Abstract: A service that provides for setting up game sessions for a plurality of game players. A number of game players that each have a computing device capable of playing a computer game are linked together by the service. The service allows a player to set up a common game session so that a subset of the players can simultaneously start playing the game at the same level. Additionally, the service allows game competitions to be structured and played among a subset of the game players.

Abstract: A service that provides for setting up game sessions for a plurality of game players. A number of game players that each have a computing device capable of playing a computer game are linked together by the service. The service allows a player to set up a common game session so that a subset of the players can simultaneously start playing the game at the same level. Additionally, the service allows game competitions to be structured and played among a subset of the game players.

Abstract: A service that provides for setting up game sessions for a plurality of game players. A number of game players that each have a computing device capable of playing a computer game are linked together by the service. The service allows a player to set up a common game session so that a subset of the players can simultaneously start playing the game at the same level. Additionally, the service allows game competitions to be structured and played among a subset of the game players.

Abstract: A device for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a flexible sheet with a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet. The flexible sheet has opposed top and bottom surfaces, with the top surface having a high friction material with a higher coefficient of friction as compared to the bottom surface, which includes a low friction material. The tether strap is configured for connection to the frame of the bed to secure the sheet in place. A system incorporating the flexible sheet may also include an absorbent pad configured to be placed on the top surface of the sheet, where the high-friction top surface resists sliding of the absorbent pad, as well as one or more wedges having a base wall that the wedge rests on and a ramp surface configured to confront the sheet when the wedge is placed under the sheet. The base wall and the ramp surface may also contain high friction and low friction materials, respectively.

Abstract: A device for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface includes a flexible sheet with a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet. The flexible sheet has opposed top and bottom surfaces, with the top surface having a high friction material with a higher coefficient of friction as compared to the bottom surface, which includes a low friction material. The tether strap is configured for connection to the frame of the bed to secure the sheet in place. A system incorporating the flexible sheet may also include an absorbent pad configured to be placed on the top surface of the sheet, where the high-friction top surface resists sliding of the absorbent pad, as well as one or more wedges having a base wall that the wedge rests on and a ramp surface configured to confront the sheet when the wedge is placed under the sheet. The base wall and the ramp surface may also contain high friction and low friction materials, respectively.

Abstract: A user profile for an online gaming service is created. The user profile contains user gaming information received from a first location. The user profile is stored in a database, and the user is permitted to access the user profile from a second location.

Abstract: A user profile for an online gaming service is created. The user profile contains user gaming information received from a first location. The user profile is stored in a database, and the user is permitted to access the user profile from a second location.

Abstract: A user profile for an online gaming service is created. The user profile contains user gaming information received from a first location. The user profile is stored in a database, and the user is permitted to access the user profile from a second location.

Abstract: A gamercard associated with an integrated gamer profile to identify a gamer is provided to the gamer and other PC/console users who also participate in other online gaming community activities such as game-related web sites. The gamercard is also provided to the user from the central database through a gamercard server by a user providing a single URL from any device connected to the web. The URL is uniform for each gamer's gamercard, except for the part of the URL that includes the name associated with the particular gamer.

Abstract: An on-line service manages downloads of purchased digital content. Information regarding the digital content items that are purchased by each user and the terms of use of those purchased items is maintained. Information regarding the formats of digital content items that each device is adapted to receive is maintained. Upon determining that a user wishes to download a digital content item, the requested digital content is downloaded in an appropriate format for a particular digital device provided the recorded information indicates the content item has been purchased by the user and the download is within the quantity of downloads authorized by the terms of the purchase.

Abstract: A method of creating a reputation for a container that contains data is disclosed. A user reviews a container that is stored on a network and the user posts an opinion rating of the container. The opinion rating is stored along with an user identification. The opinion rating and the user identification are added to a database and the data in the database is used to calculate a reputation for the container.

Abstract: A method of creating a container of data entails selecting data to be included in the container, displaying a graphical representation of the container and displaying additional detail of the container depending upon the device on which the container is displayed and synchronizing the data in the container with a master container when possible. As part of the graphical representation of the container, graphical representations related to the media related data may be displayed and the graphical representation may be of a card that might fit in a wallet.

Abstract: An on-line service manages downloads of purchased digital content. Information regarding the digital content items that are purchased by each user and the terms of use of those purchased items is maintained. Information regarding the formats of digital content items that each device is adapted to receive is maintained. Upon determining that a user wishes to download a digital content item, the requested digital content is downloaded in an appropriate format for a particular digital device provided the recorded information indicates the content item has been purchased by the user and the download is within the quantity of downloads authorized by the terms of the purchase.

Abstract: A control system and method is provided for controlling engagement of a vehicle master clutch (16) in response to a throttle operating parameter. The method includes the steps of determining a throttle operating parameter value and setting an operating mode of the clutch based on the throttle operating parameter value. The method may include the steps of comparing the throttle operating parameter value to a threshold value and setting the operating mode of the clutch based on the comparison step. The control system includes a microprocessor for receiving signals corresponding to a throttle operating parameter value. The microprocessor sets an operating mode of the clutch based on the throttle operating parameter value or, optionally, the comparison of the throttle operating parameter value to a threshold value.

Abstract: A method of reducing infection of a bovine teat is described. This method may include providing a surfactant for reducing infection of a bovine teat, creating a foam with a mixture of surfactant and compressed gas, extracting milk from the teat of a bovine, and, following cessation of milking the teat, placing the foamed surfactant on the teat from which milk was extracted. In some instances the foamed surfactant may form a bead at an end of the teat. The method may further include using a compressor to compress the gas, leaving the foam on the teat for more than one minute, and using a hand-held teat cup that can massage the teat as the foam is applied.

Abstract: A multi-user computer network (10) has multiple remote workstations (12, 26, 28) connected to a network server (22). The workstations access records from a database (32) controlled by the network server. All workstations can have the same record (42) open with full read and write privileges. When one workstation wants to make a change, a request is made to the network server to change the record. The network server authorizes the change to the record. The change to the record is make available to the other workstations to keep all users synchronized to the same version of the record. The network server operates as coordinator of the database allowing simultaneous changes while maintaining the latest version of the records at all workstations which utilize the record.

Abstract: Ozonolysis is a well known process involving reacting ozone with alkene compounds, for example in unsaturated vegetable oils or free fatty acids and esters thereof, to form ozonolysis products (e.g. ozonides). The invention concerns ozonolysis of unsaturated oils (e.g. unsaturated plant oils and/or unsaturated animal oils) in the presence of a participating co-reactant to form reaction products particularly suitable for use in the formation of resins.