Patents Represented by Law Firm Dorr, Carson, Sloan & Birney
  • Patent number: 6568682
    Abstract: A methods of and apparatus for playing table card games are provided wherein with multi token maximum level betting and displayed rankings of winning hands return enhanced pay out. A pay table matrix listing has the enhanced payments for ranked hands. The method and apparatus uses and has token acceptors and sensors for each player. The sensors are coupled to a count and computer for registering any maximum level bet that receives enhanced return for predetermined winning card combinations. The apparatus and its method, thus allow each player the opportunity to bet multiple tokens before the cards are dealt and to win enhanced amounts of money should specific predetermined card combinations be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Kurt Hogan, Dennis A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6568393
    Abstract: An endotracheal tube has a beveled distal end with a tip on the posterior wall of the endotracheal tube, and a visual indicator extending along the endotracheal tube. The visual indicator can be a radio-opaque stripe extending the length of the anterior and/or posterior wall of the endotracheal tube. The leading edge of the distal tip of the endotracheal tube can be curved in the anterior direction to reduce the risk to trauma to the patient's airway. The distal end of the endotracheal tube is inserted into the patient's mouth so that the visual indicator remains visible to the healthcare provider when viewed from above. The healthcare provider advances the endotracheal tube into the patient's airway while monitoring the position of the visual indicator to ensure that the tip at the distal end of the endotracheal tube passes through the midline of the wider posterior portion of the opening in the patient's larynx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Evergreen Medical Incorporated
    Inventor: Kent L. Christopher
  • Patent number: 6568388
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding insertion of an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea simultaneously allows a continued supply of air/oxygen to be delivered into the patient's airway and lungs. A guide having a curved distal portion is inserted into the patient's mouth and hypopharynx. A second lumen extending along the guide is used to supply air/oxygen into the patient's airway and to flush carbon dioxide from the lungs. A fiber optic probe is inserted through an endotracheal tube and this assembly is advanced along the guide into the patient's airway, while ventilation continues without interruption through the second lumen. The direction of the distal tip of the fiber optic probe can be controlled by the physician. This allows the physician to carefully guide the fiber optic probe and endotracheal tube to a position past the larynx while ventilation continues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Evergreen Medical Incorporated
    Inventor: Kent L. Christopher
  • Patent number: 6565088
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Allan Perrie, Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 6561899
    Abstract: A method of playing a casino game by a player for monetary reward has steps including offering the player a plurality of choices, each of which has a probability of success and associated award. The method allows the player to make a choice and awards the player the associated award if the choice is successful. The steps of offering, allowing and awarding are repeated until the player successfully chooses all the choices. Alternately, the method of playing a casino game by a player for monetary reward, the method includes steps of offering the player a plurality of objects, each of which has a probability of success and associated award. The method repeats the steps of allowing the player to choose an object, awarding the player the associated award if the choice is successful and ending the bonus game if the plurality of objects have all been successfully chosen, otherwise randomly determining if the bonus game shall end until the bonus game ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 6560312
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and instruments for focusing and imaging x-rays using grazing incidence optics and medical and microscopic uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sirius Medicine, LLC
    Inventor: Webster C. Cash
  • Patent number: 6558256
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6554283
    Abstract: A method of house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus casino game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. A method of house apportionment awards the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adds the remainder of the bonus value to at least one account available to reward subsequent players such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus casino game. The bonus casino games include knowledge-based playing. The step of awarding in the bonus game is a function of the wager, the frequency that the bonus game occurs, the expected return in the game without the bonus and the expected bonus monitoring pay out value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Olaf Vancura, Terrance William Oliver
  • Patent number: 6547664
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 6547165
    Abstract: A device for mounting and controlling a paint spray gun, caulking gun, or similar device on an elongate extension member in order to work on high or hard to reach surfaces without a ladder or scaffold. The device includes a head to which a standard gun can be releasably attached, a pivot adjustment to point the gun in the desired direction, and a trigger cam and strap to move the gun trigger, and a trigger pole rotated by the hand of the operator and connected to the trigger cam. The device allows for fine adjustment of the gun trigger and counteracts the gun kickback when it sprays, thus producing uniform paint spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventors: Wallace M. Goodwin, Neil A. Goncalves
  • Patent number: 6543446
    Abstract: An endotracheal tube can be inserted into a patient's trachea during resuscitation by using a face mask and a curved guide. The guide is inserted through a flexible port in the face mask and has a curved distal portion that extends into the patient's mouth and hypopharynx. The patient is initially resuscitated by supplying a flow of air/oxygen through the mask. For example, a resuscitation bag can be connected to a rotatable ventilation port on the face mask. Alternatively, a resuscitation attachment with an air filter and one-way valve can be removably attached to the ventilation port of the face mask to enable a health care provider to directly resuscitate the patient. An endotracheal tube is inserted over the distal end of a fiber optic probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Evergreen Medical Incorporated
    Inventor: Kent L. Christopher
  • Patent number: 6530864
    Abstract: An apparatus enables a conventional bicycle to be interfaced to a computer to serve as a controller for electronic games and the like. The apparatus includes a rear wheel support that removably holds the bicycle in an upright position while allowing rotation of the rear wheel. A rear wheel sensor detects rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle as the rider pedals and generates an electrical signal indicating the rotational speed of the rear wheel. The apparatus also includes a front wheel sensor that detects the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle for the computer through the computer interface. For example, the front wheel of the bicycle can be removably supported by a front support member that rotates about a vertical axis as the front wheel is turned by the handle bars. A potentiometer is used to measure rotation of the front support member, and therefore the direction of the front wheel of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Edward H. Parks
  • Patent number: 6517073
    Abstract: A method and equipment for playing a base and bonus games with side betting. A video board is used for bonus play if a predetermined arrangement of cards results in the base game. Side wagers allow bettors to win of the bonus with random selection. If a player gets the predetermined arrangement then chooses a sure win or playing an additional game. By chance that player can win a multiple of the side wager or may win nothing while other players win instead. Blackjack played with money, gaming chips, and/or credits pit players against a dealer at a table whereat cards are dealt and awards to one or more players are given for resolution of the bonus. Methods include each player placing a main eager to play, and a side wager optionally to play the bonus game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventor: Olaf Vancura
  • Patent number: 6514316
    Abstract: Capillary column oxidation in gas chromatography systems, particularly of polyimide clad columns, is a major cause of column failure and it limits the maximum temperature at which columns can be used. A gas chromatography column oven system is described which utilizes inert gas to substantially eliminate column oxidation thereby increasing column thermal stability. These column oven systems thus increase column lifetime and maximum operating temperature. The column oven systems comprise pneumatically sealed oven enclosures with sealed access ports, sealed sample line ports, and inlet and outlet gas ports to which are connected an inert gas supply and an exhaust gas control system respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: MT Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Gaisford, David L. Walters
  • Patent number: 6500156
    Abstract: A catheter flushing device includes a chamber covered with a movable member (e.g., a flexible diaphragm) that can be compressed by exertion of pressure on the diaphragm; and a valve having a first position allowing fluid from a fluid source to fill the chamber, and a second position allowing fluid from the chamber to flow through the catheter when pressure is exerted on the movable member. In particular, the catheter flushing device includes a housing having a cylindrical valve opening, an inlet port for connection with the fluid source, and an outlet port for connection with the catheter. The chamber is defined by a flexible diaphragm sealed about a region of the housing. The chamber can be compressed by manually exerting pressure on the diaphragm by means of a thumb or finger. A passageway extends through the housing from the chamber to the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: McKinley Medical L.L.L.P
    Inventor: L. Dean Stansbury
  • Patent number: 6497107
    Abstract: The within invention improves on the indirect evaporative cooling method and apparatus by making use of a working fluid that is pre-cooled with and without desiccants before it is passed through a Wet Channel where evaporative fluid is on the walls to take heat and store it in the working fluid as increased latent heat. The heat transfer across the membrane between the Dry Channel and the Wet Channel may have dry, solid desiccant or liquid desiccant and may have perforations, pores or capillary pathways. The evaporative fluid may be water, fuel, or any substance that has the capacity to take heat as latent heat. The Wet Channel or excess cooled fluid is in heat transfer contact with a Product Channel where Product Fluid is cooled without adding any humidity. An alternative embodiment for heat transfer between adjacent channels is with heat pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Idalex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Timothy L. Heaton, Alan D. Gillan
  • Patent number: 6496499
    Abstract: A wireless network having a radio frequency access point and a plurality of isochronous devices wirelessly connected to the radio frequency access point. Each of the isochronous devices receives information from the radio frequency access point including isochronous device identification data and transmission timing data. A microprocessor is connected to the radio frequency transceiver and creates a transmission time-ordered list of the plurality of isochronous devices from the isochronous device identification data and the transmission timing data. A timer provides a timed reference for each isochronous device to transmit to the radio frequency access point according to the transmission time-ordered list. The time-ordered list prevents collision of information being transmitted to the radio frequency access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: SpectraLink Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alan Hamilton, Keith Richard Amann
  • Patent number: 6481036
    Abstract: A modular cable bridging assembly has a cable protector with side ramps, and a series of channels extending between its ends to receive cables or the like. End connectors enable the cable protectors to be attached together in series to any desired length. Secondary ramps can be removably attached over each side ramp of a cable protector for handicapped access. Each secondary ramp has a base extending laterally beyond the side ramp, and an upper surface extending over the side ramp having a slope that is less than that of the underlying side ramp. A secondary ramp connector is used to removably attach the secondary ramp to the cable protector. Edge rails can be removably attached to the secondary ramps for safety and structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Checkers Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Duvall
  • Patent number: 6483646
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for monocular head displays, which enables a compact, light in weight, sturdy apparatus that has a wide angle of viewing, a bright and sharp image display that operates on low voltage in a wide range of temperatures. The image is bright and high in contrast. Due to the compactiveness and wide viewing angle, it is readily useable inside helmets and goggles and visors. The signals that can be used include data, maps, graphics or video images including infrared or other images. Because of the wide viewing angle, the module may be placed and adjusted for multiple users and field installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas P. Scott, David Witt
  • Patent number: 6481713
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mikohn Gaming Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Allan Perrie, Olaf Vancura