Abstract: A heat recovery installation using solar energy includes a three-channel plate, in which the first channel layer, viewed from the outside, alternately discharges used air and supplies fresh air. The third channel layer, viewed from the outside, ensures the supply of used air and the discharge of fresh air, while in the second channel layer, viewed from the outside, the heat exchange between the used and fresh air takes place according to the counterflow principle. In order to produce this flow, small apertures are provided in the second and third plates, viewed from the outside, of the three-channel plate, as a result of which the flow in the channel layer, viewed from the outside, is at right angles to the channel plate.

Abstract: A database used by a consumer reporting agency for storing application information data in association with transaction and experience information. A consumer applying for credit submits personal and financial information either verbally or by filling out a form. The application information data submitted verbally or by a form is submitted by an institution along with a request for a credit report on the consumer. The consumer reporting agency receives the request and stores the application information separately from the transaction and experience information. Each time an institution submits application information data related to the consumer, the data is accumulated in successive records and maintained. In response to a request for a report on a consumer, the consumer reporting agency forwards a response based on the application records accumulated.

Abstract: A high-output energy converter of an output-improving thermionic generator, thermally connected to other generators without moving parts that utilize the residual energy from the thermionic generator. The thermionic generator comprises a r?ultilayered vacuum diode, the layers of which are very thin and the gaps between the layers are also thin and kept at a distance from one another by selectively flexible spacer elements. Piezo elements or heating elements can precisely adjust the height of the gaps.

Abstract: A database used by a consumer reporting agency for storing application information data in association with transaction and experience information. A consumer applying for credit submits personal and financial information either verbally or by filling out a form. The application information data submitted verbally or by a form is submitted by an institution along with a request for a credit report on the consumer. The consumer reporting agency receives the request and stores the application information separately from the transaction and experience information. Each time an institution submits application information data related to the consumer, the data is accumulated in successive records and maintained. In response to a request for a report on a consumer, the consumer reporting agency forwards a response based on the application records accumulated.

Abstract: A high-efficiency thermionic energy converter comprises a multilayer vacuum diode, the layers of which are very thin and the intermediate spaces between the layers are several nanometers thick. The layers are held at a distance from each other by arranging insulator elements embedded in the layers. One of the intermediate spaces is provided with a thin, open conductive elastic foam plate which fills the spaces possibly occurring due to deformation of an upper electrode. On the cold side the distance between the layers must be so small that here the thermionically generated current is increased by tunneling of electrons from layer to layer. The partial efficiency per layer is as optimal as possible by means of the choice of the geometry and the material.

Abstract: A consumer credit information data base for storing current consumer credit information, as well as historical credit data information. On-line computerized systems can access the data base and present current and historical credit data information to users so that better assessments can be made as to the credit worthiness of a consumer.

Abstract: A configurable business process adapted to be created from a user interface includes defining flow tasks that identify value objects and obtaining the value objects used by the flow tasks. The value objects are evaluated using evaluation rules to produce a result. The result is used, in turn, to generate instructions to a system user relating to the value objects. The configurable business process operates through a business flow engine accessible to the system user through the user interface. A business flow configuration file and an adapter configuration file are defined. The adapter configuration file maps components, methods, arguments, and return values using an XML engine. Component APIs and an evaluation rules database are provided. The business flow configuration file defines selected component APIs to be executed to perform a user-defined operation.

Abstract: A method for managing customer financial accounts in a system for the delivery of products to a customer includes providing a customer account, first customer record, a second customer record, a product database, and a retailer database. The customer account is associated with the retailer database, the first customer record, and the product database. The first customer record is associated with the customer account, where an object of the first customer record is identified as a payer for the products. The second customer record is associated with the product database, where an object of the second customer record is identified as a consumer of the products. A second customer account and a second product database can be associated with the second customer record. The second customer account includes transaction records for the second customer record and provides transaction invoices to the second customer record.

Abstract: The wireless earpiece comprises two bodies (1, 2) articulated one about the other, one of which bears a speaker for fitting into the ear of the user. The other body (2) wraps around the outer part of this ear to hold the earpiece in the use position. A metal return spring (7) is wound around the hinge pin (5) of the two bodies (1, 2) to return the latter toward one another, when at rest, while clamping the user's ear which allows the earpiece to be held in position. The earpiece allows quick fitting and effective hold in this position.

Abstract: A method for transmitting voice/data signals between a base device and a secondary device or an intermediary device with a connector, wherein the secondary device or the intermediary device has at least one rechargeable battery including causing the connector to operate in a first mode enabling charging the battery and transmitting voice/data signals and causing the connector to operate in a second mode in which the connector can transmit only voice/data signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an additive that is rich in trace-elements, which method comprises the steps of: a) providing a culture medium to which the trace element or compound thereof is additionally added: b) culturing the micro-organism in the culture medium such that the micro-organism accumulates the trace-element: c) separating the trace-element from the culture. The method is particularly useful with Lactobacillus-species for the accumulation of selenium. The invention further provides an additive prepared according to the method of the invention, a food preparation and a therapeutic preparation containing the additive, and the use of the additive for treating trace element deficiencies.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant self-supported frame of a pre-formed shape, to which a mortar substrate and ceramic tile is applied, in order to produce corner seats and trays. The base unit (1) connects to vertical surfaces by fasteners through mounting holes (3). A mortar support flange (5) provides shape of bonding surfaces for ceramic tile as well as support for the applied substrate (6b). The substrate (6b) is reinforced by mortar penetration holes (4), allowing monolithic connection of all substrate materials (6). A drain hole (2) allows for the elimination of moisture from the base unit (1).

Abstract: Wastewater from various sources may be purified by contacting it with sludge derived from an oxidative biological water purification process and subsequently subjected to a complete anaerobic fermentation step followed by a dying-off step. A variety of contaminants such as metals, colorants, detergents, phenols and the like may be absorbed by the sludge in this way and removed from the wastewater by separating the sludge and wastewater after contact. The process may serve as an introductory step to a normal oxidative biological water purification process. In a special embodiment, cationic contaminants are removed from the wastewater with the aid of a sludge of the aforesaid type, while anionic contaminants are removed with the aid of a sludge of the same type that has been pretreated with a cationic detergent.