfactant or binder that is operable to maintain the concentration level of the sanitizer at the effective level during prolonged periods of use.

Abstract: A back-supported load-carrying mechanism that includes a rigid frame having a lower portion that includes an opening between a first vertical side and a second vertical side. A horizontal shaft is mounted to the sides and extends through the opening. A lumbar support element is pivotally mounted on the horizontal shaft. The horizontal shaft is mounted to the vertical sides of the frame with a suspension mechanism that enables each end of the horizontal shaft (and each side of the lumbar support element) to move fore and aft in relation to the frame. Tensioners mounted on the frame apply forward pressure to the shaft. Two rear leg extensions on each side of the frame enable the load-carrying mechanism to stand upright when placed on the ground. The lumbar support can pivot approximately 95 degrees to a position enabling the load-carrying mechanism to be utilized as a chair.

Abstract: A combination paging and gaming system and apparatus enabling a user to utilize a pager to play an electronic game while waiting for a page. May be used as an on-premises paging system in a restaurant. A centralized control station includes a page transmitter and a plurality of buttons which may be pressed individually to send a page to one of an associated plurality of game pagers. The control station also includes a game transmitter and a text generator. A game input device inputs game questions and game answers to the control station. The game questions are sent to the text generator and to a television screen or scrolling display for display to all users. The game answers ate transmitted by the game transmitter to the game pagers. Alternatively, game questions may also be transmitted to the game pagers for display on an LED display. Each user enters an answer on a keypad on the game pager, and the pager then indicates whether the entered answer was right or wrong.

Abstract: A system and method of selectively paging an individual through one of a plurality of paging mechanisms. An indication of a paging mechanism for each individual to be paged is stored in a memory device. When an input is received from a user to page the individual, a control processor retrieves the indication of a paging mechanism for the individual to be paged and determines which of the plurality of paging mechanisms is to be utilized to page the individual. The individual may be selectively paged through an on-premises paging system, a wide area paging system, or a cellular telephone.

Abstract: A fluid-powered energy conversion device for converting energy in a moving fluid such as air into mechanical energy. A rigid cylindrical frame includes an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber, each of the chambers having sides that are open to allow entry of the wind. A plurality of longitudinal baffles form a toroidal pattern that creates an upstream drive vortex in the upstream chamber, and a downstream extraction vortex rotating in the opposite direction in the downstream chamber. The drive vortex rises and changes direction as it passes through a turbine mounted on a longitudinal drive shaft in a central aperture between the chambers. The turbine is rotated by the rotational momentum of the drive vortex, by lift that is generated by each turbine blade, and by additional momentum that is created by the vortex reversal.

Abstract: A no-impact keyboard for decreasing the risk of a repetitive stress injury to the user. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys having a key cap and a stem, an impact absorbing mechanism which prevents any part of a key from striking a hard surface during a keystroke, and a sensor for sending an actuation signal from each key when the key passes a defined point in the keystroke. The impact absorbing mechanism may be a spring, a magnetic mechanism, or a hydraulic-pneumatic mechanism.