Patents Represented by Attorney Bell, Boyd & Lloyd
  • Patent number: 7470190
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7470183
    Abstract: In a gaming method, data indicative of a final outcome may be received, and an initial set of symbols indicative of the final outcome may be displayed if the data indicative of the final outcome indicates a winning outcome, the initial set of symbols including an initial winning subset of symbols and an initial non-winning subset of symbols. Player input data indicative of a subset of symbols in the initial set to be discarded may be received, and replacement symbols may be determined such that a final set of symbols is indicative of the final outcome if the subset of symbols to be discarded includes at least one symbol from the initial winning subset, wherein the final set of symbols includes the replacement symbols in place of the subset of symbols to be discarded. The final set of symbols may be displayed, and an award corresponding to the winning outcome may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Michael Wishart
  • Patent number: 7470184
    Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of player selectable selections, steps towards termination associated with each selection, a termination limit and an offer associated with each number of steps. The steps are associated with or determine the offers provided to the player. The game provides no further offers when the maximum number of offers have been awarded, the player accepts an offer, or the player's accumulated steps meet or exceed the termination limit. The game preferably provides a consolation award to the player when the player's steps meet or exceed the termination limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Patent number: 7470187
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7471984
    Abstract: A low-frequency treatment device includes electrodes to which a low-frequency pulse signal is supplied so as to apply an electric stimulus to a living body; a section for presetting a number of times of muscle contraction which occurs by applying the electric stimulus; a section for setting a pulse signal conducting time period and a pulse signal pausing time period in an interval; a section for computing a treatment time period based on the number of times of muscle contraction and on the conducting and the pausing time periods; a timer which starts counting a time period when supply of the pulse signal is started, and transmits a stop signal for stopping the supply of the pulse signal when the counted time period reaches the computed treatment time period; and a device for shutting off a circuit for supplying the pulse signal based on the stop signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ito Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Sakagami, Nobuo Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 7471645
    Abstract: An approach is provided for adapting multicast services originating from a terrestrial network over a satellite network. A request for establishing a multicast session corresponding to a network address of the terrestrial network is received at a hub station. The request specifies participating satellite terminals in the multicast session. The hub station assigns an address unique within the satellite network to map to the network address for the multicast session. The participating satellite terminals are configured with the assigned satellite address. A distribution mechanism is selected to transport dataflow of the multicast session to the participating satellite terminals. The distribution mechanism utilizes one or more spot beams covering the participating satellite terminals, wherein the selected distribution mechanism is switched to another one of the distribution mechanisms based on capacity of the satellite network and reachability of the participating satellite terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Torres, Thomas Fletcher, Robert Aryee, Mangala Kannan
  • Patent number: 7469676
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for determining an internal combustion engine phase. Said device comprises an intake zone, an exhaust zone, at least one camshaft which acts on the gas exchanging valves and whereof the phase can be adjusted relative to that of a crankshaft by means of a phase adjusting device, and at least one sensor whereof the measurement signal enables a specific phase to be determined. The phase adjusting device is controlled in accordance with phase adjustment of the camshaft until detection of a gas reflux from the exhaust zone to the intake zone. A correction value is determined based on the associated specific phase and on a specific allocated phase. In the next operating mode, the respectively specific phase is corrected based on the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Weiss, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7470119
    Abstract: Center filled confections, such as gummy or jelly candies or fruit snacks are continuously produced by co-deposition into a mold without candy tailing to obtain products with substantially uniform side walls and little, if any, shell breakage and filler leakage or bleed-out problems. Decentering of the filler and its accompanying production of thin or weak shell walls is avoided by at least substantially preventing excessive flow of a fluid or liquid shell component along a single side of shell introduction into the manifold nozzle or nozzle cavity. At least substantially uniform flow of the shell component in an annular passageway of a co-deposition nozzle assembly may be achieved with an apertured disk insert, a plurality of manifold bores, or opposing shell component entry points to evenly distribute the shell component and prevent or substantially reduce filler leakage or bleed-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Wm. Wrighley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Gerald B. Cotten, Donald Mihalich
  • Patent number: 7470186
    Abstract: A number matching game which can be employed in both a gaming device and in live gaming at a casino. The player picks one or more numbers from a number pool. The gaming device or house draws randomly at least one number from the pool. An award is provided to the player based on an amount of matches between the player selected number(s) and the game drawn number(s). In one embodiment, when the game displays a player picked number, the game also displays if the number results in a match. In another embodiment, one or more of either or both of the game drawn number and player selected number is weighted, for example by attaching different amounts of points to the numbers, wherein the award is based on the accumulated points of matched numbers. The above embodiments are combined and can have various outcomes, such as bonus outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Lee E. Cannon
  • Patent number: 7471251
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawasaki, Keiji Fukuzawa
  • Patent number: 7470185
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time, The award can be unchanging, e.g., $10,000, each time a player plays the gaming device. The award can also vary such as with a progressive jackpot i.e., the jackpot builds unfit a player “hits” the jackpot. The game enables the average investment necessary to win the jackpot to be uniform by varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the players bet varies. That is, a player betting less money needs to play the game more times, on average, to win the jackpot. Likewise, a player betting more money needs to play the game less times, on average, to win the jackpot. The average overall bet or investment thus remains constant despite the players betting habits or betting ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: 7470188
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7470189
    Abstract: A gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards until there are no more awards or until one or more termination variables reaches a predetermined limit is provided. A random generation device generates awards upon a player input. One or more termination variables is used, each defined by or divisible into a plurality of units, wherein a random generation device generates an amount of units upon a player input. A game termination limit of accumulated or lost termination units is provided, wherein a player generates awards until accumulating the termination limit of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dennis K. Mead, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 7468528
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Suzuki, Masato Doi, Hiroyuki Okuyama, Goshi Biwa
  • Patent number: 7467886
    Abstract: A lens film with small warpage even when a transparent base is thin is provided. Pole prisms made of a hardening resin are arranged along the extending direction on a transparent base made of flexible material. The transparent base has a depression according to a valley between the pole prisms adjacent to each other. The pole prism has a sloping face extending to an inner wall of the he depression. The transparent base is in contact with the valley. A layer not functioning as a prism, that is, a so-called skirt layer does not exist between the transparent base and the pole prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyohiro Kimura, Jun Sasaki, Makoto Aoki, Yasuyuki Kudo, Mariko Fukuda, Yu Andrew Chakchung
  • Patent number: 7468972
    Abstract: An approach for transmitting packets over a shared communication channel is disclosed. A satellite terminal (ST) (103, 105, 107, 109) contains a processor that transmits a packet over a transmission slot of the channel using a contention protocol, such as persistent Aloha. The processor reserves an available transmission slot, which is maintained until expiration of a predetermined timeout period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William Walsh, Craig Schweinhart, Abheek Saha, Mark Abinante
  • Patent number: 7466709
    Abstract: An ATM switching equipment is provided comprising a switching network (ASN) and at least one server switching unit (SSC). The server switching unit (SSC) contains an AAL2 switcher (ASW) that is configured for simultaneous processing of a maximum plurality (m) of incoming connections. An AAL2 routing list (RL1 . . . RLm) is provided for each of these connections, and a microprocessor (MPR) is configured to limit the allowable value range for VPI/VCI values in the header of the ATM cells according to the plurality of AAL2 routing lists, so that only the corresponding VPI/VCI coding bits are taken into consideration at an interface to the switching network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ralf Haferbeck, Stefan Schneeberger
  • Patent number: 7466690
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Schrodi
  • Patent number: 7465227
    Abstract: A gaming device having a game which requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time. The award can be unchanging, e.g., $10,000, each time a player plays the gaming device. The award can also vary such as with a progressive jackpot, i.e., the jackpot builds until a player “hits” the jackpot. The game enables the average investment necessary to win the jackpot to be uniform by varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the player's bet varies. That is, a player betting less money needs to play the game more times, on average, to win the jackpot. Likewise, a player betting more money needs to play the game less times, on average, to win the jackpot. The average overall bet or investment thus remains constant despite the player's betting habits or betting ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Patent number: D582782
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sanpellegrino S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luca Toson