Abstract: The present invention provides a closed-loop system that allows the operator of video gaming machines or other systems to define promotional events for the particular machines or systems, monitor the activity of the particular machines or systems, and grant awards. More specifically, the promotional events may include scheduling information, winning criteria and awards. During the period of time that the promotional event is active, the activity of the machine or system is monitored to determine if the winning criteria has been satisfied. If the winning criteria are satisfied, information pertaining to event is recorded. The present invention is applicable to a variety of embodiments including video poker machines, black jack machines or other gaming and gambling machines, as well as other systems that include a display mechanism and an activity that can be monitored.

Abstract: A method for producing an insurance model includes the steps of calculating insurance payouts, calculating daily call payouts, calculating statistics of insurance payout obligations, selecting an insurance premium, and selecting a hedge amount. One aspect of the present invention is to determine a combination of insurance premium to charge and a hedge amount to place using daily calls, or other such financial instruments, such that some measure of return of the total portfolio of the insurance policy meets some maximum or minimum criteria.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer programs, merchant terminals, etc. for transferring finds between stored value card accounts are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for loading a stored value card. One such method comprises: identifying a first stored value card account associated with a first customer; receiving a selection from the first customer of a second stored value card account associated with a second customer and a load amount for transferring to the second stored value card account; and initiating a funds transfer of the load amount from the first stored value card account to the second stored value card account.

Abstract: A draft chimney for a convention based apparatus. The draft chimney comprises a flue at least partially defining a path of convection airflow through at least a portion of the interior of a cabinet. The flue passes convection airflow to the exterior of the cabinet.

Abstract: A message retrieval subsystem comprises a voice extensible mark-up language browser, a message server, and a message library. The VXML browser is configured with an application programming interface that enables a subscriber of a distributed voice messaging service to request a stored message. The message server receives a request to open a connection from a client process operative on the voice extensible mark-up language browser, spawns a thread to enable the connection, uses the thread to queue one or more subscriber requests for respective blocks of audio information, removes and processes the one or more subscriber requests, and uses the thread to forward a retrieved block of audio information to a subscriber. The message library is coupled to the message server and interposed between the message server and a common message store. The upper library isolates the VXML browser from a streaming protocol used to access the stored message.

Abstract: A device that monitors a user's sleep cycles and operates to sound an alarm to awaken the user at an optimal point within a sleep cycle. Once an alarm time is set and the alarm is activated, the device begins to monitor a wearer's sleep cycles by identifying the points in time at which the wearer moves his or her body limbs. As the alarm time is approached, the device can trigger the alarm earlier if the wearer is at an optimal point in the sleep cycle or, even retard the triggering of the alarm if the optimal point in the sleep cycle is expected to occur shortly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically accessing Internet information and local applications from another local application on a handheld Internet appliance is provided. The systems and methods of the present invention consist of a software solution that enables users of handheld Internet appliances to interact with the Internet and other local applications from any local application in the handheld Internet appliance. Each local application is equipped with a user interface to enable users quick and easy access to Internet information and other local applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring Internet content displayed on a web site in a handheld Internet appliance to a local database in the handheld Internet appliance are provided. The systems and methods of the present invention consist of a software solution that enables users of handheld Internet appliances to automatically transfer information displayed on web sites to local databases associated with handheld Internet appliance applications. A user interface is provided in the web sites for enabling users to automatically transfer the information displayed on the web sites into the handheld Internet appliance.

Abstract: A Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) based voicemail system that has a distributed architecture is disclosed. The VXML voicemail system includes a media server and an application server. The media server is in communication with a telephone network. The media server receives a telephone call through the telephone network and invokes a voicemail service of the voicemail system by sending a request to an application server. The application server is adapted to generate a Voice Extensible Markup Language (VXML) page in response to receiving the request and provide the media server with the VXML page to the media server, wherein the media server renders at least a portion of the VXML page. Methods for implementing VXML based voicemail systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A voicemail system enabling various components of the voicemail system to be distributed geographically yet operate as a seamlessly integrated system is disclosed. A signal gateway interfaces with a telephone network. In addition, one or more media servers interface with the signal gateway as well as the telephone network. The signal gateway is configured to block calls to malfunctioning media servers. The signal gateway monitors the media servers, and responsive to determining that a media server has malfunctioned, the signal gateway initiates auto-blocking such that the telephone network does not route calls to the malfunctioning media server. In addition, the signal gateway is configured to auto-detect a media server responsive to the media server being initialized. The voicemail system can include a variety of other elements, such as one or more system management units and one or more central data and message store systems.

Abstract: A family stored value card program is provided. One embodiment is a method for implementing a stored value card program. One such method comprises: identifying an existing stored value card account; and enabling a first customer associated with the existing stored value card account to establish a new stored value card account associated with a second customer, the new stored value card account linked to the first stored value card account.

Abstract: A voice mail system that allows for the delivery of voice messages by chunks, thereby optimizing the delivery of the information. When a subscriber attempts to listen to his or her voice mail message, the header information for the first voice mail message is down loaded and played back to the subscriber. While the subscriber listens to the header information, the next two blocks of data of the voice message are downloaded. Upon the completion of the playback of the header information, the first two blocks of the voice mail message are available for playback and the first block is immediately available for playback. As the subscriber listens to the voice mail message subsequent blocks of the first voice mail message, and optionally header information and blocks of subsequent voice mail messages are simultaneously down loaded.

Abstract: A low-noise filter for a wireless receiver is disclosed. The low-noise filter comprises an amplifier and a filter comprising a frequency dependent negative resistance implemented using a general impedance converter to realize a bi-quad filter. The low-noise filter is implemented such that noise generated by the filter when an in-band signal is processed is prevented from appearing at the output of the amplifier stage.

Abstract: A safety needle includes a needle with a sharp end and a needle shield. The needle shield includes collapsible interlocking members, wherein one member is an end member with a hole surrounding the needle, a spring inside the collapsible interlocking members that applies an expanding force on the collapsible interlocking members, a releasable latch structure that retains the collapsible interlocking members in a collapsed state, wherein when the releasable latch structure is actuated the collapsible interlocking members expand and enclose the sharp end of the needle, and a closing structure that prevents the sharp end of the needle from exiting the hole after the collapsible interlocking members enclose the sharp end of the needle.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying compatible associations between entities. The present invention stores data regarding compatibility factors for entities and provides searching capabilities on the data. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention identifies compatible matches for communities and companies. In this embodiment, the system stores industry data regarding the needs of the industries, and community data regarding the communities' resources for satisfying the respective needs of the industries. The system uses industry criteria, industry criterion weights, and industry criterion minimum levels to identify which community attributes are important to the particular industry. Communities are matched to companies within an industry through customized searches operable to identify communities which are compatible with certain industries or companies.

Abstract: A method for modifying a data field is described, illustrated and claimed. The novel system and method allows for quick and efficient modification of all or a portion of a plurality of data fields, while preserving the ability to modify individual areas. An action is associated with a rule for modification of objects in a specific manner. When that action is performed, every object defined by the rule is modified. The method allows for modification of multiple groups in the same manner, and also allows for modification of individual areas.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated condition evaluator that conducts an evaluation of an item placed into a sensor chamber to identify the item and determine characteristics about that item that can assist a party in making a decision about the item. More specifically, an item is placed into a sensor chamber and various sensors are actuated in an effort to identify the item. Extrinsic information may also be introduced into the identification process. Once the item is identified, a rigorous evaluation of the item is conducted to determine any flaws, characteristics, or changes from the standard are present in the item. The sensors evaluate the item in 3 dimensional space and the results are compared against expected results. Any variations are classified for evaluation. When the item being evaluated is a vehicle, the classifications of the differences include scratches, dents, holes and other problems that are characteristic of vehicle flaws.

Abstract: A method of forwarding signals over a cellular link. The method includes receiving, at a first base station of a cellular fixed network, a packet of signals having a data payload directed to a second base station, determining whether the data payload will be used by the second base station, and forwarding the entire packet if the data payload will be used and not forwarding the entire packet if the data payload will not be used.