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 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: 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: 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

Abstract: A precision oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) uses an adjustment feedback signal that, when mixed with a reference signal from a stable reference oscillator, accurately controls the generation of an output signal from a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). An OCXO according to the invention has high stability and high accuracy. The digital OXCO can be manufactured at low cost, and is particularly beneficial for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) base station applications in cellular communication networks an the like.

Abstract: Hats such as baseball-type caps and sun visors which have a brim projecting from the forward part of the hat, or sailor hats or Stetson-type (or cowboy-type or fedora-type) hats that have a brim extending about the periphery of the hat are provided with a device on or forming the brim that presents two or more composite graphic images or sets of images. The hat brim includes at least two interleaved series or sets of sections are arranged in a wave-like manner that each present a composite image or a set of images. The sections of each series of interleaved sections generally face in a common direction so that images or parts of images displayed by the sections of a same series are viewable together, and the sections of different series face in different directions. An observer can view a first image or set of images on the brim from a first direction and second image or set of images on the brim from a second direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel control system for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically reallocating resources among partitions based on factors including relative resource pain rates and user assigned priority. A tuner executes several tasks, including determining relative memory pain rates for partitions and allocating memory among partitions so that future relative memory pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative memory pain rates are distributed. Also, the tuner determines current relative processor and interactive pain rates for partitions and allocates processor and interactive power among these partitions so that future relative processor and interactive pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative processor and interactive pain rates are distributed.

Abstract: A method and system are described herein for obtaining IGP network information useful in determining network routing topologies. The method involves querying a router for its router identifier and all its area identifiers, counting the router's number of area identifiers to determine whether the router is an ABR or an ASBR, and querying the router's link state database for the lowest area identifier on the router. The method further involves importing all Type 1 and Type 2 LSAs for that area into the database of a network discovery software engine, importing from the router's link state database only those networks outside the router's autonomous system that are also directly connected to an ASBR, then moving to the next highest area identifier in the router's database to repeat importing Type 1 and Type 2 LSAs for that area into the database.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically reallocating resources among partitions based on factors including relative resource pain rates and user assigned priority. A tuner executes several tasks, including determining relative memory pain rates for partitions and allocating memory among partitions so that future relative memory pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative memory pain rates are distributed. Also, the tuner determines current relative processor and interactive pain rates for partitions and allocates processor and interactive power among these partitions so that future relative processor and interactive pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative processor and interactive pain rates are distributed.

Abstract: A base station 422 of a second system performs communication using a frequency adjacent to a frequency employed by communication between a base station 412 and a mobile station 414 of a first system. When the mobile station 414 is close to the base station 422, the communication of the base station 422 undergoes interference by the leakage power of the mobile station 414. To avoid the interference, the transmission is halted of the mobile station 414 of the first system, which provides the interference by the leakage power.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically reallocating resources among partitions based on factors including relative resource pain rates and user assigned priority. A tuner executes several tasks, including determining relative memory pain rates for partitions and allocating memory among partitions so that future relative memory pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative memory pain rates are distributed. Also, the tuner determines current relative processor and interactive pain rates for partitions and allocates processor and interactive power among these partitions so that future relative processor and interactive pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative processor and interactive pain rates are distributed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive pattern that has low electric resistivity, is superior in adhesion to a substrate and does not cause substrate cracking during plating, a multilayered substrate incorporating such a conductive pattern, and a fabricating method for a multilayered substrate. At first, a conductive composition including a metal powder containing not less than 95 mass % of Ag, a sintering restrainer containing Cr and/or Cr compound, a dielectric loss conditioner containing Mn and/or Mn compound, and a vehicle is prepared. Next, electrodes made of the conductive composition are formed on a plurality of green sheets. The plurality of green sheets formed with the electrodes are then laminated to form a laminated product, whereafter the laminated product is sintered.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically reallocating resources among partitions based on factors including relative resource pain rates and user assigned priority. A tuner executes several tasks, including determining relative memory pain rates for partitions and allocating memory among partitions so that future relative memory pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative memory pain rates are distributed. Also, the tuner determines current relative processor and interactive pain rates for partitions and allocates processor and interactive power among these partitions so that future relative processor and interactive pain rates obtained after the allocation will be more evenly distributed among the partitions than current relative processor and interactive pain rates are distributed.

Abstract: A lighted hat 10 provides illumination for the user of the hat while substantially maintaining the appearance of a traditional baseball style cap visor. The lighted hat 10 includes a head-engaging portion 20, a brim 30, a headband 40, a low profile light 50, a power source 60, and an activation switch 80. A preferred embodiment lighted hat 10 is configured as a traditional baseball style cap that has a head-engaging portion 20 and a brim 30 attached to the front of the head-engaging portion. Additionally, a headband 40 is also preferably connected to the lower inside rim of the head-engaging portion 20. The low profile light 50 is incorporated into the brim 30 of the hat 10 where it is substantially concealed within the brim. In one embodiment, the power source 60 includes a solar panel 70 that is located on the brim 30 of the hat 10.