Abstract: A stabilization and support strut for use in rescue operations in buildings, trenches, vehicle accidents, and the like has secure deployment features including first and second inter-fitting collar assemblies, the first collar assembly including a first collar, circumferentially based spring-biased piston-retaining pins mounted in the collar for fitting into orifices in a piston body, and a locking pin for precluding rotation and axial movement of the first collar on the strut; and the second collar assembly including a second collar rotatingly secured on the barrel with a portion of the second collar underlying the first and having a circumferentially inclined ratchet surface for snugly engaging the piston-retaining pins upon rotation of the second collar, the second collar further including rotatable studs for engaging the barrel and precluding rotation of the second collar about the barrel when snug against the piston-retaining pins.

Abstract: A reaching aid allowing a physically impaired user to retrieve one or more distant items is discussed. The reaching aid includes an apparatus body, a handle, a retrieving hook, and optionally a retrieving probe. The handle may be pivotally coupled with the apparatus body on a proximal end portion and may optionally include a limb support. One or both of the retrieving hook or the retrieving probe are disposed at a distal end portion of the apparatus body and may be movable both longitudinally and rotatably using an actuating arm member. A method of manufacturing and a method of using the reaching aid are also discussed.

Abstract: A user object is created via an administrator interface. The user object indicates access to system resources for an individual user. The user object is provided a permission time period specifying when a user associated with the object can access the system resource with a computing device. To access the resource, the computing device would generate a request or attempt to access the system resource. In response the request or access attempt, the user object is read to determine when the user of the computing device can access the resource. The user of the computing device could be provided access to the resource during the time period and denied access to the resource outside of the time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. Movement of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid into a reservoir in a brewer, which is then used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, closing of the brew chamber may cause a lid for a water reservoir to be fully opened or otherwise permit movement of the lid to allow access to the reservoir, allowing a user to provide water into the reservoir. The reservoir lid may open with an abrupt action, causing attention to be drawn to the reservoir lid. In another arrangement, closure of the brew chamber may cause actuation of a baffle, pump, valve or other device to provide a suitable amount of water to a reservoir for beverage formation. In another arrangement, opening of the brew chamber may cause the reservoir lid to be automatically and simultaneously opened with the brew chamber.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a share of program profits above a pre-designated level is returned to participating recipients at pre-designated intervals such as annually. Participants respond to an offer to participate in the mutual benefit program. After admission to the program, the card issuer tracks the performance according to the desired performance metric for the participants. At certain intervals, such as yearly, the card issuer reports out the financial performance for the period. If the performance exceeded the pre-designated threshold performance, then returns are distributed to participants according to a share methodology. The share methodology can provide that returns are allocated among participants according to various criteria, such as based on non-financial criteria including: periods of inactivity and financial criteria including: spending volume, finance charges, and so forth.

Abstract: A password recovery technique includes generating words by sequentially selecting a character for each character position of the word from a character string. The order of the characters in the character string is individually selected for each position of the word. Each sequentially generated word may be entered until the password is determined.

Abstract: A laser-based method and system for processing targeted surface material and article produced thereby are provided. The system processes the targeted surface material within a region of a workpiece while avoiding undesirable changes to adjacent non-targeted material. The system includes a primary laser subsystem including a primary laser source for generating a pulsed laser output including at least one pulse having a wavelength and a pulse width less than 1 ns. A delivery subsystem irradiates the targeted surface material of the workpiece with the pulsed laser output including the at least one pulse to texture the targeted surface material. The pulsed laser output has sufficient total fluence to initiate ablation within at least a portion of the targeted surface material and the pulse width is short enough such that the region and the non-targeted material surrounding the material are substantially free of slag.

Abstract: Pontoon boat assemblies and methods stabilized against rolling, pitching, or g-forces via, at least in part, a mechanical or electronic means are discussed.

Abstract: A laser-based method and system for processing targeted surface material and article produced thereby are provided. The system processes the targeted surface material within a region of a workpiece while avoiding undesirable changes to adjacent non-targeted material. The system includes a primary laser subsystem including a primary laser source for generating a pulsed laser output including at least one pulse having a wavelength and a pulse width less than 1 ns. A delivery subsystem irradiates the targeted surface material of the workpiece with the pulsed laser output including the at least one pulse to texture the targeted surface material. The pulsed laser output has sufficient total fluence to initiate ablation within at least a portion of the targeted surface material and the pulse width is short enough such that the region and the non-targeted material surrounding the material are substantially free of slag.

Abstract: Comprehensive change control and enhanced management of GPOs in a client-server environment is described. A Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) extension provides seamless integration with GPMC. The application or extension provides a secure archive for controlling changes to GPOs. To change a GPO, an administrator “checks out” the GPO from the archive or vault. When changes are complete, the GPO is “checked in” to the vault. Differences between archived versions and/or live versions are reviewed using GPMC-style reports. When a GPO is ready for deployment, it can be transferred to the live environment. At any time, one or more live GPOs can be “rolled back” to an archived version. GPO data in the secure archive is maintained in XML files, greatly reducing infrastructure requirements.

Abstract: A beverage forming system includes an actuator and first and second portions that are movable relative to each other between open and closed positions. The first and second portions include a cartridge receiving portion to accept a cartridge for forming a beverage, e.g., a disposable single serve cartridge. A first linkage member may be fixed to the actuator and physically contact a second linkage member that may be fixed to the first or second portion (or to a frame that supports the first and second portions). Movement of the actuator may cause movement of the first and second linkage members relative to each other, thereby causing relative movement of the first and second portions between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A hinge and support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment is provided. The system includes a hinge member, associated with a deck panel, which has at least one flexible projection. The hinge member mates with a support member having a pocket for which the hinge member's flexible projections can be snapped into and retained within so as to allow pivotal movement of the hinge member with respect to the support member. The hinge member is also movably supported by the deck panel so that the hinge member can move relative to the deck panel when the deck panel is deployed. The support member includes one ledge which engages the deck panel when deployed and a second ledge which engages the panel when stowed upright so as to substantially isolate the hinge member from the weight of the deck panel and items placed on it. The hinge structure can be utilized in other contexts.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for implementing such method, the method comprising establishing a card payment instrument account for an approved customer and an investment account for the benefit of the approved customer. A rebate is calculated periodically based on credit card usage and the rebate is applied to fund the investment account periodically. The rebate is the only funding of the investment account accomplished through the card payment instrument account.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for implementing such method, the method comprising establishing a card payment instrument account for an approved customer and an investment account for the benefit of the approved customer. A rebate is calculated periodically based on credit card usage and the rebate is applied to fund the investment account periodically. The rebate is the only funding of the investment account accomplished through the card payment instrument account.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for a card payment instrument providing that a share of program profits above a pre-designated level is returned to participating consumers at pre-designated intervals such as annually. Customers respond to an offer to participate in the mutual benefit program. After admission to the program, the card issuer tracks the performance according to the desired financial metric for the participating cardholders. At certain intervals, such as yearly, the card issuer reports out the financial performance for the period. If the financial performance exceeded the pre-designated threshold performance, then returns are distributed to participating cardholders according to a share methodology. The share methodology can provide that returns are allocated among participating cardholders according to various criteria, such as based on spending volume, finance charges, and so forth.

Abstract: A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system, configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the plurality of units under test, wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under test. Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier.

Abstract: An arrowhead includes a threaded stud at the front end of the body for accepting an arrowhead tip. A longitudinal finger is disposed coaxial with the stud and projects forward therefrom. Engagement means are operatively associated with the tip for engaging the finger when an arrowhead tip is screwed onto the body to inhibit the tip from becoming unintentionally loosened with respect to the body. In another aspect of the invention, a blade is pivotably mounted to an arrowhead body such that the blade is pivotably movable between first and second positions. The blade lies adjacent the body when in the first position. A slot is formed in the body adjacent the mounting position so as to receive a portion of the blade therewithin when the blade is in the first position, and a recess is formed around the slot to provide a means of escape for mud.

Abstract: An arrowhead comprises an elongated body having front and rear ends, means at the front end of the body for accepting an arrowhead tip, and means at the rear end of the body for coupling the body to an arrow shaft. At least one blade or barb member is pivotably mounted to the body such that the blade member is movable between a first position, in which the free end of the blade is disposed rearward of the mounting location and a major portion of the blade is positioned adjacent the body, and a second position, in which the free end of the blade is disposed radially outward of the mounting location. A flexible ring is disposed around the circumference of the body, and a notch formed in the blade member is configured to engage the flexible ring to releasably retain the blade member in the first position.

Abstract: A technique for administering a rebate program includes logic for generating rebate information based the purchase of goods and/or services using a card instrument. The technique further includes logic for applying a rebate, based on the rebate information, to fund at least part of a transaction performed by an brokerage service. In one embodiment, the brokerage service charges a fee to perform the transaction. In this case, the rebate is used to fund at least part of the transaction fee. The rebate therefore entitles the cardholder to perform a transaction free of charge. The rebate thus is converted to one or more “free transactions,” and in a more specific application, one or more “free trades.

Abstract: An extended life ball transfer unit has a housing with a well of generally cup-shaped configuration with at least the lower portion of its surface being defined by a pair of radii mutually offset to opposite sides from its vertical axis to generate a gothic church arch cross section. A passage extends therethrough at the base of the housing well. Sealed in the well is a spherical conveyor ball having a radius of smaller length than the radii defining the lower surface of the well, and the well defining radii having their origins above the center of the conveyor ball. A multiplicity of spherical bearing balls is disposed between the conveyor ball and at least the lower portion of the well. The bearing balls support the conveyor ball and transferring the load from the conveyor ball to the housing over an annular area defined by an arc of about 5-15° with its center spaced about 30°–40° upwardly from the passage.