Abstract: A method and an apparatus determines at least one of rank or suit of a playing card. The apparatus has at least one two-dimensional complementary metal oxide semiconductor imaging system that provides a signal when playing cards are moved over the system. The signal is a series of gray scale values that are converted into binary values. The sensed data is transmitted to a hardware component that identifies at least one of rank and suit to an external data storage device.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a polymeric optical film the polymer of the polymeric optical film consisting essentially of one or more polyarylates having repeating units represented by the general structure: wherein A represents one or more different bisphenolfluorene radicals having the general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 independently represent an alkyl group, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, a phenyl group or a nitrile group, with the proviso that R1 and R2 are not both an alkyl group; R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a halogen, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, a phenyl group, a nitro group, or a nitrile group, with the proviso that when R1 and R2 are both bromide atoms, at least one of R3, R4, R5 and R6 is different from hydrogen atom; B represents one or more different dicarboxy radicals having the formula: wherein X is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and n is the number of the repeating units which build

Abstract: A novel casino tale game, network game, computer game or video game comprises a player placing a wager (which may comprise three equal bets) to participate in the play of the game. Multiple card hands (at least two hands and preferably exactly two hands) are provided face down to a player. When there are three bets, the first bet establishes the wager amount for play of the first game; the second bet establishes the wager amount for the play of the second game; and the third bet establishes the wager amount for a parlay event involving the first and second hand. The first hand usually must be played to conclusion after initiation of the game, with winning combinations receiving a predetermined payout according to a pay table. After play of the first hand, the player may a) forfeit one of the two remaining wagers (as when there was no winning hand in the play of the first game), b) or continue play of the second hand.

Abstract: Benzodioxino-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran compounds having particularly advantageous photochromic properties, such as, high sensitivity/coloration, two distinct absorption bands in the 430-500 nm range and 520-620 nm range of the visible spectrum may be generally described as a naphthopyran having a central nucleus of the formula: wherein F is a 1,4-benzodioxine ring with its 2,3 positions fused to the i, j, or k faces; and R1 and R2 are the atoms or groups providing photochromic properties to the naphthopyran.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic imaging apparatus contains at least one drying sheet for removing excess carrier liquid in a liquid toner toned latent image on a photoconductor surface. The drying sheet comprises a flexible substrate having a first surface and second surface; at least one oleophilic carrier liquid absorptive layer on the first surface of the flexible substrate; and the first surface of the flexible substrate facing said photoconductor surface, latent image or liquid toned latent image.

Abstract: A portable music stand comprises a base element that contains therein a telescoping extension and a compressible music rack. The compressible music rack attaches to the extension at a position distal from a bottom of the base, and the extension has a fixing system for supporting the extension at a fixed position relative to the base.

Abstract: Abrasive sheet materials, abrasive sheet materials with island distributions of abrasive particles, processes for manufacture of abrasive sheet materials with minimized abrasive content (with monolayers and as few as four layers of abrasive particles), processes for using the abrasive sheeting in high speed lapping/abrading processes, and apparatus for using the abrasive sheeting are described. The process for manufacturing the abrasive sheeting provides an economical method for providing improved quality sheeting, while also allowing for greater control over the shape and distribution of abrasive islands on the sheet than is available from present processes of manufacture.

Abstract: A dichroic dye can be blended with a non-dichroic dye (melanin and melanin derivatives) and still maintain a commercially acceptable level of polarizing efficiency. Efficient polarizers exhibit polarizing efficiencies of greater or equal to 95% and the best are even greater than or equal to 98%. Since melanin has unique features with respect to absorption of wavelengths of light, melanin is very useful to have in combination with a polarizer that takes advantage of this absorption. The blending can be done by a mixture (preferably an aqueous mixture) of melanin and a dichroic dye in a ratio sufficient to achieve the desired color and polarizing effect.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for evaluating the acceptability of a device for the delivery of cells in a cell implantation therapy comprising: determining a first rate of cell survival in a stable environment, evaluating a second rate of survival during a procedure using a device that manipulates cells, and comparing the first and second rates of survival to determine the effect of the device used during the procedure on cell survival rates to establish a base line effect of the manipulative procedure on cell survivability. That method may be practiced wherein after determining the second survival rate, modifying the design of the device, evaluating a third rate of survival after modifying the design of the device to determine if the change has increased the rate of survival during the procedure. The method is particularly effective where the procedure is selected from the group consisting of cell harvesting, cell transport, cell implantation, and cell delivery.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an ink jet receiving sheet for ink-jet printers comprising a support and at least one ink receiving layer, wherein said ink receiving layer comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of gelatin and gelatin derivatives and at least one saccharide derivative selected from the group consisting of mono-, oligo-, or poly-saccharides as additive agents to improve glossiness.

Abstract: A device is attached to a vehicle, such as a tractor, to deliver slurry into soil. The device has a hinged connector allows side-to-side movement between the vehicle and the main frame. There is at least one coulter attached to the main frame, a retaining wheel and slurry applicator attached to the main frame; and a closure wheel attached to the main frame. The at least one coulter preferably is a double coulter system.

Abstract: A casino wagering game, comprises 1) placing a wager to participate in the game; 2) a dealer dealing a hand of three cards to each player who placed a wager; 3) resolving the player hands against a plurality of predetermined winning poker outcomes; and 4) paying each player odds whose hand consists of a predetermined winning outcome. The present invention comprises a casino style wagering game against a dealer, comprising the steps of placing a wager, dealing a three card poker hand to each player, dealing at least three cards to the dealer, and paying the player on the bet when a poker rank of his hand exceeds the rank of a dealer's hand. In a preferred form of the invention, the hierarchy of poker hand ranking differs from that of standard five card poker.

Abstract: An organophotoreceptor that includes: (a) a charge transport compound having the formula  where R1 and R2 are, independently, a fluorenyl group; R3 and R4 are, independently, hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; and X is a sulfonyldiphenylene group; (b) a charge generating compound; and (c) an electrically conductive substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an organophotoreceptor that includes: (a) a charge transport compound having the formula  where R1 and R2 are, independently, a carbazolyl group; R3 and R4 are, independently, hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; and X is a sulfonyldiphenylene group; (b) a charge generating compound; and (c) an electrically conductive substrate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus prepares and collects metal nanoparticles by forming a vapor of a metal that is solid at room temperature, the vapor of the metal being provided in an inert gaseous carrying medium. At least some of the metal is solidified within the gaseous stream. The gaseous stream and metal material is moved in a gaseous carrying environment into or through a dry mechanical pumping system. While the particles are within the dry mechanical pumping system or after the nanoparticles have moved through the dry pumping system, the vaporized metal material and nanoparticles are contacted with an inert liquid collecting medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus prepares and collects metal nanoparticles by forming a vapor of a metal that is solid at room temperature, the vapor of the metal being provided in an inert gaseous carrying medium. At least some of the metal is solidified within the gaseous stream. The gaseous stream and metal material is moved in a gaseous carrying environment into or through a dry mechanical pumping system. While the particles are within the dry mechanical pumping system or after the nanoparticles have moved through the dry pumping system, the vaporized metal material and nanoparticles are contacted with an inert liquid collecting medium.

Abstract: A photoresist etching process and system can be used for the etching of non-planar or three-dimensional surfaces by using a non-planar shaped fiber optic array or fiber optic panel. The array or panel has a contour or shape that may nest a non-planar or three-dimensional article or surface. The non-planar or three-dimensional article or surface has a photoresist composition on its surface facing the optical fibers of the fiber optic array or panel, and the article or surface is nested against the contour or shape of the array or panel. Radiation is transported through the optical fibers and exposes the photoresist composition. The optical fiber array may perform an image-wise exposure of the photoresist composition by appropriate blockage of the radiation before it enters or as it enters a distal end of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus prepares and collects metal nanoparticles by forming a vapor of aluminum or copper metal that is solid at room temperature, the vapor of the metal being provided in an inert gaseous carrying medium. At least some of the metal is solidified within the gaseous stream. The gaseous stream and metal material is moved in a gaseous carrying environment into or through a dry mechanical pumping system. While the particles are within the dry mechanical pumping system or after the nanoparticles have moved through the dry pumping system, the vaporized metal material and nanoparticles are contacted with an inert liquid collecting medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus prepares and collects aluminum and copper metal nanoparticles by forming a vapor of a metal that is solid at room temperature, the vapor of the metal being provided in an inert gaseous carrying medium. At least some of the metal is solidified within the gaseous stream. The gaseous stream and metal material is moved in a gaseous carrying environment into or through a dry mechanical pumping system. While the particles are within the dry mechanical pumping system or after the nanoparticles have moved through the dry pumping system, the vaporized metal material and nanoparticles are contacted with an inert liquid collecting medium.

Abstract: A card handling device having either a vertical stack of compartments or a carousel of compartments is used to receive individual cards from a card supply. The compartments may be moved relative to the card supply, preferably in two different directions, such as up and down or clockwise and counterclockwise. The card handling may include shuffling, sorting, validation, and other playing card processes.