Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating asthma and other respiratory conditions. A medicament comprising a surface active phospholipid (SAPL) is prepared in the form of a fine powder and administered to the lungs in a gas stream. A preferred SAPL is a solid blend of diplamitoyl choline and phosphatdiyl glycerol (PG).

Abstract: A radio communication system for performing radio communication between a first antenna and a second antenna is provided. Each of the first and second antennas includes a plurality of antenna elements for forming polarization planes orthogonal to each other in three-axial directions. The first and second antennas are arranged so that the polarization planes formed by the antenna elements of the first antenna are respectively opposed to the polarization planes formed by the antenna elements of the second antenna. The communication between the first antenna and the second antenna is performed by using three independent polarized waves.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device is provided. The semiconductor light-emitting device includes a laminated semiconductor structure portion composed of at least a first conductivity type first cladding layer, an active layer and a second conductivity type second cladding layer, wherein an outer peripheral surface of this laminated semiconductor structure portion is formed as a curved surface shape which is protrusively curved or bent with respect to the outside of the laminated direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a boundary node and a server for restricting the traffic in a packet-oriented, connectionless network for an efficient QoS transmission of prioritized data packets. According to the invention, reliability checks are carried out that include a reliability check with respect to the network input and the network output. The reliability checks allow to check whether resources meeting the requirements to transmission of a group of data packets of a priority class are available in the network. The invention allows to avoid resource shortages, especially at the network input and network output, thereby safeguarding QoS transmission.

Abstract: A gaming device including an outcome or award event which is triggered from a base game when at least one positive modifier symbol and at least one award symbol are indicated on the reels. In the bonus game, the positive modifier symbol includes at least one positive modifier which increases a bonus award associated with the award symbol. A negative modifier symbol, if indicated on the reels, includes at least one negative modifier which reduces the bonus award associated with the award symbol. The positive modifiers and negative modifiers are applied to the award to provide a modified award to the player in the game.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.

Abstract: A gaming device including a free spins game displaying a plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols where the symbols include a plurality of award symbols and at least one target symbol. A plurality of selections including at least one game function are displayed to a player. In a game, the gaming device provides the player with a plurality of free spins of the reels. In each free spin, the gaming device provides the player with an award or awards for any award symbols or combinations of award symbols indicated on the reels. In addition, the gaming device provides the player with one or more picks of the selections for each target symbol indicated on the reels. The gaming device then determines the game function or game functions associated with the picked selections in each free spin. A total award based on the awards and game functions is provided to the player.

Abstract: A hand held electronic device that includes a main body with a connector adapted to electrically and mechanically connect the main body to an electronic game separate from the device, and a method for using the same. First and second ports of the main body are sized to receive first and second game cartridges of the electronic game, respectively. Each of the first and second ports have an electrical connection that is electrically connectable to the respective first and second game cartridges. The device includes a processor adapted to electrically connect the electronic game to the first and second game cartridges through the first and second ports of the main body.

Abstract: A drink supply canister for beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of the drink supply canisters, and a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters, a water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO2 gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO2 gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters, and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the automatic startup of a cluster (10) after an error has occurred in a node (12, 14) of said cluster (10) that led to a reboot of the node (12, 14). The inventive method is characterized in that it automatically recognizes whether the error can be recovered and the cluster (10) can be automatically started up. The inventive method allows for the automatic return of the cluster (10) to its operation state after occurrence of an error, thereby reducing down-times of the system.

Abstract: A drink supply canister for beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of the drink supply canisters, and a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters, a water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO2 gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO2 gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters, and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a privacy function check which is efficient in terms of network load, and is carried out by means of a method for requesting the agreement of a user of a mobile radio terminal of a mobile radio network, relating to the transmission of the position data of said terminal to a requester requesting said position data. In the event of an arrival of one such request in a switching center of the mobile radio network, said switching center prompts a database server to check, by means of consultation information stored in the server and relating to the mobile radio terminal, whether an agreement must be obtained from the mobile radio terminal in order to transmit the position of said terminal to the requester, the result of the check then being sent to the switching center.

Abstract: A fluorescent light source includes at least one tube surrounding an interior region. The tube has a plurality of tubular portions, each one of which is disposed adjacent to at least one other tubular portion. The fluorescent light source has a support member, and each one of the tubular portions is configured to extend vertically from the support member and to curve outwardly away from the interior region.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, includes a reverb device and method for assisting vocalists in hearing their vocal sounds. The reverb device includes a vocal sound receiver, a sound director coupled to the vocal sound receiver and an ear sound deliverer coupled to the sound director. In addition to aiding users in hearing their own voices, the present invention facilitates vocal training, enjoyment and entertainment for users.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for replacing old software (10) that is in use with new software (12), which permits the maximum availability of the software. Said method is subdivided into a preparation phase (V) and an active phase (A). The preparation phase (V) take place during the operation of the old software (10). The active phase (A) is merely characterized by the execution of a MOVE command.

Abstract: A method is provided in which at least one of the following parameters is first determined for a transmitter: parameter representative of the presence of the message oriented memory management feature in the receiver; number of message storage locations provided in the receiver; size of the message storage locations provided in the receiver. A receiver transmits to the transmitter the number of information units still permitted under time control or under event control, the receiver ascertaining this number from the number of messages received or from the number of message storage locations which are still free. The transmitter ascertains the number of messages that can still be transmitted to the receiver from the transmitted number of information units which are still permitted.

Abstract: An approach for providing access in a communications system is disclosed. A network node (or terminal) generates duplicate bursts. The network node then transmits the duplicate bursts over a contention channel according to a pre-determined quality-of-service (QoS) designation. The contention channel can be established based on a diversity ALOHA protocol. The present invention has particular applicability to a radio communications system, such as a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing bandwidth in a data network. Capacity is allocated on a communication channel, which can be utilized for transporting data traffic or support network administrative functions (e.g., ranging), for a terminal to transmit data over the communication channel. In anticipation of the terminal having to transmit additional data, additional capacity is allocated on the communication channel for the terminal prior to receiving a request for bandwidth by the terminal. The anticipatory allocation is determined according to loading of the data network. This approach as particular applicability to shared capacity systems, such as a satellite communication system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission device for transmitting signaling messages from a signaling system, comprising a receiving interface (2) for receiving signaling messages, a plurality of processing devices (4a 4n) for processing the signaling messages received, and a decision device (3) which selects a processing device (4a 4n) for the further processing of the respective signaling message according to the source and/or user information contained in the respective signaling messages.

Abstract: The inventive method uses a VoIP server which provides the classical subscriber performance features of an exchange, and a VoIP client in the integrated access device (IAD) of the subscriber. The VoIP server uses a known VoIP signalling protocol for controlling the VoIP voice transmission between the VoIP client in IAD and the media gateway and for tunneling the PSTN/ISDN signalling between the VoIP client in the IAD and the VoIP server.