Abstract: A linear material reel design promotes the uniform spooling of a linear material around a reel drum, while also reducing stress acting on the end of the linear material that is connected to the drum. A connector ramp has a connector face generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the drum and is configured to orient the connecting section of a linear material substantially parallel to the outer surface of the drum. A guide groove promotes uniformity of spooling. A retraction limiting band maintains a length of the linear material wrapped around the drum. The retraction limiting band, guide groove, and connector ramp can be employed together or independently. Methods of spooling linear material with the use of such apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A pedal connection arrangement and method are used to hold a bicycle rider's foot attached to a bicycle pedal. The pedal connection arrangement includes a pedal having a pedal longitudinal axis around which the pedal is intended to rotate. The pedal includes a spherical portion having an outer spherical surface with the spherical portion having an engaging surface. The engaging surface includes at least portions of the outer spherical surface of the spherical portion of the pedal and the spherical portion of the pedal is located along the pedal longitudinal axis such that the pedal has a radially symmetrical cross sectional shape along the pedal longitudinal axis. The pedal connection arrangement also includes a bicycle shoe having a pedal gripping arrangement.

Abstract: A system and process for incorporating, retrieving and displaying an Enhanced Flash Movie (EFM) is provided. One embodiment of the system utilizes an URI decoder to extract from a combined signal an address identifying a provider of an EFM. The EFM may provide a Flash Movie, a Movie Player and at least one trigger, wherein the trigger provides a mean value pair data structure having a variable segment and a value segment. The trigger identifies when and from whom Enhanced Content related to the Flash Movie is available for presentation to the client via a client device with a Flash enabled Web browser. In another embodiment, a direct connection between a client device and a provider of an EFM is utilized to obtain the EFM. The EFM and/or the Enhanced Content related to a Flash Movie provided with the EFM may also be obtained directly from a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A distributed community network for providing services to an arbitrarily large community of end users by distributing the load among many machines. The network uses hubs on the machines for routing packets. The hubs obtain routing instructions from a router and use those instructions for routing the packets. The packets include content for the machines based upon a particular network service, such as a chat service for permitting users to interact in chat rooms or a push/pull service for pushing content to the user machines either directly or based upon information received from the users.

Abstract: A distributed community network for providing services to an arbitrarily large community of end users by distributing the load among many machines. The network uses hubs on the machines for routing packets. The hubs obtain routing instructions from a router and use those instructions for routing the packets. The packets include content for the machines based upon a particular network service, such as a chat service for permitting users to interact in chat rooms or a push/pull service for pushing content to the user machines either directly or based upon information received from the users.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a Flash presentation on a client device through the use of a command received from a server is disclosed. The Flash presentation may be further synchronized to a programming signal by receiving a Universal Resource Indicator (“URI”) specifying the location of a Flash movie that relates to the programming signal; retrieving the Flash movie from the location; loading the Flash movie onto the client device including a Flash player; establishing a connection between the client device and a server; and receiving a command from the server to direct the Flash movie on the client device. A Flash presentation may also be used to present a real-time data feed on a client device under the control of a server. The server receives a real-time data feed and generates a command directed to a Flash movie on the client device. The command directs the presentation of the Flash movie.