Abstract: An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming device, the gaming device including a gaming presentation of a base game and a gaming processor for controlling the base game. The embedded user interface includes: a player tracking interface and an embedded processor. The player tracking interface includes (or is associated with) a display screen and enables display of a system game to a user, presentation of information to the user, and reception of information from the user. The embedded processor employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, enables control of the system game, control of player tracking information, and control of non-gaming information. In one embodiment, the embedded user interface enables control of a system game of which at least a portion of the system game is presented physically external to the embedded user interface.

Abstract: An automated system and method are provided for interacting with hotel information and hotel services using client terminal devices. The client terminal devices may be located in hotel guest rooms, at the front desk, or in public areas throughout the hotel. The user may be automatically authenticated or the user may be prompted to enter authentication information. Upon authentication, the user is provided with a plurality of icons for obtaining information regarding accounting services, scheduling a banquet, concierge services, engineering services, front desk services, general manager services, housekeeping services, meeting room services, restaurant services, room service, security services, wake-up call services, outside call services, dial a guest services, guest services, or other services.

Abstract: A dual-mode radio studio includes a virtual data bus which is used for exchange of data and program material between associated components of the radio studio system. The virtual data bus facilitates the transfer of both analog and digital communications. A computer having a digital mixer and editor is coupled to the virtual data bus in a digital communication format. A physical mixer having analog faders and other analog devices is coupled to the virtual data bus in analog communication. A plurality of bi-directional analog to digital converters are coupled to the virtual data bus to facilitate the processing of both analog and digital information. A plurality of functional devices such as microphones, disc players, instant replay devices, various tape and cassette decks as well as input devices for telephone use are operatively coupled to the virtual data bus.

Abstract: An audio production, satellite uplink and radio broadcast studio system includes an audio console having a supporting meter bridge and editing unit operative under the control of a central or main computer. The audio console is coupled to a plurality of analog audio information sources including a plurality of microphones, a plurality of telephone lines, a radio broadcast tuner and a plurality of audio tape drives. The audio console is further coupled to a plurality of digital information sources including a pair of ISDN lines, a plurality of compact disc players, a mini-disc player and a remotely operated digital audio recorder. The computer is coupled to the audio console via an interface and sound card. The audio console is coupled to a plurality of program outputs having different program format capabilities and to a distribution amplifier operative to control the various remotely operated recording apparatus within the system.

Abstract: An audio production, satellite uplink and radio broadcast studio system includes an audio console having a supporting meter bridge and editing unit operative under the control of a central or main computer. The audio console is coupled to a plurality of analog audio information sources including a plurality of microphones, a plurality of telephone lines, a radio broadcast tuner and a plurality of audio tape drives. The audio console is further coupled to a plurality of digital information sources including a pair of ISDN lines, a plurality of compact disc players, a mini-disc player and a remotely operated digital audio recorder. The computer is coupled to the audio console via an interface and sound card. The audio console is coupled to a plurality of program outputs having different program format capabilities and to a distribution amplifier operative to control the various remotely operated recording apparatus within the system.

Abstract: An generic device controller unit system (10) includes a generic “true real time” peripheral device controller and a data and protocol communications interface. The system (10) is generic, in that the system (10) is capable of connecting a processor (40) to any number of various peripheral devices (50), instead of being designed to interconnect a processor (40) only to a specific peripheral device (50). The system (10) interfaces between a standard non-true real time operating system and peripheral devices (50) in such a manner as to employ true real time peripheral device control. The device controller of the system (10) allows a standard non-true real time operating system to implement true real time control of peripheral devices (50).

Abstract: An advanced data server including an I/O ring coupled to at least one I/O access channel which provides data to the I/O ring or reads data out from the I/O ring; a disc array ring coupled to least two disc arrays which store therein data received from the disc array ring or retrieve therefrom data for receipt by the disc array ring, the disc array ring also being coupled to the I/O ring so that data can flow between those rings; and a server controller coupled to the I/O ring and the disc array ring for controlling the operations thereof. The I/O ring includes a first ring controller which controls receipt of data from the I/O access channel and transfer of that data to the disc array ring, or receipt of data from the disc array ring and transfer of that data to the I/O access channel.

Abstract: Method for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. The method concerns the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playback of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation includes establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.

Abstract: A series of separate analog electrical signals are received at a real time rate and converted to digital equivalents. The converted signals are stored in a digital memory from which the signals are released serially at a rate slower than the real time rate at which the signals are received. The signals released from storage are directed to a signal analyzer, preferably after being converted from digital to analog format, for processing to determine prescribed parameters of the original analog electrical signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the audio characteristics of an audio-video program recorded on a storage member in which the video portion of the program contains picture frame code numbers. A predetermined picture frame number at which video evaluation of the audio portion of the program is to commence in initially established. The audio and video portions of the recorded audio-video program are recovered, and the picture frame code numbers are extracted from the video portion thereof. The extracted picture frame numbers from the recovered video portion are then compared with the predetermined picture frame number, and audio evaluation of the audio portion of the program commences upon coincidence of the detected picture frame number and the predetermined picture number. Evaluation is effected by measuring predetermined picture number.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.

Abstract: A computerized motion picture film and television studio includes a pair of concurrent local area networks. The first local area network communicates digital information and the second communicates analog information over a plurality of assigned channel frequencies. A plurality of information processing devices, including a camera station, transfer video and audio information via the multi-channel analog local area network under the direction of a central control computer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.

Abstract: Method and means for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the audio characteristics of an audio-video program recorded on a storage member in which the video portion of the program contains picture frame code numbers. A predetermined picture frame number at which video evaluation of the audio portion of the program is to commence is initially established. The audio and video portions of the recorded audio-video program are recovered, and the picture frame code numbers are extracted from the video portion thereof. The extracted picture frame numbers from the recovered video portion are then compared with the predetermined picture frame number, and audio evaluation of the audio portion of the program commences upon coincidence of the detected picture frame number and the predetermined picture number. Evaluation is effected by measuring predetermined audio characteristics of the recovered audio portion and comparing the measured characteristics with corresponding audio reference characteristics.

Abstract: Method and means for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.

Abstract: Method and means for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.