Abstract: A door position detector including a strike plate mounted onto a door frame. The strike plate includes a back face that opposes the door frame and a front face disposed on an opposite side of the strike plate than the back face and opposing an edge of a door when the door is in a closed position. The door position detector further including a door position sensor integrated with the strike plate, the door position sensor configured to detect a state of the door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for transmitting event codes from a base station to a remote location. In one embodiment, a method is described, executed by a processor within an event communication module, the method comprising receiving an encoded event code from a base station over an interface connection, selecting a first transmission method from two or more communication methods based on the received event code, encoding the event code based on the first communication method, and transmitting the encoded event code to remote location by a communication module configured to communicate using the first communication method.

Abstract: A wearable transmitter for transmitting emergency and non-emergency signals to a base station. The wearable transmitter comprises a first button associated with an emergency condition, a second button associated with a non-emergency condition, a transmitter for transmitting the emergency and non-emergency signals to a base station, and a processor coupled to the first button, the second button, and the transmitter, for causing the transmitter to transmit the emergency signal to the base station when a user of the transmitter activates the first button and for causing the transmitter to transmit the non-emergency signal to the base station when a user of the transmitter activates the second button.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for transmitting event codes from a base station to a remote location. In one embodiment, a method is described, executed by a processor within an event communication module, the method comprising receiving an encoded event code from a base station over an interface connection, selecting a first transmission method from two or more communication methods based on the received event code, encoding the event code based on the first communication method, and transmitting the encoded event code to remote location by a communication module configured to communicate using the first communication method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for transmitting event codes from a base station to a remote location. In one embodiment, a method is described, executed by a processor within an event communication module, the method comprising receiving an encoded event code from a base station over an interface connection, selecting a first transmission method from two or more communication methods based on the received event code, encoding the event code based on the first communication method, and transmitting the encoded event code to remote location by a communication module configured to communicate using the first communication method.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a transmitter, a console in operative communication with the transmitter, an audible communication device and a tone simulator. The transmitter is in operative communication with the console and operative to send a first signal to the console. The console is operatively connected to a communication network and is operative to send a second signal over the communication network to at least two response systems. The console comprises a receiver operative to receive the first signal from the transmitter, a controller operative to compare the first signal from the transmitter with a set of pre-determined values, access a communication network and dial one of the at least two pre-programmed voice line addresses, and a communication interface operative to connect the receiver to a communication network. The audible communication device is coupled to the controller and the communication interface.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a transmitter, a console in operative communication with the transmitter, an audible communication device and a tone simulator. The transmitter is in operative communication with the console and operative to send a first signal to the console. The console is operatively connected to a communication network and is operative to send a second signal over the communication network to at least two response systems. The console comprises a receiver operative to receive the first signal from the transmitter, a controller operative to compare the first signal from the transmitter with a set of pre-determined values, access a communication network and dial one of the at least two pre-programmed voice line addresses, and a communication interface operative to connect the receiver to a communication network. The audible communication device is coupled to the controller and the communication interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a RFID shuffler system in which a radio frequency identification (RFID) is associated with each game piece. The game pieces can be, for example, revealer devices, cards, and dice or Mah Jongg tiles. A random number generator selects an identification value and sends an activation signal to the RFID tag of the game piece matching the identification value. For example, a RFID reader can read the RFID tag including the selected identification value. After the activation signal is received at the RFID tag of the game piece, the game piece can be activated, for example, by having activation of an associated light or activation of a vibration or sound. Alternatively, a housing or game board can activate received game pieces for selection of the game pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for playing a card game using a grid in which game pieces are placed in a grid configuration. Hands are selected from the game pieces. A value is determined from the selected hand. For example, the grid configuration can include a triangular grid configuration, square grid configuration, outer square grid configuration, right angle triangular grid configuration, diamond grid configuration or stacked grid configuration. In one embodiment, a hand can be selected from three game pieces having each of the game pieces adjacent to another game piece. In one embodiment, the grid configuration is determined during play by one or more players adding game pieces to an initial grid configuration. Play against more than one player can continue in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains. A betting board can be used with the game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a changeable gaming table system including one or more projectors for projecting an image of a game onto the gaming table. The gaming table can be formed of felt. The image can include a playing portion and a betting portion. Game pieces can be received in the playing portion. In one embodiment, the image is changed during or playing of the game. In one embodiment, the image or portions of the image can be highlighted during or after playing of the game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shuffler device including a tub for receiving one or more game pieces. The game pieces can be, for example, revealer devices, cards, and dice or Mah Jongg tiles. The bottom of the tub includes a plurality of raised portions. Alternatively, the bottom of the tub can include a plurality of ball bearings. The tub is rotated and one or more game pieces can be removed from the tub. In an alternate embodiment, a slidable door is formed in the tub for receiving the revealer device or game pieces. The slidable door can be attached to a covered chute. In one embodiment, two connected tubs are used to each receive a set of revealer devices or game pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of playing a game in which a guess is made of a number value of a remainder. A total point value is determined from game pieces given to a player. A number value of a remainder is determined by dividing the total point value by a predetermined divisor. The number value of the remainder is compared to the guessed number value of the remainder. If the number value of the remainder is the same as the guessed number value of the remainder, the player wins. In one embodiment, a bonus one or more bets can be placed on guesses of a last remaining remainder value determined upon continuation of the game, guesses of a value or a range of values of the total point value used for obtaining the last remaining remainder value or guesses of a value of a number of subsequent game pieces given to a player before the last remaining remainder value is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for playing a game in which values of a game piece are gradually revealed. In one embodiment, a housing receives a game piece. The housing includes an opaque portion covering markings on the game piece. The opaque portion is movable for gradually revealing at least one marking on the game piece. The opaque portion can include a pair of movable doors. The doors are moved laterally toward one another to reveal markings on outer columns of the game piece. The doors are moved vertically for revealing markings on an inner column of the game piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of playing a game in which a pattern of game pieces is determined. For example, the pattern of game pieces can be a conventional card pattern such as a straight or a flush. Alternatively, the pattern can be a pattern or letters forming one or more words or a pattern of game pieces including indicia of questions, such as trivia questions. The pattern of game pieces can be determined randomly such as by dealing a pattern or computer generating a random pattern. Game pieces are dealt to one or more players and each of the players individually or collectively contribute game pieces to try to match the determined pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for playing a game in which values of a game piece are gradually revealed. A cover is magnetically attached to a game piece. The cover can be slid or moved to gradually reveal values on the game piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of playing a game in which a guess is made of a number value of a remainder. A total point value is determined from game pieces given to a player. A number value of a remainder is determined by dividing the total point value by a predetermined divisor. The number value of the remainder is compared to the guessed number value of the remainder. If the number value of the remainder is the same as the guessed number value of the remainder, the player wins. In one embodiment, a bonus one or more bets can be placed on guesses of a last remaining remainder value determined upon continuation of the game, guesses of a value or a range of values of the total point value used for obtaining the last remaining remainder value or guesses of a value of a number of subsequent game pieces given to a player before the last remaining remainder value is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for playing a card game with elimination in which players play against each other and can interact with one another to determine a player to be eliminated from the game. A predetermined number of game pieces are dealt to players of the game. Each player is given an opportunity to exchange at least one game piece with one of the players or with game pieces in a common area to form a hand with the dealt game pieces. The game pieces can be exchanged by buying, selling, auctioning or trading game pieces to or from one of the players. Players can play either against each other or the dealer with a hand having the highest value and the lowest value being determined by the dealer or the players. Play against more than one player can continue in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for playing a card game using a grid in which game pieces are placed in a grid configuration. Hands are selected from the game pieces. A value is determined from the selected hand. For example, the grid configuration can include a triangular grid configuration, square grid configuration, outer square grid configuration, right angle triangular grid configuration, diamond grid configuration or stacked grid configuration. In one embodiment, rows of game pieces are individually added by rows to determine a grid configuration. In one embodiment a grid configuration includes one or more rows places around an inner or outer circle. In one embodiment, a hand can be selected from three game pieces having each of the game pieces adjacent to another game piece. A betting board can be used with the game.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for playing a card game using a grid in which game pieces are placed in a grid configuration. Hands are selected from the game pieces. A value is determined from the selected hand. For example, the grid configuration can include a triangular grid configuration, square grid configuration, outer square grid configuration, right angle triangular grid configuration, diamond grid configuration or stacked grid configuration. In one embodiment, a hand can be selected from three game pieces having each of the game pieces adjacent to another game piece. In one embodiment, the grid configuration is determined during play by one or more players adding game pieces to an initial grid configuration. Play against more than one player can continue in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains. A betting board can be used with the game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shuffler device including a tub for receiving one or more game pieces. The game pieces can be, for example, revealer devices, cards, and dice or Mah Jongg tiles. The bottom of the tub includes a plurality of raised portions. Alternatively, the bottom of the tub can include a plurality of ball bearings. The tub is rotated and one or more game pieces can be removed from the tub. In an alternate embodiment, a slidable door is formed in the tub for receiving the revealer device or game pieces. The slidable door can be attached to a covered chute. In one embodiment, two connected tubs are used to each receive a set of revealer devices or game pieces.