Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for determining and achieving an optimized rate of play of a gaming device for a given player. The system monitors play at a gaming device, determines whether adjustments to parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play should be made, and makes the appropriate adjustments. Monitoring play includes measuring such things as force applied to input buttons and tracking unnecessary button presses at inappropriate times (i.e., while the reels are still spinning). Parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play include reel resolution time, length of bonus displays, payout rate, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to human medicine, and particularly with a pharmaceutical combination made up with Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and a Growth Hormone secretagogue hexapeptide (GHRP); being useful to prevent tissue damages due to blood flow suppression as to enhance tissue repair following ischaemic damages. The aforementioned combination may be applied as a single pharmaceutical composition. Alternatively, an individual may also receive both EGF and GHRP in a separate manner but within a single therapeutic regime to enhance cellular survival when organs are subjected to blood flow deprivation for a critical period of time. This combination attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and its associated cytotoxicity. It is useful to promote cellular survival when tissues or organs are exposed to prolonged ischaemic periods.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for creating recordings according to a protocol such that tags are inserted into the recording to identify characteristics of the content of the recording. Further, the invention provides a method for redacting the recording using the inserted tags to generate a saleable version of the recording. The tags are used to exclude certain inappropriate content and to generate meta-data regarding the recording. Some embodiments of the invention include a recording device, a controller, and a user device. The recording device may be used to record an interview session between an interviewer and an interviewee. The recording device may communicate with the controller to convey the raw transcript of the interview session. The controller may include redacting software for modifying the interview transcript, and a voice recognition module for assisting in the redaction process.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for providing incentives to sources to participate in interviews. Transcripts of interviews conducted according to a protocol are created that are saleable via, for example, the Internet. The protocol includes inserting tags into the recording to identify characteristics of the content of the recording. Further, the invention provides a method for redacting the recording using the inserted tags to generate a saleable version of the recording. The tags are used to exclude certain inappropriate content and to generate meta-data regarding the recording for marketing the recording. In some embodiments, interview participants may be compensated based upon sales of the recordings. Some embodiments of the invention include a recording device, a controller, and a user device. The recording device may be used to record an interview session between an interviewer and an interviewee.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling or allowing a merchant to sell one or more products to different customers at different prices and to adjust the prices of one or more products sold or offered for sale on a customer-by-customer basis. More specifically, the method and apparatus enables or allows a customer to commit or agree to perform a qualifying action in return for receiving a price adjustment for one or more products sold by or available from a merchant. The qualifying action may be part of a subsidy offer provided by the merchant to the customer. In exchange for accepting the subsidy offer or completing the qualifying action, the customer receives the price adjustment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing online a buyer price for a first plurality of products. The buyer price being lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products, the first plurality of products to be picked up during a subsequent transaction at a retailer. Thereafter, a second plurality of products which the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first and second plurality of products do not correspond.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing online a buyer price for a first plurality of products. The buyer price being lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products, the first plurality of products to be picked up during a subsequent transaction at a retailer. Thereafter, a second plurality of products which the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. Thereafter, a promotional offer is output during a subsequent interaction with the customer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a controlled release dosage form which may be made using an osmotic core which contains a drug containing phase which includes a water swellable component and a continuous coating which comprises a major amount of a water resistant polymer and a minor amount of a non-toxic, water soluble, pharmaceutically acceptable compound.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is erythromycin microencapsulated granules activity densities greater than about 0.300 g/ml. These granules are unusually small having diameters less than about 1000 microns. The granules are particularly useful in hand-held flowable material dispensers. A process for manufacturing such granules is also disclosed.

Abstract: A phase locked loop including a reference oscillator connected to one input of a loop phase detector the output of which is connected through an integrating low pass filter to a voltage controlled oscillator with the output of the voltage controlled oscillator being mixed with a second frequency and compared to the reference in the loop phase detector. The mixer output is also compared to an output of the reference oscillator shifted 90.degree. in a quadrature phase detector, the output of which controls a lock detector which in turn controls a fixed current sink. The fixed current sink is connected to the integrating low pass filter when the loop is in an unlocked condition so that a linear voltage, ramp signal is applied to the voltage controlled oscillator from the output of the integrating low pass filter.