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The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
1. A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment that is accessible to one or more players;
receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, real world financial information from a player;
maintaining, by the Video Game Central Server, the real world financial information in a player account associated with the player;
receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request to incur a financial obligation from the player;
providing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player with the option to satisfy the financial obligation with virtual funds or real world funds
providing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player with a virtual price for the item, wherein the virtual price indicates the cost of the item in virtual funds;
providing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player with a real world price for the item, wherein the real world price indicates the cost of the item in real world funds;
maintaining, by the Video Game Central Server, a virtual account balance in the player account and
wherein if the player opts to purchase the virtual item with virtual funds, the method further comprises deducting, by the Video Game Central Server, the virtual price from the virtual account balance.
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The following application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/279,991, "Securing Virtual Contracts with Credit" filed Apr. 17, 2006, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/355,232, "Online Game that Facilitates Binding Contracts Between Player Characters" Filed Feb. 14, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/727,121 "Methods, Processes, and System to Enhance a Player Experience of a Video Game" filed Oct. 14, 2005.
Video games which are accessible to multiple players via a server are well known. For example, hundreds of thousands of players access games known as massive multi player online games (MMOGs). Players of these games customarily access a game repeatedly (for durations typically ranging from a few minutes to several days) over given period of time, which may be days, weeks, months or even years. The games are often constructed such that players pay a periodic subscription price (e.g., $15 per month) rather than, or in addition to, paying a one time purchase price for the game. Often, though not necessarily, these games have no ultimate "winner" or "winning goal," but instead attempt to create an enjoyable playing environment and a strong player community.
It would be advantageous to provide improved methods and apparatus for increasing the enjoyment and/or longevity of video games.
Unless stated to the contrary, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the following terms shall have the following definitions:
Credit Card—a credit instrument issued by a real world institution to a player that allows the player to make purchases by providing an account identifier (e.g. a credit card number) rather than cash or other currency. An example is a credit card like those issued by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term "Credit card" is intended in a very broad sense and is not limited to those situations in which a player's purchases are made on credit (i.e. where payments for those purchases is not due until a later time) but also includes financial instruments such as debit cards, check cards, and the like.
Real Cash Value—the value in real dollars of the obligation. This value can be determined by multiplying the financial obligation value by the then published exchange rate to real dollars.
Game Environment—an online game such as World of Warcraft or a virtual community such as Second Life.
Total virtual obligation amount—the total amount of virtual financial obligations associated with a player character account.
Virtual Contract—An enforceable agreement between a player character and either another player character or a game server. Some examples of virtual contracts are provided in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/652,036, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Virtual—shall mean in a game environment or other intangible space.
Virtual Environment—an online game such as World of Warcraft or a virtual community such as Second Life.
Virtual Creditor—shall mean a first player character who is owed a virtual obligation by a second player character.
Virtual Financial Obligation—An agreement by a player character or entity to pay one or more game attributes to another player character, entity or the game server. This obligation can be a one time payment, or multiple payments over time. The obligation can specify that payments are due on virtual or real dates.
Virtual Financial Obligation Value—the in game value of the obligation. For virtual cash the value is stated as a virtual cash amount. For other game attributes, the value can be determined by generating a virtual cash market value for the item based on the current value in an online marketplace or exchange. The value of the obligation can also be set as a condition of the player contract.
Billing Information—shall mean any information pertaining to billing a player including a billing address, credit card account, bank account, pay pal account or other payment information.
Character—shall mean a persona created by a player in a video game.
Character Account—shall mean an account that tracks character attributes.
Character Attribute—shall mean any quality, trait, feature or characteristic a particular Character can have that is stored in the corresponding Character Account. Character Attributes shall include, but not be limited to:
Character Life—shall mean a fixed period of virtual or real world time that a player character can exist in a game environment.
Character Skills—shall mean game attributes inherent or acquired by a player character during game play such as, but not limited to: the ability to cast certain spells, foretell the future, read minds, use certain weapons, cook, hunt, find herbs, assemble herbs into potions, mine, assemble objects into other objects, fly, and/or enchant other player characters.
Computer Generated Character—shall mean any character that is generated by the system rather than being another player character.
Game Parameter—shall mean any part of a Video Game by which characters can be measured. Game Parameters shall include, but not be limited to:
In-game Marketplace—shall mean a virtual environment where Characters can exchange Attributes.
Massive Multi Player Online Video Game—Shall mean a Video Game that is played using either a network of a Video Game Central Server and at least two Video Game Consuls or a peer-to-peer network of at least two Video Game Consuls. Players create Characters that may interact with each other in a Video Game Environment that is stored on the Video Game Central Server and the Video Game Consuls.
Novice Player—Shall mean a player that is flagged as requiring the help of an expert to complete a Game Parameter.
NPC—(non player character) a computer generated character in the game
Player—shall mean an individual who can register an account with a Video Game Central Server or within a peer-to-peer network and create Characters that can interact with other Characters in a Video Game Environment.
Player Account—Shall mean an account on the Video Game Central Server or within a peer-to-peer network that contains a Player profile including personal, billing, and character account information.
Player Attribute—shall mean any attribute that can be applied to a player account. Player Attributes shall include, but not be limited to:
Player to Player Contract—shall mean a virtual but binding contract between player characters that allows the players to provide or exchange game attributes to one another. Once a player-to-player contract is established, the game server or peer-to-peer network automatically distributes acquired game attributes between the player characters based on the contract conditions.
Video Game—shall mean a game played on a Video Game Consul that may or may not be networked to a Video Game Central Server or within a peer-to-peer network.
Video Game Consul—shall mean a device comprising a CPU, memory and optional permanent storage residing at a player location that can allow for the playing of video games. Examples include, home PCs, Microsoft Xbox, and Sony Playstation.
Video Game Central Server—shall mean a CPU, memory and permanent or temporary storage that is connected to multiple Video Game Consuls that allows for Massive Multi Player Online Video Games to be played.
Video Game Environment—Shall mean a virtual video game world that is stored on the combination of the Video Game Central Server and Video Game Consuls where Characters interact and games are played.
The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "process" means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.
Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term 'process' or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a 'step' or 'steps' of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.
The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", "certain embodiments", "one embodiment", "another embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "variation" of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.
A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "consisting of" and variations thereof mean "including and limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term "herein" means "in this patent application, including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless expressly specified otherwise.
The phrase "at least one of", when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase "at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel" means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.
Numerical terms such as "one", "two", etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase "one widget" does not mean "at least one widget", and therefore the phrase "one widget" does not cover, e.g., two widgets.
The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on".
The term "represent" and like terms are not exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term "represents" do not mean "represents only", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "the data represents a credit card number" describes both "the data represents only a credit card number" and "the data represents a credit card number and the data also represents something else".
The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term "whereby" modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.
The term "e.g." and like terms means "for example", and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence "the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over the Internet", the term "e.g." explains that "instructions" are an example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet, and also explains that "a data structure" is an example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet. However, both "instructions" and "a data structure" are merely examples of "data", and other things besides "instructions" and "a data structure" can be "data".
The term "determining" and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.
The term "determining" does not imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore "determining" can include estimating, predicting, guessing and the like.
The term "determining" does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.
The term "determining" does not imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform the determining.
It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digital signal processors) will receive instructions (e.g., from a memory or like device), and execute those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by those instructions.
A "processor" means one or more microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or like devices or any combination thereof.
Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of an apparatus for performing the process. The apparatus can include, e.g., a processor and those input devices and output devices that are appropriate to perform the method.
Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types of data) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, some or all of the software instructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and software may be used instead of software only.
The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying data (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.
Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of a computer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process. The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) those program elements which are appropriate to perform the method.
Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatus include a computer/computing device operable to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.
Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of a computer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include a computer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.
Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed databases) are well known and could be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from any device(s) which access data in the database.
Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environment including a computer that is in communication (e.g., via a communications network) with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired or wireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, a satellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Each of the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computing devices, such as those based on the Intel� Pentium� or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of devices may be in communication with the computer.
In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority may not be necessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in an embodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a central authority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein as performed by the server computer or data described as stored on the server computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or more such devices.
According to one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a virtual environment in which a first player character establishes a contract with either one or more other player characters, entities (real or virtual) or a game server. The contract may specify one or more virtual financial obligation values that the first player character is obligated to pay at a specified virtual or real time and date. The contract may additionally include a credit card number associated with the game account of the first player. According to additional embodiments, in the event that the first player character fails to pay the virtual financial obligation value specified by the contract, a real cash value may be established that equals the virtual financial obligation value and the first player's credit card may be charged the real cash value amount.
Examples of in game contracts include, but are not limited to:
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, any financial account can be used by the player to secure the virtual contracts he establishes with his player characters. The following accounts are non-limiting examples of the type of player character-owned accounts that can be used, individually or in any combination, to secure a virtual contract:
The amount charged to the player's credit card in the event of a default on a virtual contract can be:
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the game server can automatically charge virtual cash values to the player character bank account or the game server can notify a player character when a virtual cash value is due.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, Player Characters who have reached certain levels of the game or acquired certain amount of virtual value in a game may not be required to secure their contracts with a credit card. Such "financially secure" Player Characters may vouch for less financially secure player characters by offering their virtual value as collateral. Alternatively or additionally, Player Characters may also receive margin dollars based on the level or skills they have obtained.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, Player characters can be given a warning and a grace period if they do not pay the virtual cash obligation on the virtual or real date specified or there is not sufficient virtual cash in their virtual cash account for the virtual obligation to be automatically withdrawn.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, warnings may be delivered by any one or more of the following mechanisms including, but not limited to, in game alerts, in game instant messaging, real world e-mail, voice mail, postal mail, or text messages.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, Player characters could have the choice of using virtual or real cash to pay the virtual obligation when it becomes due. Characters could be offered this option on every purchase they make in a game environment. For example, a player purchasing a game item in an in game exchange can elect to pay real or virtual money during the transaction. The exchange interface offers the choice between purchasing the item for real or virtual cash and the value of the item in real and virtual cash is displayed. If the player selects virtual cash, the amount is debited from his virtual cash account. If the player selects real cash, the amount is charged to his credit card on file.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when making a decision to use real or virtual cash to pay for an item or service, the player character (and/or game server) may request bids from other player characters or entities to pay for the item at some level of exchange rate that differs from the current exchange rate. For example, if a player character wishes to buy a virtual sword and the price is: $10 USD or 100 units of in game currency (e.g. piece of gold, $LD, etc.), there may be third party player characters that may desire to pay the real cash value in exchange for some amount of LD, that may be less or more than the current exchange rate.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a player's financial account cannot cover the real cash obligation specified by a virtual contract, the account can be suspended and the virtual assets owned by the player character can be automatically liquidated and the proceeds divided amongst virtual contract holders (other player characters or the game server) in ratio of the contract values. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the virtual assets owned by the player may be immediately sold for their market value. The assets may be sold one at a time (in any order specified by the rules of the game server i.e. most to least valuable, least to most valuable, most to least liquid, least to most liquid, etc) until the virtual obligations of the player character have been met. If all the assets of the player character are sold and the virtual cash does cannot cover the virtual obligations, the cash can be paid to the creditors using any suitable means including, but not limited to: (i) in ratio equal to the obligation for each creditor compared to the total outstanding obligations; and/or (ii) in order of priority. A creditor can be given priority based on (i) paying to be a priority creditor when the virtual contract is established; (ii) the amount of the obligation; (iii) the date the virtual contract was established; (iv) the remaining obligation of the contract vs. the total obligation; or (v) paying off debts to independent third party player characters or entities as opposed to those player characters/entities that are either own by or related to the indebted player character.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the game server can periodically ping the credit card or other financial account identifier of the player to make sure that there is adequate cash or credit line associated with the account to cover all the virtual obligations that the player has established with his characters.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a virtual obligation is established, an amount that is equal to or a percentage of that obligation can be locked on the credit card so that it cannot be used for anything other than covering the virtual obligation.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a virtual obligation is established, an interest in an insurance policy can be purchased for a fee that is charged to the credit card. According to one example of this embodiment, in the event of a default, the insurance policy pays the debt; however the player character's rating would be lowered and/or future policies rejected outright. If an insurance company (real or virtual) pays the debt, the insurance company could seek restitution from the defaulting player character.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the game server can conduct a preauthorization of the player credit card equal to the cash value of the virtual obligation when the virtual contract is established. If the preauthorization fails, the contract cannot be executed and the appropriate parties (player characters and or game server) are notified.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a player character may not be able to sell assets in a game or on an exchange between game servers or games if he has contracts established in a game environment. Alternatively, an amount of the player character's assets equal to his virtual cash obligations cannot be sold on an in game, inter game server, or intra game exchange.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a player character creates a contract, the game server can upsell a credit card to that player character to use to secure the contract. If the player character accepts the offer, he fills out a credit card application. The application is submitted to the card issuing bank. If the bank accepts the application, a new card number is issued and used to secure the contract.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a player creates a game account, the game server can upsell a credit card that the player character can use to secure contracts (and pay for his monthly fees) As an incentive to sign up for the card, the card can be issued with a certain amount of credit line that can be used to secure contracts with no payment obligation for the player. For example, the player could be given $50 worth of credit line to use to secure against in game contracts. If the player defaults on a contract in the game, the game can automatically charge the credit card account the specified penalty amount. As long as that amount is less than $50, then the player is not obligated to pay off the balance on the credit card.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a fee can be charged by a game server or player character who facilitates and enforces the contracts between other player characters and the game server. This fee can be a flat fee, a "per transaction" fee, or a percent of the total value of the contract or payment fee.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, rather than a real cash fee being charged to a credit card only when the virtual obligation cannot be paid with virtual cash, the player can just pay a recurring real cash fee to borrow virtual cash in a game environment. Either the game server or the player character can issue the virtual loan and receive the monthly real cash fee. The monthly fee can be charged to the player character by the game server and a portion of the fee can be remitted, in real or virtual cash to a second player character who initiated the loan.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a player character can rent a sum of virtual cash for a monthly real cash fee that is charged to his credit card. In this embodiment, a player pays a monthly real cash amount as long as he has borrowed a certain amount of money from a game server or other player character. According to one example of this embodiment, when the player character repays the loan, the real cash monthly fee may no longer collected by the game server.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a player character can also rent a sum of virtual cash for a recurring virtual cash fee. If the player character cannot pay the recurring virtual cash fee, a real cash value is determined and charged to the player credit card.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a player character can be offered the choice to pay a basic monthly fee for his account, or an additional monthly fee for his account that includes an upfront loan of virtual cash.
The present disclosure also provides systems for securing contracts established in virtual environments. Accordingly turning to
System 10 may further comprise any number of suitable databases. Examples of suitable databases include, but are not limited to, a player database 24, a player character database 26, a contract database 28, and a virtual bank database 30.
Player database 24 may include information about each player who accesses the game. This information may be provided to the game server by a player when the player registers to play the game, or at any other suitable time and using any suitable means. Examples of player information include, but are not limited to: player ID, player contact information, player credit card information, and/or player character ID.
Player character database 26 may include information about each player character that participates, or is able to participate, in a game. Accordingly, it will be understood that according to some types of games, a single player may create and control more than one player character. Examples of information the player character database may maintain include, but are not limited to: player character ID, player character profile, player character asset(s), player character attribute(s), player character contract(s). Of course it will be understood that for many of these information categories, a given player character may have multiple entries. For example, a given player character may have any number of attributes which could be tracked and maintained by the player character database.
Contract database 28 may include information about any virtual agreements entered into by player characters. Examples of information the contract database may maintain include, but are not limited to: contract ID, player character ID, Player character type, contract type, contract obligation(s). Of course it will be understood that for many of these information categories, a given contract may have multiple entries. For example, a given contract entered into by a given player character may have numerous contract obligations which can be tracked and maintained by the contract database. Examples of contract obligation information that could be tracked and maintained by the contract database includes, but is not limited to: player character, obligation type, obligation amount, obligation date, obligation penalty, obligation grace period, obligation warning message, and default rules.
Virtual bank database 30 may include information related to the methods and financial instruments used to guarantee certain in-game agreements. For example, the virtual bank database may include information including, but not limited to: player character owner, player character owner credit card number, account balance, maximum deposit limit, interest rate, interest payment schedule, player character account, and loan account number. It will be appreciated that any of these categories of information may include subcategorizable information. For example, the player character account information may include numerous sub-categories of information including character ID, character balance, character interest rate, and interest payment schedule. Alternatively or additionally, the loan account information may include sub-categories of information including character ID, loan amount, payment(s), interest rate, and credit card number.
Turning to
Once the player characters identifies the type of currency with which the financial obligation is to be paid (i.e. virtual or financial) the server determines if the player character has a sufficient amount of the specified funds to cover the amount of the financial obligation. Accordingly, if the player opts to pay in virtual funds and the player character has sufficient virtual funds in his player account, the virtual funds are deducted from the player account and the transaction is completed. Similarly, if the player opts to pay in real world funds and the player character's real world financial instrument (i.e. credit card, debit card, bank account etc.) contains sufficient funds to cover the financial obligation, the funds are transferred and the transaction is completed.
However, a player may chose to pay with a currency for which he does not have sufficient funds. For example, a player may wish to use virtual funds to pay for an item costing 500 credits, but only have 400 credits in his player account. The server may determine that sufficient virtual funds are not available and automatically ping the players real world financial instrument to determine if sufficient real world funds are available to cover the financial obligation. If sufficient real world funds are available, some or all of the financial obligation may then be satisfied by the available real world funds. The amount of real world funds that are used may the remaining balance (i.e. the unpaid 100 credits) times an exchange rate, with or without the imposition of an additional fee, the entire amount of the transaction (i.e. 500 credits) times an exchange rate, or any other amount, which may or may not be agreed to or determined by the player.
Of course it will be appreciated that a player may chose to use real world credits to pay for an item but have insufficient real world funds. In such a case, the player's virtual account balance may be automatically pinged and an amount deducted as described above.
If the player character has incurred a financial obligation but has insufficient funds in both virtual and real world accounts, the server may first determine if the player character has benefited from the transaction (i.e have any items been transferred to the player character's possession or any services performed?). If not, the transaction can be cancelled.
However, if the player character has benefited from the transaction, i.e. a good or service has already been received, a penalty may be imposed. Such penalty may include, but may not be limited to, imposition of a fine, alteration of the character's appearance, demeanor, or other characteristics (including scores, levels, ability to perform or engage in various actions, etc.), freezing of the characters account, and/or liquidation of the character's assets.
According to one embodiment, upon determining that a character has sufficient funds to cover a financial obligation, the server may determine if the character has sufficient virtual assets to cover the financial obligation. If the character has sufficient virtual assets, enough assets are liquidated to cover the financial obligation (this may include, for example, repossession of an item that was the source of the transaction) and the creditor(s) are paid the amount owed. According to some embodiments, one or more additional fees may or may not be imposed. Such fees may be payable to the creditor and or the game server, for example.
If the character does not have sufficient virtual assets to cover the financial obligation, some or all of the character's assets may be liquidated and the proceeds distributed to the creditor(s).
Cancellation of the transaction may or may not prevent the player character from receiving a penalty. For example, even if the transaction is cancelled, a fee may be imposed, the player character's physical appearance may be altered, or some other penalty may be given to or imposed upon the player character.
The following paragraphs describe various methods and steps therein according to additional embodiments of the present disclosure:
Establishing a Contract
Enforcing a Contract
Locking player character accounts and liquidating assets
Generating warning message if virtual obligation cannot be met
Disabling selling virtual assets if Player Character has virtual obligations
Periodic check of credit card validity
Credit card upselling during contract initiation
Credit card upselling during player set up
Providing a choice between virtual cash or credit card charge
Real cash charge to credit card for virtual loan payment or rental
Of course it will be appreciated that the systems methods described herein are provided for the purposes of example only and that none of the above systems methods should be interpreted as necessarily requiring any of the disclosed components or steps nor should they be interpreted as necessarily excluding any additional components or steps.
The invention is described with reference to several embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is readily applicable to many other diverse embodiments and applications. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various systems, methods and configurations, and other features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.
Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as "at least one widget" covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article "the" to refer to the limitation (e.g., "the widget"), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., "the widget" can cover both one widget and more than one widget).
Each claim in a set of claims has a different scope. Therefore, for example, where a limitation is explicitly recited in a dependent claim, but not explicitly recited in any claim from which the dependent claim depends (directly or indirectly), that limitation is not to be read into any claim from which the dependent claim depends.
When an ordinal number (such as "first", "second", "third" and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a "first widget" may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget". Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "widget" does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.
When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device/article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate).
Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device/article.
The functionality and/or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality/features.
Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the invention which must be present in all embodiments.
Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of this patent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of this patent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). An Abstract has been included in this application merely because an Abstract of not more than 150 words is required under 37 C.F.R. �1.72(b).
The title of this patent application and headings of sections provided in this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
Devices that are described as in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components/features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component/feature is essential or required.
Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. On the contrary, the steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.
Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the steps are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required.
Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.
Unless expressly specified otherwise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive. Therefore it is possible, but not necessarily true, that something can be considered to be, or fit the definition of, two or more of the items in an enumerated list. Also, an item in the enumerated list can be a subset (a specific type of) of another item in the enumerated list. For example, the enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive—e.g., an item can be both a laptop and a computer, and a "laptop" can be a subset of (a specific type of) a "computer".
Likewise, unless expressly specified otherwise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are collectively exhaustive or otherwise comprehensive of any category. For example, the enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.
Further, an enumerated listing of items does not imply that the items are ordered in any manner according to the order in which they are enumerated.
In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. �112, paragraph 6, applies to that limitation.
In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. �112, paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whether that limitation recites a function without recitation of structure, material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim, the mere use of the phrase "step of" or the phrase "steps of" in referring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C. �112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).
With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. �112, paragraph 6, the corresponding structure, material or acts described in the specification, and equivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as the specified function.
Computers, processors, computing devices and like products are structures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such products can be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or more programs, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product or in a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particular algorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed in this patent application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that a specified function may be implemented via different algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a mere design choice for carrying out the specified function.
Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function in accordance with 35 U.S.C. �112, paragraph 6, structure corresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed to perform the specified function. Such structure includes programmed products which perform the function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing the function, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.
The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in this patent application, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of priority of this patent application. Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in this patent application.
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With 3 retouching levels to choose from, each at their own flat-price you'll never be left guessing what the charges will be for the retouching requests you want to make. Low Cost. No Contracts or Minimums. No Complications.
After you submit an order our goal is to have a 24 hour maximum turnaround time. During most of the year, our turnaround time is even much faster! If you have a hard deadline consider marking the order as Rush, or calling us directly at (888) 700-3686. We're confidant that you'll get superior results on time and to your satisfaction.
As a professional photographer your work day is full with a variety of responsibilities. From accounting to customer service and everything in between we understand your plate is very full. Let us do the busy (and time consuming) work of retouching so you can spend YOUR TIIME where it has the most value. Simply create a profile, upload your photos and select the retouch level that fits your needs. Within about 24 hours* your photos are now complete, retouched to your satisfaction!
To us contracts and minimums are a distraction. We want our focus to be on providing the best in photo retouching. What we don't want the focus to be about is numbers and quotas. Whether you use us once a day or once a year (we hope more than that!) we are always ready to offer our services with no complications.
By: Gary Poole
Photographers have tried to find ways to remedy glasses glare for as long as there have been photographs of people wearing glasses. Before Photoshop was available, all glasses glare had to be painstakingly removed on each photograph one by one using pencils and dyes. The images rarely matched so photographers went to great lengths to avoid getting glare. This included removing the lenses from the frames (not very natural looking), looking away from the camera, tilting the glasses down, or just taking the glasses off altogether.

subset: commoncrawl


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3M Foam Mounting Double-Sided Tape, 3/4 Wide x 350 Long
3M Foam Mounting Double-Sided Tape, 3/4 Wide x 350 Long
Weights & Dimensions
|Global Product Type: Mounting Tape
|Length: 350 In
|Permanent/Removable/Repositionable: Removable
|Pre-Consumer Recycled Content Percent: 0 %
|Total Recycled Content Percent: 0 %
|Holds: Up To 2 Lbs.
|Post-Consumer Recycled Content Percent: 0 %
|Color(s): White
|Mounting Application: Double-Sided Adhesive
|Country of Manufacture: United States
About the Manufacturer3M has a history of investing in the communities in which they operate by providing jobs for local residents and supporting education, the environment, and social and economic development. 3M is also recognized as a leader in environmental protection and a pioneer in pollution prevention.
3M Foam Mounting Double-Sided Tape, 3/4 Wide x 350 Long
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OUR SKU # TM2560Foam Mounting Double-Sided Tape, 3/4 Wide x 350 Long is also sometimes listed under the following manufacturer numbers: MMM110LONG


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This is the Blade mCP X BL BNF helicopter.
E-Flite 1.5-Amp Power Supply AC to 6VDC.
Blade Main Gear for the mCP X Helicopter.
Blade Carrying Case with a Display Window for the nCP X Helicopter.
Spektrum DX4e DSMX 4-Channel Full Range Transmitter, Mode 2/4.
Spektrum DX8 Mode 2 Transmitter.
Blade Feathering Spindle with O-Rings, Bushing, and Hardware for the mCP X Helicopter.
E-Flite 1S High Current Ultra- Micro Battery Adapter Lead.
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Spektrum 1.9g Linear Long Throw BB Servo.
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Micro Heli Aluminum and Carbon Fiber Landing Gear Set for the Blade mCP X Helicopter.
Micro Heli Aluminum X Swashplate for the Blade mCP X Helicopter.


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Township Calendar
Keep up with Salford Township news, events, and scheduled meetings with our calendar.
Welcome to Salford Township
Salford Township is located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It includes several parks and recreational areas, plenty of open space, and the historic Landis Homestead. The Salford Township Municipal Building is located in Tylersport, PA where regular meetings are held to discuss planning, zoning, open space, and other township issues (please see the Meeting Schedule for more information).
News & Announcements
Tylersport Ladies Auxillary Looking for VolunteersMarch 4, 2015
The Tylersport Fire Company Ladies Auxillary is an all volunteer group of approximately..
» Read More
What Causes Sewer Rates to Increase?September 26, 2014
After much deliberation and community participation, the Franconia Sewer Authority adopted its 2014..
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Why a Flat Rate for FSA Residential Customers?September 26, 2014
The Franconia Sewer Authority, along with any other Municipal Authority in Pennsylvania, is..
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Project ChildSafe programSeptember 19, 2014
As part of the nationwide Project ChildSafe program free gun locking devices (safety..
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Turnpike Widening ProjectsAugust 29, 2014
Keep updated on the turnpike widening projects here!
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Second Quarter 2015 Alabama Business Optimism Remains at Highest Level since Mid-2006The Alabama Business Confidence Index™ (ABCI) came in at an optimistic 57.6 on the second quarter 2015 survey. That's 0.2 points higher than last quarter and 2.0 points above the ABCI of 55.6 recorded a year ago. Most component indexes increased this quarter. Among statewide indicators, the strongest gains in expectations were ...more
Business Executives Rank Education and Workforce Training the Top Issue Facing AlabamaThe Alabama Business Confidence Index™ (ABCI) panelists voiced their opinions about the top issues facing the state and their companies in a survey conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in November 2014. Business executives reported that education and workforce training was the top issue facing the state ...more
Alabama Economics Club - "2015 National, State, and Local Economic Outlook"
Downlaod the PowerPoint presentation of Mr. Ahamd Ijaz here.
First Quarter 2015 Alabama Business Optimism at Highest Level since Mid-2006
The Alabama Business Confidence Index™ (ABCI) came in at an optimistic 57.4 on the first quarter 2015 survey. That's 3.2 points higher than last quarter and 6.2 points above the ABCI of 51.2 recorded a year ago. All component indexes increased this quarter, with the strongest gains in expectations for ...more
2015 Alabama Economic Forecast Released at 27th Annual CBER Conference
Alabama is expected to see stronger growth in both economic output (GDP) and employment during 2015, according to the forecast from UA's Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER). Dr. Sam Addy, CBER Director and Associate Dean for Research and Outreach in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Ahmad Ijaz, Associate Director and Director of Economic Forecasting, presented an encouraging outlook for the state in 2015 at CBER's 27th annual Economic Outlook Conference. Around 150 attended the meeting, held January 15th in Montgomery ...more
Alabama Job Growth Picking Up, Economic Forecast from UA's CBER Improves
Recent numbers indicate that Alabama job growth may finally be picking up from the slow pace seen since the last recession. The state added 31,600 jobs between September 2013 and September 2014. That's one of the highest rates of job growth during a 12-month period since the U.S. economy fell into ...more
The University of Alabama 2012-2013 Economic Impacts
Economic and fiscal impacts of The University of Alabama (UA) on the State of Alabama for the 2012-2013 academic year, were $2.344 billion, 11,900 jobs, and $106.6 million in income and sales taxes ($32.7 million state sales tax, $33.1 million state income tax, and $40.8 million local sales tax). The $2.3 billion impact means that UA created a $16.66 impact for every $1 of state appropriation. Home football games had a statewide impact of $177.9 million, an average of $25.4 million per game.
Alabama will realize a 16.7 percent annual rate of return on the $140.7 million state appropriation because over their careers UA's 2012-2013 graduating class will pay $1.2 billion more income and sales taxes ...more
CBER Analysis Validates Predictive Significance of ABCI
Each quarter business executives across Alabama take the online Alabama Business Confidence Index™ (ABCI) survey, a project of the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) in UA's Culverhouse College of Commerce. The recent Q4 2013 survey marked 48 consecutive quarters of ABCI results. Using these survey results, CBER has completed a Validation Analysis comparing statewide trends in the ABCI and ...more
In a new study, Dr. Samuel Addy, Director of UA's Center for Business and Economic Research, utilizes cost-benefit analysis to assess the economic impacts of HB 56, the Alabama immigration law ...more
A study completed by CBER in 2011 for the Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC) assesses the status of the state's economy, people, resources, and environment in global, national, and regional contexts. The 53-page report, Alabama in the Global Economy, considers the question of "Where do we go from here?" and offers policy recommendations for sustainable development. It is part of the AARC's recent update of Alabama's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). You can visit the Alabama CEDS website at http://ceds.alabama.gov/ for reports, data, and maps or access the Alabama in the Global Economy report directly here.Preliminary Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the April 27, 2011 Tornadoes in Alabama
Preliminary macroeconomic impact estimates of the April 27, 2011 tornadoes that hit Alabama are reductions of (i) 0.2-0.5 percent in employment or 5,600-13,200 jobs, (ii) 0.2-0.5 percent in state tax collections or $19.1-44.5 million, (iii) 0.5-0.7 percent in Alabama Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or $835 million to $1.3 billion, and (iv) $4.4-10.2 million in local sales tax collections. These loss effects are expected to be experienced in 2011 only ...moreBP Oil Spill Preliminary Macroeconomic Impacts on Alabama
The Center for Business and Economic Research has released preliminary macroeconomic impact estimates of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Alabama for 2010 ...more
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Center for Business and Economic Research, Box 870221, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0221
Phone: 205.348.6191, Fax: 205.348.2951, Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Brew Your Skill & Network: Developing Trust
Event Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Event Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Venue: Ale Asylum Riverhouse
Description: Why do people buy from you? Top executives believe that TRUST plays a major factor in winning the sales�People buy from people that they trust. In this session, we will break down the elements of trust that have an impact on your sales ratio and increase your ability to retain clients. Learn how to build trusting relationships, increase your sales, and retain your clients.
Brew Your Skill & Network:
Ale Asylum Riverhouse and HFI Consulting proudly present Brew Your Skill & Network. Network amongst professionals while you advance your core business skills. This session allows business owners, executives, and associates to learn/refresh everyday business skills while networking with other professionals.
Hospitality Lunch & Learn
Event Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Event Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Venue: Hotel Metro
Description: Hospitality Lunch & Learn
Hospitality is one of the fastest growing fields in the world, adding in a new job every 2.5 seconds. With new hotels, restaurants, and a new arena coming to the Milwaukee area, the industry is in need of passionate and professional managers to meet the demand.
Be our guest for a Hospitality Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 from Noon to 1:30pm at Hotel Metro in downtown Milwaukee, 411 E. Mason Street. Have a FREE lunch while professionals from dining, hotel, convention and entertainment industries will be answering questions and sharing experiences. Speakers from Bartolotta Restaurant Group, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hotel Metro and others will also be discussing the high demand for skilled managers in their fields.
Space is limited. Attendees must RSVP. To RSVP, call 414-276-5200, email firstname.lastname@example.com, or register on the Bryant & Stratton College � Milwaukee Campus Facebook event page.
A $500 grant will be awarded for attendees that enroll as a new student in the Hospitality Management program at Bryant & Stratton College for the fall semester.
Bryant & Stratton College offers programs in business, technology, healthcare and the legal field at the diploma, associate and bachelor�s degree level. For over 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been building a strong reputation as a premier career college. Learn more: www.BryantStratton.edu
This event is free to attend.
Plumpjack Wine Dinner
Event Date: Thursday, July 9, 2015
Event Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Venue: Carnevor
Description: Carnevor will be hosting the first Plumpjack wine dinner in Wisconsin. Sandra Roberts of Plumpjack Winery will be attending the dinner to discuss the varietals of wine. Carnevor�s Wine Director Josh Steiner and Executive Sous Chef Mario Giuliani created a menu to bring out the best flavors in each wine.
Patriot Tour 2015 with Marcus Luttrell
Event Date: Saturday, July 11, 2015
Event Time: 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Venue: Pabst Theatre
Description: For his 2015 Patriot Tour, Marcus Luttrell, Navy SEAL and author of Lone Survivor, Service and the inspiration behind the Hollywood Blockbuster Lone Survivor, brings his Patriot Tour to twenty cities across the U.S. with a number of special guests and performers. Some are fellow veterans, others have lives that have been profoundly changed by those who have served and sacrificed, and all share a special bond with Marcus and his sense of duty and Patriotism.
VIP Meet & Greet Tickets Available.
2015 Chasin' A Cure Tailgate
Event Date: Friday, July 17, 2015
Event Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Venue: Miller Park
Description: Friday, July 17th at Miller Park, the 2015 Chasin' A Cure // 4th Annual Baseball Tailgate Concert is on. Each ticket will include great food and drinks, a Chasin' Mason concert, loge level seating to the Brewers VS. Pirates game and more. This popular event sells out more quickly each consecutive year, so be sure and get your tickets NOW.
Wheels & Heels Rush on Festa
Event Date: Friday, July 17, 2015
Event Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Venue: Henry W. Maier Festival Park
Description: The National Spinal Cord Injury Association�s S.E. Wisconsin Chapter (NSCIA/SWC) first created the Wheels & Heels: Rush on Festa race in 1987 as a means of raising public awareness and generating money for research in a continuing effort to find a cure for paralysis.
Wheels & Heels Rush on Festa
Event Date: Friday, July 17, 2015
Event Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Venue: Henry W. Maier Festival Park
Description: The National Spinal Cord Injury Association�s S.E. Wisconsin Chapter (NSCIA/SWC) first created the Wheels & Heels: Rush on Festa race in 1987 as a means of raising public awareness and generating money for research in a continuing effort to find a cure for paralysis.
Summer Evening
Event Date: Saturday, July 18, 2015
Event Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Venue: The Legend at Merrill Hills
Description: Summer Evening
The evening will be filled with delicious food, drinks, and live music from Jay Anderson. Guests have the opportunity to bid on unique live and silent auction items and to check out the gorgeous and newly renovated clubhouse at Merrill Hills. Proceeds benefit our free programs and services that help women and children heal and break the cycle of violence. For information regarding sponsorship and auction donation opportunities, please call 262-522-3805.
Capital City 5K for Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation
Event Date: Saturday, July 25, 2015
Event Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Venue: Capitol Square/Goodman Park
Description: Capital City 5K for Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation
Join organ, tissue, and eye donation ambassadors at the 5th annual Capital City 5K to raise awareness for the gift of life. The 5K, USATF certified course is managed by Next Level Sports and takes place on a warm, summer evening in beautiful Madison, WI. Beginning at twilight on the Capitol Square, winding along the lakeshore path, and ending at Goodman Park for a private pool party, it's a run/walk that creates community. This year, we will also celebrate the 5th anniversary of Wisconsin's online donor registry (www.yesiwillwisconsin.com).
Children With Special Needs Massage Workshop
Event Date: Saturday, July 25, 2015
Event Time: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Venue: Momentum Movement Clinic
Description: Therapeutic massage can be integrated into a child�s overall plan of care. When massage is added as an adjunct therapy to a child�s Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Therapy (ST) or Physical Therapy (PT) plan, parents can see significant results and improvement in cognitive skills. Some of the main characteristics of ASD are impairments in social interaction and impaired communication. Massage has shown to promote more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play observations. Over time, massage sessions from a skilled therapist and/or at home from the parents can provide relaxation, help with body awareness, help the child to become more accustomed to tactile stimulation and has also helped decrease issues with sleeping. In addition, massage has helped increase muscle tone in children with ASD, which in turn has helped increase fine and gross motor skills.
Call with details or questions. 262.373.9181
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jon Baldwin is determined not to let his return to training camp bring back bad memories.
LONDON (AP) - Their closest rivals were still on the floor competing when the Chinese whipped out five big gold stars and held them up in the shape of their flag.
LONDON (AP) - Missy Franklin stared out on the horde of reporters, suddenly sounding very much like a high school senior-to-be. "I don't like being up here alone," she said nervously.
NEW YORK (AP) - Boston had wasted a five-run lead by the time Pedro Ciriaco stepped to the plate in the ninth inning Saturday night and hit a hard fly ball toward center field. He thought Curtis Granderson would catch it.
LONDON (AP) - On the final arrow, the USA lost Olympic gold in men's team archery.
LONDON (AP) - France coach Vincent Collet says playing the United States at the start of the men's Olympic tournament feels like a "child facing a monster."
SEATTLE (AP) - Kevin Millwood is having an easy time ignoring trade speculation.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Slumping slugger Josh Hamilton was held out of the Texas Rangers' starting lineup Saturday night against the Chicago White Sox because manager Ron Washington wanted to give the outfielder a mental break.
LONDON (AP) - Ryan Lochte turned his much-anticipated duel with Michael Phelps into a blowout, pulling away to win the Olympic 400-meter individual medley by more than 3 seconds Saturday night. Even more stunning: Phelps didn't win any medal at all.
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) - Abby Wambach lay on her stomach, kicking the turf in pain from a freshly minted black eye. Had she been somewhere other than a soccer field, she might have responded differently to her aggressor.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - As the Kansas City Chiefs opened camp Friday on lush, green practice fields dotting a countryside yellowed and browned by drought, most eyes were on just three guys.
LONDON (AP) - Shaken and stirred.
SEATTLE (AP) - John Jaso drove in four runs and Blake Beavan pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
LONDON (AP) - London, blow our minds.
NEW YORK (AP) - In an offseason marked by Junior Seau's suicide and scores of lawsuits over brain injuries, the NFL on Thursday launched a comprehensive wellness program for current and retired players - including a confidential mental health phone line.
Page 212 of 370
SEATTLE- The Royals continued their struggles against left-handed starters this season during a 7-0 loss to left-hander Mike Montgomery and the Mariners on Tuesday.
PEARLAND, Texas (AP) - Darryl Hamilton, a standout center fielder and a member of the New York Mets team that reached the 2000 World Series, was killed in a murder-suicide in a suburban Houston home, authorities said Monday.
SEATTLE- Royals right-hander Joe Blanton, making another spot start in the injury-riddled rotation, overmatched the Mariners through six-plus innings, and Alcides Escobar delivered three hits as the Royals held off the Mariners, 4-1, on Monday night at Safeco Field.
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) - Jordan Spieth is halfway home to the Grand Slam, a prize only three of the biggest names in modern golf have ever chased.
KANSAS CITY- Mookie Betts came within a single of hitting for the cycle, the Red Sox pounded out 16 hits and Wade Miley served up six scoreless innings in a 13-2 Father's Day blowout of the Royals on Sunday afternoon.
KANSAS CITY- Rookie left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez bounced back from a horrific start against Toronto and gave up just one run over 6 1/3 innings to lead Boston to a 7-3 win over the Royals on Friday night at sold-out (38,190) Kauffman Stadium.
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Farah's classic collection of subtly branded polos is peppered with more modern versions with micro button down collars and repeat Farah logo prints. Fair Isle cardigans look like the most popular knitwear trend for autumn 09, and Farah's come in 1970s Nordic patterns in green, blue and purple, while duffel coats are a big outerwear story also present here. Micro collar slim fit shirts and 1sb peak lapel suits nod to 1960s Mods and chunky hooded cardigans with football leather buttons, ...
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Heineken Cup Pool 2: Cardiff Blues hold off Glasgow Warriors
Last Updated: 07/12/13 8:31am
Rhys Patchell: Heads to the try line for Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues claimed top spot in Heineken Cup Pool 2 with a 29-20 victory over Glasgow at the Arms Park.
A young and much-changed Blues side came into the match as underdogs but played with verve and precision to see off the visitors from Scotland.
Tries from tyro stand-off Rhys Patchell and Wales international winger Alex Cuthbert and six successful kicks from Lions star Leigh Halfpenny proved enough to keep Cardiff in the hunt for a quarter-final berth.
Glasgow made a fast start but failed to keep control of possession at crucial times and were also too often on the wrong end of George Clancey's whistle.
Ryan Grant went in at the side and Halfpenny missed from the touchline, but moments later the Warriors were pinged for sealing off and this time Halfpenny made no mistake.
Cuthbert almost scored the first try but knocked on in goal as he tried to scoop up his own hack-on and it was left to Patchell to score the next points, slotting a monster penalty from five metres inside his own half.
Blues' turnovers were proving crucial and on 20 minutes Duncan Weir handed them a try-scoring opprtunity as he knocked on a simple pass in his own in-goal area.
From the resulting scrum Cuthbert got over the gainline and created the space for Patchell to charge over for a strong finish, with Halfpenny converting.
A Halfpenny penalty on 32 minutes stretched the lead to 16-0 but Glasgow gave themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half-time.
For once they retained possession and went through the attacking phases, before Sean Maitland cut inside Richard Smith to score, with Weir converting.
Halfpenny stretched the Blues' lead with a penalty just after the re-start but two Weir penalties got the visitors back to within six points with 20 minutes left.
Richard Smith's storming burst up the middle relieved the pressure for Cardiff and Glasgow conceded the penalty, which Halfpenny kicked.
But Glasgow looked to be in the ascendanacy and were pressing for what could have been a crucial score when Cuthbert saw his chance, timing his burst to the line perfectly and intercepting. He had a lot to do to score but held off Ruaridh Jackson on the outside to get in for the match-winning try, which Halfpenny converted.
With two minutes left Leone Nakarawa got over in the corner for Glasgow and Weir converted, but there was no time for them to threaten the score which would have earned a losing bonus point.
After playing a full part in an absorbing contest, they probably deserved to take something away ahead of next weekend's re-match in Scotland.
Heineken Cup Week 3 2013/14
Heineken Cup blogs
Click here for bite-sized chunks of expert analysis from Round Four of rugby's top club competition.
Heineken Cup blogs
Click here for bite-sized chunks of expert analysis from Round Three of rugby's top club competition.
Wood 'ashamed' after defeat
Northampton flanker Tom Wood has apologised to the club's supporters following the 40-7 defeat to Leinster.
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Exceptional is light and beautiful and just smells so wonderful. I'm very particular about the scents that I wear and haven't found one I love this much since Tova and Tova Nights. I just bought my Mom a bottle and she loves it too.
Written by Anonymous on September 15, 2014Read Review details ►
I enjoy wearing beautiful. It's a soft and sensual fragrance.
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Received a sample of Exceptional in an order I got several weeks ago and decided to give it a try..............I LOVE IT! It is now one of my favorite scents. So clean and fresh, I would never had given this a chance unless I got a sample! Thank you!
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I wish the mods would close down Pujols. Just hit number two today.
I wish the mods would close down Pujols. Just hit number two today.
"...You just have a wider lens than one game."
--Former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, on why he didn't fly Josh Hamilton to Colorado for one game.
"...its money well-spent. Don't screw around with your freedom."
--Roy Tucker, on why you need to lawyer up when you find yourself swimming with sharks.
I support the mods, especially if they close Pujols down
Go Gators!
Apparently...they can't.Originally Posted by KronoRed
For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.
I hate the idea of missing out on getting to check out something as cool as that in the future.Originally Posted by max venable
Several months ago a RZ'er posted a thread about some old Pete Rose and JB SI's that they were looking to sell. I was fortunate enough to purchase them and they're now framed and proudly displayed...
Things like Max's auction and those SI's should be brought to the attention of RZ'ers, definitely not labeled as spam.
Someone should create an "Albert Pujols" account so that we can all just neg it into oblivion whenever we get frustrated.Originally Posted by KronoRed
Championships Matter.
24 Years and Counting...
So the "10" thread has been closed. Here's what the mod said:
Time to end it...that right...because ONE person wants to close it. Okay...doesn't matter that others are enjoying it. Doesn't matter that it's in the "noon-baseball chatter" part of the site.This thread is way off topic and has served it's purpose. Time to end it.
I am MODERATOR...hear me roar!
For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.
:Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor
It was a spam thread, those get closed down, even if they are fun.
Have fun in other threads
Go Gators!
But the question then becomes, as soon as a thread becomes "fun", is it going to be closed simply because it may have veered off topic, even if it isn't trolling or bashing of other posters or beating subjects to death?Originally Posted by KronoRed
On April 1, one poster posted something like 10 or so threads on the non-baseball forum, all of which were articles from the Weekly World News. This is the definition of spam, and yet not a single one of those threads was locked or removed, even though they created little discussion.
My dad got to enjoy 3 Reds World Championships by the time he was my age. So far, I've only gotten to enjoy one. Step it up Redlegs!
Well, here's a rhetorical question for you: shouldn't 40,000+ posts be considered spam? Especially since the poster seems to think he is having 'fun'.Originally Posted by KronoRed
Im shocked that this thread hasnt been closed yet.
When I see the 2015 Reds, I see a 100 loss team.
I don't think this thread is particularly inflammatory, but dissension isn't always bad.Originally Posted by redsfanmia
My dad got to enjoy 3 Reds World Championships by the time he was my age. So far, I've only gotten to enjoy one. Step it up Redlegs!
I'll just throw in a couple of observations which hold true for not only RedZone, but other sites:
Moderators are people.
People are prone to mistakes and their own opinions.
When a moderator makes a mistake or expresses their opinion, it is not the end of the world.
This is a website - the lives, workplace heiarchy and so forth is completely irrelevent in the cyber world.
This is Boss' and GIK's website - our opinions and views are thanks to their work.
If a moderator does wrong, in the end it is up to Boss or GIK to correct this, not the rest of the community.
The rest of the community does have a right to complain, but once again in the end (see above for the rest).
Users on a website are people - people tend to disagree with each other. We are allowed to disagree. But, we are also allowed to understand.
whisper words of wisdom
I wrote a book!
My AmazonShort
My other AmazonShort
They were not locked, but I did tell the poster to stop - and he did.Originally Posted by savafan
So why the different responses? It's actually quite simple: threads that veer off topic have a large amount of inertia to fight if I try to get them back on topic. It's easier to change the mind of one poster via warning than it is a dozen. I've tried it many times before - trust me, it falls on deaf ears. In the threads mentioned by sava, I was only dealing with one poster. There's a fundamental difference between the two situations and as a result, I handled them differently.
Believe me, I wish this moderating thing was as cut and dry as you all believe it to be. We wouldn't be having this discussion if it was.
Last edited by paintmered; 04-16-2006 at 08:42 PM.
What if this wasn't a rhetorical question?
All models are wrong. Some of them are useful.
This isn't just about people "enjoying" a thread. It takes precious bandwidth to run this site, and these threads that gather up 5,000+ replies eat up the bandwidth and slow the board down.Originally Posted by max venable
Do you want to come here and have to wait forever for the pages to load? I don't, and I speak from experience as it was my thread that started this whole thing.
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.


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Chinese Noodle Soup
11 Nov 2010
|Vegetable oil
|1 Teaspoon
|1 Clove (5 gm), minced
|1 Teaspoon
|Chicken stock
|8 Cup (128 tbs)
|Angel hair pasta/Capellini
|1⁄4 Pound
|Boneless skinless chicken breasts
|2 , thinly sliced
|Canned water chestnuts
|10 Ounce, drained and sliced (1 Can Of 284 Milliliter)
|Bean sprouts
|1⁄4 Pound (125 Gram)
|Fresh spinach
|10 Ounce (1 Package Of 284 Gram)
|Green onions
|4 , sliced
In Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook garlic and ginger, stirring, for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Pour in chicken stock; bring to boil, skimming off any foam.
Break capellini into thirds and add to pan; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until pasta is tender but firm. Stir in chicken; cook for 1 minute. Add water chestnuts, bean sprouts and spinach; cook for 1 minute or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls; garnish with onions.
Recipe Summary
Method:Stir Fried
Rate It
0 Comments
Chinese Noodle Soup Recipe


text:
Eat Drink Think Sing
That humans eat and drink is the basis to the physical level in our being. That humans think (feel and perceive) adds to the bodily being with the ability to decide. As a result, as climax, humans could sing, giving expression to their thinking. Eating, drinking, thinking and singing is thus a basic combination that demonstrates the organic simplicity and greatness of being human.
Coffee Dramatist
I have been drinking coffee, eating coffee, thinking coffee. I am no historian, no expert, no missionary wishing to convince you that this particular brew in this particular cup will be the god-shot of your life. But perhaps being a reliable storyteller will help increase – among others – your coffee expectations, your perception in every cup, thus increasing your joy in each.
New York Roosters
I was paying attention to some very three-dimensional bubbles in the cup I had just drank my coffee out of and, as I put my telephone up to it, noticed the... Read morePosted on 28 April 2012 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Coffee to Wear (by Eva Cello)
Earrings by Eva Cello / Foto: Frank Schober My name is Eva Skiera (born Capkova). I was born in 1983 in Trutnov, Bohemia – Czech Republic. Read morePosted on 24 April 2012 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Borrowed Coffee / Coffee is Used and Liked in Various Ways
Coffee Berry Borer Beetle (Insect) / Foto: Yale EducationFotos Source: Yale EducationFurther information on the Coffee Berry Beetle you find at the Coffee and... Read morePosted on 17 April 2012 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Søren Kierkegaard on Coffee and Coffee-Not
"Things here go just as they did with me and my physician. I complained about being out of sorts. He replied, 'You probably drink too much coffee and walk too... Read morePosted on 13 April 2012 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Black Chicken Risotto
Taste is not just a matter of taste. It is not just a personal thing, but heavily based on culture and geography. There is much to appreciate and learn from suc... Read morePosted on 04 April 2012 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Red Wine Reduction with Pure Licorice
Licorice is often seen as the one thing that clearly divides the human race into two types: those who love it and those who hate it. Bipartisan palates seem... Read morePosted on 29 March 2012 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
The Nature of Challenged Minds (or When Does a Natural Process Become Unnatural?)
Roasted coffee seeds on dried tobacco leaves (yet unrolled cigar) Just days ago a conversation in the German web caught my attention. Read morePosted on 06 July 2011 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
The Destiny is in Your Hands / To Turn Or Not to Turn
Filed under: Black Coffee, Coffee, Coffee Art, Drawings / Paintings, Tasseography, Undrinkable Coffee Rests / Tasseography Tagged: coffee cup, coffee grounds,... Read morePosted on 30 June 2011 DRINK
Coffee Beers #2 (25.VI.11): Black Xantus – Nectar Ales, California
Black Xantus, Imperial Stout - Coffee Beer / Nectar Ales, CaliforniaWhen it comes to juices, a nectar ought to be understood as product, which is "less" than... Read morePosted on 30 June 2011 DRINK
Coffee Beers Tasting, June 24th: "Chicca" – Turin, Italy (Slow Food)
Hueheutenango is a city near the Mexican border, found at an elevation of well over 6000 feet (about 1,900m). This is also the name of a district in the... Read morePosted on 27 June 2011 DRINK
Ante Portas: The Black Brotherhood of Coffee Beers
'Dieu du ciel' is no religious acclamation and 'peche mortel' has nothing to do with death. The former is the Canadian Brewery from Quebec that makes one of... Read morePosted on 22 June 2011 DRINK
The Cold World of Coffee
The Japanese have been creating a market for cold coffee for a few decades, mainly in cans. Needless to say, they are not the only ones today. Also the Greek... Read morePosted on 08 June 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK
New York Water, Asparagus and New Breads
New York is famous for its water quality, especially being that precisely good water is what one does not expect in such a city.Some strong changes and... Read morePosted on 29 May 2011 CREATIVITY, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Blueberry, Apple, Red Wine and Spices for a Neutral Sauce
It is nothing new that the palate appreciates savoury things and sweet things, just as happily as the combination of the two. I started this recipe, not with a... Read morePosted on 30 April 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK
Only for Adults, but Certainly Not for Every Adult
Coffee on unrolled Cigar Tobacco and Coffee. This seems to be a classical combination. It is only sad that in many situations it has been degraded to the... Read morePosted on 27 April 2011 DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Something. (Undrinkable Coffee Rest)
It is to wish that one day – just like many other humans – I will know much. For this wish I try to keep an open eye. With great interest I watch into my cups... Read morePosted on 27 April 2011 DRINK
When a Cuban Palate Has Been in Italy / Cuban Risotto
Plantains (unripe) Plantain Risotto As I visited my parents back in 2000, not only did I meet with three great individuals in my life and their personalities. Read morePosted on 25 April 2011 FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Coffee at the Borough Market
Visiting the Monmouth Coffee at the Borough Market was a true joy. Luckily the joy is not only due to a knowledgable team of coffee makers and a lovely... Read morePosted on 23 April 2011 DRINK
Quality Street Coffee in London / Brewed Boy Espresso
Repeatedly I am confronted with questions and comments and dwell upon my own thoughts about the differences between various qualities of coffee houses. Read morePosted on 22 April 2011 CREATIVITY, DRINK, FOOD & DRINK, SELF EXPRESSION
Some Architectural Points in the London Coffee-House Landscape
Flat White entrance (door weights) Princi water fountain Princi water fountain Monmouth Coffee wood Monmouth Coffee wood Monmouth Coffee wood It is fair to say... Read morePosted on 22 April 2011 ARCHITECTURE, CREATIVITY, SELF EXPRESSION
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