Abstract: A system conducts online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user establishes an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other online accounts. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. The online fund transfer may include a verification of a user's information including verifying a mailing address.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments. The present invention is also directed to a system for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method that characterizes the hiding of coating compositions, such as automotive OEM and refinishes paints. The method is directed to sequentially storing in a computing device hiding data obtained by measuring the color difference (?RGB) in reflections of light and dark portions of target areas of a monotonic coating resulting from a coating composition applied over hiding test panel and by measuring coating thicknesses of the monotonic coating that correspond to the target areas, classifying the type of the hiding data, selecting fitting equations applicable to the classified hiding data, fitting the selected equation to match the classified hiding data and locating a hiding thickness on the monotonic coating that corresponds to the threshold value of the color difference at that location to determine the hiding thickness of the coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method that characterizes the hiding of coating compositions, such as automotive OEM and refinishes paints. The method is directed to sequentially storing in a computing device hiding data obtained by measuring the color difference (?RGB) in reflections of light and dark portions of target areas of a monotonic coating resulting from a coating composition applied over hiding test panel and by measuring coating thicknesses of the monotonic coating that correspond to the target areas, classifying the type of the hiding data, selecting fitting equations applicable to the classified hiding data, fitting the selected equation to match the classified hiding data and locating a hiding thickness on the monotonic coating that corresponds to the threshold value of the color difference at that location to determine the hiding thickness of the coating composition.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a backlight of a display panel of a camera system. The apparatus includes a sub-pixel extracting unit, an ambient light luminance calculating unit, and a backlight controller. The sub-pixel extracting unit extracts sub-pixel luminance values from image data, where the image data is indicative of a current image frame defined by a plurality of pixels, and where each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels. The ambient light luminance calculating unit calculates an ambient light luminance value of the current image frame from the sub-pixel luminance values extracted by the sub-pixel extracting unit. The backlight controller which generates a backlight control signal based on a comparison between the calculated ambient light luminance value of the current image frame and an ambient light luminance value of a previous image frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method that characterizes the hiding of coating compositions, such as automotive OEM and refinishes paints. The method is directed to sequentially storing in a computing device hiding data obtained by measuring the color difference (?RGB) in reflections of light and dark portions of target areas of a monotonic coating resulting from a coating composition applied over hiding test panel and by measuring coating thicknesses of the monotonic coating that correspond to the target areas, classifying the type of the hiding data, selecting fitting equations applicable to the classified hiding data, fitting the selected equation to match the classified hiding data and locating a hiding thickness on the monotonic coating that corresponds to the threshold value of the color difference at that location to determine the hiding thickness of the coating composition.

Abstract: A system conducts online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user establishes an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other online accounts. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. The online fund transfer may include a verification of a user's information including verifying a mailing address.

Abstract: A soccer training aid thin rubberized tube slips over the front of a soccer shoe with holes in the bottom of the tube for the shoe's cleats to extend down through. Demarked, preferably colored, “strike” or soccer ball contacting zones on the sides and tops of the tube to indicate where the foot should contact the ball to achieve different maneuvers on the ball. Matching demarked areas on a soccer ball may also be used in conjunction with the mating soccer ball contacting zones on the soccer shoe cover tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monitoring device for producing a target composition, such as an automotive paint or an architectural paint. The device includes a client computer in communication with a host computer and means for dispensing required items for making a desired amount of the target composition. The computer readable program code means in the computers identify one or more formulas associated with identification criteria of the target composition and dispense through means for dispensing the required items listed in the formula. The code means search for the required items in the various inventories, including updating the inventories if required. The device can be also used to control the inventory by shipping just in time any components required to produce target compositions, such as refinish tints used in automotive refinish paints.

Abstract: A system conducts online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user establishes an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other online accounts. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. The online fund transfer may include a verification of a user's information including verifying a mailing address.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments. The present invention is also directed to a system for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments.

Abstract: Systems for effecting online financial transactions between individuals are disclosed. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The transfer request may include an identity confirmation through which the payor confirms the identity of the payee. The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee's behalf. The payee may open an online account or identify an existing online account to complete the transaction as well as provide identity confirmation for the payor. Upon confirmation, the transfer may occur.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for monitoring production of a target composition, such as an automotive paint or an architectural paint and a monitoring device used therein. The process includes (a) identifying one or more formulas associated with identification criteria of the target composition, the formula providing a required inventory for making a desired amount of the target composition; (b) generating a current inventory; (c) terminating the process if the current inventory does not match with a stored inventory; or (d) continuing the process if the current inventory matches with the stored inventory.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for automated testing of a handheld device over a network. A first predefined test is executed on a handheld device to generate a first element with a first predefined value for a first parameter associated with the first element and the first element is transmitted over a communication network to a desktop computing device. Receipt of the first element is verified at the desktop computing device. Also verified is that the first parameter associated with the first element has the first predefined value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities' online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a funding account, e.g., credit card account, checking or savings account, or other account, or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a funding account. A verification procedure requires that a user enter information sufficient to effect financial transfers to and from a funding account. The system deposits one or more small amounts into the funding account, and queries the user to enter the amount of each deposit. If the amount(s) match, the account is considered verified.

Abstract: A material is used in an apparatus that regulates a fluid to provide sufficient support for a member, such as a seal, yet allow the passage of the fluid in a passageway. The material can be a porous metal which is placed in the passageway so as to be closely aligned with the passageway's opening. The placement of the porous metal at or near the opening allows the seal to rest on the cross-section of the passageway as well as on the support provided by the porous metal. The increase in surface area upon which the seal is support reduces the risk that the seal will be cut and/or abraded, particularly in high pressure environments. The use of the material is the passageway further provides design control over the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities' online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a credit card account or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a credit card account or other bank account. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee's behalf.

Abstract: An imager having color sensitivity in any lighting condition is provided by replacing at least one of the green color filtered pixels in a Bayer pattern array with an non-color filtered pixel and providing a different integration period for each color channel. When replacing a color filtered pixel with a non-color filtered pixel, the benefits of both color sensitivity and light sensitivity may be harnessed by providing the color filtered pixels with a longer integration period than the non-color filtered pixels. Color information may be interpolated by performing subtraction logic using non-color and color filter information from adjacent pixels in back-end processing. Integration times for each color channel can be adapted to minimize filter transmission and sensor absorption differences within each frame of data. Temporal displacement of colors of moving objects by having different integration periods may be corrected in back-end processing. Back-end processing may also correct motion blur.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for cleaning polymeric microfiltration membranes and membrane units, and to compositions useful in such methods. The compositions include at least one soluble sulfite reducing agent and a compatible solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for cleaning polymeric microfiltration membranes and membrane units, and to compositions useful in such methods.