Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system (30) for moving at least a portion of a body of a subject (12), such as their legs (13, 13a). The system is adapted to monitor its performance and/or the outcome of the provision of stimulation to the subject (12) and assess whether the body portion is showing evidence of fatigue. The system (30) comprises a stimulator (35) that can provide a plurality of sets of functional electrical stimulation to the legs, one or more transducers (60, 61) that outputs signals representative of the movement made by the legs in response to the functional electrical stimulation provided thereto, and a control means (32). The control means (32) receives and processes the signals output by the transducers (60, 61) and includes a comparator adapted to compare the output signals of the transducers resulting from the provision of two or more substantially equivalent sets of electrical stimulation to the legs and provide an output indicative of variation in the movement.

Abstract: An exercise system (10) for exercising at least one limb, such as the legs, of a subject with spinal cord injury or deficiency. The system (10) comprises an exercise bicycle (20) having a crank (17) and pedals (16) to which the feet of the subject can be mounted, and a functional electrical stimulation (FES) system (30). The FES system (30) stimulates the muscles of the legs and includes a transducer (51) mountable to at least one of the legs of the subject (12) that outputs signals representative of the position and/or movement of the leg when performing the exercise. The FES system (30) further includes a control means that receives and processes the signals output by the transducer (51) and outputs control signals to a stimulator (35) that through electrodes (53) provides electrical stimulation to the legs of the subject (12) so as to cause the legs to drive the crank (17) of the bicycle (20).

Abstract: A functional electrical stimulation system (30) for controlling the movement of a portion of a body of a subject (12), such as the subject's legs. The system (30) comprises a sensor (60) that in one arrangement is mountable to a portion of the subjects' body other than the legs, for example the torso (14). In another arrangement, the sensor (60) can be mountable to a walking aid, such as a crutch (20). The sensor (60) outputs signals representative of the position and/or movement of the torso (14) or walking aid (20). The system (30) also comprises a control means (32) that receives and processes the signals output by the sensor (60) and outputs control signals to a stimulator (35) adapted to provide electrical stimulation to the legs via electrodes (53) in response to the position and/or movement of the torso (14) or walking aid (20) as determined by the sensor (60).

Abstract: Gaming apparatus has a group of gaming machines each playable separately linked through a control unit to a display which shows prizes different from those offered by the machines. Players of the machines are occasionally offered a chance to win prizes from the display, and they may have to qualify for this by obtaining a particular result from their gaming machines. Several or all the players can qualify and so they participate together in the selection of prizes from the display, using controls on their machines. There are various ways of distributing those prizes, from winner takes all to a proportional distribution determined randomly or in relation to the performance of the players in the participation mode.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus comprising a plurality of individually playable gaming machines. The machines are playable in self-contained and participation modes. In the self-contained mode each machine is played independently for its own prizes, whilst the participation mode allows players selected for participation (qualified players) to be awarded a prize distinct from any prize available from any, said machine in self-contained mode. The apparatus includes a participation mode display for displaying play of the apparatus during the participation mode.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game including steps of:

Abstract: The preferred games are based on poker, with the cards presented electronically on a screen and the stakes being electronically processed. Several hands are dealt, in one from one hand face up and the others face down. The player may choose to play the face up hand, by holding certain cards and drawing to replace the others. The held cards are replicated in the other hands, and the draw results in random changes to all the hands. But the player has the option to transfer to a second hand, which is then turned face up while the first goes face down, and hold and draw on that hand. And so on through the hands, incurring penalties as transfers are made. In another form, the hands are all face up. This can be played in a similar way, going from one hand to the next, or the player can select which hand to play at the start, held cards being replicated in other hands, and the draw producing different results in each hand.

Abstract: A mattress assembly for use on a bed, including a mattress at least partially coverable by one or more sheets, and at least one sheet-attachment assembly associated with the mattress and configured to releasably attach the one or more sheets to the mattress. Each sheet-attachment assembly includes a clamping apparatus adjustable by a user between a first configuration and a second configuration, and an anchor member adapted to engage the one or more sheets. The clamping apparatus is adapted to receive at least a portion of the anchor member and the one or more sheets when in the first configuration, and to clamp the one or more sheets to the anchor member when in the second configuration.

Abstract: An interactive gaming system is described in which characters are generated and controlled to model human behavior in an accurate manner. The behaviors of the characters are contextually accurate because the behaviors adapt to accurately reflect the attitudes of the characters toward the user. A database stores relationship data representing the attitudes of the characters. A gaming engine executing on a computer is coupled to the database and receives input representing the user's interaction with the character and updates the relationship data. The gaming engine generates media for display to the user based on the relationship data. The media may include text-based dialogue, digital photographs of the character, video, audio and the like. The database stores data defining one or more behavior patterns by which the gaming engine dynamically generates the gaming environment and controls the character so as to model human nature.

Abstract: A number of gaming machines, such as fruit machines, are linked through a common control unit to a display which shows to all the players of the machines a range of prizes. When there is a special win on any machine, a selection is made from those prizes and the chosen one awarded to the player. As the prizes are won, so those on offer reduce, but once a star prize, of greater value than any of the others, is awarded, the full range may be restored. There can also be treasure chest keys on the display, and a winner of a key can try to open a treasure chest for a jackpot win. With only one out of many keys that will work, a very large jackpot is possible, and the amount, and the number of keys still available, can be part of the display.