Abstract: Providing a consumer directed payment card (“CDPC”). Parameters for the CDPC are established in advance of the processing of a transaction to define how transactions are to be processed. The parameters are based on attributes of the transaction, such as transaction value, fund availability, credit availability, merchant type, merchant location, and date. The transaction processes include debit, credit, stored value, installment loan, and other deferred-payment transaction types. Parameters are stored and accessed during a transaction. The appropriate transaction process is determined based on the parameters, and the transaction is processed. A processing platform can be logically connected to a network, banking entity, credit line entity, and a network. The processing platform includes a decision engine, which is logically connected to a decision engine database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a music playback and manipulation system for generating audio playback of digital musical comprising; a user control device having an external memory interface for providing access to random access memory and read only memory, a mass storage host controller for providing access to and control of data from, a user controller interface and an audio subsystem interface; a mass storage device for storing a plurality of audio files; and a user control device for varying playback parameters of said audio files.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for the real-time inspection for defects in and on transparent sheets, such as a sheet of glass, are described. A sensor detects a transparent light reflective coating on a transparent sheet and defines a sample profile. An optical inspection system utilizes an illumination source and an imaging device to obtain images of the transparent sheets. An image processing system analyzes for defects in the transparent sheets, including coating defects and defects in edge deleted perimeters. Inspection variables which correspond to the sample profile are used by the optical inspection system and image processing system for real-time inspection.

Abstract: A device for capturing and recording analog audio signals; comprising an input adapter for connecting to an analog audio source device to receive the audio signals, a processor linked to the input adapter for converting the audio signals to a digital audio file format and an output adapter linked to the processor for directing the digital audio file format to a communications port for exchanging date with an external mass storage device an external control device for generating control signals to the processor based on user inputs and a display device for indicating device status in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: A training method and apparatus attaches at least one marker device to the clothing of each of two users. The users engage in a training interval wherein attempts are made by each of the users to detach the at least one marker devices from the clothing of the other, each of the users defending against the attempts to detach the at least one marker devices by the other. The training interval ceases when one or more of the at least one markers of one of the users has been detached by other.

Abstract: An adjustable jig includes rigidly formed arms that have rectilinear shapes provided with opposite edges, an elongated central opening formed therein and opposed ends abutted with adjacent arm ends. Fasteners are interfitted within the arm openings such that the arms become statically affixed to each other and are detachable from associated ones of the openings. Each fastener includes a tri-lobed nut that has a threaded bottom end. A cap is conjoined to the threaded bottom end and has an outwardly beveled perimeter converging upwardly towards a bottom surface of one of the arms. Each arm has two of the fasteners interfitted through the opening associated therewith. A level gauge is included for establishing a horizontal plane along one arm and is releasably conjoined to a top surface of one arm and positioned at an interior edge thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ammonium removal method can comprise: removing a multivalent cation from a stream comprising ammonium to form a treated stream; converting the ammonium in the stream to ammonia by increasing the pH of the stream; and separating the ammonia from the treated stream to form a separated stream and gaseous ammonia. In another embodiment, an ammonium removal method can comprise: a multivalent cation from a stream comprising ammonium to form a treated stream comprising a total of less than or equal to about 50 ppm by weight of multivalent cations; increasing the pH of the stream to a conversion pH; converting the ammonium to ammonia; and separating the ammonia from the treated stream to form a separated stream and gaseous ammonia.

Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus includes a plurality of approximately spherical photoelectric conversion elements including a second semiconductor layer located outside a first semiconductor layer, for generating photoelectromotive force therebetween. The second semiconductor layer has an opening through which part of the first semiconductor layer is exposed. The apparatus also includes a support having first and second conductors and an insulator disposed between the conductors for electrically insulating the conductors from each other. The support has recesses adjacent to each other, the inside surfaces of which are constituted by the first conductor. The photoelectric conversion elements are disposed in respective recesses so that the elements are illuminated with light reflected by part of the first conductor that constitutes the recess.

Abstract: The present invention (ring mute) is a device comprised of a sound absorbent foam urethane ring with an incision encircling the inner section of the ring with an adhesive strip encircling the outer section of the ring to protect the foam ring from damage. The ring mute is designed to fit onto and around the rim of the bell of a brass musical instrument. The rim of the bell fits into the incision located in the inner section of the foam ring. The purpose of the ring mute is to dampen the sound of a brass musical instrument.

Abstract: The ring mute is a mute made of sound absorbent material which is attached onto and around the rim of the bell of a brass musical instrument instead of inside the bell of the brass musical instrument. The ring mute attachment method creates no apparent air blow restriction or pitch change. This is due to the bell hole of the brass musical instrument not being blocked. The ring mute, as with all mutes increases musical expressivity. The position and construction creates a smooth, rounded, smoky, musical expression for brass musical instruments.

Abstract: In a method for the control of the strength and the temperature of at least two temperature controlled air flows which serve for the temperature control of at least two corresponding regions of a space and which are generated by making available a cold air flow and a hot air flow whose temperatures can be controlled individually and/or whose strengths can be controlled individually or in combination, by forming in each case a cold air regional part flow and a hot air flow for each of the regions from the cold air flow and the hot air flow, by respective restriction or additional supply of the regional part flows by respectively corresponding, controllable restrictor devices or at least one additional supply device and mixing of corresponding regional part flows for the respective regions, a desired temperature and a desired strength of an air flow to be supplied to the region are set for each of the regions and the strength of the cold air flow and/or of the hot air flow and/or at least one of the restrictor

Abstract: A theater seat assembly includes a pair of opposed stanchions for attachment to a support surface, a generally horizontal seat portion disposed between and operatively connected to the stanchions, and a generally upright back portion disposed between and operatively connected to the stanchions. The theater seat assembly may include a lounge mechanism operatively connected to the back portion and the stanchions to allow the back portion to lounge rearward relative to the stanchion. The theater seat assembly may also include a cushion suspension system operatively connected to the seat portion and the stanchions to allow the seat portion to deflect downwardly relative to the stanchions. The theater seat assembly may further include each one of the seat portion and the back portion having a frame, a cushion disposed adjacent the frame and a trim cover covering the cushion and attached to the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for delivering an oral care substance to the oral cavity, comprising: (a) an organosiloxane resin; (b) a volatile carrier capable of solubilizing the organosiloxane resin; (c) a rheology modifier; and (d) at least one oral care substance. The present invention is also directed to such compositions comprising: (a) an organosiloxane resin; (b) a fluid diorganopolysiloxane polymer; (c) a volatile carrier capable of solubilizing the organosiloxane resin and the fluid diorganopolysiloxane polymer; (d) a rheology modifier; and (e) at least one oral care substance. Further disclosed is a method of using these compositions.

Abstract: A theater seat assembly includes a pair of opposed stanchions for attachment to a support surface, a generally horizontal seat portion disposed between and operatively connected to the stanchions, and a generally upright back portion disposed between and operatively connected to the stanchions. The theater seat assembly may include a counter-balanced pivot mechanism operatively connected to the seat portion and the stanchions to allow the seat portion to pivot freely relative to the stanchions when unoccupied relative to the stanchion. The theater seat assembly may also include a molded cover attached to at least one of the seat frame and the back frame and being injection molded from a fiberglass reinforced co-polymer.

Abstract: A theater seat assembly includes a pair of opposed stanchions for attachment to a support surface, a generally horizontal seat portion disposed between and operatively connected to the stanchions, and a generally upright back. portion disposed between and operatively connected to the stanchions. The theater seat assembly may include a lounge mechanism operatively connected to the back portion and the stanchions to allow the back portion to lounge rearward relative to the stanchion. The theater seat assembly may also include a cushion suspension system operatively connected to the seat portion and the stanchions to allow the seat portion to deflect downwardly relative to the stanchions. The theater seat assembly may further include each one of the seat portion and the back portion having a frame, a cushion disposed adjacent the frame and a trim cover covering the cushion and attached to the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for delivering an oral care substance to the oral cavity, comprising: (a) an organosiloxane resin; (b) a volatile carrier capable of solubilizing the organosiloxane resin; (c) a rheology modifier; and (d) at least one oral care substance. The present invention is also directed to such compositions comprising: (a) an organosiloxane resin; (b) a fluid diorganopolysiloxane polymer; (c) a volatile carrier capable of solubilizing the organosiloxane resin and the fluid diorganopolysiloxane polymer; (d) a rheology modifier; and (e) at least one oral care substance.

Abstract: A quality management system and computer based process for managing quality are disclosed. The quality management system includes a set of networked operator stations for entering data including critical to quality customer information and information relating to the equipment to be monitored on a quality basis. The system further includes an application server on the network for running the programs of the system such as critical to quality setup, report generation, logging to the database, and maintenance events. A database server is further included on the network for storing the local database. A web server holding a capability warehouse connects to the local database over a web connection.

Abstract: A quality management system and computer based process for managing quality are disclosed. The quality management system includes a set of networked operator stations for entering data including critical to quality customer information and information relating to the equipment to be monitored on a quality basis. The system further includes an application server on the network for running the programs of the system such as critical to quality setup, report generation, logging to the database, and maintenance events. A database server is further included on the network for storing the local database. A web server holding a capability warehouse connects to the local database over a web connection.

Abstract: An object oriented computer apparatus and method provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for existing host-based (i.e., green screen) applications by defining some object oriented classes that reside on the client workstation, and by substituting function calls for display data in the green screen application with function calls that interface with the object oriented GUI defined by the classes. In this manner the present invention takes advantage of the processing power of client workstations in a network computing environment by having the client run the GUI. The underlying green screen application is modified to replace all display function calls with new function calls to the GUI, but this change is relatively minor and does not affect the underlying core logic of the application. In addition, the new function calls access the GUI screens directly without having to determine which screen is being displayed.

Abstract: An object oriented computer apparatus and method provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for existing host-based (i.e., green screen) applications by defining some object oriented classes that reside on the client workstation, and by substituting function calls for display data in the green screen application with function calls that interface with the object oriented GUI defined by the classes. In this manner the present invention takes advantage of the processing power of client workstations in a network computing environment by having the client run the GUI. The underlying green screen application is modified to replace all display function calls with new function calls to the GUI, but this change is relatively minor and does not affect the underlying core logic of the application. In addition, the new function calls access the GUI screens directly without having to determine which screen is being displayed.