Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a mounting standard for mounting a cleat assembly to a shoe sole having a curved underside portion and a plurality of mounting holes. The mounting standard is configured so that the cleat assembly can be moved forward or rearward with respect to the curved underside portion of the shoe sole without significantly affecting the distance between the cleat assembly and a user's foot. The present invention is also embodied in a shoe configured to receive a user's foot, the shoe comprising a shoe sole and a mounting standard.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods are provided to allow a network device to simultaneously monitor multiple adjacent wireless physical layer channels. If network communications are discovered on an adjacent channel, the network device may move to this adjacent channel. Accordingly, the network device is able to discover other devices or services existing on the adjacent channel, and is able to avoid interference caused by adjacent channels coexisting on the same frequency bands. After moving to the adjacent channel, a standard MAC protocol is able to regulate channel excess amongst all the network devices coexisting on the new channel.

Abstract: According to a slot machine of the present invention, a first specific number of free games are executed when a first predetermined condition is established in a normal game. Further, a second specific number of free games are executed, when a second predetermined condition is established. Furthermore, when the first predetermined condition is established in the free game executed triggered by the establishment of the second predetermined condition, a third specific number of free games are further executed after the second specific number of free games are executed. Here, the third specific number is larger than the first specific number.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service policy for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network; and monitors use of the service based on the service policy, in which the implementation of the service policy is verified.

Abstract: An improved incandescent lamp and incandescent lighting system are disclosed, for projecting a beam of light with substantially improved energy efficiency. The incandescent lamp includes a pair of reflective ceramic filament supports for supporting one or more filaments in prescribed position(s) within an envelope while reflecting back substantially all visible and infrared light for incorporation into the projected beam or for absorption by the filament(s). The incandescent lighting system includes a special infrared-reflective shroud concentrically encircling the incandescent lamp, for reflecting infrared light back toward the lamp filament(s) while transmitting visible light to a concave reflector for incorporation into the projected beam. The infrared-reflective coating is deposited onto the shroud's inner surface, and it includes a dielectric coating and an underlying transparent conductive coating.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a base game; gaming terminals; a bonus game configured to award a bonus payout more rewarding than the payout in the base game; a bonus payout indicator that displays the bonus payout; and paths, respectively corresponding to the gaming terminals, including light emitting portions arranged to form a channel extending from a position corresponding to each gaming terminal to the bonus payout indicator. In each gaming terminal, the base game is run independently from the other gaming terminals. The bonus game is run. A random number of the light emitting portions are activated toward the bonus payout indicator in a path corresponding to a gaming terminal in which a predetermined winning is met, every time the predetermined winning is met in the gaming terminals. The bonus payout is awarded in a gaming terminal corresponding to a path in which the light emitting portions turned active up to the bonus payout indicator.

Abstract: Load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation involves initial assignment of link aggregation keys (LAGKs) and reassignment of LAGKs when a load imbalance condition that merits action is discovered. Load conditions change dynamically and for this reason load balancing tends to also be dynamic. Load balancing is preferably performed when it is necessary. Thus an imbalance condition that triggers load balancing is preferably limited to conditions such as when there is frame drop, loss of synchronization or physical link capacity exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for simultaneously switching multiple input image streams to multiple output devices while providing optional image processing functions on the image streams. The incoming image streams may come from computers, cameras, radar, or other image stream generating devices. The incoming streams may vary in resolution, frame rate, format, and protocol according to the characteristics and purpose of their respective source devices. The incoming image streams can be iteratively routed through a reconfigurable array of image processing circuit cards to operate on one or more streams using preprogrammed algorithms. A processed stream can be routed through another processing function, or to an output circuit card that sends the completed image to the external display, recording device, across a network, or to another logical destination.

Abstract: Rapid channel failure detection and recovery in wireless communication networks is needed in order to meet, among other things, carrier class Ethernet channel standards. Thus, resilient wireless packet communications is provided using a physical layer link aggregation protocol with a hardware-assisted rapid channel failure detection algorithm and load balancing, preferably in combination. This functionality may be implemented in a Gigabit Ethernet data access card with an engine configured accordingly. In networks with various topologies, these features may be provided in combination with their existing protocols.

Abstract: A microstrip filter having a plurality of hairpin microstrip resonators each having two substantially rectangular legs connected at one end and generally configured in a “U” shape. The microstrip filter may comprise a first of the plural resonators operatively connected to a first feed point, a second of the plural resonators operatively connected to a second feed point, and a third of the plural resonators operatively connected between the first and second resonators where an end portion of one of the legs of one of the resonators is tapered so that a thickness of the one leg is greater at one end of the one leg than at another end of the one leg.

Abstract: A container that manages access to protected resources using rules to intelligently manage them includes an environment having a set of software and configurations that are to be managed. A rule engine, which executes the rules, may be called reactively when software accesses protected resources. The engine uses a combination of embedded and configurable rules. It may be desirable to assign and manage rules per process, per resource (e.g. file, registry, etc.), and per user. Access rules may be altitude-specific access rules.

Abstract: A method of configuring a networking device comprises: collecting data regarding the networking device; conveying the data to a remote server; selecting configuration slice instances based on the data using the server, wherein templates for the slice instances are stored on the server; compiling the configuration slice instances using the server; and delivering the compiled configuration slice instances to the networking device; wherein the slice instances are coherent sub-sections of configuration settings for the networking device.

Abstract: An improved incandescent lamp and incandescent lighting system are disclosed, for projecting a beam of light with substantially improved energy efficiency. The incandescent lamp includes a pair of reflective ceramic filament supports for supporting one or more filaments in prescribed position(s) within an envelope while reflecting back substantially all visible and infrared light for incorporation into the projected beam or for absorption by the filament(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods for token authentication analyze token data over one or more read operations to compute a characteristic master signature for the token. This can be accomplished, for example by analyzing the token data statistically to compute a characteristic signature for the token. Similar techniques can be used to generate a subsequent signature that can be verified against the original characteristic signature to authenticate the token. For example, a signature can be generated on a per use basis and that signature verified against the characteristic signature to validate the token upon use.

Abstract: An equipment rack system, in accordance with one embodiment, comprising an outer rack support tube; a first receiving member coupled to the outer support tube; an inner locking tube positioned within the outer support tube, the inner locking tube including a first tube latching member; and a first equipment shaft block adapted to fit with the first receiving member, the first equipment shaft block including a latching slot that engages with the first tube latching member when the inner locking tube is in a locked position.