Abstract: An inventory and anti-theft alarm tag system that has (1) one or more RFID tags and (2) a master database. The RFID tags can include an RFID transmitter and an RFID inlay having a unique item number encoded therein. The RFID transmitter allows communication between the RFID tags and the master database. The master database can compare information from the RFID tags with information stored in the master database to determine if the RFID tags are authentic and have been opened or closed a defined number of times indicated in the master database, and if not, a message can be sent for investigation.

Abstract: An inventory and antitheft alarm tag utilizes RFID technology. The system provides either real time or time of scan inventory and theft control while monitoring the time and date of each lock/unlock event and the sequence of these events.

Abstract: A system for merchandise tagging is described that includes a plurality of programmable RFID security tags, a controller, and a plurality of RFID readers. The attributes associated with the RFID security tags are assigned and changed remotely by an authorized request from the system. Any unauthenticated request to access or change the data associated with the RFID is ignored by the system.

Abstract: An inventory and antitheft alarm tag utilizes RFID technology. The system provides either real time or time of scan inventory and theft control while monitoring the time and date of each lock/unlock event and the sequence of these events.

Abstract: A polymer composition with blocks of hydrophobes attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener. The blocks are composed of two or more units of the same or different hydrophobes whereby the hydrophobe is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. When the hydrophobe is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this hydrophobe is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently, especially in tinted systems. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened.

Abstract: A polymer composition with blocks of hydrophobes attached to or within the backbone of an associative thickener. The blocks are composed of two or more units of the same or different hydrophobes whereby the hydrophobe is reversibly switched between being hydrophilic and hydrophobic in nature. When the hydrophobe is rendered hydrophilic, the aqueous thickener is pourable and readily incorporated into aqueous polymer compositions. When this hydrophobe is rendered hydrophobic, the thickener performs its thickening function efficiently, especially in tinted systems. Switching is readily accomplished by adjusting the pH of the associative thickener composition and the aqueous polymer composition being thickened.

Abstract: A signer-implement method and system using biometric verification for avoiding fraudulent checks and other documents is provided. The method and system includes having the document scanned, signed from an authorized signor, providing the signor with a device for adding at least one biometric mark and sending the document to an authorized receiver. The method and system also includes having the document returned for verification against the biometric mark. The method and system is applicable to a variety of documents ranging from documents such as bank checks to such as legal will, paintings, financial instruments, historical papers and diskettes.

Abstract: A system and a method configured for managing traffic. The traffic management system includes cellular telephones and a plurality of base stations. The cellular telephones define volume on a roadway and the traffic management system provides directions, traffic advisories, and traffic redirecting when traffic jams are detected along the navigation pathway using the cellular telephone system. Directions are communicated to the cellular telephone user by aural, tactile, and visual signals. The system can simply be a cellular telephone system or include additional peripheral devices such as a computer, headphone, visual display, and sound system. The user is able to redefine the desired destination or navigation pathway while en route by knowing traffic volume from cell phone use. A processing system is coupled to at least one of the base stations and provides service support including the tracking of historical data and developing the navigation pathway for the user.

Abstract: A process for removing color bodies from hydrocarbon-based fuels, particularly gasoline, using an activated carbon is disclosed. Color bodies are removed from the fuel by contacting the fuel with such activated carbon having within this pore structure a fuel decolorizing amount of polymerized phosphoric acid or reduced transition metals. Phosphoric acid may be added to a non-phosphoric acid-activated carbon (such as steam activated coal-based) prior to the subsequent heat treatment or one can take advantage of residual phosphoric acid present in, for example, a phosphoric acid-activated wood-based carbon. Similarly, transition metals such as copper may be added to an activated carbon in a salt form in addition to whatever is already present therein as impurities.

Abstract: A process for removing color bodies from hydrocarbon-based fuels, particularly gasoline, using an activated carbon is disclosed. Color bodies are removed from the fuel by contacting the fuel with such activated carbon having within this pore structure a fuel decolorizing amount of polymerized phosphoric acid or reduced transition metals. Phosphoric acid may be added to a non-phosphoric acid-activated carbon (such as steam activated coal-based) prior to the subsequent heat treatment or one can take advantage of residual phosphoric acid present in, for example, a phosphoric acid-activated wood-based carbon. Similarly, transition metals such as copper may be added to an activated carbon in a salt form in addition to whatever is already present therein as impurities.

Abstract: A wholesale and/or retail check out station system includes a biometric finger print reader and storage for reading and storing biometric data of employees having access to the cash registers of the check out stations in the system. Authorization to use a cash register in the system is programmed into the microprocessor in the system, limiting use of a cash register to authorized employees. Employees are identified by finger print using biometric technology. Limitations of use is extended to access to operate particular cash register(s); handling returned merchandise at a cash register; refunds on returned purchases require authorization of the manager and the cashier; cashing checks at a cash register, where the limitation includes only cashing of employer drawn payroll checks of employees; and, clearing errors made in tabulations at a cash register. Unauthorized persons attempting to gain access to cash registers to which they are not authorized serves to activate an alarm.

Abstract: A system and a method configured for managing traffic. The traffic management system includes cellular telephones and a plurality of base stations. The cellular telephones define volume on a roadway and the traffic management system provides directions, traffic advisories, and traffic redirecting when traffic jams are detected along the navigation pathway using the cellular telephone system. Directions are communicated to the cellular telephone user by aural, tactile, and visual signals. The system can simply be a cellular telephone system or include additional peripheral devices such as a computer, headphone, visual display, and sound system. The user is able to redefine the desired destination or navigation pathway while en route by knowing traffic volume from cell phone use. A processing system is coupled to at least one of the base stations and provides service support including the tracking of historical data and developing the navigation pathway for the user.

Abstract: An inventory display and sales system at the retail level of commerce provides for the display of only merchandise that is listed in the store's inventory and is in-stock at the time inquiry is made for the product. A receiving or incoming product sub-system checks each incoming product with merchandise listed on an in-stock inventory carried by the store. Merchandise not listed on the inventory are identified and defined by the characteristics of the merchandise. An image of the merchandise is taken by a digital camera and stored in a RAM memory, for sales presentation. The merchandise listed on the inventory list is placed in stock and the in-stock count for that product is up-dated. Merchandise requested for display at customer positions are searched for in inventory, making certain the merchandise is in stock before display. Data, including the inventory listing and product quantity in stock, is up dated when merchandise is sold and removed from stock.

Abstract: A wholesale and/or retail check out station system includes a biometric finger print reader and storage for reading and storing biometric data of employees having access to the cash registers of the check out stations in the system. Authorization to use a cash register in the system is programmed into the microprocessor in the system, limiting use of a cash register to authorized employees. Employees are identified by finger print using biometric technology. Limitations of use is extended to access to operate particular cash register(s); handling returned merchandise at a cash register; refunds on returned purchases require authorization of the manager and the cashier; cashing checks at a cash register, where the limitation includes only cashing of employer drawn payroll checks of employees; and, clearing errors made in tabulations at a cash register. Unauthorized persons attempting to gain access to cash registers to which they are not authorized serves to activate an alarm.

Abstract: A display against inventory verification apparatus and method that is operable to compare the display of items in a store to the inventory of the store to ensure that all items in inventory are on display and to ensure that all items on display are in inventory. Each item on display includes a bar code label and a bar code label reader is used to read and store all of the bar codes on display. A computer controller, which communicates with the bar code label reader compares the items on display with an inventory of the items for determining those items on display with inventory below a predetermined threshold. The computer controller also compares the items on display with an inventory of available items for determining those available items not on display. The computer generates reports of the items on display with inventory below the predetermined threshold and of the items available in inventory that are not on display.

Abstract: An apparatus that displays alternative items for items that are out of stock in a store or the like. A request for an item is entered into a sales computer. The computer determines from a database whether the requested item is available. If the item is unavailable, the computer determines alternative items that are available for sale. These available alternative items are interactively displayed for the customer. The alternative items are determined from an alternative item database wherein each item is categorized with alternative items. A mass data storage device stores an image of each alternative item. A method of determining and displaying alternative items includes the steps of: inputting a request for an item; determining the availability of the requested item and alternative items for the requested item if it is unavailable; and interactively displaying the alternative items.

Abstract: A security apparatus for a retail store in which each item for sale has a security tag attached thereto. A computerized database stores the approximate weight of each item for sale. During a purchase transaction, a predicted total weight of the items purchased is calculated and the items are placed in a bag or bags. A security station positioned near the exit of the store includes a scale for determining the actual total weight of a bag or bags containing the items purchased; a computer controller for comparing the actual total weight of the bag or bags with the predicted total weight and for generating a notification signal when the actual total weight is not within a predetermined range of the predicted total weight; and a deactivation pad for deactivating the security tags during weighing of the bag or bags. A security tag detection apparatus is positioned between the security station and the exit.

Abstract: A wholesale and/or retail check out station system includes a biometric finger print reader and storage for reading and storing biometric data of employees having access to the cash registers of the check out stations in the system. Authorization to use a cash register in the system is programmed into the microprocessor in the system, limiting use of a cash register to authorized employees. Employees are identified by finger print using biometric technology. Limitations of use is extended to access to operate particular cash register(s); handling returned merchandise at a cash register; refunds on returned purchases require authorization of the manager and the cashier; cashing checks at a cash register, where the limitation includes only cashing of employer drawn payroll checks of employees; and, clearing errors made in tabulations at a cash register. Unauthorized persons attempting to gain access to cash registers to which they are not authorized serves to activate an alarm.