Abstract: An irrigation system which is adapted to provide selective irrigation directly to the roots of plants. In the preferred embodiment an underground housing is used to contain the pump and control mechanism. Extending from the housing is a grouping of water permeable pipes or reservoirs which are separated from the surface and each other by water barriers. The water barriers restrict water flow therethrough but are adapted to permit roots from the plants to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to strain reduction on a balloon system in extreme weather conditions. The strain reduction is achieved by using an elastic bungee between a balloon and the tether attached to the balloon. As wind pushes on the balloon, immediate pressure caused by the wind is cushioned on the elastic bungee rather than on the balloon or the tether, thereby reducing immediate force and tension on either the balloon or the tether. Thus, the balloon system that includes the balloon and the tether is protected from damage that can possibly be caused by tension due to pressure.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein is an atmospheric energy collector. The atmospheric energy collector includes of a windsock arrangement that has a large up-wind opening on one side and that tapers from the larger up-wind opening on the one side to a small down-wind opening on the other side. The up-wind side is secured to a tether such that an electrically conducting material (e.g. metal) included in construction of the atmospheric energy collector is connected to the tether. The windsock arrangement is extended outwards by wind and the like atmospheric conditions such that the electrically conducting material collects the atmospheric energy and transfers the collected energy to the tether.

Abstract: A computer system which is configured to load executable programs. This configuration first accepts an operator defined key; withdraws an encrypted executable program from memory; and, using the operator defined key, decrypts the encrypted executable program into a functional executable program. It is this functional executable program which is used by the processing unit. During shutdown, each executable program is checked to see if it was derived from an encrypted executable program; those that aren't, are verified as being legitimate by the operator prior to their storage into the memory.

Abstract: On an Internet-like system, the present invention provides a system for reporting sites to a central computer. A searching computer, once a site has been found, is able to report the located site's address (commonly called the URL) together with an identifier of the searching computer to a reporting computer. The reporting computer is established to act as a central collection point for addresses which improperly contain material such as copyrighted cartoons, copyrighted articles, defamatory articles, and patented techniques. In this manner, a reporting computer is able to employ a large number of “web surfers” who are on the lookout for sites with identified materials on them.

Abstract: A lure for bees which is utilized during a rescue attempt. The lure is activated by the rescuer and tossed a short distance away from the attack site to draw the attacking bees, together with newly arriving bees, away from the victim and the rescuer. The lure is equipped with a variety of devices designed to attract the bees, including, but not limited to: noise attraction, chemical attraction, and motion attraction.

Abstract: A lure for bees which is utilized during a rescue attempt. The lure is activated by the rescuer and tossed a short distance away from the attack site to draw the attacking bees, together with newly arriving bees, away from the victim and the rescuer. The lure is equipped with a variety of devices designed to attract the bees, including, but not limited to: noise attraction, chemical attraction, and motion attraction.

Abstract: An automated payment system particularly suited for purchases over a distributed computer network such as the Internet. In such a distributed computer network, a “merchant” computer contains certain promotional information which is communicated to a “customer's” computer. Based upon the promotional information, the operator of the “customer's” computer decides to purchase the services or goods described by the promotional information. The “customer's” computer is linked to a “payment processing” computer and the customer's account number and the amount of the goods or services is transmitted to the “payment processing” computer. The “payment processing” computer automatically contacts a “bank” for verification of the account and amount; the “bank” transmits an authorization to the “payment processing” computer.

Abstract: A regulatory system for a distributed system of computers in which authorized data files are marked with an indicia. The granting of the indicia is made by a variety of authorizing entities such as Internet Service Providers and governmental entities. The indicia acts as a "stamp" which is used to grant/deny passage of the data files to selected users. In practice, using the Internet as an example, data providers obtain the "stamp" from a regulating entity (i.e. the state government). The "stamp" is affixed to the data file. When the data is being transferred over the Internet, the access providing computer (which acts as an interface between a user's computer and the Internet) checks for the "stamp" and sends an inquiry via the Internet to the regulating entity's computer where the "stamp" is check for authenticity. Based upon the authenticity of the "stamp", the access providing computer passes the data to the user computer.

Abstract: An automated payment system particularly suited for purchases over a distributed computer network such as the Internet. In such a distributed computer network, a merchant or vending computer contains certain promotional information which is communicated to a customer's computer. Based upon the promotional information, the operator of the customer's computer decides to purchase the services or goods described by the promotional information. The customer's computer is linked to a payment processing computer and the customer's credit card number and the amount of the goods or services is transmitted to the payment processing computer. The payment processing computer automatically contacts a bank for verification of the credit card and amount; the bank transmits an authorization to the payment processing computer. The payment processing computer communicates a self-generated transaction indicia, and in some embodiments a password, to the customer's computer.

Abstract: An automated payment system particularly suited for purchases over a distributed computer network such as the Internet. In such a distributed computer network, a merchant or vending computer contains certain promotional information which is communicated to a customer's computer. Based upon the promotional information, the operator of the customer's computer decides to purchase the services or goods described by the promotional information. The customer's computer is linked to a payment processing computer and the customer's credit card number and the amount of the goods or services is transmitted to the payment processing computer. The payment processing computer automatically contacts a bank for verification of the credit card and amount; the bank transmits an authorization to the payment processing computer. The payment processing computer communicates a self-generated transaction indicia, and in some embodiments a password, to the customer's computer.

Abstract: An automated payment system particularly suited for purchases over a distributed computer network such as the Internet. In such a distributed computer network, a merchant or vending computer contains certain promotional information which is communicated to a customer's computer. Based upon the promotional information, the operator of the customer's computer decides to purchase the services or goods described by the promotional information. The customer's computer is linked to a payment processing computer and the customer's credit card number and the amount of the goods or services is transmitted to the payment processing computer. The payment processing computer automatically contacts a bank for verification of the credit card and amount; the bank transmits an authorization to the payment processing computer. The payment processing computer communicates a self-generated transaction indicia, and in some embodiments a password, to the customer's computer.