Abstract: A system for providing a mobile application includes a Mobile Subscriber Detection Authorization and Verification System (MSDAVS), to request and receive confidential information from a confidential information owner relating to a user who opted-in to a mobile service application, and to communicate the received confidential information to a mobile application service provider. The MSDAVS can include an opt-in database, to store opt-in or registration data of the opted-in users of the mobile service application and a service policy database. The mobile application service can be a mobile traffic alerting service, the confidential information owner a telephone number database of one of a wireless carrier or a telephone number database operator, and the requested confidential information a list telephone numbers of opted-in users in an alert area, defined by the mobile traffic alerting service.

Abstract: A Mobile Alert Network service includes identifying an Alert Area related to an Event Location, identifying a group of subscribers in the Alert Area, and broadcasting an Alert Message to the identified subscribers in a push-to-talk-equivalent environment. The Alert Messages can alert the subscribers about the cause of the alert, offer message related choices, and offer event related choices, such as promotion information or offers. The MAN Service may include an Alert Information Service, a Subscriber Selector, and a Broadcast Module to generate an Alert Message. The event related choices may be generated based on campaigns by Promotional Agents. A wrapper can be downloaded to manage Alert Messages, a mailbox, and to update on board applications. A on-board logger can provide a detailed account of the operations of the handset and its user. A Sensor Array can be used to determine the location of users, based on the self-identification information, broadcast by the cell phones.

Abstract: A passive traffic alerting method includes: identifying traffic events from analyzing traffic information; selecting an identified traffic event based on a location of a mobile communicator; and alerting the mobile communicator with a passive message regarding the selected traffic event without prompting the mobile communicator to launch an application on a mobile communication device. In some cases a user-zone and an event zone is selected and the user gets alerted when his user-zone overlaps with the event-zone. The alert can contain hierarchical messages.

Abstract: A connector system for use with an apparatus that delivers a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient includes an air delivery conduit including an auxiliary conduit. The air delivery conduit and auxiliary conduit have a first end and a second end. A connector is provided to at least one of the first and second ends. The connector includes an inner tubular wall and an outer tubular wall surrounding the inner tubular wall and being concentric with the inner tubular wall. The inner and outer tubular walls define first and second passages that are isolated from one another. One of the first and second passages is configured to communicate with the air delivery conduit and the other of the first and second passages is configured to communicate with the auxiliary conduit.

Abstract: A networked computer arrangement and method in which a manufacturer or service provider may communicate to a plurality of traders the items, including goods and/or services, which may be available for purchase, the quantities of those available items, and any other conditions to be met for the purchase of the available items. Traders may apply guest bidder profiles or entitlement schema to the available goods lists to produce offerings for a plurality of guest brokers. Only bid-relevant product information is presented to each guest broker as needed in order to protect the offering party's overall position on the offered good(s). Guest broker profiles or entitlement schema may be based on perspective contractual arrangements between potential brokers, traders, and a manufacturer or service provider. Offerings are presented to the guest brokers, who are restricted from participating in the bidding process.

Abstract: In an online four-tier offering and bidding process, a first offeror notifies traders of available products or services. Each trader then communicates offerings to resell the offered products or services to brokers associated with each trader. Then, the brokers respond with bids to purchase the offered products or services according to a reseller master agreement (RMA) which entitles each broker to offer to end users a subset of the offered products and services. A guest profile in the process contains entitlement definitions indicating allowable items about which a guest user may receive information but for which is to be restricted from placing bids, also according to the RMA. The process prepares entitled offerings through filtering an available items list according to the profiles so as to include only offered items per the guest's entitlement. These entitled offerings are then presented to one or more guests for review.

Abstract: A method and system to monitor steps in a business process or complex tasks are described. The method may include displaying a graphical step monitor in a graphical user interface of an application, using a plurality of graphical elements indicating statuses of a plurality of steps in a sequence of steps in a process. The method may include receiving update information related to one or more steps of the plurality of steps. The method may also include updating the statuses of the steps for which the update information was received and as indicated by the plurality of graphical elements. Furthermore, the method may include displaying a description region including a further plurality of graphical elements and texts, the texts describing the steps, the statuses of which are indicated by the graphical elements.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting bank account information from an individual and authenticating the individual prior to allowing the bank account to receive an electronic fund transfer comprises providing a website; allowing the individual on the website to enter bank account information to which funds will be transferred; delivering application forms with a unique bar-coded identifier over the internet to the individual; electronically receiving and storing the application forms after being completed by the individual and linking the bar coded identifier with the individual's bank account information; visually comparing by at least first and second customer support representatives information provided on the forms with information provided on the website to verify the identity of the individual; and validating payment to the individual if the individual's identity is verified.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate that does not require mechanical activation comprises an elastomeric polymer film layer bonded to one or more other substrate layers. The elastomeric film composition, physical properties of the substrate, and bonding conditions are selected and controlled to form an elastomeric laminate that is stretchable and recoverable without the use of excess material or post-lamination mechanical activation. The resulting elastomeric laminate may be manufactured on relatively simple high-speed equipment at lower cost and with improved physical properties.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal located in a checkout area of a retail store includes the step of generating a payment-tendered control signal when a user of the self-service checkout terminal tenders payment for a number of items for purchase. The method also includes the step of detecting movement of the user on a movement detection floor mat and generating a walk-away control signal if the user exits the checkout area of the retail store. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating a personnel-request control signal if the walk-away control signal is generated prior to generation of the payment-tendered control signal. A self-service checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing the risk of fire or containing fire in a laundry appliance and an appliance incorporating said method. The appliance includes a sensor means capable of sensing an abnormal fault condition indicative of an increased fire risk or a fire within the appliance drum. In response to sensing the abnormal fault condition, the appliance controller enters a fire containment cycle which rotates the drum at a tumbling speed.