Abstract: A method of playing a casino table wagering game of blackjack has the steps of: at least one player and preferably at least two players placing individual wagers on an underlying blackjack game; an initial 2-card common player hand is dealt; an initial 2-card dealer hand is dealt, with rank of one card of the initial 2-card dealer hand exposed to view; each player making independent decisions on the play of the player's hand to complete of the common hand for each individual player's hand using only community cards; completing the dealer's hand; and resolving all wagers. A series of player count identifying areas may be provided and individual player identifiers are placed in the areas. The player count areas comprise six areas separately representing player counts of a) 16 or less, b) 17; c) 18; d) 19; e) 20; and f) 21.

Abstract: A method of controlling the game of baccarat is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a card delivery shoe equipped with a sensor capable of reading at least a rank of each card; a first processor capable of controlling operation of the card delivery shoe; and a second processor capable of receiving signals from the sensor and programmed to display information related to the game of baccarat.

Abstract: Playing card handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.

Abstract: A system and method coordinates data and providing information to an external subscriber to the system relating to at least one foreclosure real estate transaction.

Abstract: An article and process provides a stable technology that reduces the microbial content by providing molecular iodine to the stabilized reagents when at least two reactants are activated by aqueous and/or alcohol materials.

Abstract: A method of improving mobility skills of a user on a stationary elliptical exercise device comprising two footpads, each footpad associated with a stationary exercise device, comprising a frame member having a transverse pivot axis. A first and a second foot tread member are operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the front end of each foot tread member to the pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, so that each foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path about the pivot axis. Each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member. Each foot tread member rear end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the rear end of each foot tread member to a support surface. The glide members direct each foot tread member rear end along a reciprocating path of travel, as each foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus determines at least one of rank or suit of a playing card. The apparatus has at least one two-dimensional complementary metal oxide semiconductor imaging system that provides a signal when playing cards are moved over the system. The signal is a series of gray scale values that are converted into binary values. The sensed data is transmitted to a hardware component that identifies at least one of rank and suit to an external data storage device.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flooring material including a base portion, a coating portion being positioned in contact with an upper surface of the base portion and creating an upper surface of the flooring material, wherein the coating portion is substantially free from contaminants from the base portion which decrease the stain resistance of the coating portion and wherein the coating portion includes a first particulate material which at least partially penetrates the base portion and is proud from the upper surface of the flooring material.

Abstract: A method of playing a Pai Gow Poker wagering card game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) a player placing a wager on a Pai Gow Poker game, b) players placing a second wager against a pay table on a separate poker-type game that uses each player's best five-card hands from each player, c) dealing seven-card hands from a set of cards to six player positions and to one dealer position; d) resolving the Pai Gow game and awarding bonuses to players making the second wager that have a best five-card hand that exceeds a predetermined rank; and e) awarding an additional bonus to players with hands that exceed the predetermined rank if the dealer's best five-card hand is equal to or less than a predetermined rank. An optional envy hand event may be included with the second wager or a special qualifying second or third wager.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and program for effecting the decomposition of organic waste material comprises: providing a treatment tank for decomposition of organic waste material, the treatment tank containing an active biomass comprising at least one bacteria that decomposes organic material; providing at least two inlets to the treatment tank, a first inlet comprising an inlet for organic material and a second inlet comprising an inlet for an aqueous stream; a processor that receives and stores information on: the status of chemical oxygen demand of the active biomass; and the oxygen provision capability of a first organic material that can be fed into the treatment tank through the first inlet; a mass flow control system controlled by the processor which feeds the at least one organic material through the first inlet at a rate based at least in part upon the status of chemical oxygen demand in the treatment tank as recognized by the processor.

Abstract: An article is applied to the body of an animal (including humans) to provide both absorbency and antimicrobial activity. The article may comprise a water absorbent material; and a composition that reacts with water to produce molecular iodine. The composition provides a local concentration (in the water) of at least 10 parts per million iodine in water carried by the material (that is actual water supported by the water absorbent material) when the material has 5% by weight of water present in the water absorbent. The article may be a diaper, sanitary pad, bandage, bandaid or wrap for an animal.

Abstract: A fluid control spray gun stops, starts and controls flow of fluids through a nozzle. The gun has a fluid entry port; a trigger that controls fluid flow by movement of a pin; a handle that moves the trigger; a fulcrum point on the handle; three floating pins comprising in order a first floating pin, a second floating pin and a third floating pin, the three floating pins being present in an upper region of the handle; a hand grip portion in the handle; the upper region of the handle allowing engagement between the first floating pin and the trigger; and the upper region of the handle having a forward end allowing engagement of the third floating pin with a stabilizing element.

Abstract: A spent fuel reprocessing method contacts an aqueous solution containing Technetium(V) and uranyl with an acidic solution comprising hydroxylamine hydrochloride or acetohydroxamic acid to reduce Tc(V) to Tc(II, and then extracts the uranyl with an organic phase, leaving technetium(II) in aqueous solution.

Abstract: An instrument for verification of presence of image enhancing, contrasting agent in a biopsy sample which was obtained by imaging the lesion area with an imaging modality which is sensitive to the contrasting agent. In one embodiment of the invention, an optical spectrometer is used to analyze biopsy samples for the presence of gadolinium enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrasting agent which typically pools in breast tumors.

Abstract: Option contracts are traded by valuing an option that has at least one of a) strike price or b) expiration time unknown at the time the option is valued. The previously unknown values of the option are assigned at the time or after the time the trade is completed. An implied underlying price stream is generated from the option prices through the use of feedback between market participants and the marketplace. The resulting system is useful in trading option contracts of short time duration.

Abstract: A device and method of preheating oil for use in a multi oil burner that uses a heated liquid to convey heat energy to oil. The device is made of a thermally conductive material which has a passageway for oil and a passageway for a heated liquid. Heat energy from the heated liquid conductively transfers to the oil within the device. This method of preheating oil for combustion eliminates carbon creation and minimizes oil preheat temperature fluctuations thereby significantly lowering the cost and maintenance to operate a multi oil combustion system.

Abstract: A system for ice fishing has a base with a support surface, an arm extending up from the support surface and an upper end of the arm pivotally connected at a pivot point to a fishing pole support. The fishing pole support has a grip support back end having a fishing line brace rearward of the pivot point and pole support front end forward of the pivot point so that a fishing line passing from the pole support front end over the fishing line brace passes in a downward direction. When tension is applied to the downward fishing line, pivoting pressure is provided to the grip support back end at the line brace, elevating the pole support front end by rotation of the fishing pole support.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game has at least one player placing an Ante wager to compete against a dealer in a playing card game; the at least one player receiving a player initial hand of multiple playing cards of number n and evaluating the playing cards according to rules comprising: a) the player having the option of retaining all cards in the player initial hand or replacing one or more cards in the player initial hand if at least one card in the player initial hand equals or exceeds the minimum value to form a player resulting hand; b) the dealer receiving a dealer initial hand having more than n cards, the dealer optionally replacing one or more cards in the dealer initial hand; and c) the dealer comparing a single highest value card in the resulting dealer hand with a single highest value card in the player resulting hand as an at least initial step in determining a win loss event for the Ante wager.