Abstract: A method, device and system is disclosed for rapidly and safely discharging remaining energy stored in an electrochemical battery 104 in the event of an internal short circuit or other fault. In its best mode of implementation, if a sensor 116 detects one or more parameters such as battery temperature 204 or pressure 206, exceeding a predetermined threshold value 334, the terminals 144 of the battery or cell are intentionally short-circuited external to the battery through a low or near zero resistance load 150 which rapidly drains energy from the battery 104. The rate energy is drained via the external discharge load 150 may be controlled with an electronic circuit 136 responsive to factors such as state of charge and battery temperature. Devices such as piezoelectric and Peltier devices 300, may also be used as emergency energy discharge loads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for playing a modified form of Blackjack ("Twenty-One") using one or more standard 52-card decks, and having rule variations to increase the excitement of the game while retaining the same "take" for the house within approximately 1%. By paying even-money on any blackjack (even on a "push"), rather than 1.5:1 if there is no push, shifts the take in favor of the house sufficiently to create several special rules greatly adding to the excitement of the game. Specifically, blackjack in a specified suit pays 2:1. Five or more cards totaling exactly 21 pays 2:1. Six-cards totaling 20 or less pays 1:1. No bonuses are paid on double-down hands. The player may split all equal-value cards three times, including Aces. The player may double-down on any number of cards, even after splitting and hitting, including Aces. The player may surrender one half her bet on any "unbusted" hand, even after hitting, doubling-down or splitting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a software implemented device and method for examining, verifying, correcting and approving electronically-recorded documents, prior to their final output, whether printing, transmission or recording. The disclosed device and method permits the user to assure that the diverse elements of the composite file, such as text, fonts, graphic formats, layout instructions and the like, which may exist in one or more electronic files, will be accessible by, and compatible with the output device. The present embodiment is able to assemble all elements of an electronic file, group of files or an electronic document into one location, whether physical or logical. The present embodiment also allows the above-described analysis on a multiplicity of file types, without need to use the specific file-creation applications used to create the files.