Abstract: A system and method of locating gaming tokens on a gaming table. Two sets of overlapping antennas are arranged in intersecting directions. The system uses the data from intersecting antennas to determine the positions of the gaming tokens. Having overlapping antennas reduces dead spots.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a work station for use in performing processing of patient samples, storing equipment and drugs in a hospital and the like, the cart having a lower housing having caster wheels mounted on the bottom thereof, the lower housing having angular-shaped side panels therearound which may be opened for entrance into all sides of the housing, and one or more of the side panels; an upper housing mounted on top of the lower housing, the upper housing having one or more side panels therearound; and one or more work areas mounted on top of the upper housing, the shelf adapted for receiving point-of-care equipment.

Abstract: A system and tool for monitoring ground-engaging products for earth working equipment that can monitor characteristics such as part identification, presence, condition, usage, and/or performance of the products on earth working equipment used, for example, in mining, construction, and dredging environments. The monitoring tool includes or is supported by a mobile device that is separate from the earth working equipment. Supporting the monitoring tool on a mobile device can, e.g., provide unique vantage points to monitor the earth working equipment products, monitor the products without inhibiting the operation of the earth working equipment or endangering personnel, closely approach areas of interest for secure and reliable gathering of information, monitor multiple earth working equipment, and/or be protected from the vibrations and impact shocks that can be associated with earth working equipment.

Abstract: A gaming table includes a network analyzer. The network analyzer detects antenna reflection coefficients faster than RFID tags can be read, enabling game state information to be monitored quickly. The network analyzer detects changes in the reflection coefficients that result from movements of a human appendage, enabling the system to change game states in response to the detected hand movements.

Abstract: A gaming table includes a network analyzer. The network analyzer detects antenna reflection coefficients faster than RFID tags can be read, enabling game state information to be monitored quickly.

Abstract: Laparotomy sponges comprising one or more closed metal wire loops incorporated into the fabric of the sponge are disclosed. The wire is of a gauge that is detectable by a metal detector. At least 50% of the area of the sponge is circumscribed by the one or more closed metal wire loops.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a Pai Gow gaming table (352) is equipped with a system (460) that implements real-time tracking of gaming tiles (366) to mitigate risk of dealer or player cheating behavior during game play. Each gaming tile has a machine-readable tile identifying tag. The gaming table has a playing surface (350) that includes a pre-assigned woodpile position (358) and multiple pre-assigned player positions (54). Multiple woodpile position tile tag identification readers (362) configured to read the tile identifying tags are located in the pre-assigned woodpile position. Multiple player position tile tag identification readers (360) operatively associated with different ones of the pre-assigned player positions and configured to read the tile identifying tags are located in associated ones of the pre-assigned player positions. A controller (68, 464) operatively associated with the tile tag identification readers performs during game play real-time tracking of movement of the gaming tiles.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring events in a casino. The system combines chip monitoring, card monitoring and video monitoring to identify problems, both in real-time as well as for historical review. The system uses the card information to transition between various game states in order to determine whether the chip actions are allowed, and to generate alerts when the chip actions are not allowed. The system also uses the card information to identify winning and losing bets in order to verify that the collections and payouts of chips are correct.

Abstract: A system and method of locating gaming tokens on a gaming table. Two sets of overlapping antennas are arranged in intersecting directions. The system uses the data from intersecting antennas to determine the positions of the gaming tokens. Having overlapping antennas reduces dead spots.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an RFID gaming token with a ferrite core. When the RFID gaming tokens are stacked, the ferrite cores steer the flux field from the excitation antenna through the center of the annular antennas in each token. The resulting flux field increases the efficiency of the energy transfer from the excitation antenna to the passive tags. This increased efficiency also improves the data transfer to and from the passive tags. This increased efficiency allows for reading RFID gaming tokens at a higher stack height (or at a better error rate for a given stack height) as compared to existing air core gaming tokens.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system with a shorting loop. The shorting loop at least partially surrounds the antenna. The shorting loop distorts the electromagnetic field generated by the antenna to improve the definition of the border of the read region of the antenna. In this manner, the RFID system provides more accurate discrimination between RFID tags inside the read region versus RFID tags outside the read region (i.e., improves the accuracy of determining that a particular RFID tag is inside the read region).

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a Pai Gow gaming table (352) is equipped with a system (460) that implements real-time tracking of gaming tiles (366) to mitigate risk of dealer or player cheating behavior during game play. Each gaming tile has a machine-readable tile identifying tag. The gaming table has a playing surface (350) that includes a pre-assigned woodpile position (358) and multiple pre-assigned player positions (54). Multiple woodpile position tile tag identification readers (362) configured to read the tile identifying tags are located in the pre-assigned woodpile position. Multiple player position tile tag identification readers (360) operatively associated with different ones of the pre-assigned player positions and configured to read the tile identifying tags are located in associated ones of the pre-assigned player positions. A controller (68, 464) operatively associated with the tile tag identification readers performs during game play real-time tracking of movement of the gaming tiles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a work station for use in performing processing of patient samples, storing equipment and drugs in a hospital and the like, the cart having a lower housing having caster wheels mounted on the bottom thereof, the lower housing having angular-shaped side panels therearound which may be opened for entrance into all sides of the housing, and one or more of the side panels; an upper housing mounted on top of the lower housing, the upper housing having one or more side panels therearound; and one or more work areas mounted on top of the upper housing, the shelf adapted for receiving point-of-care equipment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the concentration of fluids comprising a donor receptacle containing a fluid to be concentrated, the donor receptacle comprising a plunger; a receiving receptacle to receive the concentrated fluid, the receiving receptacle comprising a plunger; a concentrator device that is connected to the donor receptacle and the receiving receptacle; and a housing that encloses the donor and receiving receptacles and the concentrator device that the plungers of the donor and receiving receptacles are enclosed within chambers that are gas tight.

Abstract: A system for controlling slack in a winch rope associated with a vehicle can include a winch, a plow, and a support member pivotably coupled to the plow and carrying a pulley that receives the rope for raising and lowering the plow. A limit switch can be operatively associated with the winch and configured to selectively enable and disable lowering of the plow by the winch. A first member can be carried by the support member and operatively associated with the switch. A biasing member can bias the support member to a first position when a load on the winch rope is below a predetermined threshold. The first member can be in at least substantial alignment with the switch when in the first position. The switch can change an activation state upon the first member being in the first position to automatically disable lowering of the plow by the winch.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an RFID gaming token with a ferrite core. When the RFID gaming tokens are stacked, the ferrite cores steer the flux field from the excitation antenna through the center of the annular antennas in each token. The resulting flux field increases the efficiency of the energy transfer from the excitation antenna to the passive tags. This increased efficiency also improves the data transfer to and from the passive tags. This increased efficiency allows for reading RFID gaming tokens at a higher stack height (or at a better error rate for a given stack height) as compared to existing air core gaming tokens.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an RFID gaming token with a ferrite core. When the RFID gaming tokens are stacked, the ferrite cores steer the flux field from the excitation antenna through the center of the annular antennas in each token. The resulting flux field increases the efficiency of the energy transfer from the excitation antenna to the passive tags. This increased efficiency also improves the data transfer to and from the passive tags. This increased efficiency allows for reading RFID gaming tokens at a higher stack height (or at a better error rate for a given stack height) as compared to existing air core gaming tokens.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention improves the efficiency of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems and helps to extend the effective read range for certain configurations of closely spaced RFID tags. Specifically, an embodiment helps to minimize energy losses that result when there is excess energy from the excitation source. This excess energy has the potential to damage the circuitry in RFID tags. A shunt regulator is often used to protect the RFID circuitry by clamping the voltage, but has the undesirable effect of converting this excess excitation energy into heat. Various embodiments are directed toward using only as much of the excitation energy as necessary to power the RFID circuitry.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) system with a shorting loop. The shorting loop at least partially surrounds the antenna. The shorting loop distorts the electromagnetic field generated by the antenna to improve the definition of the border of the read region of the antenna. In this manner, the RFID system provides more accurate discrimination between RFID tags inside the read region versus RFID tags outside the read region (i.e., improves the accuracy of determining that a particular RFID tag is inside the read region).

Abstract: An athletic performance measurement system determines the reaction time, performance time and response time for an athlete to perform an event. A timing processor is in communication with two spaced-apart switches and when the athlete activates the first switch, it sets in motion a system for randomly activating a transducer that alerts the athlete to start the test. The athlete manipulates the first switch in response to detecting the activated transducer while the device measures the time it takes for this activity, thereby defining the athlete's reaction time. Then, the athlete manipulates the spaced apart second switch while the system monitors the time it takes to perform this task, thereby defining the athlete's performance time. The total response time is then calculated by adding the reaction time to the performance time. A testing protocol for performing a plurality of timed tests and averaging the scores is also disclosed.