Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide A system includes a game device. A first game including a transition point is conducted on the game device. When a transition point is reached, a second game outcome is selected. The second game outcome is generated by a second game that is logically independent of the first game. The second game outcome generated by the second game is independent of the first game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposal data from a buyer computing device including at least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method includes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device indicating a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant. The method includes reserving at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyer account. The method includes transferring funds from the buyer account to a selected cardholder account, the funds determined at least in part by the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

Abstract: Various implementations of a method and apparatus may include executing a play of a game on the game device. Implementations may include detecting a game action event during the play of the game. Implementations may also include deducting a game action fee from a player's credit account based on the game action event during the play of the game. Implementations may also include determining a wager portion of the game action fee. Implementations may also include determining a game fund portion of the game action fee. Implementations may also include storing the game fund portion in a game fund account associated with the player. Implementations may also include determining a game fund award from the game fund account. Implementations may also include modifying the play of the game based on the game fund award.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide A system includes a game device. A first game including a transition point is conducted on the game device. When a transition point is reached, a second game outcome is selected. The second game outcome is generated by a second game that is logically independent of the first game. The second game outcome generated by the second game is independent of the first game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposal data from a buyer computing device including at least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method includes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device indicating a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant. The method includes reserving at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyer account. The method includes transferring funds from the buyer account to a selected cardholder account, the funds determined at least in part by the merchant purchase price and the cardholder processing fee.

Abstract: A system includes a game device. A non-gambling game including a transition point is conducted on the game device. When a transition point is reached, a gambling game that is logically independent of the non-gambling game is conducted. The gambling game produces a gambling game outcome independent of the non-gambling game.

Abstract: A system includes a game device. A non-gambling game including a transition point is conducted on the game device. When a transition point is reached, a gambling game that is logically independent of the non-gambling game is conducted. The gambling game produces a gambling game outcome independent of the non-gambling game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposal data from a buyer computing device, wherein the proposal data includes at least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method also includes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device, wherein the selection message indicates a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant. The method also includes reserving, by the computing device, at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyer account.

Abstract: Intelligent advice and transaction handling systems and methods. An embodiment includes a merchant device, a merchant server computer, a consumer mobile device, and a smart preferences computer having a decision engine operably connected to a storage device. The storage device stores instructions configured to cause the decision engine to receive service call data associated with a purchase transaction, and determine that a cardholder associated with the purchase transaction is a registered smart preferences user. The process includes accessing smart preferences cardholder profile data, determining a recommendation including at least a first choice payment card account and a second choice payment card account, and then transmitting the first choice payment card account data to the merchant device for purchase transaction processing when the cardholder profile data includes a permission indication. However, the recommendation is transmitted to the cardholder device when the permission indication is not found.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a payment transaction wherein a cardholder purchases an item from a merchant on behalf of a buyer is provided. The method includes receiving proposal data from a buyer computing device, wherein the proposal data includes at least one of an identification of an item proposed for purchase, a particular merchant, and a merchant purchase price. The method also includes receiving a selection message from the buyer computing device, wherein the selection message indicates a selected cardholder chosen to purchase the item on behalf of a buyer using a merchant payment card associated with the particular merchant. The method also includes reserving, by the computing device, at least the merchant purchase price and a cardholder processing fee associated with the merchant payment card in a buyer account.

Abstract: A method and system for generating alerts are provided. The system includes a data warehouse configured to receive, for a plurality of financial transactions each using a financial payment card between a merchant and a customer, unique personal account numbers associated with each financial payment card, a transaction reference identifier, and a merchant identifier. The data warehouse is further configured to retrieve historical multi-party payment card transaction information for each personal account number. The system also includes an enterprise marketing platform configured to receive customer safety alert registration information from at least one of a merchant point of sale device, a web interface, and a mobile interface, and a customer contact server configured to receive safety alert information and corresponding customer information and to contact each corresponding customer in response to a safety alert affecting the customer.

Abstract: A pipe for the transport of fluids, which pipe is internally provided with a liner, wherein the liner is provided with at least one non-return valve arranged in the liner wall, wherein the non-return valve has an inlet end arranged near the outer surface of the liner wall and an outlet end arranged near the inner surface of the liner wall.

Abstract: A gauge is disclosed for indicating a level of a liquid in a tank including a display device and a control unit coupled thereto. The display device includes multiple light-emitting elements. The control unit receives a liquid level signal, measures a magnitude of the liquid level signal, and activates a number of the light-emitting elements dependent upon the magnitude. In one embodiment the control unit receives a reset signal and performs a calibration routine in response. The gauge may include a housing and a cap portion attached to the housing. The display device and the control unit may be positioned within the housing. The gauge may include conveying means (e.g., an array of light pipes) for conveying light emitted by each of the light-emitting elements through an outer side surface of the cap portion. A method is described for indicating a level of a liquid in a tank.

Abstract: A pipe for the transport of fluids, which pipe is internally provided with a liner, wherein the liner is provided with at least one non-return valve arranged in the liner wall, wherein the non-return valve has an inlet end arranged near the outer surface of the liner wall and an outlet end arranged near the inner surface of the liner wall.

Abstract: An improved tape storage device having information for converting longitudinal physical positions written in a medium to logical positions used by a tape drive. The conversion information, an offset and an optional maximum physical position value, are stored in one or more locations in the tape storage device. Methods of operating the tape drive are disclosed to determine and store the conversion information in the tape storage device. Another method of operation enables the tape drive to read the conversion information and convert the physical positions to logical positions. The method works for both center loading and end loading medium. Possible numeric rollover of the physical positions is detected by one of several methods including the step values between adjacent physical positions, comparing the logical positions with an upper and lower boundary, and generating a lookup table where the rollover is represented by a wraparound between the top and bottom of the table.

Abstract: A combination gas cap and LED fuel gauge, adapted for sealing a gas tank filling aperture of a gas tank of a motorcycle, has a plurality of LEDs for displaying the measurements of a gas level measuring device installed in or on the gas tank. The combination includes a gas cap housing and an LED control module. The gas cap housing is adapted for fitting within and sealing the gas tank filling aperture, as well as containing the LED control module. The LED control module includes and controls the plurality of LEDs that provide a visual indicator as to how much gas is in the gas tank. The gas cap housing has a top surface and a base. The top surface has a perimeter, and a perimeter sidewall extends downwardly from the perimeter of the top surface. The perimeter sidewall has an indicator opening through which the plurality of LEDs can be viewed.

Abstract: A method and a mechanism enabling the method are described to aid in distinguishing new information from old information on a medium. A new variable called a Master Write Pass Count is created for the medium. The Master Write Pass Count is initialized once, advanced on each occasion that new information is written in the medium, and it is never reinitialized or regressed. During each write session the Master Write Pass Count is copied into a Write Pass Count variable associated with each block receiving the new information. The Write Pass Counts may be stored in the header or trailer of the associated block, or external to the block. When the blocks are read from the medium, the Write Pass Counts may be used alone, or in combination with other information associated with the blocks, such as a block identification number, to aid in distinguishing new information from old information.

Abstract: A method and a mechanism enabling the method are described to aid in distinguishing new information from old information on a medium. A new variable called a Master Write Pass Count is created for the medium. The Master Write Pass Count is initialized once, advanced on each occasion that new information is written in the medium, and it is never reinitialized or regressed. During each write session the Master Write Pass Count is copied into a Write Pass Count variable associated with each block receiving the new information. The Write Pass Counts may be stored in the header or trailer of the associated block, or external to the block. When the blocks are read from the medium, the Write Pass Counts may be used alone, or in combination with other information associated with the blocks, such as a block identification number, to aid in distinguishing new information from old information.

Abstract: A method and a mechanism enabling the method are described to aid in distinguishing new information from old information on a medium. A new variable called a Master Write Pass Count is created for the medium. The Master Write Pass Count is initialized once, advanced on each occasion that new information is written in the medium, and it is never reinitialized or regressed. During each write session the Master Write Pass Count is copied into a Write Pass Count variable associated with each block receiving the new information. The Write Pass Counts may be stored in the header or trailer of the associated block, or external to the block. When the blocks are read from the medium, the Write Pass Counts may be used alone, or in combination with other information associated with the blocks, such as a block identification number, to aid in distinguishing new information from old information.

Abstract: Circular-bladed pruning apparatus with holding action includes a mechanism for securing a severed branch of a plant from the moment the branch is cut until a user chooses to release the branch. A rotatable, indexed, circular blade is included, as well as a handle for operating both the cutting mechanism and the holding mechanism. The present invention may also include shields designed to protect a user's hand and arm from injury resulting from harmful plant contact.