Abstract: A station to serve as a proxy for responding to a multicast message is selected using dynamically maintained information about other stations communicatively coupled to a shared communications network. The dynamically maintained information is used to select a station having a high probability of replying to the multicast message. Network performance may be further improved by re-selecting proxies when a multicast frame fails to acknowledged.

Abstract: A hole cutter has a substantially cylindrical blade body defining a blade body circumference, a cutting edge formed on one end of the blade body, and an axially-elongated slot formed through the substantially cylindrical blade body. The axially-elongated slot is configured to receive chips flowing from the cutting edge within the interior of the blade body and (i) into the slot, and/or (ii) through the slot, to prevent the collection of such chips within the interior of the blade body and/or at an interface between the blade body and work piece. The axially-elongated slot defines a first end adjacent to the cutting edge, a second end axially spaced further from the cutting edge, and a slot area. The hole cutter further defines a total slot area to blade body circumference ratio within the range of about 0.1 to about 0.3 depending on the size of the hole cutter.

Abstract: A hole cutter has a cylindrical blade body including a cutting edge and one or more axially-elongated apertures formed within a side wall of the blade body. The axially-elongated aperture is configured to receive a lever, such as a screwdriver, therethrough. Each axially-elongated aperture includes a first fulcrum axially spaced adjacent to the cutting edge, a second fulcrum axially spaced further away from the cutting edge than the first fulcrum, and optionally a third fulcrum axially spaced between the first and second fulcrums. A lever, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted into the aperture and placed against each of the fulcrums to lever slugs out of the interior of the blade body.

Abstract: A hole cutter has a cylindrical blade body including a cutting edge and one or more axially-elongated apertures formed within a side wall of the blade body. The axially-elongated aperture is configured to receive a lever, such as a screwdriver, therethrough. Each axially-elongated aperture includes a first fulcrum axially spaced adjacent to the cutting edge, a second fulcrum axially spaced further away from the cutting edge than the first fulcrum, and a third fulcrum axially spaced between the first and second fulcrums. A lever, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted into the aperture and placed against each of the fulcrums to lever slugs out of the interior of the blade body.

Abstract: A hole cutter has a substantially cylindrical blade body defining a blade body circumference, a cutting edge formed on one end of the blade body, and an axially-elongated slot formed through the substantially cylindrical blade body. The axially-elongated slot is configured to receive chips flowing from the cutting edge within the interior of the blade body and (i) into the slot, and/or (ii) through the slot, to prevent the collection of such chips within the interior of the blade body and/or at an interface between the blade body and work piece. The axially-elongated slot defines a first end adjacent to the cutting edge, a second end axially spaced further from the cutting edge, and a slot area. The hole cutter further defines a total slot area to blade body circumference ratio within the range of about 0.1 to about 0.3 depending on the size of the hole cutter.

Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.

Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.

Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.

Abstract: A user interface for a touch-screen display of a dedicated handheld electronic book reader device is described. The user interface detects human gestures manifest as pressure being applied by a finger or stylus to regions on the touch-screen display. In one implementation, the touch-screen user interface enables a user to turn one or more pages in response to applying a force or pressure to the touch-screen display. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface is configured to bookmark a page temporarily by applying a pressure to the display, then allowing a user to turn pages to a new page, but reverting back to a previously-displayed page when the pressure is removed. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface identifies and filters electronic books based on book size and/or a time available to read a book. In another implementation, the touch-screen user interface converts text to speech in response to a user touching the touch-screen display.

Abstract: A communication system, network, interface, and port architecture are provided for transporting data across a ring network. A network node operating as a first timing master generates a set of frames, each frame having a preamble, a data field and a time count field, which represents a portion of the time information associated with the set of frames. This time information may include counted time units, like seconds, or a number of generated and transmitted over the network. As the individual frames of a set of frames are generated and sent on the network, they pass other network nodes and are forwarded through the ring bus to the first timing master which receives at least a portion of the set it is still generating. This enables a received time count field to be compared with a transmitted time count field of the same set. If the fields are identical, there is no other timing master on the bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for serving patrons in a wagering game environment are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving patron service information, wherein the patron service information indicates activities of a patron in a casino. The method can also include selecting, based on the patron service information, a service for the patron, wherein the patron has not requested the service. Additionally, the method can include presenting a service order instructing a service attendant to deliver the service.

Abstract: A communication system, network, interface, and port architecture are provided for transferring data via a network. The network can be configured by connecting ports in a daisy chain arrangement to achieve a ring architecture or topology. The network transmits data according to a specific protocol. A first port transmits frames containing frame count information which is divided into several pieces, with each piece being transmitted in a single frame. A second port receives the frames, stores them in a frame buffer, and reassembles the frame count information from a plurality of frames.

Abstract: In order to reduce production and maintenance costs, it is desirable that application-specific machines, such as pipelayers, include common parts with standard track-type work machines, such as a counterpart bulldozer. According to the present disclosure, a pipelayer is assembled by attaching a winch frame and a boom frame to a first and second side of a chassis, respectively. The attached boom frame and the attached winch frame are interconnected by extending a cross-bar between the boom and winch frames.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting and receiving a sequence of bits, and the methodology for transferring that sequence of bits are provided. The communication system includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. Within the transmitting circuit is a scrambler that comprises a shift register, an enable circuit, and an output circuit. The shift register temporarily stores n bits within the sequence of bits, and the enable circuit enables the shift register to store bits that arise only within the payload section of a frame. The output circuit includes a feedback, and several taps within the n stages to scramble logic values within the sequence of n bits output from the shift registers thus effectively preventing in most instances the sequence of bits from exceeding n number of the same logic value. Within the receiving circuit is a descrambler also having a shift register, an enable circuit, and an output circuit. The descrambler recompiles the scrambled data back to its original form.

Abstract: A station to serve as a proxy for responding to a multicast message is selected using dynamically maintained information about other stations communicatively coupled to a shared communications network. The dynamically maintained information is used to select a station having a high probability of replying to the multicast message. Network performance may be further improved by re-selecting proxies when a multicast frame fails to acknowledged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve assembly comprising a first passageway including a first port, a second port defining a restrictive orifice, a third port, and a first valve seat defining a first orifice, a second passageway extending from the third port and including a minimum cross-sectional area defined by a minimum orifice, and also including a second valve seat defining a second orifice, a first piston sealingly disposed in the first passageway between (i) the first port and (ii) the second and the third ports, and configured to seal the first orifice, and a second piston disposed in the second passageway between the third port and the second valve seat, and configured to seal the second orifice, wherein the minimum cross-sectional area of the minimum orifice is larger than the cross-sectional area of the restrictive orifice, and wherein the second orifice is characterized by a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first orifice.

Abstract: An adaptor for adapting a seat of an engine capable of using a first fuel and having a seat for receiving a first fuel injector means with a discharge nozzle for flowing the first fuel, comprising a body having a bore with side walls for receiving the first fuel injector means, a plurality of spaced apart protuberances extending from the sidewalls for limiting movement of the discharge nozzle, an inlet for receiving a second fuel, and an adaptor hole for communicating with the discharge nozzle and the inlet, the adaptor hole being formed through a portion of the body which is to be fitted within the seat of the engine originally provided for receiving the first fuel injector means. The adaptor can be used to modify an existing engine using the first fuel such that the engine can use both the first fuel and a second fuel.