Abstract: Methods and systems relating to virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments are provided. In one embodiment, a child deck may be created using one or more rules to resequence a parent virtual deck created from physical playing instruments, such as cards. In one embodiment, a player may be allowed to “cut” the deck of virtual playing instruments before a virtual deck is assigned to a game session. In another embodiment, a copy of the child (or parent) virtual deck is created before the child (or parent) virtual deck is transmitted for use in a game session, and a game may be electronically recreated using the copy of the virtual child deck to confirm the outcome of the game. Further aspects relate to allowing a player of a game to request a secondary audit of the game.

Abstract: A communication protocol for distributing information related to a resource in substantially real-time to a subscriber includes a first HTTP request message for allowing the subscriber to request a subscription to the information related to the resource, where the first HTTP request message includes subscription data in a header and/or in a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) reference associated with the first HTTP request message, and the subscription data identifies the first HTTP request message as a subscription request. The communication protocol also includes a second HTTP request message for allowing a publisher to update the information related to the resource, and an HTTP response message for allowing a publish/subscribe service to notify the subscriber of the updated information related to the resource each time the publish/subscribe service receives the second HTTP request message from the publisher.

Abstract: Drill string flow control valves and more particularly, drill string flow control valves for prevention of u-tubing of fluid flow in drill strings are provided. Drill string flow control valves may comprise a valve housing, a valve sleeve axially movable within a valve housing from a closed position to an open position, a biasing mechanism for biasing the valve sleeve into the closed position, and a plurality of pressure ports for allowing a differential pressure to be exerted on the valve sleeve. The differential pressure exerted on the valve sleeve may be the result of an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure. By allowing a differential pressure resulting from a fluid flow to act on the valve sleeve, u-tubing in a drill string can be prevented or substantially reduced. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method is disclosed for duplex printing of a document or a book block in which two printers operating in a simplex printing mode are used on both faces of a plurality of sheets forming a document or book block. The first printer prints an image on a first side or face of a sheet, where a number of sheets are stored in an queue between the first and second printers such that as sheets are printed by the first printer, they are delivered in sequence to the queue, where sheets are fed from the queue to the second printer without the first printer having to delay printing until the second printer is ready for the next sheet, and where the second printer may have a sheet delivered to it without the second printer having to await for the first printer to print a sheet thereby to allow both the first and the second printers to print at substantially their maximum simplex printing speeds.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A method of dispensing medicaments may employ a drug dispensing device comprised of an upper hopper having an upper opening for receiving a medicament and a lower opening. The drug dispensing device also includes a lower hopper having an upper opening and a lower opening in a bottom portion thereof. The upper hopper defines a bulk storage chamber and the lower hopper defines a dispensing chamber. A rotatable dispensing disc is positioned in a lower portion of the dispensing chamber for dispensing medicament from the drug dispensing device through the lower opening in the lower hopper. A regulator is situated between the bulk storage chamber and the dispensing chamber for controlling the rate at which medicament moves from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber.

Abstract: Requests for secure content are rewritten before delivering the secure content to a client. In one implementation, the rewritten requests include the information content from the original request with the addition of a predetermined domain. The domain may correspond to a trusted agent that acts as a proxy for all secure requests from the client. Because of the rewritten request, the trusted agent is contacted by the client for the secure content. The trusted agent may then transparently (from the point of view of the client) retrieve and forward the secure content to the client.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mold control and extended shelf life methods and compositions for preparing edible dough-based products comprising (a) treating a surface of a dough with (i) at least one preservative in an amount effective to inhibit mold growth on the surface of bread prepared from the dough, wherein the at least one preservative is suspended in the composition in the form of very fine preservative particles having a mean particle size below 30 ?m and (ii) at least one pH adjusting agent in an amount effective to improve the activity of the at least one preservative and/or inhibit microbial growth on the surface of bread prepared from the dough; and (b) baking the dough to form the bread; wherein the treating is done prior to or during baking.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the classification and management of digital data artifacts, and particularly to systems and methods for annotating and associating a comment with a content item available on a computer, TV or mobile (e.g., handheld) device using forms. The digital data artifacts may include at least user-defined and extensible artifacts, or pre-built artifacts, or comments and tags. Comments may include, but are not limited to, one or more of unstructured text, structured data (e.g., data entered or browsed to via a form), an audio or video file, tags, etc. The artifacts may act as a classification system for a user. A method embodying the invention includes navigating to a content item for comment or annotation, and selecting a tag set and/or a form, which is filled in and used to comment on the item and then saved in a database.

Abstract: Methods and systems to control loads coupled to an electric energy or power grid within corresponding ranges of load values in response to one or more factors, such as to manage variability in production of renewable energy. Loads may be controlled in response to an indication of balance between available power and loads and/or in response to new loads and/or grid disconnections, and may be controlled repeatedly over time to adjust a sum load in response to changes in one or more of balance between available power and loads, new loads, and grid disconnections. A load may be repeatedly adjusted over time to provide an electrical power requirement within a time frame while accommodating at least a portion of variations in the balance between available electric power and load.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing communications services, including determining a type of communications service present in a communications session based on quality of service parameters assigned for the communications session; and adjusting the quality of service parameters based a different type of communications service requested. The types of communications services include real-time and non-real-time communications services.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pushing-in device and a method for driving through a cable entry port of an elastomeric sealing element of a fiber optic closure. The pushing-in device comprises a first end having an opening adapted to receive a cable, and a second end having a tip. The tip is capable of penetrating and passing through the cable entry port of the sealing element. The first end is capable of penetrating the sealing element at the cable entry port when the pushing-in device is driven through the cable entry port. In this manner, a cable inserted in the opening of the pushing-in device may be inserted and fed through the sealing element into the fiber optic closure. Also, the pushing-in device may be used as a plug in a cable entry port.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program product for correcting errors in a signal transmission using a rate ¾ low density parity check (LDPC) code. At least a portion of a received data message is encoded by using a parity check matrix of the LDPC code. The encoded data message is transmitting in a signal transmission over a communication channel to a receiving device in the communication network. After being received, the encoded portion of the data message is decoded using a parity check matrix of the LDPC code to obtain the data message. For example, the encoding and decoding can be performed using a parity check matrix corresponds to a coded block size (N) equal to 1944 for communicating data in compliance with an 802.11n standard.

Abstract: An approach for providing secure access to inroutes or return channels in a radio communication system including a hub communicating with terminals is disclosed. A quality of service level (QoS) corresponding to one of the terminals is determined. An identifier is assigned to the one terminal for communicating over a set of return channels that are in the direction of the one terminal to the hub. The identifier associates a subset of the terminals with the QoS level; the subset includes the one terminal. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: A direct expansion geothermal heat exchange system including certain line set sizes, distances, designs, depths, and lengths, including a long trench system design, certain vapor line coverings and moisturizing means, certain refrigerant operational pressures and type, certain pin restrictor sizes and locations, certain liquid line insulation lengths, certain containment pipe composition, pipe sizing with polyethylene, pipe antifreeze fill percentage, and pipe top sealing, a certain oil return safeguard procedure, certain interior heat exchanger design tonnages with predominate heating loads and with predominate cooling loads, a certain receiver type and capacity, an optional means of placing sub-surface refrigerant transport tubing within respective protective containment pipes, certain trench system and well/borehole system combinations, and certain trench creation means.

Abstract: A carrier (800) that is reversibly erectable from a collapsed condition to an erected condition and that reliably maintains its erected condition. The carrier includes a tubular portion defined by side walls (118, 146, 152, 142, 156, 160) and a bottom wall defined by bottom panels (230, 260). The bottom panels are hingedly connected to an edge of the tubular structure. Gusset structures connect the bottom panels to the tubular structure and cause the bottom panels to toggle as the carrier is erected. The gusset structures additionally retain the bottom wall in the erected condition. In the erected condition, the bottom wall of the carrier includes a buffer for limiting or preventing damage to articles as they are loaded into the carrier. The handle of the carrier is ergonomically defined in multiple planes and includes handle flaps including curved portions that improve the comfort of a handle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.

Abstract: A locking control valve is provided. This control valve includes a valve body that further includes a first locking member, and a handle attached to the valve body. The handle is moveable between a first position and a second position for controlling the operation of the valve and further includes a second locking member. The first locking member and the second locking member cooperate with one another to retain the handle in the second position when so desired by the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: Connectorized nano-engineered optical fibers and method for forming them are disclosed. The methods include heating a mid-span bare fiber portion of the nano-engineered fiber to collapse the airlines therein so as to form an airline-free portion. The fiber is then inserted into a ferrule channel so that the fiber end protrudes beyond the ferrule end face, but with the airline-free portion positioned at the ferrule end face. The fiber is then cleaved at or near the ferrule end face in the airline-free portion, and the new fiber end face polished to create a solid fiber end face that coincides with the ferrule end face. The methods result in at most only minimal changes to the mode field diameter (MFD) and/or to the outer cladding diameter, which is essential in forming a connectorized nano-engineered fiber that can connect to like-size nano-engineered or non-nano-engineered fibers.