Abstract: An apparatus for playing signals received from the internet or other information highway on one or more speakers are described. The apparatus has a receiver for receiving information from a preselected address; a processor for interpreting the signals; and at least one sound emitting device for playing the processed signal. The apparatus has an ornamental design on the outside which is related to the topic of the signals received from the address. The apparatus could include a smartphone as the receiver.

Abstract: A compressed article of hygiene is formed by a compressed cloth that has been compressed by dehydration or vacuum pressure into a coin shape and that is expandable upon contact with a liquid, and a plurality of microencapsulated beads containing a material. The microencapsulated beads are attached and embedded in the compressed cloth. Upon contact with water, expansion of the compressed cloth is unconstrained, and the compressed cloth when expanded has a shape of a facial mask with openings for eye, nose and mouth. The material is a facial treatment material that hardens upon drying.

Abstract: A foot covering formed by a sock and a plurality of artificial toenails attached to the sock at the front end of the sock. Inserting a foot into the sock places the artificial toenails approximately over natural toenails on the foot and gives the appearance of a professional pedicure.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing and treating infection or disease, in which an individual takes a photograph of an infected or diseased area of a body using a camera connected to a microprocessor. The photograph is sent to a diagnosing center having a server with a second microprocessor and a database of photographs correlated with different diseases and infections. The second microprocessor scans the image received from the camera and compares it to the photographs in the database. If a match is found, the second microprocessor then notes the disease or bacteria corresponding to the matching photograph. The second microprocessor then searches an additional database correslated to the match, to further refine the diagnosis. The second microprocessor then searches the second database for a treatment corresponding to the identified disease or bacteria. Once a treatment is identified, information regarding this treatment is automatically sent to the individual's microprocessor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. The method can include measuring a pressure the foot exerts during a stride at a plurality of points over a period of time, and analyzing a pressure at the plurality of points over the period of time and designing the orthopedic inserter based on the analysis. The system can include a device that measures a pressure exerted by foot at a plurality of times at each of a plurality of points and a computer connected to the device, the computer having a memory that stores the measured pressures and a program operable to analyze the measured pressures to create a design of an orthopedic insert.

Abstract: Microencapsulated materials are added to compressed products. Microencapsulation permits a wide range of products to be incorporated into these compressed products while maintaining the dry, compressed nature of the products. In one aspect, methods are provided that comprise forming the article, that comprises paper or fabric, in a size of intended use; attaching a plurality of microencapsulated beads containing a material therein to the paper or fabric; and compressing the article to a compressed size that is smaller than the size of intended use. In another aspect, articles comprise a liquid-expandable paper or fabric, and a plurality of microencapsulated beads containing a material therein attached to the paper or fabric.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation device has a flexible base, an adhesive applied to a bottom side of the base and an electrical stimulation device connected to the base. The electrical stimulation device comprises a power source, an electrical stimulator connected to the power source, and a controller for turning the power source on and off.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring feet and designing and creating orthopedic inserts are described. The method can include measuring a pressure the foot exerts during a stride at a plurality of points over a period of time, analyzing a pressure at the plurality of points over the period of time and designing the orthopedic insert based on the analysis. The system can include a device that measures a pressure exerted by a foot at a plurality of times at each of a plurality of points and a computer connected to the device, the computer having memory that stores the measured pressures and a program operable to analyze the measured pressures to create a design of an orthopedic insert.

Abstract: An improved computerized method for provides credit card services by a card issuer. A cardholder has an account with the card issuer and the method includes storing, in association with the account, data associated with the cardholder's benefits. It also includes processing incoming merchant charges to be posted to the account to flag any charge identified as covered by the benefits and to store such charge as flagged. Finally it includes deferring billing of any flagged charge, pending settlement of such flagged charge under an arrangement with the benefit provider.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing signals received from the Internet or other information highway on one or more speakers are described. The apparatus has a receiver for receiving information from a preselected address; a processor for interpreting the signals; and at least one sound emitting device for playing the processed signal. The apparatus has an ornamental design on the outside which is related to the topic of the signals received from the address. The apparatus could include a smartphone as the receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus including a combined monitor and display assembly installable in an area occupied by an individual, and at the location occupied by the individual's caregiver. There is a microphone and video camera to provide sounds generated by the individual or an image of the individual and an audio or video transmitter connected to the microphone and camera to transmit a signal from the microphone and video camera that is intercepted by a mobile telephone so that the signal can be heard or seen by an observer at a site remote from the enclosure. The distress sounds are pre-programmed into the device so that only pre-selected distress sounds cause the mobile telephone to be contacted.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the state of an individual, in which a biological sensor is attached to the individual, and a wireless transmitter is attached to the sensor via a microprocessor. The transmitter transmits any changes in the biological state of the individual to a remote receiver. The remote receiver can be programmed to automatically send an alert to various entities, which can then send assistance.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing and treating infection or disease, in which an individual takes a photograph of an infected or diseased area of a body using a camera connected to a microprocessor. The photograph is sent to a diagnosing center having a server with a second microprocessor and a database of photographs correlated with different diseases and infections. The second microprocessor scans the image received from the mobile telephone and compares it to the photographs in the database. If a match is found, the second microprocessor then notes the disease or bacteria corresponding to the matching photograph. The second microprocessor then searches the database for a treatment corresponding to the identified disease or bacteria. Once a treatment is identified, information regarding this treatment is automatically sent to the individual's microprocessor.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing and treating infection or disease, in which an individual takes a photograph of an infected or diseased area of a body using a camera connected to a microprocessor. The photograph is sent to a diagnosing center having a server with a second microprocessor and a database of photographs correlated with different diseases and infections. The second microprocessor scans the image received from the camera and compares it to the photographs in the database. If a match is found, the second microprocessor then notes the disease or bacteria corresponding to the matching photograph. The second microprocessor then searches an additional database correslated to the match, to further refine the diagnosis. The second microprocessor then searches the second database for a treatment corresponding to the identified disease or bacteria. Once a treatment is identified, information regarding this treatment is automatically sent to the individual's microprocessor.

Abstract: An improved computerized method for provides credit card services by a card issuer. The improvement operates in connection with continuing education offered to a constituent of an organization. In this context, the constituent has an account with the card issuer and the improvement includes storing, in association with the account, data associated with a provider's course approved by the organization for enrollment by the constituent. It also includes processing incoming merchant charges to be posted to the account to flag any charge identified as pertaining to the approved course by the associated data and to store such charge as flagged. Finally it includes deferring billing of any flagged charge, pending settlement of such flagged charge under an arrangement with the organization.

Abstract: An improved computerized method for provides credit card services by a card issuer. The improvement operates in connection with health insurance offered to the cardholder. In this context, the cardholder has an account with the card issuer and the improvement includes storing, in association with the account, data associated with the cardholder's insurance policy. It also includes processing incoming merchant charges to be posted to the account to flag any charge identified as covered by insurance and to store such charge as flagged. Finally it includes deferring billing of any flagged charge, pending settlement of such flagged charge under an arrangement with the insurer.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing signals received from the Internet or other information highway on one or more speakers and video displays has a receiver for receiving information from a preselected address; a processor for interpreting the signals; a user interface for choosing between a connection to a personal computer and the preselected address; and at least one sound emitting device and a display for playing the processed signal. The apparatus has an ornamental design on the outside which is related to the topic of the signals received from the address.

Abstract: A method and system for purchasing an item includes registering identification and credit card information of a shopper with a third party purchasing system, selecting a desired item in a store by a shopper, and sending information identifying the item and its price to the third party purchasing system. The third party purchasing system conducts a search for the item on the internet and analyzes the results of the search via the microprocessor to determine prices of the item. The system then compares the lowest price of the item found in the search with the price of the item sent by the shopper and purchases with the shopper's credit card information the item having the lowest price based on the search, when the lowest price is lower than the price submitted by the shopper.

Abstract: A compact package for making an orthopedic cast is made from a fabric folded and compressed, having an initial over-all surface area, that, when saturated with water, expands to final over-all surface area that is larger by a factor greater than 50 than the initial over-all surface area. The package also includes a water-curable material, impregnated into the fabric, so that when the material is saturated with water, the material cures to become rigid. When the package is used, the fabric impregnated with the material may be immersed in water and expanded. Once expanded and unfolded, the fabric may be placed around a portion of a body for which the orthopedic cast is desired. The material then becomes rigid so as to form the orthopedic cast.

Abstract: A glove for administering acupressure therapy has a front side having five finger extensions and a pocket at a tip of each of the finger extensions, and a rear side connected to the front side to form a glove with an opening at a bottom edge thereof. There are a plurality of projections that are adapted to be removably placed in each one of the pockets. The projections are of various sizes, so that the acupressure therapist can formulate a glove that is customized to the therapy to be administered.