Abstract: A pet chew having an innermost core composed of one or both of edible meat and plant-based material, a middle member surrounding the innermost core and composed of a hardened non-consumable composite material, and an outermost layer surrounding the middle member and composed of one or both of edible meat and plant-based material.

Abstract: A container of pet food and an apparatus for preparing the pet food are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading a pet food identifier on the container. The scanner is adapted to read the pet food identifier and provide it to a controller. The controller is adapted to obtain food preparation parameters from an external database and to cause the apparatus to then prepare the pet food according thereto. The containers has an identically-shaped periphery and the apparatus is adapted to receive that periphery such that each container is properly positioned regardless of the container's volume.

Abstract: A container of pet food and an apparatus for preparing the pet food are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading a pet food identifier on the container. The scanner is adapted to read the pet food identifier and provide it to a controller. The controller is adapted to obtain food preparation parameters from an external database and to cause the apparatus to then prepare the pet food according thereto. The containers has an identically-shaped periphery and the apparatus is adapted to receive that periphery such that each container is properly positioned regardless of the container's volume.

Abstract: A container of pet food and an apparatus for preparing the pet food are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading a pet food identifier on the container. The scanner is adapted to read the pet food identifier and provide it to a controller. The controller is adapted to obtain food preparation parameters from an external database and to cause the apparatus to then prepare the pet food according thereto. The containers has an identically-shaped periphery and the apparatus is adapted to receive that periphery such that each container is properly positioned regardless of the container's volume.

Abstract: A system enables monitoring and improving one or more of the habits, diet, exercise, and activities related to a pet's health and includes a network having a food supplier and a food preparation device connected to the network and arranged to enable specific food type and quantity to be supplied to the pet's parent automatically according to usage.

Abstract: A system enables monitoring and improving one or more of the habits, diet, exercise, and activities related to a pet's health and includes a network having one or both of a smartphone and a personal computer connected to the network, a food preparation device connected to the network, and a server controlled by a system manager and connected to the network.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a container of pet food for preparing the pet food includes a water source, a water pump, and a water heater. The water pump causes a first amount of water to flow to the heater where the first amount is heated and then causes the heated first amount to flow into the pet food whereby the pet food is heated to a first temperature and moistened to a first moistness level. A timer monitors a first steeping period after the first amount has flowed into the pet food, then the water pump causes a second amount of water to flow to the heater. The second amount then flows into the pet food. The second amount is heated such that the pet food obtains a second temperature cooler than the first temperature and moistened to a second moistness level moister than the first moisture level.

Abstract: A container of pet food and an apparatus for preparing the pet food are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading a pet food identifier on the container. The scanner is adapted to read the pet food identifier and provide it to a controller. The controller is adapted to obtain food preparation parameters from an external database and to cause the apparatus to then prepare the pet food according thereto. The containers has an identically-shaped periphery and the apparatus is adapted to receive that periphery such that each container is properly positioned regardless of the container's volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing pet food has a base and a lid. The base is engageable with a container of the pet food and the lid is moveable relative to the base between an open state for allowing engagement and disengagement of the container and a closed state for preventing disengagement. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading a pet food identifier on the container. The scanner is adapted to read the pet food identifier and provide it to a controller. The controller is adapted to obtain food preparation parameters from an external database and to cause the apparatus to then prepare the pet food according thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing pet food has a base and a lid. The base is engageable with a container of the pet food and the lid is moveable relative to the base between an open state for allowing engagement and disengagement of the container and a closed state for preventing disengagement. The apparatus includes a scanner for reading a pet food identifier on the container. The scanner is adapted to read the pet food identifier and provide it to a controller. The controller is adapted to obtain food preparation parameters from an external database and to cause the apparatus to then prepare the pet food according thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a container of pet food for preparing the pet food includes a water source, a water pump, and a water heater. The water pump causes a first amount of water to flow to the heater where the first amount is heated and then causes the heated first amount to flow into the pet food whereby the pet food is heated to a first temperature and moistened to a first moistness level. A timer monitors a first steeping period after the first amount has flowed into the pet food, then the water pump causes a second amount of water to flow to the heater. The second amount then flows into the pet food. The second amount is heated such that the pet food obtains a second temperature cooler than the first temperature and moistened to a second moistness level moister than the first moisture level.

Abstract: An automatic verification system for automatically verifying a winner of an on-line game is disclosed. The verification system (a server/memory connected to the Internet) contains information about subscriber players and contains accounts that are used for betting on outcomes of skill games. The subscribers access the system via the Internet to set up an on-line game with other subscribers. The players then compete against each other normally via the game (e.g., Halo™ network server. The verification system then automatically receives the final game information from the server or console(s) via an e-mail, or by accessing published results of the game, or by accessing the players' published career summaries. Based on that automatically generated data, the verification system automatically determines the winner and awards the winner money or points.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a safety circuit for use in textile heating devices, such as heating pads, heating blankets, and the like. The safety circuit provides a system for checking/verifying the integrity of the controller, which can shut off power to the textile heating device if the controller has lost integrity.

Abstract: An automatic verification system for automatically verifying a winner of an on-line game is disclosed. The verification system (a server/memory connected to the Internet) contains information about subscriber players and contains accounts that are used for betting on outcomes of skill games. The subscribers access the system via the Internet to set up an on-line game with other subscribers. The players then compete against each other normally via the game (e.g., Halo™ network server. The verification system then automatically receives the final game information from the server or console(s) via an e-mail, or by accessing published results of the game, or by accessing the players' published career summaries. Based on that automatically generated data, the verification system automatically determines the winner and awards the winner money or points.

Abstract: An automatic verification system for automatically verifying a winner of an on-line game is disclosed. The verification system (a server/memory connected to the Internet) contains information about subscriber players and contains accounts that are used for betting on outcomes of skill games. The subscribers access the system via the Internet to set up an on-line game with other subscribers. The players then compete against each other normally via the game (e.g., Halo™) network server. The verification system then automatically receives the final game information from the server or console(s) via an e-mail, or by accessing published results of the game, or by accessing the players' published career summaries. Based on that automatically generated data, the verification system automatically determines the winner and awards the winner money or points.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a system for modifying insulin therapy support parameters such as warning limit data and time block data on a hand-held diabetes management device. The system can include a graphical user interface module that creates a graphical user interface having a plurality of bar structures positionable on or between a first line that indicates an upper limit and a second line that illustrates a lower limit. Each of the bar structures can have a first side that indicates a start time of a time window opposite a second side that indicates an end time of the time window and a third side that indicates a lower target value for a blood glucose level opposite a fourth side that indicates an upper target value for the blood glucose level. The bar structures, the first line and the second line can be adjustable by a user input.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a safety circuit for use in textile heating devices, such as heating pads, heating blankets, and the like. The safety circuit provides a system for checking/verifying the integrity of the controller, which can shut off power to the textile heating device if the controller has lost integrity.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a system for modifying insulin therapy support parameters such as warning limit data and time block data on a hand-held diabetes management device. The system can include a graphical user interface module that creates a graphical user interface having a plurality of bar structures positionable on or between a first line that indicates an upper limit and a second line that illustrates a lower limit. Each of the bar structures can have a first side that indicates a start time of a time window opposite a second side that indicates an end time of the time window and a third side that indicates a lower target value for a blood glucose level opposite a fourth side that indicates an upper target value for the blood glucose level. The bar structures, the first line and the second line can be adjustable by a user input.

Abstract: An automatic verification system for automatically verifying a winner of an on-line game is disclosed. The verification system (a server/memory connected to the Internet) contains information about subscriber players and contains accounts that are used for betting on outcomes of skill games. The subscribers access the system via the Internet to set up an on-line game with other subscribers. The players then compete against each other normally via the game (e.g., Halo™) network server. The verification system then automatically receives the final game information from the server or console(s) via an e-mail, or by accessing published results of the game, or by accessing the players' published career summaries. Based on that automatically generated data, the verification system automatically determines the winner and awards the winner money or points.

Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance uses an application-specific integrated circuit digital controller, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. The digital controller prevents the unit from functioning only as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the application-specific integrated circuit digital programmable controller during cooking.