Abstract: A system and method for secure and private on-line shopping has an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers. An on-line shopping store server is provided and is coupled to the plurality of computers. The on-line shopping store server is used for hosting an on-line shopping store web site. An on-line store shopping card is further provided and is used for purchasing items from the on-line retailers. The on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value and identification number. A shopping card server is coupled to the on-line shopping store server. The shopping card server is used for verifying authenticity and monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, for crediting and debiting the monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, and for transferring payments to and from a user of the on-line store shopping card and the on-line retailers.

Abstract: A self-trimming in-wall receptacle and method therefor, comprising a receptacle having a storage area, a trim and a coupling mechanism that allows a person to insert the receptacle into an opening in a wall. The receptacle is self-trimming and easy to couple to a wall, eliminating the need for complicated installation. The self-trimming in-wall receptacle can substantially flush-mount wall-mounted electrical objects such as smoke detectors, air conditioning control units, alarm keypads, doorbell chime boxes and the like, as well as store other objects.

Abstract: An adjustable drill template has a base plate and a plurality of drill blocks. The drill blocks are movably coupled to the base plate. The drill blocks can move along the length of the base plate so that the drill blocks can be configured to conform to a desired hole pattern. A locking device coupled to each drill block will hold each drill block in a desired position.

Abstract: A digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) processing block including a decimation filter having Finite Impulse Response (FIR) decimation stages provides improved performance over a Hogenauer decimating filter. The filter comprises multiple integrator stages followed by multiple FIR decimating stages. The zeros of the filter are tunable by adjusting the integer coefficients of the FIR stages providing tunability of the cut-off response, as opposed to the fixed sinc response of the Hogenauer filter. As a result, the number of required stages for a particular steepness is reduced, dramatically reducing the amount of digital circuitry required to implement a particular filter design. The improved filter is especially suitable for use in digital IF stages in receivers, and for code-based applications where selectable decimation rate is desired and a fast multiply is not available.

Abstract: A thru-hull cap cover for a watercraft thru-hull and method therefor capable of covering and protecting the exposed exterior end of a thru-hull from the elements, thus reducing the need to replace a watercraft thru-hull.

Abstract: An apparatus for both heating and serving food has both an interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly and a heat exchange assembly coupled to at least a portion of the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly. A head portion of the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly is at least one of a scoop, a fork, a ladle and a knife. The interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly serving assembly is heated by the heat exchange assembly, facilitating serving the food in contact with the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly. A head portion of the interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly is at least one of a scoop, a fork, a ladle and a knife. A stand holds the apparatus and disperses heat to mitigate excess temperature build-up while the apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: A method for measuring arch wires. A guide wire is provided, having at one end an exposed length of wire and a stop. The exposed length of wire may be inserted into a buccal tube, up to the stop. At least a portion of the guide wire may then be inserted into brackets, at least to a point proximate a midpoint of the patient's teeth. The midpoint may be marked on the guide wire, for example by clamping. The guide wire may then be removed, and compared to an arch wire. The arch wire may then be cut to length, outside of the patient's mouth, and thereafter installed in the conventional manner.

Abstract: A motorcycle transport system and method therefor includes a crossbar that is insertable through a hollow bore of a motorcycle such as a swing arm pivot so that the motorcycle is securable for transport by securing the crossbar. One or more stands may couple to the crossbar for securing the motorcycle. Base receiving members may be mounted to a transport surface such as a truck bed for enabling the stands to be removed when not in use.

Abstract: A hitch-mounted step for a vehicle that extends beyond a deployed fold-down tailgate of a vehicle and allows people and pets to more easily enter and exit the rear cargo area of a vehicle. The hitch-mounted step is easily stored and deployed without the need to remove the step from the receiver hitch.

Abstract: A method and system for optical measurement via a resonator having a non-uniform phase profile provides a mechanism for measuring and/or detecting sub-micron surface features with increased resolution. A second surface forming part of a resonator is illuminated through a first partially reflective surface that has a non-uniform phase profile that transitions from negative to positive phase with respect to a resonance phase value of the resonator. As a result, a reduced spot size is produced at the second surface, which enhances the resolution of a measurement and/or detection of surface features on the second surface. Additionally, if a discontinuity is provided in the non-uniform phase profile, interaction of the discontinuity with surface features of the second surface will provide enhanced resolution of the surface features. The resolution of the system is improved over the resolution that can be attained using a Fabry-Perot resonator.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game where each player is dealt a plurality of playing pieces. Each player will review the playing pieces. A first player will make a call of a total quantity of a numeric suit on all playing pieces. Each successive player will make a next call of the total quantity of the numeric suit of all playing pieces unless another player challenges that the call is incorrect. For each successive call, the next call has to be one where either the quantity of the numeric suit increases, a value of the numeric suit increases and the quantity stays the same, or both the quantity and the numeric suit increases. After a challenge is made, each player will display the playing pieces. A winning player is decided by seeing if the total quantity of the numeric suit of all playing pieces by a last player to make a call is correct or if the player challenging is correct.