Abstract: A virtual lottery unit can be utilized by a player to play a virtual lottery. A virtual lottery ticket display is provided to display a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices. Each of the virtual lottery ticket prices corresponds to a distinct known percentage of a progressive jackpot that can be won with a winning virtual lottery number. The progressive jackpot increases progressive jackpot increases in size based on a portion of ticket sales revenue and that can be won with a winning virtual lottery number. A price selection input receives a selection of the virtual lottery ticket price of which the lottery ticket is to be purchased. Further, a number selection input receives a selection of a virtual lottery ticket number from the player. In addition, a random number generator generates the winning virtual lottery ticket number. A virtual lottery processor compares the selection of the virtual lottery ticket number form the player with the winning virtual lottery ticket number.

Abstract: A method of multiple pricing for a predetermined single jackpot in a single lottery game is disclosed. For instance, a lottery ticket that is purchased for one dollar can result in a ten million dollar win, a lottery ticket that is purchased for two dollars can result in a twenty million dollar win, a lottery ticket that is purchased for three dollars can result in a thirty million dollar win, etc. Further, different winnings increments can be used. For instance, the three dollar ticket can result in a forty million dollar win. In addition, the lottery prize can be a variable prize that progressively increases with a percentage of each ticket sold. The prizes are won from a single pool. For instance, even if the revenues for the one dollar ticket do not cover the ten million dollar prize, the combined revenues of the one dollar and the two dollar tickets are likely to cover the ten million dollar prize and vice versa.

Abstract: A virtual lottery unit can be utilized by a player to play a virtual lottery. A virtual lottery ticket display is provided to display a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices. Each of the virtual lottery ticket prices corresponds to a distinct known percentage of a jackpot that can be won with a winning virtual lottery number. A price selection input receives a selection of the virtual lottery ticket price of which the lottery ticket is to be purchased. Further, a number selection input receives a selection of a virtual lottery ticket number from the player. In addition, a random number generator generates the winning virtual lottery ticket number.

Abstract: A system and method of assuming risk for a lottery. A guarantee of payment of a prize in a lottery is provided. The guarantee is in exchange for a stipulation of a percentage of ticket sales revenue in the lottery. In addition, the guarantee occurs prior to the ticket sales in the lottery. The percentage of the ticket sales in the lottery is received. Further, the prize can be a jackpot. In addition, the lottery prize can be a variable prize that progressively increases with a percentage of each ticket sold. The prize can also be a fixed prize. The guarantee can be that the payment of the prize will be paid even if the ticket sales are not sufficient in size to effect payment of the prize.

Abstract: A multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine is disclose. A price category reception module receives a first price category of a first distribution. The price category reception module receives a second price category of a second distribution. The second distribution is established so that a first association between the first distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second distribution and the second price category. The multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine also has a user input module. Further, the multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine has a lottery ticket printer. The multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine also has a controller that receives the price categories, receives an input from the user, and provides an instruction to the lottery ticket printer.

Abstract: A method of multiple pricing for a predetermined or progressive single jackpot in a single lottery game is disclosed. For instance, a lottery ticket purchased for one dollar can result in a ten million dollar win, a lottery ticket purchased for two dollars can result in a twenty million dollar win, a lottery ticket purchased for three dollars can result in a thirty million dollar win, etc. Further, different winnings increments can be used. For instance, the three-dollar ticket can result in a forty million dollar win to induce the purchase of higher-priced tickets. The potential distributions can be established according to a constant ratio, a variable ratio, or a combination of a constant ratio and a variable ratio. In addition, the lottery prize can also be a variable prize that progressively increases with a percentage of each ticket sold. The prizes are won from a single pool.

Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer selected from the group consisting of an array of continuous filament strands, an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a film; a gatherable facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer; and either an adhesive that demonstrates a relatively short open time deposited between the elastic layer and facing layer, or such adhesive and a postbonding adhesive or nonblocking agent, or a nonblocking agent layer deposited on the elastic layer on a side opposite to the facing layer.

Abstract: A productivity measurement method and system in which work item status, exceptions, work item jeopardy and related information are automatically recorded and updated in a database in real-time as tasks are being performed. To-do lists are displayed on the worker's computer so that when the worker selects an item to begin working on it, an indication that the item has been selected is stored in an activities table in a database along with an indication of the time of the selection. As exceptions are encountered, the worker makes selections from the display to indicate that an exception has been encountered and the type of exception. An indication of the type of exception and the time that the exception selection was made are stored in the activities table. All of this activity information is automatically processed in real-time. Productivity reports can be automatically generated at any time from this information.

Abstract: An ion source for use in a mass spectrometer includes an electron emitter assembly configured to emit electron beams, wherein the electron emitter assembly comprises carbon nanotube bundles fixed to a substrate for emitting the electron beams, a first control grid configured to control emission of the electron beams, and a second control grid configured to control energies of the electron beams; an ionization chamber having an electron-beam inlet to allow the electron beams to enter the ionization chamber, a sample inlet for sample introduction, and an ion-beam outlet to provide an exit for ionized sample molecules; an electron lens disposed between the electron emitter assembly and the ionization chamber to focus the electron beams; and at least one electrode disposed proximate the ion-beam outlet to focus the ionized sample molecules exiting the ionization chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accessing and/or treating spinal cord nerve roots.

Abstract: A process for making a plurality of necked nonwoven strips having similar or identical cross-directional profiles includes the steps of slitting a neckable nonwoven web into a plurality of neckable nonwoven strips, passing the neckable nonwoven web between a first pair of nip rollers having a first surface velocity and a second pair of nip rollers having a second surface velocity greater than the first surface velocity, and necking the nonwoven web between the first pair of nip rollers and the second pair of nip rollers.

Abstract: An inexpensive method and apparatus for detecting and characterizing interference in wideband communication channels obviates the need for expensive prior art Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) and complex custom software, by novelly including with the spectrum analyzer, a burst clamp and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit upstream of the spectrum analyzer, and a general purpose computer (such as a microcomputer). The burst clamp and AGC circuit (with a time constant &tgr;AGC set much larger than the time constant of the burst interference signal time constant &tgr;J) operate to suppress the monitored signal at the input of the spectrum analyzer during the burst intervals to thereby indicate the presence of interference. The burst clamp and AGC circuit also provide for rapid recovery of the monitored signal after the burst. Connected to the output of the spectrum analyzer, the computer determines the interference type (burst or continuous wave (CW)).

Abstract: An apparatus which may be used to display a visual image along the surface of a segmented door, includes a flexible display panel capable of carrying an image. One end of the display panel is connected to the door by a spline affixed to the display panel which is received in a complementary receiving member affixed to the door. Another end of the display panel is connected to the door by a plurality of spaced apart elastic members that connect the display panel to an attaching structure affixed to the door. Tension in the display panel throughout the range of motion of the door is regulated by the elastic members.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for measuring the variation of directional emittance of surfaces at various temperatures using a radiometric infrared imaging system. A surface test sample is coated onto a copper target plate provided with selective heating within the desired incremental temperature range to be tested and positioned onto a precision rotator to present selected inclination angles of the sample relative to the fixed positioned and optically aligned infrared imager. A thermal insulator holder maintains the target plate on the precision rotator. A screen display of the temperature obtained by the infrared imager, and inclination readings are provided with computer calculations of directional emittance being performed automatically according to equations provided to convert selected incremental target temperatures and inclination angles to relative target directional emittance values.

Abstract: An elongated, portable cage is constructed from a plurality of arcuately shaped frame members to which a net is secured so as to form an arch shaped enclosure. Anchoring cables are attached to the frame members and the support surface so as to maintain the frame members in an upright position. The frame members are formed by a plurality of releasably coupled plastic pipes. The net includes a plurality of sleeves through which the frame members extend. The cage can be used either indoors or out of doors and maintains the environmental conditions on the interior of the enclosure. A floor mat permits the cage to be erected indoors without causing damage to the floor covering. The net is secured to the frame so as to hang loosely therefrom. The frame members are formed of material of such flexibility as to be laterally and longitudinally movable such that the impact energy of a ball hitting the net and/or frame members will be absorbed without substantial ricocheting of the ball.

Abstract: A damper arrangement wherein a damper blade opens and closes a flow through orifice in a plate in response to actuating means for moving the blade relative to the orifice, the damper blade including an opening therein in communication with the orifice, the actuating means cooperating with a vent means to provide venting through the plate by way of the opening prior to moving the blade relative to the orifice.