Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for scribing solar cell structures to create isolated solar cells. According to various embodiments, the methods involve scanning an excimer laser beam along a scribe line of a solar cell structure to ablate electrically active layers of the structure. A photomask having variable transmittance is disposed between the beam source and the solar cell structure. The transmittance is calibrated to produce variable fluence levels such that a stepped scribed profile is obtained. In certain embodiments, a front contact/absorber/back contact stack is removed along a portion of the scribe line, while a front contact/absorber stack is simultaneously removed along a parallel portion, with the back contact layer unremoved. In this manner, the scribe electrically isolates solar cells on either side of the scribe line, while providing a contact point to the back contact layer of one of the solar cells for subsequent cell-cell interconnection.

Abstract: A modular gaming machine system has a first gaming box with a main processor configured to control a game of chance played on the gaming machine by executing game code that uses gaming instructions received from a PCI-e controller. At least one interface is coupled to the first gaming box to receive a PCI Express (PCI-e) bus to communicatively link the PCI-e controller and the main processor. A second gaming box contains the PCI-e controller for communicating with at least one peripheral device on the gaming machine and at least one critical gaming device in communication with the PCI-e controller. There is at least one access port coupled to the second gaming box to receive a free end of the PCI-e bus, wherein the PCI-e bus extends outside the first and second gaming box and is secured by one or more doors, locks, sensors, evidence tape, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is disclosed where the gaming apparatus may have a display unit that is capable of generating video images, an input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the input device where the controller may have a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor. The controller may be programmed to allow a person to insert an object into the input device, scan an image of the object, save the scan of the object to a memory, display the scan of the object, determine if the scan of the object is recognized, communicate to the player that the object is not recognized if the scan of the object is not recognized, allow the player to modify the scan of the object if the scan of the object is recognized, allow the player to approve the scan of the object if the scan of the object is recognized and store the scan of the object as approved by the player as an approved scan in a memory if the player approves the scan of the object.

Abstract: One or more input syndication data feeds are processed to generate an adjusted syndication data feed. The input syndication data feeds are received, and include a plurality of syndication data items. Based on a configuration of a syndication feed adjuster, particular ones of the syndication data items in the received syndication data feed are determined to not be included in an output syndication data feed. The output syndication data feed is provided based on the received input syndication data feeds and a result of the determination. The determination may be provided via a user interface via which, for example, a user may indicate particular ones of the syndication data feed items to not include in the output syndication data feed. Furthermore, in some examples, if no decision has been made about a particular syndication data feed item, that syndication data feed item is not provided in the output syndication data feed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an indication of a fault condition is received relating to a first service running on a physical device in a computer network. The first service is associated with a first virtual device context defined on the physical device. Then, the first service is disabled without affecting operation of a second service on the physical device. The second service is associated with a second virtual device context defined on the physical device. In another embodiment, a first virtual device context is created on a physical device in a computer network. Then, a second virtual device context is created on the physical device. The first virtual device context may then be managed independently of the second virtual device context such that resources assigned to a virtual device context are managed without affecting management of another virtual device context.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for administering payouts in gaming machines are disclosed. More particularly, improved techniques for distributing large payouts with minimal interruption of a gaming session at a gaming apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for managing games by a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) are disclosed. Various entities (e.g., persons, groups, organizations) can effectively be invited and participate in a game managed by a gaming entity. A gaming apparatus (e.g., a gaming server) can be operable to send one or more indications (e.g., invitations) to one or more devices associated with one or more entities to indicate that the one or more entities may be eligible to participate in a game managed by a gaming entity. It will be appreciated that devices may not be owned and/or operated by the gaming entity and may be operating outside of a domain where the gaming entity is located and/or operates. It will also be appreciated that mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, smartphones) can be operable to allow participation in games managed by a gaming entity.

Abstract: Methods and devices for more efficiently engineering diversity into recombinant polypeptides and/or nucleic acids are provided herein. For example, a variety of methods of selecting and/or assessing potential crossover sites in an amino acid sequence or a nucleotide sequence are provided, as well as the resulting chimeric product sequences. These methods include, e.g., consideration of structural, functional and/or statistical data in the selection and assessment of sequences and crossover sites for use in recombination.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preparing a test sample for use in an assay for detecting an analyte bound by an intracellular ligand. The methods typically involve contacting the test sample with an assay reagent comprising: a lysis reagent; and a protease that has proteolytic activity for said intracellular ligand; to form a mixture compatible for use in an immunoassay without subsequent extraction steps. Other aspects of the invention include related immunoassays and test kits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for metering accounting activities on gaming machines are disclosed. Remote metering can be had for a gaming machine having a master gaming controller, an external cabinet housing a display device and one or more acceptors, dedicated meters, and communication paths between the master gaming controller and display device, and between meters and acceptors. Dedicated meters are located outside and remote from the external cabinet, and are adapted to track continuously at least one item of accounting information associated with the gaming machine. Such meters can be recognized by a gaming regulator as the official meters for the gaming machine, and can be located at a central location in close proximity to other dedicated meters associated with other gaming machines. Such meters can be individual discrete physical devices secured along dedicated communication lines, or can be electronic meters residing on a single server.

Abstract: Two-terminal switching devices of MIM type having at least one electrode formed by a liquid phase processing method are provided for use in active matrix backplane applications; more specifically, MIM devices with symmetric current-voltage characteristics are applied for LCD active matrix backplane applications, and MIM devices with asymmetric current-voltage characteristics are applied for active matrix backplane implementation for electrophoretic displays (EPD) and rotating element displays. In particular, the combination of the bottom metal, metal-oxide insulator and solution-processible top conducting layer enables high throughput, roll-to-roll process for flexible displays.

Abstract: A synchronous clear emulation circuit is provided. The synchronous clear emulation circuit includes a register having an asynchronous clear port. Moreover, the synchronous clear emulation circuit is configured to emulate a synchronous clear port by using the asynchronous clear port. The synchronous clear port is emulated by outputting a data output signal that is synchronous with the clock signal and the data output signal is based on an asynchronous clear signal received at the asynchronous clear port. The asynchronous clear port performs a function of the asynchronous clear port without the synchronous clear port implemented within the register.

Abstract: A logic element includes memory elements, multiplexers, and controls. The multiplexers are arranged in levels including a highest level of multiplexers with inputs connected to the memory elements and outputs connected to inputs of a next-to-highest level of multiplexers and a first level of multiplexers with inputs connected to outputs of a second level of multiplexers and at least one output. The controls are connected to the multiplexers. In a first operational mode the controls determine a first-mode output at the at least one output of the first level of multiplexers, and in a second operational mode the controls determine a plurality of second-mode outputs at selected outputs of multiplexers not at the first level of multiplexers.

Abstract: A system and method for representing, storing and retrieving real-world knowledge on a computer or network of computers is disclosed. Knowledge is broken down into permanent atomic “facts” which can be stored in a standard relational database and processed very efficiently. It also provides for the efficient querying of a knowledge base, efficient inference of new knowledge and translation into and out of natural language. Queries can also be processed with full natural language explanations of where the answers came from. The method can also be used in a distributed fashion enabling the system to be a large network of computers and the technology can be integrated into a web browser adding to the browser's functionality.

Abstract: Embodiments related to the cleaning of interface surfaces in a semiconductor wafer fabrication process via remote plasma processing are disclosed herein. For example, in one disclosed embodiment, a semiconductor processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a load lock coupled to the processing chamber via a transfer port, a wafer pedestal disposed in the load lock and configured to support a wafer in the load lock, a remote plasma source configured to provide a remote plasma to the load lock, and an ion filter disposed between the remote plasma source and the wafer pedestal.

Abstract: A two-terminal, variable capacitance device is described that is constructed by connecting multiple MEMS devices having different actuation or “pull in” voltages in parallel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing a master component such as a processor on a programmable chip to access memory using unaligned addresses. An adapter connected to a master component determines if a master component memory access request is aligned. If the access request is aligned, the request is forwarded to memory and a response is provided to the master component. If the access request is unaligned, the adapter sends multiple access requests to memory and processes the responses in order to provide a correct response to the master component.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for reducing H2S levels in fermented beverages.

Abstract: The present invention provides gaming machine systems and methods that enable outsourced printing and generation of printed credit devices for use with a gaming machine. The systems verify the print status of an externally printed credit device before redeeming any value on the credit device at a gaming machine. The ability to employ outsourced gaming printing services providers increases the number and sophistication of printed credit devices that may be manufactured and distributed to potential customers.