Abstract: In one general aspect there is provided a method for distributing software. The method comprising (a) a software user creating a user profile which includes one or more types of biometric data; (b) providing the biometric data to a software distributor; (c) obtaining the software; and (d) utilizing the software on the user's computer having a biometric sensing device that senses or measures a biometric parameter of the user useful for creating biometric data, wherein utilizing the software causes the activation of a verification program or function that compares the sensed or measured biometric data to the biometric data in the user profile. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of handicapping two or more players of a game of skill, wherein the players are of varying skill levels. Also provided are methods of ranking players according to skill level and generating a professional gaming league based on skill level.

Abstract: One of the inventions relates a method for maintaining the contact information of an enrollee in a clinical study while maintaining the anonymity of the enrollee from the clinical study sponsor. The method includes: (1) obtaining contact information for the enrollee in the clinical study; (2) entering the contact information into a database; (3) using a contact cascade on a scheduled, periodic basis to contact the enrollee using the contact information from the database to ensure that the contact information is correct; and (4) updating the contact information if a contact is made with the enrollee and the contact information needs to be updated to be accurate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of fabricating an artificial limb. The method includes the steps of: cutting one or more superelastic materials to a desired length, forming the superelastic material into a desired resting configuration of an artificial limb using a fixture that includes the desired resting configuration, heating the superelastic material to between 300 degrees Celsius and 750 degrees Celsius, cooling the superelastic material, and removing the superelastic material from the fixture.