Abstract: The present invention provides a scheme for compressing the color components of image data. The pixel data is grouped into a plurality of tiles for storage. A test is performed to determine if a tile can be compressed so that its size after compression is less than its size before compression. If so, the tile is compressed. A tile table is provided that includes a flag that can be set for each tile that is compressed. In a data transfer from memory to a graphics processor, the tile table is examined to identify those tiles that are compressed and must be decompressed prior to use. In one embodiment, a number of compression schemes are available for use on a tile and the best compression scheme is chosen on a tile by tile basis. The invention includes an identifying code for each compression scheme (stored as a value in each compressed tile).
Abstract: A fluid flow control system for an electromagnetic pump having an electromagnetic drive (11) and a compressor (6). The control system established a required current in the compressor coils (10) to control the position and movement of the actuator (11), the actuator deflecting a diaphragm within the pump to provide the required flow. The control system includes a command signal generator (1) to create a signal representing the required flow. The signal is applied to a command processor (2) with any feedback signals (13) for example, coil current and/or actuator displacement. The command processor (2) calculates the appropriate drive signal defined by mark-space ratio, repetition rate, and amplitude. The drive signal controls the voltage supplied to the compressor coils (11) resulting in a required coil current to provide the desired flow. A dc power supply is used to avoid problems regarding main power supply and frequency.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 28, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 2, 2006
Assignee:
Huntleigh Technology, PLC
Inventors:
Alan Beale, Stephen John Cook, Michael David Newton
Abstract: A new family of multifunctional smart coatings based on diamond-like atomic-scale composite materials which can provide a real-time control of the surface stress distribution and potentially dangerous stress diagnostic for the most critical parts of flying vehicles. The coating is a silica-stabilized dielectric film, particularly, a diamond-like atomic-scale composite material.
Abstract: Telecommunications apparatus and method for detecting any unusual activity in customer behavior. A comprehensive behavior profile of a customer is generated on the basis of customer transactions. The profile includes a short-term customer behavior obtained from all of the customer's transactions, and further includes a long-term customer behavior obtained on the basis of the generated short-term behavior. Any behavior deviation from the profile is detected and identified as fraudulent or unusual.
Abstract: A modular computer storage system and method is provided for managing and directing data archiving functions. A client component is associated with one or more client devices for generating archival request. A file processor directs one or more storage devices, through one or more media components, which control the actual physical level backup on various storage devices. Each media component creates a library indexing system for locating stored data. A management component coordinates the archival functions between the various client components and the file processor, including setting scheduling policies, aging policies, index pruning policies, drive cleaning policies, configuration information, and keeping track of running and waiting jobs. The management component also keeps the scheduling information for a timetable of backups of the client devices and allocates storage space. The modular computer storage system may also work in conjunction with a Storage Area Network.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 6, 2000
Date of Patent:
April 25, 2006
Assignee:
CommVault Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
John Crescenti, Srinivas Kavuri, David Alan Oshinsky, Anand Prahlad
Abstract: The specification discloses a multi-wheel game-of-chance having at least two groups of spinning wheels, wherein each group includes at least two concentric spinning wheels having a viewable surface face thereon. A plurality of indicia are positioned on the peripheral of the viewable surface face of each wheel such that all indicia on each wheel is viewable to the user. Bet areas are positioned at various locations around at least a portion of each group of wheels; along a line joining the center of any two groups of wheels; and/or a junction between various radially positioned lines extending from the center of two or more groups of wheels. Each bet area represents a possible payline with various pay ratios depending on the probability of various predetermined combinations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 25, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 4, 2006
Assignee:
Sierra Design Group
Inventors:
Robert A. Luciano, Lawrence W. Luciano, Kurt W. Spencer
Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a memory controller that can perform a series of data write operations so as to complete the data writing at high speed. A memory controller includes means for dividing the physical blocks into a plurality of groups, means for forming a plurality of virtual blocks by virtually combining a plurality of physical blocks each of which belongs to a different group, and means for assigning adjacent host addresses to different physical blocks belonging to the same virtual block. Thus, when a host computer issues a request to access the plurality of successive host addresses, the physical blocks to be accessed are different physical blocks. Since the physical blocks to be accessed can therefore operate independently, a series of operations can be performed in parallel.
Abstract: A system of the present invention uses small swing differential source synchronous voltage and timing reference (SSVTR and /SSVTR) signals to compare single-ended signals of the same slew rate generated at the same time from the same integrated circuit for high frequency signaling. The SSVTR and /SSVTR signals toggle every time the valid signals are driven by the transmitting integrated circuit. Each signal receiver includes two comparators, one for comparing the signal against SSVTR and the other for comparing the signal against /SSVTR. A present signal binary value determines which comparator is coupled to the receiver output, optionally by using exclusive-OR logic with SSVTR and /SSVTR. The coupled comparator in the receiver detects whether change in signal binary value occurred or not until SSVTR and /SSVTR have changed their binary value. The same comparator is coupled if the signal transitions. The comparator is de-coupled if no transition occurs.
Abstract: The invention comprises methods and apparatus for modifying or converting a gaming machine to permit fully cash-less or optional cash-less transactions in a manner which avoids changing the existing firmware or software of the gaming machine. In an optional cash-less arrangement, a player selects the form by which finds for added or paid to the machine and/or paid out by machine. The cash-less forms of payment may comprise the acceptance and/or payment of funds or value electronically to a system account, coded card or ticket, smart card, magnetic card and other non-cash elements. In one or more embodiments, the invention consists of hardware and/or software for intercepting and/or emulating any or all combinations of the electronic signals associated with the coin acceptor, cash out button, hopper, serial communication interface(s) and bill acceptor(s) associated with a gaming machine to create optional currency transfers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 28, 2006
Assignee:
Sierra Design Group
Inventors:
Robert W. Crowder, Jr., Loren T. Nelson
Abstract: A method for playing a bonus game in association with a main game is provided. A bonus game is activated upon the occurrence of a predefined triggering event in the main game. Five cards are randomly drawn from an abridged deck of playing cards. The abridged deck of playing cards comprises thirteen cards all of a single suit. As few as none and as many as all five of the dealt cards are discarded and replaced with a card from the abridged deck of playing cards. The final hand is awarded a bonus payout based on the final hand of cards.
Abstract: An affinity generation system according to the present invention analyzes a profiled user's authorship and document usage within an ‘intranet’ to create a set of affinities between documents and topical classifications used in a hierarchical content catalog. These affinities are weighted depending on the system usage and amount of collected evidence. Once a certain threshold has been reached, the threshold being fixed or dynamically set to achieve a desired policy, the affinities are published into the content catalog. The user looking for specific expertise can then search or browse the content catalog and find both documents and people with strong affinities to the selected content area.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 22, 1999
Date of Patent:
February 14, 2006
Assignee:
International Business Machines Corporation
Abstract: Aptamer oligonucleotides specifically bind to the DNA binding site of proteins such as Sp1 and Sp1-related proteins which regulate the genes which encode costimulatory molecules such as CD28 and cytokines such as IL-2 and GMCSF. The oligonucleotides compete with the DNA-binding sites of regulatory proteins which specifically regulate molecules to modulate T-cell activation. This serves to modulate gene expression by preventing transcription of the gene. Aptamers are administered to provide therapies for diseases which involve aberrant T-cell activation such as psoriasis, Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune uveitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis), and septic shock and to regulate normal T-cell activation such as in allograft rejection.
Abstract: Substituted isothiazole compounds and compositions are provided, wherein particularly preferred compositions and methods are directed towards inhibition of various protein kinases (especially MEK and/or ERK). Consequently, particularly preferred methods include treatment of diseases associated with abnormality in MEK and/or ERK function.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 4, 2003
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2006
Assignee:
Valeant Research & Development
Inventors:
Weijian Zhang, William Ricketts, Haoyun An, Zhi Hong
Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for a rotating, tunable, holographic drop filter connected to a fiber optic source. The filter uses a quasi phase-conjugate optical system for a drop-channel fiber coupling and WDM channels which are introduced to the system. The light from these channels is collimated and passed through a volume phase holographic material so that only one WDM channel is diffracted and the rest pass through the holographic material unaffected. A quasi phase-conjugate diffracted beam is generated by the optical system to reflect the diffracted channel back towards the holographic material. The reflected light is Bragg matched to the holographic material so that it is re-diffracted along a path identical to the original incident light beam. A free-space circulator may be used to direct the diffracted beam to a fiber optic collimator, which is different from the fiber optic collimator of the incident light beam.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 4, 2001
Date of Patent:
January 17, 2006
Assignee:
California Institute of Technology
Inventors:
Demetri Psaltis, Christophe Moser, Greg Steckman, Karsten Buse, Ingo Nee, Joerg Hukriede, Joseph W. Goodman
Abstract: A new family of multifunctional smart coatings based on of stabilized diamond-like metal-carbon atomic scale composites and diamond-like atomic-scale composite (DL ASC) materials. Based on a unique combination of the coating fine structure, properties of the coating/substrate interface, and the mechanical and electrical properties of the coating, the disclosed smart coatings would integrate various high resolution sensors and interconnections, and the sensor would diagnose dangerous stress distribution in the coated subject with no distortion in real time, while these diamond-like coatings would simultaneously provide environmental protection of the coated surface and improve its aerodynamic quality.
Abstract: A golf ball having improved driving characteristics includes a hard, hollow sphere surrounded by an outer. A second layer may be disposed between the sphere and the outer cover. The hollow sphere is made from a hard material such as a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic material and may be solid, perforated or porous. The second layer surrounding the sphere is generally made of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer or a combination of each which is surrounded by an outer cover made of an ionomer, urethane or balata. The hard sphere preferably contains a gas. A golf ball of this construction has improved performance characteristics such as low spin rate and further distance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 13, 2004
Date of Patent:
December 20, 2005
Assignee:
NanoDynamics, Inc.
Inventors:
Timothy M. Owens, Douglas P. DuFaux, Mark T. Elliott, Kris H. Turschmid