Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating purchases of services and products includes an application server providing a network service and maintaining a service offer database that comprises a plurality of information records respectively associated with a plurality of service offers. Each information record comprises an indication of a primary service, a purchase price, a payment amount for the primary service, and compensation information for the primary service. At least one of the service offers is for a bundled set that includes the primary service and one or more products. Upon being accessed by user operating a client system, the network service is operable to receive an indication of a service offer being selected for purchase by the user, receive purchase information from the user specifying a funding source, and issue a request to the funding source for funds corresponding to the purchase price of the information record associated with the service offer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring data between an electrical measuring device (2) and a control computer (4), the data being transferred via a Modbus protocol (20) that is tunneled in the HTTP protocol (12) in connection with a TCP/IP transmission protocol (14). The principle idea of the present invention is based on HTTP (12) being used as an external protocol and a Modbus protocol (20) being integrated, i.e. tunneled, into the HTTP protocol (12) as payload.

Abstract: An epoxy resin is provided that includes a diglycidyl ether of a substituted cycloaliphatic diol or bis-thiol, and a thermoset epoxy polymer is provided employing the same. The epoxy resin is bisphenol A free, and capable of forming thermoset epoxy polymers with fewer associated health and environmental concerns than conventional epoxies based on phenolic compounds.

Abstract: The invention, in some aspects relates to synthetic, light-activated fusion proteins and their encoding polynucleotide molecules. In some aspects the invention additionally includes expression of the light-activated fusion proteins in cells and their use in methods such as therapeutic methods and candidate compound screening methods.

Abstract: An epoxy resin is provided that includes a diglycidyl ether of a substituted cycloaliphatic diol or bis-thiol, and a thermoset epoxy polymer is provided employing the same. The epoxy resin is bisphenol A free, and capable of forming thermoset epoxy polymers with fewer associated health and environmental concerns than conventional epoxies based on phenolic compounds.

Abstract: A barrier film, a document including a barrier coating, and a method for producing a document are described. A document includes a substrate, printed data on a surface of the substrate, and a barrier coating. The barrier coating is disposed between a portion of the printed data and a portion of an adhesive. The portion of the adhesive is disposed between a portion of a protective layer and a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A composition for making high fiber white panned bread by the USDA definition comprising 100 parts by weight of cereal grain flour and a premix that includes 22 parts of pea hull fibers, wheat bran and gum acacia with a ratio of pea hull fibers to wheat bran being in the range of 3.3:1 and a range of pea hull fiber to gum acacia being 7.71:1. In one embodiment, the premix is for bread making is in an amount of about 22 parts by weight of a bread formula. The premix comprises pea fiber, wheat bran and gum acacia.

Abstract: A sensor having a substrate is provided in which structures are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The structures can be, e.g., nanostructures. Polarized light is directed toward the sensor, and birefringence of the structures with respect to the light is measured. Target particles that interact with the structures are detected based on changes in the measured birefringence.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the performance of a plurality of players playing a video game simulating a rock band experience may include: calculating a player score for each player playing a rhythm action game within a band, each player score representing the performance level of a particular player; calculating a composite score for the band playing a rhythm action game, the composite score based in part on a performance level associated with each player within the band; displaying the composite score on a performance meter as a performance level; and displaying each player score on the performance meter as a graphical indication positioned on the meter at a position corresponding to the calculated player score.

Abstract: A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.

Abstract: An epoxy resin is provided that includes a diglycidyl ether of a substituted cycloaliphatic diol or bis-thiol, and a thermoset epoxy polymer is provided employing the same. The epoxy resin is bisphenol A free, and capable of forming thermoset epoxy polymers with fewer associated health and environmental concerns than conventional epoxies based on phenolic compounds.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems and computer readable media for providing interaction between remote players and one or more local players of a rhythm-action game executed on a game platform. One or more local players is identified to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical instrument. A first type of simulated musical instrument, represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players, may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. Then, game platforms of the local and remote players communicate to establish a networked session of the rhythm action game with the one or more local players and the identified remote player before initiating a game session where the players play the game.

Abstract: A method for matching suitable remote players to one or more local players of a rhythm-action game includes identifying one or more local players to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical. A first type of simulated musical instrument represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. A game session may then be provided including the one or more local players and the identified remote player.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, apparatuses, computer program products embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and means for providing online challenges between bands in a musical video game. Typically the invention is executed on a game server in signal communication with a game platform and involves receiving, by the game server, musical game input data representing a musical performance of a band. Then, the game server calculates a composite score from the input data based on a gameplay challenge. Then the composite score is compared to a composite score of a second band's performance for the same gameplay challenge. In some embodiments, the comparison is displayed as a real-time representation of the two bands, even though score of the second band is based on a stored performance of the second band.

Abstract: The invention provides displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane. Cue data is loaded from a data file, which includes duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane. Then, the plurality of cues and a section indicator are displayed in the sub-lane, with the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs. Then, a timer is started that is independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues. Then, it is determined if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold. If it is, the timer is restarted and the plurality of cues is maintained as repeatable inputs. If it is not, the section indicator is modified to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, compositions and methods for maintaining conditions in a cell culture and for measurement of conditions in the cell culture. In particular, the invention provides hydrogel materials, apparatus and methods for several non-invasive techniques of maintaining optimal or near-optimal nutrient and pH levels in cell cultures.

Abstract: The invention provides a realistic drum experience in a video game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a drum controller having at least one cymbal and at least one drum pad. It involves determining if a cue to be displayed on the display in a particular sub-lane should be a cue indicating a cymbal input or a cue indicating a pad input. Then, the cue is displayed in the particular sub-lane, indicating the cymbal input or pad input (dependent on the previous determination). Then, input is received from the player via the drum controller; and the input is given a first score if the input was a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane and the input is given a second score if the input was an input other than a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane.

Abstract: A fiber composite component comprising at least two, first and second partial elements bordering one another, each having a fiber structure and different matrix systems which respectively embed the fiber structure and cure differently from a liquid state is produced by liquifying the matrix system of the first partial element so that it either penetrates irregularly into the region of the bordering second partial element or leaves an unwetted region in the first partial element adjacent the second partial element, and subsequently liquifying the matrix system of the second partial element so that it can be cured abutting the irregular boundary surfaces of the matrix system of the first partial element. The intermeshing or interlocking of the matrix systems with one another and the fibers increase shear strength.

Abstract: A set of content items is identified that is relevant to a topic. The communications provided with a plurality of social networking mediums are processed to identify individual communications that reference content items from the set. A score is determined for each of the one or more content items. The score of each of the one or more content items can be based at least in part on a number of instances in which that content item is referenced by the communications of the social networking mediums. A presentation can be provided that identifies a plurality of content items, as well as the score for each of the plurality of content items.

Abstract: A film wrapping machine or apparatus wherein various operational conditions and data can be detected, determined, and subsequently utilized for diagnostic, operational performance, and safety characteristics, as well as for implementing improvements in operational performance so as to not only achieve optimal or predetermined performance characteristics but to also achieve economical usage of the wrapping or packaging film.