Abstract: A vehicle immobilization apparatus may be temporarily secured to a vehicle and may be subsequently activated to disable the vehicle. Upon activation, the apparatus generates an electromagnetic signal to disrupt the vehicle's electronic devices, particularly the engine management control system. The apparatus is mechanically secured to the vehicle by magnets, a suction device or other suitable means.

Abstract: An interactive Internet-based dating service allows people to anonymously interact via Internet browsers, telephone communications and/or video conferencing. The system employs an interactive web site allowing a person to seek another person who may be compatible for a relationship. The system gives the member the option to allow other members to make contact via email, telephone or video conferencing. All communications through the system are completely anonymous in that the searcher is never provided the member's actual email address or phone numbers. Each member can choose to block access to his or her personal information by other members based on selection criteria and can likewise block access to the member's email, phone or video conferencing service.

Abstract: Software running on a central server provides a virtual casino environment in which a plurality of virtual players continuously play various games such as poker, slots, black jack, etc. Each virtual player is given an initial gaming stake from which wagers are placed in the virtual gaming environment. A gaming patron participates by purchasing or “sponsoring” a virtual player. Although the gaming patron may select a virtual player that is playing a particular type of game, the patron cannot otherwise control the play of the game. A gaming terminal is coupled to the central server at which the gaming patron can monitor the virtual player. Although the gaming patron is essentially a passive observer, the experience is very similar to that of the patron actually playing the game.

Abstract: A gaming machine prints and dispenses game tickets. Ticket substrates are imprinted with game indicia in accordance with game sequence information stored in an electronic memory module. The ticket substrates may be intrinsically valuable articles such as telephone calling cards.

Abstract: A gaming machine for dispensing game tickets imprinted with a message indicating whether the player has won or lost. A ticket supply, such as a continuous roll of tickets, is installed in the machine. The ticket includes a ticket identifier in the form of a machine-readable identifier encoded onto each physical ticket. The ticket identifier corresponds to a stored record which includes a combination of indicia. The ticket is dispensed and its indicia data, as obtained from a memory module, are displayed on a screen. Winning combinations of indicia are detected electronically and used activating a winner light on the machine. Because the indicia are neither printed nor encoded onto the exterior of the ticket, the locations of winning tickets cannot be determined in advance of ticket purchase.

Abstract: A "pull-tab" gaming machine for dispensing game tickets with imprinted symbols or indicia that cannot be viewed without removing a cover strip and cannot be mechanically scanned to reveal the indicia. A ticket supply, such as a continuous roll of tickets, is installed in the machine together with an electronic memory module that contains a ticket record for each ticket in the supply. The memory module is read sequentially to obtain a ticket identifier and ticket indicia data. The ticket identifier from the memory module is compared with a machine-readable identifier encoded onto each physical ticket and, if a match is found, the ticket is dispensed and its indicia data, as obtained from the memory module, are displayed on a screen. Winning combinations of indicia are detected electronically and used to actuate a winner light on the machine.