Abstract: This invention is directed to amusement devices wherein players attempt to rapidly convert target messages into a “text message” using a conventional keypad arrangement such as that provided on a push button phone. The target message is the message that is intended to be translated may be communicated to the player using a visual display or be provided to a player orally. The object of the game is to accurately convert the target message to a “text message” as rapidly as possible using the keypad and the translated message is sent from the keypad data entry device to a central processing unit where it is then displayed and provided a score or rank according to predetermined scoring criteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for playing a computer-based solitaire game including the steps of retrieving an input from an internet server to a computer, playing and scoring the game according to the input. The internet server and the computer are intermittently connected during the game and the input comprises a scoring method and a game pattern which are controlled and predetermined by the internet. The present invention also provides a computer-based solitaire game comprising a network connection to an internet server for retrieving an input and for comparing scores, and a control system for a player having means for operating on the input and means for displaying the input and the comparison results to the player. The input comprises a scoring method and a game pattern which are controlled and predetermined by the internet server, and the game pattern comprises game features and graphic elements.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an amusement device consisting of a vertically oriented hollow wheel that is rotated at a constant rate and that has a series of cavities provided along the inner surface of the outer wheel rim. The wheel has front and rear enclosures that prevent game pieces, such as elastic balls, from falling out of the wheel. A player attempts to time the release of game pieces from a holding area located within the wheel to try to have the pieces come to rest in preselected adjoining cavities. If the pieces are detected within the cavities in a winning orientation, a signal is transmitted to a central processing unit which then activates a ticket dispenser.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that relate to the control of devices over a network from a central controller. A computer server can control, monitor and affect devices which include a controller and a network interface for communicating information between the device and the server. The device and central controller communicate using a predefined communications protocol for either remote configuration, control, or monitoring of the device and the protocol allows the central server to recognize the device as a hierarchical tree of contexts including data elements and metadata describing each said data element.

Abstract: A modular construction system is made of a plurality of panels having peripheral frame elements defining a top channel, a bottom channel, and side channels. An exterior planar sheet and an interior planar sheet element enclose an inner core region that is filled with an adhesive bonding material that attaches the components together.

Abstract: An improved device for distributing tickets or coupons is disclosed that includes a plurality of ticket chutes each having a ticket guide assembly for guiding tickets through the chute and an exit slot and biasing tickets against a drive wheel which engages the tickets. The drive wheel is powered by a motor which uses a drive belt to power a screw gear which in turn rotates and axle on which the drive wheel is attached. The motor is activated by a controller in response to an input signal and the controller may also received input from an optical sensor in the chute for the detection of the tickets and the movement of the motor.

Abstract: A device for manually capturing and restraining intended insects, the same comprising a pad of stacked, singular sheets each sheet having a partial enveloping means comprised of hydrophillic absorbing material and collapsible sheet construction whereby the sheet partially conforms in response to the insects body mass. Each sheet has a region is coated with a mild compression adhesive material capable of trapping of an insect in response to the physical manipulation by a human being. The pad of stacked adhesive sheets can be used by separating each sheet individually or as a stack. Upon apprehension of an insect, the sheet restraining the insect is separated, if not already separated from its stack, folded to encase the insect and ready for disposal. The pad of stacked adhesive sheets can have various sheet sizes, thickness and density with varying enveloping ability—all depending upon intended insect to be trapped.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a double-ended contact probe that can be improved in productivity to ensure that the contact members are stably movable with respect to each other, and electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A game machine comprises shift and display section for shifting and displaying various kinds of symbol marks, the shift and display section having prize winning lines formed thereon, in which a predetermined set of symbol marks stopped and displayed on one of the prize winning lines cause a wining prize to be awarded to a game player, the predetermined set of symbol marks including a plurality of symbol marks neighboring to each other to form a specified symbol mark.

Abstract: The disclosed herein is a novel and less expensive optical path switching apparatus for switching at least one input optical path selectively into at least one output optical path which comprises; switching means for switching the input optical path selectively into the output optical path which has at least one switching optical path to permit a light beam to pass thereon, inputting means for inputting at least one light beam to the switching means, and outputting means for outputting at least one light beam from the switching means, the switching means being essentially consisting of (i) a housing, (ii) at least one switching element having a first reflection surface to reflect the light beam inputted from each of input optical paths and a second reflection surface to reflect the light beam reflected from the first reflection surface toward the output optical path of the outputting means, and a reflection space formed between the first and second reflection surfaces of a switching element body, and (iii) at

Abstract: An integrated sensor device having a structure suited for mass production despite of a short lifetime and automatically replaceable, and a measuring system realizing a continuous monitoring at a low cost by using the integrated sensor device are disclosed. The integrated sensor device is constructed into a signal integrated circuit device comprising a sensor unit (6) for measuring a change in the quantity or concentration of a substance; a control unit (7) for processing a signal representing the measurement result; and an antenna unit (10) for transmitting the processed signal to the outside and for receiving an energy necessary for the transmission and the operations of the sensor unit (6) and the control unit (7).

Abstract: A game machine comprises shift and display means for shifting and displaying a plurality of rows each having a plurality of symbol marks thereon; prize winning state determining means for determining a prize winning state based on random number lottery; stop control means for controlling the stop of the shift and display means to have a predetermined set of symbol marks shifted and displayed on the basis of the prize winning state determined by the prize winning state determining means; notifying means for notifying a game player of notifying information in notifying states including a current notifying state and subsequent notifying states following the current notifying state, while the game player is enjoying games including a current game and subsequent games following the current game; and subsequent notifying state determining means for determining and selecting in advance the subsequent notifying states on the basis of the current notifying state.

Abstract: A sampling device for detecting airborne particles has two parallel substantially identical intake passages. Each intake passage, in close proximity to the other, and has an inlet, a sampling filter intersecting the passage, means for drawing ambient air through the inlet, and sampling filter. The sampling filter is mounted on a filter magazine that has a plurality of sampling filters. A motor is provided for sequentially moving successive sampling filters on the magazine into the air flow. The sampling device accordingly captures two substantially identical samples from the parallel intake passages.

Abstract: A game system and method is disclosed that has at least one game display, an input controller, and a device executing a game program, wherein a controller for displaying the progress of a game as a real time image on the game display, in response to information input through the input controller is provided. The invention includes data storage for replaying a predetermined scene of the real time image and a replay controller for displaying the replay sequence in response in response to predetermined criteria. The replay is displayed on a replay display window that appears on the game display and replay display is shown along with a part of or the entire said real time image. Furthermore, the replay display and the real time image are simultaneously displayed.