Abstract: Disclosed is a web based system for collecting user and merchant information and making that information available to users and merchants at the point of sale or service to aid in product or service selection. In a specific embodiment, a customer, upon being waited on at a restaurant is presented with a handheld computer device which enables the user to login to the backend server and review comments to previous experiences of a menu item to aid in menu selection. These comments may be personal comments or comments made by other users of the same product or service. Upon logging into the system, an email is sent to the user reminding them that they visited the merchant and can provide comments at the user's convenience. The user is also able to use this capability to determine what merchant may have a product of interest based upon predefined preferences.

Abstract: A removable floor mounted support pole for assisting elderly and disabled persons with standing from a seated surface, and providing adjacent support while moving on, to, and from a bed, bathtub, or toilet. The apparatus is designed to be installed and used typically in buildings with a concrete slab type floor such as a hospital or nursing home. The apparatus comprises two major assemblies: firstly, a floor receptacle which is installed permanently within a concrete slab type floor, and secondly, a support pole assembly which removably fastens into the floor mounted receptacle. When the support pole is not required, it may be removed in less than a minute, and placed in storage. The floor receptacle is sealed with a flush cap when a support pole is not installed within.

Abstract: An elevating bath lift seat for assisting elderly and disabled persons to safely get down into, and back out of a bathtub. it comprises a vertically moving seat surface supported by frame structure designed to be situated within most residential bathtubs. It uses household water pressure to elevate and lower the user. Lifting force is provided by a novel lifting bladder arrangement which is totally sealed without the use of sliding type seals. An integral part of the design is a novel frame structure that also serves as a linear guide system for up and down travel of the seat frame, while also providing full water immersion lubrication for linear guide bushings.

Abstract: A unique multi-level trapeze handle and support pole system for assisting elderly and disabled persons for sitting up in bed and standing up from bed. It comprises a telescopic pole adapted to be fixed between the floor and ceiling of a room, a horizontal arm fixed on the upper section of the pole, upon the end of which is suspended a unique "two tier" trapeze handle. The system is to be used by elderly or disabled persons to independently execute the following motions while in bed: pull themselves upward slightly to shift laterally in bed, pull themselves up to a seated position in bed, shift from seated position on the bed to standing beside the bed. This invention relates to our U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,352 which describes a support pole with pivoting and locking handrail for elderly and disabled persons.

Abstract: A support pole for elderly and disabled persons having a pivoting and locking horizontal handrail. It comprises a telescopic pole adapted to be vertically fixed between the floor and ceiling of a room and a horizontal handrail pivotally mounted thereon. A castellated collar and an engaging pin which is actuated by the handrail to move about the pole in small safe increments. The device is to be used by elderly or disabled persons to move from one position to another independent of any assistance.

Abstract: A smoke detector has an alarm which may be turned off for a short interval to prevent its sounding continuously upon actuation by nonthreatening smoke or a malfunction. A timing circuit having a switch is connected between the smoke detector battery and the smoke detector, and actuating the switch will deactivate the smoke detector for a short period. If the alarm sounds after the smoke detector is automatically reconnected to the battery, the switch may be reactuated.