Abstract: A method of connecting businesses through common interests can include storing business profiles comprising business attributes in an online business registry. Responsive to a query from an inquiring business, the online business registry can be searched to locate at least one business having a business profile including at least one business attribute corresponding to the query. At least one communications link between the inquiring business and the located business can be established according to at least one business attribute of the business profile of the located business.

Abstract: A method for enhancing income when renting a vehicle having a driver seat and at least one passenger seat, wherein a driver sits in the driver seat to operate the vehicle, includes renting the vehicle to a user for a predetermined number of occupants of the vehicle including a driver, wherein, the predetermined number of occupants including the driver is less than the number of seats in the vehicle. Locking out a number of seats in the vehicle that is in excess of the predetermined number of occupants including the driver. Releasing the vehicle to the user for authorized use of the vehicle having occupants in the driver seat and any unlocked passenger seats. In one embodiment, locking out a number of passenger seats includes fixing a seat lock-out assembly across a body support of at least one of said number of passenger seats to discourage unauthorized use of said at least one passenger seat.

Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner.

Abstract: A disabling module in communication with a control module operates to disable or partially disable equipment in response to the failure of a user to complete a specific task, such as make a loan or lease payment. When a user makes a payment on an outstanding loan, usually a loan related to specific equipment, such as a motorized vehicle, a control module is notified of the payment. The control module causes the equipment to be enabled or disabled in accordance with payment receipt.

Abstract: A system for mounting doors to a cabinet assembly which includes posts at the corners of the cabinet assembly. Each corner post defines an inner wall having spaced openings. A pair of door mounting assemblies are engageable with each corner post. Each door mounting assembly includes a hinge assembly and a mounting bracket which is engageable with a pair of openings in the inner wall of the corner post. The hinge assembly includes a first section mounted to the door and a second section mounted to the mounting bracket. The hinge sections are removably engageable with each other, such that the mounting bracket and second hinge section are separately engageable with the post. The mounting bracket includes a pair of engagement members which are received within a pair of openings in the post, to secure the mounting bracket and second section of the hinge to the post.

Abstract: A method and system for the transmission and sale of real-time sensor data. The system including, placing remote sensors in areas of interest to the providers users, receiving sensor orientation requests from users, determining a winning sensor orientation, and finally sending the data from the sensor to the users.

Abstract: A system and method for providing message-based leasing of resources in a distributed computing environment. Services may issue leases to clients and provide operations on those leases. The lease functionality of a service may be defined in an XML message schema. Gates may be used to perform lease operations. Leases may be granted for a period that may be negotiated. Leasing messages for performing leasing operations may be defined. An automatic lease renewal mechanism may be implemented to relieve the client of the responsibility of handling lease renewal messages. In one embodiment, of an automatic lease renewal mechanism, each gate may receive renewal messages and automatically respond to them without help from the client process. In another embodiment, a client gate may monitor elapsed time and send a lease renewal message prior to the expiration of a current lease period. In one embodiment, the renewal request may claim the lease at a current access level or at a different access level.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing maintenance service for long-term capital equipment or fixtures includes the steps of diagnosing existing conditions of the long-term capital equipment or fixtures, providing a warranty on the long-term capital equipment or fixtures in conjunction with a purchase of an initial maintenance service, repairing the long-term capital equipment or fixtures to reach the start-up standard if any of the existing conditions are below the predetermined start-up standard, developing a maintenance schedule according to the predetermined start-up standard and any of existing conditions which are beyond the predetermined start-up standard, and maintaining the long-term capital equipment or fixtures according to the maintenance schedule so as to fulfill the warranty.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and code product for estimating labor costs associated with producing a printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A manually activated, value-metering system having a method and an apparatus for achieving synchronization, wherein the value metering system uses a digital print head to print a plurality of printed lines, one printed line at a time, on a substrate, which is advanced through a print zone of the print head in a moving direction. A mechanical restraint is used to restrict the movement of the substrate through the print zone such that the substrate is allowed to move a fixed distance after the print head has printed one printed line until the last is printed. The fixed distance is substantially equal to the width of one printed line.

Abstract: Power consumption of electric equipment used in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus (100) is obtained and the total amount is displayed as calories by a display means. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus is configured so that the equipment is set up inside a housing (10). The amount of heat discharged from the inside to the outside (a clean room) via the housing is obtained, and further, the amount of heat removed by exhaust from the interior of the housing and the amount of heat removed by cooling water that cools the equipment is also obtained, and the total amount of heat is displayed. Additionally, factors pertaining to operating costs such as power consumption are measured and their cost obtained, the amount of power consumed is multiplied by a crude oil conversion coefficient to obtain the amount of CO2 generated, and the result is displayed.

Abstract: A continuous feed, multipart, multilayer form having detachable pin feed edges on each side sized to fit a pin feed impact printer for producing a postal envelope system is disclosed. Each part of the multipart form may have a top sheet, an outgoing envelope, an information sheet and a reply envelope. A series of coatings may be selectively applied to parts of the multipart form so that information impact printed on top sheet produces an addressed and sealable reply envelope, and an information sheet, removably contained within a sealed and addressed outgoing envelope including a postage permit.

Abstract: A system is provided for predicting a load degree of a customer's elevator from the information about the customer's building and elevator, creating and displaying the maintenance plan according to the load degree, and selecting a proper maintenance plan in consideration of the load degree of the customer's elevator and the customer's needs.

Abstract: A coding function section in a bidder sub-system is supplied with a code parameter that corresponds to a bid to be offered, and the bid is coded using the code parameter. A tender opening system decodes received bids using a decode parameter corresponding to a highest or lowest bid amount in a predetermined bid range, and any bid that is successfully decoded using the decode parameter is accepted as the contract price. If no bid is decoded using the decode parameter of the highest/lowest amount of the range, the tender opening system attempts to decode all bids using the decode parameter of the next highest/lowest bid in the range. In this manner information regarding unaccepted bids is kept confidential by not publishing the decode parameters concerning the bids inferior to the winning bid.

Abstract: A system and associated method for assisting a user to efficiently query for product information and promotional information available from electronic commerce websites over the Internet includes a sub-server for searching the electronic commerce websites, a controlling server, and a local database. The method involves determining whether product information related to a user query is cached in a local database and if the requested information is not cached, searching the electronic commerce websites for the requested information.

Abstract: A method of selling season tickets is disclosed in which unrelated purchasers may reserve a seat ticket for one or more selected events in a related series of events. When enough seat tickets have been reserved, a season ticket for that seat is sold, and the individual tickets reserved for each purchaser are paid for and delivered to the purchasers. Provisions for canceling previously made reservations are included. The method is effectuated on one or more computers, and the computers may be connected to a computer network, including the internet, to allow use of the system by prospective purchasers at remote locations.

Abstract: The method of selectively climate controlling the formulation and distribution to points of sale to customers of pet food.

Abstract: An arc-resistant switchgear cabinet includes a frame disposed on a floor and a door movably mounted on the frame. The frame includes a floor plate that is disposed against the floor and that includes a plurality of pins extending vertically upward from the floor plate. The door includes a plurality of corresponding receptacles into which the pins are received when the door is in a secured position. The pins in the receptacles resist the lower end of the door from moving in a horizontal direction away from the frame in the event of an arcing fault. A pair of bolts additionally fasten the lower comers of the door to the frame. The switchgear cabinet further includes interlocking tabs formed on the frame and on the door that overlap one another when the door is in the secured position.

Abstract: A cabinet having a wall comprising an inner wall and an outer wall attached to the inner wall. A strengthening piece or material is positioned between the inner wall and the outer wall to provide strength and rigidity to the wall. Preferably, the strengthening piece or material has a honeycomb structure.

Abstract: PTV cabinetry comprising molded plastic foam parts formed from expanded polystyrene or phenolic foam. The foam parts are preferably functionally designed to replace the equivalent parts presently being made by wood fabrication or other molded plastic techniques. In a preferred embodiment, a PTV cabinet may be assembled from thee matching molded foam parts. The foam parts may be uniquely located with respect to one another via locating features molded into the foam parts. Once assembled, an external cabinet or cosmetic fascia part may be placed over the foam parts.