Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for embedding a continuous elastic cord (11) along an edge of a continuous plastic sheet (12). The apparatus comprises an adhesive applicator device operable to apply an adhesive (16) along the edge of the plastic sheet, a folder device (18, 20, 34) operable to provide a folded edge of the plastic sheet (12) so that the adhesive is within the folded edge, and a feed device (24) having a tension device (30) operable to feed the elastic cord (11) in tension into the folded edge so that the elastic cord (11) is in contact with the adhesive of the edge. A bonding device (38) is operable to activate the adhesive of the folded edge to bond the elastic cord (11) in tension to the adhesive within the folded edge and to bond the folded edge to the plastic sheet (12).

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling groups of game entities in a video game in a collective, coordinated, and/or collaborative manner are presented herein. Groups of individual game entities may be formed. Individual groups may be associated with a group entity. Control inputs may be received that are related to group entity actions to be performed by the group entities in the virtual space. The group entity actions may be related to one or more group actions to be performed by the game entities included in the groups in a collective, coordinated, and/or collaborative manner. The one or more group actions may be implemented by executing individual game entity actions to be performed by the individual game entities included in the groups. The individual game entity actions may be determined based on the group entity actions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for establishing and reestablishing associations between users of game devices. In one embodiment, information about an association between a user of a first game device and a user of a second game device is stored in the nonvolatile memories of first and second game media, the first and second game media being communicatively coupled with the first and second game devices respectively. If the first game device loses track of the association (e.g., the user of the first game devices swaps out the first game medium for another one, or the memory resident on the first game medium is corrupted/erased), an association notification received at the first game device from the second game device may be used to reestablish the association at the first game device. In this manner, previously established associations between users of game devices may be automatically established/reestablished.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling groups of game entities in a video game in a collective, coordinated, and/or collaborative manner are presented herein. Groups of individual game entities may be formed. Individual groups may be associated with a group entity. Control inputs may be received that are related to group entity actions to be performed by the group entities in the virtual space. The group entity actions may be related to one or more group actions to be performed by the game entities included in the groups in a collective, coordinated, and/or collaborative manner. The one or more group actions may be implemented by executing individual game entity actions to be performed by the individual game entities included in the groups. The individual game entity actions may be determined based on the group entity actions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for establishing and reestablishing associations between users of game devices. In one embodiment, information about an association between a user of a first game device and a user of a second game device is stored in the nonvolatile memories of first and second game media, the first and second game media being communicatively coupled with the first and second game devices respectively. If the first game device loses track of the association (e.g., the user of the first game devices swaps out the first game medium for another one, or the memory resident on the first game medium is corrupted/erased), an association notification received at the first game device from the second game device may be used to reestablish the association at the first game device. In this manner, previously established associations between users of game devices may be automatically established/reestablished.