Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that tracks the usage of rented digital assets. A server includes an asset database that stores a digital asset, the title of the digital asset, and a server usage count for the digital asset. The computing device stores a rented digital asset and further stores an asset usage count list that includes the title of the rented digital asset and a usage count that indicates the amount of usage of the rented digital asset by the computing device. The server uploads the asset usage count list from the computing device and matches the title of the rented digital asset from the asset usage count list with the title of the same digital asset stored in the asset database. Further, the server adds the usage count of the rented digital asset to the server usage count for the digital asset in the asset database.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to deliver a multimedia presentation of an audio file to a computing device for display to a user and further to allow the user to play a musical instrument in conjunction with the multimedia presentation. In response to a user selecting a musical piece at the computing device, a server transmits a session file associated with the musical piece to the computing device through a computer network. The session file includes an audio file and multimedia data such that the computing device can process the session file to present the multimedia presentation of the audio file to the user. An interface device is connected to the computing device and to the user's musical instrument. The interface device couples the musical instrument to the computing device such that the user can play the musical instrument in conjunction with the multimedia presentation of the audio file.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interface device to couple a musical instrument to a computing device to allow a user to play a musical instrument in conjunction with a multimedia presentation. The interface device comprises a processor, a D/A converter, and a digital audio interface. The computing device creates a processed digital audio signal of the musical instrument based upon an original digitized audio signal of the musical instrument from the interface device. The D/A converter then converts a mixed digital signal of both the processed digital audio signal of the musical instrument and a digital audio file received from the computing device into a mixed analog audio signal. The processor controls the digital audio interface such that the mixed digital signal is transmitted through the D/A converter, and ultimately through an analog sound device, to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computing device to allow for the selection and display of a multimedia presentation of an audio file to a user. An interface device couples the musical instrument to the computing device by performing A/D conversion of the musical instrument's analog audio signal to create a digitized audio signal. The computing device includes a communication device and a processor. The communication device transmits a user's request for the selection of a musical piece to a server. In turn, the communication device receives a session file associated with the musical piece from the server. The processor processes the session file such that the computing device presents a multimedia presentation of the audio file to the user. Moreover, the processor processes the digitized audio signal of the musical instrument so that the user can play the musical instrument in conjunction with the multimedia presentation of the audio file.

Abstract: Disclosed is a security device coupled to a computing device, which is, in turn, coupled to a server through a computer network. The security device stores a serial number associated with the security device and a user key associated with the serial number. When the computing device attempts to log onto the server over the computer network, the server requests a serial number from the security device. If the serial number is stored within a user information database, the server obtains an associated user key and computes a challenge. Further, the server computes an expected response for the security device based on the associated user key. The server then sends the challenge to the security device over the computer network. If the server receives a response back from the security device that matches the expected response, the server will allow the computing device to log onto the server.

Abstract: A light weight explosive mass for a spherical charge of high explosives used to simulate nuclear bursts at ground or above ground level or underwater wherein the sphericity of the loaded explosive mass must be maintained within tight tolerance, exemplary of which are particulate ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) explosive and liquid nitromethane explosive, contained in a flexible fabric shell that becomes spheroidal by reason of being filled with the explosive, is disclosed.

Abstract: The flowmeter is basically a curved rotameter, having a tapered conduit which is curved in the vertical plane. Inlet and outlet plenum chambers are provided for passing the fluid through the curved rotameter. A ball is positioned within the curved rotameter so that it can move up the conduit under the influence of the stream of fluid. A differential pressure sensor (which may be mounted on a partition separating the plenum chambers) determines the pressure differential between both sides of the ball. This pressure differential is an indication of the rate of flow of fluid through the meter. In a preferred embodiment, two conduits with opposed curves are used to compensate for variations in vertical alignment of the flowmeter.