Abstract: An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end and an intermediate region disposed therebetween. The elongated tubular member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The elongated tubular member may comprise at least one twisted filament, such as a knitted filament having a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending between adjacent twisted knit stitches, or a plurality of helical filaments twisted with a plurality of longitudinal filaments.

Abstract: Scheduling meetings should be a simple task but rarely is, especially for a large number of attendees. Meetings may be scheduled at a timeslot that affords the largest number of invitees the opportunity to attend. However, some of those invitees may have a conflict at that particular timeslot. By determining if an invitee will or will not attended the conflict, more opportunities to conduct the meeting are presented and a meeting may be scheduled at a time when the greatest number of invitees will attend.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity. The electronic game apparatus may include a base unit with a game processor adapted to receive a plurality of input signals including an actuator signal and a plurality of directional signals. The game processor may be adapted to determine the game activity based upon the input signals and to transmit output signals representative of the game activity to a monitor device. The apparatus may also include a handle element extending transversely from the base unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the base unit, and may include an actuator that is configured to be manipulated in order to transmit the actuator signal. Optionally, the apparatus may include a direction element, which may be movable in two dimensions relative to the base unit and adapted to transmit the directional signals, extending transversely from the base unit.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus. The apparatus may include at least a first player input device and a second player input device. Each player input device may have a plurality of buttons adapted to be manipulated by a player, thereby producing player input signals for moving one or more characters within the game environment. The apparatus may also include a base unit coupled to the player input devices. The base unit may include a game processor adapted to receive the plurality of player input signals and to determine therefrom a game simulation. The game processor may transmit output signals representative of the game simulation to a monitor device. Optionally the game simulation may include movements of at least one of the first player and the second player character based upon input signals from the corresponding player input device. Each player character may be selectable from different groups of player characters.

Abstract: A toy play set for containing at least one predetermined board game includes a generally elongated body having a hollow interior, first and second opposing longitudinal ends, and a generally curved side wall extending around the hollow interior between the first and second ends. The first and second ends and side wall generally surround the hollow interior in a closed configuration of the body. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow interior is at least partially accessible. A playing surface is operably engaged with the body and is configured to play the predetermined board game. The playing surface is shaped and sized to enable the playing surface to be completely stored within the hollow interior of the body with the body in the closed configuration. The playing surface is accessible at least with the body in the open configuration for playing of the predetermined board game.

Abstract: An electronic game system is provided, the electronic game system having: a drawing input device; a processor located within the drawing input device, the processor being configured to convert a user input signal into a display signal; a means for transmitting the display signal to a display; and memory for storing machine readable computer program code, the memory including instructions for causing the processor to implement a method of playing a drawing game.

Abstract: Methods of playing drawings games incorporating novel steps and electronic game systems configured for use with a video display and adapted to interactively provide novel methods of playing drawing games.

Abstract: A toy play set for containing at least one predetermined board game includes a generally elongated body having a hollow interior, first and second opposing longitudinal ends, and a generally curved side wall extending around the hollow interior between the first and second ends. The first and second ends and side wall generally surround the hollow interior in a closed configuration of the body. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow interior is at least partially accessible. A playing surface is operably engaged with the body and is configured to play the predetermined board game. The playing surface is shaped and sized to enable the playing surface to be completely stored within the hollow interior of the body with the body in the closed configuration. The playing surface is accessible at least with the body in the open configuration for playing of the predetermined board game.

Abstract: A toy play set for containing at least one predetermined board game includes a generally elongated body having a hollow interior, first and second opposing longitudinal ends, and a generally curved side wall extending around the hollow interior between the first and second ends. The first and second ends and side wall generally surround the hollow interior in a closed configuration of the body. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow interior is at least partially accessible. A playing surface is operably engaged with the body and is configured to play the predetermined board game. The playing surface is shaped and sized to enable the playing surface to be completely stored within the hollow interior of the body with the body in the closed configuration. The playing surface is accessible at least with the body in the open configuration for playing of the predetermined board game.

Abstract: A toy play set contains a set of playing cards used to play at least one predetermined card game. The toy play set includes a generally elongated body having a closed configuration in which ends and a side wall generally surround a hollow interior and an open configuration in which the hollow interior is at least partially accessible. The cards are identically shaped and sized and sufficiently small to be completely stored within the body in its closed configuration. The body includes an internal spindle, and each of the cards has an opening allowing it to be mounted on the spindle.

Abstract: A digital audio device. According to one aspect of the invention, the device includes a memory and an analog input system configured to record analog audio signals to the memory as digital audio data. The device further includes a digital input configured to download digital audio data to the memory, as well as an analog output system configured to generate analog playback signals decoded from digital audio data stored in the memory. Furthermore, the device includes a digital output configured to upload digital audio data from the memory.

Abstract: A toy play set includes a body having opposing ends and a side wall therebetween, which define and generally surround an at least partially hollow cavity within the body in a closed configuration of the body. At least the one end is sized and shaped to fit at least partially into a beverage cup holder of a vehicle sufficiently for the cup holder to support the body in a generally upright orientation. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow cavity is at least partially accessible. A toy vehicle track as long or longer than the length of the body between the ends is configured for storage within the cavity of the body in the closed configuration and is engaged with the body for play in the open configuration.

Abstract: A toy play set for use in a vehicle having a beverage cup holder includes a body having first and second opposing ends and a side wall extending therebetween defining an at least partially hollow cavity within the body. The body has in a closed configuration at least the first end sized and shaped to fit at least partially into the cup holder sufficiently for the cup holder to support the body in a first generally upright orientation with the second end forming a top end of the body. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow cavity is at least partially accessible. A tank with a pump is disposed within the body and is capable of being at least partially filled with a fluid in order to play at least one predetermined game.

Abstract: A toy play set for use in a vehicle having a beverage cup holder includes a generally elongated body. At least a first longitudinal end is sized and shaped to fit at least partially into the cup holder sufficiently for the cup holder to support the body in a generally upright orientation when the body has in a closed configuration. The body has an open configuration in which a hollow interior is at least partially accessible through at least one opening in a side wall. A plurality of movable components is stored in storage positions within the hollow interior in the closed configuration of the body. At least two of the plurality of movable components are removable from the storage position and are repositionable in the open configuration of the body into at least one play position different from the storage position of the at least two movable components.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus for providing a game activity. The electronic game apparatus may include a base unit with a game processor adapted to receive a plurality of input signals including an actuator signal and a plurality of directional signals. The game processor may be adapted to determine the game activity based upon the input signals and to transmit output signals representative of the game activity to a monitor device. The apparatus may also include a handle element extending transversely from the base unit in a substantially fixed position relative to the base unit, and may include an actuator that is configured to be manipulated in order to transmit the actuator signal. Optionally, the apparatus may include a direction element, which may be movable in two dimensions relative to the base unit and adapted to transmit the directional signals, extending transversely from the base unit.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus. The apparatus may include at least a first player input device and a second player input device. Each player input device may have a plurality of buttons adapted to be manipulated by a player, thereby producing player input signals for moving one or more characters within the game environment. The apparatus may also include a base unit coupled to the player input devices. The base unit may include a game processor adapted to receive the plurality of player input signals and to determine therefrom a game simulation. The game processor may transmit output signals representative of the game simulation to a monitor device. Optionally the game simulation may include movements of at least one of the first player and the second player character based upon input signals from the corresponding player input device. Each player character may be selectable from different groups of player characters.

Abstract: Methods of playing drawings games incorporating novel steps and electronic game systems configured for use with a video display and adapted to interactively provide novel methods of playing drawing games.

Abstract: A toy play set includes a body having opposing ends and a side wall therebetween, which define and generally surround an at least partially hollow cavity within the body in a closed configuration of the body. At least the one end is sized and shaped to fit at least partially into a beverage cup holder of a vehicle sufficiently for the cup holder to support the body in a generally upright orientation. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow cavity is at least partially accessible. A toy vehicle track as long or longer than the length of the body between the ends is configured for storage within the cavity of the body in the closed configuration and is engaged with the body for play in the open configuration.

Abstract: A toy play set for use in a vehicle having a beverage cup holder includes a body having first and second opposing ends and a side wall extending therebetween defining an at least partially hollow cavity within the body. The body has in a closed configuration at least the first end sized and shaped to fit at least partially into the cup holder sufficiently for the cup holder to support the body in a first generally upright orientation with the second end forming a top end of the body. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow cavity is at least partially accessible. A tank with a pump is disposed within the body and is capable of being at least partially filled with a fluid in order to play at least one predetermined game.

Abstract: A toy play set for containing at least one predetermined board game includes a generally elongated body having a hollow interior, first and second opposing longitudinal ends, and a generally curved side wall extending around the hollow interior between the first and second ends. The first and second ends and side wall generally surround the hollow interior in a closed configuration of the body. The body has an open configuration in which the hollow interior is at least partially accessible. A playing surface is operably engaged with the body and is configured to play the predetermined board game. The playing surface is shaped and sized to enable the playing surface to be completely stored within the hollow interior of the body with the body in the closed configuration. The playing surface is accessible at least with the body in the open configuration for playing of the predetermined board game.