Abstract: A video game character or avatar is generated using images of the player so that the on-screen avatar being controlled by the player appears like the player. Answers to a questionnaire or a psychological profile are provided by the player to determine characteristics that the player views as desirable, which are used to generate a final version of the avatar. Iterations of the avatar appearance are generated from the initial appearance to the final, more desirable appearance. Using the avatar, as play of the game proceeds the player's avatar begins as a character appearing like themselves and gradually becomes a character that is more as they would like to appear. The avatar increases the emotional impact of games by providing strong visual and psychological connections with the player. The avatar may instead begin from an initial character that does not appear similar to the player. The iterations may make the avatar gradually less appealing or with other changes in appearance, in some embodiments.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a fluid dispersion system such as for use in a personal shower. Groups of nozzles on a single showerhead are separately activated and regulated by corresponding valves. Each valve is controlled from a remote panel to provide an appropriate flow of water. A position detection system determines the relative position of a body with respect to the showerhead. The remote panel receives data from the position detection system and adjusts the valves to ensure the user remains in a desired flow of water.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns an electro-mechanical flushing system for a residential toilet. A powered valve is controlled by a timing circuit to pass one of a plurality of water flow volumes from a toilet tank to a toilet bowl. The same system also establishes an adjustable toilet bowl water level. A manual override feature permits the toilet to be operated in the absence of electrical power.

Abstract: In a computer system wherein control of a processor is time multiplexed among more than one system control program, the utilization by a system control program of the processor during a predetermined time interval is determined by accumulating processor idle time for said system control program during said time interval, adjusting the processor idle time accumulated for said system control program by time periods wherein said system control program does not have control of the processor; and subtracting said real idle time from said interval time to obtain CPU busy time.