Abstract: Systems and methods of sending secured messages on decentralized networks are provided. A software application distributed and installed on a computer terminal that willing is able to participate in the system, where the computer terminal is interactively and dynamically connected to one or two decentralized peer-to-peer communication networks, using the Internet. One of the networks is used to advise about the presence of a message and the other is used to securely store the content of the messages. An alternative embodiment is to use only the decentralized storage system, if it can also acts as a Public Ledger network, with its native crypto-currency. The cryptographic keys of the first network are used to protect the content of the file and to derive where the messages will be stored on the decentralized storage network. In such networks, the transactions are handled by cryptographic mathematical algorithms, which are known to be identical across all users or participants of the same network.

Abstract: A system for detecting disease progression can include an injection device configured to deliver medicament to a patient, one or more load sensors, one or more motion sensors, and a processor configured to read data from one or more of the load sensors and motion sensors and produce an output for display to a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a method for facilitating a gaming activity having specialty functionality comprising providing a grid formed by a plurality of elements and marking elements of the plurality with markings selected from a plurality of marking-types, the plurality of marking-types including a feature marking-type. A plurality of feature indicators can be positioned in the grid. Then, for each element of the plurality that is marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with a feature indicator of the plurality, the feature marking-type can be re-marked to a respective element of the plurality that is adjacent to the element marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with the feature indicator. An outcome can then be determined based on one or more combinations of the markings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities, such as in a slot machine. A first grid comprising a plurality of elements overlayed a second grid comprising a plurality of elements is presented. At least some of the elements of the first grid and the second grid are marked. Marked elements of first grid are then used to form a subportion, the subportion boundary enclosing an area and having a correspondingly marked element of the first grid at each corner. Payouts are issued for marked elements and element combinations of the second grid within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed concerning games that use both 2D and 3D play areas. Various embodiments concern representing a 3D structure composed of a plurality of 3D shapes having a plurality of faces, presenting a plurality of elements, marking the plurality of faces and the elements, identifying a first set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, moving the shapes of the three dimensional structure relative to the elements, and identifying a second set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, each of the combinations of corresponding markings from the first set and the second set composed of markings from at least one of the elements and multiple faces of the shapes.

Abstract: A method of determining the real time state of a machine includes receiving acceleration and angular rate of motion measurements from IMU's mounted on components of a machine. Fusing signals received from the IMU's with separate Kalman filter modules by combining an acceleration measurement and an angular rate of motion measurement from each IMU to estimate an output joint angle for the component on which the IMU is mounted. Estimated and measured values of the output joint angle for each component are combined, a kinematic equation is solved to determine a real time value for at least one of position, velocity, and acceleration of the component at successive timesteps, and the determined real time values are applied to control movement of each component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities, such as in a slot machine. A first grid comprising a plurality of elements overlayed a second grid comprising a plurality of elements is presented. At least some of the elements of the first grid and the second grid are marked. Marked elements of first grid are then used to form a subportion, the subportion boundary enclosing an area and having a correspondingly marked element of the first grid at each corner. Payouts are issued for marked elements and element combinations of the second grid within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates an improved laterally reinforced billiard cue tip. One or more lateral reinforcing layers, internal or external to the tip, may be provided to limit lateral expansion of the tip and provide a tip that has the playing characteristics of both hard, and soft, traditional tips, as well as improved shape and playing characteristics.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for presenting payouts in primary and/or secondary gaming activities. A plurality of wheels, rings, or other shapes are provided, where each includes a plurality of different symbols, numbers, or other indicia that can be used as a part of a collective payout award. The wheels, rings, or shapes are rotated, and at least one segment designator is provided to demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the wheels, rings, or shapes stop spinning. The payout amount is based on the aggregate of the symbols, numbers, and/or other indicia presented via the segment designator(s) when the spinning wheels, rings, or shapes have come to rest. In an alternate embodiment, the segment designators are rotated, and demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the segment designators stop spinning.

Abstract: A sports shoe includes an upper wherein a majority by weight of the upper is made from a thermoplastic base material and a sole wherein a majority by weight of the sole is made from the same thermoplastic base material. The sole and the upper are individually fabricated and joined to each other. The thermoplastic base material includes at least one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane TPU, polyamide PA, polyethylene terephthalate PET, or polybutylene terephthalate PBT.

Abstract: A method of determining the real time state of a machine includes receiving, with at least one processor, from each of a plurality of Inertial Measurement Units (IMU's) mounted on different components of the machine, a time series of signals indicative of acceleration and angular rate of motion measurements for each of the components of the machine on which one or more of the plurality of IMU's are mounted. For each one of the IMU's on a separate component of the machine, the signals received from the IMU are fused with a separate Kalman filter module by combining an acceleration measurement and an angular rate of motion measurement from the IMU to estimate an output joint angle for the component of the machine on which the IMU is mounted.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for presenting payouts in primary and/or secondary gaming activities. A plurality of wheels, rings, or other shapes are provided, where each includes a plurality of different symbols, numbers, or other indicia that can be used as a part of a collective payout award. The wheels, rings, or shapes are rotated, and at least one segment designator is provided to demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the wheels, rings, or shapes stop spinning. The payout amount is based on the aggregate of the symbols, numbers, and/or other indicia presented via the segment designator(s) when the spinning wheels, rings, or shapes have come to rest. In an alternate embodiment, the segment designators are rotated, and demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the segment designators stop spinning.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sending secured messages on decentralized networks are provided. A software application distributed and installed on a computer terminal that willing is able to participate in the system, where the computer terminal is interactively and dynamically connected to one or two decentralized peer-to-peer communication networks, using the Internet. One of the networks is used to advise about the presence of a message and the other is used to securely store the content of the messages. An alternative embodiment is to use only the decentralized storage system, if it can also acts as a Public Ledger network, with its native crypto-currency. The cryptographic keys of the first network are used to protect the content of the file and to derive where the messages will be stored on the decentralized storage network. In such networks, the transactions are handled by cryptographic mathematical algorithms, which are known to be identical across all users or participants of the same network.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a medical fluid to a patient has a housing configured for receiving a container at least partially filled with the medical fluid. The delivery device further has a drive mechanism associated with the housing configured for delivering the medical fluid from the container to the patient in a dosing procedure. The delivery device further has a module configured for detecting at least one of a property of the dosing procedure and a property of the medical fluid. The module has at least one dose detection sensor configured for detecting an initiation, progression, and completion of the dosing procedure based on a position of a stopper within the container. The module further has at least one temperature sensor configured for measuring a temperature of the medical fluid within the container based on a temperature of the container.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.

Abstract: Method for testing multiple signal transceiver devices under test (DUTs), such as data packet signal transceivers, with a shared DUT testing resource, such as a tester having a single vector signal generator (VSG) and a single vector signal analyzer (VSA). Requests by the DUTs for access to tester resources (e.g., to receive signals from the signal generator or provide signals to the signal analyzer) are prioritized based upon tester availability and whether the requesting DUT requires sole access or can share access to the tester. If the tester is unavailable, DUT requests are queued according to their respective priorities to await tester availability. As a result, access to shared tester resources can be managed dynamically to minimize test time while testing multiple DUTs concurrently.

Abstract: A system for assisting patients in sorting and dispensing medication supplies comprises a storage tray having a number of storage compartments, and a communication system to identify a medication to be provided from a pill bottle and, based upon the identification and a known regime, automatically identify which compartments of the storage tray are to be filled with the identified medication from the pill bottle and perform the filling of the storage tray. In doing so, a patient can simply open and present any number of pill bottles to the system, and then allow the system to arrange the medication in the storage tray according to the known regimen. The regimen and regimen updates are communicated to the system by means of a wired or wireless transmission to the system from a remote location (e.g. pharmacy or doctor's office), by direct user input, or by reading such information from a barcode or similar information carrier affixed to the pill bottles.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for facilitating participation in a gaming activity. A reel configuration of a plurality of reels is presented, where each of the reels includes one or more associated gaming symbols. The presentation of the gaming symbols is modified on the plurality of reels, such as by spinning the reels or otherwise changing which symbols are presented on the reels. A replacement reel is presented, to supersede or otherwise supplant at least one of the gaming symbols of the reel configuration. Results of the gaming activity are established using the gaming symbols of the plurality of reels and the replacement reel. The result is thereby based on a resulting presentation of symbols that includes both the symbols of the primary reel configuration and the symbol(s) of the replacement reel(s).

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed concerning games that use both 2D and 3D play areas. Various embodiments concern representing a 3D structure composed of a plurality of 3D shapes having a plurality of faces, presenting a plurality of elements, marking the plurality of faces and the elements, identifying a first set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, moving the shapes of the three dimensional structure relative to the elements, and identifying a second set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, each of the combinations of corresponding markings from the first set and the second set composed of markings from at least one of the elements and multiple faces of the shapes.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.