Abstract: A method includes performing a search on a body of information based on a first perspective, wherein the first perspective is determined using a first corpus of information associated with a first particular set of people; and providing at least some results of the search. The search may be a perspective search. Results of the search may be evaluated based on a second perspective, which is based on a second corpus of information associated with a second particular set of people. The perspective may be determined using an avatar mechanism that was trained using a corpus of information.

Abstract: A collective intelligence system includes presenting a poll question to a group of users; collecting user responses to the poll question, at least some of the user responses including a corresponding user reason; determining an aggregated prediction based on the user responses; determining a set of aggregated reasons based on user reasons provided with the user responses; presenting a summary of the user responses, the summary including the aggregated prediction and an aggregated reason corresponding to the aggregated prediction; collecting modified user responses to the poll question, at least some of the user-modified responses including a corresponding modified user reason, wherein the modified user reason is selected from the set of aggregated reasons; determining an updated aggregated prediction based on the modified user responses; and presenting a summary of the user responses, the summary including the updated aggregated prediction and an aggregated reason corresponding to the aggregated prediction.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing extraterrestrial metal into a metal foam or gossamer structure in space, and delivering the metal foam or gossamer structure intact to the Earth's surface. Additionally, a structure is provided that is formed in space and consists essentially of an extraterrestrial metal.

Abstract: A method of prospecting asteroids for mining includes (a) launching at least one spacecraft, the spacecraft including a space telescope; (b) examining a plurality of asteroids using the space telescope to gather scientific data on the asteroids for characterization and cataloging; and (c) selecting one or more asteroids to mine from the plurality of asteroids examined by the space telescope and contained within the catalog. A system for prospecting asteroids for mining is also described.

Abstract: A method for racing rocket-powered vehicles directly against one another is provided in which a first rocket-powered vehicle simultaneously races against a second rocket-powered vehicle to be the first to complete a race course. The method may include the first and second rocket-powered vehicles performing a pre-determined maneuver while proximate a group of spectators, and/or the rocket-powered vehicles strategically performing the steps of gliding and boosting the flight of their rocket-powered vehicle in accordance with a pre-determined maximum fuel criteria. The method further may include permitting spectator interaction with participants of the racing competition and enabling spectators to compete with actual participants via virtual vehicles. The method may also include the rocket-powered vehicles performing a refueling operation. The method may further include providing audible or visual identifiers of the vehicles.

Abstract: A rocket-powered vehicle used for entertainment, namely races, exhibitions, competitions, and revenue-generating events.

Abstract: A collection and distribution system wherein information is collected from one or more aerial vehicles and from one or more ground-based sources before being processed and provided to an end-user.

Abstract: A method for racing rocket-powered vehicles directly against one another is provided in which a first rocket-powered vehicle simultaneously races against a second rocket-powered vehicle to be the first to complete a race course. The method may include the first and second rocket-powered vehicles performing a pre-determined maneuver while proximate a group of spectators, and/or the rocket-powered vehicles strategically performing the steps of gliding and boosting the flight of their rocket-powered vehicle in accordance with a pre-determined maximum fuel criteria. The method further may include permitting spectator interaction with participants of the racing competition and enabling spectators to compete with actual participants via virtual vehicles. The method may also include the rocket-powered vehicles performing a refueling operation. The method may further include providing audible or visual identifiers of the vehicles.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle race and reality system for entertaining spectators wherein computer-generated images are optionally provided to at-least partially define a race-course.

Abstract: A method for reducing motion sickness of passengers during parabolic flight comprising the combination of known and novel methods for flying parabolic arcs and coordinating passenger behavior during parabolic flight including graduating from heavier to lighter gravity environments; flying one or more sets of parabolic arcs for each gravity environment; flying on a path generally parallel to the surface of the earth after each set of parabolic arcs; flying no more than twenty parabolic arcs; or having passengers lying supine when entering or exiting each parabolic maneuver.

Abstract: A method for racing rocket-powered vehicles directly against one another is provided in which a first rocket-powered vehicle simultaneously races against a second rocket-powered vehicle to be the first to complete a race course. The method may include the first and second rocket-powered vehicles performing a pre-determined maneuver while proximate a group of spectators, and/or the rocket-powered vehicles strategically performing the steps of gliding and boosting the flight of their rocket-powered vehicle in accordance with a pre-determined maximum fuel criteria. The method further may include permitting spectator interaction with participants of the racing competition and enabling spectators to compete with actual participants via virtual vehicles. The method may also include the rocket-powered vehicles performing a refueling operation. The method may further include providing audible or visual identifiers of the vehicles.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for facilitating transactions over the Internet using pre-paid cards, such as pre-paid telephone cards. A third-party phone-card payment facilitator represents that it will coordinate payment to vendor web sites for on-line customer purchases with the value of pre-paid phone cards. The vendor's web site operator posts a branded logo from the third party phone-card payment facilitation web site, which is linked to the database of phone card value and verification process operated by the phone card manufacturer or sponsor. The link allows the customer to verify from the third-party phone-card payment facilitation web site that the vendor's web site is in cooperation with certain phone card manufacturers and can be utilized to make a purchase against the current value of the customer's pre-paid phone card. A customer who owns an anonymous pre-paid phone card can purchase goods, services or information from a web site using existing phone card telephony infrastructure.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for rapidly reconfiguring a jet aircraft from a cargo or passenger configuration into a parabolic flight configuration. In the parabolic flight configuration, a zero-gravity condition is created in the aircraft cabin to simulate a weightless atmosphere which can be provided as entertainment to paying customers. Various aspects of the invention include a hydraulic system design change which prevents loss of hydraulic function during a zero-gravity condition and a strap-down accelerometer which provides a visual indication of the parabolic flight condition. Additional interior modifications include removable padding areas, a dual-purpose interior gill liner, modified oxygen systems, handrail attachment fixtures, modified emergency lighting systems, and a palletized floor assembly.

Abstract: The direct projection of a space vehicle, herein termed a "Space Train.TM.", into space without combustile fuel is described. A mathematical physics analysis derives critical ranges of parameters, which inlcude a vehicle having a mass of about 3,000,000 Kg., a length of about 180 m and 5 m dia.; an acceleration of about 8 g's during its travel within 1000 km of a vacuum tube parallel to Earth's surface to a velocity of about 12 km/sec., the vehicle exiting from the tube into the atmosphere at an angle of about 3.degree. and an elevation of about 3 km at a maximum deceleration of about 8 g's. An acceleration or deceleration of 8 g's is tolerable to humans in the special chair described herein. The energy imparted to this mass is provided by a conventional electric power source stored as electric energy in superconducting storage inductor rings. The electric energy is discharged to coils around the vacuum tube just in advance of the center of the moving vehicle.