Abstract: A coupling system for quickly connecting fluid conveying conduits.

Abstract: A coupling system for quickly connecting fluid conveying conduits.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for preventing the theft of tires and rims on automobiles. The anti-theft device may be secured over the rim of an automobile so that the anti-theft device is secure and covers the lug nuts of the wheel. The anti-theft device prevents access to the lug nuts and thus prevents the lug nuts and consequently the wheel from being removed. The anti-theft device may include a housing, security cables, a locking mechanism, and a lock.

Abstract: One or more prizes are awarded through use of an electronic card that uses a predictive algorithm residing in its electronic memory to award the prize(s) in response to a winning transaction involving the electronic card and, once a winning transaction occurs, generates a dynamic authentication code (“DAC”) to securely inform an issuing entity about the prize and the winning transaction. The predictive algorithm awards prizes according to prize schedules such that a given prize is won within a given number of transactions (and each such transaction involves sending a DAC to an issuing entity), insures that a gap between two successive winning transactions is between a minimum gap and a maximum gap and each of multiple prizes is won within its own given number of transactions schedule while maintaining the minimum gap and the maximum gap between successive winning transactions, and insures that a given prize can only be awarded a maximum number of times during a lifetime of the card.

Abstract: A network storage system includes a virtual file system (“VFS”) that manages the files of the network storage system, and a storage center that stores the files. The VFS and the storage center are separated, such that a client accesses the VFS to conduct file system operations and the client accesses the storage center to upload/download files. The client accesses the network storage system through one or more storage ports. The storage center includes a plurality of distributed object storage managers (DOSMs) and a storage cluster that includes a plurality of intelligent storage nodes. The network storage system includes additional storage centers at geographically disparate locations. The network storage system uses a multi-cast protocol to maintain file information at the DOSMs regarding files stored in the intelligent storage nodes, including files stored in disparate storage centers.

Abstract: A network storage system includes a virtual file system (“VFS”), to manage the files of the network storage system, and a storage center that stores the files. The VFS and the storage center are separated, such that a client accesses the VFS to conduct file system operations and the client accesses the storage center to upload/download files. The client accesses the network storage system through one or more storage ports. The storage center includes a plurality of distributed object storage managers (DOSMs) and a storage cluster that includes a plurality of intelligent storage nodes. The network storage system includes additional storage centers at geographically disparate locations. The network storage system uses a multi-cast protocol to maintain file information at the DOSMs regarding files stored in the intelligent storage nodes, including files stored in disparate storage centers.

Abstract: A network storage system includes a virtual file system (“VFS”) that manages the files of the network storage system, and a storage center that stores the files. The VFS and the storage center are separated, such that a client accesses the VFS to conduct file system operations and the client accesses the storage center to upload/download files. The client accesses the network storage system through one or more storage ports. The storage center includes a plurality of distributed object storage managers (DOSMS) and a storage cluster that includes a plurality of intelligent storage nodes. The network storage system includes additional storage centers at geographically disparate locations. The network storage system uses a multi-cast protocol to maintain file information at the DOSMs regarding files stored in the intelligent storage nodes, including files stored in disparate storage centers.