Abstract: A utensil holding and serving system for use in buffet-style eating includes interchangeable serving utensils for serving and manipulating food, a handle for selectively engaging the serving utensils, and a stand for receiving and suspending the serving utensils over a food tray or surface. The serving utensils include a connecting shaft, a working portion including a functional member, such as a spoon, fork, or spatula, and a standing portion having support apertures. The handle includes a longitudinal bore for removably receiving the connecting shaft of one of the serving utensils, and a mounting member including arms having a tapered inner surface for receiving an edge of a plate. The stand includes a utensil suspending portion having pegs extending upwardly for selectively engaging the support apertures of one of the serving utensils to support said serving utensil upon the stand and a support portion for stabilizing the stand on a surface.

Abstract: A transaction product for use as a cake topper includes a body portion, an auxiliary portion and a machine readable account identifier. The body portion defines a support member and a flange extending from the support member. The flange is configured for placement into a frosting layer on a cake. The body portion defines a first part of a character. The auxiliary portion is formed separately from the body portion and defines a second part of the character. The auxiliary portion defines a lip configured for placement into the frosting layer on the cake. The account identifier is coupled to at least one of the body portion and the auxiliary portion and links the transaction product to an account or record for tracking a value associated with the transaction product. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of encouraging use of such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transaction product for use as a cake topper includes a body portion, an auxiliary portion and a machine readable account identifier. The body portion defines a support member and a flange extending from the support member. The flange is configured for placement into a frosting layer on a cake. The body portion defines a first part of a character. The auxiliary portion is formed separately from the body portion and defines a second part of the character. The auxiliary portion defines a lip configured for placement into the frosting layer on the cake. The account identifier is coupled to at least one of the body portion and the auxiliary portion and links the transaction product to an account or record for tracking a value associated with the transaction product. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of encouraging use of such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for near real-time reporting of telephone number usage to a computer is disclosed. According to the technique, signaling protocol data is collected for telephone calls that involve telephone numbers associated with the user. The signaling protocol data is decoded and call information records (CIRs) are generated from the decoded signaling data. The CIRs contain information about calls associated with the telephone numbers. The CIRs are used to generate a report which is made available to the user.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a fluorescence analysis system includes a light emitting diode (LED) array to excite a fluorophor sample for analysis. The system includes an LED array driver that pulses the LEDs in the array with currents in excess of maximum rated current at low duty cycles to reduce LED degradation over time. An LED selection optimization process and software select the LEDs to be included in the array from among various colors and currents to be applied. The LED selection optimization process and software take filters and attenuation into consideration.

Abstract: A vehicle seat bolster is adapted for attachment to a seat back, wherein the seat back has first and second sides and front and rear portions. A center portion of the seat bolster is removably attachable to the rear portion of the seat. First and second opposing arms extend from the center portion. Each arm includes a distal end which is removably attachable to the respective first and second side of the seat back such that the seat bolster provides lateral support for the seat back. The seat bolster is quickly disconnectable from the seat back for removal and installation of similar bolsters with varying load carrying capacity.