Abstract: Methods and Apparatus related to generating representations of information. The information may include menu information for merchants such as restaurants. Referring to menus, methods may include receiving potential information for a first menu, and receiving indications of associations of the information with the first menu and/or any number of additional menus. Information and/or associations may later be updated by a desired set of users.

Abstract: In various embodiments, secondary players may participate in games originally played by primary players. Secondary players may make bets and receive winnings based on such games. Secondary players may participate in games from the past. Secondary players may participate in games from locations that are remote to the locations in which the games were first played.

Abstract: Various techniques of distributing revenue and/or other money, selecting/bonding delivery agents, and performing other tasks are providing herein. Methods include distributing portions of loan payments to one or more referrers associated with one or more loans, bonding of delivery agents, selecting delivery agents, allocating portions of credit card payments and/or sharing advertisement revenue. Other apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue includes determining a first funding amount for a first entertainment event. A second funding amount is determined for a second entertainment event. Next, a dividend schedule is determined for the first and second entertainment events. A securities bundle is formed at least partially based on the funding amounts and the dividend schedule, with the securities bundle comprising a first security and a second security. The first security is associated with the first entertainment event and the second security is associated with the second entertainment event.

Abstract: Disclosure includes selecting a merchant from a plurality of merchants, enabling a trial mode for the merchant, during the trial mode, receiving an indication of a first order for the merchant, forwarding the indication of the first order to the merchant, allocating a first payment for the first order to the merchant, and requesting an acceptance of a membership status from the merchant.

Abstract: Disclosure includes selecting a merchant from a plurality of merchants based at least in part on an expansion plan, enabling a trial mode for the merchant, during the trial mode, receiving an indication of a first order for the merchant, forwarding the indication of the first order to the merchant, allocating a first payment for the first order to the merchant, and requesting an acceptance of a membership status from the merchant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the liquidity and distribution network for luxury and other illiquid items are provided. These systems and methods preferably include the trading of futures and options contracts, which will provide the liquidity and distribution network for luxury items. Possible embodiments of these systems and methods include the trading of futures and options contracts for diamonds and wine. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes generating indexes for diamond prices, wine prices, luxury item prices, housing values, mortgage prepayments, privately-held companies or for anything with from sufficiently liquid points of value. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes a centralized data base for retrieving closing and current auction prices for determining the value of, and best method for the auctioning of various items. The data provided by this data base would improve liquidity by creating greater price transparency.

Abstract: Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic.

Abstract: A method for purchasing a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue comprises selecting a securities bundle offered by a special-purpose entity. The securities bundle comprises a first security and a second security and the securities bundle is associated with a closing date. The first security is associated with a first entertainment event and the second security is associated with a second entertainment event. The method continues by identifying a return value associated with the securities bundle, and by identifying a purchase price associated with the securities bundle. The method concludes by purchasing the selected securities bundle at least partially based on the purchase price and the return value.

Abstract: Disclosure includes selecting a merchant from a plurality of merchants, enabling a trial mode for the merchant, during the trial mode, receiving an indication of a first order for the merchant, forwarding the indication of the first order to the merchant, allocating a first payment for the first order to the merchant, requesting an acceptance of a membership status from the merchant, and receiving an indication of the payment for the first order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the liquidity and distribution network for luxury and other illiquid items are provided. These systems and methods preferably include the trading of futures and options contracts, which will provide the liquidity and distribution network for luxury items. Possible embodiments of these systems and methods include the trading of futures and options contracts for diamonds and wine. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes generating indexes for diamond prices, wine prices, luxury item prices, housing values, mortgage prepayments, privately-held companies or for anything with from sufficiently liquid points of value. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes a centralized data base for retrieving closing and current auction prices for determining the value of, and best method for the auctioning of various items. The data provided by this data base would improve liquidity by creating greater price transparency.

Abstract: Disclosure includes receiving an indication of an order, receiving an indication of a payment for the order, transmitting the indication of the order to a merchant, and allocating at least a merchant portion of the payment to the merchant based, at least in part, on a trial status of the merchant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the liquidity and distribution network for luxury and other illiquid items are provided. These systems and methods preferably include the trading of futures and options contracts, which will provide the liquidity and distribution network for luxury items. Possible embodiments of these systems and methods include the trading of futures and options contracts for diamonds and wine. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes generating indexes for diamond prices, wine prices, luxury item prices, housing values, mortgage prepayments, privately-held companies or for anything with from sufficiently liquid points of value. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes a centralized data base for retrieving closing and current auction prices for determining the value of, and best method for the auctioning of various items. The data provided by this data base would improve liquidity by creating greater price transparency.

Abstract: A method for wagering comprises receiving a bet regarding a spin of the reels of a slot machine. The method continues by determining a first value for a first reel of the slot machine based at least in part upon the value of a digit of a first financial market indicator. The method proceeds by determining a second value for a second reel of the slot machine, and by determining a third value for a third reel of the slot machine. The method concludes by determining the outcome of the bet based at least in part upon the first value, the second value, and the third value.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a secondary player may replay a game of a primary player, but take the game in a different direction.

Abstract: A method for forming a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue includes determining a first funding amount for a first entertainment event. A second funding amount is determined for a second entertainment event. Next, a dividend schedule is determined for the first and second entertainment events. A securities bundle is formed at least partially based on the funding amounts and the dividend schedule, with the securities bundle comprising a first security and a second security. The first security is associated with the first entertainment event and the second security is associated with the second entertainment event.

Abstract: A rotary printing press transfer cylinder has two or more axially spaced apart discs of a given diameter, each disc having an open minor segment with inwardly disposed edges and a concentric, shaft receiving hub to support the discs for rotation. A flexible plastic sheet, with flanges bent to fit within the inwardly disposed edges, covers the discs to provide a cylindrical shape, and is held under tension by attaching members connected to the flanges. A cushioning, ink repellent jacket is attached over the flexible plastic sheet.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of fluids through a cannula or catheter made up of a single block piece in the shape of a backward "7" having a head and a stem. As the stem is raised in relation to the hub of the cannula or catheter, the head blocks any flow through the cannula or catheter; as the stem is lowered, the head retracts allowing the flow to continue.

Abstract: High quality silicon oxide is grown for integrated circuits by oxidizing poly-crystalline silicon under an oxygen gas flow. A diffusion stop layer of thermal silicon nitride is formed on the underlying substrate prior to the deposition of the poly layer to be oxidized. The nitride layer isolates the substrate from diffused oxygen within the poly layer during oxidation, permitting a non-critical, oxidation time. Extension of the oxidation period elimates extended imperfect or "loose" chemical bonds throughout the oxide layer formed. Corner stress common in trench applications is minimized because the nitride prevents oxidation in the substrate. The oxidation of undoped poly over doped poly proceeds conformally because the nitride layer therebetween inhibits the enhanced oxidation effect of impurities in the doped poly.

Abstract: A method of improving the integrity of silicon dioxide is disclosed. As applicable, for example, to the formation of oxide regions in an integrated circuit (such as thin, gate oxides) an implantation of nitrogen ions is performed prior to high temperature processing steps of the circuit fabrication. High temperature steps then result in silicon-nitrogen compounds being formed at the interfaces of the silicon dioxide regions with subjacent and superjacent regions of the integrated circuit structure. These compounds prevent the incursion of impurities into the silicon dioxide which would degrade its quality.