Abstract: A method for enabling purchases of status items associated with an online virtual game is disclosed. The method involves: determining that a player of the online virtual game has achieved a first objective defined in the online virtual game, and informing an online store that the player has achieved the first objective. The online store is configured to allow the player to purchase a first status item for achieving the first objective. The first status item comprises a real-world indication that the player has achieved the first objective. The online store is configured to allow a particular player to purchase a particular status item associated with achieving a particular objective in the online virtual game that conveys that the particular player has, in fact, achieved the particular objective. The online store is configured to not allow the particular player to purchase the particular status item without actually having achieved the particular objective.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating phrases for selection by users communicating in an online virtual world environment. A phrase generation engine automatically constructs new phrases using pre-approved words from a dictionary of frequently used words and language-specific rules for phrase formation to ensure safety and supplement an existing database of commonly used, pre-approved phrases. Increasing the number of phrases that are available for selection by a user increases the user expressivity. Each word in the dictionary is annotated with semantic and grammatical information that constrains how the word is combined with other words to generate a new phrase. Each new phrase may also be tagged to enable translation into a different language so a phrase in a first language selected by a first user may be displayed in a second language to a second user.

Abstract: A method for enabling purchases of status items associated with an online virtual game is disclosed. The method involves: determining that a player of the online virtual game has achieved a first objective defined in the online virtual game, and informing an online store that the player has achieved the first objective. The online store is configured to allow the player to purchase a first status item for achieving the first objective. The first status item comprises a real-world indication that the player has achieved the first objective. The online store is configured to allow a particular player to purchase a particular status item associated with achieving a particular objective in the online virtual game that conveys that the particular player has, in fact, achieved the particular objective. The online store is configured to not allow the particular player to purchase the particular status item without actually having achieved the particular objective.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating phrases for selection by users communicating in an online virtual world environment. A phrase generation engine automatically constructs new phrases using pre-approved words from a dictionary of frequently used words and language-specific rules for phrase formation to ensure safety and supplement an existing database of commonly used, pre-approved phrases. Increasing the number of phrases that are available for selection by a user increases the user expressivity. Each word in the dictionary is annotated with semantic and grammatical information that constrains how the word is combined with other words to generate a new phrase. Each new phrase may also be tagged to enable translation into a different language so a phrase in a first language selected by a first user may be displayed in a second language to a second user.

Abstract: An improved dry film developer for use with a machine of the type that processes aperture cards which developer incorporates a holding mechanism for holding and stretching the aperture card while a heating block having an arcuate projecting surface is urged against the undeveloped dry film, mounted in the aperture card, to slightly stretch the film so as to insure a uniform contact of the undeveloped film with the heating block for a period of time sufficient to develop the film.

Abstract: A lead screw driven by a motor has a drive nut threadably connected to the lead screw for reciprocation therealong. The drive nut is rotationally restrained thereby limiting its movement along the axis of the lead screw. Three disk members each having an opening through their centers are positioned on the lead screw. The two outer disk members each have at least a pair of bearing members, such as ball bearings, positioned along a diameter of the disk on adjacent sides of the opening. A keeper member is positioned on the lead screw to sandwich the three disk members between the drive nut and the keeper member. Indexing members are positioned on the drive nut and the keeper member to maintain the diameters of the two outer disks, having the bearings mounted therein, orthogonal with respect to each other.