Abstract: A moveable head of a computer numerically controlled machine may deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a first change in a material at least partially contained within an interior space of the CNC machine. A feature of the material may be imaged using at least one camera present inside the interior space to update a position of the material, and the moveable head may be aligned to deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a second change in the material such that the second change is positioned on the material consistent with the first change and with an intended final appearance of the material. Methods, systems, and article of manufacture are described.

Abstract: A disposable, flat-fold respirator having increased stiffness in selected areas, comprising: a mask body that comprises a plurality of panels which may fold in towards each other and may unfold into an open configuration, wherein the plurality of panels includes an upper panel, a lower panel, and a central panel, and wherein the respirator comprises an upper panel stiffening layer or a lower panel stiffening layer in a preselected shape and located in a preselected location in the upper panel.

Abstract: A method for shaping a composite material, the method comprising positioning a composite system in a press tool, the press tool comprising a male mold and a corresponding female mold separated by a gap, wherein the male mold and the female mold each independently have a non-planar molding surface, compressing the composite system between the male mold and the female mold by closing the gap between the male mold and the female mold; and maintaining the male mold and the female mold in a closed position until the viscosity of the composite system reaches a level sufficient to maintain a molded shape.

Abstract: The embodiment provides a method of providing a table game at a table 3 to at least one player 5 having a mobile digital device 21. This method allows the player 5 to avoid touching traditional gaming elements, such as chips, cards, etc. The player's mobile digital device 21 is configured to communicate with a gaming server 2 so as to allow the player 5 to participate in the table game.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material (110) that include the use of a woven or non-woven veil (120). Also disclosed herein are shaped composite materials formed using such methods, which show significant improvement in wrinkling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, apparatus and associated mathematics for the implementation of a hidden jackpot into a mystery jackpot and the use of the funds in the hidden jackpot to contribute to the startout value to be used in the next mystery jackpot. Various embodiments include parameter selection criteria and operating considerations intended to ameliorate concerns associated with volatility, player fairness and harm minimisation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating a composite material from the environment, as well as the isolated composite material. Also disclosed herein are methods for shaping a composite material that include the use of isolated composite materials. For example, disclosed is a method for mechanical thermoforming of a composite material to form a shaped composite material.

Abstract: The gaming apparatus includes a plurality of communicatively interlinked electronic gaming machines (EGM 1 to EGM 5). The gaming apparatus also includes a central controller 20, which is communicatively connected via a local area network 21 to the EGM's. Each of the EGMs is configured to execute a game that may generate winnings. The gaming apparatus is configured so as to allow a definition of a group of EGM's from amongst the plurality of EGM's. Each of the EGM's is configured to contribute at least some of the winnings generated by the EGM whilst the EGM is in the group into a group pool. At the conclusion of the grouped gaming session, the gaming apparatus is configured to execute a group cash out routine.

Abstract: If it is desired to convert an EGM 2 into an EGM that is configured to provide a stand-alone progressive jackpot, then the conversion device 1 is retrofitted into the EGM 2. The conversion device 1 includes a processor 6 that is configured to administer the stand-alone progressive jackpot. The processor 6 is communicatively connected to both the plurality of input ports 3 and the plurality of output ports 5. The processor 6 is also communicatively connected to memory 8. A flowchart setting out the steps performed in a first method of using the conversion device 1 to provide a stand-alone progressive jackpot is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Abstract: The gaming machine (1) includes a processor (4) with associated memory (5) implementing one of the games, a communications bus (6), a game display (7) for displaying information related to the progress of the game, a game identification display (8) for displaying an image—forming part of the game's resource data set—to allow a potential user to identify the game presently being provided as well as game specific information such as payouts, rules and so on, and a user interface device (9) as user-operable buttons. An output device (10) outputs to the central controller (2) machine performance messages (11) containing machine performance information as time since last play, total drop, total drop over a period of time, total return to player, return to player over a period of time, technical aspects of the gaming machine, and the like.

Abstract: At step 40 the parameters for the jackpot are initialized, including a storage criterion and an award criterion. At step 41 the current value of the jackpot prize pool is calculated. At step 42 the CPU 2 checks whether the storage criterion has been met. If so, the currently accumulated value of the jackpot prize pool is stored at step 43 in memory 6 as a pending jackpot, along with the award criterion that is associated with that pending jackpot. The jackpot parameters are then redefined and the accumulation of as new jackpot prize pool is ready to commence. A number of pending jackpots may be concurrently stored in memory 6, each with an associated stored award criterion. At step 46 the CPU 2 determines if any of the award criterions that are associated with the pending jackpots have been met and if so, the associated pending jackpot prize is awarded at step 47 in accordance with a jackpot prize distribution scheme.

Abstract: If it is desired to convert an EGM 2 into an EGM that is configured to provide a stand-alone progressive jackpot, then the conversion device 1 is retrofitted into the EGM 2. The conversion device 1 includes a processor 6 that is configured to administer the stand-alone progressive jackpot. The processor 6 is communicatively connected to both the plurality of input ports 3 and the plurality of output ports 5. The processor 6 is also communicatively connected to memory 8. A flowchart setting out the steps performed in a first method of using the conversion device 1 to provide a stand-alone progressive jackpot is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for determining the award of a set of prizes where each prize in the set has a respective prize value. The apparatus includes memory for storing prize data indicative of the prize values in the set. An input device is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals for providing an increment signal. An increment device accesses the prize data to select at least two prize values from the set to define respective current prize values, and is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing in parallel a plurality of accumulated values toward the respective current prize values. A comparator is responsive to the current prize values and the accumulated values for determining if one of the current prize values is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal and removing from the set the prize value corresponding to the one of the current prize values.