Abstract: An example embodiment includes a method of awarding an actual benefit in a geocaching environment. The method includes identifying a proposed action to be performed by the player during interaction of a player in a virtual environment of a game or a social media game. The method includes identifying the player. The method includes determining a virtual benefit and an actual benefit provided to the player for completion of the proposed action based on the identified proposed action and player information associated with the player. The method includes presenting the proposed action to the player. The method includes receiving an acceptance of the proposed action. The method includes receiving a confirmation that the player performed the proposed action. In response to the confirmation, the method includes awarding the virtual benefit and the actual benefit to the player.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a method including receiving a seeker inquiry. The method includes communicating coordinates of a geocache in response to the seeker inquiry. The geocache includes a geoseed that is sponsored by an advertiser. The method also includes identifying an actual benefit provided for locating the geoseed. The actual benefit is associated with the advertiser. The method includes receiving a confirmation signal indicating a seeker has located the geocache. The confirmation signal includes verification information specific to the geoseed. The method also includes authenticating the verification information. The method also includes awarding the seeker the actual benefit.

Abstract: A switching device can include a housing with a core rotatably or slidably located therein. The housing and core can have magnetic poles aligned in a natural position at a natural magnetic state. The device can include an armature with a coil that provides armature magnetic poles. The armature magnetic poles are not aligned with the housing magnetic poles. As such, energizing the armature can cause the core to transition from the natural position at the natural magnetic state to an energized position in an energized magnetic state. The core magnetic poles are aligned with the armature magnetic poles when energized. A method can be used that transitions the core when the coil is energized. The core can include a mirror to reflect a beam of light, which can scan the beam of light when the core, and thereby the mirror, is transitioned between natural and energized positions.

Abstract: A switching device is provided. An electromechanical switch controls rotation and/or lateral displacement of a core inside a housing with a magnetic field. The core is magnetically aligned by the magnetic relationship between the core and the housing. An energizing device generates a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to realign the core with the generated magnetic field. As a result, the core switches to an energized state. When the generated magnetic field is removed, the core switches back to the natural state.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing, transporting, offloading, storing and distributing a natural gas to a marketplace. The method comprising producing the natural gas from a first subterranean formation, liquefying the natural gas to produce a liquefied natural gas, transporting the liquefied natural gas to a re-gasification platform, offloading and pressurizing the liquefied natural gas, re-gasifying the liquefied natural gas to produce a re-gasified natural gas, and injecting the re-gasified natural gas into a second subterranean formation which is capable of storing natural gas and producing a product natural gas stream therefrom and transporting the product natural gas stream via a distribution system to a marketplace.

Abstract: A method for measuring a patient's blood pressure involves using a patient-applied cuff operably connected to an electronically controlled blood pressure monitor that includes a pump. The method includes controlling pressure in the cuff by inflating the cuff to a suprasystolic pressure, and step-wise deflating of the cuff to acquire blood-pressure data from the patient. The improvement includes using pulse-width modulation data to enhance control of cuff pressure.