Abstract: A shipping and tracking system has a number of tracking stations that are geographically distributed. The tracking stations gather information from shipping items processed by the shipping and tracking system. The shipping and tracking system provides an enhanced level of security for selected shipping items. The enhanced level of security for the selected shipping items is based at least on the information gathered at the tracking stations. The enhanced security is provided in such a way that personnel of the shipping and delivery system cannot physically discern whether or not a shipping item is being shipped with enhanced security.

Abstract: A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. A notification system and method is provided for providing one-way delivery of notifications to clients of a server.

Abstract: A system that allows indirect access of a network by TE, comprising TE device information; a personal network (PN) server; a master UE of a personal network; a TE of a personal network; and a UE B connected to a WAN which forwards data to and from TEs. Using the master UE the user sets configuration details which is the TE device information and stored at the PN Server. The TE device information contains data which is used to allow and control access of TE to the network, when the TE uses other UEs to access the network. When the TE tries to access the network through another UE B, the PN Server uses the TE device information to authenticate and control access of TE. UE B acts as a forwarding device in this sequence between TE and the PN server.

Abstract: Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning of wastewater comprising a submerged membrane biological reactor system (MBR) and a submerged membrane module (MBD) wherein the MBR is in fluid communication with the MBD for feeding excess sludge from the MBR to the MBD and wherein the MBR comprises an outlet which releases permeate passed through the membrane of the MBR and the MBD is in fluid communication with the MBR for feeding permeate passed through the membrane of the MBD back into the MBR and comprises an outlet for releasing gas.

Abstract: Antenna systems include adjustment mechanisms to adjust the position of dish antennas. The adjustment mechanism includes a clip, a bracket, and a cam mechanism. The clip is fixedly coupled to and projects outwardly from a mast. The bracket is pivotally coupled to the mast and is between the stationary clip and cam mechanism. The cam mechanism is pivotally coupled to the clip and positioned to rotate the bracket and the dish antenna as the cam mechanism rotates. The clip is made of a lightweight material to reduce the overall weight of the antenna system to enhance performance.

Abstract: A connection tool for connecting a pipeline to a subsea connection structure which includes a connection porch (22) into which the pipeline is connected, the tool comprising:—a tool chassis (26);—a carrier (28) mounted on the chassis (26) and adapted to releasably carry the pipeline;—at least one locating member (30) positioned at the front of the chassis (26) so as to be engageable with the locating posts (24) on the connection porch (22) to hold the chassis (26) adjacent to the connection porch (22), a hinge connecting the locating member (30) to the chassis (26), such that the azimuthal orientation of the chassis relative to the connection porch can be varied when the locating member (30) is engaged with the locating post, wherein the locating member (30) includes a locking member that engages the locating post when the locating member (30) is engaged thereon.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating access of users to tasks that are available to be performed, such as via a task exchange system that serves as an intermediary to facilitate performance by some task performer users of tasks supplied by other task requester users. The techniques may include automatically providing a particular group of task performer users with access to a supply of available tasks that are appropriate for those task performer users, such as based on an aggregate probability or other likelihood measure that the task performer users as a group will collectively accept to perform those tasks in a specified manner. More generally, the affinity and/or appropriateness of a group of users to perform one or more tasks may be based on various information related to the users, including past task performance behavior of those users, and/or qualifications or more general reputational aspects of those users.

Abstract: A control device for a power factor correction device in forced switching power supplies is disclosed; the device for correcting the power factor comprises a converter and said control device is coupled with the converter to obtain from an input alternating line voltage a regulated output voltage. The converter comprises a power transistor and the control device comprises a driving circuit of said power transistor; the driving circuit comprises a timer suitable for setting the switch-off period of said power transistor. The timer is coupled with the alternating line voltage in input to the converter and is suitable for determining the switch-off period of the power transistor in function of the value of the alternating line voltage in input to the converter.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for providing technical support service includes generating a plurality of problem resolutions that are determined to resolve an identified technical problem; attributing weights to each of said plurality of problem resolutions according to frequency of use; and in response to a request to resolve said identified problem, selecting a problem resolution from among said plurality of problem resolutions based at least in part on said attributed weights.

Abstract: There is provided an optical disk device which quickly inspects the presence or absence of a defect in an optical disk in order to ensure that it can be played back on various types of optical disk devices. A detection unit uses signals supplied from a playback unit to detect defects from each of an RF signal, a focus error signal, and a tracking error signal. A CPU stores positions of the defects in a memory. The playback unit plays back data while degrading playback conditions at the positions of the defects . The detection unit detects an error rate of the played-back data, and finally determines whether the optical disk is “OK” or “NG”.

Abstract: Described herein is a sprocket for interfacing with a perforated material, such as a chain. The sprocket includes a hub and a material-interfacing plate. The hub is shaped to fit around an axially extending shaft, and includes a plurality of hub portions each shaped to fit around a portion of the shaft; and a retaining portion and a hub interlocking portion, each disposed on at least one of the hub portions. The material-interfacing plate has a periphery that is shaped to interface with the perforated material, and includes a plurality of plate portions each shaped to fit around a portion of the hub; and a plate interlocking portion shaped to interlock with the hub interlocking portion and disposed on at least one of the plate portions. The material-interfacing plate is in a secured position when the plate interlocking portion and the hub interlocking portion are interlocked with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer unit having a transfer rotor and a food waste treatment apparatus using the transfer unit. The transfer unit includes the transfer rotor, a housing and a sieve. The transfer rotor includes a rotor body, and at least one blade provided on the circumferential outer surface of the rotor body. The housing has a hollow container shape and contains the transfer rotor therein such that the transfer rotor is rotatable without interference from the housing. The housing is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The sieve is provided in the housing to guide discharge of sewage from food waste. The sieve is disposed in the lower portion of the housing to drain the sewage generated from the food waste to the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A system for decoding a stream of compressed digital video images comprises a graphics accelerator for reading the stream of compressed digital video images, creating, starting from said stream of compressed digital video images, three-dimensional scenes to be rendered, and converting the three-dimensional scenes to be rendered into decoded video images. The graphics accelerator is preferentially configured as pipeline selectively switchable between operation in a graphics context and operation for decoding the stream of video images. The graphics accelerator is controllable during operation for decoding the stream of compressed digital video images via a set of application programming interfaces comprising, in addition to new APIs, also standard APIs for operation of the graphics accelerator in a graphics context.

Abstract: This invention is directed to spiro-oxindole compounds, as stereoisomers, enantiomers, tautomers thereof or mixtures thereof; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof, for the treatment and/or prevention of sodium channel-mediated diseases or conditions, such as pain.

Abstract: An architecture for an electronic gaming machine (EGM) includes multiple processors that separate game logic from game presentation. The multi-processor architecture includes a dedicated game logic engine and a dedicated presentation engine. A first processor having the game logic engine is adapted to handle the input/output (I/O), peripherals, communications, accounting, critical gaming and other game logic, power hit tolerances, protocols to other systems, and other tasks related to operation of the EGM. A second processor is adapted to running a presentation engine. The second processor receives commands from the first processor to present game-oriented outcome and results.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating a supply of used items on behalf of an entity that desires to acquire such used items, such as a merchant that sells used items to customers. The used items are obtained based on interactions with recipients who receive items that are sold or otherwise provided by one or more merchants (or other suppliers of items), such as by supplying appropriate information and materials to the recipients along with the items. In some situations, when an item is delivered or otherwise supplied to a recipient by a merchant, the merchant also supplies information to the recipient that indicates an offer from a used item acquirer entity to re-acquire the item from the recipient (such as after the recipient has used the item) and shipping materials for use in returning the item to an indicated destination if the recipient accepts the offer.