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: System and method for automatically providing tailored customer services at a point-of-sale location. An identity of a customer approaching the point-of-sale location is automatically determined using an auto-identifying technology. Stored customer activity data corresponding to the identified customer is automatically accessed using a computer-based system operatively interfacing to the auto-identifying technology. At least one tailored customer service is automatically generated for the customer by processing at least a portion of the accessed customer activity data using the computer-based system.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for acquiring search content based on digital information content provided from a video source. Video information and associated non-video information are received from a video source. The video information includes program video content and the associated non-video information includes digital information content. At least a portion of the digital information content is transformed into a search query and the search query is communicated to a first search data source. A query result is received from the first search data source based on the search query. At least a portion of the search query results are transformed into query result display data which may then be encoded as a video signal for display.

Abstract: A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent transferring. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a data transfer interface component integrated within the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be transferred into a data field, selected by a user of the hand-held device, of a software application running on a separate processor-based apparatus.

Abstract: A hand-held device for scanning and subsequent printing. The hand-held device has an optical scanning head integrated at a proximal end portion of a housing of the device, and a printing head integrated at a distal end portion of the housing of the device. Displayed, printed, or written information may be read from a scannable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a proximal end of the hand-held device across (or on) the scannable medium over the information. The read information is electronically stored within the hand-held device, and the stored information may be printed onto a printable medium by manually moving (or fixedly positioning) a distal end of the hand-held device across (or onto) the printable medium.

Abstract: Methods of making a device for removing a facial blemish. A facial scraping element is configured to be substantially rigid and flat, and a distal end of the facial scraping element is transformed for contacting and advancing across a facial surface of a user. A pad member is configured to be substantially non-rigid and non-flat. The facial scraping element may be attached to the pad member to form a collection area between a surface of the pad member and a surface of the facial scraping element. The resultant device is capable of being gripped between a finger and thumb of a user and advanced across the face of a user to remove and collect facial blemishes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and physical computer-readable storage media for performing geometric data compression and geometric data decompression and/or geometric data encryption and geometric data decryption. A virtual geometric compression object is generated within a computer system by defining a plurality of discrete elements arranged in a geometric shape and assigning one or more data bit values to each of the plurality of discrete elements. The virtual geometric compression object is used by the computer system to compress sequences of uncompressed data bits into compression definitions. A compression definition defines a path through the virtual geometric compression object corresponding to a sequence of uncompressed data bits. In a reverse manner, for data decompression, at least a portion of a virtual geometric compression object is generated and a compression definition is used to extract a corresponding sequence of uncompressed data bits from the portion of the virtual geometric compression object.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for automatically disabling a utility of a facility. The safety apparatus includes at least one remote sensor that transmits a signal if an environmental parameter reaches a preset default setting or a setting selected by a user. The safety apparatus also includes an electronic controller device operatively connected to the utility and capable of disabling the utility upon receiving the signal from the sensor based upon the environmental parameter.

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 temporarily modified entry way to a venue and a method of temporarily transforming an external entry way of a venue. A temporary rigid structure is erected outside of a venue such that the temporary rigid structure guides persons from at least one inlet of the structure to at least one exit of the structure through at least one passageway in a queued manner, where an exit of the structure is located at an entrance into the venue. The temporary rigid structure may be erected quickly for use and subsequently disassembled quickly when no longer needed.

Abstract: A safety apparatus and method for automatically disabling a utility of a facility. One safety apparatus may be connected, for example, in a basement of a house in line with a water pipe just after a water meter. Another safety apparatus may be connected, for example, in an apartment building in line with a gas utility pipe just after a gas meter. Still another safety apparatus may be connected, for example, in a house in line with a home heating oil pipe. Any of the safety apparatuses include means for measuring a rate of flow of a fluid from a utility fluid source, means for determining if the measured rate of flow indicates the existence of an abnormal flow condition, and means for disabling the flow of fluid from the utility fluid source if the abnormal flow condition is determined to exist.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for facilitating the assessment of performance quality of an imaging system having a sensor subsystem. An imaging mode of operation of the imaging system is selected and at least one current set of digital image data of an imaging phantom device is acquired with the imaging system via the sensor subsystem. The currently acquired set of digital phantom image data is automatically compared to at least one previously acquired set of digital phantom image data representing a standard image of quality corresponding to the selected imaging mode of operation and the imaging phantom device to automatically determine if at least one sensor parameter of the sensor subsystem has changed.

Abstract: A remote suction configuration, method, and retrofit kit for ventilating exhaust from an exhaust-producing power tool used indoors. An exhaust conduit is connected between an exhaust port of an exhaust-producing tool used within a substantially enclosed structure and an intake port of a vacuum apparatus placed externally to the structure. Universal connectors or retrofit adapters are provided at the ends of the exhaust conduit to connect the exhaust conduit between an exhaust port of the exhaust-producing tool and an intake port of the vacuum apparatus. In this manner, exhaust produced by the tool may be actively pulled through the conduit to an external environment instead of relying on the tool to push the exhaust the entire length of the conduit.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatically disabling an appliance. When a smoke detector/alarm is activated, a signal or message is sent to at least one safety device operatively coupled to at least one appliance. The appliance is disabled in response to receiving the signal or message. The systems, methods, and apparatus are based on the implicit assumption that, if a smoke detector/alarm is activated, the source of the smoke is likely due to a nearby appliance that is in use.

Abstract: Controllable electrical outlets and systems and methods for controlling and disabling the electrical outlets. A controllable electrical outlet includes a current sensor, an electrical switch, and a microcontroller. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet, the current sensor senses the flow of current and a current sense event is reported from the electrical outlet to a central computer. The central computer provides timing and control of the electrical outlet. When a predetermined elapsed time has passed, as measured by the central computer, a timed-out event is communicated from the central computer to the electrical outlet triggering the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. Communication between the central computer and an electrical outlet may occur, for example, via existing electrical wiring, wirelessly, or via dedicated communication wiring.

Abstract: A timed electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) and a method of operation thereof. The electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) includes a current sensor, a counter, and an electrical switch. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus), the current sensor senses the flow of current and triggers the counter to start counting. When the counter is finished counting, the counter triggers the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load.

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 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 at the server platform via a communications network. The method further includes the third party organization obtaining at least one lottery ticket in response to the client request, and securely holding the at least one lottery ticket for the at least one lottery player specified in the client request. The method also includes the third party organization determining a status of the at least one lottery ticket via the server platform and the communications network. The method further includes the third party organization transforming the at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount if a status of the at least one lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status.

Abstract: A device and method for removing facial blemishes, including sebum that blocks facial pores. The device includes a substantially flat, elongated and rigid element having a first surface and a second surface, and a distal end and a proximal end. The device also includes a base member to which the rigid element is attached such that a collection area is formed between the second surface of the distal end of the rigid element and a portion of the base member.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for facilitating the assessment of performance quality of an imaging system having a sensor subsystem. An imaging mode of operation of the imaging system is selected and at least one current set of digital image data of an imaging phantom device is acquired with the imaging system via the sensor subsystem. The currently acquired set of digital phantom image data is automatically compared to at least one previously acquired set of digital phantom image data representing a standard image of quality corresponding to the selected imaging mode of operation and the imaging phantom device to automatically determine if at least one sensor parameter of the sensor subsystem has changed.