Abstract: A game including wheel means capable of rotating in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction and wheel control means operative to selectively control the rotational position of the wheel means in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A method for controlling an indicator wheel including rotating a wheel having a plurality of segments in a first direction until a predetermined segment is aligned with a pointer and then rotating the wheel in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In certain embodiments, the wheel can be rotated again in the first direction after it has been rotated in the second direction.

Abstract: A game system including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. In an exemplary embodiment, the progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive an award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel.

Abstract: A fluid purifier includes an enclosure provided with an inlet and an outlet, and a plurality of different carbon based purifying media disposed within the enclosure which are capable of removing different contaminants. In a non-limiting embodiment, the purifier includes three carbon-based materials ordered according to a specific sequence. In an aspect of the non-limiting embodiment, the material closer to the purifier inlet may include acid-impregnated carbons, the centrally-located material may include base-impregnated carbons, and the material closer to the outlet may include activated carbons.

Abstract: In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a MOSFET power chip includes a first vertical MOSFET and a second vertical MOSFET. The first vertical MOSFET includes a semiconductor body having a first surface defining a source and a second surface defining a drain and a gate structure formed in the semiconductor body near the second surface. A via is formed within the semiconductor body and is substantially perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface. The via has a first end electrically coupled to the first surface and a second end electrically coupled to the gate structure. The second vertical MOSFET includes a semiconductor body having a first surface defining a source, a second surface defining a drain and a gate structure formed in the semiconductor body near the first surface.

Abstract: A method for traversing a multiplexed data packet stream including choosing a starting location in a multiplexed data packet stream, making a bi-directional search from the starting location to locate a nearest system stream object; and traversing the system stream as a doubly-linked list of objects. Traversing the system stream preferably includes traversing object links of the doubly-linked list of objects. The objects are further preferably cached with an LRU process. Multiple disjoint locations in the system stream can be accessed with a virtual linked list. The virtual linked list can be used to search forwardly, backwardly, or both forwardly and backwardly.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment a game includes a rotating wheel and illumination effects, both under microprocessor control. In another exemplary embodiment, a wheel indicator includes a wheel, a motor for rotating the wheel, a plurality of lamps, and a microprocessor providing commands capable of causing the motor to rotate the wheel and the lamps to illuminate the display. In another exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a wheel and illumination display includes providing a motorized wheel, providing a plurality of lamps, and providing a microprocessor and program instructions stored in ROM coupled to said microprocessor for controlling a rotational position of said wheel and for generating light effects from said lamps.

Abstract: A method for providing secure transactions generates a Secure Card Number (“SCN”) for a first entity that is transferred with a first entity identifier to a second entity and then to a money source that verifies that the transaction is valid by use of the first entity identifier and the SCN. The SCN includes a Transaction Information Block (“TIB”), a Counter Block, and an encrypted Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) Block. The SCN is transferred to the money source in an account number or a non-account data field. The money source can use the TIB to determine whether the SCN should be used once or multiple times or to identify one of several physical devices, all of which are issued to the first entity, used to generate the SCN. The money source validates the SCN by duplicating the encryption process used to create an encrypted PIN Block and comparing the result to the encrypted PIN Block received with the transaction.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing a device that includes a deposit of getter material on a support involves treating the support on which the getter material is formed with a caustic fluid. An aspect of the technique is that it may clean and/or chemically activate the getter material without substantial damage to the getter material. The getter material may be formed on an internal wall of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a local area network router, that allows communication between a number of remotely located users, and a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the local area network router. Users may access the local area network using wireless devices or the Internet. The peripheral devices, which may include a wide variety of multi-media storage, playback, printing, or other functions, are connected to the router via local interfaces, which communicate with the peripheral devices via established protocols. Each of the peripheral devices is provided with an IP address, which facilitates direct communication of the users with the peripheral devices and permits direct communication with the devices over the Internet. Data packets destined for the IP address of a peripheral device are router through the local interface, which converts the data utilizing compatible communication protocols for the target peripheral device.

Abstract: An example bandpass filter calibration system includes a MUX, first and second signal sources coupled to inputs of the MUX, a bandpass filter coupled to an output of the MUX, a rectification circuit including a plurality of rectifiers having a corresponding plurality of rectifier outputs coupled to an output of the bandpass filter, a summer having a plurality of inputs coupled to the plurality of rectifier outputs, a low pass filter coupled to an output of the summer, an ADC coupled to an output of the low pass filter, and a calibration processor unit coupled to an output of the ADC. The calibration processor unit controls the MUX to selectively apply the first signal source and the second signal source to the bandpass filter and calibrates the bandpass filter by a least one of increasing filter center frequency and decreasing filter center frequency of the bandpass filter.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and article of manufacture for communicating via an application program included as a payload of an electronic message received over a network. First, the application program is initialized after a first electronic message is selected by a first user on an electronic mail browser. After initialization, the application program of the first electronic message is executed. Such execution includes displaying text included with the first electronic message, changing a non-textual aspect of the first electronic message based on the input from the first user, allowing entry of text, and sending the entered text and the application program over the network in a second electronic message to a second user.

Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus for printed sheets that is capable of preventing radiation of UV rays onto printed sheets when out of use including a varnishing section for applying UV cure resin varnish on a printed sheet; a cylinder for conveying a printed sheet with the UV cure resin varnish applied thereon at the varnishing section; a film pressing part for pressing a transfer film onto a printed sheet on the cylinder; and a UV radiation part for curing UV cure resin varnish of a printed sheet onto which the transfer film is being pressed by the film pressing part. The UV radiation part is positioned close to the cylinder when the film pressing part is positioned close to the impression cylinder; and the UV radiation part is positioned away from the cylinder when the film pressing part is positioned away from the cylinder.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method of producing a bio-diesel oil in a great amount in a relatively short time, in which oil/fat and alcohol, used as reactants, are homogeneously mixed with each other to form a single liquid phase mixture which effectively react with each other. The method includes transesterifying the oil/fat and alcohol in the presence of alkyl ester. Additionally, in the method, alkyl ester is added to a mixture of the oil/fat and alcohol by recycling alkyl ester as a product to the mixture. Furthermore, the method includes (a) an acidic catalyst, and (b) transesterifying the pre-esterified oil/fat with alcohol in the presence of alkyl ester.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment a game includes a rotating wheel and illumination effects, both under microprocessor control. In another exemplary embodiment, a wheel indicator with illumination effects includes a wheel, a motor for rotating the wheel, a plurality of lamps, and a microprocessor providing commands capable of causing the motor to rotate the wheel and the lamps to illuminate the display. In another exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a wheel and illumination display includes providing a motorized wheel, providing a plurality of lamps, and providing a microprocessor and program instructions stored in ROM coupled to said microprocessor for controlling a rotational position of said wheel and for generating light effects from said lamps.

Abstract: A game unit including an indicator wheel and an award dispenser. In certain embodiments, when players achieve a predetermined result on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award such as a ticket or token. Preferably, a game unit may take the form of a game with a rotating wheel which displays a result of a game event or status.

Abstract: In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a game includes a rotating wheel and sound effects, both under microprocessor control. In another example embodiment, a wheel indicator with sound effects includes a wheel, a motor for rotating the wheel, a speaker, and a microprocessor providing commands capable of causing the motor to rotate the wheel and speaker to emit a sound. In another example embodiment, a method for controlling a wheel and sound display includes providing a motorized wheel, providing a speaker, and providing a microprocessor and program instructions stored in ROM coupled to said microprocessor for controlling a rotational position of said wheel and for generating sound effects from the speaker.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include an adaptive current limiter comprising a variable reference voltage generator which is coupled to a power source via two input nodes and which develops a voltage step with exponential decay in response to, for example, a transient over-voltage condition, with the output of the variable reference voltage generator supplying a reference voltage to a comparator which compares the reference voltage to a voltage derived from a sensing resistor and, upon detecting an over-voltage condition, signals to a circuit breaker that the circuit should be broken or modified.

Abstract: The specification teaches a system for manufacturing microelectronic, microoptoelectronic or micromechanical devices (microdevices) in which a contaminant absorption layer improves the life and operation of the microdevice. In an embodiment, a system for manufacturing the devices includes efficiently integrating a getter material in multiple microdevices.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a current source having a piece-wise linear relationship between current and temperature is provided. The current source includes a first current source to provide current based on a first current-temperature relationship. The current source further includes a second current source coupled in parallel to the first current source. The second current source is to provide current based on a second current-temperature relationship. The current source further includes first mirroring circuitry to mirror a sum of the first current source and the second current source to an output current source. The current source also includes second mirroring circuitry to mirror the sum of the first current source and the second current source for comparison with a third current source. The third current source provides a minimum current magnitude and the third current source is coupled to the second current source to control output of the second current source.

Abstract: A game redemption system is provided by allowing a game to be played in exchange for a monetary input and awarding either prize credits or one or more merchandise prizes based on an event that is associated with play of the game. Either a video selection interface screen or a prize-selection mechanism that is associated with the game redemption system can be used for redeeming the prize credits or the one or more merchandise prizes.