Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for providing information on a promoted product to a user. A virtual environment is rendered and a virtual customer is rendered within the virtual environment, wherein the virtual customer utilizes the promoted product by receiving input control signals from the user indicating movement of the virtual customer through the virtual environment. Interactions are rendered between the virtual customer and the virtual environment in response to the input control signals to enable the user to virtually experience how the promoted product is capable of impacting daily activities of the user and to promote the product.

Abstract: A symbol display apparatus for game machine includes lined up plural reel units. Each reel unit has double reel structure composed of an outer reel and an inner reel. Inside the inner reel, backlights are disposed. Peripheries of the outer and inner reels are so colored lightly as to be semitransparent, so the outer and inner reels make an object disposed inside indistinct but transmit light. Inner symbols arranged on the periphery of the inner reel are printed with light color. When the inner and outer symbols are overlapped, the backlight emits white light. Color of the inner symbol illuminated with the white light does not affect adversely to appearance of the outer symbol. When the inner symbol is displayed through a transparent portion provided in the outer reel, the backlight emits light color of which is correspondent to the inner symbol for displaying the inner symbol emphatically and clearly.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for electronic trading is provided. The system includes an interface application having an associated mapping module that defines a plurality of controller signal relationships. Each controller signal relationship associates a game controller signal with a trading system command associated with the electronic trading of financial instruments. The interface application is operable to receive a particular game controller signal, determine the trading system command associated with the particular game controller signal using the mapping module, and communicate the determined trading system command such that the trading system command is executed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device which includes an award indicator which includes rotating objects. At least one award value and preferably other symbols are displayed on the faces of the objects. The gaming device provides players with certain award values displayed by the objects after the objects have stopped rotating. This type of gaming device provides players with increased entertainment and enjoyment when playing gaming devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a balloon from within includes an illumination assembly mounted on a power supply unit. The assembly includes a hollow cylindrical body having a light source (e.g., LED) disposed at one end and electrical inputs protruding from another end. The body of the power supply unit is provided at one end thereof with a shoulder flange and cylindrical spacer to facilitate sealing of the balloon against the assembly. The power supply unit receives power from a power source (e.g., battery), and supplies power to circuitry for controlling the light source. Preferably, the assembly, made of light-weight plastic materials, together with the power source, weighs less than the lift of a helium-filled balloon in which it may be installed.

Abstract: A method for playing a game in which one or more contestants endeavor to transform a list of personal desired wishes into awarded prizes. The game offers two mechanisms-knowledge version and luck version for realizing these wishes. External participants may become involved in the game and fulfill their own personally selected wishes. The external participants may obtain the unfulfilled wishes lost by the contestants. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a website “arena” is provided, which uniquely connects personal needs and desires of individuals with potential suppliers of these desired products and services. The arena enables participants to accumulate credit points. The game—typically a TV game show—stimulates the general public to take part in the arena, promotes it, and creates a competitive advantage over e-commerce sites.

Abstract: A method and system for simulating games of chance using cards are disclosed using a shuffler to shuffle a set of cards and dispensing one or more cards. Current regulations prohibit certain game operators from using certain games such as traditional craps and roulette. By simulating those games with cards, operators can still provide players with games they recognize and thereby develop excitement and new gaming alternatives for their players, as well as draw new players to such games through their familiarity with the indicia on the cards.

Abstract: A learner clicks “Understood” button when he or she could understand a learning material or clicks “Not Understood” button when he or she could not understand. When the “Not Understood” button is clicked, the learning server machine transmits an explanation choice information to display a Web page including a knowledge tree that shows a structure of the learning material. The Web page contains headings of explanations and choosing ratios as end-nodes of the knowledge tree. The explanation describes the learning material in detail. The choosing ratio is a ratio of each of the explanations chosen by learners who attended the same lecture using the same learning material.

Abstract: A slot machine conducts a wagering game including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. In response to the displayed symbols including a plurality of symbols selectable by the player, the player is prompted to select one of the selectable symbols. The machine provides an award based on the selected symbol and any other of the displayed symbols associated with the selected symbol.

Abstract: A diagnostic article and method is disclosed wherein the article includes a mirror, a plurality of attribute selection sites arranged along or associated with the mirror with each of the sites having a plurality of choice selectors, and an output for recommending at least one personal care product based upon input from the choice selectors. A diagnostic for skin includes attribute selection sites hosting questions related to a customer's age, skin coloration, dryness, sunburn susceptibility, pimple breakout affinity, wrinkle formation and pore size. Hair, dental and underarm products may also be personalized by the diagnostic system. The mirror allows a customer in-store to more accurately answer attribute questions through reference to the customer's mirror reflection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a sign post assembly including a stabilizing post member, an outer tubular post and a horizontal post member. The stabilizing post member includes a spike portion and an inner post portion with a blocking portion coupled to the post member above the spike portion. The outer tubular post defines a post bore substantially extending through a length of the outer tubular post with at least a lower open end. The outer tubular post is configured to mate with the inner post portion to substantially extend within the post bore of the outer tubular post. The horizontal post member includes a horizontal post portion and a post coupling portion. The post coupling portion is configured to operatively couple with the inner post portion of the stabilizing post member so that the horizontal post portion extends transverse to the stabilizing post member to hang a sign thereto.

Abstract: An improved cup holder is disclosed that is fully adjustable and gimbaled and also insulates the beverage it is holding. One embodiment of an adjustable cup holder according to the present invention, comprises an outer cup and an inner cup. The inner cup is arranged within said outer cup and capable of extending from and returning into said outer cup, said outer and inner cup combination forming a housing having a varying capacity, said housing capacity capable of changing to hold beverage containers of different depths and diameters. Another embodiment of a cup holder, according to the present invention comprises a housing to hold a beverage container and a holder mounting device mounted to said housing. The mounting device comprising a flexible strap and a buckle, with the buckle mounted to one end of the strap and the other end of said strap wrapping around a body. The strap is then attached back to the buckle such that the body is held within the strap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes a retainment face, which with a rear boundary define a channel. The channel has a first and second opening that enable a tie to be threaded through the channel and around a data cable to secure it in place.

Abstract: A raisable pedestal includes an enclosed housing fixed to a ground surface; guide rods mounted within the housing; an inner shell mounted for movement along the guide rods between a retracted position entirely within the housing and an extended position extending out from the housing, the inner shell including an arrangement for supporting electronic components in a manner to render the electronic components accessible when the inner shell extends out from the housing; a piston for moving the inner shell along the guide rods between the retracted and extended positions; a rain sensor mounted on an upper end of the housing for detecting precipitation; and a control connected with the sensor for controlling the piston to move the inner shell to the retracted position when the sensor detects precipitation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for bundling cables, ropes, wires, or other long flexible materials that are desired to be bundled. The device comprises an arcuate strap for encircling bundled cables. The strap is preferably discontinuous, with first and second ends forming a mouth into a central cavity formed by an arcuate strap. Finger grips are located adjacent to the first and second ends, allowing fingers of a user to be used to pull the first and second ends of the strap to open the normally closed mouth of the device. The device also preferably includes engagement features on the first and second ends to allow the first and second ends to be forced into engagement to lock cables into the cavity formed by the arcuate shape of the strap.

Abstract: A locking assembly having a substantially joined bracket assembly with a front and back plate defining an opening therebetween with a top slot and a side slot. At least the back plate is directly or indirectly fixedly attached to a solid surface. Positioned within side slot is a pivoting release lever having an upper leg and lower leg movable about a pivot. The pivot is fixedly attached to the front and back plates such that the upper and lower legs are free to move within the opening between the front and back plates within a defined boundary about the pivot. The locking assembly further includes a collar assembly having a collar assembly plate of a size and shape to fit edgewise and be guided into the opening between the front and bottom plates via the top slot. A collar extending from the front surface of the collar assembly plate is attached to a device.

Abstract: A work stand includes a first support section, having a first end and a second end, and a second support section, having a first end and a second end. An elongated brace, having a first end and a second end, the first end of the elongated brace is disposed on the first support section proximate to the first end of the first support section, and the second end of the elongated brace is disposed on the second support section proximate to the first end of the second support section. A first rotatable mount is disposed upon the first support section proximate to the second end of the first support section, and a second rotatable mount is disposed upon the second support section proximate to the second end of the second support section.

Abstract: A computer mouse pad comprises a rigid base and a plurality of paper sheets arranged in a stack and detachably fixed to the base. Each of the stacked sheet is detachably fixed to a sheet immediately below it in the stack. The sheets are provided with printed messages on upper surfaces thereof. A coating is applied to the upper surfaces of the sheets. The coated upper surfaces are resistant to being written upon, thereby preventing accumulation of carbon, graphite and ink markings, which tend to contaminate the roller ball, prevent proper mouse tracking and adversely affect curser control. When worn, the uppermost sheet is removed, thereby exposing the next sheet in the stack and its message, for use as the upper surface of the mouse pad. Timely refreshment of the upper surface is encouraged by provision of a mouse pad in which the information conveyed by successive sheet removal creates a serial effect.

Abstract: A box device includes a box body having a housing portion with an upper opening, and a front movable member and a rear movable member slidably disposed in front and rear directions in the box body for opening and closing the upper opening of the housing portion. The box device further includes a first guide portion engaging the front movable member for guiding the front movable member to slide in the front and rear directions; a second guide portion engaging the rear movable member for guiding the rear movable member to slide in the front and rear directions; and an engaging device for connecting and disconnecting the front movable member and the rear movable member.

Abstract: In a collapsible supporting device for a portable computer, a pair of base members and a pair of interconnecting members are connected pivotally to a coupling seat. A pair of supporting members are coupled to the interconnecting members, respectively. The supporting device is operable to move from a folded position, where the base members and the interconnecting members are disposed parallel to each other, to a supporting position, where the interconnecting members are disposed between the base members, where a stopping block on each base member abuts against a front portion of the computer, where a desired angle is formed between the interconnecting members, and where each supporting member is disposed uprightly and has an abutting end disposed higher than that of each base member and abutting against a rear portion of the computer.