Abstract: A method and system for automatically resolving a voice transmission problem in real time in a communication system. Service oriented architecture (SOA)-based reporter services report voice transmission characteristic measurements. An enterprise service bus aggregates the measurements into a combination of measurements. An analyzer that is a SOA service provider determines that the combination of measurements indicates a voice transmission problem. The voice transmission problem determination includes identifying a match between the combination of measurements and a pattern of predefined conditions stored in a database. The database associates the pattern with one or more corrective actions. Using the database, the analyzer identifies the one or more corrective actions that are associated with the pattern of predefined conditions. SOA-based fixer services execute the corrective action(s) to resolve the voice transmission problem.

Abstract: A high-voltage electrical connector system comprises a bushing with a longitudinal axis, a shoulder, a first end, and a second end, wherein the shoulder is between the first end and the second end; a ring arranged circumferentially around a first outside diameter of the bushing, the ring disposed between the shoulder and the second end, the ring including a channel therein defining a circumferential extension extending axially toward the first end; a ground shield disposed on a second outside diameter of the bushing between the ring and the second end, the ground shield comprising one or more of conductive material and semiconductive material; and an insulative portion adjacent the ring and disposed circumferentially over a portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: A gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes at least one input value; a plurality of selections and at least one modifier associated with a selection. The gaming device enables a player to apply input values to desired selections and depending upon which modifiers are associated with the selections, the player can gain a relatively high or low output value. This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.

Abstract: A protective appliance for the space between the toes of a wearer of flip-flop sandals or other such footwear. The appliance has a generally hollow, generally elongated cylindrical shape and is fabricated from a relatively light weight, soft and compressible material. It includes a longitudinal cut through one of its sides that allows the appliance to be opened and engaged about the thong segment of the flip-flop that normally extends between the large toe and adjacent toe of the wearer, and that resiliently closes after the appliance is so engaged. When applied, the appliance cushions the space between the toes and the thong segment and allows at least a limited degree of both longitudinal and radial movement of the appliance relative to the thong segment thus increasing comfort of the flip-flops and minimizing friction and chafing of the toes on the thong segment during walking and other activities in the flip-flops.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming device and a method for operating the gaming device. The gaming device of the present invention includes: (i) a central game in which a player picks at least one masked central game outcome, including a transfer; (ii) at least one peripheral game that begins after the player's pick of the transfer, wherein the player picks at least one masked peripheral game outcome, including a return; (iii) whereby the game enables the player to return to the central game and pick at least one more masked central game outcome after the player picks the return in the peripheral game.

Abstract: A method for reducing furnace fouling in a delayed coking process comprising (a) supplying at least one feed to a delayed coking unit comprised of coker furnace, at least two coke drums and a coker fractionator, (b) increasing the aromaticity of the feed to produce a modified stream by combining with the feed upstream of the coker furnace at least one added stream selected from the group consisting of an aromatic gas oil, a hydrotreated aromatic gas oil and combinations thereof, (c) introducing the modified feed stream into the coker furnace, d) heating the modified feed stream to a coking temperature in the coker furnace to produce a heated modified stream, and e) transferring the heated modified stream from the coker furnace to a coke drum.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for joining separable insulated connectors employs a plurality of finger contacts to create an interference fit with an electrode probe of an elbow connector. The electrode probe enters a cylindrical grouping of the plurality of finger contacts and a projection causes an interference fit between the finger contacts and the electrode probe. The finger contacts latch the connectors together and require a removal force greater than the latching force required to latch the connectors. The latching mechanism provides a multi-point current path between an elbow connector and a power transmission or distribution apparatus and provides operator feedback to indicate the latching of the mechanism.

Abstract: A gaming device wherein the game generates a masked target number or symbol that is formed from a plurality of component numbers or symbols. As the game is played, the gaming device generates and displays a first prediction number that relates to a first component number of the target number. If the generated first prediction number matches (i.e., is the same number as) the first component number of the target number, the first component number of the target number is revealed to the player and the player is provided an award based on the displayed first component number of the target number and at least one modifier. If the generated first prediction number does not match the first component number of the target number, the gaming device enables the player to input a prediction regarding the first component number wherein the prediction is based on the generated first prediction number.

Abstract: An “all-natural” topical insect repellent formulation having a long shelf life. The formulation includes a carrier base of fractionated coconut oil, and an effective amount of at least one essential oil with insect repellent capabilities. As active ingredients the essential oils cedarwood oil, citronella oil and lemongrass oil may be employed, with a total concentration of these active ingredients of 15.3% by weight.

Abstract: A gaming device having selectable awards on a moving mechanical display, such as a symbol display mechanism or an award display mechanism. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes an electromechanical secondary display device that is operable to rotate about an axis. The electromechanical secondary display device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of individual symbol display members. Each individual symbol display member is adapted to display at least one symbol or award. In operation, after determining the symbol, award or outcome displayed by each of the individual symbol display members, the electromechanical secondary display device rotates about an axis to indicate one of the individual symbol display members. The symbol or award displayed on the indicated symbol display member is provided to the player and the game ends.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing a position of a transducer head with respect to a storage medium. One method includes generating a read signal from a servo track stored on a magnetic storage medium. The servo track includes servo frames of magnetic flux transitions forming detectable servo marks, the servo marks forming a tone field of repeating servo marks oriented at a first azimuth angle and a mid-frame synchronization mark incorporated within the tone field, wherein the tone field provides a metric reference for dimensional measurements between features within the servo frame(s). The number of servo marks in the tone field of each servo frame along a longitudinal direction of the servo track before the mid-frame synchronization mark and after the mid-frame synchronization mark varies with lateral position.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing a position of a transducer head with respect to a storage medium. One method includes generating a read signal from a servo track stored on a magnetic storage medium. The servo track includes servo frames of magnetic flux transitions forming detectable servo marks, the servo marks forming a tone field of repeating servo marks oriented at a first azimuth angle and a mid-frame synchronization mark incorporated within the tone field, wherein the tone field provides a metric reference for dimensional measurements between features within the servo frame(s). The number of servo marks in the tone field of each servo frame along a longitudinal direction of the servo track before the mid-frame synchronization mark and after the mid-frame synchronization mark varies with lateral position.

Abstract: The present invention employs a master node for each job to be scheduled and in turn the master node distributes job start information and executable tasks to a plurality of nodes configured in a hierarchical node tree of a multinode job scheduling system. The status of the various tasks executing at the leaf nodes and other nodes of the tree report status back up the same hierarchical tree structure used to start the job, not to a scheduling agent but rather to the master node which has been established by the scheduling agent as the focal point, not only for job starting, but also for the reporting of status information from the leaf and other nodes in the tree.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the level of fluid in a vessel including a sight glass for showing the level of the fluid and a valve which includes a ball valve passageway having a ball check valve, a bypass passageway for bypassing the ball check valve and a rotatable passageway for selecting the ball valve passageway or the bypass passageway.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game which displays an award distributor and a sequence of groups to a player. A processor causes the award distributor to indicate an award. Furthermore, the gaming device enables the player to pick one of the groups in the sequence. The processor reveals at least one element associated with the picked group in the sequence. A multiplier provided to the player changes based on the number of elements revealed in the sequence. The processor provides an activation award to the player, which equals the indicated award multiplied by the multiplier. The player continues to play the game until all of the groups are picked in the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one risk symbol is associated with the award distributor wherein the risk symbols modify one or more game components in the game.

Abstract: A separation apparatus for removing particulate material from a flash zone gas oil stream produced in a delayed coking unit. The apparatus of the invention employs cyclonic separation to remove particulate material from the flash zone gas oil stream. The stream can then be further processed, for example by passing the stream to a fixed bed catalytic hydroprocessing unit and then to a fluidized bed catalytic cracking unit, or to other processing units, thereby enhancing the value of the flash zone gas oil stream.

Abstract: An external defibrillator for providing a defibrillating pulse to a patient includes a ceramic storage capacitor an d an energy conditioning circuit. A charging circuit coupled to the ceramic storage capacitor electrically charges the ceramic storage capacitor, which has an electrical discharge characteristic. The energy conditioning circuit coupled to the ceramic storage capacitor receives the electrical energy discharging according to the electrical discharge characteristic, and in response, provides output energy according to a modified electrical discharge characteristic. The output energy is delivered by a steering circuit to a patient as a defibrillating pulse having a defibrillating pulse characteristic.

Abstract: A device (8) comprises a medical device (10) which includes device electrical contacts (50). A patch (22) includes at least partially conductive first layer (28), which is in direct operative communication with a base surface (18). A patch connector (26) includes electrical contacts (42) being in electrical communication with the first conductive layer (28) and establishes an electrical communication path between the base surface (18) and medical device contacts (50), and a mechanical connection between the patch (22) and the medical device (10) when the patch connector (26) and the medical device (10) are engaged.