Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: An advertising display system including a bleacher having a seating surface and support beams below the seating surface and defining a primary chamber, and an advertising panel assembly mounted within the primary chamber and defining a secondary chamber. The primary chamber has a first end and a second end and the advertising panel assembly may include an intermediate advertising panel between a first and second advertising panel that define the sides of the secondary chamber. Additionally, a ceiling panel may extend between the top edges of the first and second panels.

Abstract: A magnet-based frame mounting system comprises a frame plate that is magnetically attractive and a wall plate that is magnetically attractive. The frame plate has a first surface that mechanically mounts within a rear surface of a frame. Correspondingly, the wall plate has a first surface that mechanically mounts directly to a wall. When the frame plate is mounted to a corresponding frame, the wall plate is mounted to a corresponding wall, and the frame plate is magnetically coupled to the frame plate, the frame plate is concealed by the frame, the wall plate is concealed by the frame and the frame is repositionable in any direction parallel to the wall plate, without repositioning the wall plate, such that the frame stays at a set location based upon the magnetic coupling between the frame plate and the wall plate.

Abstract: A holiday display preferably includes a drive unit, at least one object mount, a transport line and an idler pulley device. The drive unit preferably includes a drive motor and a system controller. The drive unit is retained above the ground in one location and the idler pulley device is retained above the ground in another location. A drive pulley is mounted to a drive shaft of the drive motor. The system controller controls the rotation of the drive motor. Both ends of the transport line are secured to the object mount to form a transport loop. One end of the transport loop is retained on the drive pulley and the other end is retained on the idler pulley. The system controller also includes a distance input device for setting a travel distance of the object mount between the drive and idle pulleys.

Abstract: A driving system that can allow a vehicle to go over or ascend obstacles or stairs through a step driving manner is provided. The driving system includes a power transmission unit connected to a main shaft connected to a power generation unit installed on the wheel frame, a plurality of driven units engaged with the power transmission unit and supporting the rotation of wheels by rotational force from the power transmission unit, and a carrier to which the power transmission unit and each of the driven units are operationally fixed and which goes over the obstacles by rotating when the driven units are stopped by the obstacles.

Abstract: A mailer intermediate, foldable into postcard size, includes a generally rectangular sheet of card stock having first and second side edges, first and second end edges, and first and second faces. A fold line extends substantially transverse to the side edges and substantially bisecting them, and dividing the sheet into first and second portions. An adhesive pattern on the first face of the sheet, adjacent at least one of the first and second end edges, secures the first and second portions together adjacent the first and second end edges. An obscuring coating and a camouflage image are provided on the first face of the sheet. Variable indicia are printed on the obscuring coating, and are not legible when viewed by an observer who separates the first and second portions while the first and second portions remain secured together adjacent the first and second end edges. The obscuring coating may comprise a multi-layer, thermochromic coating.

Abstract: A crash attenuator includes a crash cushion having a front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed adjacent the front end. The trailer hitch component is capable of being secured to a mating hitch component located on the towing vehicle, such that hitch components are capable of being rotated relative to each other about a substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator further includes at least one wheel supporting the crash cushion. The wheel is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and is spaced rearwardly from hitch component. One or more tethers are positioned on opposite sides of the hitch component and are moveable relative to one or more guides connected to the crash cushion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe a quadrilateral frame to be utilized by a two-wheeled vehicle. The quadrilateral frame may include front and rear vertical assemblies, top and bottom collapsible horizontal assemblies, the horizontal assemblies to collapse vertically. By collapsing the horizontal assemblies of the quadrilateral frame, it is to be understood that the space occupied by the vehicle when it is not in use is significantly reduced.

Abstract: Resource-type weighting is used in evaluating the use-rights associated with hardware resources.

Abstract: A foldable device is adapted to connect a front fork to a handlebar of a bicycle, and includes a linking member hingedly connected to lower and upper hingeable flanges about first and second hinge axes, respectively. The first and second hinge axes are transverse to each other. The upper and lower hingeable flanges are respectively coupled with the handlebar and the front fork. The handlebar is turned relative to the front fork about the first and second hinge axes to permit a handlebar line of the handlebar to be parallel to a longitudinal direction in which the bicycle extends so as to fold the bicycle and to minimize the entire width of the folded bicycle.

Abstract: An electric power steering device for a vehicle includes an estimation mechanism estimating if there is a possibility that a backward electric current flows in a booster circuit toward a vehicle battery device, and a boosting controller stopping the boosting operation of the booster circuit to prevent a backward electric current from flowing in the booster circuit when it is estimated that there is a possibility that a backward electric current flows by the estimation mechanism. The estimation mechanism estimates that there is a possibility that a backward electric current flows in the booster circuit when the steering condition of a steering wheel is a returning condition or a steering-held condition. Otherwise, the estimation mechanism estimates if a backward electric current flows on the basis of input and output voltages of the booster circuit and information on the switching of a first boosting switching element. Thereby, overheat of the booster circuit can be prevented.

Abstract: A gas spring assembly includes a first end member and a second end member. A flexible wall is secured between the first and second end members and at least partially defines a spring chamber therebetween. A fitting is supported on the first end member and is rotatable between a first position in which the fitting can be axially displaced and a second position in which the fitting is axially restrained. A method is also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security film comprising a fibrous substrate incorporated at least partially in which is a security strip that comprises at least one security element and that extends between two edges of said fibrous substrate, said security strip being made of paper and comprising an adhesive.

Abstract: An articulated steerable self-propelled vehicle has a support platform mounting a motive power source and sites at opposite sides of motive power source where an operator's feet can be placed to enable the operator to stand on platform and straddle motive power source. First suspension assembly on vehicle is pivotally mounted to platform in order to dispose and couple first ground surface contacting member spaced in first direction from platform, movable to follow the ground surface, vertically movable relative to platform to accommodate impact generated by uneven ground surface, and steerable horizontally relative to platform and the ground surface. Second support assembly on the vehicle is pivotally mounted to platform in order to dispose and couple second ground surface contacting member spaced in second direction from of platform, movable to follow the ground surface, and vertically movable relative to platform to accommodate impact generated by uneven ground surface.

Abstract: A portable data carrier (1) includes a carrier (2) which has a first graphical representation (3) and a second graphical representation (4). The second graphical representation (4) is better protected against tampering than the first graphical representation (3). In addition, the second graphical representation (4) is configured as a reference for detecting tampering with the first graphical representation (3). Only a partial area (5) of the first graphical representation (3) laterally overlaps with the second graphical representation (4) and there is no lateral overlap between the first graphical representation (3) and the second graphical representation (4) outside the partial area (5).

Abstract: An artwork protection device (2) having a set of brackets (1) that mount into a wall (18) which support a clear protective cover (14) over the front of a piece of hanging artwork (16). Each bracket has a footing (3) with a proximal end (4) and a distal end (5). The proximal end is attached to the wall using a screw, a bolt and a wall anchor and so forth. An extension (8) having a distal end (9) and a proximal end (10) that attaches to the distal end of the footing. The proximal end of the extension preferably has a recessed edge (12) that is placed through an aperture (13) located on a periphery of the protective cover. A cap (15) attaches to the proximal end of the extension, thereby locking the protective cover in place. The device allows a user to easily remove the protective cover and bracket extensions when the user wants to fully display the painting and to attach the caps directly to the footings to give an aesthetic appearance to the footings.

Abstract: A device for displaying advertisements has a plate member. An opening is formed in the plate member, wherein the opening is sized to fit a display screen of a desired dimension. Support arms are coupled to the plate member for securing the device to a storage device to which the device is installed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for accessing a service on a network, via a user terminal (30), includes a subscription phase wherein: a container is generated, including a first set of authentication data for accessing the service and a second set of useful data relating to access rights to the service the first and second sets of data being encrypted, the container is transmitted securely from the user terminal, and an access phase wherein: the container is transmitted securely from the terminal to a management server connected to the network, during a request for access, after decryption of the constituent data of the container, the server verifies the validity of the first set of data and, in the event that verification is successful, authorizes access to the service for its execution, based on the access rights.

Abstract: System and method for authorizing transactions, such as payments or money transfers. A transaction authorization mechanism may be provided through which a transaction initiated via a first communications channel may be authorized through a second, separate communications channel or mechanism. A source entity may initiate a transaction to a target entity via a first communications channel to a transaction authorization service. The transaction authorization service may confirm the transaction with the source entity via a second communications channel. Various embodiments may use different communications channels, for example conventional telephone systems, mobile/cellular phone systems, and text messaging systems as the first or second communications channels. After the transaction has been authorized via the second communications channel, the transaction authorization service and/or the source entity may contact the target entity to inform the target entity of the transaction.