Abstract: A system and method providing a multi-party document revision capability. A master electronic document (MED) may be established on a central computer platform. The MED is embedded with an unalterable document identification code (DIC) which clearly identifies the single instance of the MED. Parties having permission to access, modify, and approve the MED on the central computer platform are each provided with a unique identifier code (UIC) which is associated with the DIC and, therefore, the MED. Any permitted party having an assigned UIC may access the MED and enter proposed changes to the MED on the central computer platform. However, each party associated with the MED has to approve any proposed change before the proposed change is automatically entered as a formally accepted change into the MED.

Abstract: Devices to aid in finding items, including purses or other luggage, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is located with the item, purse, or other luggage, and configured to sense motion information. Location notification may be based on such motion information.

Abstract: Devices to aid in finding items, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is associated with an item (e.g., attached to an item) and is configured to sense motion events corresponding to movement of the device and to track corresponding times of occurrence of the motion events. The device may adaptively determine a time interval of motion inactivity or an alert time at which to provide an indication of a current location of the device based on one or more of the motion events and the times of occurrence.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for providing an end-of-leash warning. Embodiments provide for determining when a retractable leash is about to reach a maximum state of detraction from a housing or reel mechanism as the leash is being detracted (e.g., by a dog), and generating a warning signal in response to determining when the retractable leash is about to reach the maximum state of detraction. The warning signal may be in the form of, for example, an emitted sonic signal, an emitted infrared signal, a transmitted radio frequency signal, or a mechanical vibration through the leash. The warning signal may be used to alert, for example, a dog and/or a person walking a dog that the leash is running out.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and method for providing an end-of-leash warning. Embodiments provide for determining when a retractable leash is about to reach a maximum state of detraction from a housing or reel mechanism as the leash is being detracted (e.g., by a dog), and generating a warning signal in response to determining when the retractable leash is about to reach the maximum state of detraction. The warning signal may be in the form of, for example, an emitted sonic signal, an emitted infrared signal, a transmitted radio frequency signal, or a mechanical vibration through the leash. The warning signal may be used to alert, for example, a dog and/or a person walking a dog that the leash is running out.

Abstract: A protective headgear having multiple functional layers or functional cells. The protective headgear may have various layers or cells to prevent penetration, absorb energy, and provide chemically-activated cooling in response to an impact. The protective headgear may also have a separate outer shell. The protective headgear may further have sensors for detecting impact levels to the headgear. The sensors may be operatively connected to actuating devices within the headgear for actuating the chemically-activated cooling in response to an impact. The sensor may also be operatively connected to a wireless transmitter device for conveying impact data to a remote monitoring device.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and monitoring vehicles on a roadway. RFID tags are positioned along the roadway and may be interrogated by vehicles equipped with an RFID scanner and a transceiver as the vehicles encounter the RFID tags along the roadway. The RFID tag information received by the RFID scanner is transmitted by the transceiver to a roadside repeater station which in turn sends the RFID tag information, as well as other identifying information, to a remote central tracking station. The remote central tracking station processes the RFID tag information and other information to determine a current position of a corresponding vehicle. Driver ranking profiles may be generated for drivers of vehicles and stored in a database in the central tracking station. The driver ranking profiles are used to restrict drivers in certain ways.

Abstract: A devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface and which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided. The external device may be capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed.

Abstract: Devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface, which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided which is capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing notification about approaching transportation. A transportation notification application on a mobile communication device associated with a transportation vehicle is activated. An operator of the transportation vehicle selects a predefined route, having multiple transportation stops to be traversed by the transportation vehicle, from the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. A current transportation stop of the selected route is then selected, again using the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. The transportation notification application on the mobile communication device then automatically sends a transportation notification message, in response to the selecting of the current transportation stop, to a plurality of user communication devices of known users of the transportation vehicle who are associated with at least one subsequent transportation stop of the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically changing an operational state of an appliance associated with a known fixed location. A current location of an individual is automatically determined with respect to a known fixed location using at least one wireless communication device. The system automatically determines if an operational state of at least one appliance associated with the known fixed location is to be changed based on at least the current location of the individual. The operational state of the at least one appliance is automatically changed if it is determined that the operational state is to be changed.

Abstract: A system, a method, a server, a computer processing platform, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling the identifying of products and services on-line based on a user budget. A financial budget is generated based on personal financial information provided by a user. Search criteria are generated based on the budget and product/service criteria provided by the user. A search engine is accessed to initiate an on-line search using the generated search criteria. Returned search results are processed to generate purchase recommendations for the user based on the budget and the product/service criteria. The purchase recommendations are sent to the user where the user may make a purchase request based on the recommendations. The purchase of a product or service may be facilitated in response to the purchase request and the budget may be updated based on the purchase.

Abstract: A system, a method, a server, a computer processing platform, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling the identifying of products and services on-line based on a user budget. A financial budget is generated based on personal financial information provided by a user. Search criteria are generated based on the budget and product/service criteria provided by the user. A search engine is accessed to initiate an on-line search using the generated search criteria. Returned search results are processed to generate purchase recommendations for the user based on the budget and the product/service criteria. The purchase recommendations are sent to the user where the user may make a purchase request based on the recommendations. The purchase of a product or service may be facilitated in response to the purchase request and the budget may be updated based on the purchase.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retracting and storing a sensor cable. The apparatus includes a housing operable to selectively engage a sensor cable having a cable connected to a sensor and operable to store the sensor cable in a retracted position, and a retraction mechanism capable of retracting the sensor cable to the housing without damaging the sensor.

Abstract: A system, a method, a server, a computer processing platform, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling the identifying of products and services on-line based on a user budget. A financial budget is generated based on personal financial information provided by a user. Search criteria are generated based on the budget and product/service criteria provided by the user. A search engine is accessed to initiate an on-line search using the generated search criteria. Returned search results are processed to generate purchase recommendations for the user based on the budget and the product/service criteria. The purchase recommendations are sent to the user where the user may make a purchase request based on the recommendations. The purchase of a product or service may be facilitated in response to the purchase request and the budget may be updated based on the purchase.

Abstract: Devices to aid in finding items, along with methods of operation of the devices. The resultant movement of an item during use, and lack of movement of an item during non-use, are exploited to alert a user to the whereabouts of the item through adaptive techniques. A device is associated with an item (e.g., attached to an item) and is configured to sense motion events corresponding to movement of the device and to track corresponding times of occurrence of the motion events. The device may adaptively determine a time interval of motion inactivity or an alert time at which to provide an indication of a current location of the device based on one or more of the motion events and the times of occurrence.

Abstract: A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed.

Abstract: A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of the at least one lottery player. The system includes a server platform of a third party organization that facilitates the method. The method includes receiving a client request of a client at a server platform of a third party organization via a communication network, obtaining a lottery ticket from an authorized distributor of lottery tickets in response to the client request and securely holding the lottery ticket for the lottery player specified in the client request, automatically determining a status of the lottery ticket via an authorized lottery agency over the communication network, transforming the lottery ticket into a monetary amount when a status of the lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status, and securely transferring at least a first portion of the monetary amount to an account or trust.