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 method and apparatus for optical wavelength routing separates even and odd optical channels from an input WDM signal. The input beam is first converted to at least one pair of orthogonally-polarized beams. A split-mirror resonator has a front mirror with two regions having different reflectivities, and a reflective back mirror spaced a predetermined distance behind the front mirror. Each of the orthogonally-polarized beams is incident on a corresponding region of the front mirror of the split-mirror resonator. A portion of each beam is reflected by the front mirror, while the remainder of each beam enters the resonator cavity where it is reflected by the back mirror back through the front mirror. The group delay of each reflected beam is strongly dependent on wavelength. The two reflected beams from the resonator are combined and interfere in a birefringent element (e.g., a beam displacer or waveplates) to produce a beam having mixed polarization as a function of wavelength.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a vehicle in real-time to transport freight and passengers. A host receives transportation requests (e.g., to deliver freight, transport passengers, reschedule, cancel, etc.) over a network from a freight terminal and/or a passenger terminal. A route is created at the host with destinations based on the received transportation requests. The host predicts an arrival time and a departure time for each destination along the route and generates a route schedule. As the vehicle travels to each destination, the host receives actual arrival and departure times and uses these actual times to update the route schedule. The route schedule is also updated when new destinations are added or a scheduled destination is cancelled. In another embodiment, the predicted arrival and departure times are updated based on vehicle positioning data received from a global positioning system.

Abstract: A support apparatus with a tie lock tool and a clamp for a concrete form system. Opposing form panels are held in fixed relation to one another with at least one form tie having either a loop head or button head extending between the form panels. A tie lock tool engages a waler positioned on the form panel. The tie lock tool has a form tie opening, configured to receive the head. A lock member, of the tie lock tool, has two claws and is rotatable between an unlocked and a locked position. The first claw has an extension beyond the second claw for abutting the head extended through the form tie opening when the lock member is unlocked. When the lock member is locked, the head is firmly held, thus securing the form tie to the tie lock tool, the waler and the form panel. A strong back of variable depth is secured to the tie lock tool with an adjustable clamp.

Abstract: A mobile weighing apparatus in the form of a wheeled support structure (e.g., a wheelchair, wheeled bed, gurney, cart, motorized truck, etc.) that is especially adapted to weighing a human being supported by said apparatus. The apparatus employs a plurality of load cells that are respectively attached to a plurality of vertical support elements of said apparatus. Signals from each load cell are routed to a microprocessor which processes the signals and displays the weight carried on the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of treating age-related macular degeneration in an eye is described, comprising contacting the eye with a therapeutic amount of a prostaglandin F2&agr; derivative. The preferred prostaglandin F2&agr; derivative is latanoprost, and the preferred dosage is between about 1.5 &mgr;g and about 4.5 &mgr;g per day per eye.

Abstract: A Pachinko bonus game system for an underlying game machine. The Pachinko bonus game has a playing field with a plurality of rows of pegs. A ball is launched onto the playing field by a launch mechanism when an initiate condition occurs during play of the underlying game. A row of lanes are provided on the playing field. The ball, after traversing among the pegs on the playing field, eventually travels through one of the lanes. At each lane is randomly displayed a bonus payoff value. The lane the ball travels through senses the presence of the ball and the value displayed for that lane is added to the credit meter in the underlying game. The bonus payoff values are randomly changed from game to game which eliminates any mechanical bias present in the Pachinko game. A stand-alone Pachinko game as well as using a Pachinko game as a coin dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing bonus jackpot payoffs during a bonus mode time period in a system of linked gaming machines interconnected to a controller. Eligible gaming machines are determined at the time the bonus time period starts. Once the bonus mode time period starts, a portion of the eligible gaming machines are randomly selected for multiple jackpot bonus payoff opportunities. The random selection determines the rate the opportunities are issued and the average length of the bonus mode time period. Once gaming machines are selected they are allowed to complete the game they are currently involved in and should the play result in a winning combination, then the game payoff is multiplied by a bonus multiplier. The underlying gaming machine is responsible, in a conventional fashion, for paying the game payoff and the controller then authorizes a further jackpot bonus payoff of the bonus multiplier less one times the game payoff. The bonus pool value is then decremented by the amount paid by the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a progressive game that can be incorporated either as a bonus game or a stand-alone game in a progressive linked gaming machine environment. The game utilizes a plurality of progressive jackpot pools each associated with a particular game outcome (i.e., such as Quiniela, Exacta, Trifecta and Superfecta in the case of a horse race derby game). Each progressive jackpot pool is funded through play at the underlying linked game such as a contribution of each wager or through separate wagers. When the game of the present invention initiates, a plurality of successive game rounds are played. Each successive game round reduces the number of possible game outcomes such as by reducing the number of horses in each successive horse race. Therefore, with each successive game players have a higher probability of winning. The terminating round is reached in which the last game always results in at least one guaranteed winner through reduction of the possible game outcomes.

Abstract: A wavelength division demultiplexing device is presented utilizing a polarization-based filter or a multi-cavity etalon (e.g., a multi-cavity Fabry-Perot etalon) to obtain a flat-top filter response which can be utilized to create a flat-top slicer which separates out odd and even wavelengths, or upper and lower channels of an input WDM signal. The flat-top slicer can be used as the first stage of a cascaded network of wavelength demultiplexers in which following stages can be based on polarization-based filters, multi-cavity etalons, or other interferometric WDM devices, which are adequate due to the increased channel spacing obtained in the first stage of the network.

Abstract: A modular cable bridging device for protecting cables. A plurality of ramps and central members are provided, each having a respective sidewall. The central members are formed with a passageway therethrough for receiving a cable. A ramp connector extends along at least a portion of the midsection of the sidewall of each ramp. A complementary central member connector on the midsection of the opposing sidewalls of each central member slidably engage the ramp connectors. The ramp is thus secured to the central member and bridges the cable when the ramp sidewalls are positioned parallel and adjacent to the central member sidewalls and the ramp connector and central member connector are slid together in a direction parallel to the sidewalls. In addition, the central members can be secured to one another with an interconnect member formed by two opposing ramp connectors that slidably engage the complementary central member connector in the manner described above. Each ramp is also provided with end connectors.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for performing uvulopalatoplasty is provided. The device of the present invention includes two configurations. The first configuration includes a handle having an actuator mechanism which actuates a barrel fixedly mounted to a handle. This embodiment is contemplated to be disposable for single patient use. The second configuration includes a handle having an actuator mechanism having a detachable barrel. Both devices of the present invention are designed to fit easily into a patient's mouth and maximize the surgeon's manual control.

Abstract: An interferometer that uses plane mirrors at grazing incidence to create interference fringes in the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray portions of the spectrum. X-ray interferometry has historically been implemented through narrow band, diffractive systems that split the wavefront. By using two separate optical channels at grazing incidence to create interference from two areas of the wavefront, this system has broad band response and much higher efficiency. The interferometer has applications to telescopes, microscopes and spectrometers in the extreme ultraviolet and x-ray, and high contrast imaging in the visible.

Abstract: An intelligent casino chip system. At least one gaming table is provided with at least one discrete player area. Each player area has a discrete betting area. Two classes of intermingled gaming chips are accepted in a stack in the discrete betting area. The gaming chip of the first class, comprising the primary wager, has a first transponder containing at least value information. The gaming chip of the second class, comprising the secondary wager, has a second transponder containing value and class information. A transceiver system located on the gaming table within the vicinity of the betting area is used to receive value signals from the first transponder and transponder value and class signals from the second transponder. These signals are conveyed to a computer system that then determines a primary wager value of the primary wager based on the value signals from the first transponder.

Abstract: A stabilizer platform mounted to a vessel for positioning a satellite dish antenna in the azimuth and elevation directions. An azimuth motor and an elevation motor are mounted in a formed hollow interior of a housing. Azimuth motor control cables and elevation motor control cables are connected to the motors to carry signals and power for controlling the operation of the motors. On top of housing is mounted a platform which rotates in the azimuth direction with respect to the housing. The azimuth motor is coupled to the platform through a gear arrangement and rotates the platform. On top of the platform is mounted an elevation drive which holds the satellite dish antenna. Mounted in the platform is an elevation gear cluster which rotates with respect to the platform. The elevation gear cluster is coupled to the elevation drive. The elevation motor drives the elevation gear cluster so that the elevation motor can move the satellite dish antenna in the elevation direction.

Abstract: A system monitors the composition of emulsions (e.g., oil/water mixtures) by measuring one or more electrical properties (e.g., dielectric constant) of the emulsion. A computer processor determines a plurality of possible solutions using a predetermined relationship between the measured electrical properties and the component fractions of the emulsion. One possible solution is determined for each component that might be the continuous phase in the emulsion. The computer processor then evaluates the component fractions resulting from each possible solution to choose which single solution is most reasonable based on known physical limits for a continuous phase emulsion involving the component associated with each possible solution. The component fractions associated with the selected solution are output by the processor.

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 retractable antenna clamp that allows for easy and quick adjustment of an antenna, especially an antenna attached to an RV, boat or camper. The retractable antenna clamp comprises a tension device which holds the antenna shaft in place within a mounting bracket that is attached to a support surface of an RV, camper, boat, or the like. Antenna adjustment is accomplished by releasing the grip of the tension device on the antenna shaft so that the antenna may be raised, lowered or rotated as needed.