Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically leveling a vehicle including four legs mounted to the vehicle adjacent corners of the vehicle, each leg being adjustable between a stowed position and an extended position wherein the leg engages the ground, a level sensor mounted to the vehicle for sensing the pitch and roll of the vehicle, the level sensor producing an orientation signal representing the vehicle pitch and roll, and a controller coupled to the legs and the level sensor including a memory for storing data representing a reference level plane, a microprocessor for interpreting the orientation signal to determine the present pitch and roll of the vehicle relative to the reference level plane, and outputs driven by the microprocessor for actuating the legs to reduce the difference between the present pitch and roll of the vehicle and the reference level plane, thereby leveling the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention presents a method and system for processing the purchase of products, goods and/or services, more particularly, to a method and system for processing the purchase by a buyer of products from one or more sellers of products in an on-line real-time e-Commerce business environment where the merchant server from which the goods are purchased lacks adequate encryption security for the purchasing of the goods by credit card. The method and system also allows for the easy up-dating registration by a merchant of the items available for purchase as maintained on the Web, DB server. The invention also discloses a method and system for avoiding the hindrance of foreign exchange rates fluctuations on the payment of on-line real-time e-Commerce trading.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) including a side door (18) includes an inflatable tubular structure (14) and an inflation fluid source (34) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable tubular structure. The inflatable tubular structure (14) has a stored position in which the inflatable tubular structure is deflated and stored in the side door (18). The inflatable tubular structure (14) is inflatable from the stored position to a deployed position in which the inflatable tubular structure is inflated and positioned between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A server receives supplier information from a supplier including a product/service that the supplier is offering along with a discount for the product/service. The supplier information further includes geographic locations where a customer can physically purchase the product/service, the sale dates, and supplier contact information. The supplier information is stored by the server in a database. The server also receives customer information from a customer including a product/service that the customer wishes to purchase along with a minimum discount that the customer desires for the product/service. The server searches the database for a matching supplier which has supplier information matching the customer information. The server then sends the customer the supplier contact information corresponding to the matching supplier.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device wherein the equipment and the support formed by the motor vehicle structural element are assembled in at least one point by to matching co-operating element. The equipment co-operating element is elastically deformable for being spaced from or brought close to the support, to enable direct interlocking at said point for mounting with means for cushioning the equipment on the support. The equipment is in particular a heat exchanger comprising an array of tubes assembled at each of their opposite ends by a collector plate closed by a fluid box, the equipment co-operating element being then a structural part of the fluid box.

Abstract: A method for starting a mobile fuel cell system, in particular for a vehicle, includes conveying air to be supplied to the system during starting and operation of the system by a motor-powered compressor, in order to ensure a necessary operating pressure and, if required, additional humidifying of the air. A motor drive for the compressor has an electric motor which is supplied from a mobile starter battery during a starting phase. An output voltage of the starter battery is different from an operating voltage at an output of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system. A control device is provided between an output of the starter battery or of the fuel cell stack and a motor input. The control device interrupts the starting voltage supplied from the output of the starter battery and switches over to the output voltage of the fuel cell stack when the output operating voltage of the fuel cell stack reaches an adequate level. A fuel cell system is also provided.

Abstract: A power generation system providing an engine configured to produce hydrogen rich reformate to feed a solid oxide fuel cell includes an engine having an intake and an exhaust; an air supply in fluid communication with the engine intake; a fuel supply in fluid communication with the engine intake; at least one SOFC having an air intake in fluid communication with an air supply, a fuel intake in fluid communication with the of, engine exhaust, a SOFC effluent and an air effluent. Engines include a free piston gas generator with rich homogenous charge compression, a rich internal combustion engine cylinder system with an oxygen generator, and a rich inlet turbo-generator system with exhaust heat recover. Oxygen enrichment devices to enhance production of hydrogen rich engine exhaust include pressure swing absorption with oxygen selective materials, and oxygen separators such as an SOFC oxygen separator and a ceramic membrane oxygen separator.

Abstract: A textile air bag material for a protective cushion in an pant restraint system is disclosed. The textile air bag material is composed of a fabric layer having two superimposed wall portions interwoven with each other at their peripheries. The wall portions have a first side with a surface area. On this side a continuous foil of an air-tight material is applied over the entire surface area. Further, a protective cushion made of the textile material and a method for producing the textile material are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for preventing a wheelchair or a walker from passing through a doorway, the doorway having a predetermined dimension, e.g., a predetermined height. The device includes a barrier and a coupling for securing the barrier to the; wheelchair or the walker such that a portion of the barrier extends from the wheelchair or the walker. The barrier has a primary dimension sized such that a combined dimension, e.g., a combined height, of the wheelchair or the walker and the portion of the barrier extending from the wheelchair or walker is greater than the predetermined height of the doorway, such that the barrier prevents the wheelchair or the walker from passing through the doorway. The present disclosure, therefore, provides a device for preventing a wheelchair or a walker from passing through a doorway to keep a patient in a defined area and prevent the patient from entering another area where the patient might be endangered or endanger others.

Abstract: An inventory-management system includes data-collection terminals that acquire product-identification data identifying products placed on store shelves, product-placement data identifying the locations of the products in the store, and sales data providing information about sales of the products. The system also includes a database that receives and stores the product-identification, product-placement, and product sales data collected by the terminals. A database-query component queries the database to identify relationships between product sales and product placement.

Abstract: A central-based universal financial management/translation mechanism that offers individual users, small businesses and others, the opportunity to leverage competitive market forces in the currency trading arena, offered as a real-time account-feature for transactions conducted through the centrally oriented universal financial management/translation mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus including a secure kiosk capable of containing products and a consumer access device to unlock and retrieve a product from the kiosk is disclosed.

Abstract: A credit application and routing system includes a central processor having and executing a program. The system includes data input capabilities for selectively receiving credit application data from respective applicants at remote locations, and routing capabilities for selectively forwarding the credit application data to remote funding sources and selectively forwarding funding decision data from the funding sources to the respective applicants. The computer program includes routines for receiving a credit application from at least one remote application input and display device, for selectively forwarding a received credit application to at least one funding source, for receiving a funding decision from the at least one funding source, and for forwarding a received funding decision to the at least one remote application input and display device. The system can also obtain credit report data from credit bureaua, and analyze and summarize the credit report data.

Abstract: A method of informing a customer that their photofinishing order is ready to picked up at a retailer. An electronic notification is sent to the customer when the order has been completed, the notification containing at least one image of the plurality of image in the customer order. A notice may also be sent to retail provider where the order is to picked-up by the customer. The method also includes the ability for the consumer to direct that the order be sent to a particular retail establishment.

Abstract: Techniques for trading satellite communication resources include a net work operations controller 80 for receiving an offer and analyzing bids in response to the offer. The network operations controller at least partially revises a downlink schedule of resources in response to the winning bid. A satellite 10 receives information from the network operations controller 80 and configures a switch 50 in the satellite, as well as the downlink schedule, in order to enable data communications through the satellite by the winning bidder.

Abstract: According to a computer-implemented approach for renting items to customers, customers specify what items to rent using item selection criteria separate from deciding when to receive the specified items. According to the approach, customers provide item selection criteria to a provider provides the items indicated by the item selection criteria to customer over a delivery channel. The provider may be either centralized or distributed depending upon the requirements of a particular application. A “Max Out” approach allows up to a specified number of items to be rented simultaneously to customers. A “Max Turns” approach allows up to a specified number of item exchanges to occur during a specified period of time. The “Max Out” and “Max Turns” approaches may be used together or separately with a variety of subscription methodologies.

Abstract: A system for ascertaining prices of merchandise. Items of merchandise are labeled by Electronic Price Labels, EPLs. The prices stated by the EPLs can change, as when a sales promotion takes effect. If a customer selects an item prior to the change, but checks out after the change, the customer will ordinarily be charged the changed price, despite the fact that the customer saw another price on the EPL.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing an online talent business whereby large numbers of unknown artists can have their artistic works made available to the public and wherein the public votes on which artists they like and whereby the online talent business enters into business contracts with the artists based on the public voting. An interactive investment simulation game is also provided for public participation in evaluating the actual demand of unsigned artists. This online talent business is exemplified by an on-line record business but may encompass any online talent business, such as in the modeling industry or in the story-scripting business.

Abstract: A tax advantage transaction structure (TATS) and method directs that a first entity assigns disposable property it owns to a second entity in exchange for a contingent installment obligation. The disposable property is further assigned by the second entity to a third entity in exchange for monetary proceeds. Second entity then causes an investment manager to invest the monetary proceeds in an investment portfolio containing financial securities selected by the first entity. Returns on the investment portfolio are transferred to the second entity and are thereafter paid to first entity in periodic installments in satisfaction of the contingent installment obligation.

Abstract: A kicktail concave skateboard includes a blank having opposite ends, at least one end being recessed. An element is mounted on the recessed end such that a portion of the element adjoining the blank is flush with the blank. The element is formed of a material having a lower mechanical damping capacity and a higher modulus of elasticity than the blank. The element includes a downwardly facing exposed side having a downward projection thereon, to facilitate the execution of an “ollie” maneuver.