Abstract: A wireless repeater configured for implementation in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The repeater can be configured to receive and rebroadcast communications using various types of airlinks in a wireless communication system. The wireless repeater can include a receiver configured to sense the type of airlink being supported by the repeater. The repeater can then selectively apply a repeater identifying watermark to a signal based on the type of airlink. The repeater may be configured to periodically scan an operating bandwidth for supported airlinks and can configure the watermarking applied to signals within the channels based on the detected airlinks.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a repeater of a wireless communication system that includes a positioning unit, such as a GPS receiver, in order to calculate the location of the repeater. In addition, various techniques are described that exploit the positioning information generated by the repeater in order to improve the wireless communication system.

Abstract: A drop down door system for a vehicle in which a door is pivotally connected adjacent its lower edge margin for swinging between closed and open positions relative to a door opening framed at opposite sides by door jamb members. Elongate tension springs extend between the doorjamb members and opposite edge margins of the door. The doorjamb members have elongate channels for receiving the retracted springs, which channels are covered by portions of the door when it is closed. Hinge mechanism for the door is provided by aligned hinge sleeves on the door and door frame with an elongate hinge pin extending therethrough which has stop mechanism thereon for inhibiting movement of the pin from its selected assembled position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a broker mediated advertisable gaming environment. The gaming environment communicates with a broker or a server, the broker or server site maintains an inventory of characteristics of registered games, the characteristics relevant for advertising. When a broker is communicated with, the system has gaming sites and advertising sites connected to an access aggregation network and the broker site is connected to the access aggregation network for registering games provided from gaming sites and for licensing registered games for advertising to advertising sites.

Abstract: A method of interactive advertising is provided, according to which the display of the interactive advertisement does not disturb an entertainment event during which the interactive advertisement is displayed. During a process of entertainment, the entertainment relating to an entertainment event other than an event centered around a shopping experience, an interactive advertisement for a product or service is displayed, and data indicating an interest relating to the advertised product or service are received and stored. Upon near completion of the entertainment event, an individual is provided with an indication of the interactively advertised product or service for which he ro she has expressed an interest. Further data are received from the individual relating to the interactively advertised product or service. In connection with the method for interactive advertising there is also provided a method for selling a product or service within an entertainment environment.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a system board, a connector mounted on the system board, an electronic card attached to the connector, the card overhanging the connector at least on an inward end of the card, and a guide secured to the system board and spaced from the connector, wherein the guide is adapted to inhibit lateral movement of the card. The guide includes a latch adapted to inhibit removal of the electronic card from the connector.

Abstract: An interactive gaming system includes customer located equipment and a gaming service provider. The customer located equipment is connected to the gaming service provider through a broadband access network, and includes a gaming console. The gaming console stores gaming software, runs the gaming software and stores an ultra-thin. The ultra-thin client establishes a connection between the gaming console and the service provider, controls game events according to messages sent to and received from the gaming service provider, and provides an adaptive platform for a consistent gaming environment. Further, a method for providing an interactive gaming system service includes connecting customer located equipment and a gaming service provider through a broadband access network, establishing a connection between the gaming console and the service provider through the ultra-thin client, and controlling game events according to messages sent to and received from the gaming service provider.

Abstract: A method of advertising for use by a Gaming Service Provider providing as set-top box in connection with a wide area network is disclosed. The set-top box functions as a customer gaming console. The method includes the steps of providing an identification from the customer gaming console to a Gaming Service Provider providing an advertisement out of a plurality of advertisements to the customer gaming console, initializing the customer gaming console for playing a game and for displaying the advertisement, playing a game on the customer gaming console, and displaying the advertisement on the customer gaming console, when the game is not being played. Alternatively, the steps of the method are not initialized by the Gaming service provider, but from the gaming console site. Further, certain games played on the gaming console incorporate advertisements into their gaming environments.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed. The gaming system includes a gaming console, which comprises a processor and a storage medium, and is in connection with a network, a monitor and a sound system, the method. First instruction data are received from an external storage medium read by the gaming console. These instruction data and include one of set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data and set-top applications when executed on the gaming console, and communication data for use in retrieving via the network the set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data and set-top applications when executed on the gaming console. The set-top instruction data are executed on the gaming console, and encoded digital broadcast data is received via the network. The received, encoded digital broadcast data are decoded and displayed on the monitor and on the sound system. The gaming system is therefore functioning as a set-top box.

Abstract: A method of advertising for use by a Gaming Service Provider providing as set-top box in connection with a wide area network is disclosed. The set-top box functions as a customer gaming console. The method includes the steps of providing an identification from the customer gaming console to a Gaming Service Provider providing an advertisement out of a plurality of advertisements to the customer gaming console, initializing the customer gaming console for playing a game and for displaying the advertisement, playing a game on the customer gaming console, and displaying the advertisement on the customer gaming console, when the game is not being played. Alternatively, the steps of the method are not initialized by the Gaming service provider, but from the gaming console site. Further, certain games played on the gaming console incorporate advertisements into their gaming environments.

Abstract: An interactive gaming system for allowing for multiple user definitions is disclosed. Multiple user definitions for example enable multiple personalities and multiple services to be associated with one gaming console. The interactive gaming system has customer located equipment and a gaming service provider, the customer located equipment being connected to the gaming service provider through a broadband access network, and including at least one gaming console. The gaming console comprises a flat memory space for storing gaming software, a restricted kernel for running the gaming software on the gaming console, and for making hardware of the gaming console accessible to the gaming software, and a memory in contact with the restricted kernel for storing a gaming client on the gaming console. The gaming client establishes a connection between the gaming console and the service provider, and wherein the gaming client establishes one out of a plurality of possible multiple user services.

Abstract: A distributed loosely coupled unified on-line gaming system comprises a central service provider, gaming service customers providing gaming service customer located equipment connected to the central service provider through a broadband network, and gaming service providers connected to the central service provider through the broadband network. The different gaming service costumers are connected to different gaming service providers.

Abstract: An interactive gaming system is disclosed, which includes customer located equipment and a gaming service provider. The customer located equipment is connected to the gaming service provider through a broadband access network, and includes a gaming console. The gaming console comprises a flat memory space for storing gaming software, a restricted kernel for running the gaming software on the gaming console and for making hardware of the gaming console accessible to the gaming software, and a memory in contact with the restricted kernel for storing an ultra-thin client on the gaming console. The ultra-thin client establishes a connection between the gaming console and the service provider, controls events taking place on the gaming console according to messages sent to and received from the gaming service provider, and provides an adaptive platform for a consistent gaming environment.

Abstract: A method of advertising for use by a Gaming Service Provider providing a customer gaming console in connection with a wide area network is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an identification from the customer gaming console to a Gaming Service Provider downloading an advertisement out of a plurality of advertisements to the customer gaming console, initializing the customer gaming console for playing a game and for displaying the advertisement, playing a game on the customer gaming console, and displaying the advertisement on the customer gaming console, when the game is not being played. Alternatively, the steps of the method are not initialized by the Gaming service provider, but from the gaming console site. Further, certain games played on the gaming console incorporate advertisements into their gaming environments.

Abstract: An interactive gaming system comprising a gaming console and a gaming service provider is disclosed. The gaming console contains a storage medium, on which data relating to a configuration of the gaming console are stored. The gaming console further contains a processor in communication with the storage medium for retrieving data therefrom and executing the data, the data relating to the configuration of the gaming console. A gaming service provider provides instruction data to the gaming console, and a connecting network enables a connection between the gaming console and the gaming service provider. Further, a gaming client is stored on the gaming console. The gaming client establishes a connection between the gaming console and a gaming service provider and controls events taking place on the gaming console. The configuration of the gaming console is established by the gaming client according to messages sent to and received from the gaming service provider and to messages stored within a personal profile.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed. The gaming system includes a gaming console, which comprises a processor and a storage medium, and is in connection with a network, a monitor and a sound system, the method. First instruction data are received from an external storage medium read by the gaming console. These instruction data and include one of set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data and set-top applications when executed on the gaming console, and communication data for use in retrieving via the network the set-top instruction data for receiving and decoding digital broadcast data and set-top applications when executed on the gaming console. The set-top instruction data are executed on the gaming console, and encoded digital broadcast data is received via the network. The received, encoded digital broadcast data are decoded and displayed on the monitor and on the sound system. The gaming system is therefore functioning as a set-top box.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for nucleic acid amplification are provided that minimize the formation and amplification of spurious products, particularly in multiplex amplification reactions. Linear amplification molecules are provided. A first embodiment comprises a first common primer sequence, a first template homology region, a cleavable site, a second common primer sequence and a second template homology region. Methods employing the linear amplification molecules for nucleic acid amplification are also provided. A first embodiment comprises a template-specific hybridization, a linear amplification, a template-specific intramolecular hybridization, a strand cleavage, a second linear amplification and an exponential amplification using common primers.

Abstract: A two stage material cooling apparatus for cooling hot particulate material such as cement clinker discharged from a furnace such as the rotary kiln. The first stage includes a direct heat exchanger such as a reciprocating grate type heat exchanger or an attached tube cooler and serves primarily as a heat recuperator. This cooler acts on the principle of direct heat exchange between cooling gas and the hot material whereby the material is cooled and the gas is heated and returned to the kiln as preheated secondary air for combustion. The second stage cooler is a shaft type cooler with gas permeable sides so that cooling gas passes through the material generally perpendicular to the flow of material. The gas which is supplied to the second cooler can come from recirculated cooling gas or from ambient. The gas discharged from the second cooler can be supplied directly to the gas inlet of the first cooler recirculated to its inlet after passing through an air to air heat exchanger.

Abstract: A spray nozzle which employs compressed air for atomizing the liquid to be sprayed and for projecting these droplets into the desired spray pattern. The nozzle includes a tubular member and a liquid supply conduit and nozzle head mounted within the tubular member. There is an annular passage through the nozzle with a converging portion and a portion diverging from the converging portion. Liquid and gas are supplied to the converging portion. The compressed gas is supplied in a manner to achieve swirling of both the gas and liquid within the converging portion. The compressed gas discharges the atomized liquid in a hollow conical spray pattern.