Abstract: The present invention extends to practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a Personal Digital Asset Manager are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention is a miniature electronic device, which functions as a fully-powered personal computer, which stores digital files and content, and which communicates wirelessly with external input and output devices and a network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, the present invention may be carried in a pocket or purse, clipped on a belt or incorporated into a pair of glasses.

Abstract: A laser optical fiber storage system (10) and method for temporarily storing a proximal section (12) of an elongated flexible optical fiber (14). The system and method include a storage housing (16) having a closed end (18) and an open end (20). A plug stopper (22) being laser energy impermeable is disposed within the open end of the elongated storage housing to prevent the escape of laser light from within the storage housing. The plug stopper has an access port (24) adapted to enable the proximal section of the optical fiber to be loaded into and withdrawn from the housing. The storage housing is configured to temporarily retain the proximal section of the elongated flexible optical fiber in an elongated configuration or in a spiral configuration. Structure (29) within the storage housing prevents laser light from passing through walls of the storage housing.

Abstract: The present invention extends to handheld practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: A plant container or planter fabricated from a breathable, flexible, geo-textile, material such as recycled polyester needle-punched felt, which is self-supporting without an internal support structure. The geo-textile material is porous to both air and water, which allows air-born nutrients to pass to the roots and inhibit the ability of mold species to grow and harm the plant. The geo-textile material is configurable to various container designs that permit the non-conventional plant placement including the mounting of the plant containers on vertical surfaces, flat surfaces, and by suspension from ceilings and walls. The inclusion of a flexible, durable, impermeable, water-retaining recycled rubber, vinyl, or plastic bottom and/or backing liner in the construction of the plant containers/hangers allow the planters to be placed on indoor and outdoor surfaces such as wood, stucco, wallboard, carpet, and various other surfaces which might otherwise be damaged by moisture.

Abstract: An optical device for viewing distant objects. The device includes an objective system and at least one ocular and achieves a magnifying power of greater than 0.6 mm?1 times the entrance pupil diameter in millimeters with an exit pupil of at least 2 mm. Images from the objective system are detected by a sensor, processed and recorded. The images are displayed on a display which is observed by the user through one or more oculars. The optical device works well at low light levels. The device also has a slide mechanism for adjusting the interpupillary distance between the oculars.

Abstract: A plant container or planter fabricated from a breathable, flexible, geo-textile, material such as recycled polyester needle-punched felt, which is self-supporting without an internal support structure. The geo-textile material is porous to both air and water, which allows air-born nutrients to pass to the roots and inhibit the ability of mold species to grow and harm the plant. The geo-textile material is configurable to various container designs that permit the non-conventional plant placement including the mounting of the plant containers on vertical surfaces, flat surfaces, and by suspension from ceilings and walls. The inclusion of a flexible, durable, impermeable, water-retaining, recycled rubber, vinyl, or plastic bottom and/or backing liner in the construction of the plant containers/hangers allow the planters to be placed on indoor and outdoor surfaces such as wood, stucco, wallboard, carpet, and various other surfaces which might otherwise be damaged by moisture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vertical hanging plant container according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a container comprising a moisture impermeable reservoir and an air and moisture permeable zone. The reservoir may be disposed along a bottom section of the container to serve as a moisture storage region allowing moisture to be wicked upwards by the soil in the container. The air and moisture permeable zone may be located above the reservoir in at least one sidewall of the container and allow for the transfer of air and moisture between the soil and an exterior environment surrounding the container.

Abstract: A method and a system efficiently and effectively share array entries among multiple threads of execution in a multiprocessor computer system. The invention comprises a method and an apparatus for array creation, a method and an apparatus for array entry data retrieval, a method and an apparatus for array entry data release, a method and an apparatus for array entry data modification, a method and an apparatus for array entry data modification release, a method and an apparatus for multiple array entry atomic release-and-renew, a method and an apparatus for array destruction, a method and an apparatus for specification of array entry discard strategy, a method and an apparatus for specification of array entry modification update strategy, and finally a method and an apparatus for specification of user-provided array entry data construction method.

Abstract: A system for preparing compressible food stuff such as ground meat to include a central cavity in the meat product which can receive one or more condiments prior to cooking with the pressing and shaping devices to cover the condiment filled cavity with an additional layer of the compressible food product for a final shape and compressed product. The molding system includes a mold body that is cylindrically shaped, a first press plate that includes a central smaller in diameter protrusion for forming a cavity in a compressible food product, a second press plate having a flat disc shaped for compressing the top layer of meat over the cavity and an adapter ring used to raise the side wall of the mold body for adding a second layer of meat to be compressed with the second press plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection training pad that allows a user to practice intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections all on the same device. The injection training pad includes a container having an open top and a closed bottom. A lid having a hole removably engages the open top of the container. The pad also includes a retaining member having a base with at least one leg. At least a portion of the retaining member is disposed within the container. A cap having a flange is positioned between the retaining member and the lid, and a cushion is positioned between the retaining member and the cap.

Abstract: A method of assigning a player-entry to a table so that said player-entry can participate in a hand of a particular card game at said table, wherein there is a plurality of players each having one or more respective player-entries for participating in a respective hand of said card game, wherein a player-entry that is actively participating in a hand of said card game may fold out of turn from said hand so as to no longer be actively participating in said hand, the method comprising: for a first player-entry of a first player, identifying an assignable table for said first player-entry from a plurality of tables for said card game, wherein a table is an assignable table for a particular player-entry if the assignment of said particular player-entry to said table cannot itself provide any player with further information about a hand in which an already assigned player-entry of said player is actively participating in addition to information about said hand that is available to said player only by virtue of the

Abstract: A method and a system efficiently and effectively share array entries among multiple threads of execution in a multiprocessor computer system. The invention comprises a method and an apparatus for array creation, a method and an apparatus for array entry data retrieval, a method and an apparatus for array entry data release, a method and an apparatus for array entry data modification, a method and an apparatus for array entry data modification release, a method and an apparatus for multiple array entry atomic release-and-renew, a method and an apparatus for array destruction, a method and an apparatus for specification of array entry discard strategy, a method and an apparatus for specification of array entry modification update strategy, and finally a method and an apparatus for specification of user-provided array entry data construction method.

Abstract: In order to provide a garment which incorporates a plaything which can be operated within an element of surprise, the garment comprises a concealment space such as a pocket (2), in which a plaything such as glove puppet (8) can be stored. The concealment space comprises a concealment aperture (9). There is an operating aperture (10) through which a wearer may place their hand in order to operate the plaything. The plaything is configured to have a first position in which it is stored in an interior of the concealment space (2) and a second position in which it extends through the concealment space aperture (9).

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection training pad that allows a user to practice intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections all on the same device. The injection training pad includes a container having an open top and a closed bottom. A lid having a hole removably engages the open top of the container. The pad also includes a retaining member having a base with at least one leg. At least a portion of the retaining member is disposed within the container. A cap having a flange is positioned between the retaining member and the lid, and a cushion is positioned between the retaining member and the cap.