Abstract: A method and system of real-time replenishment and electronic confirmation of sale, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to purchase or referral of long distance calling minutes, including real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s). A computer based server receives a phone number, monetary amount, and an indication of whether an increase or decrease to the balance is requested. Phone number is then compared with a stored list of registered phone numbers having a unique pin and a balance amount. The balance is increased or decreased by desired amount if comparison results in a match. If comparison does not result in a match a new pin is created associating the phone with the balance amount. A message is then sent containing an access number for use in pre-paid long distance calling.

Abstract: A method and system of real-time replenishment and electronic confirmation of sale, such as a SMS text message, to a consumer responsive to purchase or referral of long distance calling minutes, including real-time replenishment of the customer's account, and seamless, pin-less use of the purchased long-distance from the user's chosen phone(s). A computer based server receives a phone number, monetary amount, and an indication of whether an increase or decrease to the balance is requested. Phone number is then compared with a stored list of registered phone numbers having a unique pin and a balance amount. The balance is increased or decreased by desired amount if comparison results in a match. If comparison does not result in a match a new pin is created associating the phone with the balance amount. A message is then sent containing an access number for use in pre-paid long distance calling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to generate data describing a product. The method includes the steps of comparing a digitized query image of the product to digitized pre-existing product images in a pre-existing product database. The pre-existing product database is organized using a taxonomy and an ontology. The pre-existing product images are linked to a corresponding node in the taxonomy and are also linked to attribute data and attribute value data in the ontology. At least one pre-existing product image is then retrieved that most closely matches the query image based on at least one matching criterion selected in whole or in part by a user. From the pre-existing product database is extracted the node in the taxonomy, the attribute data, or the attribute value data linked to the pre-existing product image retrieved earlier. In this fashion, product data relevant to the item depicted in the query image can be generated automatically from existing product data.

Abstract: Methods are provided for high temperature and short time extraction of pectins from pectin-containing plant materials. Generally described, the method includes mixing the pectin-containing plant material and an acidic aqueous medium to form a mixture; heating the mixture (optionally under pressure) to a target temperature by steam injection; maintaining the mixture under pressure at the target temperature for a time up to about 5 minutes; and flashing the mixture into a flash tank at a pressure from about 0.5 to about 1.2 bar to extract pectin from the pectin-containing plant material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention function to modify the cation concentration of carrageenans using an ion-exchange process. Processes for modifying the cation concentrations of solid carrageenans are provided. The processes include treating solid carrageenan with an aqueous treatment solution comprising an alcohol and a salt and washing the corresponding treated solid carrageenan with an aqueous solution comprising an alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to generate data describing a product. The method includes the steps of comparing a digitized query image of the product to digitized pre-existing product images in a pre-existing product database. The pre-existing product database is organized using a taxonomy and an ontology. The pre-existing product images are linked to a corresponding node in the taxonomy and are also linked to attribute data and attribute value data in the ontology. At least one pre-existing product image is then retrieved that most closely matches the query image based on at least one matching criterion selected in whole or in part by a user. From the pre-existing product database is extracted the node in the taxonomy, the attribute data, or the attribute value data linked to the pre-existing product image retrieved earlier. In this fashion, product data relevant to the item depicted in the query image can be generated automatically from existing product data.

Abstract: A slot machine is provided with a plurality of slot symbols which results in a display matrix having a plurality of reel stop locations. A player makes a wager for each pay line on the slot machine that the player wishes to be active. Prior to the reels being spun, the player selects two of the reel stop locations as the player's lucky reel stop locations. The slot reels are spun and the player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines. Then the reel stop locations selected by the player are switched and the pay lines are reanalyzed to determine if winning combinations have been achieved as a result of the switching of the two reel stop locations. The player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines.

Abstract: A slot machine is provided with a plurality of slot symbols which results in a display matrix having a plurality of reel stop locations. A player makes a wager for each pay line on the slot machine that the player wishes to be active. Prior to the reels being spun, the player selects two of the reel stop locations as the player's lucky reel stop locations. The slot reels are spun and the player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines. Then the reel stop locations selected by the player are switched and the pay lines are reanalyzed to determine if winning combinations have been achieved as a result of the switching of the two reel stop locations. The player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines.

Abstract: A purified sulfohydrolase having a purity level based on total amount of protein of at least about 40 wt %. Isolated nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequences. A process for purifying at least one sulfohydrolase, including subjecting an extract from seaweed to fractionation to obtain fractions; and subjecting at least one of the fractions to phenyl sepharose chromatography to obtain sepharose fractions containing at least one sulfohydrolase. An enzymatically modified compound which has been modified by an isolated sulfohydrolase having a purity level based on total amount of protein of at least about 40 wt %. A process of enzymatically modifying a sulfated compound, including combining at least one sulfohydrolase, having a purity level based on total amount of protein of at least about 40 wt %, with a sulfated compound form a reaction mixture; and incubating the reaction mixture to remove sulfate groups from the sulfated compound to form an enzymatically modified compound.

Abstract: A purified sulfohydrolase having a purity level based on total amount of protein of at least about 40 wt %. Isolated nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequences. A process for purifying at least one sulfohydrolase, including subjecting an extract from seaweed to fractionation to obtain fractions; and subjecting at least one of the fractions to phenyl sepharose chromatography to obtain sepharose fractions containing at least one sulfohydrolase. An enzymatically modified compound which has been modified by an isolated sulfohydrolase having a purity level based on total amount of protein of at least about 40 wt %. A process of enzymatically modifying a sulfated compound, including combining at least one sulfohydrolase, having a purity level based on total amount of protein of at least about 40 wt %, with a sulfated compound form a reaction mixture; and incubating the reaction mixture to remove sulfate groups from the sulfated compound to form an enzymatically modified compound.

Abstract: A player makes a wager and selects a first poker hand format and a second different poker hand format. An initial poker hand is dealt and displayed to the player. The player holds desired cards and discards unwanted cards as is conventional in video poker. Replacement cards for the unwanted cards are dealt and displayed to the player. The final poker hand is analyzed for poker hand ranking. The poker hand ranking of the final poker hand is compared to the pay table for each poker hand format to determine whether the final poker ranking is a winning combination for that poker hand format. Winning hand combinations are paid in accordance with the pay table for each poker format and based on the amount wagered by the player.