Abstract: A system and computer implemented method for conducting play of Internet-based lottery games includes providing players with a plurality of different Internet-based lottery games playable on an Internet enabled device in communication with an Internet game site, wherein the games have different game themes and mechanics of play by the player. A selection is accepted from a player for play of a particular one of the Internet-based lottery games. The plurality of different Internet-based games are linked to a common predetermined prize structure associated with a defined set of data files loaded in a secure game outcome generator such that the data files determine the outcome and prize structure of a defined number of game plays regardless of the particular game selected for play by the player from the plurality of different games.

Abstract: A load out and float off method for a spar type structure or another structure such as a deck. The invention enables the load out and float off of a large diameter spar using existing Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV's). A U-shaped tank (U-tank) is utilized to artificially extend the length of the HLV and provide supplemental buoyancy to help lift the spar off the land ways. The U-tank provides supplemental buoyancy and water plane area to float the spar off the HLV. After HLV departure the U-tank is moved and placed beneath an adapter frame on the spar's hard tank. The U-tank is ballasted upward to reduce the hard tank draft and have the strake tips clear the channel bottom. The spar can then be brought alongside the fabrication yard quay for additional work and then towed down the channel to the open sea.

Abstract: A snap in weatherstripping where the backing has a plurality of alternating notched out spaces along each side to facilitate ease of insertion into a channel without the need to slide the weatherstripping longitudinally into the channel. The snap in weatherstripping can be pushed into the channel with a gentle side to side or rolling motion, thus eliminating the difficulties associated with longitudinally sliding a weatherstripping into a channel. The snap in arrangement of the weatherstripping eases replacement, and also accommodates variations in tolerance between the weatherstripping and the channel, making it desirable for replacement of existing degraded weatherstripping.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for a subscriber of services on a network to display a custom operator name or alpha tag on the subscriber mobile communications device. The custom alpha tag (or operator name) is selected or defined by the subscriber via an interface on a communications device, and a custom operator name request is submitted to a provisioning logic on the network. The provisioning logic communicates with a business rule logic on the network, the business rule logic being configured to retrieve and/or update a first account associated with the subscriber with the custom operator name. A billing logic within a billing subsystem may be invoked to debit a second account associated with the subscriber. A programming logic on the network then updates one or more mobile devices with the custom alpha tag. The several logic units may be part of an Over-the-air (OTA) platform on the network.

Abstract: A processing unit for solitary bees is utilized in a method of timely providing a sufficient number of bees for pollinating a flowering crop. The processing unit provides secure storage for the solitary bees at every stage of their life cycle, and provides precise control of environmental conditions to ensure that the bees complete each stage of their life cycle in the optimum state of health and viability, and to ensure that adult bees emerge in close agreement with predicted emergence. The processing unit provides for protection against parasites, predators and pathogens, and may provide for feeding and mating of the bees. The processing unit may be used with any type of solitary bee nest. The processing unit may be fabricated in modularized components, allowing for increased capacity as required.

Abstract: A steam generator for a nuclear reactor comprises plenums proximate with a first plane, wherein the first plane intersects a bottom portion of a riser column of a reactor vessel. The steam generator may further comprise plenums proximate with a second plane, approximately parallel with the first plane, wherein the second plane intersects a top portion of the riser column of the reactor vessel. The steam generator may further include a plurality of steam generator tubes that convey coolant from a plenum located proximate with the first plane to one of the plenums proximate with the second plane.

Abstract: A system includes an insurance component selection platform that transmits data to and receives data from an insurance product component storage unit storing one or more self-descriptive components of an insurance coverage. Each of the stored components may have associated properties defining attributes of the component and one or more values associated with the properties. The components may be selected via a graphical interface generated by the component selection platform to be included in an insurance coverage product. The components may then be combined within constraints of the properties and values of the individual components. An insurance coverage policy may then be presented based on the combination of components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for second chance games are disclosed. According to one particular embodiment, a computer-implemented method may comprise: receiving information of a first chance game established on a first medium, wherein a play of the first chance game provides an access mechanism for a second chance game; establishing the second chance game on a second medium based at least in part on the information of the first chance game; predetermining, by at least one processor, an outcome of the second chance game by a associating predetermined results with a plurality of game sessions; receiving from a player a request to access the second chance game submitted based on the access mechanism; assigning to the player one of the plurality of game sessions having a predetermined result; and facilitating the player's play of the second chance game to reveal to the player the predetermined result of the assigned game session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for map-based prize discovery game are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for map-based prize discovery games may comprise: establishing an online game based on a map that includes a plurality of grid units; placing at least one object in hidden association with one or more predetermined grid units in the map; receiving from a first player at least one token and a selection of at least one available first grid unit; associating the selected at least one first grid unit with the first player; determining whether the first player wins a prize based on the selection of the at least one first grid unit and the placement of the at least one object in hidden association with the one or more predetermined grid units in the map. In another exemplary embodiment, it may be determined whether the first player wins based on a probability algorithm.

Abstract: A nest for solitary bees may be fashioned from a rectangular solid of either a solid matrix or a number of nest elements. Each side of the nest contains a multiplicity of apertures, where each aperture provides a nesting cavity for the bees. Each aperture has an open end and a closed end. If fashioned from individual nest elements, the orientation of the apertures may be adjusted as desired, such that each element may be stacked upon an adjacent element in one of four orientations, so that the cavities of one element may be at 0°, 90°, 180° or 270° relative to an adjacent element. If desired, the aperture density of each side may be adjusted as desired. The configuration of the nesting cavities of the present invention reduces congestion at nest entrances and provides shelter to the bees from predators and the environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing software objects in connection with a map-based game are disclosed. Embodiments of the presently disclosed invention provide players with the ability to participate in a map-based game that offers prizes or discovery in the form of software applications upon his or her selection of one or more grid units in a map-based game. For example, in a map-based game, one or more of the units on the gameboard may have embedded therein one or more Apps that, when selected by the player, cause the application to be executed, unlocking aspects or features of the map-based game or providing players with entertainment, advertisements, promotional information, education, social networking, games, or utility functions.

Abstract: A system may include an insurance component selection platform that transmits data to and receives data from an insurance product component storage unit storing one or more self-descriptive components of an insurance coverage. Each of the stored components may have associated properties defining attributes of the component and one or more values associated with the properties. The components may be selected via a graphical interface generated by the component selection platform to be included in an insurance coverage product. The components may then be combined within constraints of the properties and values of the individual components. An insurance coverage policy may then be presented based on the combination of components.

Abstract: An improved strake for structures that are subject to vortex induced vibrations and motions due to fluid flow around the structure. One embodiment includes a streamliner on the edge of the strake. The streamliner may be added to existing strakes or may be formed at the same time as the strake for extruded strakes. The streamliner reduces vortex induced vibrations and motions of the structure to which the strake is attached. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tension resisting support attached to the strake and structure. The support provides a different load path along the strake than the previously known art for carrying the pressure loading from fluid pressure acting normal to the surface of the strake.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retail lottery-style games are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, a map-based lottery game is established, by at least one processor, that is scheduled to have a lottery drawing, where the map-based lottery game includes a gameboard made up of a plurality of units each selectable to represent an entry in the lottery game. In addition, a plurality of game entries are received each identifying a unit on the gameboard either with an identifier of the unit or with a lottery combination corresponding to the unit and, at least one winning entry from the plurality of game entries is selected by selecting among the plurality of units on the gameboard or among the units identified by the plurality of game entries.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the processing, storing, and displaying of map data are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention facilitate more efficient storage, processing, communication, and display of maps and map-related data in connection with modern computers and communications systems. While originally developed for a map-based game, the techniques disclosed herein also have practical applications to other technical fields including but not limited to image processing (e.g., partitioning of images much like maps for storage, communication, or display) and heat mapping (e.g., visualization of a geographical distribution of certain attributes).

Abstract: Systems and methods for map-based lottery games are disclosed. According to one particular embodiment, a method for a map-based lottery game may comprise: establishing a game having a gameboard based on a map that includes a plurality of units; receiving from each of a plurality of players a selection of at least one available unit on the gameboard; uniquely associating each said player with the selected at least one unit such that each unit on the gameboard is associated with no more than one of the plurality of players; and conducting a lottery drawing to select at least one first unit from some or all of the plurality of units such that any player associated with said at least one first unit becomes a first winner of a prize.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lottery-style games are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method may comprise: establishing a map-based game associated with a gameboard comprising a map of a geographical area, the map being divided into a plurality of units wherein each unit represents a geographic location in the mapped geographical area; providing at least a portion of the gameboard for display to a player via a personal computing device, thereby accepting enrollment of a plurality of players in the map-based game; receiving from each player a selection of at least one geographic location of interest corresponding to at least one unit on the map; and for each lottery drawing, making a substantially random selection from some or all of the units on the gameboard to select at least one first unit to win a first prize.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and using inspection data is disclosed. Prior to an inspection, inspection data is generated which includes location and component attributes, observation codes, and relationships between the location and component attributes and observation codes. During an inspection, an inspector accesses the inspection data to generate a data entry form which reflects the attributes, observation codes, and the relationships chosen during the inspection data generation. The inspector uses the data entry form to generate an inspection record having a structure based on the predefined inspection data.

Abstract: A load out and float off method for a spar type structure or another structure such as a deck. The invention enables the load out and float off of a large diameter spar using existing Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV's). A U-shaped tank (U-tank) is utilized to artificially extend the length of the HLV and provide supplemental buoyancy to help lift the spar off the land ways. The U-tank provides supplemental buoyancy and water plane area to float the spar off the HLV. After HLV departure the U-tank is moved and placed beneath an adapter frame on the spar's hard tank. The U-tank is ballasted upward to reduce the hard tank draft and have the strake tips clear the channel bottom. The spar can then be brought alongside the fabrication yard quay for additional work and then towed down the channel to the open sea.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lottery-style games are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method may comprise: establishing a map-based game that is scheduled to have a number of lottery drawings associated with a plurality of grid units on a map; accepting enrollment of players in the map-based game, each player being associated with at least one grid unit on the map and being committed to participate in a plurality of the lottery drawings by contributing tokens of value; receiving, from each player, a designated number of tokens to be contributed, on behalf of each of the at least one grid unit, to each lottery drawing said player is committed to participate in; and executing the map-based game by pooling the contributed tokens to form a jackpot and conducting a drawing, from grid units participating in said drawing, to select at least one grid unit to win a first prize.