All The Claims

1. A circumcision device including:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
an inner recess opening from the proximal end and adapted to receive substantially all of a glans of a penis therein; and
an outer surface including a plurality of indicators spaced apart from the proximal end,
wherein, in use, a foreskin is pulled over the outer surface until the foreskin reaches a predetermined one of the indicators, thereby providing a visual guide to the level of circumcision.
2. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device includes a first outwardly protruding peripheral flange about the proximal end.
3. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the device also includes a second outwardly protruding peripheral flange about the distal end.
4. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first flange is larger in diameter than the second flange.
5. A circumcision device including:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
an inner recess opening from the proximal end and adapted to receive substantially all of a glans of a penis therein; and
a first outwardly protruding peripheral flange about the proximal end.
6. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the device also includes a second outwardly protruding peripheral flange about the distal end.
7. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first flange is larger in diameter than the second flange.
8. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device preferably includes a generally cylindrical body.
9. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generally cylindrical body includes a tapered part adjacent the distal end.
10. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device includes a handle, frangibly attached to the body.
11. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the handle is adjacent the distal end.
12. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the indicators are formed on the exterior of the body.
13. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the recess is formed within the body.
14. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the recess is inwardly concave.
15. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the indicators are in the form of outwardly protruding peripheral ribs.
16. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the ribs are longitudinally spaced apart.
17. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the ribs are longitudinally equally spaced apart.
18. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the device includes four ribs.
19. The circumcision device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the device includes five ribs.
20. A method of circumcision including the following steps:
inserting substantially all of a glans of a penis into an inner recess in a proximal end of a circumcision device;
pulling a foreskin over an outer surface of the circumcision device, until the foreskin reaches a predetermined one of a plurality of indicators, spaced from the proximal end, corresponding to a selected level of circumcision; and
tying a ligature around the foreskin adjacent the predetermined one of said indicators.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of dynamically modifying a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter in a clustered computer system, the method comprising:
deferring processing of a requested fragmentation size change until receipt of an acknowledgment message for at least one unacknowledged message sent by a source node to a plurality of target nodes;
thereafter processing the requested fragmentation size change to modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter used in transmitting messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes;
thereafter sending messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes using the modified fragmentation size cluster communication parameter; and
sending a sync message from the source node to the plurality of target nodes;

wherein deferring processing of the requested fragmentation size change includes waiting for an acknowledgment message for the sync message from each of the plurality of target nodes, wherein processing the requested fragmentation size change includes sending a fragmentation size change message from the source node to the plurality of target nodes, the fragmentation size change message configured to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes, wherein the source node comprises a message queue, wherein sending the sync message includes placing the sync message on the message queue and sending the fragmentation size change message includes placing the fragmentation size change message on the message queue, wherein the source node and the plurality of target nodes are members of a first group, wherein the source node is a member of a second group that further includes as members a second plurality of target nodes, wherein the source node further comprises a second message queue, wherein the source node includes first and second connections respectively associated with the first and second groups, wherein sending the sync message further includes placing the sync message on the second message queue to initiate, upon receipt by each target node in the second group, an immediate acknowledgment message from such target node that acknowledges receipt for each unacknowledged message received by such target node, and wherein sending the fragmentation size change message further includes placing the fragmentation size change message on the second message queue to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes in the second group.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sync message is configured to initiate, upon receipt by each target node, an immediate acknowledgment message from such target node that acknowledges receipt for each unacknowledged message received by such target node.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the requested fragmentation size change further includes modifying the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on the source node.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sequentially issuing messages on the first and second message queues respectively using first and second threads executing on the source node.
5. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory; and
a program resident in the memory, the program configured to dynamically modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter in a clustered computer system by processing a requested fragmentation size change only after receipt of an acknowledgment message for at least one unacknowledged message sent by a source node to a plurality of target nodes;

wherein the program is further configured to process the requested fragmentation size change after receipt of the acknowledgment message to modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter used in transmitting messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes, wherein the program is further configured to thereafter send messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes using the modified fragmentation size cluster communication parameter; wherein the program is further configured to send a sync message from the source node to the plurality of target nodes such that deferring processing of the requested fragmentation size change includes waiting for an acknowledgment message for the sync message from each of the plurality of target nodes; wherein the program is configured to process the requested fragmentation size change by sending a fragmentation size change message from the source node to the plurality of target nodes, the fragmentation size change message configured to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes, wherein the apparatus further comprises a message queue resident on the source node, wherein the program is configured to send the sync message and the fragmentation size change message by placing the sync message and the fragmentation size change message on the message queue, wherein the source node and the plurality of target nodes are members of a first group, wherein the source node is a member of a second group that further includes as members a second plurality of target nodes, the apparatus further comprising a second message queue resident on the source node, wherein the source node includes first and second connections respectively associated with the first and second groups, wherein the program is further configured to send the sync message by placing the sync message on the second message queue to initiate, upon receipt by each target node in the second group, an immediate acknowledgment message from such target node that acknowledges receipt for each unacknowledged message received by such target node, and wherein the program is further configured to send the fragmentation size change message by placing the fragmentation size change message on the second message queue to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes in the second group.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sync message is configured to initiate, upon receipt by each target node, an immediate acknowledgment message from such target node that acknowledges receipt for each unacknowledged message received by such target node.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the program is further configured to process the requested fragmentation size change by modifying the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on the source node.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the program is further configured to sequentially issue messages on the first and second message queues respectively using first and second threads executing on the source node.
9. A clustered computer system, comprising:
(a) a plurality of nodes coupled to one another over a network, the plurality of nodes including a source node and a plurality of target nodes;
(b) a source program resident on the source node, the source program configured to dynamically modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter in a clustered computer system by sending a sync message to the plurality of target nodes, thereafter waiting for an acknowledgment message for the sync message from each of the plurality of target nodes, thereafter sending a fragmentation size change message to each of the plurality of target nodes to modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on such target nodes used in transmitting messages from the source node to the target nodes; and
(c) a target program resident on each of the plurality of target nodes, the target program configured to send an acknowledgment message to the source node in response to the sync message to acknowledge receipt for each unacknowledged message received thereby, and to modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter associated therewith in response to the fragmentation size change message;

wherein the source program is further configured to send messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes using the modified fragmentation size cluster communication parameter after modifying the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter; wherein the clustered computer system further comprises a first message queue resident on the source node, wherein the source program is configured to send the sync message and the fragmentation size change message by placing the sync message and the fragmentation size change message on the first message queue, wherein the source node and the plurality of target nodes are members of a first group, wherein the source node is a member of a second group that further includes as members a second plurality of target nodes, the clustered computer system further comprising a second message queue resident on the source node, wherein the source node includes first and second connections respectively associated with the first and second groups, wherein the source program is further configured to send the sync message by placing the sync message on the second message queue to initiate, upon receipt by each target node in the second group, an immediate acknowledgment message from such target node that acknowledges receipt for each unacknowledged message received by such target node, and wherein the source program is further configured to send the fragmentation size change message by placing the fragmentation size change message on the second message queue to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes in the second group.
10. A program product, comprising:
(a) a program configured to dynamically modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter in a clustered computer system by processing a requested fragmentation size change only after receipt of an acknowledgment message for at least one unacknowledged message sent by a source node to a plurality of target nodes; and
(b) a signal bearing medium bearing the program;

wherein the program is further configured to process the requested fragmentation size change after receipt of the acknowledgement message to modify a fragmentation size cluster communication parameter used in transmitting messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes, wherein the program is further configured to thereafter send messages from the source node to the plurality of target nodes using the modified fragmentation size cluster communication parameter; wherein the program is further configured to send a sync message from the source node to the plurality of target nodes such that deferring processing of the requested fragmentation size change includes waiting for an acknowledgement message for the sync message from each of the plurality of target nodes; wherein the program is configured to process the requested fragmentation size change by sending a fragmentation size change message from the source node to the plurality of target nodes, the fragmentation size change message configured to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes, wherein the clustered computer system further comprises a message queue resident on the source node, wherein the program is configured to send the sync message and the fragmentation size change message by placing the sync message and the fragmentation size change message on the message queue, wherein the source node and the plurality of target nodes are members of a first group, wherein the source node is a member of a second group that further includes as members a second plurality of target nodes, the clustered computer system further comprising a second message queue resident on the source node, wherein the source node includes first and second connections respectively associated with the first and second groups, wherein the program is further configured to send the sync message by placing the sync message on the second message queue to initiate, upon receipt by each target node in the second group, an immediate acknowledgment message from such target node that acknowledges receipt for each unacknowledged message received by such target node, and wherein the program is further configured to send the fragmentation size change message by placing the fragmentation size change message on the second message queue to modify the fragmentation size cluster communication parameter on each of the plurality of target nodes in the second group.
11. The program product of claim 10, wherein the signal bearing medium includes at least one of a transmission medium and a recordable medium.

1. For a data processing system, a method for execution of programs for performing production work and utility work, said data processing system being operatively coupled to memory for storing data, said method comprising the steps of:
selecting a performance impact limit of the utility work on the production work;
throttling tasks associated with the utility work based on a throttling level;
collecting performance data for said data processing system;
determining a performance impact of the utility work on the production work,
said step for determining a performance impact, comprising:
determining a baseline for said data processing system;
determining a performance impact of the utility work on the production work based on said baseline; and
determining if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit;
wherein said baseline is an estimate of the performance of said data processing system as if the utility work was not being performed, and wherein said performance impact is the difference between said baseline and said performance data; and
adjusting said throttling level if said performance impact is more than said performance impact limit.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step for adjusting said throttling level includes increasing said throttling level if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said performance data in said memory.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:
selecting a performance impact limit; and,
determining a throttling level for said selected performance impact limit.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said step for determining a baseline includes modeling said performance data using recursive least squares with exponential forgetting.
6. A computer program product having a computer readable medium tangibly embodying code for directing a data processing system to execute programs for performing production work and utility work, said data processing system being operatively coupled to memory for storing data, said computer program product comprising:
code for selecting a performance impact limit for the utility work on the production work;
code for throttling tasks associated with the utility work according to a throttling level;
code for collecting performance data for the data processing system;
first determining code for determining a performance impact of the utility work on the production work, said code for determining a performance impact, comprising:
determining a baseline for said data processing system;
determining a performance impact of the utility work on the production work utilizing said baseline; and
determining if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit;
wherein said baseline includes an estimate of the performance of said data processing system as if the utility work was not operating, and wherein said performance impact comprises the difference between said baseline and said performance data; and

code for adjusting said throttling level if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit.
7. The computer program product as claimed in claim 6, wherein said code for adjusting said throttling level includes increasing said throttling level if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit.
8. The computer program product as claimed in claim 6, further comprising code for storing said performance data in said memory.
9. The computer program product as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
code for selecting a performance impact limit; and,
second determining code for determining a throttling level for said selected performance impact limit.
10. The computer program product as claimed in claim 9, wherein determining the baseline includes modeling said performance data using recursive least squares with exponential forgetting.
11. A data processing system for optimizing execution of computer programs for performing production work and utility work, said data processing system being operatively coupled to memory for storing data, said data processing system comprising:
means for selecting a performance impact limit of the utility work on the production work;
means for throttling tasks associated with the utility work according to a throttling level;
means for collecting performance data associated with said data processing system;
first determining means for determining a performance impact of the utility work on the production work based on said collected performance data, said means for determining a performance impact comprising:
determining a baseline of said data processing system;
determining a performance impact of the utility work on the production work; and
determining if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit;
wherein said baseline includes an estimate of the performance of said data processing system as if said utility work was not being performed, and wherein said performance impact comprises the difference between said baseline and said performance data; and

means for adjusting said throttling level if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit.
12. The data processing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for adjusting said throttling level comprises means for increasing the throttling level if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit.
13. The data processing system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising means for storing said performance data in said memory.
14. The data processing system as claimed in claim 13, further composing:
means for selecting a performance impact limit; and,
second determining means for determining a throttling level for said selected performance impact limit.
15. The data processing system as claimed in claim 14, wherein determining said baseline includes modeling said performance data using recursive least squares with exponential forgetting.
16. For a data processing system, a method for execution of programs for performing a primary work type and a secondary work type, the method comprising the steps of:
throttling tasks associated with the secondary work type based on a throttling level;
adjusting the throttling level based on a performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type;
selecting a performance impact limit of the secondary work type on the primary work type;
determining the performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type; said determining the performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type, comprising:
determining a baseline of said data processing system;
determining a performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type work; and
determining if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit;
wherein said baseline includes an estimate of the performance of said data processing system as if said secondary work type was not being performed, and wherein said performance impact comprises the difference between said baseline and said performance data; and

adjusting the throttling level if the determined performance impact is more than the selected performance impact limit.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising collecting performance data for the data processing system.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the primary work type is production work and the secondary work type is utility work.
19. A data processing system for execution of programs for performing a primary work type and a secondary work type, the data processing system comprising:
means for throttling tasks associated with the secondary work type based on a throttling level;
means for adjusting the throttling level based on a performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type;
means for selecting a performance impact limit of the secondary work type on the primary work type;
means for determining the performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type; said means for determining the performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type, comprising:
means for determining a baseline of said data processing system;
means for determining a performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type work; and
means for determining if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit;
wherein said baseline includes an estimate of the performance of said data processing system as if said secondary work type was not being performed, and wherein said performance impact comprises the difference between said baseline and said performance data; and,

means for adjusting the throttling level if the determined performance impact is more than the selected performance impact limit.
20. The data processing system of claim 19 further comprising means for collecting performance data for the data processing system.
21. The data processing system of claim 19 wherein the primary work type is production work and the secondary work type is utility work.
22. A computer program product having a computer readable medium tangibly embodying computer executable code for directing a data processing system to execute programs for performing a primary work type and a secondary work type, the computer program product comprising:
code for throttling tasks associated with the secondary work type based on a throttling level;
code for adjusting the throttling level based on a performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type;
code for selecting a performance impact limit of the secondary work type on the primary work type;
code for determining the performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type; said code for determining the performance impact of the secondary work on the primary work type, comprising:
determining a baseline of said data processing system;
determining a performance impact of the secondary work type on the primary work type work; and
determining if said performance impact is above said performance impact limit;
wherein said baseline includes an estimate of the performance of said data processing system as if said secondary work type was not being performed, and wherein said performance impact comprises the difference between said baseline and said performance data; and

code for adjusting the throttling level if the determined performance impact is more than the selected performance impact limit.
23. The computer program product of claim 22 further comprising code for collecting performance data for the data processing system.
24. The computer program product of claim 23 wherein the primary work type is production work and the secondary work type is utility work.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method comprising:
establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices;
establishing a competition format for the group play between the two or more players;
conducting game play the respective gaming devices;
determining a winner of the group play based on the competition format and the game play; and
providing a benefit to the winner of the group play.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting wagers from each of the two or more players.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein providing the benefit to the winner comprises providing the wagers from each of the two or more players to the winner.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising deducting a house fee before providing the wagers to the winner.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the competition format comprises setting a criterion to establish the winner.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be highest net winnings.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be highest gross winnings.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be most winning outcomes.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be most winning outcomes above a predetermined threshold.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be most outcomes with payouts above a predetermined threshold.
11. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be longest duration of play.
12. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be longest duration of play without a losing outcome.
13. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be longest duration of play without a losing outcome above a predetermined threshold.
14. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be longest duration of play without winning.
15. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be without running out of money.
16. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be most number of a particular symbol collected.
17. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be largest payout.
18. The method of claim 5 wherein setting the criterion comprises setting the criterion to be most number of gaming decisions.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices comprises receiving a challenge from a first player directed to a second player.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising receiving an acceptance of the challenge from the second player.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices comprises establishing group play between a first group of players and a second group of players.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices comprises registering the two or more players.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices further comprises allowing a first player to find a second player through information derived during the registering.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the registering occurs at one or more of: the respective gaming devices, a booth, a kiosk and over the internet.
25. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices comprises querying the players whether they would like to participate in group play.
26. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices comprises receiving a request from one of the two or more players to establish a group for group play.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising provide the one player a competition request dialog box so that the one player may generate the request to establish the group for group play.
28. The method of claim 26 further comprising detecting a second player at a second gaming device amenable to participating in group play in response to the request.
29. The method of claim 28 further comprising prompting the second player to join in the group play.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising receiving an acceptance from the second player to join the group play.
31. The method of claim 29 wherein prompting the second player to join in the group play comprises providing the second player information regarding one or more participants of the group play.
32. The method of claim 29 wherein prompting the second player to join in the group play comprises providing the second player information about at least one of, names of current group members, names of players to whom invitations to join group play have been extended, a group objective, an expected financial commitment by each player, an expected time commitment by each player, and how winnings and losses are effected by joining the group play.
33. The method of claim 26 wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request at a server from the respective gaming device.
34. A system comprising:
a user interface; and
a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to:
establish group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices;
establish a competition format for the group play between the two or more players;
conduct game play the respective gaming devices;
determine a winner of the group play; and
provide a benefit to the winner of the group play.
35. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:
establish group play between two or more players at respective gaming devices;
establish a competition format for the group play between the two or more players;
conduct game play the respective gaming devices;
determine a winner of the group play; and
provide a benefit to the winner of the group play.
36. A method comprising:
establishing a cooperative multiplayer group of players for group play at respective gaming devices;
establishing a group objective in the group play, wherein the group objective is defined by the players; and
providing a benefit to the players if the group objective is achieved.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein establishing the group objective comprises setting the group objective to be accumulation of a certain amount of winnings.
38. The method of claim 36 wherein establishing the group objective comprises setting the group objective to be collection of matching outcomes within a specified duration.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein setting the group objective to be collection of matching outcomes within the specified duration relates to a time duration.
40. The method of claim 38 wherein setting the group objective to be collection of matching outcomes within the specified duration relates to a number of game starts.
41. The method of claim 38 further comprising outputting a duration remaining to achieve a matching outcome.
42. The method of claim 36 wherein establishing the cooperative multiplayer group of players comprises registering each of the players.
43. The method of claim 42 wherein registering each of the players comprises registering at least one of the players at a gaming device.
44. The method of claim 42 wherein registering each of the players comprises receiving a request from a first player to locate a second player to participate in the cooperative multiplayer group.
45. The method of claim 44 further comprising locating the second player at least in part on a player tracking identifier.
46. The method of claim 42 wherein registering each of the players comprises registering the players through at least one of a booth, desk, kiosk, and web interface.
47. The method of claim 42 wherein registering each of the players comprises receiving agreement from each of the players to join the cooperative multiplayer group.
48. The method of claim 36 further comprising receiving agreement from each of the players about the group objective.
49. The method of claim 36 further comprising outputting information relating to time remaining before expiration of the group play.
50. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing a paytable with indicia indicating benefits provided if the group objective is achieved.
51. A system comprising:
a user interface; and
a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to:
establish a cooperative multiplayer group of players for group play at respective gaming devices;
establish a group objective in the group play, wherein the group objective is defined by the players; and
provide a benefit to the players if the group objective is achieved.
52. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions adapted to:
establish a cooperative multiplayer group of players for group play at respective gaming devices;
establish a group objective in the group play, wherein the group objective is defined by the players; and
provide a benefit to the players if the group objective is achieved.