Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced features and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box generates a default interactive portal as well as a guest-specific interactive portal, which is generated from a guest configuration profile having information including guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation, and a guest service preference presentation with guest account information. The guest configuration profile may also enable the creation of a local area wireless network with substantially the same behavior as the guest's home wireless network. The guest configuration profile may further enable the control of in-room amenities, such as temperature control, lighting, shades, and availability, for example.

Abstract: A micro-valve includes an orifice plate having a first surface, a second surface and an orifice extending from the first surface to the second surface. An actuating beam is disposed in spaced relation to the orifice plate. The actuating beam includes a base portion and a cantilevered portion. The base portion is separated from the orifice plate by a predetermined distance. The cantilevered portion extends from the base portion such that an overlapping portion thereof overlaps the orifice. The actuating beam is movable between a closed position and an open position. The micro-valve also includes a sealing structure including a sealing member disposed at the overlapping portion of the cantilevered portion. When the actuating beam is in the closed position, the cantilevered portion is positioned such that the sealing structure seals the orifice so as to close the micro-valve.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine including a cabinet housing which houses a receiver and a dispenser. An opening extends through the housing. A receiver chute extends between the opening and the receiver, with the receiver chute having a first receiver portion. Similarly, a dispenser chute extends between the opening and the dispenser, with the dispenser chute having a first dispenser portion. The first receiver portion and the first dispenser portion are coextensive, such that the cabinet housing both receives and dispenses currency and currency-type media at the opening.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one reel mechanism for a gaming machine. Each reel mechanism comprises a rotatable cylindrical reel basket, a light shield, and one or more light boards having first and second stationary light sources affixed thereon. The reel basket has first and second opposing light-diffusing rims and a symbol-bearing reel strip extending between the rims. The first and second stationary light sources are positioned to illuminate the first (and second) rim with first light and the reel strip with second light, respectively. The first and second light sources are positioned on opposite sides of a light shield. The light shield is positioned along and inside the first rim and inhibits the first light from illuminating a symbol-bearing region of the reel strip. A light guide is positioned between the first light sources and the first rim to maximize the flow of first light to the first rim.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine including a cabinet housing which houses a receiver and a dispenser. An opening extends through the housing. A receiver chute extends between the opening and the receiver, with the receiver chute having a first receiver portion. Similarly, a dispenser chute extends between the opening and the dispenser, with the dispenser chute having a first dispenser portion. The first receiver portion and the first dispenser portion are coextensive, such that the cabinet housing both receives and dispenses currency and currency-type media at the opening.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one reel mechanism for a gaming machine. Each reel mechanism comprises a rotatable cylindrical reel basket, a light shield, and one or more light boards having first and second stationary light sources affixed thereon. The reel basket has first and second opposing light-diffusing rims and a symbol-bearing reel strip extending between the rims. The first and second stationary light sources are positioned to illuminate the first (and second) rim with first light and the reel strip with second light, respectively. The first and second light sources are positioned on opposite sides of a light shield. The light shield is positioned along and inside the first rim and inhibits the first light from illuminating a symbol-bearing region of the reel strip. A light guide is positioned between the first light sources and the first rim to maximize the flow of first light to the first rim.

Abstract: An alignment and positioning guide tool for use in mounting metal door frames in metal wall stud construction. The device is a one-piece integral unit having a pair of spaced parallel engagement legs extending from an integral body member. The free ends of the legs extend outwardly for selective engagement with the door frame. The tool is positioned over the stud wall mounting base plate and slidably positioned therealong for engagement reference of a door jam during framing.

Abstract: Gaming devices comprising a gaming unit configured for play of a primary game and a bonus game. The bonus game portion of the gaming unit includes at least a outcome display element with an associated, cooperative outcome indicator element. The outcome display element may be rotatable about a substantially upright axis and comprise a sphere, a gem or other suitable element for displaying potential game outcomes for the bonus game, the game outcome being indicated by a portion of the outcome display element aligned with the outcome indicator element upon cessation of rotation of the former. Employing visually perceptible representations of rotation of the outcome display element rather than physical rotation thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: Gaming devices comprising a gaming unit configured for play of a primary game and a bonus game. The bonus game portion of the gaming unit includes at least a outcome display element with an associated, cooperative outcome indicator element. The outcome display element may be rotatable about a substantially upright axis and comprise a sphere, a gem or other suitable element for displaying potential game outcomes for the bonus game, the game outcome being indicated by a portion of the outcome display element aligned with the outcome indicator element upon cessation of rotation of the former. Employing visually perceptible representations of rotation of the outcome display element rather than physical rotation thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A slot machine is described which allows a player to participate in an additional game of chance whenever a winning combination of symbols includes a special bonus multiplier symbol. In such instances, the award for the winning combination is multiplied by a randomly determined value, thereby increasing the attractiveness of the game. In the preferred embodiment, the bonus multiplier is selected using a weighted random number generator.

Abstract: Gaming devices comprising a gaming unit configured for play of a primary game and a bonus game. The bonus game portion of the gaming unit includes at least a outcome display element with an associated, cooperative outcome indicator element. The outcome display element may be rotatable about a substantially upright axis and comprise a sphere, a gem or other suitable element for displaying potential game outcomes for the bonus game, the game outcome being indicated by a portion of the outcome display element aligned with the outcome indicator element upon cessation of rotation of the former. Employing visually perceptible representations of rotation of the outcome display element rather than physical rotation thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel injector performs main fuel injection by raising fuel pressure in a nozzle chamber to lift a check valve member to a fully open position, and performs preinjection or microinjection by operating a solid state motor to lift the check valve member a much smaller distance.

Abstract: An actuator for opening a poppet exhaust valve, which is closed by a spring and opens in normal operation against a relatively low pressure and which opens for compression braking against a relatively high pressure, is motivated in either event by the same hydraulic pressure. The actuator has a unitary central valve and piston element, which is coaxially directed toward the exhaust valve stem and has an area providing, when subjected to the pressure, a force sufficient to open the exhaust valve for normal operation but insufficient to open the exhaust valve during compression braking. The element extends through a relatively larger diameter annular piston which is slidably fitted about the element and within a bore receiving the annular piston. In normal operation, the element provides enough force to move from an unactuated position and open the exhaust valve, and initial movement of the element closes off passages in the element that admit the pressure to the piston which thus does not move.

Abstract: A cash box assembly particularly suited for a slant-top slot machine is described. The slant-top slot machine has an angled console, incorporating the display area and the user interface. The present invention allows an attendant to easily remove a cash box from the console area of a slant-top gaming machine while the attendant stands upright in a comfortable position. The cash box is accessed through a door in the console. The cash box is located at the rear of an arcuate chute so that, when the attendant grasps the handle and pulls the cash box forward, the cash box slides upward along the arcuate path. At the point where the cash box is exiting the arcuate chute, the front of the cash box is approximately parallel to the slanted plane of the console. This is an optimal angle for removing or inserting the cash box. The arcuate path not only reduces the necessary size of the console opening to gain access to the cash box assembly, but provides a more ergonomic cash box removal and insertion technique.

Abstract: An engine including a crankshaft having a crankshaft pump portion including at least one cam lobe for operably engaging a pump integral to the engine block of the engine, such that the pump is actuated directly by the crankshaft pump portion, thereby eliminating the typical drive train so as to reduce weight of the pump and engine combination while enhancing the reliability thereof and improving pump efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector having a needle valve member and an injector body that defines a fuel pressurization chamber that opens to a nozzle outlet. The needle valve member is positioned in the injector body and is moveable between an inject position at which the nozzle outlet is open, and a blocked position at which the nozzle outlet is blocked. A portion of the injector body adjacent the nozzle outlet is a mono gas valve member. The movement of the gas valve member controls one or both of the intake and exhaust portions of the engine cycle. The gas valve member is also hydraulically-actuated and electronically-controlled by the same hydraulic actuator that operates the fuel injector.

Abstract: A two cycle engine comprises an engine casing that defines a hollow piston cavity, a first gas passageway and a second gas passageway. The hollow piston cavity is separated from the first gas passageway by a valve seat. A piston is positioned in the hollow piston cavity and is moveable between a top position in which the second gas passageway is blocked to the hollow piston cavity, and a bottom position in which the second gas passageway is open to the hollow piston cavity. A gas valve member is positioned adjacent the valve seat and is moveable between an open position and a closed position relative to the valve seat. The gas valve member defines a nozzle outlet that opens directly into the hollow piston cavity. A needle valve member is positioned in the gas valve member and is moveable between an inject position in which the nozzle outlet is open, and a blocked position in which the nozzle outlet is blocked.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing having a high pressure inlet, a low pressure inlet, an outlet and first and second sealing surfaces. A pilot valve is disposed in the housing and includes a valve element movable between first and second positions. A movable spool is also disposed in the housing and includes third and fourth sealing surfaces engagable with the first and second sealing surfaces, respectively, carried by the housing to connect the outlet to the low pressure inlet when the valve element is in the first position and to connect the outlet to the high pressure inlet when the valve element is in the second position.

Abstract: There is provided a personal hygiene system comprising a means for conducting personal hygiene and a means for removably holding and mounting the personal hygiene device. The personal hygiene device comprises a nozzle having a removable spray tip at a first end, a flexible hose connected to a connection end of the nozzle and a means for connecting the flexible hose to a source of water. Three primary spray tips are included to accomplish various rinsing operations. Also included is a means to add medicinal or cleansing solutions to the flushing fluids. The means for mounting allows for mounting flush with the surface of a wall.