Abstract: The present invention contemplates methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants.

Abstract: A method and system for providing travel information to a consumer are disclosed. The method includes acquiring information from at least one information source, which may be a variety of sources such as external or consumer-driven sources; characterizing the acquired information by its pertinence to travel; transforming the characterized travel information into a useable format; applying rules to this transformed travel information in connection with the consumer-specific travel profile; and, delivering a report to the consumer of the results of this application. The associated system performs these functions, among others, to provide information for a traveler planning a trip to a particular destination or destinations.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a risk assessment are disclosed. The method includes receiving intelligence from at least one intelligence source, and generating a risk assessment report based on the intelligence.

Abstract: The optical demuxplixer/multiplexer architecture includes an anamorphic optical system that decouples first characteristics of a beam passing through the anamorphic optical system from at least second characteristics of the beam.

Abstract: In a gaming method, player symbol data indicative of a plurality of sets of player symbols associated with a player may be received. Each player symbol is selected from a plurality of possible symbols. An indication that the player submitted a wager associated with the plurality of sets of player symbols may be received. Winning symbol data indicative of a set of winning symbols from the plurality of possible symbols may be received. A value payout based on respective numbers of winning symbols in respective sets of player symbols may be determined, wherein for at least some value payouts the value payout is different than a sum of a plurality of individual value payouts, each individual payout based on the respective number of winning symbols in the corresponding set of player symbols. Player payout data indicative of the value payout may be transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical filter module. In one embodiment, the wavelength locker module includes an optical interferometer or filter, such as an etalon. In addition, the wavelength locker module also includes an electrically nonconductive material having a high thermal conductivity substantially surrounding the etalon.

Abstract: The optical demuxplixer/multiplexer architecture includes an anamorphic optical system that decouples first characteristics of a beam passing through the anamorphic optical system from at least second characteristics of the beam.

Abstract: A wavelength selective detector, method of manufacture, and method of operation are disclosed. The wavelength selective detector includes an etalon, first and second collimating optical elements, and first and second optical detectors. The etalon has first and second surfaces, which are substantially parallel. The first collimating optical element has a first focal length to substantially collimate, within the etalon, a first portion of light from a light source. The second collimating optical element has a second focal length, shorter than the first focal length, to substantially collimate, within the etalon, a second portion of light from the light source. The first and second optically collimating optical elements are coupled to first and second optics portions of the first surface of the etalon, respectively. The first and second optical detectors are configured to receive the first and second portions of light, respectively, after they pass through the etalon.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical filter module. In one embodiment, the wavelength locker module includes an optical interferometer or filter, such as an etalon. In addition, the wavelength locker module also includes an electrically nonconductive material having a high thermal conductivity substantially surrounding the etalon.

Abstract: A method of updating in real-time the locations and velocities of mass points of a two- or three-dimensional object represented by a mass-spring system. A modified implicit Euler integration scheme is employed to determine the updated locations and velocities. In an optional post-integration step, the updated locations are corrected to preserve angular momentum. A processor readable medium and a network server each tangibly embodying the method are also provided. A system comprising a processor in combination with the medium, and a system comprising the server in combination with a client for accessing the server over a computer network, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for deriving barycentric coordinates for a point p within an n-sided polygon is provided wherein, for a particular coordinate wj, corresponding to the vertex qj, the method embodies a formula which depends only on the edge pqj, and the two adjacent angles &dgr;J and &ggr;j. Similarly, a method is provided for deriving weights wij for expressing a vertex qi in a mesh representation of an object surface in terms of its one-ring neighbors qj, ∀j&egr;N(i). For a particular vertex qj, and neighbor vertex qj, this method embodies a formula which depends only on the edge qiqj, and the two adjacent angles &dgr;j and &ggr;j. A method of parameterizing a mesh representation of an object surface using the latter formula is also provided. This method begins with the step of computing the weights wij in 3D space (in contrast to parameter space) for each of the vertices in the mesh representation. For a vertex i, i&egr;[1 . . .

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of purified spray dried animal plasma as a binder for tablet pharmaceutical compositions. Spray dried plasma demonstrates good tablet formation as a direct compression vehicle or solution binder, for conventional and sustained release compositions.