Abstract: A control system is configured to monitor operation of a flow control, like a control valve. These configurations can use of continuous or real-time data to evaluate fitness or function of the device under operating conditions. This feature can alert operators to problems or issues with one or more devices, or process lines in total. These problems may, for example, indicate that a valve is incorrectly sized for actual working conditions. As a result, engineers may find that the valve is too big (or oversize) or too small (or undersize) because the design process for layout of the process line relies upon a design load that reflects a future maximum (plus some factor of safety), and not the actual working conditions that might prevail once the device is in service in the field.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of gaming is provided that comprises receiving a determination of a particular race participant in a race event having a plurality of race participants. The method continues by determining a particular position of the particular race participant at each of a plurality of intermediate points within the race event. The method continues by determining a plurality of simulated playing cards based at least in part upon the determined positions of the particular race participant. The method concludes by determining an outcome of a game based at least in part upon the determined simulated playing cards.

Abstract: A method of managing bets is provided. The method includes receiving win bets and group bets. Each win bet includes a bet that a participant selected from a set of participants in an event will win the event. Each group bet includes a bet that one of a subset of the set of participants will win the event. Results of the event identifying a winning participant from the set of participants are received. An amount of a win bet payout for at least a portion of the win bets that comprise a bet on the winning participant is determined. An amount of a group bet payout for at least one of the group bets is also determined. In this manner, a bettor may bet on all participants in an event other than a particular participant, such as the favorite participant, and thus effectively bet against the particular participant.

Abstract: A method of providing and managing bets is provided. One or more particular race participants in a race event are determined. For each intermediate point within a race event, one or more particular possible positions of race participants at that intermediate point are determined. A bet comprising a plurality of bet components is generated, one or more of the bet components being defined by the particular race participants and the particular possible positions of race participants determined for at least one of the intermediate points. Intermediate race results are received for each intermediate point identifying the actual positions of the particular race participants at that intermediate point. A result of at least one bet component is determined based at least in part on the particular race participants, the particular possible positions of race participants determined for at least one intermediate point, and the received intermediate race results for at least one intermediate point.

Abstract: A method of managing bets is provided. The method includes identifying a set of participants in an event and receiving a group bet for the event. The group bet comprises a bet that one of an undefined subset of the set of participants will win the event. The undefined subset of participants associated with the group bet is defined at some time after receiving the group bet by determining participants for the subset of participants. For example, the undefined subset of participants may be defined after the close of betting on the event. Results of the event that identify a winning participant are received, and an amount of a group bet payout for the group bet is determined based at least on whether the defined subset of participants includes the winning participant.

Abstract: A method for wagering comprises receiving a bet regarding a spin of the reels of a slot machine. The method continues by determining a first value for a first reel of the slot machine based at least in part upon the value of a digit of a first financial market indicator. The method proceeds by determining a second value for a second reel of the slot machine, and by determining a third value for a third reel of the slot machine. The method concludes by determining the outcome of the bet based at least in part upon the first value, the second value, and the third value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users. The apparatus may further emit a time varying signal to enhance security.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time interactive wagering on event outcomes are presented. Clients are first qualified and given wagering limits before being allowed to interactively wager on event outcomes. Event outcomes may be based on, for example, financial markets and indices, sporting and entertainment events, casino games, casino performances, and natural phenomena such as weather and earthquakes. Events on which wagers can be placed include both those with known and unknown outcome probabilities, and wagers can be a fixed-odds type or a spread-bet type. Wager transactions, including acceptances and confirmations, are executed in real time. Clients can customize displays of events on which they are authorized to wager. Real-time client credit management, automatic dealer hedging, automatic price-spread adjustments, and automatic client and dealer defined wagering limits are also provided.

Abstract: An enabling of a second activity such that a user may participate in the second activity via a gaming device and/or a determining of a duration of time in which the user may participate in the second activity via the gaming device may be based at least in part on an amount of time that the user has participated in a first activity via the gaming device.

Abstract: A user engaged in at least one activity via a gaming device is not permitted to engage in the at least one activity if the user leaves a particular area for at least a predetermined amount of time and/or enters a particular area for at least a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A user is permitted to engage in at least one activity via a gaming device during at least a first period of time in a given area but is not permitted to engage in the at least one activity via the gaming device during at least a second period of time in the given area. The gaming device may be deactivated in the given area during at least the second period of time.

Abstract: An activating and deactivating of a gaming device may be based at least in part on a duration of time in which the gaming device is permitted to be activated, a period of time during which the gaming device is permitted to be activated, and/or a location of a user of the gaming device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security check, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a financial instrument comprises a memory operable to store a plurality of predefined states wherein each of the predefined states corresponds to at least one potential outcome of a probabilistic event. The memory further stores a plurality of predefined termination criteria wherein each predefined state corresponds to at least one predefined termination criteria. The memory further stores a financial instrument that is allocated a value based at least in part upon one of the plurality of predefined states. A processor is coupled to the memory and facilitates the transfer of the financial instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a financial instrument comprises a memory operable to store a plurality of predefined states wherein each of the predefined states corresponds to at least one potential outcome of a probabilistic event. The memory further stores a plurality of predefined termination criteria wherein each predefined state corresponds to at least one predefined termination criteria. The memory further stores a financial instrument that is allocated a value based at least in part upon one of the plurality of predefined states. A processor is coupled to the memory and facilitates the transfer of the financial instrument.

Abstract: One or more inputs, such as one or more cards from a deck of cards, to a card game are determined from one or more event results from a sporting event. A result of the card game is based at least on the one or more determined inputs.

Abstract: One or more inputs, such as a roll of one or more die, to a craps game are determined from one or more event results from a sporting event. A result of the craps game is based at least on the one or more determined inputs.