Abstract: A pet impact protector is disclosed. This device is directed to a cleanable, removable device for a vehicle car seat comprising a contiguous pliable material having a pet seating area and a pet capture area. The pet impact protector is designed such that the force of the pet impact protector plus the pet, upon impact with the vehicle during a stop or slowing of the vehicle, causes the pet impact protector to partially collapse and form a protective impact area around the pet. This device is directed to the reduction of injury to a pet riding in a vehicle during an accident, stop or slowdown of the vehicle.

Abstract: A crossbow (1) comprises ? stock (2) having a detachable, pre-stru?g prod (10), with the stock (2) including a recess (20) for receiving the pre-strung prod (10), a latch (24) pivotally attached to the stock (2) adjacent the recess (20) for capturing the pre-strung prod (10) within the recess (20), and a fastener (22) for securing the pre-strung prod (10) to the stock (2).

Abstract: Engine synchronization apparatus and system for multi-engine vehicles such as boats and aircraft providing limited authority throttle cable trim effected by an apparatus interposed between the throttle plate and throttle cable of a slave engine and mounted in a floating configuration. An actuator is mounted to the apparatus to trim the distance between the throttle plate and throttle cable attachment thereby trimming the throttle cable. A system is provided in which a difference signal derived from master and slave engine tachometer signals is used to control the actuator and synchronize the engines within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for heating and cooling cylindrical containers is disclosed, including a container heating apparatus and a container cooling apparatus, with the container cooling apparatus positioned generally coaxially below the heating apparatus, and in which are provided transport apparatus for supporting movement of containers through the heating chamber and the cooling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is an inverter controller with feed-forward compensation. The inverter controller includes an error amplifier, a high frequency oscillator (HFOSC) with feed-forward compensation, a comparator, and a driver. The error amplifier can output a signal independent on the variation of a supply voltage. The HFOSC can generate a saw-tooth signal with a constant frequency and an amplitude proportional to the supply voltage. The comparator can compare the signal with the saw-tooth signal and generate a pulse width modulation signal whose duty cycle varies with the variation of the supply voltage. The driver receives the PWM signal and provides a proper pulse width modulation signal to drive an external inverter.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for providing a lottery game for a plurality of players. The method may include accepting an entry from each of the plurality of players for an occurrence of the lottery game, and each entry may include a predetermined number of multi-digit entry numbers. The method may further include determining an outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game, and the outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game may include selecting a predetermined number of multi-digit drawing numbers. Still further, the method may include comparing the multi-digit entry numbers for each entry to the multi-digit drawing numbers for the occurrence of the lottery game, and determining whether each entry is a winning entry based on the level of correspondence between entry numbers and the drawing numbers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for metered, raffle-style gaming implemented over a distributed network of locations and suitable for use in lottery and casino gaming environments. Potential winning numbers are issued in an order determined by relative time of a request for a number as received by a central controller, in comparison to the timing of other requests received by the controller, and matched to one or more known or predictable winning numbers. Time entries placed by players and compared to one or more target times may also be used to determine winning outcomes.

Abstract: Systems are provided for the enhancement of the system BIOS for microprocessor-based devices. Before the end of a BIOS start-up procedure, the BIOS operation is diverted to a BIOS security authentication system which may be a portion of an enhanced system BIOS. The BIOS security authentication system establishes communication with an information module, if the information module is present. The information module is typically a removable or installable card, which may be unique to one or more users. Based upon an information exchange between the security authentication module and the information module, the security authentication module controllably allows or prevents the system BIOS start-up procedure to resume and finish. In a preferred embodiment, the security authentication module is used as a pre-boot authentication system, to prevent a microprocessor-based device from booting up, unless a valid authorized information module is present.

Abstract: A system for maximizing set up and hold times for data reads from a DDR memory device. The system adjusts timing of a strobe from a DDR memory device and converts data from the DDR memory device into a single-data-rate data. The timing adjustment is preferably controlled through software, and the system selectively determines if an extra half cycle should be added to the data path to optimize data reads.

Abstract: A graphics accelerator includes a vertex input for receiving vertex data, an output for forwarding processed data, and a processor coupled with the vertex input and output. The graphics accelerator also includes an instruction input that receives instructions for processing the vertex data received from the vertex input. The processor is responsive to wide word instructions.

Abstract: A crossbow having a stock with opposed longitudinal ends including a forward end to which is mounted a bow and a rearward end for engaging the shoulder of a user, includes a foot stirrup mounted to the stock forward end and interposed between the stock forward end and the bow, such that a user's foot is insertable into such stirrup to support the crossbow for cocking.

Abstract: A system and method for generating random coverage masks for rendering images with transparent objects. The system uses shuffle tables for addresses of a pixel to index into a transparency table and to obtain a transparency mask, which is then ANDed with a coverage mask to obtain a new coverage mask.

Abstract: A thermal conditioning system for heating and cooling cylindrical containers includes a container heating apparatus with an enclosed heating chamber, transport mechanism for movement of the containers through the heating chamber, a cooling apparatus positioned below the heating chamber, and conveyor systems for introducing containers into the heating chamber and form removing the containers from the cooling apparatus after they have passed through the system.

Abstract: A portlight assembly for installation in an opening in a wall of a vessel includes an outer frame having a flange and a cylindrical wall portion extending from the flange, with the flange overlying a portion of the outer surface of the vessel wall surrounding the opening and the cylindrical wall portion extending through the opening, a window mounted to the outer frame. It further includes an inner securing ring threadedly received onto a threaded section of the cylindrical wall portion and overlying a portion of the inner surface of the vessel wall. The outer frame includes an initial attachment structure for holding the outer frame in place within the vessel wall opening until the inner securing ring is threaded onto the cylindrical wall portion.

Abstract: A molded plastic bottle of generally parallelepiped configuration and having two opposing sides has an integrally molded reentrant beam support extending inwardly of the bottle and engaging the other opposing side, with that support including a flexible portion to permit a limited amount of deflection of the two opposing sides toward or away from one another.