Abstract: A system, method and related apparatus are described for reducing channel conflict between a manufacturer's direct sales channel and an indirect sales channel of independent sellers. The method generally includes receiving customer orders from the sellers or on behalf of the sellers through the indirect sales channel and receiving customer orders directly through the direct sales channel. A defined portion of the revenue derived through the direct sales channel is allocated into a compensation pool. At the end of a distribution cycle, the compensation pool is distributed among a plurality of sellers in the indirect sales channel based on each seller's sales contribution.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device data communicates with data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-commerce and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-commerce and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other databases. In addition, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include vehicle security and vehicle service management, data communicating Internet based radio, audio, MP3, MPEG, video, and other data. Furthermore, e-commerce and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and other remote data communications. The in-vehicle device can also include functionality for remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote Internet based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation.

Abstract: An online communication schema for communicating online vehicle orders is provided. The communication schema includes a customer request message, which includes an order message having order information, contact information and vehicle configuration. The order message includes a fleet order message, a retail order message, and a tagged order message. The communication schema further includes a lead message having lead information, contact information, vehicle configuration, and dealer information. The communication schema further includes an order confirmation message.

Abstract: A mobile teaching station includes a mobile teaching surface designed to support a plurality of teaching props during instruction of students. A mobile storage facility for storing the teaching props is disposed proximate the mobile teaching surface and operably coupled thereto. The mobile teaching station further includes devices for readily transporting the mobile teaching surface to a desired teaching site. A method of facilitating mobile teaching of students includes the steps of (a) providing a mobile teaching surface designed to support a plurality of teaching props during instruction of students, (b) providing a mobile storage facility for storing the teaching props proximate the mobile teaching surface and operably coupled thereto, and (c) providing devices for readily transporting the mobile teaching surface to a desired teaching site.

Abstract: An automated process and a system for ordering and manufacturing personalized products over the Internet are provided. This process may apply to a limitless variety of products which are desirable to personalize. A robotic manufacturing machine offers options on multiples physical features of a product. These options are presented to consumers via the Internet. A consumer selects the options using a computer. The selected options are received by a web server and converted to machine instructions. The machine instructions are transmitted to the robotic machine which produces a product according to the instructions received. The end result is a personalized product manufactured specifically to the consumer's selections as a result of a completely automated process.

Abstract: A snowboard binding has at least two substantially rigid elements separate from one another and pivotably positioned on opposite lateral sides of an instep zone of a user's boot or footwear. The movable elements include press-on elements to reduce pressure exerted onto the boot by the movable elements. The movable elements are further connected to control elements that permit the movable elements to pivot and cooperate to separately retain a respective side of the instep zone of the boot.

Abstract: A system includes a computing device for storing criteria under which a customer is authorized to purchase a physical item. The computing device receives a request from the customer. In response to the request satisfying the stored criteria, the computing device outputs a signal for purchasing the physical item. The stored criteria may include a monetary budget for purchasing the physical item. The computing device is for modifying the stored criteria to reduce the monetary budget in response to the signal.

Abstract: A carriage for suspended transportation of harvested games animals, the carriage consisting of a buck pole having a forward end and a rearward end, splayed left and right pole support legs, each pole support leg having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of each pole support leg being universally pivotally attached to the buck pole for lateral extension and retraction, and for vertical extension and retraction; left and right wheels removably attached to the lower ends of the pole support legs, and a pull handle or pull harness removably attached to the forward end of the buck pole.

Abstract: A wafer processing system occupies minimal floor space by using vertically mounted modules such as reactors, load locks, and cooling stations. Further saving in floor space is achieved by using a loading station which employs rotational motion to move a wafer carrier into a load lock. The wafer processing system includes a robot having extension, rotational, and vertical motion for accessing vertically mounted modules. The robot is internally cooled and has a heat resistant end-effector, making the robot compatible with high temperature semiconductor processing.

Abstract: An estate planning method for minimizing transfer tax liability with respect to the transfer of the value of stock options from a holder of stock options to a family member of the holder. The method comprises establishing a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) funded with nonqualified stock options. The method maximizes the transfer of wealth from the grantor of the GRAT to a family member by minimizing the amount of estate and gift taxes paid. By placing the options outside the grantor's estate, the method takes advantage of the appreciation of the options in said GRAT. In one embodiment the method also maximizes the amount transferred to the family member by keeping as many of the options as possible in the GRAT until immediately prior to the termination of the GRAT, when the grantor substitutes an equivalent value of assets into the GRAT for the remaining options, and then exercises the options.

Abstract: In a biped mobile robot having at least a body and two leg links connected to the body, a parallel linkage is provided between the body and the two leg links such that each of the two leg links are movable relative to the body in a direction of the gravity axis. More specifically, the parallel linkage is composed of upper and lower links and right and left links each connected to the upper and lower links, and the body is connected to the upper and lower links through first and second fulcrums, while the two leg links are each connected to the right and left links. An actuator is provided at the second fulcrum to move the two leg links relative to the body in the gravity axis. Moreover, the body is connected to the parallel linkage through a joint such that the body is movable relative to the two leg links around the gravity axis.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pickup-and-delivery vehicle having a controllable travel mechanism, which has a load-carrying means movable vertically on a lifting framework, a driver's cab movable vertically on the lifting framework together with the load-carrying means and an operating panel to be operated from the driver's cab. Separate function regions of the operating panel are designed as modules separable from one another, of which at least one in the access region of the driver's cab is repositionable between at least two operating positions from one side of the driver's cab to another side of the driver's cab and is capable of functional use in each of these operating positions.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate is described, which consists of a chassis (2) equipped with at least two rollers (3) and which has two platforms (4, 5) and a boot (1) with a flexible upper resting on the platforms and connected to these platforms by a rigid part consisting of a footbed (17) connected to the inside of the flexible upper. The sole is thus securely held between the rigid footbed and at least the rear platform of the chassis.

Abstract: An improved stroller is disclosed. The stroller preferably includes a frame which allows the stroller to collapse from an extended configuration. The stroller also allows an operator to easily collapse the stroller. The invention also provides a locking device to prevent inadvertent collapse of the stroller. The invention includes an actuator assembly in association with the locking device which may be actuated by the operator.

Abstract: To provide a front fender device for a motorcycle in which a front fender extending on front and rear sides of a front fork is mounted on the front fork in such a manner as to cover an upper side of the front wheel. The device is intended to increase the degree of freedom in design while minimizing an increase in weight and reducing vibration and noise from the front fender. Garnishes are mounted on each of right and left outer surfaces of a front fender at a plurality of positions spaced in the longitudinal direction of the front fender with elastic members inserted between the front fender and the garnishes.

Abstract: A snowboard binding for use with a snowboard and boots. The snowboard binding includes a top plate for affixation to a sole of a boot and a bottom plate for affixation to a snowboard. The top plate has two spaced apart and opposed upturned and inwardly angled end walls, and a locking bar with a hole formed therein. The bottom plate has two opposing end tabs which are inwardly angled by a predetermined angle generally mating to that of the end walls of the top plate. The bottom plate has a locking mechanism with a locking pin adapted to be biased into a hole formed in the locking bar when the top plate is fully engaged with the bottom plate.

Abstract: A system transacting e-commerce and related data management, analysis and reporting includes a database, first and second clients, and first through fourth servers communicatively connected to an internet network. The database stores a variety of information relating to customers and has a cost reduction database portion storing cost reduction information. The first and second client have access to the on-line system. The first server maintains a commercial website. The second server supports a consultant interface on the internet network. The third server imports financial information into the database. The fourth server receives purchasing and financial information. The filter generates purchasing options and calculates a purchase price. A first program dynamically displays a cost reduction list. A second program analyzes a customer's purchasing history for cost effectiveness and forecasts future plans for improved purchasing implementation.

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle having a front differential and rear differential, a pair of front and rear halfshaft assemblies, a power takeoff unit, a constant velocity joint connected to the power takeoff unit, a first proshaft, a plunging constant velocity joint, a second proshaft, a flexible coupling, a self contained speed sensing torque transfer assembly connected to the flexible coupling wherein torque is selectively transferrable when the self contained speed sensing torque transfer assembly is engaged, and a torque arm assembly.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor. The system utilizes a segmented slat conveyor connected by flexible connectors. The flexible connectors form a tooth for driving the conveyor by a sprocket. The flexible connectors isolate adjacent slats, and the flexible teeth isolate the slat conveyor from the drive sprocket for a enhanced reduction in noise levels. The system may utilize a conventional belt conveyor or rigid platforms attached by flexible connectors. Removable ejection mechanisms can be attached to the individual slats of the slat conveyor or to the belt of a belt conveyor. The ejection mechanisms have self-contained drive and actuation mechanisms and may operate independently of the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of determining the price of financial derivatives such as options. One preferred embodiment of the invention employs a discretized partial differential linear complementarity problem (PDLCP) based system to determine the forward pricing of financial instruments such as vanilla American options. In this embodiment, an optimization problem in the form of a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) is implemented to derive implied volatilities of the assets underlying the subject derivatives. The implied volatilities thus derived are used as inputs in the PDLCP-based system to accurately determine the forward pricing of the subject derivatives.