Abstract: A vehicle having a passenger area and a freight area to transport passengers and freight, including an intermodal container. The vehicle is supported by a truck frame connected to a coach spine in a three-dimensional region so that forces from a load on the freight area are distributed over the three-dimensional region and into the passenger area. The vehicle preferably also includes a retractable axle to increase the vehicle's freight hauling capacity. An engine under the rear portion of the freight area is preferably disposed between a forward region defined by a ground clearance height and a vehicle height and a rearward region defined by the departure angle and the vehicle height. The vehicle's suspension system ensures a comfortable ride for passengers under various loading conditions.

Abstract: A pager system for monitoring the operation of a plurality of controllers in each one of a plurality of agricultural field equipment in a group. A plurality of sensors are provided at each location of agricultural field equipment wherein a sensor connects through an isolation device to one of the controllers for issuing a status signal corresponding to the present status of the connected controller. Whenever the status of a controller changes, the remote terminal unit immediately transmits the changed status symbol as well as the status of the other sensors to a central control computer. The central control computer analyzes the transmitted status signals for generating a changed status paging message and delivers the changed status paging message, identifying the agricultural field equipment having the changed status, as well as the unchanged status messages from all remaining agricultural field equipment in the group.

Abstract: A yarn comprising buffalo hair and wool is commercially spun, in which the yarn has between about 5% to about 95% buffalo hair and between about 95% to about 5% fiber, and particularly has about 20% buffalo hair and about 80% fiber. The yarn is used to make fabric that can be used to make clothing, blankets, and other goods.

Abstract: A system for producing virtual camera motion in a motion picture medium in which an array of cameras is deployed along a preselected path with each camera focused on a common scene. Each camera is triggered simultaneously to record a still image of the common scene, and the images are transferred from the cameras in a preselected order along the path onto a sequence of frames in the motion picture medium such as motion picture film or video tape. Because each frame shows the common scene from a different viewpoint, placing the frames in sequence gives the illusion that one camera has moved around a frozen scene (i.e., virtual camera motion). In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of video cameras is employed. Each camera synchronously captures a series of images in rapid succession over time. The resulting array of images can be combined in any order to create motion pictures having a combination of virtual camera motion and time-sequence images.

Abstract: An on-demand teleconferencing system and method for setting up an on-demand conference call in a telecommunications system having the Advanced Information Network (AIN) architecture with system signaling the number 7 (SS7) and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A subscriber is assigned an on-demand conference call number. When that number is dialed into the PSTN, it is identified by the PSTN that the dialed number requires handling by the SS7. The SS7 links the dialed number to a conference allocation and control system (CACS) which is connected to a plurality of scalable bridge servers. The CACS selects bridge servers available to handle the conference call and based upon a selection criteria such as a peak load sets up the on-demand conference call in one of the selected bridge servers.

Abstract: A system dispenses a desired portion of frozen product from a product container containing the frozen product. A label, attached to the product container identifying the formulation of the frozen product, is read to determine at least the formulation of the frozen product. Based upon at least the formulation, a controller controls the applied force to the product container in order to dispense the frozen product at a uniform rate. The force is adjusted by the controller such that the frozen product is dispensed at a uniform rate until the desired portion is dispensed.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus is used for heating a chromatographic column assembly containing a microwave absorbing material. The microwave heating apparatus includes an antenna transmitting a microwave signal and a resonant cavity containing the chromatographic column assembly. The chromatographic column assembly extends relative to predetermined electromagnetic field strength contours within the resonant cavity to provide a predetermined heating profile along the length of the chromatographic column assembly. For example, a single-mode chromatographic column microwave oven can be used to heat a coiled chromatography column to a desired temperature gradient along its length. Oven design embodiments utilizing coaxial transmission line structures, coaxial resonators, and cylindrical resonators are described. Oven designs are provided to achieve more suitable oven size for fixed operating frequencies. Apparatuses for impedance matching an oven to a microwave source are described.

Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.

Abstract: A programmable wavelength router having a plurality of cascaded stages where each stage receives one or more optical signals comprising a plurality of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) channels. Each stage divides the received optical signals into divided optical signals comprising a subset of the channels and spatially positions the divided optical signals in response to a control signal applied to each stage. Preferably each stage divides a received WDM signal into two subsets that are either single channel or WDM signals. A final stage outputs optical signals at desired locations. In this manner, 2N optical signals in a WDM signal can be spatially separated and permuted using N control signals.

Abstract: A cashless peripheral method interfacing with a gaming system. The gaming system issues a “cash-out” signal when a player quits playing and receives a “cash-in” signal when a player desires to play a game in the gaming system. A stack of unprinted tickets is stored in the interior of the device. A ticket printer prints a coded value, such as a bar code, on a ticket in response to a cash-out signal from the gaming system. A ticket reader reads the amount printed on the ticket. If the printed value corresponds to the value which should have been printed, a ticket-out transport delivers the printed ticket to the player cashing out from the gaming system. When a player inserts the printed ticket into the device a ticket-in transport senses the insertion and the ticket reader reads the coded value from the inserted printed ticket. The ticket reader issues a cash-in signal to the gaming system corresponding to the value read from the coded value on the inserted printed ticket.

Abstract: An optical routing switch employs a polarization-dependent routing (PDR) element formed by joining a plurality of prisms to form a substantially X-shaped interface between the prisms. A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) coating is applied to the interface, so that the interface transmits light having a first polarization along a transmitted optical path and reflects lights having a second, orthogonal polarization along a reflected optical path. A plurality of input/output ports are aligned to communicate optical signals along transmitted and reflected optical paths of the PDR element. Each input port has a birefringent element spatially separating the input optical signal into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams, and a polarization rotator rotating the polarization of at least one of the pair of beams so that both beams have substantially the same polarization determined by the control state of the optical routing switch.

Abstract: A system for producing highly realistic, real-time simulated operating condition for interactive training of persons to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures involving implements that are inserted and manipulated through small incisions in the patient. The virtual environment for this training system includes a housing with small opening. An implement simulating a surgical implement is inserted into the opening and manipulated relative to the housing. A movement guide and sensor assembly monitors the location of the implement relative to the housing and provides data about the implement's location and orientation within the housing. The reported data is interpolated by a computer processor, which utilizes a database of information representing a patient's internal landscape to create a computer model of the internal landscape of the patient. With reference to this computer model, the processor controls the occurrence of force feedback opposing the motion of the implement.

Abstract: An automated comp rating system and method for accurately determining a players gross wagers at a live card game table. A reader at each player position at a game table reads a player data medium to identify a player. The player places a wager wherein each wagering device has value identifying data. A decoder receives the value identifying data to automatically determine the value of each wager. A computer obtains the player's identity, the wager value, and the player position and the time of each live card game. The computer determines a gross session wager value for the each gaming session constituting a number of separate live card games at the table. Any computer in the system can access the game table computer and a database containing a player's history record to determine an accumulative gross wager, a premium point factor, the premium point balance, for awarding comps, paying agent fees to player scouts, tailoring a direct mail campaign, and reducing labor costs.

Abstract: A system dispenses a desired portion of frozen product at a uniform rate from a product container containing the frozen product. The product container has a spout, and a dispensing valve connected to the spout to seal the product container. The dispensing valve is used to control dispensing of the frozen product from the product container. A label, attached to the product container identifying the formulation of the frozen product, is read to determine at least the formulation of the frozen product. Based upon at least the formulation, a controller controls the applied force from a drive and applied the force to a piston in the product container in order to dispense the frozen product at a uniform rate. The force is adjusted by the controller such that the frozen product is dispensed at a uniform rate until the desired portion is dispensed. The product container is sufficiently rigid so as not to deform when the force is applied to dispense the frozen product.

Abstract: Smart cards employing ITA-based circuits can be made by associating a splitter edge material with the ITA-based circuit in order to direct an incoming stream of thermosetting polymeric above and below the ITA-based circuit.

Abstract: A secure game table system, adapted for multiple sites under a central control, for monitoring each hand in a live card game. A common deck identity code is located on each card. A shuffler has a circuit for counting the cards from a previous hand which are inserted into the shuffler and which reads the common identity code. The game control verifies that no cards have been withdrawn from the hand by a player or that new cards have been substituted. A unique code also placed on each card is read as the card is dealt to indicate the value and the suit. The game control stores this information in a memory so that a history of each card dealt is recorded. Sensors are located near each of the player positions for sensing the presence of a game bet and a progressive bet. A card sensor located near each player position and the dealer position issues a signal for each card received.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing realistic doll heads that have the facial appearance of particular children. The customer, using ten facial characteristics set forth in a chart, selects from among a predetermined number of facial characteristics those most closely resembling the facial appearance of the child. The facial characteristics that are selected comprise seven face shapes (rounded, oval, pear, rectangular, thinner rectangular, thinner heart, and wider heart); skin tone; eye color; eyelash color; eyebrow color, thickness, and shape; hair color, cut, length., and style; and birthmarks, moles, and/or freckles. The selected characteristics are then applied to the doll head to produce a one-of-a-kind doll closely resembling the child.

Abstract: Smart cards having high quality external surfaces can be made through use of a primer/adhesive (and, optionally, anchor hooks) on the lower surface of an electrical component in order to affix said electrical component to a thermosetting material that becomes the core layer of said cards.