Abstract: The foreign object extractor has an elongated hollow tube with a central lumen through its entire length providing fluid connection between an engaging end and a vacuum source. The engaging end has a nominally round transverse cross-section and is shaped to engage a foreign object to be removed from the human body. The engaging end flares so as to expose the internal surface of the elongated hollow tube for engagement with the foreign object. An adhesive is disposed on the exposed internal flared surface of the distal end. Pneumatic suction is applied through the lumen of the extractor and the suction serves to bring the foreign object into contact with the adhesive coated surface of the extractor to form a bond between the extractor and the object to be extracted.

Abstract: The foreign object extractor has an elongated hollow tube with a central lumen through its entire length providing fluid connection between an engaging end and a vacuum source. The engaging end has a nominally round transverse cross-section and is shaped to engage a foreign object to be removed from the human body. The engaging end flares so as to expose the internal surface of the elongated hollow tube for engagement with the foreign object. An adhesive is disposed on the exposed internal flared surface of the distal end. Pneumatic suction is applied through the lumen of the extractor and the suction serves to bring the foreign object into contact with the adhesive coated surface of the extractor to form a bond between the extractor and the object to be extracted.

Abstract: The foreign object extractor has an elongated hollow tube with a central lumen through its entire length providing fluid connection between an engaging end and a vacuum source. The engaging end has a nominally round transverse cross-section and is shaped to engage a foreign object to be removed from the human body. The engaging end flares so as to expose the internal surface of the elongated hollow tube for engagement with the foreign object. An adhesive is disposed on the exposed internal flared surface of the distal end. Pneumatic suction is applied through the lumen of the extractor and the suction serves to bring the foreign object into contact with the adhesive coated surface of the extractor to form a bond between the extractor and the object to be extracted.

Abstract: A sanitizing apparatus in a flexible configuration that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be folded or rolled for storage and transport. A piecewise flexible sanitizing apparatus may be formed with hinged or otherwise rotationally joined panels, and provides the ability to sanitize a variety of objects beneath enclosure panels. A continuous flexible sanitizing apparatus with an enclosure panel formed of flexible material may be folded or rolled and may be used with a support structure to treat taller objects.

Abstract: A method for securing intellectual property includes establishing contact between an IP server and a client. At least two component codes are shared and pre-stored in both the player and the server prior to ordering the intellectual property. The IP server accepts an order for an intellectual property product from the client. The IP server creates a shared private key based on the pre-stored shared component codes and an additional shared component code at the time the intellectual property product is ordered. The shared private key is not distributed to the player software. The IP server encrypts the intellectual property product with the created shared private key prior to distribution to the client. The intellectual property product further comprises content data and rights data in digital form. The IP server electronically distributes the intellectual property product to the client in encrypted form without the shared private key.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the status of an authorization device over a network. Output signals indicative of the status of the authorization device are stored in a status file. An authorization datastore accesses the status file over the first network and obtains the status of the authorization device. A determination is made from the user identifier if the user is authorized to use the controlled device. Permission is granted to the user to use the controlled device if the user is determined to be authorized to use the controlled device.

Abstract: The foreign object extractor has an elongated hollow tube with a central lumen through its entire length providing fluid connection between an engaging end and a vacuum source. The engaging end has a nominally round transverse cross-section and is shaped to engage a foreign object to be removed from the human body. The engaging end flares so as to expose the internal surface of the elongated hollow tube for engagement with the foreign object. An adhesive is disposed on the exposed internal flared surface of the distal end. Pneumatic suction is applied through the lumen of the extractor and the suction serves to bring the foreign object into contact with the adhesive coated surface of the extractor to form a bond between the extractor and the object to be extracted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a matching system in a virtual space to facilitate the exchange of protected information and protected content. Subscriber computing devices each operated by a subscriber are associated with a subscriber identifier. Each computing device is connected to the network. In an embodiment, the sharing of protected information and content by one party with another party is regulated through permissions that determine whether a sharing party is authorized to disclose the protected content, whether a potential receiving party is authorized to receive protected content, and whether the protected content meets conditions established by the potential reviewing party for review by the potential reviewing party. Matching instructions may reveal whether a potential recipient is qualified to view the protected information or content and whether the subscriber also possesses any required supplemental information.

Abstract: A sanitization apparatus having ultraviolet sanitization in an enclosed container to kill bacteria and other disease carrying organisms. A horizontal or vertical sanitization unit dimensioned to fit objects of varying sizes is provided. An ultraviolet source within the sanitization unit irradiates an object with UV light which, in one embodiment generates ozone gas, thereby killing any microorganisms that might reside on the object that is being sanitized. The ultraviolet light may be installed in either the base or the cover of the sanitization unit. The base and the cover may include reflective surfaces to allow ultraviolet light to reflect and reach different angles and sides of an object that is being sanitized.

Abstract: A method for securing intellectual property includes establishing contact between an IP server and a client. At least two component codes are shared and pre-stored in both the player and the server prior to ordering the intellectual property. The IP server accepts an order for an intellectual property product from the client. The IP server creates a shared private key based on the pre-stored shared component codes and an additional shared component code at the time the intellectual property product is ordered. The shared private key is not distributed to the player software. The IP server encrypts the intellectual property product with the created shared private key prior to distribution to the client. The intellectual property product further comprises content data and rights data in digital form. The IP server electronically distributes the intellectual property product to the client in encrypted form without the shared private key.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. A method includes determining, using a computing device and stored emission signatures of a plurality of different imaging devices, whether an emission is indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal and in response to determining that the emission is indicative of the presence of the imaging device that has transmitted the content signal, and initiating, using the computing device, transmission of a thwarting signal from a signal generator to thwart the imaging device.

Abstract: A system and method for securing intellectual property rights in distributed intellectual property. Rights are granted and policed in electronically distributed intellectual property. Use limitations are established by agreement by the content provider and the client. The use limitations are reflected in time-based, usage-based and player based component codes that are used to determine if the client is entitled to use the intellectual property. Intellectual property is protected from unauthorized use by encrypting the intellectual property with a key created from some or all of the component codes. As the component codes are known to both the client and the content provider, no key exchange is required.

Abstract: A sanitizing apparatus in a flexible configuration that uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be folded or rolled for storage and transport. A piecewise flexible sanitizing apparatus may be formed with hinged or otherwise rotationally joined panels, and provides the ability to sanitize a variety of objects beneath enclosure panels. A continuous flexible sanitizing apparatus with an enclosure panel formed of flexible material may be folded or rolled and may be used with a support structure to treat taller objects.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the state of a structure over a network. The system and method provides for providing the status of a monitoring device to a status file. The status file is accessible over the Internet by computer so that a party can first determine the status of the device. The system operates over normal PSTN's, over cable systems, over wireless networks and over the Internet.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable anti-fomitic device incorporating anti-microbial metal wherein the device, in the form of a bag or tube, forms a cover for an object, preventing cross-infection by bacteria and other pathogens that may reside on the object. Anti-microbial metal ions from the cover further reduce future cross-infection from the object by killing pathogens. The anti-microbial, heat-shrinkable, anti-fomitic device can have a sterile interior that is sealed or stored flat during manufacture to maintain sterility. Therefore, no outer wrapping for the anti-fomitic device is required. The anti-fomitic device can be inverted when used to cover the object to present an outer surface that is initially sterile. A plurality of such devices can be heat shrunk to an object such that removal of the outer layer will further prevent cross contamination. Heat shrink film materials for the coverings/bags serve as a barrier to the transmission of pathogens and conform closely to the covered object.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable anti-fomitic device in the form of a bag or tube forms a cover for an object which prevents cross-infection by bacteria and other pathogens that may reside on the object. The heat-shrinkable anti-fomitic device can have a sterile interior that is sealed or stored flat during manufacture to maintain sterility. Therefore, no outer wrapping for the anti-fomitic device is required. The anti-fomitic device is inverted when used to cover the object and results in an ultimate outer surface that is initially sterile. A plurality of such devices can be heat shrunk to an object such that removal of the outer layer will prevent cross contamination. Heat shrink film materials for the coverings/bags serve as a barrier to the transmission of pathogens.

Abstract: An animal training device for administering audio stimulus and physical encouragement to an animal. The trainer has a transmitter with variable signal strength. The animal worn device had a receiver that senses the signal strength. If the signal strength drops to a preset limit indicative of distance from the transmitter, a tone is sounded. Further signal drop results in a shock being delivered. Alternatively, a trainer module comprises an RFID poller and an animal module comprises an RFID tag. The poller sends a polling signal to the RFID tag. The polling signal is reflected back to the trainer module where the reflective signal is used to determine a separation distance. If the separation distance exceeds a preset threshold, an encouragement command is sent from the trainer module to the animal module.

Abstract: A portable matching device and method is provided. The portable matching device includes a memory that is configured to store first identification information. A communication device in the portable matching device is configured to transmit the first identification information from the memory to a presence detector and to receive a matching attribute from a server, which is configured to determine whether a first profile associated with the first identification information and a second profile match according to matching criteria. The portable matching device further includes a match indicator that is configured to present the matching attribute, which is unique to the second profile and is presented by the match indicator so as to be at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be information to a person other than a user of the matching device of the match.

Abstract: A portable matching device and method is provided. The portable matching device includes a memory that is configured to store first identification information. A communication device in the portable matching device is configured to transmit the first identification information from the memory to a presence detector and to receive a matching attribute from a server, which is configured to determine whether a first profile associated with the first identification information and a second profile match according to matching criteria. The portable matching device further includes a match indicator that is configured to present the matching attribute, which is unique to the second profile and is presented by the match indicator so as to be at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be information to a person other than a user of the matching device of the match.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and thwarting the use of unauthorized imaging systems at theatrical performances. A method includes determining, using a computing device and stored emission signatures of a plurality of different imaging devices, whether an emission is indicative of a presence of an imaging device that has transmitted a content signal and in response to determining that the emission is indicative of the presence of the imaging device that has transmitted the content signal, and initiating, using the computing device, transmission of a thwarting signal from a signal generator to thwart the imaging device.