Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications is disclosed. A given sequence of random binary numbers of a certain length can be decoded into several random numbers for a specific application. The upper range values of the random numbers to be decoded determine the number of bits required for the generation of the these random numbers. In the decoding process, the given random binary number divides a range value to generate a remainder and a quotient. The quotient becomes the new random binary number for the generation of other random numbers while the remainder is the generated random number. The process then repeats to generate other random numbers. At the end of the generation process, the last quotient determines the validity of the generated random numbers.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a plurality of memory cells subdivided into array blocks each including M cell rows and N cell columns. The array blocks are arranged in array block rows and array block columns. Each cell of each cell row of each array block is coupled to an associated one of M word lines. Each cell of each cell column is selectively coupled to develop a data signal transmitted between an associated bit line pair including a primary bit line and a complementary bit line. A row decoder is coupled to provide a corresponding row address signal to each of the M word lines for addressing the cell rows.

Abstract: The electronic casino gaming system consists of several system components, including a microprocessor (12), a main memory unit (13) that is typically a random access memory, and a system boot ROM (14). Also included in the electronic casino gaming system are a non-volatile RAM (17), a mass storage unit (18), a disk subsystem (19), and a PCI bus (20). The disk subsystem (19) preferably supports SCSI-2 with options of fast and wide. A video subsystem (22) is also included in the electronic casino gaming system and is coupled to the PCI bus (20) to provide full color still images and MPEG movies.

Abstract: An optical multiplexing and demultiplexing device includes: a plurality of optical fibers each terminating in a fiber end for radiating and receiving corresponding light beams; a fiber mounting assembly configured to support the optical fibers so that the fiber ends terminate in substantially the same plane, the mounting assembly also being configured to position the fibers in a regular array of N rows and M columns; reflecting means for reflecting beams radiating from the fiber ends; lens means for collimating and focusing beams propagating between the fiber ends and the reflecting means, the lens means having a focal length associated therewith; and diffraction means for diffracting beams propagating between the lens means and the reflecting means. The reflecting means includes a plurality of N reflective elements, each of the N reflective elements being associated with a corresponding one of the N rows.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing authenticated, secure, on-line communication between remote locations including a user terminal adapted to enable a player in one location to remotely communicate via a communications medium such as the Internet with a gaming host in another location. Location of the remote user terminal, the host server and universal time are determined using means for accessing signals generated by geostationary navigational transmitters, such as in the global positioning satellite (GPS) system. Player authentication (identity verification) is determined by use of a personal identification number (PIN) and an electronic signature verification service. Security of communication is accomplished through use of a public-key/private-key encryption system.

Abstract: A method for determining cleaning action on medical instruments and other objects is disclose. The method uses a predetermined soiling substance, for example fresh blood mixed with a radioactive marker. The soiling substance is applied to the instrument as a predetermined contamination. By making various radiation and time measurements one can determine in absolute mass units either the remaining soiling after the completion of a cleaning process or the soiling prior to the cleaning process. By comparing the determined masses one may validate specific cleaning processes, machines or agents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for laser texturing a magnetic recording disk substrate, including a disk-loading and unloading conveyer, a pair of disk-carrying spindles and associated laser systems disposed in spaced-apart relationship, and a disk-handling mechanism disposed between the conveyer and the set of spindles and operative to obtain a first disk rom the conveyer, place it on a first spindle for texturing on one side, remove the partially textured first disk from the first spindle, flip it upside down and place it on a second spindle for texturing on the other side, while at the same time obtaining a second disk from the conveyor and loading it onto the first spindle for texturing on one side. A third disk is then removed from the conveyor and loaded onto the first spindle as the second disk is removed therefrom, flipped over and placed on the second spindle as the first disk is removed therefrom and returned to the conveyor.

Abstract: The SEmulation system provides four modes of operation: (1) Software Simulation, (2) Simulation via Hardware Acceleration, (3) In-Circuit Emulation (ICE), and (4) Post-Simulation Analysis. At a high level, the present invention may be embodied in each of the above four modes or various combinations of these modes. At the core of these modes is a software kernel which controls the overall operation of this system. The main control loop of the kernel executes the following steps: initialize system, evaluate active test-bench processes/components, evaluate clock components, detect clock edge, update registers and memories, propagate combinational components, advance simulation time, and continue the loop as long as active test-bench processes are present.

Abstract: A diode pumped laser wherein third harmonic generation at 355 nm is obtained from an intra-cavity-tripled diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 crystal utilizing an angle-tuned LBO doubler and tripler, and operated at high repetition rates and good overall efficiency. An average UV power of over 2 watts at 30 kHz and 1 watt at 100 kHz is typically obtained with a 20 watt diode array "bar" side-pumping a one percent (1%) Nd:YVO4 (vanadate) slab. The device utilizes room temperature intra-cavity doubling and takes advantage of a small beam waist at the doubler and tripler required with low-power CW diode pumping.

Abstract: A method for ordering all of the possible hands into a particular sequence is presented. Due to the particular manner in which the hands are ordered and sequenced, any one of the hands can be accessed fairly quickly by the methods provided herein which simplifies complex calculations to table look-up operations. Given a particular hand (the first five cards given to the player in a five-card draw poker), all of the possible hands arising from the particular hand (as a result of the number of cards kept by the player) is iterated and the types of all possible resulting hands tabulated. The combination of hands resulting from the number of cards kept is considered in the iteration. After the iteration is completed, the results obtained is a tabulation of each combination of hands obtained.

Abstract: An active pixel sensing structure includes an array of pixel unit cells each of which an adapted to alternate between a light sensing mode wherein the cell outputs an image signal and a reset mode wherein the cell outputs a reset signal. The image signal is proportional to light incident on the cell, and the reset signal is proportional to a predefined reference potential. An improved readout circuit according to the present invention includes a first sample and hold component for receiving and storing the image signal, and second sample and hold component for receiving and storing the reset signal. A signal amplifier is provided for each sample and hold component. A switching circuit is operable between a first mode and a second mode. In the second mode, the first and second sample and hold components are operatively decoupled from the corresponding signal amplifiers while input terminals of the signal amplifiers are connected to a source of predetermined reference potential.

Abstract: A system for facilitating, sending and receiving e-mail messages is disclosed. This e-mail system is supported by one or more main servers and a plurality of regional servers geographically distributed in populated areas, and are interconnected via a computer network such as the internet. An incoming e-mail message under this system is first processed and packaged by the main server to allow tracking of this message. The packaged message is then sent to the designated local server via a regional server. The local server receives the e-mail message and notifies or delivers the message to a client (user) e-mail device through one of several available notification methods. The e-mail device is a novel device designed to send and receive e-mail messages. It is a low cost device that may be a stand-alone device, a part of a multi-function device, or a part of a computer expansion card. The servers of the present invention can be maintained and operated remotely.

Abstract: A remote communication system for facilitating secure on-line evaluation of goods based upon consumers' satisfaction through electronic media wherein a suitable local user input device in association with a data transmission system, couples the user input to a packet network system for communicating to a remote receiver/decoder apparatus to obtain potentially desired scoring information such as an electronic evaluation form regarding a previously purchased product. Upon selection of scoring option by the user, a telcom network communication link for communicating a telephone number associated with the desired product from the user to the remote receiver allows the user to score the desired product. The telcom connection, linking the user input device to the remote server device may also include a toll-free 800 telephone number system to encourage shoppers to perform evaluations of purchased product without incurring costs associated therewith.

Abstract: A head cap having a substantially hemi-spherically shaped portion intended to be worn over hair on the head of a wearer and including at least one opening therein large enough to accommodate a bundle of hair passing through the opening and means for securing the cap to the bundle of hair. A gathering mechanism is attached to the cap body around the perimeter of the opening to compressively engage the bundle of hair and hold the bundle of hair and the cap body in a fixed relationship. The gathering mechanism includes a sleeve attached to the cap body along the perimeter of the opening and a drawstring passed through the interior of the sleeve. The drawstring may be drawn to gather the sleeve to compressively engage the bundle of hair. A clamp is provided for holding the drawstring in a drawn disposition to hold the sleeve gathered about the bundle of hair.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fabricating strands from round wood are disclosed. The strands have a length of between 200 and 350 mm in the direction of the wood fibers and have a width of between 1 and 15 mm. The strands are fabricated from profiled logs. In the cross-section of the logs, residual areas outside a center piece are defined, the center piece being the area intended to be dissected into beams or boards at a later stage. The residual areas are provided with longitudinal slits by cutting or sawing. The strands are then cut out of the residual areas until the residual areas are entirely removed.

Abstract: Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a low-voltage power supply, hardware including a microprocessor, a signal generator controlled by the microrpocessor, and a pair of probes for making electrical contact to the body. In addition, suitable software is provided for enabling the microprocessor to control operation of the system. In accordance with this embodiment, voltages at a predetermined level are applied to the probes at oscillating frequencies which periodically change from a frequency of approximately 70 kHz at the low end to approximately 880 kHz at the high end in steps of approximately 1 kHz. Preferably, this system is programmed to repeat the cycle several times with brief respites between each cycle.

Abstract: A wave motion detector system for a swimming pool includes a transducer responsive to positive and negative pressure changes in swimming pool water and operative to generate corresponding electrical signals. Comparators are responsive to the electrical signals, and operative to generate a crest signal while the positive pressure exceeds a predetermined positive threshold level, and a trough signal while the negative pressure exceeds a predetermined negative threshold level. A band pass filter prevents electrical signals having a frequency greater than a predetermined upper frequency, and lower than a predetermined lower frequency from passing from the transducer to the comparators. A pulse width discriminator is responsive to the crest signal and the trough signal and is operative to generate a qualified crest signal if the crest signal remains active for a first predetermined time interval, and a qualified trough signal if the trough signal remains active for a second predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An output driver for high speed integrated circuits includes a static driver portion and a transient driver portion. The static driver size can be adjusted to satisfy the minimal requirements for maintaining output DC voltage levels. The transient drivers include a feed-back control from the output voltage node. During a transition, the transient buffer control will sense the output level and feedback to turn off the transient driver whenever the output level rises/falls across the trip point. Accordingly the di/dt noise will drop quickly once the output has reached the trip point. The transient drivers can be larger to speed up switching speed. The buffer can use single power and ground pins or multiple power/ground pins.

Abstract: A rod tie system for enhancing the interconnection between the walls and roof framing systems of tilt-up buildings and the like including a first type of connection bracket, a second type connection bracket, a clevis bracket, a turnbuckle bracket, a transfer lug, and several lengths of threaded rod. The first connection bracket and the clevis bracket can be combined to form a single plane articulating bracket, and the second type of connection bracket and the clevis bracket can be combined to form a dual plane articulating bracket. The several lengths of threaded rod are combined with the above brackets, as needed, to form a particular rod tie system. Among the principal advantages of the present invention are that the components thereof can easily be made from readily available stock material using only stamping or shearing devices, drills and welding equipment.