Abstract: A system and method for processing patterns that provides technological implementation details of an enterprise application within the context of a public-sector enterprise reference model framework. A system is disclosed that includes: an architecture product library having patterns that define reusable assets for use in modeling enterprise applications; a framework integration system that defines a subset of patterns from the architecture product library for a predefined enterprise reference model framework; and a system for modeling an enterprise application within the context of the predefined enterprise reference model framework by using patterns selected from the subset of patterns.

Abstract: Methods of lottery-type wagering are disclosed. One method utilizes a credit instrument associated with an account set up by a patron with a gaming administrator. The credit instrument may be used to place lottery-type wagers at a gaming terminal and, additionally, for the purchase of goods and/or services, accessing additional informational displays, or for other non-wagering purposes areas associated with the gaming administrator or a venue offering lottery-type wagering. The credit instrument acts as a cash substitute wherein the patron's account may be automatically updated with all of the patron's wins, losses, and purchases via a network system or updated on the credit instrument. In other methods, lottery-type wagers are placed with an anonymous account such that an identity of a player is not known to the gaming administrator.

Abstract: Methods of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed. One method utilizes a credit instrument associated with an account set up by a patron at a pari-mutuel gaming establishment, such as a horse or dog racing track. The credit instrument may be used to place wagers at a gaming terminal and, additionally, for the purchase of goods and/or services, accessing additional informational displays, or accessing secure special areas at the pari-mutuel gaming establishment. The credit instrument acts a cash substitute wherein the patron's account may be automatically updated with all of the patron's wins, losses, and purchases via a network system or updated on the credit instrument. In other methods, pari-mutuel wagers are placed with an anonymous account such that an identity of a player is not known to the pari-mutuel gaming establishment.

Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons or tellers select a graphic area on a display element to place runners in a position of a pari-mutuel wager. In another method, a patron or teller selects a graphic area of a display element to copy a runner of a position to another position of a pari-mutuel wager. Another method provides a patron or teller with an opportunity to sort a list of runners of a pari-mutuel gaming activity by selecting an icon of a display element. In a further method, a patron or teller places a multi-position pari-mutuel wager by selecting an area of a display element.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants.

Abstract: Methods of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed. One method utilizes a house card associated with an account set up by a patron at a pari-mutuel gaming establishment, such as a horse or dog racing track. The house card may be used to place wagers at a gaming terminal and, additionally, for the purchase of goods and/or services, accessing additional informational displays, or accessing secure special areas at the pari-mutuel gaming establishment. The house card acts a cash substitute wherein the patron's account may be automatically updated with all of the patron's wins, losses, and purchases via a network system or updated on the card itself using smart card technology. In another method, a credit or debit card may be utilized, instead of a house card, with an established electronic funds transfer system. In another method, the house card or credit/debit card may be used to place wagers remotely using a touchtone telephone or personal computer.

Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons select runners, and betting options of selected runners are presented. In another method, a first wager is placed and other wagers are presented, wherein the additional wagers may include a runner of the first wager. Another method allows patrons to wager on a runner, wherein an area representing the runner is marked to indicate that this runner was selected on a previous or in the current wager. In another method, a portion of a wager is patron selected and a portion of the wager is suggested by the betting interface. In another method, patrons may construct wager(s) for single or future races, or specify criteria for those wagers. In another method, runners are displayed in a table and patrons may select or deselect runner combinations by selecting cells within the table.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing a controlled atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of below 10−13 Pa and an operating temperature above 1000° C. According to the invention a furnace is vented by a gas mixture having an oxygen partial pressure lower than 10−8 Pa but higher than that of said controlled atmosphere, and that a partial volume of said furnace is submitted to a static electric field having a strength of at least 6V/cm and reducing the oxygen partial pressure in this partial volume by orders of magnitude. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.