Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting the sound volume of a gaming machine based on the ambient noise level to an appropriate level. The gaming machine may implement an open loop control algorithm when the machine's sound output is inactive as determined, e.g., by software, or by analyzing samples from a soundboard. A closed loop control algorithm may be implemented when the gaming machine is active. Alternatively, the machine may implement only an open loop algorithm that provides volume adjustment only when the machine's sound output is inactive, in which case the adjusted volume is maintained through an active period, then adjusted again at the next inactive period. A saturation back off feature prevents the sound level of the gaming machine from escalating to, and remains at, a maximum, saturation level.

Abstract: A support surface 10 includes a series of inflatable cells 30, 40 inflated alternately by a compressor 11. The cells 30, 40 are exhausted via an exhaust port 50 having a restrictor 60 of known diameter. A pressure transducer 70 measures the cell 30, 40 pressure. Some of the cells 30, 40 during their deflating/inflating cycle are exhausted through the exhaust port 50 and the cell pressure decay over a time is monitored. A microprocessor calculates the mathematical function related to the cell pressure decay with time, compares the value with compiled data and adjusts the output of the compressor accordingly. The sequence of exhausting via a port 50 is repeated at every inflation/deflation cycle and the pressure decay monitored and compared with the known data and the compressor output adjusted automatically to provide a new operating pressure. Therefore, any change in the person's position, e.g.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser for emitting evanescent light that has a laser beam-emitting facet including a light-emitting region is constituted to comprise a three-dimensional feature portion formed on the laser beam-emitting end facet, a light-shielding film covering at least the light-emitting region, and a small opening for emitting the evanescent light formed in the light-shielding film at a location to have a prescribed positional relationship with the three-dimensional feature portion. The presence of the three-dimensional feature portion enables the small opening to be formed precisely with respect to the light-emitting region by a simple operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for containing, transporting, and storing or disposing of radioactive machinery, including decommissioned nuclear reactor pressure vessels. An improved, economically-produced container allows easier handling and packaging of machinery within plants where the machinery has been installed, and offers improved shock absorption and attenuation characteristics, especially when packaging is complete, through the provision, for example, of integral fenders. The invention also includes methods of making the container.

Abstract: A wireless communications network has a plurality of terminals and at least one base station which transmits data to each one of said plurality of terminals on a wireless downlink and receives data from each one of said plurality of terminals on a wireless uplink. One of the terminals sends a rate request to the base station. The rate request requests that the data rate on the wireless uplink for the terminal be changed. In response to the rate request, the base station sends a rate grant to the terminal. The rate grant indicates whether or not the terminal may change the data rate on the wireless uplink.

Abstract: A search engine receives query terms from a client. In response, the search engine executes a search on a web directory to identify zero or more documents that match the query terms. The identified documents are associated with one or more categories. The search engine probabilistically selects one of the categories associated with the identified documents. Each message in a message database is also associated with one or more of the categories. The search engine accesses the message database and selects at least one message associated with the selected category. The search engine returns a web page containing references to the documents matching the query terms and the one or more messages selected from the message database to the client.

Abstract: A mobile switching center switches telephone calls in a time division multiplex access wireless communications network architecture. A communications controller in the mobile switching center is adapted to control communications between the mobile switching center and at least one base station controller. An interworking function in the mobile switching center is adapted to transfer information between the mobile switching center and another network other than the wireless communications network. A compact data services unit (CDSU) causes said mobile switching center to automatically detect, whenever a downgrade procedure occurs during a data call switched through said mobile switching center, the subchannels of the telephone call dropped in the downgrade procedure network.

Abstract: In a system and method for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout, the system includes a payout dispenser for securely storing and dispensing a payout, and a terminal for controlling the dispensing of the payout and for interfacing with an attendant in connection with the payout. The system further includes a network for interconnecting the payout dispenser and the terminal. The system may also include a device for indicating a payout payable responsive to the input of a person to whom the payout is payable, wherein the payout indicating device may be connected to the payout dispenser and the terminal by a network. The system may further include a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage amount which is the difference between the payout in a payout dispenser denomination and the payment to be paid out.

Abstract: A method for monitoring client interaction with a resource downloaded from a server in a computer network includes the steps of using a client to specify an address of a resource located on a first server, downloading a file corresponding to the resource from the first server in response to specification of the address, using the client to specify an address of a first executable program located on a second server, the address of the first executable program being embedded in the file downloaded from the first server, the first executable program including a software timer for monitoring the amount of time the client spends interacting with and displaying the file downloaded from the first server, downloading the first executable program from the second server to run on the client so as to determine the amount of time the client interacts with the file downloaded from the first server, using a server to acquire client identifying indicia from the client, and uploading the amount of time determined by the firs