Abstract: A method of conducting an assay for a set of targets, the method comprising: providing a set of targets; subjecting each target of the set of targets to a recognition event, in which each target is uniquely recognized by and bound to a recognition element associated with a code from a set of codes, thereby yielding a set of coded targets comprising the target and the recognition element; subjecting each recognition element of the set of coded targets to a transformation event, in which a molecular transformation of each recognition element produces a modified recognition element, thereby yielding a set of modified recognition elements comprising the code; subjecting each code of the set of modified recognition elements to an amplifying event, in which each code is amplified, thereby yielding a set of amplified codes; subjecting each amplified code of the set of amplified codes to a detection event, thereby determining the nucleic acid sequence of the code.

Abstract: A computing device includes: a housing supporting a transparent panel to define an enclosure; a camera supported within the enclosure, the camera having a field of view extending through the transparent panel; and a privacy shutter supported within the enclosure, between the transparent panel and the camera, the privacy shutter having a shutter magnet, and being movable via magnetic activation between (i) an enabled position obstructing the field of view, and (ii) a disabled position clearing the field of view.

Abstract: A dock for a computing device includes: a cradle configured to receive a first edge of the computing device; a body extending from the cradle, the body having: (i) a first mounting surface configured to removably support a first accessory module in a first volume adjacent to the computing device, and (ii) a second mounting surface configured to removably support, independently of the first accessory module, a second accessory module in a second volume disjoint from the first volume.

Abstract: A dock for a computing device includes: a cradle configured to receive a first edge of the computing device; a body extending from the cradle, the body having: (i) a first mounting surface configured to removably support a first accessory module in a first volume adjacent to the computing device, and (ii) a second mounting surface configured to removably support, independently of the first accessory module, a second accessory module in a second volume disjoint from the first volume.

Abstract: A computing device includes: a housing supporting a transparent panel to define an enclosure; a camera supported within the enclosure, the camera having a field of view extending through the transparent panel; and a privacy shutter supported within the enclosure, between the transparent panel and the camera, the privacy shutter having a shutter magnet, and being movable via magnetic activation between (i) an enabled position obstructing the field of view, and (ii) a disabled position clearing the field of view.

Abstract: A method includes: obtaining a stereo pair of images from a stereo camera assembly of a mobile computing device, the stereo pair of images depicting a first marker and a second marker each associated with the mobile computing device; determining, from the stereo pair of images, a distance between the first and second markers; comparing a threshold to a difference between the determined distance and a reference distance corresponding to the first and second reference markers; and when the difference exceeds the threshold, generating an alert notification.

Abstract: A dock for a computing device includes: a cradle configured to receive a first edge of the computing device; a body extending from the cradle, the body having: (i) a first mounting surface configured to removably support a first accessory module in a first volume adjacent to the computing device, and (ii) a second mounting surface configured to removably support, independently of the first accessory module, a second accessory module in a second volume disjoint from the first volume.

Abstract: A method includes: obtaining a stereo pair of images from a stereo camera assembly of a mobile computing device, the stereo pair of images depicting a first marker and a second marker each associated with the mobile computing device; determining, from the stereo pair of images, a distance between the first and second markers; comparing a threshold to a difference between the determined distance and a reference distance corresponding to the first and second reference markers; and when the difference exceeds the threshold, generating an alert notification.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle; a skill-based feature that requires the player to display an element of skill; and a social feature that requires the player to perform a social task. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle; a skill-based feature that requires the player to display an element of skill; and a social feature that requires the player to perform a social task. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: Dynamically balancing imbalanced teams in a multiple team game, including: generating at least three teams, each team comprising members belonging to a first type or a second type; applying a first growth pattern to members of the first type and a second growth pattern to members of the second type, converting at least one member of the first type to the second type; and adjusting the first and second growth patterns based on the conversion of the at least one member.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle; a skill-based feature that requires the player to display an element of skill; and a social feature that requires the player to perform a social task. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle; a skill-based feature that requires the player to display an element of skill; and a social feature that requires the player to perform a social task. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle; a skill-based feature that requires the player to display an element of skill; and a social feature that requires the player to perform a social task. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle; a skill-based feature that requires the player to display an element of skill; and a social feature that requires the player to perform a social task. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; and a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: Dynamically balancing imbalanced teams in a multiple team game, including: generating at least three teams, each team comprising members belonging to a first type or a second type; applying a first growth pattern to members of the first type and a second growth pattern to members of the second type, converting at least one member of the first type to the second type; and adjusting the first and second growth patterns based on the conversion of the at least one member.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; and a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: In-vehicle monitoring systems and associated methods. The systems include a first lens pointed in a first direction, a second lens pointed in a second direction, camera element(s) that receive images from the lenses, interface(s) to storage for the images, and at least one in-vehicle mount for the system. The first lens and the second lens may point in opposite directions. The interface(s) may be at least one micro SD port, SIM card port, USB port, wireless communication element, interface to an included memory, or some combination thereof. The systems may also include a motion detection element, a location detection element, a microphone, a speaker, or some combination thereof. At least some images may be sent to the interface(s) in response to detection of a triggering event, for example a verbal command, a vehicle accident, a vehicle break-in, a police encounter, or a medical emergency.

Abstract: An optically variable magnetic stripe assembly includes a magnetic layer, an optically variable effect generating layer over the magnetic layer, and an electrically non-conductive reflective layer between the magnetic layer and the optically variable effect generating layer.