Abstract: A control device for a television receiver having a user-controlled restore function. The control device has a user-programmable switch for enabling the user to store user-selected data in a memory, including TV input data and channel data. A restore switch is provided for enabling a microprocessor to transmit digital data corresponding to the user-selected data. Actuation of the restore switch will restore the television receiver to a state of operation responsive to the user-selected stored data based on the user's settings of the user-programmable switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a table game is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base, a table-top, and a payline display proximate the table-top. The table-top is adjustable into first and second positions relative to the base. The table game is intended to be played when the table-top is in its first position.

Abstract: A video gaming machine simulates a real physical game, such as pachinko, by providing a mathematical model of the game including rules governing movement of an object placed in motion in accordance with a set of initial conditions. A pay table for the game is developed by creating a list of outcomes, assigning a probability of occurrence to each outcome, assigning a win amount to each outcome, and determining a pay table percentage by multiplying each outcome's probability of occurrence by its win amount and summing the products for all of the outcomes in the list. Creation of the list of outcomes and assignment of probabilities of occurrence may be effected by a Monte Carlo test. The game is played by randomly selecting a set of initial conditions and running them through the model.

Abstract: A gaming terminal and method are provided with which allow casino managers or other game operators to customize paytables, including poker paytables. Preferably, the system can verify or assist in verifying that the paytables comply with one or more various standards such as regulatory standards, e.g., such that the paytables are legal. In one aspect, paytable verification calculations, such as calculations of overall payback or hold percentages, preferably in the manner acceptable to regulatory authorities, are performed in the electronic gaming terminal, e.g., using the gaming terminal microprocessor.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided in which a plurality of gaming terminals have gaming outcomes that are provided in response to a game outcome seed sent, to the gaming terminals, from a central computer. The game outcome seeds are individualized in the sense that not all gaming terminals in the system use the same seed at the same time. Preferably, seeds are addressed to individual gaming terminals or groups of terminals. Seeds may be transmitted to terminals in response to seed requests output by terminals. In one approach, seeds are generated as needed and/or substantially continuously. In another approach, batches, pools or lists of seeds are generated and a seed request is responded to by drawing a seed from a pre-defined list, until the list is depleted, whereupon a new list or batch is generated. In one approach, one or more lists are generated for each type of game or pay table.

Abstract: A stop-leak composition for the cooling system of an internal combustion engine and the like may comprise a powdered mixture of ground wood, optionally with ginger rhizome powder, with the above being mixed with ground nutshells. The composition may be packaged in polyvinyl alcohol film. Also, a stop-leak composition tablet may be prepared from powdered purified cellulose, ground nutshells, and ginger rhizome powder, formed into a solid tablet. Either of these items may be placed into the radiator of a vehicle. The bag and the tablet each dissolve, and the contents spontaneously disperse into the radiator coolant to seal pin hole leaks.

Abstract: A gaming system method uses typically a wireless communication device, and includes the following steps: Call data is provided identifying a gaming system player. This would normally be a typical identifying number plus a PIN number. A call is initiated from the wireless communication device (such as a cell phone) through a telephone call network to a financial center, requesting a cash transfer. Based on the call data, the transfer is credited to the wireless communication device or to a casino, to the credit of the player. Upon receiving of the predetermined balance of the cash transfer, one may communicate, using the wireless communication device, to transfer a portion or all of the predetermined cash balance from the wireless communication device or casino to the credit of a particular gaming machine, thus enabling the gaming machine for play just as if physical cash has been provided to it.

Abstract: A touch screen having a high or fine resolution at relatively low cost is provided. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed directly on the surface of a CRT screen without the need for an electrode positioned on the rear surface. The touch screen may include a conductive coating and a protective coating which are preferably provided in a single vacuum chamber step. A high gain system including a high-frequency sampling bandpass filter provide discrimination of the desired signal over noise. A screen calibration technique is used to achieve linearization in order to convert the electric signals obtained from the screen into data indicative of the position of a touch on the screen.

Abstract: A ventricular apex connector for quick connection and disconnection of an inflow tube of a ventricular assist device, comprising a sewing ring, a cylindrical ring, gripping pins, a spring ring and a sealing O-ring is provided. The cylindrical ring defines two openings, diametrically opposed to each other, in its walls. Gripping pins, comprising rods with gripping pads, are placed in the openings in the cylindrical ring so that the gripping pads are at rest within the inner circumference of the cylindrical ring. The spring ring is placed around the cylindrical ring and the rods of the gripping pads, which extend out of the outer wall of the cylindrical ring, are welded to the spring ring. The gripping pins are thus biased towards each other by the force of the spring ring. When the spring ring is squeezed, at points away from the gripping pin connection points, the deformation of the spring ring causes the gripping pads to be pulled out towards the inner wall of the cylindrical ring.

Abstract: An adjustable escalator device is provided in a gaming terminal for receiving singulated coins from a gaming terminal output hopper and outputting coins at a higher level. The escalator can be adjusted to define a coin path of adjustable width and/or adjustable thickness and accommodate a range of coin or token sizes. In one aspect, a leaf spring or other flexible member can be moved to define a curved coin path portion with adjustable width and a preferably contiguous rail can be laterally transposed to adjust a width of a second portion of the coin path. Coin path thickness can be adjusted using different rail thicknesses, using shims and/or using screw adjustments.

Abstract: An implantable rotary sealless blood pump is provided. The pump includes a housing having an inlet tube on one end and an impeller casing on the other end. A rotor is mounted for rotation within the housing, with the rotor having an elongated shaft portion and an impeller attached to the shaft portion. The impeller is located within the impeller casing. Radial magnetic bearings are carried by the shaft portion and radial magnetic bearings are carried by the housing for maintaining the shaft portion of the rotor within the inlet tube of the housing. A rotor motor includes a plurality of permanent magnets carried by the impeller and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing. A ring of back iron is carried by the impeller to aid in completing a flux return path for the permanent magnets. A plurality of hydrodynamic thrust bearings are located outside of the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: The ablation catheter is comprised of a guiding catheter and an inner catheter. The guiding catheter is comprised of a shaft section which is attached to an articulating section at its distal end and a first handle at its proximal end. The inner catheter is comprised of an elongated central shaft, an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the central shaft, and a second handle attached to the proximal end of the central shaft. The electrode assembly is comprised of a flexible plastic catheter tube having an outer surface, a porous tip electrode, and at least one linear electrode carried on the outer surface of the catheter tube. The electrode assembly is articulated to better align the electrode assembly to the generally arcuate shape of the inner chambers of the heart.

Abstract: Gaming terminals or systems with bonus prize or other prize features increasing user interest or entertainment are provided. In one aspect, a plurality of gaming terminals have their displays or other inputs coordinated with one another preferably to provide an impression of linked operation, particularly to provide an impression of increased likelihood of bonus or other prize award. In one embodiment, a bonus prize or feature involves movement among an ordered plurality of positions or stages without needing to forfeit all bonus prizes in the event of a non-bonus-symbol outcome in a main game. In one aspect, a plurality of bonus items are provided with a user being able to select only among a subgroup of the plurality of bonus items at any one time.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent is applied to an internal tissue site of a patient by advancing typically a catheter into the patient to cause a portion of the catheter, typically a catheter balloon, to occupy the internal site. The balloon portion of the catheter carries the therapeutic agent, usually mixed with a controlled release carrier for the agent, typically on an outer surface of the section, to permit release thereof from the catheter balloon at the internal tissue site so that the therapeutic agent is locally applied to the internal tissue site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to increase the accuracy and safety of ablative laser treatments of the eye. In an illustrative embodiment, tissue is removed from the cornea, via a laser, to provide an effluent from the cornea. The effluent is aspirated and deposited into a chemical analyzer. The amount of effluent that has been deposited is quantitated. Data relating to a dimension of the ablated cornea is inputted to a computer and data relating to the quantitized effluent is also inputted to the computer. The computer uses the quantitized effluent data and the inputted dimension data to estimate the number of diopters of treatment accomplished. The estimated number of diopters of treatment accomplished is compared to a desired number of diopters of treatment and the laser treatment is modified based on the comparison for most accurate optical results.

Abstract: A gaming system and method facilitating electronic fulfillment of prizes is provided. A electronic message is sent from a gaming terminal or casino, in response to winning at least certain prizes, such as non-monetary prizes, to a fulfillment entity. Fulfillment entities which are not a part of or controlled by the casino may be retail entities such as Internet retail entities. In one embodiment, the fulfillment entity selects or formulates a web page displaying a prize or a selection of prizes for display to a user at the gaming terminal. When several prizes or prize options are displayed, the user may select a desired non-monetary prize, e.g. using a touch screen keypad and the like. The prize fulfillment entity delivers the prize preferably at a location selected or preferred by the user, e.g. using mail, parcel delivery and the like.

Abstract: A gaming system incorporating a non-deterministic jackpot is provided. In a first embodiment, the gaming system generates a random number to determine a probability of winning and a jackpot amount. A contribution rate is predetermined, and a portion of each bet placed on a gaming machine associated with the system equal to the contribution rate multiplied by the amount of the bet is placed in a contribution pool. The gaming machine on which a bet causing the contribution pool to be greater than or equal to the jackpot amount is awarded the jackpot. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a first random number within a range is generated. A second random number is generated for each bet placed on a gaming machine associated with the system. The jackpot is awarded to a gaming machine on which a bet resulting in a second random number equal to the first random number was placed.

Abstract: A power system for an implantable heart pump is provided. The system includes two batteries, a microprocessor controller, two motor drivers, a multiplexer, two stators and a TET coil. During normal operation, only one battery and one motor driver are in use at a time to drive both stators.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided which permits the hold value to be determined independently of the distribution of winning outcomes, e.g., to avoid or prevent volatility in the hold value. Preferably each time a wager is placed, a hold value (such as a predetermined and/or fixed percentage) is retained and the remainder is allocated to one or more prize pools. If a pool is too large or too small, or if a pool's rate of growth is too large or too small, the central computer sends a message to all terminals which contribute to the pool, causing the terminals to modify operations so as to bring the pool size or rate of growth to within desired target ranges. Preferably, the current prize amounts corresponding to various potential winning game outcomes are displayed when a game is won, the displayed amount corresponding to the type of win paid. Preferably, a portion of wages is retained as a background amount to at least partially replenish a paid-out prize.

Abstract: A gaming system method uses typically a wireless communication device, and includes the following steps: Call data is provided identifying a gaming system player. This would normally be a typical identifying number plus a PIN number. A call is initiated from the wireless communication device (such as a cell phone) through a telephone call network to a financial center, requesting a cash transfer. Based on the call data, the transfer is credited to the wireless communication device or to a casino, to the credit of the player. Upon receiving of the predetermined balance of the cash transfer, one may communicate, using the wireless communication device, to transfer a portion or all of the predetermined cash balance from the wireless communication device or casino to the credit of a particular gaming machine, thus enabling the gaming machine for play just as if physical cash has been provided to it.