Abstract: A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands.

Abstract: A computer system for user speech actuation of access to stored information, the system including a central processing unit, a memory and a user input/output interface including a microphone for input of user speech utterances and audible sound signal processing circuitry, and a file system for accessing and storing information in the memory of the computer. A speech recognition processor operating on the computer system recognizes words based on the input speech utterances of the user in accordance with a set of language/acoustic model and speech recognition search parameters. Software running on the CPU scans a document accessed by a web browser to form a web triggered word set from a selected subset of information in the document. The language/acoustic model and speech recognition search parameters are modified dynamically using the web triggered word set, and used by the speech recognition processor for generating a word string for input to the browser to initiate a change in the information accessed.

Abstract: A high speed barrel shifter in which fill input data is especially added.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a screening system, preferably a finger screening system, for screening particulate material. The screening system for screening particulate material comprises a screening assembly including a housing. A plurality of screening modules are mounted for direct attachment to and removal from the screening assembly. Each screening module comprises a support block having a front end and a back end and a plurality of rods joined at a first end to the front end of the support block. The second end of the rods are free of attachment and form a row of the rods extending outwardly from the support block. The row of rods define an array of sieve openings of a predetermined size for allowing particulate material up to a predetermined size to pass through the screening module. A plurality of attachment assemblies are also provided for clamping the plurality of screening modules to the screening assembly.

Abstract: A method for contemporaneously applying laser energy and locally delivering pharmacologic therapy to a selected site in a body lumen using a liquid core or fiber optic laser catheter or angioscope. The method comprises preparing a solution of a pharmacologic agent, inserting the catheter into the lumen, directing the catheter to the site, transmitting visible light to the site, flowing the light transmissive liquid through the catheter to the site to be treated, positioning an emission end of the fiber near (.+-.2 mm) the distal end of the catheter, transmitting laser energy through the fiber to be emitted at the emission end of the fiber into the liquid to treat the site, and introducing a flow of the pharmacologic agent in solution into the catheter for contemporaneous discharge at the distal end into the lumen adjacent the site.

Abstract: An N-bit flash A/D converter with a reduced number of comparators is disclosed. The A/D converter includes a reference voltage generator which includes 2.sup.N serially connected resistors, connected between a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage. The reference voltage generator provides a reference voltage at each junction between two resistors. The A/D converter further includes a comparing portion which includes first through mth comparators, where m is equal to 2.sup.(N-1) -1, for comparing every other reference voltage output from the reference voltage generator to an analog signal. An address generator generates a 2.sup.(N-1) bit address responsive to the output of each of the comparators. An upper digital word generator generates N-1 upper bits of a digital word in response to the address.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active power factor correction integrated circuit for a boost converter, comprising a bias voltage generator coupled to an external power source through a first pin, for generating internal bias voltages used for the integrated circuit; a zero crossing detector coupled magnetically to the inductor through a second pin, for detecting a time at which a voltage across the inductor is zero to provide a zero crossing detection signal; an oscillator reset by the zero crossing detection signal for generating a pulse signal; a flip-flop for generating a first control signal in response to the zero crossing detection signal or the pulse signal; a switching element responsive to the first control signal for enabling a boosted voltage to be provided to the load; an over-current detector for generating an over-current signal when a current flowing through the switching element is over a predetermined value; and a voltage variation detector for detecting variation of a load voltage to generate a variation

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for receiving and decoding address information applied to a synchronous semiconductor memory device. Separate read address and write address decoders and latches are provided for decoding the address without waiting for a determination as to whether a read cycle or a write cycle is undertaken, thereby reducing the decoding delay and thereby increasing the speed of such a device in operation.

Abstract: A surgical wire clamp assembly including a body and a wire. The wire is preferably a monofilament wire. The body includes a first longitudinal bore for receiving a first wire end, a second longitudinal bore for receiving a second wire end, and a vertical opening between the longitudinal bores. The longitudinal bores are deformable to a serpentine configuration responsive to a transverse compressive force.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor memory device which does not require an additional input pad to apply a signal for discriminating between a normal cell and a redundant cell. The semicodnuctor memory device has (claim 1). Therefore, the normal cell array or the redundant cell array is sequentially selected and tested by using the same input pad to which the bank select bit is input, without an additional pad.

Abstract: A mold box is flexibly mounted to a product forming machine having upper and lower vertically displaceable beams. A feed drawer dispenses concrete material into the mold box while a vibration system vertically vibrates the mold box while dampening horizontal vibration. The vibration system is driven by a single drive shaft that actuates first and second vibrator rods while at the same rotating a counter-weight in a counter-rotating direction. A set of alignment brackets lock the mold box into a predetermined aligned relationship while being mounted in the product forming machine. The bottom side of each mold box is mounted to the product forming machine in the same relative position to reduce machine readjustments. A set of telescoping legs hold the feed drawer assembly variable distances above the mold box. A unitized pallet feeder quickly moves pallets one at a time from an "on-deck" position to a "receiving" position underneath the mold box.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has one sense amplifier coupled to multiple bit lines and coupled to multiple memory cell strings to reduce the number of selection transistors per cell string and improve density. The invention is most useful in a NAND-type flash memory device.

Abstract: A nonimpact printer accommodates ribbons of selected panel types such as y, m, c and black thermal transfer or dye diffusion, precoat, overcoat, and the like, or combinations thereof, on which ribbon identification data is recorded in terms of the number and disposition of such panels, optimum operating parameters and the like. Each ribbon also contains markers identifying sets of panels of different types, individual panels within such sets, and incremental positions within such panels, and the printer is designed to read such markers and record the movement of the ribbon therethrough. Means are also described for fabricating combination ribbons that employ more than one of the various nonimpact technologies. In addition, the printer records by several different means the ribbon positions at which a ribbon has been in use and provides means for moving the ribbon to unused portions thereof.

Abstract: A horizontally elongated laser beam is divided into a plurality of beam sections which are arranged along the horizontal direction and vertically deflected to different degrees by a beam deflecting beam guide, and the beam sections leaving the beam deflecting beam guide at different vertical positions are horizontally deflected by a beam converging beam guide to different degrees so that the beam sections may converge along a vertical line, and the laser beam which was initially laterally elongated may be shaped into a more circular cross section which is desirable for pumping a laser system and other applications. Each of the beam guides may consist of a plurality of transparent plate members which are placed one over the other, and each beam segment is conduct through a corresponding one of the plate member along a path parallel to the major surface of the plate members.

Abstract: A down hole hammer assembly for percussive drilling of ground holes has a drill bit slidably carried in a chuck housed within a barrel of the assembly. Drill bit travel is limited by a retainer sleeve in place about a reduced segment of the drill bit. The sleeve includes a ring portion limiting bit travel and a skirt portion for confinement within a component of the hammer assembly to prevent loss of the retainer sleeve and drill bit during barrel separation.

Abstract: An improved composting apparatus is provided which includes a rotating drum and paddle assembly which generates a plurality of air streams to mix and aerate the composting material. The composting apparatus is configurable for being for being towed without requiring a trailer, and for being transported by cargo aircraft.

Abstract: A one-piece frame corner joining apparatus for joining two picture frame members at a predetermined angle to form a frame corner. The frame members are preferably standard aluminum frames having a longitudinal channel for receiving corner hardware. The joining apparatus includes first and second legs disposed at the predetermined angle relative to each other, each leg receivable in a corresponding frame member channel. Each leg includes a top side and a bottom side, a bore, a screw received in the bore, and a tab portion connected to the bottom side of the leg. The tab portion is formed of a strip of the leg that is bent back over the bore and spaced apart from the leg such that the screw, when tightened, deflects the tab downward to frictionally engage the leg with the corresponding frame member channel.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device optimizes the time required for erasing or programming a cell by determining an optimal initial programming voltage. The initial programming voltage is relatively low and is fixed in the device during a test mode operation. During a normal erasing or programming operation, a programming signal having the initial programming voltage level is applied to the cell. The programmed state of the cell is then checked. If the cell did not program successfully, the voltage of the programming signal is increased and another programming cycle is executed. The programming cycle is repeated until the cell is programmed properly or a maximum number of programming cycles is reached. To determine the optimal initial programming voltage, an automatic programming operation is performed using a relatively low voltage programming signal.

Abstract: A recessed gate power MOSFET is formed on a substrate (20) including a P-body layer (26), N-drain layer (24) and optional P+ layer (22) for IGBT. A trenching protective layer (30) formed on the substrate upper surface (28) is patterned to define exposed areas (46) as stripes or a matrix, and protected areas. Sidewall spacers (44) of predetermined thickness (52) with inner surfaces (48) contact the protective layer sidewalls. A first trench (50) is formed in substrate areas (46) with sidewalls aligned to the sidewall spacer outer surfaces (47) and extending depthwise through the P-body layer (26) to at least a predetermined depth (56). Gate oxide (60) is formed on the trench walls and gate polysilicon (62) refills the trench to a level (64) near substrate upper surface (28). Oxide (68) between sidewall spacers (44) covers polysilicon (62). Removing the protective layer exposes upper substrate surface (28') between spacer inner surfaces (48).