Abstract: A device and method for integrating the functions of ATMs, online banking, and other financial services into a single user-friendly video conferencing station at which a customer and representative of a financial institution may converse face to face in real time and conduct any and all of the business they would otherwise be able to conduct in person in an office on the premises of the financial institution. The station consists of: a unit roughly the size and shape of a standard office desk and containing a monitor for videoconferencing, a scanner and printer for exchanging documents, a smaller scanner for verification of identification cards, and an electronic signature pad; and an ATM or similar kiosk capable of remote operation for dispensing cash and teller checks.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener. In one embodiment, the forward jaws of the tool have concave curved gripping surfaces. In one embodiment, the rearward jaws have non-complementary surfaces.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener. In one embodiment, the forward jaws of the tool have concave curved gripping surfaces. In one embodiment, the rearward jaws have non-complementary surfaces.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener. In one embodiment, the forward jaws of the tool have concave curved gripping surfaces. In one embodiment, the rearward jaws have non-complementary surfaces.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener.

Abstract: The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material by preferably gripping the fastener from a horizontal orientation. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener. In one embodiment, the forward jaws of the tool have concave curved gripping surfaces. In one embodiment, the rearward jaws have non-complementary surfaces.

Abstract: A hand tool is disclosed for extracting a fastener from a material. The hand tool includes a pair of elongate members joined by a pivot to form a pair of jaws and a pair of handles. The pair of jaws are operated by moving the pair of handles relative to one another, and have teeth adapted for gripping a portion of the fastener. Each of the elongate members is curved longitudinally in a plane including an axis of the pivot such that when the fastener is gripped in the pair of jaws, a force applied to the handles tends to extract the fastener from the material while minimizing damage to the material.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing a sound system. In one embodiment, a sound card or other such device is provided that includes an analog audio output system and a digital audio output system. Both the analog and digital audio output systems are coupled to a common audio output port through which either an analog or digital sound system is driven. The common audio output port provides a first line out and a second line out that may be employed to transmit the right and left channels of a stereo analog audio signal. Alternatively, one of the first and second line outs may be employed to transmit a digital audio signal, where the remaining line out is coupled to ground. Only one of the analog and digital output systems are enabled to transmit sound through the common audio output port to the respective sound system at a time. Accordingly, the present system and method are provided to determine whether an analog or digital sound system is coupled to the common audio output port.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sensing a sound system. In one embodiment, a sound card or other such device is provided that includes an analog audio output system and a digital audio output system. Both the analog and digital audio output systems are coupled to a common audio output port through which either an analog or digital sound system is driven. The common audio output port provides a first line out and a second line out that may be employed to transmit the right and left channels of a stereo analog audio signal. Alternatively, one of the first and second line outs may be employed to transmit a digital audio signal, where the remaining line out is coupled to ground. Only one of the analog and digital output systems are enabled to transmit sound through the common audio output port to the respective sound system at a time. Accordingly, the present system and method are provided to determine whether an analog or digital sound system is coupled to the common audio output port.