Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling remote interactive systems includes a client, a client computer, and a client server for a computer network. A bidirectional data stream of information about a remote interactive instrument/game is provided on the server. A communication socket, creating a connection-oriented communication path between the client computer and the server is provided for enabling transfer of the bidirectional data stream between the client computer and the server. A detachable header is provided on the server which describes and identifies the data stream, separate and apart from the bidirectional data stream, and provides access to the bidirectional data stream by the client.

Abstract: A pressure regulated diverting system (10) for water conservation includes a vacuum flow device (12), a diversion line (14), a regulating valve (16), and a containment device (18). The vacuum flow device (12) is inserted in line with the main hot water supply line (20) with a third opening connected to the diversion line (14) which passes through regulating valve (16) and is connected to containment device (18). When regulating valve (16) is open, the cooled hot water slug contained in the hot water supply line (20) fills containment device (18). Once full, the diversion line (14) and the hot water supply lines (20) are pressure equalized and, with the cold water slug, that is normally wasted, removed, hot water is available at the faucet (58) or shower head (60) essentially immediately. A smaller version for use within a shower, in particular, is available and utilizes a manually operable regulating valve (16) to force the first cold slug of cooled hot water into containment device (18).

Abstract: A balloon pump includes a cylinder having an outlet end and a piston adapted to reciprocate within the cylinder. One-way outlet and inlet valves are associated with the pump for allowing air to exit the cylinder outlet end only when the piston moves toward the outlet end and enter the cylinder only when the piston reciprocates away from the cylinder outlet end. An elongated piston drive member or base is connected at one end to the piston with the other end extending out of the cylinder at the end opposite the cylinder outlet end. A biasing arrangement acts between the cylinder and the piston to bias the piston away from the outlet end of the cylinder. With the pump positioned vertically and supported on the elongated piston drive member, the biasing arrangement raises the cylinder to perform a return stroke so that the pump may be operated simply by pushing down on the cylinder.