Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for playing a poker-type game having a plurality of players. More specifically, disclosed is a method of playing a Liar's poker-type game that includes simulating the U.S. currency bills normally used in the game and providing a method for betting on same. The game can be played, for example, with real money, using credits, using tournament chips, or using in-game money in a gaming community. The game can be played in a live table environment, over the Internet or using an electronic gaming device (e.g., PDA, Blackberry, cell phone, IPOD, etc.). In the disclosed method, a uniform table wager for each player and a random serial number is generated for each player. A first player places a bid, which includes a value component and a quantity component. Each successive player either bids or challenges and the bidding or challenging in continued until all players have challenged the last made bid.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a video stream processing system and to a method of displaying a video stream. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a video stream to be displayed on a display device. During a first time period, a low resolution version of the video stream is displayed while a full resolution version of the video stream is being recovered. The method further includes synchronizing the low resolution version of the video stream with the full resolution version of the video stream, and, during a second time period after the first time period, switching between display of the low resolution version of the video stream to display of the full resolution version of the video stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preserving disk geometry when relabeling a data volume encapsulated in a virtual storage device that presents a different disk geometry than the data volume. An exemplary method includes maintaining information from a label of the data volume in a memory associated with the virtual storage device and intercepting a request for information related to a disk geometry of the encapsulated data volume that is normally answered without reference to the label. The request may be associated with a command to relabel the encapsulated data volume. The method also includes reporting the information from the label of the data volume related to the disk geometry of the data volume if the label is associated with an operating system that considers a geometry of a data volume when partitioning.

Abstract: A circuit board includes a first circuit board section which is configured to support a set of light emitting diodes, a second circuit board section which is configured to support high-speed electronic circuitry, and a boundary section which defines an EMI boundary between the first circuit board section and the second circuit board section. The boundary section includes a set of outer surface elongated ground strips configured to form an EMI seal onto which a set of EMI shields is capable of mounting. In some arrangements, the set of outer surface elongated ground strips take the form of metallic bands (e.g., layers of copper). Such bands can be integrated into the circuit board itself (e.g., during PCB fabrication), or added onto one or more of the circuit board surfaces (e.g., after PCB fabrication).

Abstract: A flexible, body attached device is disclosed for dispensing skin treatment and topically-absorbed medicinal treatments. The device comprises a dispensing reservoir that is caused to dispense treatment through a slit-based diaphragm valve upon the application of simple pressure to the device. Various embodiments of the invention include variations in the structure of the valve, reservoir, and body attachment means.

Abstract: Access is provided to network connection data for a user terminal. A query based on a request from a communications device to access the network connection data is received over a first network. The network connection data corresponding to the request is retrieved from a database based on the query. The database is populated with the network connection data and interfaces with a second network over which network connections are established with the user terminal. The network connection data retrieved from the database is forwarded for display at the communications device.

Abstract: The present invention provides safety confirmation or hazard warning to a technician in the field, e.g., by scanning an equipment identification label and comparing the identification to a schedule of equipment inactivation times. The systems and methods of the invention can optionally provide remote interactions to reschedule inactivations or to protect the technician by lock-out from a hazardous condition.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pattern recognizer configured to identify a match of an image of a portion of a bill to one of a plurality of templates. The pattern recognizer is configured to use a rotation-invariant pattern matching algorithm. The apparatus further includes an output device to provide an indication when the match has been identified.

Abstract: A method for converting a first time and a first date in a first format to a second time in a second format includes determining a number of seconds that have elapsed between a predetermined date and a beginning of a current year of the first date. The method further includes adding to the determined number of seconds, a calculated number of seconds calculated from the beginning of the current year to a current month and a current day of the first date to obtain a first sum. The first sum varies based on whether the current month is within a leap year and is subsequent to a leap day of the leap year. A number of seconds that have elapsed between a beginning of the current day of the first date and the first time is added to the first sum. Lastly, a predetermined number of seconds is added to the first sum when Daylight Savings Time is in effect to obtain the second time in the second format.

Abstract: Outgoing call log data associated with a call from a subscriber's terminal is provided by a system including a switch, which receives the call from the subscriber's terminal and launches a query in response to the call, and a service controller, which receives the query and forwards call data to an interface server in response to the query. The switch continues to process the telephone call after querying the service controller. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database based on at least the received call data. An outgoing call log database receives and stores the call data and the additional information from the interface server as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data from the outgoing call log database, in response to a query from a web client, and displays the outgoing call log data at the web client.

Abstract: A memory stores built-in images per bill denomination for a plurality of bill denominations. The built-in images may include a corresponding image for each of four corners for each of two sides of the bill denomination. A camera captures an image of a bill. A pattern recognizer matches the image of the bill to one of the built-in images in the memory. An output device reports the denomination of the bill based on the match from the pattern recognizer.

Abstract: A current time and a current Gregorian date are converted into an epoch time stamp. A number of seconds that have elapsed since a predetermined date up until the current year is determined. A number of seconds that have elapsed since the beginning of the current year up until the current month is determined based on whether the current year is a leap year. In addition, a number of seconds that have elapsed since the beginning of the current month up until the current day is calculated, as is a number of seconds that have elapsed during the current day. All of these values are summed to obtain a converted time. Finally, it is determined whether Daylight Savings Time is in effect, and when Daylight Savings Time is not in effect, 3600 seconds are added to the converted time.

Abstract: Persons often encounter the need to apply some form of skin treatment when on the go. Such treatments include disinfectant, sunscreens, medications, and moisturizing lotions. The present invention comprises convenient portable skin treatment dispensers in the form of neck-worn and disposable wrist-worn devices. The devices are convenient to use, unobtrusive and can even be disposable. Ease of manufacture is facilitated in various embodiments which include self-sealing diaphragm valves.

Abstract: A system provides an audible signal to the user of the system before a control or function is activated by the user. In one embodiment, a remote control can be used with an apparatus, such as a set-top box. When the user places an object near a control of the remote control, a control or function associated with the control may be announced to the user before activating the control. The system can include an apparatus configured to be operated at least in part from a remote control that includes a plurality of controls including a first control. The apparatus includes a control module configured to receive an identification signal from the remote control, wherein the identification signal corresponds to the control, determine a state of the apparatus, determine a function to which the control corresponds, and send another identification signal to an audio system.

Abstract: A step-up/step-down switching regulator control method for a regulator having an inductor with first and second leads, a first switch for controllably coupling the first lead to a source of power, a first device between the first lead and a circuit ground, a second switch for controllably coupling the second lead to the circuit ground, and a second device between the second lead and a regulator, the method comprising operating the switches in a sequence of phases when the source of power has a voltage exceeding the regulator output and in the same sequence of phases when the source of power has a voltage less than the regulator output, the phases being phase 1 with the first and second switches closed, phase 2 with the first switch closed and the second switch open, and phase 3 with both switches open. The first and second devices may be switches or diodes. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A clock change circuit includes enabling a clock change frequency to be accepted while a system is active and clock frequencies are at a low period. The circuit includes generating an enabling signal representing a window of time in which a frequency change is accomplished.

Abstract: A voltage clamp is provided. The voltage clamp comprises one or more diodes for clamping a voltage in a circuit, and at least one capacitor coupled in parallel across the one or more diodes for maintaining current to the one or more diodes at levels which do not cause the clamping voltage of the one or more diodes to exceed a peak tolerable voltage.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for use supporting a heatsink thermally coupled to an integrated circuit component disposed on a first side of a circuit board. The heatsink has an opening that is aligned with an opening of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a support stud disposed beneath the heatsink on a second side of the circuit board. The support stud has a bore and is press fit into the opening of the circuit board from the second side and secured within the opening of the circuit board by a fastener passing through the aligned openings of the heatsink and the circuit board and into the bore. A capture mechanism, disposed on a surface adjacent and parallel to the second side of the circuit board, receives the support stud, thereby coupling the circuit board to the adjacent surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing an electro-optic substrate employed in a waveguide device. The method comprises cleaning a surface of the substrate, and exposing the device to a reactive oxide to passivate the surface. A layer of sealant is deposited on the substrate in a vacuum to seal the surface.

Abstract: An enclosure for an input-output (IO) subsystem comprises: a backplane; a plurality of first slots for accepting corresponding IO option modules; a second slot for accepting an IO controller module; a plurality of first connectors corresponding to the plurality of first slots for connecting the corresponding IO option modules to the backplane; a second connector corresponding to the second slot for connecting the IO controller module to the backplane; and wherein the backplane includes communication links for interconnecting the second connector to each of the plurality of first connectors.