Abstract: A method including receiving an activation request including an identifier uniquely identifying the pre-printed lottery ticket for a pre-printed lottery ticket from a point-of-sale terminal, accessing a record associated with the pre-printed lottery ticket, determining if the activation request is valid, determining a set of attributes associated with the pre-printed lottery ticket based upon the identifier uniquely identifying the pre-printed lottery ticket, determining a central gaming system responsible for administering a lottery with which the pre-printed lottery ticket is associated, and enrolling the set of attributes associated with the pre-printed lottery ticket in the lottery with the central gaming system.

Abstract: A method and a system for hosting a club-competition web board game contest are provided wherein, in connection with a web board game such as go-stop, poker, or mahjong, a company becomes a game club owner, users become players affiliated to game clubs, and players affiliated to different game clubs can enjoy game contests in league and tournament types.

Abstract: An electronics module (160) in a gaming device (10) includes an inertial measurement unit (161) (“IMU”) for detecting acceleration motion, angular movements, and an optics assembly to optimally calculate a moment of impact and to predict a virtual trajectory of a virtual golf ball or other hypothetical object. The virtual trajectory of the target object (202) may be displayed on a display screen (102) either on the gaming device itself, on a computer, or on a television display. A haptics member (200), such as a vibration or sound element is positioned in the shaft housing (120) and actuated to simulate a ball impact when the shaft housing (120) is indicative of a swing.

Abstract: Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A device including a compartment section, wherein the compartment section is configured to host ID or cards; a bottom wall disposed on a proximate bottom portion of the compartment section; at least three or more closed sidewalls and an open sidewall generally surrounds the compartment section, wherein the open sidewall is configured to be operable for accepting a magnifying lens; a magnifying lens, the magnifying lens is configured to magnify the ID or card for viewing; an open area disposed on a proximate top portion of the compartment section, wherein the open area is configured as an entry point of the ID or card; a base section that is configured to support the device against a surface area; and a U-shaped bracket implement that is configured to be operable for engaging the compartment section to the base section.

Abstract: Implementations of various systems and methods for using a social network, a game engine network and a network to provide users of the networks the ability to integrate their everyday personal and business transactions with charity projects and people globally. Users of the methods on the network will use a reality based game strategy and structure through the use of reality, augmented reality and mixed reality technologies to integrate and link their everyday tasks of personal and business transactions to charity network projects and users in an invention that formerly did not exist. Implementations of methods described herein will link people who need help with those who transact or participate on the system in everyday business transactions. Implementations of methods for users will then have a scrapbook of how their everyday common tasks and transactions added up in a record that truly changed the world and influenced people towards social good.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating an on-line fee based auction of an item is provided. The item has a predetermined pre-funding requirement amount that needs to be satisfied for the item to become a live auction item. Users may fund the item, which will count toward satisfying the pre-funding requirement amount of the item. For funding the item, the users are provided with a number of bid credits corresponding to their funding amount, which can be used by the users in bidding on any of the live auction items. Each of the live auction items are associated with an independent countdown timer indicative of the time remaining until the end of the auction, and each bid placed by the users adjusts the countdown timer.

Abstract: Universal Finger Blinds: a bottomless, adjustable, portable covering for the hands and fingers purposed to obstruct the hands and fingers from view to operate and develop necessary skills for muscle memory to manipulate equipment including but not limited to: keyboards, typewriters, computing and calculating devices or for various dexterity skills that require obstructed vision of the hands and fingers. One may desire to look at the fingers to assure proper placement. Instead the goal should be avoid looking at the hands and fingers, yet achieve proper finger placement. The present invention results with a hand and finger covering that stays in place while in use, covers the hand surface without clashing the left and right hands, and fits comfortably to the user's wrist. Such use will allow a proprioceptive occurrence leaving the eyes to focus on written material while hands and fingers achieve muscle memory resulting with proper finger placement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for autonomous vehicles. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include detecting, at an autonomous vehicle, at least one vehicle within a certain range of the autonomous vehicle; measuring a latency representative of a time to communicate via a wireless link to the at least one detected vehicle; reporting the measured latency to the network; and receiving, by the autonomous vehicle, information to enable the autonomous vehicle to determine an intervehicle distance for configuration at the autonomous vehicle. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a input device with a scroll wheel and a plurality of control buttons, a display device and a computer input device application program executable on the computer processor configured to manage a multi-level context-dependent cascading menu interface wherein each menu item includes a plurality of wheel-control functions and a plurality of click-commands; specify a plurality of menu operations, a plurality of control-wheel operations and a plurality of command-click operations from the various actions on the input device; move the highlight in the menu structure based on the menu operations; update and display the contents of the highlighted menu item under the active menu layer; change the value of the specified wheel-control function listed for the highlighted menu item when detected a control-wheel operation; trigger the specified click-command listed for the highlighted menu item when detected a command-click operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of play for a ring tossing game. The apparatus includes targets with a plurality of mounted pegs and annular rings. When the ring tossing game is played the targets are placed at a distance from each other and the rings are tossed at each of the targets, in turn; in an attempt to score by landing a ring around any of the targets' mounted pegs, with each toss being scored and a winner being declared when one of the two opponents reaches a score of exactly twenty-one or hits each of the four corner pegs with each of the four rings in the same turn without opponent canceling out a score.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a vertebrate skull using hooks which are inserted into the openings on either side of the skull formed by the jugal, palatine, alisphenoid, and squamosal bones and a post which supports the basioccipital bone.

Abstract: A network of devices that include Workspace Fitness Devices, such as Smart Under-the-desk Bikes and Smart Desk Controllers embedded in Smart Sit-and-Stand Desks that connect or “talk” to one another, electronically identify individual users, track their activities, connect to a remote server database, and modify its records. Secondary devices such as smartphones, can connect to this network to remotely monitor and control the settings on the devices such as the desk's height or the required tension in the Smart Under-the-Desk Bike. The performance data captured by this network of devices can be shared to fitness tracking software or devices. By using our invention, we plan to motivate employees that sit behind the desk for numerous hours throughout the day to improve their health, productivity, and overall wellbeing.

Abstract: A computer activated system and method for selling pre-printed instant-winner lottery tickets, or digital simulation games, by use of a central computer communicating with widely-distributed terminals (including mobile devices and PCs), with each ticket providing a traditional instant-winner game with a chance for an added instant winner progressive jackpot price and/or the display of the simulation of such game on a terminal in conjunction with the optional display of advertising, and/or advertisers' images, and/or promotional offerings. The identification code printed on each ticket is read by a code reader, after the ticket has been issued from a vending machine, a clerk-assisted terminal, a digitally displayed terminal, or selected from an accessible display of inactive tickets, and the computer determines whether the ticket is a winner, and notifies the terminal at which the ticket is processed of the win or loss.

Abstract: A reusable writing surface is provided having a board having a front side and a rear side. A plurality of magnets is positioned on the rear side, wherein the plurality of magnets is configured to magnetically attach to a plurality of removable magnetic legs. The plurality of magnets are positioned such that the plurality of removable magnetic legs are configured to stand the reusable writing surface in either a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation depending on which magnets of the plurality of magnets each magnetic leg attaches.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in the specification can be embodied in methods, systems and program products for an improved review system with location-verified reviews. The system verifies a user's location using one or more available sources, such as geographic location by global positioning system (GPS), cellular localization systems, or wireless local area network (WLAN). The user confirms the business or attraction at the current geographic location that the user would like to review. The system then accepts a review of the business or attraction at the current geographic location. The review is indexed for retrieval. Preferably, the system includes a delay before indexing a review, wherein the management of the business or attraction is notified of the review so that it can respond to any complaints in the review before it is made available for retrieval.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, a device, a system, and/or a manufacture of user engagement based on a revolving opportunity feed delivering rewards of a business profile based on completion criteria. In another embodiment, a method includes determining a computing device storing an opportunity feed. The method references a feed population ruleset to determine an addition to the opportunity feed based on a repopulation condition. A selection algorithm is then applied to determine an opportunity profile to transmit to the computing device. An opportunity data is extracted from the opportunity profile and transmitted to the computing device over a network. A completion data is validated by comparing the completion data to an opportunity completion criteria of the opportunity profile. A reward is referenced in the opportunity profile, the opportunity data is designated as completed by the user profile ID, and the reward is associated with the user profile.

Abstract: In various embodiments, players may compete in a gaming context.

Abstract: This accessory adapts external cardiac defibrillation systems to enable safe defibrillation, pacing, and cardioversion inside the MRI bore with minimal effect on MR image quality. Commercially available external defibrillators are not designed to work in the MRI environment. An MR-compatible defibrillator is needed to safely perform cardiovascular MRI, in particular MR-guided interventional cardiovascular procedures, such as cardiac electrophysiology studies and cardiac catheterization. This accessory includes nonmagnetic defibrillator housing with MRI safety features, provides interface for MRI-compatible physiological monitoring, and optimizes defibrillator operation for the MRI environment. The accessory may include MRI-compatible modules for monitoring/recording electrocardiogram, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and other physiological signals. It may also include a wireless transmitter and at least one module for electrical energy generation and/or stimulation.

Abstract: A tactile simulation system according to the present invention configured to be used by a subject watching a motion picture. The tactile simulation system comprises a handgrip section, a recoil section, and a controller. The handgrip section configured to generate one or more vibration experienced by the subject holding the handgrip section. The recoil section generates one or more recoil simulation. The recoil section is removably attached to the handgrip section. Further, the controller is operably connected to the handgrip section and the recoil section. The controller is configured to operate the handgrip section and the recoil section based on the motion picture.