Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a physical game element such as a wagering chip or a playing card may be utilized to implement a promotion scheme on an electronic card table (e.g., using RFID or optical imaging technology). During a game it may be determined whether the element is associated with special functionality (e.g., entitles the player to a payout multiplier, special payout table, bonus prize or other benefit). The special functionality may have been previously associated with the element or associated with the element during the game (e.g., dynamically and/or randomly). In accordance with some embodiments a player is not able to readily discern the special functionality by a physical inspection of the physical game element and is only notified of the special functionality once the physical game element is used in a qualifying action (e.g., during a wager at an electronic card table).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first query comprising one or more n-grams inputted by the first user at the client system, accessing by the client system a plurality of ideograms each being associated with one or more tags matching at least one of the n-grams of the first query, where the one or more ideograms are ranked in an order based on their respective user-probabilities each being calculated based at least in part on a frequency of use associated with the respective ideogram, presenting one or more of the ideograms at the client system in ranked order where each ideogram is selectable by the first user, and receiving a selection of one of the presented ideograms at the client system.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool is provided and includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movably connected to the housing, where the workpiece-contacting element is movable between a rest position and an activated position. A trigger is movably connected to the housing such that the trigger is movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool further includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an activated position. A damper mechanism is associated with the actuation lever and is configured to control a rate of movement of the actuation lever between the activated position and the rest position.

Abstract: Provided herein are humanized anti-factor Bb antibodies, methods of producing the antibodies and methods of using the antibodies.

Abstract: Systems, processes and articles of manufacture provide for a player identity verification system that allows a gaming establishment (e.g., a casino) to determine or verify a player's identity upon certain qualifying activities being determined (e.g., when a player is initiating a wagering session at a table game or placing a wager). In accordance with one embodiment, a live image of a player participating in a qualifying activity (e.g., placement of a wager) is compared to a stored image of a player that is associated with one or more casino chips being used as the wager; a verification of the identity of the player placing the wager is performed by matching the live image to the stored image.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a game table such as a smart baccarat table may be equipped with one or more detecting components (e.g., an RFID antenna, an NFC antenna or an optical reader) to identify gaming elements placed in a certain area of the smart table that a dealer of the table places gaming elements into when conducting a transaction. A specific type of transaction may be automatically inferred by the game table, without a dealer specifically requesting an initiation of a mode or process for the type of transaction, based on statuses of the gaming elements detected within the area. For example, a Change Transaction may be inferred upon the game table determining that both inventory and non-inventory game elements are present within the area of the table at the same time.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to a cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments there is provided an electronic gaming table system (e.g., a smart table operable to facilitate a card game, such as baccarat, blackjack or poker) which includes (i) at least one detecting mechanism for detecting a plurality of game elements (e.g., wagering chips) placed on, or removed from, a particular physical position of a physical table of the gaming table system to represent at least one wager for a particular game event; and (ii) a game controller operable to identify, based at least on data received from the at least one detecting mechanism, whether the plurality of game elements represent a single wager or multiple distinct wagers placed on the particular physical position and for the particular game event. In some embodiments, the detecting mechanism is an RFID antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of inducing a complement activity on a surface of a cell comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of an anti-Factor B antibody, wherein the anti-Factor B antibody inhibits dissociation of a C3bBb complex into a Factor Bb and a C3b.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to a cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.

Abstract: Provided herein are humanized anti-factor Bb antibodies, methods of producing the antibodies and methods of using the antibodies.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, provided herein is a table system for facilitating a card game (e.g., a baccarat or blackjack card game) that includes LED or other lighting components under the felt covering of the table, which lighting components are used to communicate information to players of the game. In some embodiments, different lighting effects are used to communicate different information (e.g., a first lighting effect is used to indicate a bet spot with that has the highest wager or that qualifies for a special benefit). In some embodiments, the table system also includes RFID components. Various processes and system designs are provided herein to minimize or eliminate interference (e.g., magnetic field interference) between the lighting components and the RFID components.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments there is provided an electronic gaming table system (e.g., a smart table operable to facilitate a card game, such as baccarat, blackjack or poker) which includes (i) at least one detecting mechanism for detecting a plurality of game elements (e.g., wagering chips) placed on, or removed from, a particular physical position of a physical table of the gaming table system to represent at least one wager for a particular game event; and (ii) a game controller operable to identify, based at least on data received from the at least one detecting mechanism, whether the plurality of game elements represent a single wager or multiple distinct wagers placed on the particular physical position and for the particular game event. In some embodiments, the detecting mechanism is an RFID antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for enabling peer to business payments using an integrated payment and messaging system. In particular, the integrated payment and messaging system allows users to send electronic payments as well as exchange messages with a merchant. The integrated payment and messaging system can improve security by allowing a user to make a purchase without having to provide sensitive financial information to the merchant. In addition, the integrated payment and messaging system can allow a user to make a payment for an order seamlessly during a conversation with the merchant.

Abstract: A scoring system is disclosed for a shuffleboard table 2 having a sliding surface 4 on which a puck 6 can be thrown. A camera 26 is arranged to point in a direction 20 that is angled relative to the normal 30 of the sliding surface 4. A puck 6 can be thrown and a computer 32 can detect a moving object within a throwing zone 16. The computer 32 analyses whether the detected moving object corresponds to a valid puck. When all pucks are stationary on the sliding surface 4 the computer 32 can calculate a scare.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a game table such as a smart baccarat table may be equipped with one or more detecting components (e.g., an RFID antenna, an NFC antenna or an optical reader) to identify gaming elements placed in a certain area of the smart table that a dealer of the table places gaming elements into when conducting a transaction. A specific type of transaction may be automatically inferred by the game table, without a dealer specifically requesting an initiation of a mode or process for the type of transaction, based on statuses of the gaming elements detected within the area. For example, a Change Transaction may be inferred upon the game table determining that both inventory and non-inventory game elements are present within the area of the table at the same time.

Abstract: A gaming table provides for use of RFID technology to track chip movement on a table game and to infer an association between a wager and a player position based on a chip identifier of a chip placed on a particular position of the table. In some embodiments, previous position history of the chip is also taken into account in determining a player position associated with a wager.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a system which includes a plurality of baccarat tables on which a baccarat game may be played by a plurality of players and a plurality of electronic player devices each playable by an individual player provides for selecting a plurality of outcomes which were dealt on at least one of the baccarat tables, determining whether a trend or pattern has developed in the plurality of outcomes (e.g., a pattern of at least a predetermined length) and, if a pattern has developed, activating a wagering opportunity on one of the electronic player devices, the wagering opportunity allowing a player to bet for or against the trend. In one embodiment, each outcome of the plurality of selected outcomes comprises an outcome originally dealt on the same baccarat table.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a first set of users associated with a first geographic area; and determining one or more second sets of users. For each second set of users the users in the second set are associated with one of a number of second geographic areas and the users in the second set interact with the first set of users. The method also includes, for each second set of users, computing a mutual-interaction metric between the first set of users and the second set of users based on an amount of interaction between the users in the first set and the users in the second set; and determining, based on the mutual-interaction metric, a geographic-area cluster that comprises the first geographic area and one or more of the second geographic areas. The geographic-area cluster represents a user community that spans the first and second geographic areas.

Abstract: Systems, processes and articles of manufacture provide for a player identity verification system that allows a gaming establishment (e.g., a casino) to determine or verify a player's identity upon certain qualifying activities being determined (e.g., when a player is initiating a wagering session at a table game or placing a wager). In accordance with one embodiment, a live image of a player participating in a qualifying activity (e.g., placement of a wager) is compared to a stored image of a player that is associated with one or more casino chips being used as the wager; a verification of the identity of the player placing the wager is performed by matching the live image to the stored image.