Abstract: A ticket dispenser includes a first engaging member advancing a ticket at a first rate of speed, a second engaging member advancing the ticket at a second, greater, rate of speed and a third engaging member advancing the ticket at a third, even greater, rate of speed. The ticket has length greater than a) the spacing between the first and second engaging members and b) the spacing between the second and third engaging members. As the ticket advances through the ticket dispensing mechanism, the second engaging member engages the ticket before the first engaging member disengages the ticket and the third engaging member engages the ticket before the second engaging member disengages the ticket. A force of the second ticket engaging member is greater than that of the first and third engaging members.

Abstract: A ticket dispenser includes a first engaging member advancing a ticket at a first rate of speed, a second engaging member advancing the ticket at a second, greater, rate of speed and a third engaging member advancing the ticket at a third, even greater, rate of speed. The ticket has length greater than a) the spacing between the first and second engaging members and b) the spacing between the second and third engaging members. As the ticket advances through the ticket dispensing mechanism, the second engaging member engages the ticket before the first engaging member disengages the ticket and the third engaging member engages the ticket before the second engaging member disengages the ticket. A force of the second ticket engaging member is greater than that of the first and third engaging members.

Abstract: A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An electronics assembly is mounted to one of the housing and the base for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.

Abstract: A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. An electronics assembly is mounted in the housing for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.

Abstract: A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. An electronics assembly is mounted in the housing for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.

Abstract: A modular bingo system (A) includes a separate primary console (10) and ball console (20). The ball console (20) includes: a bingo ball chamber (22) into which a plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order; a ball tray (26) into which the operator places dispensed bingo balls; a first switch matrix (70) that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the first ball tray (26); and, a ball console computer (40) that monitors the first switch matrix (70) and transmits data regarding its state.

Abstract: A random gaming selection device includes a ball-scrambling chamber, a ball guide in communication with the ball-scrambling chamber, an outer chamber receiving the ball-scrambling chamber and an electrostatic discharge mat disposed on a wall of the ball-scrambling chamber. The ball-scrambling chamber accommodates at least one associated ball and includes a ball outlet. The ball guide communicates with the ball-scrambling chamber via the ball outlet. The ball-scrambling chamber includes an air impermeable wall.

Abstract: A modular bingo system (A) includes a separate primary console (10) and ball console (20). The ball console (20) includes: a bingo ball chamber (22) into which a plurality of numbered bingo balls are loaded and from which the bingo balls are dispensed in an unpredictable order; a ball tray (26) into which the operator places dispensed bingo balls; a first switch matrix (70) that identifies where bingo balls have been placed in the first ball tray (26); and, a ball console computer (40) that monitors the first switch matrix (70) and transmits data regarding its state.

Abstract: A distributed gaming system includes a host device and at least one peripheral device in communication with the host device. The peripheral device executes at least two games simultaneously. The outcome of at least one of the at least two games is dependent on aspects of another of the at least two games. A method of distributed gaming is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system (10) including a master station (12) connected to one or more electronic remote gaming units (14) in a logical network. Each electronic remote gaming unit (14) includes a connection interface (26) for receiving a plug-in processor module (28) and a plug-in communication module (30). The plug-in processor module (28) includes a main processor (32) for running a gaming program which enables the remote gaming unit (14) to provide game play to a player. The main processor (32) can also control the operation of the remote gaming unit (14) and control communications with other gaming units (12, 14) via the communication module (30). The communication module (30) includes wireless communications hardware (46) or hard-wired communications hardware (48) for communicating with the other gaming units (14) in the logical network.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner apparatus having a keyboard and a display mounted on the front face of the housing. The housing is configured to be held in the palm of one hand with the keys on the keyboard engageable by the thumb or fingers of the hand holding the housing. Only one hand is required for scan actuation and key entry and to maintain a comfortable precision grip. The portable bar code scanner apparatus may also include a radio for transmitting data to or receiving data from a host computer, and may be mounted on the back of the operator's hand for hands-free operation while in an object-sense mode.

Abstract: A portable bar code scanner apparatus having a keyboard and a display mounted on the front face of the housing. The housing is configured to be held in the palm of one hand with the keys on the keyboard engageable by the thumb or fingers of the hand holding the housing. Only one hand is required for scan actuation and key entry and to maintain a comfortable precision grip. The portable bar code scanner apparatus may also include a radio for transmitting data to or receiving data from a host computer, and may be mounted on the back of the operator's hand for hands-free operation while in an object-sense mode.

Abstract: A portable telephone device with telephone, data terminal and/or heads-up display functions in an integrated package having a size and weight on the order of conventional portable wireless telephones. The device includes a hand-held body structure having a main body portion and a heads-up display body portion. The main body portion may be held in a normal telephone handset position at a side of a user's head to position audio input and output transducers in functional relationship to the user's mouth and adjacent ear. The heads-up display body portion is rotatable from a storage position to an operative position for locating a display in front of the adjacent eye of the user for display of data. The device further comprises, within the hand-held body structure, a processor and associated memory, a keyboard, a transceiver for voice and data communications with a remote telephone and/or data terminal unit, and a battery compartment for housing a battery that supplies power to the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic shelf display device which includes an optical device and an ambient light detector circuitry. The electronic shelf display device includes an independent power source, and a housing. The electronic shelf display device also includes a processor disposed in the housing, and a display device supported by the housing and coupled to the processor. The display device is capable of displaying information to a user. The optical device is coupled to the processor for at least receiving optical communications. The ambient light detector circuitry is also coupled to the processor. The processor is operative to regulate the power state of the electronic shelf display device based on ambient lighting conditions determined by the ambient light detector circuitry. By having the optical device include the ambient light detector, only one port is required for receiving light by the electronic shelf display device thus resulting in substantial space savings.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal is disclosed that provides all of the usual point of sale terminal functions, but that is entirely field portable. Data pertinent to each purchase can be input to the terminal via a keyboard assembly, a touch-screen display or a signature-capture screen assembly, or via an antenna and radio link from an associated bar code scanner. Data may be communicated at any time to a remote host computer, also via a separate antenna and radio link. The communication links with the host computer and the bar code scanner operate independently and simultaneously, using mutually compatible modulation schemes such as a spread spectrum scheme for the host computer link and a narrowband or spread spectrum scheme for the bar code scanner link. The terminal thereby functions as a portable repeater or node in a data communications network.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal is disclosed that provides all of the usual point of sale terminal functions, but that is entirely field portable. Data pertinent to each purchase can be input to the terminal via a keyboard assembly, a touch-screen display or a signature-capture screen assembly, or via an antenna and radio link from an associated bar code scanner. Data may be communicated at any time to a remote host computer, also via a separate antenna and radio link. The communication links with the host computer and the bar code scanner operate independently and simultaneously, using mutually compatible modulation schemes such as a spread spectrum scheme for the host computer link and a narrowband or spread spectrum scheme for the bar code scanner link. The terminal thereby functions as a portable repeater or node in a data communications network.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal is disclosed that provides all of the usual point of sale terminal functions, but that is entirely field portable. Data pertinent to each purchase can be input to the terminal via a keyboard assembly, a touch-screen display or a signature-capture screen assembly, or via an antenna and radio link from an associated bar code scanner. Data may be communicated at any time to a remote host computer, also via a separate antenna and radio link. The communication links with the host computer and the bar code scanner operate independently and simultaneously, using mutually compatible modulation schemes such as a spread spectrum scheme for the host computer link and a narrowband or spread spectrum scheme for the bar code scanner link. The terminal thereby functions as a portable repeater or node in a data communications network.

Abstract: An electric switch assembly for use with a magnetic reed switch includes a trigger that is movable with respect to a housing between an open position and a closed position and that includes a trigger magnet. The switch assembly further includes a second magnet, fixed relative to the housing, that is located adjacent the first magnet when the trigger is in the open position. The magnets are oriented such that their magnetic fields tend to cancel each other when the trigger is in its open position. This provides an increased disparity in the magnetic field reaching the magnetic reed switch between the open position and closed position and eliminates the need for precision alignment and individual adjustment of the magnetic reed switch at the point of manufacture.

Abstract: An encoding and decoding system for electronic data communication system, wherein each character to be transmitted is encoded as a unique multi-bit binary value. The total number of bits as well as the number of logic one bits in all unique multi-bit binary values are the same. A pulse generating means generates a wide pulse for each logic one and a narrow pulse for each logic zero. The pulses which make up a unique pulse form for each data character to be transmitted are of alternating polarity and are transmitted as analog signals.