Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to provide the sponsors with access to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The system is configured with programmed instructions that when executed by a processor downloads an application program to the mobile wireless devices, the application program being configured to receive incentive offers identifying conditions for receiving credits from one or more of the sponsors, and receive messages from sponsors that transfer money to an account associated with an operator of the computer system so that the sponsors have access to and contact with the wireless devices. The messages that transfer money to the account associated with the operator of the computer system are generated after the application program has been used to accept and perform the conditions identified by at least one incentive offer received by the application program.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to provide the sponsors with access to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The system is configured with programmed instructions that when executed by a processor downloads an application program to the mobile wireless devices, the application program being configured to receive incentive offers identifying conditions for receiving credits from one or more of the sponsors, and receive messages from sponsors that transfer money to an account associated with an operator of the computer system so that the sponsors have access to and contact with the wireless devices. The messages that transfer money to the account associated with the operator of the computer system are generated after the application program has been used to accept and perform the conditions identified by at least one incentive offer received by the application program.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to present incentives to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The incentive offers provide mobile wireless device accounts with credits that are paid by the sponsors. The system generates ACH messages to obtain payment for the credits and transfers the money to the wireless service providers for partial payment of wireless service charges.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to present incentives to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The incentive offers provide mobile wireless device accounts with credits that are paid by the sponsors. The system generates ACH messages to obtain payment for the credits and transfers the money to the wireless service providers for partial payment of wireless service charges.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to present incentives to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The incentive offers provide mobile wireless device accounts with credits that are paid by the sponsors. The system generates ACH messages to obtain payment for the credits and transfers the money to the wireless service providers for partial payment of wireless service charges.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to present incentives to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The incentive offers provide mobile wireless device accounts with credits that are paid by the sponsors. The system generates ACH messages to obtain payment for the credits and transfers the money to the wireless service providers for partial payment of wireless service charges.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to present incentives to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The incentive offers provide mobile wireless device accounts with credits that are paid by the sponsors. The system generates ACH messages to obtain payment for the credits and transfers the money to the wireless service providers for partial payment of wireless service charges.

Abstract: A merchant/vendor portal enables potential business partners to establish business relationships and settle accounts in an on-line environment. The portal includes an open network interface, a registrant database in which data associated with a portal registrant are stored, a distribution contract manager for presenting to a registered merchant a distribution contract associated with a registered vendor and for verifying acceptance of the distribution contract by the registered merchant, and a transaction manager for managing transactions in accordance with the accepted distribution contracts.

Abstract: A computer system communicates with sponsors, mobile wireless devices, and wireless service providers to present incentives to wireless device users for accepting offers to interact with sponsor content. The incentive offers provide mobile wireless device accounts with credits that are paid by the sponsors. The system generates ACH messages to obtain payment for the credits and transfers the money to the wireless service providers for partial payment of wireless service charges.

Abstract: A merchant/seller portal enables sellers of auction items on Internet auction sites to obtain cash payments from buyers identified only by their buyer pseudonyms. The portal includes an open network interface, a seller database in which data associated with a seller are stored, a buyer manager for verifying auction purchase data received from a merchant terminal, an auction site manager for verifying auction transaction data with an auction site server, and an auction payment manager for communicating data messages with an auction payment server to transfer funds for a verified auction transaction.

Abstract: A merchant/seller portal enables sellers of auction items on Internet auction sites to obtain cash payments from buyers identified only by their buyer pseudonyms. The portal includes an open network interface, a seller database in which data associated with a seller are stored, a buyer manager for verifying auction purchase data received from a merchant terminal, an auction site manager for verifying auction transaction data with an auction site server, and an auction payment manager for communicating data messages with an auction payment server to transfer funds for a verified auction transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting trigger events in datastreams received over a computer communication network is disclosed. The system includes an interceptor for intercepting datastreams from a computer network intended for an application program; a scanner for scanning the intercepted datastream for trigger events, such as cookie data, script commands, and applet programs; and an event response generator for processing detected trigger events. Configuration data is used to identify a response for trigger events such as disabling script commands or programs and deleting or modifying cookie data. The event indicators and an action menu are generated by the event response generator and delivered with the processed datastream to the application program. The application program displays the event indicators so the user is made aware of the trigger events and the action menu allows a user to respond to the detected trigger events.

Abstract: A serial communication apparatus for directing data from a plurality of data input devices to a single data output device comprising a plurality of serial input connectors, a serial output connector, and logic and driver circuitry. The logic and driver circuitry automatically regulate the conditions under which a data input device transmits data to the data output device. In the illustrated embodiment of four data input devices, when all are idle, any of them may transmit data to the output device. If one data input device attempts to transmit data while the another data input device is transmitting data, then the logic and driver circuitry causes the second input device to pause until the first input device data transmission is complete. If both input devices attempt simultaneous data transmission, the logic and driver circuitry resolves the contest and allows only one data input device to transmit to the output device at a time.

Abstract: A traffic control gate having a gate arm and a motor which is removably mountable to existing road structures so as to be portable. An inverted U-shaped bracket straddles the road structure in saddle fashion and is secured thereto. The bracket is preferably a three-piece hinged unit comprising a base and two hinged side plates. The side plates are adjustably positionable about hinges so as to fit the contours of various K-rail sections and other structures. In the event the road surface is the only available structure, the side plates may be removed and the gate mounted on a sturdy table by the base's hinges. The motor is preferably battery operated so that the gate is usable where no external power supply is available. Handles on the base allow the compact gate to be carried to another location.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier device is installed in a trench in a roadway. An impaler housing sits in a slot of a liner and supports a pivoting member in a slot in its top surface. The pivoting member has an impaling arm on its forward end, a massive counterweight at its rear end, and a pivot between them. One or more pins and an explosive bolt secure the impaling arm to the forward end of the impaler housing. When the device is remotely activated by security personnel, the bolt explodes, freeing the impaling arm. The counterweight is sufficiently massive so that the pivoting member tends to turn about the pivot under the force of gravity, thrusting the impaling arm above the surface of the roadway. The impaling arm projects at an angle toward a vehicle to be stopped, which is impaled by the arms.

Abstract: A transformer having a core and coil assembly which includes a pair of cores disposed side by side, the core members being of the squared "O" type formed of a plurality of nested, generally rectangular laminations. A space is provided between a pair of adjacent laminations in corresponding locations in each core, and a coil surrounds the adjacent sides of the respective cores through the central openings of the cores. Also included is a terminal board support having a pair of tabs to be inserted in the spaces between the adjacent laminations, the tabs being provided with holes having extruded edges for frictional engagement with the core laminations. The core and coil assembly is placed upon a flat base member and a U-shaped band is placed so as generally to encompass the top and two sides of the core and coil structure to make contact with a part of up-turned flanges of the base member.