Abstract: The invention provides a portable communications apparatus which is useful for reporting positional status report to a user-selected recipient(s). Using a global-positioning-receiver (i.e. GPS) to generate a location indicia of the portable communications apparatus, and a pre-defined user-generated message with at least one user-defined recipient, the apparatus, when activated by the user, sends the user-defined message, together with the location information, to the user-defined recipient. This information is useful for alerting the recipient of the user's location or to notify the recipient that assistance is needed.

Abstract: A system which discourages corruption of data within a network of computers. A refresh computer monitors the information within a hosting computer and periodically refreshes the information. The hosting computer provides the information to remote computers via the network. The refreshing action occurs either periodically or when a corruption of the information is detected. In some embodiments of the invention the hosting computer and the refresh computer are contained within the same housing; in other embodiments, the hosting computer and the refreshing computer communicate via the primary network or a secondary network.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer on a network of computers for the purpose of collecting payments due a remote computer on the network (such as the Internet). The method for payment processing includes the steps of: receiving the customer's account data and amount data; establishing an authorization indicia; and, communicating said authorization indicia to a remote computer (such as the merchant's computer) on the network.

Abstract: A system which discourages corruption of data within a network of computers. A refresh computer monitors the information within a hosting computer and periodically refreshes the information. The hosting computer provides the information to remote computers via the network. The refreshing action occurs either periodically or when a corruption of the information is detected. In some embodiments of the invention the hosting computer and the refresh computer are contained within the same housing; in other embodiments, the hosting computer and the refreshing computer communicate via the primary network or a secondary network.

Abstract: A security system which notifies a card-holder when a charge is made on the card-holder's account. The merchant computer communicates the account number and amount to the processing computer. Using this information, the processing computer identifies the card-holder and sends a message that the card is being used. Ideally this message is an e-mail message sent to the card-holder's cellular phone. In the preferred embodiment, the card-holder is able to respond to the proposed charge by sending a “block” to the processing computer.

Abstract: A weapon using a barrel through which a projectile travels being propelled through the use of gas expansion. An expansion chamber communicates with the barrel and is “plugged” using a projectile. The expansion chamber is filled with a gas. In the preferred embodiment, the projectile has a collar which seals the opening between the expansion chamber and the barrel. Once the expansion chamber is filled with a gas, the gas is rapidly expanded, thereby forcing the projectile to be propelled through said barrel. In the preferred embodiment, the gas includes a combustible hydrocarbon; in other embodiments, the gas is expanded by thermal means using a high voltage electrical arc.

Abstract: A system which discourages corruption of data within a network of computers. A refresh computer monitors the information within a hosting computer and periodically refreshes the information. The hosting computer provides the information to remote computers via the network. The refreshing action occurs either periodically or when a corruption of the information is detected. In some embodiments of the invention the hosting computer and the refresh computer are contained within the same housing; in other embodiments, the hosting computer and the refreshing computer communicate via the primary network or a secondary network.

Abstract: A payment system for a distributed computer network such as the Internet. A merchant or vending computer contains promotional information which is communicated to a customer's computer. Order/payment information is communicated to a payment processing computer which automatically contacts a bank for verification. In some embodiments a password is sent to the customer's computer, thereby allowing the customer computer to gain access to restricted data on the merchant computer.