Abstract: The present invention describes methods to customize massively-multiplayer-online-game (MMOG) Avatars beyond what can be displayed during general game-play. General game play refers to when a user is in a game with control of their Avatar. One knowledgeable in the art would understand that MMOGs are limited by their game engines to the complexity of Avatars that may be displayed to a user during general game-play, while maintaining acceptable frame rates. Furthermore one knowledgeable in the art would understand that Avatar complexity may further be limited due to the target machine the MMOG is designed to run on. The current invention describes methods to produce a custom Avatar image for non-game use, wherein the custom Avatar has higher resolution and greater choices than are available in-game.

Abstract: A new device to determine the current Write Protection status of a Microsoft Windows system, referred to as BlokStat, has been invented. BlokStat provides current and accurate Write Protection status quickly to a user through a physical hardware device that is attached to a system and an associated application running on the system which monitors the status of the USB Write Protection entry in the system's registry. In general, the software application component queries the Microsoft Windows registry as to the current setting of the system Write Protection status. An indicator is then changed on the hardware module to indicate to a user the current system Write Protection status. Embodiments may include: means to gather and store data of BlockStat activities, means to verify the system Write Protection status, means to communicate with a user, such as email through Wi-Fi, and a plurality of different indicators and controllers.

Abstract: A new long-term memory erasing device, referred to as EasyClean, has been invented. In general, EasyClean is a stand-alone, dedicated function device which is designed for an untrained user, who is tasked with removing data from one or more long-term memory storage devices located in one or more computing devices (targets). EasyClean provides one or more target devices with bootable code. After a target is booted, EasyClean communicates with the target device and monitors the status of the data removal operation. EasyClean may communicate this status to the user. EasyClean may generate an Audit Trail and provide it to the user. EasyClean may accept input from a user, such as what type of data removal to perform. EasyClean may write data to a storage device after the data removal operation is complete.

Abstract: A new long-term memory erasing device, referred to as EasyClean, has been invented. In general, EasyClean is a stand-alone, dedicated function device which is designed for an untrained user, who is tasked with removing data from one or more long-term memory storage devices located in one or more computing devices (targets). EasyClean provides one or more target devices with bootable code. After a target is booted, EasyClean communicates with the target device and monitors the status of the data removal operation. EasyClean may communicate this status to the user. EasyClean may generate an Audit Trail and provide it to the user. EasyClean may accept input from a user, such as what type of data removal to perform. EasyClean may write data to a storage device after the data removal operation is complete.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods to customize massively-multiplayer-online-game (MMOG) Avatars beyond what can be displayed during general game-play. General game play refers to when a user is in a game with control of their Avatar. One knowledgeable in the art would understand that MMOGs are limited by their game engines to the complexity of Avatars that may be displayed to a user during general game-play, while maintaining acceptable frame rates. Furthermore one knowledgeable in the art would understand that Avatar complexity may further be limited due to the target machine the MMOG is designed to run on. The current invention describes methods to produce a custom Avatar image for non-game use, wherein the custom Avatar has higher resolution and greater choices than are available in-game.

Abstract: Enhancing the experience of a user reading a book or e-book by playing content, including, but not limited to; audio, lighting, smell, temperature, air currents, motion, and haptic effects, alone or in any combination, thus creating an environmental immersive experience for the user. Predetermined content is played on one or more playback devices when a user is reading a predetermined area of the printed book, or e-book. The user may select a subset of available playback devices to utilize for a reading session.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a place-and-forget, unattended, unmonitored digital video recording device. In this embodiment the device is positioned to video record an area of interest, such as a building site, a high crime area, a problem traffic area, a large gathering of people, etc. As the device is unmonitored, if there is no activity of interest in the area of interest, no man-hours have been used. If there is some activity of interest, such as a traffic accident, vandalism, employee theft, terrorist attack, etc. the device's hard drive can be retrieved and the video recording viewed. The device stores more data (higher quality) of recent video recordings than it does of older video recordings. In this manner the current invention can retain forensically relevant video recordings for a longer period of time than current art.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for safely recovering, protecting, and reading short term memory devices, such as DRAM modules, following their immediate removal from a system after it powers down. By providing power and appropriate control signals, the present invention stabilizes the memory and allows it to be safely read.

Abstract: A new computer wearable input device, referred to as Imagine, may be used to control electronic devices in a natural, intuitive, convenient and comfortable manner, having a form factor which does not impede normal daily or business activities. For example, an Imagine may serve as an alternative to input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or game controller. An Imagine device is able to recognize complex gestures, such as a person signing American Sign Language. An Imagine device may include a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's fingers and a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's wrists, a processing component and a communication component designed to communicate with a second electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for safely recovering, protecting, and reading short term memory devices, such as DRAM modules, following their immediate removal from a system after it powers down. By providing power and appropriate control signals, the present invention stabilizes the memory and allows it to be safely read.

Abstract: A new computer wearable input device, referred to as Imagine, may be used to control electronic devices in a natural, intuitive, convenient and comfortable manner, having a form factor which does not impede normal daily or business activities. For example, an Imagine may serve as an alternative to input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or game controller. An Imagine device is able to recognize complex gestures, such as a person signing American Sign Language. An Imagine device may include a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's fingers and a plurality of motion sensors affixed to a user's wrists, a processing component and a communication component designed to communicate with a second electronic device.

Abstract: A self-adjusting-difficulty feature for a pinball machine enables operators to set a desired game playtime. The difficulty of play, the chance of a ball draining or staying on the playfield, is adjusted through moving active features such as posts to different positions on the playfield. Thus the machine is made easier to play for a novice and tougher for an experienced player. The score given by playfield features is increased as the level of difficulty is increased. Thus, the novice and experienced player may play for a similar amount of time, the experienced player is more likely to get a higher score. Additionally, some playfield features may only be unlocked when the machine is set for a high level of difficulty.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for automated creation of Virtual Worlds for Presentations and gatherings. By leveraging the ease of use of commercial presentation tools, such as PowerPoint®, inexperienced users can create fully immersive virtual worlds. Within the virtual world, the presentation information is formatted and displayed in an appropriate way to one or more simultaneous users, which may interact through their avatars in the virtual world. Provisions are included for the presenter to control the pace and display of the presentation.

Abstract: An improved tailgate device allows a host to have full access to a long-term storage device when the drive interface on the host and the drive interface on the storage device are of different types. An improved tailgate device is placed between the host and the storage device. A second host may be connected to the improved tailgate device. Commands from the first host are interpreted as industry standard Tailgate commands. Commands from the second host are not restricted to industry standard commands. Any data returned by a command is returned to the Host that issued the command.

Abstract: The present invention teaches systems and methods to dynamically alter pinball playfield elements. The key observation is that these systems and methods are organic to conventional pinball play, and thus acceptable to a typical pinball player. The present invention has two broad components under control of a game's processor. One, physically moving a playfield component such as a bumper, and two, changing the force of a playfield component, such as an angle bumper kicker or flipper.

Abstract: A security protection device provides protection for computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The security protection device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The security protection device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. Only “safe” commands that match commands on a pre-approved list are passed to the storage device. All other commands may be discarded.

Abstract: There are many situations where it is desirable for law enforcement or security officials, and others, to perform a Keyword search on a confiscated memory device. Keyword searches on undeleted files are well known in the art. Often files are deleted in an effort to hinder prosecution. When a file is deleted, the information that connects one chunk of memory to another is often lost. The file is now considered to be in “unallocated space” as the operating system is not tracking the chunks that made up the file anymore. When the information that connects one chunk of memory to another is lost there is no way to perform a keyword search across multiple chunks of memory in the art. The current invention rectifies this situation by providing ways to perform keyword searches across unallocated chunks. Additional the current invention provides methods to reconstruct files that have been deleted.

Abstract: A testing device to test how computer systems interact with computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The testing device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The testing device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. The testing device may respond to an Information ID request from the host with predetermined data, not the storage device's actual data. The testing device may respond to a read or write command to a specific sector with an error message from a predetermined list of sectors and errors.

Abstract: A physically small, inexpensive to manufacture stand-alone dedicated function drive preparation device connects to a long term storage device such as a hard drive. The drive preparation device performs operations on the storage device such as formatting, copying, verifying, configuring, testing, and cleaning. Additionally the device may be configured set passwords. The device may also be configured to make multiple copies of a source storage device, these copies having unique network identifications. The device may be configured by a user.