Abstract: A method of playing a multi-line poker game of cards on a computer-based video gaming device is disclosed. The poker game has a game hand line and a plurality of bonus lines that are combined to create a game array. The game array itself has a plurality of paylines used in determining winnings for the play of the game. The method of playing the multi-line poker comprises determining a set of game parameters from a set of input signals from a player. Next a plurality of cards are randomly dealt from a deck of cards to fill the game hand line. The player selects cards from the within the game hand that are to be held and the cards that are to be discarded. Cards from the deck of cards are randomly dealt to replace all of the cards discarded from within the game hand. Each card now within the game hand is duplicated and randomly placed within the plurality of bonus lines until all of the locations within the game array are filled with cards.

Abstract: A device and method for dispensing and measuring a plurality of strands from a single spool of stranded material is disclosed. The device is comprised of a mobile portion on which a plurality of pulleys is mounted. The mobile portion includes a frame mounted on an axle to which tires are attached so that the mobile portion may be wheeled about readily. A stationary portion includes a plurality of pulleys and a supply spool of wire. Stranded material from the supply spool is routed back and forth between the mobile portion and the stationary portion, over the pulleys attached to each, until the number of strands between the mobile portion and the stationary portion corresponds with the desired number. Next the mobile portion is displaced away from the stationary portion a distance equal to the length of strands desired. A distance measurement device is mounted on the mobile portion to aid the user in ascertaining the distance that the mobile portion has moved, thereby indicating the wire length.

Abstract: A cable lasher is provided for securing a telephone or transmission cable to a support strand strung in the air between adjacent utility poles to prevent sagging of the transmission cable. As the cable lasher traverses a span of the support strand, the lasher pays out a line of lashing wire that is helically wrapped around the cable and the strand to bind them together. A series of tensioning rollers maintains constant tension in the lashing wire at all times to ensure a tight uniform wind. A gearbox translates linear motion of the lasher along the guide wire into rotational motion of a drum portion of the lasher. The rotation of the drum causes the wrapping of the lashing wire about the cable and the strand. A one-way clutch allows the drum to rotate only in one direction when the clutch is engaged in order to prevent any slacking in the wound lashing wire.

Abstract: A Global Positioning System (GPS) based personal athletic performance monitor for providing an athlete with real-time athletic performance feedback data such as elapsed exercise time, distance covered, average pace, elevation difference, distance to go and/or advice for reaching pre-set targets. The monitor is integrated with an AM/FM/TV personal radio, and the athletic performance feedback is provided through a set of audio headphones using an audio module. The monitor can be connected to an external personal computer via a serial or infrared port for further data storage and long term trend analysis, or to a remote computer via modem, where historical performance data is collected and logically compiled from participating athletes worldwide.

Abstract: A heat transfer arrangement for one or more heat-generating components (18a) on a printed-circuit board (16) includes a heat transfer plate (316) defining an aperture (416) registered with the components. A "vertically" movable heatsink adapter (410) is adjusted to juxtapose its "lower" surface with the "upper" surface of the components to be heat-sunk. A heat-transfer pad (318) may be used between the heatsink adapter (410) and the component (18a). In various embodiments, the heatsink adapter takes the form of circular (410) or rectangular (410R) plugs, a draw-tube (808) arrangement, or a bellows (1010).

Abstract: The present invention comprises a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit having high power supply noise rejection. The VCO circuit includes a VCO input for receiving a control voltage. A level shifter circuit is coupled to the VCO input. A first and second VCO cell are coupled to the level shifter circuit and are coupled to each other. The VCO circuit also includes a VCO output for transmitting a VCO output signal. A first source follower transistor is coupled to the first VCO cell to transmit a first voltage from the power supply to the first VCO cell. A second source follower transistor is coupled to the second VCO cell to transmit a second voltage from the power supply to the second VCO cell. A first and second load transistor are included in each VCO cell. They are directly coupled to receive the control voltage such that the VCO output signal is less sensitive to noise on the power supply and the VCO output signal remains stable.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit having low sensitivity to fabrication process variation, operating temperature variation, and power supply noise. The circuit of the present invention includes a current source controller, a bias circuit, and a first and second VCO cell. The first and second VCO cells are coupled to each other and are coupled to the bias circuit. The VCO circuit of the present invention also includes a VCO output for transmitting a VCO output signal to external electronics. A bias circuit current source is coupled to the bias circuit to transmit a bias circuit current from a power supply to the bias circuit. A first current source is coupled to the first VCO cell to transmit a first current from the power supply to the first VCO cell. A second current source coupled to the second VCO cell to transmit a second current from the power supply to the second VCO cell.

Abstract: A solder paste stencil printing apparatus in which a stencil plate having a porous figure printing area may be used for single component solder paste application. The printing operation is performed by alignment of the stencil pattern figure over the appropriate component substrate pads. With the stencil plate being held in place by downward force, solder paste is dispensed over the stencil plate pattern allowing gravity flow of the paste material into the stencil pattern pores. Excess paste material is squeegeed level to the top surface of the stencil plate and the plate lifted from the substrate surface leaving solder paste in the configured pattern. An associated stencil plate holder matched to the printer head shaft allows any number of stencil plate patterns to be made available for solder paste application.

Abstract: Stencils to be used with a solder paste stencil printing process and apparatus in which the stencil plate having a porous figure printing area may be used for single component solder paste application. The printing operation is performed by alignment of the stencil pattern figure over the appropriate component and substrate pads. The stencil holder assembly is attached to the related solder paste stencil printer and held in place by downward force. Solder paste is dispensed over the stencil plate pattern allowing gravity flow of the paste material into the stencil pattern pores. Excess paste material is squeegeed level to the top surface of the stencil plate and the plate lifted from the substrate surface leaving solder paste in the configured pattern.

Abstract: An upright steerable vacuum cleaner is provided, which includes the use of a pivotable cylindrical motor housing, as well as a universal joint which is attached to the motor housing, such that twisting at the upper body of the vacuum cleaner clockwise causes the base of the unit to turn right, and twisting in the opposite direction causes it to turn left.

Abstract: An automated multi-channel capillary electrophoresis analyzer includes a plurality of capillaries having first and second ends. The first ends of the capillaries are adapted to be collectively transported to and from selected reagent reservoirs. The second ends of the capillaries are removably and sealable retained within a common manifold that is in turn in selectable fluid communication with selected reagents and a vacuum source.

Abstract: An electronic tuning device has selectable width tuning ranges wherein selected pairs of the LEDs in a single row of LED's are activated, such as being turned on, blinked or flashed, so that the spacing between each activated pair of LEDs indicates the width of the tuning range during a range indicating mode. The sensing of a fundamental frequency of an input tone causes the operation of a corresponding LED in the row of LEDs to indicate the nearest note along with in-tune and out-of-tune conditions.

Abstract: An electronic tuning device includes a display with a single row of LED's corresponding to musical notes wherein the sensing of a fundamental frequency of an input tone causes the operation of the corresponding LED to indicate the nearest note. Additionally the LED is operated in manner, such as blinking proportionally to the variation from the note and/or producing different colors, such as green, red and amber, to indicate in-tune and out-of-tune conditions. A double back adhesive rubber pad can be used to removably mount the tuner on an instrument, so that the device can simply pulled off the musical instrument to make it ready for its next use. The rubber pad serves to attenuate high frequency mechanical vibrations of the musical instruments thus improving the accuracy and versatility of the unit. In one embodiment, the display is mounted externally on the musical instrument while the tone sensing circuitry is mounted inside the musical instrument such within the sound box of an existing guitar.

Abstract: An ESD protection subassembly for a conductively-case module having an electrical connector mounted thereon, uses a conductive shield shell member formed about the connector and connected to the module conductive case; the shell member has at least one conductive door member mounted thereon by associated hinge formations having spring-like mechanisms for urging the door members to close off an opening in the shell member whenever the module is not mated with an associated receptacle connector. A substantially complete conductive peripheral enclosure is thus formed for the module and its attached connector, whether the module is mounted in a larger assembly with its complementary connector actually mated with the module-mounted connector, or if the module has been removed from the rack assembly.

Abstract: An upright steerable vacuum cleaner is provided, which includes the use of a pivotable cylindrical motor housing, as well as a universal joint which is attached to the motor housing, such that twisting at the upper body of the vacuum cleaner clockwise causes the base of the unit to turn right, twisting in the opposite direction causes if to turn left.

Abstract: Stencils to be used with a solder paste stencil printing process and apparatus in which the stencil plate having a porous figure printing area may be used for single component solder paste application. The printing operation is performed by alignment of the stencil pattern figure over the appropriate component and substrate pads. The stencil holder assembly is attached to the related solder paste stencil printer and held in place by downward force. Solder paste is dispensed over the stencil plate pattern allowing gravity flow of the paste material into the stencil pattern pores. Excess paste material is squeegeed level to the top surface of the stencil plate and the plate lifted from the substrate surface leaving solder paste in the configured pattern.