Abstract: A method is provided for the administration of a muticast service whereby mobile terminals of users who have subscribed to the multicast service receive multicast messages via a mobile communication network. The present invention seeks to use the available radio resources in a more economical manner. To this end, the mobile terminals are respectively prodied with an input unit which, when actuated, produces activation information which indicates whether the multicast service is activated or deactivated, and the activation information is transmitted to the mobile communication network.

Abstract: A communication system, reception apparatus and method, recording medium and program are provided. A technique is provided wherein, even where means for synchronizing a reception clock with a transmission clock is not available, data transmitted can be received accurately with a high transmission capacity assured. The frequency of a transmission clock used by an apparatus of the sender side of data is set equal to that of a reception frequency used by an apparatus on the receiver side. If a sampling timing and a changing point of the value of transmission data do not coincide with each other, then the value of 1 or 0 of a noticed bit is decided from a sample value. However, if they coincide with each other, then the sample value assumes an intermediate value different from 1 and 0, and the value of the noticed bit is decided as a value opposite to the value of the immediately preceding bit.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria that are capable to reduce an individual's tendency to mount allergic reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the generation of lactic acid bacteria strains that express proteins including tolerogenic peptides and the use thereof in reducing an individual's tendency to mount allergic reactions. The invention also pertains to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing said micro-organisms or active fractions thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for at least partially revealing a first award on a display device of the gaming device, unrevealing the first award, and at least partially revealing a second award on the display device. The first award is stored in and randomly chosen from a first table and the second award is randomly chosen from a second table. The game includes a plurality of methods or mechanisms with which to unreveal or not display the first revealed award.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols. The symbols include at least one bonus payline symbol. In a game, the gaming device or player spins the reels to indicate symbols on the reels. After the reel stops spinning, the gaming device evaluates the symbols indicated on the paylines associated with the reels to determine if any winning symbol combinations are indicated on the paylines. The gaming device provides an award associated with any winning symbol combinations indicated on the paylines. The gaming device then forms at least one bonus payline with any bonus payline symbols indicated on the reels and evaluates the symbols indicated on the bonus payline to determine if the bonus payline indicates any winning symbol combinations. A bonus award associated with any winning symbol combinations is provided to the player.

Abstract: A system is provided for dispatching one or more packets of information selected from the group consisting of redeemable coupons, messages, appointment reminders, confirmations, tickets, warnings and written packets to potential recipients of said packets at a remote location. The steps included in such a system are: (1) developing a subscriber directory containing unique identification information for each of said potential recipients; (2) creating a packet to be dispatched to at least one of said recipients; (3) identifying the potential recipients for a particular packet; (4) transmitting said packet through a pager network to all of said potential recipients; and (5) receiving and selectively processing and printing only those packets intended to be processed and printed by said appliance.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for fusion splicing optical fibers with low splice loss even when a shape of a discharge beam for the splicing is distorted. In the present invention, a preliminary discharge is performed with the optical fibers outside a discharge area and an image of the discharge beam thereof is picked up. Based on this image, brightness distributions of the discharge beam are estimated on a plurality of lines in a Z direction that are set in different positions in an X direction, and a discharge center of the beam is found from the plurality of brightness distributions. Then, the abutment portion of the optical fibers is positioned at the discharge center, and a main discharge is performed so as to fusion splice the distal ends of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A computer system operable to communicate with one or more gaming devices. The computer system has a processor and a data storage device. The data storage device stores instructions associated with a game. The instructions are executable to cause the gaming device to display a base, selections and characteristics associated therewith. The instructions are executable to enable one or more selections to be picked to match characteristics of the base.

Abstract: A gaming device having a card management system which is operable to manage a plurality of circulating data cards. The gaming device, in one embodiment, preferably includes a card read-write device for reading data cards, one or more card holders for holding a plurality of data cards and one or more card transporters for moving data cards to and from the card holders. The gaming device processor preferably uses the read-write device to reset or change data on data cards. The present invention increases the convenience and efficiency for playing and managing gaming devices.

Abstract: A dispersion compensating optical fiber for NZ-DSFs, includes: an uncovered dispersion compensating optical fiber; a double-layered resin coating disposed around the uncovered dispersion compensating optical fiber; and an outer coating layer having a thickness of 3 to 7 ?m, containing silicone in an amount of 1 to 5% by weight, and disposed around the double-layered resin coating. The outer diameter of the uncovered dispersion compensating optical fiber is in a range from 90 to 125 ?m, an outer diameter of the dispersion compensating optical fiber is in a range from 180 to 250 ?m, and the amount of silicone contained in the outer coating layer is determined such that an adhesive property of the outer coating layer is 1 gf/mm or less.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is provided. The light source apparatus includes: a light-emitting portion; a light-guiding plate having the light-emitting portion disposed at a side surface thereof, light beams being emitted from a top surface of the light-guiding plate; and a light path converting sheet above the light-guiding plate, formed of a prism sheet including cylindrical prisms, a cross-section of which is an isosceles triangle. Each of the prisms includes a light incidence plane that forms a first equilateral constituting an apex angle of the isosceles triangle, a reflection plane that forms a base of the isosceles triangle and a light exit plane that forms a second equilateral constituting the apex angle of the isosceles triangle The prism is disposed such that the light incidence plane is approximately perpendicular to a direction of light beams with highest luminous intensity among the light beams emitted from the top surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: A secondary cell residual capacity calculation method and a battery pack capable of calculating the secondary cell residual capacity is provided. The calculation method includes detecting a temperature of a plurality of secondary cells; detecting a current and a terminal voltage of the plurality of secondary cells; digitizing temperature, current, and terminal voltage; calculating a cell polarization voltage from the digitized temperature, current and terminal voltage; calculating an original cell voltage from both of the calculated cell polarization voltage and the detected terminal voltage; and calculating a residual capacity rate based on the calculated original cell voltage with reference to a prearranged residual capacity reference data table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dispensing a beverage with the visual appearance of multi-layers obtained from dilution of concentrates in proper dilution ratios. A first liquid layer is first delivered with a controlled density. A second liquid layer is diluted to a density that is lower than the density of the first liquid layer so that the first and second layers form a stable layered arrangement with the second liquid layer of lower density remaining spatially above the first liquid layer to provide a visually distinct layer as compared to the first liquid layer in the container. The invention also relates to a dispensing device and to a machine readable program enabling the device to deliver the multi-layer appearance beverage according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to the oral microflora is selected for its ability to adhere the pellicle of the teeth and to produce a growth inhibition factor. This strain is used for the preparation of a composition intended for reducing dental plaque and for treating or preventing root caries and other diseases related to Actinomyces naeslundii in mammals.

Abstract: A heating attachment for improving uniformity of microwave heating of a food product in a food container. The heating attachment has a microwave shield of microwave-reflective material. An attachment member is configured for attaching the shield to a food container in an operative association in which the container is disposed in a heating space by the shield. In this association, the shield improves the uniformity of microwave heating of a food product within the container. The heating attachment sufficiently surrounds the container in the operative association to capture the container for promoting breakage of the heating attachment when the container is removed therefrom to inhibit or prevent reuse of the heating attachment.

Abstract: A hermetic seal device for a polarization-maintaining optical fiber is provided. The hermetic seal device includes a polarization-maintaining optical fiber and a cylindrical member to be inserted by the polarization-maintaining optical fiber, where the cylindrical member has the difference 3×10?6/K or less in expansion-coefficient absolute value between the polarization-maintaining optical fiber and the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A gaming device that has an award modification function for player selectable awards that may be implemented with a primary or bonus game. More specifically, a processor controlled gaming device randomly generates a plurality of positions or digits of an award and enables the player to pick which position or digit receives a first randomly generated number, which digit receives a second randomly generated number, etc., until each of the positions have a number, whereby the gaming device determines the player's ultimate award. A plurality of modification methods can be employed to individually modify the digits of the award.

Abstract: A surface-emitting semiconductor laser (VCSEL) having a structure in which the single horizontal mode of high power is stably maintained, and an optical device including a light-source device having this surface-emitting semiconductor laser are provided. A scattering-loss-structure portion composed of a low refractive-index region is disposed around a main current path in a surface-emitting semiconductor laser, namely around a cavity structure portion; the low refractive-index region is disposed at intervals; and the shape of the tip portion opposing to the center portion is set to be a tapered shape, for example, at an acute angle. Accordingly, in the cavity structure portion, the loss of light-emitting laser of a high-order mode localized in the outer circumferential portion becomes large, so that a surface-emitting semiconductor laser that oscillates the single-mode laser with favorable performance is constructed.