Abstract: A network computer system and method are provided in which each user of a group of users is monitored during a respective online session where the user performs a sequence of M activities, to selectively engage users of the group. A determination is made as to the impact of friction for each user of the group of users with respect to an intention of the respective user, and an action is performed for the user based at least in part on the determined impact of friction.

Abstract: A device which allows an individual to play poker with other, remotely located individuals over a network, the device comprising two screens and a game console. A top screen on the device is positioned over a bottom screen and is adapted to slide or fold open to allow viewing of the bottom screen. The device includes memory and software installed on the device in order to allow game play. The software can enable the display of avatars which exhibit alternative facial or other features that display emotion and that are selected by a user. Also included is a system which enables remotely located individual users of the gaming device to engage in gaming together.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for providing a standard interface between a client and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface is established through creating an interface object and/or a peripheral object in an object oriented development environment of a data processing system. The method and system includes both the object creation environment and the method of object utilization. In one embodiment, the client requests and stores an interface object from a server and establishes an interface object by storing object methods and object properties within the interface object by utilizing a programming interface. The user selects a peripheral device from a collection of devices; the client then request; the server to create a peripheral object corresponding to the selected peripheral device. The peripheral object is created and stored within the client. Communication between the client and the peripheral device is established by implementing the created object's methods and properties.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for providing a standard interface between a client and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface is established through creating an interface object and/or a peripheral object in an object oriented development environment of a data processing system. The method and system includes both the object creation environment and the method of object utilization. In one embodiment, the client requests and stores an interface object from a server and establishes an interface object by storing object methods and object properties within the interface object by utilizing a programming interface. The user selects a peripheral device from a collection of devices; the client then request; the server to create a peripheral object corresponding to the selected peripheral device. The peripheral object is created and stored within the client. Communication between the client and the peripheral device is established by implementing the created object's methods and properties.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for providing a standard interface between a client and a plurality of peripheral devices. The interface is established through creating an interface object and/or a peripheral object in an object oriented development environment of a data processing system. The method and system includes both the object creation environment and the method of object utilization. In one embodiment, the client requests and stores an interface object from a server and establishes an interface object by storing object methods and object properties within the interface object by utilizing a programming interface. The user selects a peripheral device from a collection of devices; the client then request; the server to create a peripheral object corresponding to the selected peripheral device. The peripheral object is created and stored within the client. Communication between the client and the peripheral device is established by implementing the created object's methods and properties.

Abstract: A projecting head mechanism of a projecting machine adapted to project an image generated by a non-reflective document is disclosed. A thermo-conducting metal piece is installed in the projecting head mechanism and the internal surface area of a projecting mirror is coated with silicon compound for evenly and repidly distributing the heat generated by the light beam received by the projecting mirror over the surface area of the projecting mirror, so that the heat will not be concentrated on a spot to damage the projecting machine.