Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090062450 | Barrier coating a non-elastomeric polymer and a dispersed layered filler in a liquid carrier and coated articles - Barrier coating mixtures contain in a carrier liquid, (a) a non-elastomeric polymer; (b) an exfoliated layered platelet-like silicate filler which may or may not have been acid or base treated that has not been functionalized with organic cations having an aspect ratio greater than 25; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the total solids content is less than 30% and the amount of filler is between 5% to about 60% of the total solids content. Coated articles and containers, freestanding films and packaging films are produced using the barrier coating mixtures. Methods of manufacturing such coated products are also encompassed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090285722 | Collection container assembly with nanocomposite barrier coating - An evacuated container assembly suitable for use in connection with blood collection including: (a) a container member formed of a first polymeric material and having a sidewall and one or more openings; (b) a nanocomposite barrier coating disposed on the container member having a thickness of up to about 30 microns and being derived from an aqueous dispersion including (i) a dispersed barrier matrix polymer; and (ii) a substantially exfoliated silicate filler having an aspect ratio of more than 50; and (c) one or more sealing members disposed in the opening(s) operative to hermetically seal the cavity; wherein the cavity is evacuated and maintains a pressure below atmospheric pressure and exhibits a draw volume loss lower than that of a like assembly without a nanocomposite barrier film by a factor of at least 1.5. | 11-19-2009 |
20110054105 | BARRIER COATING COMPOSITES WITH HYPERPLATY CLAY AND POLYESTER MATRIX RESIN - An aqueous barrier coating composition in the form of a dispersion includes: (a) water; (b) a polyester matrix polymer; (c) a platy to hyperplaty kaolin filler having an average shape factor of at least about 40:1, the composition being further characterized in that: (i) the composition has a solids content of from more than 20 weight percent up to 70 percent by weight; (ii) the composition has a weight ratio of polyester matrix polymer:kaolin filler of from 4:1 to 0.75:1; and (iii) a film formed from the composition exhibits at least 5-fold reduction in oxygen permeability as compared with a like film formed of said polyester matrix polymer. Also disclosed are barrier coatings derived from the compositions as well as packaging composites incorporating a barrier film formed from the compositions. | 03-03-2011 |
20120046405 | BARRIER COATINGS STABILIZED WITH MULTI-VALENT METAL CATIONS - A method of making a composite barrier coating composition comprising: (a) providing a first aqueous dispersion comprising a dispersed, anionically functionalized matrix resin; (b) providing a second aqueous dispersion comprising a dispersed platy mineral filler; the first and second dispersions optionally including one or more additives selected from the group consisting surfactants, emulsifiers, anti-foaming agents, dispersing agents, wetting agents, leveling agents and thickeners; (c) adding a multi-valent metal cation crosslinking agent to at least one of said first and second aqueous dispersions; and (d) admixing the first and second aqueous dispersions to form the composite wherein the composite forms a stable aqueous emulsion and the multi-valent metal cation is operative to stabilize a film formed from the composite against gas barrier performance loss at elevated levels of relative humidity. | 02-23-2012 |
20120208034 | FILMS AND ARTICLES HAVING A BARRIER COATING DERIVED FROM CONCENTRATED AQUEOUS NANOCOMPOSITE DISPERSIONS - Films or other articles having a barrier coating derived from a concentrated nanocomposite dispersion which includes a silicate filler and a matrix polymer dispersed in an aqueous medium. The dispersions are condensed by selectively removing liquid therefrom to provide high solids coating formulations. | 08-16-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090010598 | IN-SITU ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITH COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - A connector includes a connector portion and one or more pads embedded in the connector portion and coupled to circuit paths, wherein the pads adjoin the surface of the connector portion and are exposed, and the connector portion is joined to a part by a joining mechanism. The circuit paths may comprise either, copper, brass, gold, aluminum, fiber optic material or any other material that is electrically or optically conductive. The connector portion is adjoined to the part via an joining mechanism such as, for example, nailing, soldering, pinning, welding, clamping, mating or gluing. One or more embedded pads may be embedded in a composite connector so that the embedded pads are present on one or more surfaces of the composite connector, and are connected to circuit paths inside the composite connector, allowing the composite connector to be connected to, for example, a power source. | 01-08-2009 |
20130020008 | Device for Performing Consolidation and Method of Use Thereof - A preforming device and method of use thereof, the device including a rack, a pinion, belt, belt tensioning feature, and mechanism for supporting a variably appliable enhanced pressure, such as may be applied using a bladder or bladders having one or more valves, the device capable of engaging a mandrel to form at least one ply and a binder against the exterior of the mandrel. | 01-24-2013 |
20140271143 | Fan Spacer Having Unitary Over Molded Feature - A fan spacer for placement between a pair of adjacent blades in a fan assembly and a related method of making. The fan spacer has a spacer body including an airflow surface shaped to direct air between the pair of adjacent blades in which the airflow surface is shaped on opposing sides to correspond to the pair of adjacent blades. An over molded feature is molded onto the airflow surface of the spacer body in which the over molded feature both includes an erosion coating on the airflow surface and, on the two opposing sides, seals configured to seal against the pair of adjacent blades on the opposing sides of the airflow surface. | 09-18-2014 |
20150343716 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING A FLANGE - An apparatus for forming a flange has a laminate component and a drum supporting the laminate component. A forming tool selectively engages the laminate component. A diaphragm member extends between the drum and the laminate component and selectively engages the forming tool. Movement of the diaphragm member deforms the laminate component away from the drum about an edge of the forming tool, and the laminate component maintains a substantially uniform thickness. | 12-03-2015 |
20160107400 | METHOD FOR INFUSING RESIN INTO A COMPOSITE LAMINATE - A method of infusing a preform with a resin for the formation of a composite laminate in which the preform is placed between a mold and a vacuum bag. An offset tool is placed outside of the vacuum bag so as to permit the vacuum bag to lift away from a surface of the preform in a controlled amount. A charge of the resin is injected between the vacuum bag and the preform so as to lift the vacuum bag off the surface of the preform and move the vacuum bag toward the offset tool, so that the resin occupies a volume between the vacuum bag and the surface of the preform. The preform is infused with the resin by applying a super-atmospheric pressure to an outer surface of the vacuum bag to transport the resin from the volume between the vacuum bag and the surface of the preform into a volume within the preform. The resin in the preform is cured, thereby forming the composite laminate. | 04-21-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080268716 | Connector usable with multiple layered connections and method of use thereof - Various connectors are provided that allow establishment of one or more connections in minimal space. Numerous pins of typical radial pin related art connectors are replaced with longitudinally extending connector portions that are able to matingly engage a receiving connector portion. The connectors ease the initial manufacture of parts in which they are used, and allows the part to be more easily maintained, lighten the wiring system or harnessing system for the final product in which the part is incorporated over conventional connectors, and typically permit the harness and wiring system for the product to fit within an allotted envelope for size, weight, and other limitations. | 10-30-2008 |
20090026659 | Hybrid Mandrels - A mandrel comprising a rigid inner core and an elastomeric outer layer that at least partially surrounds the rigid inner core, wherein the elastomeric outer layer is adapted to expand during a molding process to seal a cavity to prevent incursion of material injected during the molding process. | 01-29-2009 |
20130160257 | Method and Apparatus for Applying a Compaction Pressure to a Fabric Preform During Wrapping - Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric during formation of a fabric preform. One end of the fabric is applied to the form having a central axis. The form with the fabric applied thereto is at least partially surrounded with a film. This film extends along a film path to the form and around at least a portion of the form. The fabric and the film are fed onto the form such that the fabric is wrapped around the form to create the fabric preform while the film is fed around the form. A vacuum is drawn to evacuate a gas from between the form and the film, thereby pressing the film onto the fabric and applying the compaction pressure to the fabric. | 06-27-2013 |
20130164473 | Method and Apparatus for Forming a Fabric Preform for a Composite Material by Separately Tensioning Tows - Disclosed are methods and devices for the formation of fabric preforms that may be subsequently impregnated with a resin to form a composite component. One end of the fabric is received on the form such that the axial tows of the fabric extend in a direction generally perpendicular to a central axis of the form. At least some of the plurality of axial tows are separately tensioned on an end of the fabric not attached to the form and the fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis. | 06-27-2013 |
20140078693 | COMPOSITE LAMINATE HAVING A FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT BRIDGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - In a composite component having a laminate body, a conductive layer and a connector can be joined to one another using an intermediate flexible circuit. Among other things, this flexible circuit places the conductive layer and the connector in electrical communication with one another. Furthermore, during the forming process and because of its thinness, the flexible circuit integrates well with the layers of the laminate body and can accommodates some spatial displacement of the connector and conductive material relative to one another. | 03-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090081997 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING UNDESIRED AUDIO IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILIZING DISTRIBUTED SIGNALING - A system and method for processing calls in a communication system utilizing distributed signaling. When a call signal having distributed identification data is received on a communication channel, the call information (such a voice, data, video, etc.) is initially passed through the system without verification until sufficient identification data (such as the color code) has been obtained to determine whether the source of the call is valid. Once sufficient identification data has been obtained, the source is verified. If the source is valid, the call information continues to be passed through the system. However, if source is invalid, the call information is blocked for the present call as well as for subsequent calls on the same communication channel, and passing of the call information through the system does not resume until a received call is subsequently assessed to be valid. | 03-26-2009 |
20090285243 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING CALL SIGNALS IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system and method for dynamically altering detection criterion value at a receiving device based on the portion of a call signal being received. A receiving device is configured to extract a first call signal portion from the call signal, and compare the first call signal portion to a plurality of call information portions, wherein each call information portion has a detection criterion value. If the first call signal portion matches one of the call information portions, the receiving device adjusts the detection criterion value for at least one of the plurality of call information portions, extracts a second call signal portion from the call signal, and compares the second call signal portion to the plurality of information portions. | 11-19-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120199675 | Post Consumer Scrap Film Recycling Process - A method for processing a supply of post consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried and compacted without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 08-09-2012 |
20130186573 | Post Consumer Scrap Film Recycling Process - A method for processing a supply of post consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried and compacted without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 07-25-2013 |
20140014749 | POST CONSUMER SCRAP FILM RECYCLING SYSTEM - A system for processing a supply of post consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The system includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried in a dryer and compacted in a compactor without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 01-16-2014 |
20140048631 | Post Consumer Scrap Film Recycling Process - A method for processing a supply of post consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer and a sink float tank occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried and compacted without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 02-20-2014 |
20140131491 | Post Consumer Scrap Film Recycling Process - A system and method for processing a supply of post-consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer and a sink float tank occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried and compacted without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 05-15-2014 |
20140209716 | Post-Consumer Scrap Film Recycling System and Process - A method for processing a supply of post-consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a hot water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried in a dryer and compacted in a compactor without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 07-31-2014 |
20140209725 | Post-Consumer Scrap Film Recycling System and Process - A system for processing a supply of post-consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The system includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a hot water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried in a dryer and compacted in a compactor without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 07-31-2014 |
20150367535 | Post-Consumer Scrap Film Recycling System and Process - A system for processing a supply of post-consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The system includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a hot water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried in a dryer and compacted in a compactor without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 12-24-2015 |
20150375425 | Post-Consumer Scrap Film Recycling System and Process - A system and method for processing a supply of post-consumer scrap linear low density or low density polyethylene film into near-virgin quality blown film product. The method includes tearing the supply of film in a shredder, wherein the surface area of the film is exposed, including delaminating the film. The torn supply of film is washed in a water bath including a surfactant. The film is agitated in the bath containing the surfactant wherein contaminants on the film are removed from the film. The washed film is ground into smaller pieces and additional washing of the ground film in a rotating friction washer and a sink float tank occurs wherein additional contaminants are removed from the film. The ground film is then dried and compacted without addition of water into granulated objects of near-virgin quality blown film product. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090013561 | Golf shoe outsole - The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot. | 01-15-2009 |
20090056169 | GOLF SHOE OUTSOLE - The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot. | 03-05-2009 |
20090249648 | GOLF SHOE OUTSOLE - The present invention is directed towards a golf shoe outsole that is comprised of a generally soft, and flexible base having a plurality of raised portions on the lower surface of the base, a pair of flexing supports that are placed on the lower surface of the base in an abutting relationship with the raised portions, a pair of chassis that fit over and about the base and a two-piece arch support that acts as a shank for the arch section of the base. The base has a plurality of raised portions that are of a size shape, and number to correspond and mesh together with a plurality of cleat containing pods that are molded to both chassis. The two-piece arch support allows for the necessary rigidity in the arch area of the shoe which is vital for a good golf swing. | 10-08-2009 |
20120285044 | GOLF SHOE OUTSOLE - The golf shoe outsole of the invention comprises a generally flexible forward section and a generally hard heel section, each section having a plurality of pod sections molded thereupon, preferably there are eight separate pod sections, each having at least one cleat attached thereto. Each pod section has an outer edge or perimeter that is flared quite significantly to provide a greater degree of flexibility and traction with turf, and therefore greater stability and balance to the user. The outsole has a 0.375 width to length ratio at the metatarsal area of the outsole and a pod vertical height of at least 9.1 mm and a flare angle of at least 52° from vertical on the outer edges of the pods. The pods are relatively hard with a minimum Shore A hardness of 95 and extend a minimum of 6.3 mm from the bottom surface of the outsole. The forward portion of the outsole is made from a relatively flexible thermoplastic polyurethane having a hardness between 75 to 85 Shore A. | 11-15-2012 |
20150096195 | GOLF SHOES HAVING OUTSOLES WITH SECTIONS OF DIFFERING HARDNESS - Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes interior (central area) and exterior (perimeter area) traction projections. Materials having different hardness properties are used to construct different sections of the outsole. For example, thermoplastic polyurethanes may be used in the exterior region and rubber materials may be used in the interior region. The outsole has improved stability and flexibility. | 04-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130197076 | TREATMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS - Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm. | 08-01-2013 |
20140296330 | TREATMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS - Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm. | 10-02-2014 |
20140296331 | TREATMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS - Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm. | 10-02-2014 |
20140296332 | TREATMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS - Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm. | 10-02-2014 |
20150025086 | TREATMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS - Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm. | 01-22-2015 |
20150045390 | ILOPERIDONE METABOLITE FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS - R-P88 is used for the treatment of disorders amenable to treatment with an atypical antipsychotic. | 02-12-2015 |
20150216837 | TREATMENT OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DISORDERS - Embodiments of the invention relate to the use of a melatonin agonist in the treatment of free running circadian rhythms in patients, including light perception impaired patients, e.g., blind patients, and to methods of measuring circadian rhythm. | 08-06-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130196743 | Wagering Game System with Pausing Feature - A gaming system includes one or more controllers and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more controllers, cause the gaming system to initiate a wagering game to be played via a gaming machine and in response to a pause event, temporarily pause the wagering game-in-progress, prior to revealing a final outcome of the wagering game. While the game-in-progress is paused, the one or more controllers allow the gaming machine to participate in a community event along with a plurality of other gaming machines and in response to an end-pause event associated with the community event, reinstate the paused game-in-progress at the gaming machine. | 08-01-2013 |
20150111633 | Wagering Game System with Pausing Feature - A gaming system includes one or more controllers and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more controllers, cause the gaming system to initiate a wagering game to be played via a gaming machine and in response to a pause event, temporarily pause the wagering game-in-progress, prior to revealing a final outcome of the wagering game. While the game-in-progress is paused, the one or more controllers allow the gaming machine to participate in a community event along with a plurality of other gaming machines and in response to an end-pause event associated with the community event, reinstate the paused game-in-progress at the gaming machine. | 04-23-2015 |
20160063819 | WAGERING GAME SYSTEM WITH PAUSING FEATURE - A gaming system includes one or more controllers and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more controllers, cause the gaming system to initiate a wagering game to be played via a gaming machine and in response to a pause event, temporarily pause the wagering game-in-progress, prior to revealing a final outcome of the wagering game. While the game-in-progress is paused, the one or more controllers allow the gaining machine to participate in a community event along with a plurality of other gaming machines and in response to an end-pause event associated with the community event, reinstate the paused game-in-progress at the gaming machine. | 03-03-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20160098723 | System and method for block-chain verification of goods - A method for block-chain verification of goods includes scanning, by a computing device, using a code scanner, an address from a code affixed to a product, verifying, by the computing device, that the address is associated with a crypto-currency transaction recorded at a transaction register, obtaining, by the computing device, at least one current transaction datum, and determining, based on the verification and the at least one current transaction datum, that the product is authentic. | 04-07-2016 |
20160098730 | System and Method for Block-Chain Verification of Goods - A method for block-chain verification of goods includes obtaining, by a first computing device, a first address. The method includes exporting, by the first computing device, the first address to a first code affixed to a first product. The method includes filing, by the first computing device, a first crypto-currency transaction to the first address, at a transaction register. The method includes receiving, by a second computing device, from a code scanner, the first address, scanned from the first code affixed to the first product. The method includes verifying, by the second computing device, the first crypto-currency transaction at the transaction register, using the first address. The method includes identifying, by the second computing device, based on the verification, that the first product is authentic. | 04-07-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100018382 | System for Musically Interacting Avatars - Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for avatars to musically interact with each other. In one representative embodiment, a server is configured to host a virtual environment and various client devices communicate with the server over an electronic network, with each such client device configured to interact within the virtual environment through a corresponding avatar. A first client device accepts commands from a first user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a first set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a first avatar that represents the first user. Similarly, a second client device accepts commands from a second user and, in response, communicates corresponding information to the server causing a modification of any of a second set of user-customizable visual characteristics of a second avatar that represents the second user. The first avatar performs a musical sequence that is based on current settings for: the first set of user-customizable visual characteristics and the second set of user-customizable visual characteristics. | 01-28-2010 |
20100099471 | Network-Based Contests Having Multiple Participating Sponsors - Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for conducting a contest. One embodiment provides a contest that is played by multiple players across a communications network, in which the players compete to earn points awarded by a central contest administrator and the individual players are ranked based on their total number of points. In addition, individual ones of the players are allowed to select a sponsor from a set of previously identified sponsors, and the players also can earn points, which contribute to their totals for ranking purposes, from the sponsors they have selected. For this purpose, individual ones of the sponsors in the set are allocated points and have flexibility regarding how to award their allocated points to the players that have selected them. | 04-22-2010 |
20110223981 | User-Device-Implemented Contest with Alert Feature - Provided, inter alia, is a type of contest in which, at various intervals, geographically dispersed players attempt to answer the identical problem at substantially the same time. In representative embodiments, problems (typically, questions) are made available at seemingly random times throughout the day (or throughout some specified time interval), and players have the opportunity either to respond to the problem or (e.g., in the event that a given player is occupied when a particular problem arises) to pass on the current problem and wait for another one. In such embodiments, more questions are made available than the players are permitted to answer in accordance with the rules of the game, so that players have flexibility as to when they participate. | 09-15-2011 |