Abstract: An electrodepositable coating composition is provided including a resinous phase and corrosion resisting particles dispersed in an aqueous medium. Methods of preparing and using the composition also are provided.

Abstract: A charge division arrangement for a CCD device for producing a divided charge output from an input charge, comprising an input for receiving an input charge, an array of elements and an output. The array of elements being arranged in rows and columns and having clock connections to allow charge in each row to be successively clocked from one row of elements to the next. At least some of the elements being arranged in a charge division unit having a first element and a second element in adjacent columns and being communicable at least temporarily so that charged introduced into the first element is divided between the first element and the second element, the charge division unit being arranged to produce divided charge for production at the output. The arrangement allows a small amount of charge to be introduced into a CCD circuit.

Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a basic wagering game on a gaming terminal. The gaming system includes an input device adapted to receive an input from a player of a basic wagering game and output a signal to a controller. A controller is configured to randomly select a basic wagering game outcome from a plurality of basic wagering game outcomes. A gaming feature is also provided. In this gaming feature, an extra wager may be input in association therewith to increase an award for a selected basic wagering game winning outcome, a plurality of selected basic wagering game winning outcomes, or a selected group and related subgroup of basic wagering game winning outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying a plurality of moveable reels having symbols located thereon during the wagering game. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. After at least a first one of the moveable reels has started spinning, an opportunity to make an additional wager via the wager-input device is presented while at least one of the moveable reels is still spinning. The additional wager allows for an enhancement of an outcome after all of the moveable reels have stopped spinning.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of symbols arranged along one or more paylines that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to a wager input. A winning combination of symbols along the paylines may be arranged in either a left-to-right order or a right-to-left order. In one embodiment, a player makes a first wager input that is associated with one or more paylines corresponding to a left-to-right arrangement of symbols. A player is then allowed to make a second wager input that is associated with one or more paylines corresponding to a right-to-left arrangement of symbols. The second wager input associated with right-to-left paylines is not equal to, and may be less than, the first wager input associated with left-to-right paylines.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game. The method includes conducting a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes and is indicated by a plurality of symbols. Each of the plurality of symbols has a first function. A side-wager option is presented that allows a player to change a function of a certain one of the plurality of symbols to one of a plurality of second functions. In response to the player selecting the side-wager option, one of the plurality of second functions is selected. Also, the second function is attributed to the certain one of the plurality of symbols when the randomly selected outcome is indicated.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game includes determining a randomly-selected outcome in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The randomly-selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes that includes at least one winning outcome. Each of the plurality of outcomes is represented via a plurality of symbols arranged in a plurality of columns. The method further includes displaying the randomly-selected outcome. A prize is awarded if a symbol combination is aligned along an active payline to indicate the winning outcome. The symbol combination includes a number of symbols that is less than the number of columns.

Abstract: A wagering game system is provided and includes a gaming system for playing a wagering game, including an input device adapted to receive an input from a player of the wagering game, a processor configured to determine a wagering game outcome, and a gambling feature incorporating a game in which a player is statistically more likely to win than to lose, wherein the gambling feature is enabled by a wagering game outcome that includes a winning combination.

Abstract: A method of making slider end stops on zippers comprising two interlockable profiled closure members. The method comprises the steps of: opening a section of a zipper tape to form a gap between the profiled closure members; inserting a first portion of a body into the gap with a second portion of the body projecting above the tops of the profiled closure members; and joining the first portion of the body to adjoining sections of the profiled closure members. Then the body is narrowed down the middle to form a neck where the zipper tape will later be cut, each half of the body forming a respective slider end stop, but on different zipper segments. Alternatively, two bodies can be inserted into the gap and then joined to adjoining sections of the closure members. The zipper tape is cut between the two bodies, which will ultimately form respective slider end stops on different zipper segments. In an alternative embodiment, the zipper tape and the bag making film can be integrally formed.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) making a vent hole in a package; (b) loading product into a receptacle of the package via an opening; (c) closing the opening; (d) placing an air-permeable layer of material over the vent hole; (e) squeezing the receptacle after steps (a) through (d) have been performed to force air out the vent hole; and (f) after step (e) has been performed, sealing the package so that air cannot enter the receptacle via the vent hole. In accordance with some embodiments, the vent hole is formed in the receptacle and sealed by means of an air-impermeable patch or by joining two walls of the receptacle together. In accordance with other embodiments, the vent hole is formed in a zipper tape attached to the receptacle and various means can be used to seal the vent hole after air removal.

Abstract: A gaming terminal and method of playing a wagering game. The terminal includes a first display and a second display having a plurality of bonus areas. The terminal further includes a wagering game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome being a bonus outcome, the wagering game displays a bonus symbol in the second display for awarding a bonus symbol under a specified condition.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a wager-input device for receiving a first wager from a player to play a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game. A display displays a plurality of symbols located thereon during the basic game. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to the wager. The plurality of outcomes includes a bonus-triggering outcome. A set of available game-enhancement parameters is displayed and the player is provided an option of submitting a second wager to purchase at least one of the set of available game-enhancement parameters. The set of available game-enhancement parameters provides an enhancement selected from the group consisting of: additional bonus-triggering outcomes providing a higher probability of triggering the bonus game, and enhanced awards during the bonus game.

Abstract: A cooking tray (optionally interstices-defining, microwave-transparent and providing an appropriate view factor) has a one-piece, integral, unitary construction formed of a food-grade, non-stick material suitable for use in a rapid cook oven which cooks by a combination of at least two heat transfer mechanisms selected from the group consisting of radiant heat transfer, convection heat transfer and microwave energy transfer. The construction defines a base and an upstanding peripheral sidewall about the base for the collection of solid debris created during cooking. Preferably the material is food-grade fiberglass with a non-stick coating.

Abstract: A method of detecting I-frames in a video signal which has previously been MPEG coded, involves taking a DCT and analyzing the frequency of zero value coefficients. An I-frame, which does not utilize prediction coding is expected to have a higher number of zero coefficients than a predicted P- or B-frame.

Abstract: A combustion gas detection apparatus includes a transparent tube partially filled with a combustion gas sensing fluid and an inlet fitting for engagement with the radiator cap of an engine cooling system and an outlet fitting for connection with a vacuum port of the engine or other vacuum source.

Abstract: A solid state imager arrangement includes an image area, an output register which receives signal charge from the image area, a separate multiplication register into which signal charge from the output register is transferred, means for obtaining signal charge multiplication by transferring the charge through a sufficiently high field in elements of the multiplication register, and an additional register into which excess signal charge is transferred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for performing a liposuction procedure by means of a power-assisted liposuction device. The apparatus comprises a hand-holdable handle assembly (enclosing a gas driven reciprocating piston rod), a detachable cannula, an aspirator pump attached to the hand-holdable handle assembly and a foot pedal assembly that includes a vibrator element for regulating the supply of gas to the hand-holdable handle assembly. The hand-holdable handle assembly generally consists of a barrel, a hollow piston rod which reciprocates relative to the barrel, a seal body, an end cap (having a internal aspirated chamber), an atmospheric access return gallery, and a return spring chamber. Detachably coupled to the hand-holdable handle assembly by means of a quick disconnect is a hollow cannula, the distal end of which contains an aspiration aperture.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus particularly for use in intra-oral dental applications, a solid state imager is arranged to detect X-ray radiation from a source after passing through an object. Prior to irradiation by the source, charge accumulated in the elements of a CCD is clocked from two or more rows into a register such that charges are summed. The register is output via a charge amplifier which sums the charge applied to it to give a relatively large output signal which is amplified and applied to thresholder. Onset of X-ray irradiation is detected when the signal applied to the thresholder exceeds a reference level. A start signal is then transmitted to a control unit to cause image acquisition to begin.

Abstract: The input surface of a photocathode consisting of a membrane of p-type silicon is modified to improve it's sensitivity. The p-type concentration is locally increased and the surface is coated with silicon nitride.