Abstract: A recommendation service is provided for recommending computer video game titles to players. The recommendation service offers suggestions for game titles to purchase or rent based on playing usage related parameters for each particular player. A profile is created based on several factors that represents the player's affinity to each factor. Communication and use of player usage data may be strictly conditioned on a player's knowledge and consent.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector suitable for use as a reflective target for navigational aids and for location and re-location applications. The acoustic reflector comprises a shell arranged to surround a solid core. The shell is adapted to transmit acoustic waves incident thereon into the core. Within the core the acoustic waves are focused before being reflected from an opposing side of the shell to provide a reflected acoustic wave. The shell has at least two areas of transmissibility such that the waves incident on the shell follow separate paths within the core before being re-radiated and combining constructively to provide an enhanced reflected acoustic wave at one or more pre-determined frequencies.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector (10) suitable for use as a reflective target for navigational aids and for location and re-location applications. The acoustic reflector comprises a shell (12) arranged to surround a solid core (16). The shell is adapted to transmit acoustic waves (18) incident thereon into the core (16). Within the core the acoustic waves are focused before being reflected from an opposing side of the shell (20) to provide a reflected acoustic wave. A portion of the acoustic waves incident on the shell is coupled into the shell wall and guided within and around the circumference thereof (26) before being re-radiated and combining constructively with the reflected acoustic wave to provide an enhanced reflected acoustic wave.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for use in the flush cistern of a water closet comprises a reservoir (13) for the liquid formulation which is fed from an inverted container (5) maintaining a constant liquid level (47) in the reservoir (13) at the mouth (37) of the container. A displacement body in the form of a piston (9), which may be magnetic, moves in a bore (56) to dispense liquid through opening (25). The piston (9) is moved by a float (11) which moves up and down as the level of water L in the cistern rises and falls on flushing. The float is coupled to the piston (9) magnetically. In another embodiment a direct mechanical coupling is used. Liquid seeps past piston (9) when in the lowered position, and is raised to overflow outlet (25) when the cistern fills. In another embodiment, liquid is dispensed on a downward stroke of the piston. The fit of piston (9) in the bore allows liquid to seep slowly past the piston to replenish the bore.

Abstract: Predicting movement of soft tissue of the face in response to movement of underlying bone includes storing, for first subjects, data identifying movement of soft tissue of the face in response to movement of underlying bone, and using the data to predict, for a second subject, movement of soft tissue of the face over time in response to movement of underlying bone.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector suitable for use as a reflective target for navigational aids and for location and re-location applications. The acoustic reflector comprises a shell arranged to surround a solid core. The shell is adapted to transmit acoustic waves incident thereon into the core. Within the core the acoustic waves are focused before being reflected from an opposing side of the shell to provide a reflected acoustic wave. The shell has at least two areas of transmissibility such that the waves incident on the shell follow separate paths within the core before being re-radiated and combining constructively to provide an enhanced reflected acoustic wave at one or more pre-determined frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining a local oscillator frequency for a baseband converter, comprising obtaining characteristics of a channel comprising a plurality of radio signals at corresponding radio frequencies; using the channel characteristics to select a local oscillator frequency to use in baseband conversion of the plurality of radio signals of the channel to form a first baseband converted signal and a second baseband converted signal; and programming a local oscillator to operate the selected local oscillator frequency; wherein the local oscillator frequency is selected such that an image rejection ratio of the baseband converted second signal to an image of the baseband converted first signal is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An example system and method for generating an error code involve detecting an error condition of a product and generating an error code by combining information indicative of the detected error condition with an identifier associated with, the product.

Abstract: In a system utilizing double wide communication channels, if a particular CPE requires a sustained rate that is greater than the bandwidth of a single channel, data to and from the CPE may be split across Channels A and B. Also, when the bandwidth requirements of a particular CPE peaks at a data rate greater than the capacity of a single channel, the CPE's data may be split across the two channels. In one embodiment, a single-wide CPE may communicate with the base station without knowing that it is communicating with a base station configured to communicate using a double wide channel.

Abstract: A method of providing telephone services includes receiving an advanced payment. The advanced payment corresponds to a fixed time interval of telephone service spanning at least one day. The method also includes activating service to a mobile device for the fixed time interval and collecting a plurality of call data.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector (10) suitable for use as a reflective target for navigational aids and for location and re-location applications. The acoustic reflector comprises a shell (12) arranged to surround a solid core (16). The shell is adapted to transmit acoustic waves (18) incident thereon into the core (16). Within the core the acoustic waves are focused before being reflected from an opposing side of the shell (20) to provide a reflected acoustic wave. A portion of the acoustic waves incident on the shell is coupled into the shell wall and guided within and around the circumference thereof (26) before being re-radiated and combining constructively with the reflected acoustic wave to provide an enhanced reflected acoustic wave.

Abstract: Predicting movement of soft tissue of the face in response to movement of underlying bone includes storing, for first subjects, data identifying movement of soft tissue of the face in response to movement of underlying bone, and using the data to predict, for a second subject, movement of soft tissue of the face over time in response to movement of underlying bone.

Abstract: An example system and method for generating an error code involve detecting an error condition of a product and generating an error code by combining information indicative of the detected error condition with an identifier associated with, the product.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for use in the flush cistern of a water closet comprises a reservoir (13) for the liquid formulation which is fed from an inverted container (5) maintaining a constant liquid level (47) in the reservoir (13) at the mouth (37) of the container. A displacement body in the form of a piston (9), which may be magnetic, moves in a bore (56) to dispense liquid through opening (25). The piston (9) is moved by a float (11) which moves up and down as the level of water L in the cistem rises and falls on flushing. The float is coupled to the piston (9) magnetically. In another embodiment a direct mechanical coupling is used. Liquid seeps past piston (9) when in the lowered position, and is raised to overflow outlet (25) when the cistem fills. In another embodiment, liquid is dispensed on a downward stroke of the piston. The fit of piston (9) in the bore allows liquid to seep slowly past the piston to replenish the bore.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for inviting users to play video games involve receiving at an invitation server an invitation from a first user logged into the invitation server using a first game system that invites a second user logged into the invitation server using a second game system to play a game. The invitation is forwarded from the invitation server to the second user and an acceptance of the invitation from the second user is received at the invitation server. Invitation acceptance data indicative of the second user's acceptance is stored at the invitation server after the second user logs out of the invitation server. When the second user subsequently logs back into the invitation server, one or both of the first and second users is sent information based on the stored invitation acceptance that enables the first and second users to play the game.

Abstract: Example systems and methods involve a video game system that has a touch sensitive display screen that can be used to supply inputs used in video game control. In one example system and method, a user or player draws movement patterns on the touch sensitive display screen. The drawn movement patterns are stored and a game object can be moved in accordance with a drawn movement pattern selected from the memory by the user.

Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.

Abstract: A data processing system and method in which, by way of example, a memory system is coupled to a video game program processing system. The video game program processing system has a predetermined address space for executing programs stored in a program memory portion of the memory system. The contents of a plurality of storage locations determine a configuration of the memory system depending on which of a plurality of different game programs is to be executed by the video game program processing system.

Abstract: An automated device for centering a mechanical tree spade provides a sighting device on each blade thereof with a readout adjacent to the operator to determine proper blade placement in order to provide an acceptable root ball for transplanting a tree.

Abstract: A messaging system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.