Abstract: To provide a printing control system capable of efficiently utilizing a printer installed in an event hall or the like. A printing control system includes a printing management unit capable of generating a printing command for causing a printer to print an image received from a multifunctional portable terminal. The printing management unit is configured to exclude, when a creation date and time of the received image is out of a predetermined printable period, the received image from an item to be printed, or to exclude, when the number of received images is out of a predetermined printable number, at least a part of the received images, which exceeds the printable number, from an item to be printed.

Abstract: To provide a printing control system capable of efficiently utilizing a printer installed in an event hall or the like. A printing control system 10 includes a printing management unit 24 capable of generating a printing command for causing a printer 40 to print an image received from a multifunctional portable terminal 50. The printing management unit 24 is configured to exclude, when a creation date and time of the received image is out of a predetermined printable period, the received image from an item to be printed, or to exclude, when the number of received images is out of a predetermined printable number, at least a part of the received images, which exceeds the printable number, from an item to be printed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for compensating for a player choice in a game of chance. A plurality of outcomes is defined. A sequence of positions corresponding to the plurality of outcomes is provided, including a reference position. A plurality of pointers is situated at positions in the sequence. Each pointer has an offset value with respect to the reference position along the sequence of positions. Responsive to selection of one of the pointers, the reference position is moved according to the offset value associated with the selected one pointer, so that the selected one pointer points at the reference position. A number is received. The received number determines one of the plurality of outcomes according to a predefined probability associated with the reference position. The determined one outcome is output at the reference position.

Abstract: A gift card kiosk is disclosed providing a method for selecting, customizing, and dispensing gift cards utilizing information provided by a purchaser about the intended recipient of the gift card in order to find the gift card with the most appropriate content and from the most appropriate retailer. A purchaser may customize the gift card with their own personalized message, picture, or other information. The gift card kiosk provides for the production of such customized gift cards from gift card blanks stored within the kiosk that are printed with appropriate information on demand, and are likewise activated by the kiosk through management of a listing and assignment of gift card activation numbers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus 100 that provides an order separator 330 for photographic order fulfillment. The present invention includes one or more output print devices 110 that print one or more photographic prints 320 of a photographic order 402/404/406 using photographic paper 300. Additionally included is a separator print 330 that is a sheet of photographic paper 300 that is larger than the photographic prints 302 of the photographic order 402/404/406. The present invention further includes a system controller 102 that controls the utilization of the photographic paper 300 of the output print devices 110 for the photographic prints 320. The system controller 102 controls whether to create the separator print 330 or the photographic prints 320. The individual separator print 330 creates a tab 401/403/405 separating different photographic orders 402/404/406 of the photographic prints when multiple photographic orders 400 are stacked together.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a plastic closure includes a male mold assembly including a forming pin and an outer pin sleeve which cooperate with a female mold for defining a mold cavity. To facilitate mechanical stripping of a molded closure from the forming pin, pressurized air is introduced into the molded closure through at least one air passageway which extends axially between the forming pin and pin sleeve. By outwardly expanding and forming the plastic closure during ejection from the forming pin, forces to which the closure is subjected during ejection are significantly reduced, thereby desirably reducing the amount of cooling of the closure that is required during the molding cycle prior to ejection. Significantly increased operating speeds for the compression molding apparatus can thus be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital photographic kiosk 100 that optimizes the output speed and the replenishment of consumable media. The kiosk includes a plurality of output print devices 110 that use consumable media. A system controller 102 in the kiosk 100 controls the utilization of consumable media by the output print devices 110 in a manner that both optimizes the production of output from the output print devices 110 and optimizes the replenishment of the consumable media used by the output print devices 110.

Abstract: A gaming machine's payout is controlled by payout data. In one embodiment the payout data is written in a high level format, such as in a format that is readable by an individual to allow the identification of specific payout parameters in the payout data. In one embodiment the payout data is stored on mass media or removable media located in the gaming machine that makes the payout data easily accessible and less expensive than media used in the prior art. As a result, the payout data may be efficiently modified, updated, or distributed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for compensating for a player choice in a game of chance. A plurality of outcomes is defined. A sequence of positions corresponding to the plurality of outcomes is provided, including a reference position. A plurality of pointers is situated at positions in the sequence. Each pointer has an offset value with respect to the reference position along the sequence of positions. Responsive to selection of one of the pointers, the reference position is moved according to the offset value associated with the selected one pointer, so that the selected one pointer points at the reference position. A number is received. The received number determines one of the plurality of outcomes according to a predefined probability associated with the reference position. The determined one outcome is output at the reference position. Alternatively, a plurality of pay tables is provided.

Abstract: A gaming device including a matrix having a plurality of positions defining at least one row and at least one column. The matrix includes a plurality of independently operable symbol generators where each of the positions of the matrix includes at least one of the independently operable symbol generators. Each of the symbol generators include a plurality of symbols. The gaming device enables the player to purchase or activate one or more of the symbols based on a wager made by the player. After the player makes a wager the gaming device activates the designated symbols based on the wager made by the player. The gaming device then causes the symbol generators to each generate symbols in the game. The gaming device evaluates the purchased or activatable symbols generated by the symbol generators in the matrix and provides an award to the player for any winning symbol combinations including the purchased or activated symbols displayed by the symbol generators in the matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a plastic closure includes a male mold assembly including a forming pin and an outer pin sleeve which cooperate with a female mold for defining a mold cavity. To facilitate mechanical stripping of a molded closure from the forming pin, pressurized air is introduced into the molded closure through at least one air passageway which extends axially between the forming pin and pin sleeve. By outwardly expanding and forming the plastic closure during ejection from the forming pin, forces to which the closure is subjected during ejection are significantly reduced, thereby desirably reducing the amount of cooling of the closure that is required during the molding cycle prior to ejection. Significantly increased operating speeds for the compression molding apparatus can thus be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a plastic closure includes a male mold assembly including a forming pin and an outer pin sleeve which cooperate with a female mold for defining a mold cavity. To facilitate mechanical stripping of a molded closure from the forming pin, pressurized air is introduced into the molded closure through at least one air passageway which extends axially between the forming pin and pin sleeve. By outwardly expanding and forming the plastic closure during ejection from the forming pin, forces to which the closure is subjected during ejection are significantly reduced, thereby desirably reducing the amount of cooling of the closure that is required during the molding cycle prior to ejection. Significantly increased operating speeds for the compression molding apparatus can thus be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a plastic closure includes a male mold assembly including a forming pin and an outer pin sleeve which cooperate with a female mold for defining a mold cavity. To facilitate mechanical stripping of a molded closure from the forming pin, pressurized air is introduced into the molded closure through at least one air passageway which extends axially between the forming pin and pin sleeve. By outwardly expanding and forming the plastic closure during ejection from the forming pin, forces to which the closure is subjected during ejection are significantly reduced, thereby desirably reducing the amount of cooling of the closure that is required during the molding cycle prior to ejection. Significantly increased operating speeds for the compression molding apparatus can thus be achieved.