Abstract: In a method of playing a game, a player plays a main game in which a first set of indicia are displayed. The game may be slots, keno, bingo, pull-tabs, a lottery or the like. If the player receives a special symbol or combination of symbols while playing the main game, the outcome of the game is a guaranteed win. A second set of indicia which represent or correspond to that guaranteed win are displayed to the player, whereby the player is made aware of the particular winning result. If the player does not receive the special symbol or combination of symbols, the play of the main game continues and it is determined if the outcome thereof is a winning result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for interfacing an asynchronous network with a synchronous network and in particular for efficiently utilizing available bandwidth of a synchronous network transmit opportunity. In one embodiment asynchronous traffic arrives via an asynchronous network at a network device, such as a switch, for transmission over a synchronous network. The traffic is parsed into cells and after switching, a reassembly unit is provided for processing one or more cells buckets. Write operations occur based on an ingress pointer while read operations are controlled by an egress pointer. Upon occurrence of a transmit opportunity on the synchronous network, the entire bandwidth of the transmit opportunity is utilized by loading awaiting cells from bucket memory on to the synchronous network. Sufficient cells are stored in memory between the memory locations identified by the ingress pointer and the egress pointer to insure total utilization of transmit opportunity bandwidth.

Abstract: A noise cancellation system configured to isolate and process a common mode noise signal to generate a cancellation signal. The cancellation signal is combined with a differential signal to cancel unwanted differential mode noise that coupled onto the differential signal. In one embodiment a multi-channel communication system utilizes two or more channels that are in close proximity to other alien channels. A common mode signal isolation unit is configured to isolate common mode noise. The common mode noise signal is processed with a filter or other means to generate a cancellation signal. The cancellation signal is combined with the differential signal to thereby cancel noise that coupled onto the differential signal. The processed common mode noise signal may be made to approximate the differential mode noise signal. The common mode signal may be obtained from a center tap of a transformer, or a sensing winding of a three winding transformer.

Abstract: A cutting implement has a body with a top and a bottom and one or more blades extending outwardly of the bottom and defining a closed cutting path. In one embodiment, the implement has a cutting depth control. The cutting implement is particularly useful in cutting sections of wall covering. In accordance with a method, the cutting implement is located adjacent a wall covering so that the blade(s) surround a damaged portion of the covering. Force applied to the top of the implement drives the blade(s) into the covering, creating a severed portion including the damaged area. The severed portion is removed and is preferably replaced by a replacement section of the same size cut with the implement from replacement wall covering.

Abstract: A multi-player game includes both individual and bonus game aspects. Players play one or more individual games for a score. In one embodiment, game scores comprise an aggregate of scores from individual rounds of play in which indicia are displayed, held and replaced in an attempt to obtain the maximum number of matching indicia. One or more players are declared winners of the multi-player bonus event based upon game scores achieved during a predetermined interval of time. Prizes or winnings, such as all or part of a jackpot, is awarded to the winners of the bonus round. In one embodiment, players use portable devices such as cellular phones to play the game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, pre-stored values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. An open loop control system may incorporate a temperature module or a timer module to account for changes in environment or changes due to aging that may undesirably affect system operation. A closed loop control system may incorporate one or more feedback loops that generate a compensation value to account for detected changes. In one configuration one or more peak values of the actual optic signal, or a portion thereof, are detected and processed to generate the compensation signal.

Abstract: A visual display mounting assembly has first and second vertical metal plate legs and transverse stop plates extending in cantilever manner from opposite sides of the vertical legs at a position spaced above the lower ends of the leg. A visual display support means is attached to the upper ends of the legs and includes pivotal clamp frame means for clamping a display sign, poster or other visible sheet in position on each side of the display means so that the device can be positioned between rows of vending or gaming machines to provide visible access of the display to users of either row. In a second back-lit embodiment fluorescent rubes are provided between translucent plastic support panels.

Abstract: A light guide is configured to direct light from a light source. The light guide has an outer guide member and an inner guide member located in the outer guide member. A light passage is defined through the light guide between the inner and outer guide members. When a first end of the light guide is positioned adjacent a light source, light is permitted to pass from the light source through only the light passage in the light guide. The configuration of the light guide reduces passage of light off-angle to the length of the light passage through the guide, such that light is directed substantially parallel to the light passage. The light guide is thus effective in eliminating light dispersion and associated light banding and in focusing light upon a particular object or area.

Abstract: A gas burner for a grill unit includes a generally “U” shaped burner having spaced first and second hollow legs. The legs have a plurality of apertures therein through which gas may escape from the interior thereof for combustion. A gas delivery conduit delivers gas to a pair of arms. The arms extend outwardly from the conduit in generally opposite directions to the legs of the burner, whereby gas is delivered to both legs. The gas burner configuration results in even gas distribution, and thus even heat generation.

Abstract: The invention comprises various gaming machine features and a slant-top type gaming machine. In one embodiment, a cabinet has a play area between an upwardly extending console and a supporting base portion. The console has an opening. A display and bezel are movable mounted to the console, blocking the opening in one position and allowing access to the opening in another. A game controller in the cabinet is accessible through the opening. The controller is mounted on a movable platform, allowing the controller to be moved into alignment with the opening. A ticket printer is located in the cabinet and expels tickets into a coin tray. Access doors provide access to a storage area defined by the supporting base portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a target value from memory may be utilized to control one or more power levels of an optic signal. There may comprise 2 or more different power levels for the optic signal. During operation, target values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. Compensation may occur for both additive noise/distortion and multiplicative noise/distortion. The compensation for one power level may be expanded or extrapolated to compensate for additive noise/distortion and multiplicative noise/distortion that affect other power levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biasing an amplifying device whereby the bias current tracks the input power or the power level of a control signal to thereby efficiently match the bias current with needs of the amplifying device. This method and apparatus overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by biasing, not for maximum output power, but for the power level of the input signal or the control signal. In one embodiment a current conditioner operates in connection with the self adjusting biasing circuit to scale or adjust, potentially on an exponential basis, the biasing current for one or more amplifier stages. A cancellation current source may be configured within the bias circuit to cancel unneeded current to further minimize current consumption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to overcome the effects of intersymbol interference during data transmission. Overcoming the effects of intersymbol interference makes possible higher data transmission rates for a given error rate. In one embodiment a receiver processing system a first, second and third filter, such that the second and third filter comprise feedback filters. Filter coefficients are calculated to reduce the undesirable effects of the channel, such as intersymbol interference. A training process occurs to establish the first filter as a mixed phase filter and the third filter as minimum phase filter. The second filter is configured based on the transfer function of the channel and one or more coefficients may be set to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a housing and a top panel which extends over an open top of the housing. A display is mounted to the top panel and a gaming controller is located within the housing beneath the display. Cooling air is drawn through one or more intakes in a front of the housing and expelled through one or more exhausts in a rear portion of the top panel at a location above the air intakes. The cooling air passes through a space between the gaming controller and the display, cooling those components.

Abstract: A method for a knowledge-based casino game. A first embodiment provides the knowledge-based casino game as a bonus game for an underlying casino game. A second embodiment provides a stand-alone knowledge-based casino game and a third embodiment provides back-and-forth play between a casino game and a knowledge-based casino game.