Abstract: A communication system having a proxy architecture is disclosed. The system includes a platform that provides performance enhancing functions. The platform includes a spoofing apparatus that routes the information within the communication system. The spoofing apparatus receives spoofing selection and spoofing parameters from the platform and maintains the current parameters in one or more spoofing profiles. The spoofing apparatus routes packets of information throughout the communication system based on the spoofing selection and/or spoofing profile. The spoofing apparatus may also compensate for maximum segment size mismatches during the routing of information. This compensation may include dynamically resizing data segments or disabling three-way handshake spoofing. The above arrangement has particular applicability to a bandwidth constrained communication system, such as a satellite network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an electricity generator which has an oxygen electrode, a fuel electrode, and a solid polymer type electrolyte membrane disposed between the oxygen electrode and the fuel electrode, and a method for controlling the fuel cell.

Abstract: A battery pack which can increase of the volumetric efficiency of the battery pack without being contained in a resin mold case is provided. A first laminate material has a concave portion formed by drawing where a battery element is contained. A second laminate material is stacked so as to cover the opening of the concave portion to seal up the periphery of the opening. The first and second laminate materials are bend inwards so as to cover the battery element, and bonded and fixed together by heating. The first laminate material has three-layer structure including a polypropylene layer, a soft aluminum layer, and a nylon layer or PET layer. The second laminate material has a similar structure but includes a hard aluminum layer. Therefore, the second laminate material has enough strength to resist deformation without being contained a cell in a resin mold case.

Abstract: An audio unit or audio system usable by a processor to: receive audio phone data over a data network; store at least one portion of the audio phone data in a non-encrypted form; and transmit at least one portion of the stored audio phone data to another data storage device which is coupled to the data network.

Abstract: A gaming device that enables a player to choose or alter certain symbols displayed on the reels of the gaming device. The player can change or select the changeable symbol at any time as long as the reels are not in motion. The gaming device maintains the change until the player changes the symbol again. The gaming device preferably supplies a touch screen along with a video monitor in which the reels and associated stops are simulated. The touch screen enables the player to simply touch the symbol that the player wishes to change. Pressing a single symbol may change the selected symbol or others linked to the symbol. A stop on the reels having a selectable symbol can provide the player with any number of possible symbols from which to choose. The changeable symbols preferably have a direct effect upon whether the player obtains a gaming device award.

Abstract: An application program relating to a process of an integrated circuit 21 is stored in a virtual integrated circuit 21 storage area server apparatus 13. Following a mutual authentication between the IC 21 and the virtual IC storage area server apparatus 13 through a portable communication function unit 20, the server apparatus 13 executes the application program. Additionally, through the IC 21, the portable communication function unit 20, a wireless communication line 17, and a network 18, communicate with an IC_R/W apparatus 11 and perform a process relating to a service in collaboration with each other.

Abstract: A bonus game that operates in combination with a slot machine base game is provided. The bonus game includes a series of free spins or free evaluations in which symbols of a set of symbols are set to be wild symbols. Free spins occur for each symbol acting as a wild symbol until the symbol appears on the reels in a winning format, either alone or in combination with other symbols. Then, the next symbol of the set is used in the wild symbols and so on until all symbols for the set are used. If free spins remain after all symbols of the set are used, the free spin sequence is repeated until the free spins are exhausted.

Abstract: A bonus scheme that has more than one and preferably at least three bonus games. Each bonus game provides excitement and enjoyment to the player via creative visual and audio displays. Each bonus game also has its own theme and may or may not be based upon schemes already known in the art of gaming devices. While the individual bonus games are not necessarily related to each other, the overall bonus scheme, preferably in the initial screen, ties the bonus games together in a master theme that provides flexibility for the individual bonus games to have their own themes. The preferred embodiment of the present invention automatically activates the bonus scheme upon a bonus triggering event. The game selects for the player one of three bonus games contained in the bonus scheme. The player plays the selected game and receives an award and the game returns the player to the base game.

Abstract: A gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game is provided. The gaming device includes a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, and a secondary game, wherein a play provides a gaming element for the secondary game. The gaming element of the secondary game is provided by playing the primary game regardless of any event or outcome in the primary game. The secondary game can achieve a winning outcome with the gaming elements provided by playing the primary game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and network element for providing linkset-related SS7 network functions based on M3UA messages. In particular the present invention provides a method and a signaling gateway (108) for implementing screening based on M3UA messages by mapping M3UA connections to pseudo linksets (116) to which linkset-related rules can then be applied.

Abstract: A frothing device adaptable to a steam outlet for producing milk froth comprising a steam inlet, a milk inlet, an air inlet, a vacuum chamber adapted to receive steam, liquid milk and air therein, a restriction with a limited cross-section adapted for conducting the product there through at high velocity, an emulsifying chamber; the emulsifying chamber having an outlet for draining the product froth out of the chamber and a froth flow regulation system configured for breaking the kinetic energy of the froth stream and for changing its direction sufficiently so that the froth is gently delivered out of the device. The frothing device can be mounted on a coffee machine to deliver cappuccino upon a push of a button.

Abstract: A polymer actuator is provided. The polymer actuator includes a plurality of gel/electrode complexes arranged in an electrolytic solution, wherein the gel/electrode complex is composed of a polymeric hydrogel containing acidic or basic functional groups and electrodes placed in the polymeric hydrogel, such that it changes in volume upon application of a voltage across said electrodes. The polymer actuator expands and contracts in the linear direction without curved deformation. The polymer actuator is light in weight and is capable of control with a low voltage.

Abstract: A memory region on an IC card has a hierarchical structure. Each application allocated on the memory region is registered in a directory, and the memory region is managed in directory units. A personal identification code is set for each application and directory, and the access right is controlled in application units or directory units. If a mobile terminal is lost, the right to access each application in the IC card automatically disappears. Therefore, the right to access each application allocated to the memory region on the IC card is efficiently controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a diffusion sheet for use in a backlight unit of a TFT-LCD. Specifically, this invention provides a diffusion sheet including a transparent base sheet, a light-diffusing layer laminated on one surface of the base sheet, and an antiblocking layer laminated on the other surface of the base sheet, the base sheet satisfying a refractive index represented by a predetermined equation. According to this invention, the diffusion sheet for a display can uniformly diffuse light, which is radiated from a light source lamp positioned at a side surface or the back surface of the display, while passing such light therethrough, thus obtaining clear display images, resulting in increased total light transmittance, light diffusibility, and luminance.

Abstract: Message cells, cell comprising partially different priorities are transmitted via a first communication network. According to the invention, at least one of the message cells to be transmitted and comprising the same priority is added to a user data field of at least one data packet of a second packet-oriented communication network. A transmission priority (user priority) derived from the priority of the at least one added message cell, cell is associated with the data packet, according to which the at least one data packet is at least partially transmitted with the at least one added message cell, cell to/via the packet-oriented communication network. Advantageously, the message cells comprising the same priority or service category and pertaining to different virtual connections are added to a data or transmission frame of the packet-oriented communication network, thus fulfilling real time requirements.

Abstract: An access port for a medical fluid container is provided and in one embodiment includes: (i) a shell; (ii) a perforator located within the shell, the perforator including an end configured to pierce a medical fluid container; and (iii) a safety tab connected to the perforator, the safety tab initially preventing the perforator from piercing the medical fluid container, the safety tab manually removable to enable the perforator to pierce the medical fluid container. The shell can include a pair of hingedly moving arms and members connected hingedly to the arms, the members operable to push the perforator towards the medical fluid container when the arms are pushed. The safety tab can include a plurality of frangible fixtures, the fixtures collectively providing a suitably high tamper resistance force, the fixtures individually providing a suitably low tab removal force.

Abstract: A gaming device that enables a player to pick at least one of a plurality of selections, wherein at least one of the selections is associated with a terminator. The gaming device determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is not associated with a terminator, the gaming device places the picked selection to occupy a position of a selection group. The gaming device enables the player to pick another one of the selections and again determines if the picked selection is associated with a terminator. If the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the gaming device modifies the position of at least one of the picked selections. After modifying the positions of one or more of the picked selections, the gaming device determines the modified award based on the awards or values associated with the modified positions of the picked selections. The gaming device provides the determined modified award to the player and ends the game.

Abstract: The disclosed device and method comprise configuring a gaming device to offer one or more “As Is” prizes when a bet at a threshold limit less than a maximum bet is placed without apparently or actually reducing the expected return to player (“ERTP”) on bets larger than the threshold limit. In one version, one or more standard awards are sweetened for bets less than the maximum amount. In an alternative version, multiple “As Is” prizes are provided. Players are eligible for each “As Is” prize based on an amount of their wager. Consequently, to be eligible for a first “As Is” prize the player may need to place a first wager amount and to be eligible for a second “As Is” prize the player may need to place a second wager amount greater than the first amount.

Abstract: Described are novel antibodies specifically recognizing conformation dependent epitopes of HCV glycoprotein E2 and that are capable aof neutralizing the binding of E2 protein onto susceptible cells. Furthermore, antigens and epitopes recognized by the above-described antibodies as well as polynucleotides encoding said antibodies are provided. Also provided are to vectors comprising said polynucleotides as well as host cells transformed therewith and their use in the production of said antibodies. In addition, pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions are provided comprising any of the aforedescribed antibodies, antigens, epitopes, polynucleotides, vectors or cells. Further described is the use of the aforementioned antibodies, antigens, polynucleotides and vectors in adoptive immunotherapy, preferably for the treatment or prevention of HCV infection during liver transplantation.