Abstract: This disclosure provides an on-line greeting card, on-line greeting card system and method of operating an on-line greeting card system. The on-line greeting card includes a greeting printed on one or more faces and one or more lottery numbers printed on one or more faces. A recipient of the greeting card enters the one or more lottery numbers into a field associated with a website to determine if the lottery numbers are associated with a prize.

Abstract: An engine has a housing and a working member movable within an interior of the housing and separating a combustion chamber from a non-combustion chamber. Additionally, the engine may include a chamber-ventilation system that may include a passageway with a first end of the passageway connected to the non-combustion chamber and a second end of the passageway located downstream of the first end of the passageway. The chamber-ventilation system may further include a filter system disposed within the passageway. The filter system may include a filter housing and a filter disposed in the filter housing. Additionally, the chamber-ventilation system may be configured such that, during operation of the engine, gas travels from the non-combustion chamber, into the first end of the passageway, through the passageway, to the second end of the passageway.

Abstract: In a method of tracking a user in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service, the network classifies groups of users into tracking areas. Movement of a user may be tracked as the user crosses a boundary between two tracking areas in the network. The method may enable a balance to be achieved between use of uplink overhead and the level or granularity of tracking desired, so as to conserve radio resources.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly for controlling a fire situation includes at least one fluid conduit defining a flow passage including an inlet for receiving a fluid from a fluid source and at least one outlet for discharging the fluid, and a dispensing mechanism such as an open or closed sprinkler head for distributing water to a selected location. A fluid control apparatus is provided including a valve assembly having a valve seal which is moveable between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the conduit and an open position causing fluid flow through the conduit. The fluid control apparatus further includes an actuating mechanism including a valve actuator which is operatively connected to the valve assembly for causing movement of the valve seal to the open position upon release of the sealing force.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a poly(arylene ether) blend comprises a continuous screen changer disposed between a die and an extruder. The continuous screen changer comprises an extruder block, an outlet block which is in fluid communication with the extruder block, a reel of filtering means which is disposed to allow passage of the screen through the extruder block and out the outlet block; and, a means for control of screen advancement through the extruder block and outlet block.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a poly(arylene ether) blend comprises a continuous screen changer disposed between a die and an extruder. The continuous screen changer comprises an extruder block, an outlet block which is in fluid communication with the extruder block, a reel of filtering means which is disposed to allow passage of the screen through the extruder block and out the outlet block; and, a means for control of screen advancement through the extruder block and outlet block.

Abstract: The method provides for a first network controller, operating according to a first radio technology, to form and send a relay message to a second network controller, operating according to a different, second radio technology. The relay message includes an embedded message for the second network controller. The embedded message may be a transition message requesting transition of a packet switched call for a mobile station handled by the first network controller to a call for the mobile station handled by the second network controller. The method further provides selection of another wireless element for service at a wireless unit, using a current wireless element. A wireless unit receives a message identifying at least one other wireless element, available to the wireless unit and to which a wireless element currently in communication with the wireless unit is also in communication with and the wireless unit selects another wireless element for possible future service based on the message.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling communications to and from an access terminal during a hand off period. A smart packet filter is used to identify a packet flow, apply a first treatment to a packet flow based on its destination, and transmit the first treated packet flow along a first route to the access terminal. During a hand off, the packet stream is duplicated, a second treatment is applied to the packet flow and the second treated duplicate packet flow is transmitted to the access terminal via a second route.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for identifying target individuals who possess certain characteristics statistically indicative of their ability to influence others in their decision making regarding consumer goods, consumer products, political issues or candidates, financial matters, investments, real estate, insurance, travel and leisure, by non-limiting example. The subject invention encompasses not only the identification of a key group of individuals in a population more likely to affect the decision making of others in the population (“Influentials” as discussed below), but also includes the identification of additional (“non-Influential”) informational data common to Influential individuals, as well as the application of this additional informational data to other populations. The advantage of employing this additional informational data to ascertain Influentials is that this data can be publicly available data (such as, for example, from the U.S.

Abstract: Dispensing systems are disclosed which utilize electronically powered key devices and/or identification codes associated with a refill container to preclude the need for mechanical keys. A first embodiment of the device utilizes a matching code stored in a radio frequency identification tag or bar code associated with a fluid refill container and an identification code associated with the dispenser housing. Matching of the codes by a controller allows for continued use of the dispenser via some type of operational mechanism. Another embodiment employs a key which carries the matching code wherein matching of the codes allows for actuation of a motor actuated pumping device. Yet another embodiment employs a blocking mechanism to prevent use of a dispenser's push bar if a key and dispenser housing do not have matching codes. And yet another embodiment requires the use of a key that has a matching code that matches the dispenser's identification code in order to permit initial access to the dispenser housing.

Abstract: In a method of tracking a user in a communication network supporting a broadcast-multicast service, the network classifies groups of users into tracking areas. Movement of a user may be tracked as the user crosses a boundary between two tracking areas in the network. The method may enable a balance to be achieved between use of uplink overhead and the level or granularity of tracking desired, so as to conserve radio resources.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, a method includes monitoring an error condition on an active communication channel, establishing a simultaneous communication channel, and searching the simultaneous communications channel while continuing to monitor the active communication channel.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly for controlling a fire situation includes at least one fluid conduit defining a flow passage including an inlet for receiving a fluid from a fluid source and at least one outlet for discharging the fluid, and a dispensing mechanism such as an open or closed sprinkler head for distributing water to a selected location. A fluid control apparatus is provided including a valve assembly having a valve seal which is moveable between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the conduit and an open position causing fluid flow through the conduit. The fluid control apparatus further includes an actuating mechanism including a valve actuator which is operatively connected to the valve assembly for causing movement of the valve seal to the open position upon release of the sealing force.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly for controlling a fire situation includes at least one fluid conduit defining a flow passage including an inlet for receiving a fluid from a fluid source and at least one outlet for discharging the fluid, and a dispensing mechanism such as an open or closed sprinkler head for distributing water to a selected location. A fluid control apparatus is provided including a valve assembly having a valve seal which is moveable between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the conduit and an open position causing fluid flow through the conduit. The fluid control apparatus further includes an actuating mechanism including a valve actuator which is operatively connected to the valve assembly for causing movement of the valve seal to the open position upon release of the sealing force.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a spring system 20 and a latch system 18 for either maintaining a set of pliers in an open position or a closed position. The spring system 20 operates by having a spring 32 disposed on a pair of studs 42 located in the trough 44 of an outwardly curved portion 40 of the handles 28, 30 of the pliers. The latch system 18 comprises a pair of tongue-like members 48, 50 and a wire loop member 58 which hooks onto a notch 49 in one of the tongue-like members 50. The spring system 20 normally maintains the pliers in an open position when no load is applied to handles 28, 30.

Abstract: A multi-protocol network client in which a single, integrated user-interface is provided for accessing information according to a number of network access protocols. The accessed information is represented in a hierarchical graph which provides an intuitive and convenient navigation tool for both the experienced and the novice user. The user accesses information according to a particular network access protocol by merely selecting a graphical representation of an item the user wishes to access from the hierarchical graph. Information pertaining to the particular item whose representation is selected by the user is retrieved and used to determine the network access protocol according to which the item is accessed. As an item is retrieved from the network, links contained within the item are parsed from the item and added to the hierarchical graph.

Abstract: A multi-protocol network client in which a single, integrated user-interface is provided for accessing information according to a number of network access protocols. The accessed information is represented in a hierarchical graph which provides an intuitive and convenient navigation tool for both the experienced and the novice user. The user accesses information according to a particular network access protocol by merely selecting a graphical representation of an item the user wishes to access from the hierarchical graph. Information pertaining to the particular item whose representation is selected by the user is retrieved and used to determine the network access protocol according to which the item is accessed. As an item is retrieved from the network, links contained within the item are parsed from the item and added to the hierarchical graph.

Abstract: A handset for use with a key pad wherein the body of the handset is provided with one or more apertures which are adapted to permit access to one or more keys of the key pad when the handset is brought to a position proximate to the key pad.

Abstract: The present invention is a hockey puck having a set of three freely-revolvable ball bearings recessed therein; the ball bearings permit the puck to move with little resistance on a surface and otherwise function like a regulation ice hockey puck.