Abstract: A method and system for impregnating a source of fiber tow is provided. A stream of fiber tow is drawn through a tow guide to align the fiber tow with a predetermined path. The stream is drawn in tension across a series of tow spreader pins, that include convex spreading surface aligned with the predetermined tow path. As the fiber tow is drawn over spreading surfaces, the fibers tend to spread and/or fan out along that surface. The stream of fiber tow now being spread to a greater width and reduced thickness, the spread fiber tow is drawn through an impregnation die that includes a plurality of resin supply conduits. Resin melt is applied to the spread fiber tow from one or more directions to fully impregnate the fiber tow. The prepreg fiber tow is then drawn to a converging die which removes excess resin and converge to a fiber tow product. An angled drive roller is utilized to pull the fiber tow with sufficient force to overcome dry and viscous friction in the system components.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.

Abstract: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more reels, be they mechanical or video, or perhaps a rotating indicator. The active display button may also include lights, vibratory motors and other experience-enhancing implements. The active display button may be installed on a gaming machine and operated in conjunction with the gaming device, separate from the gaming machine on which it is installed or perhaps as part of the operation of the gaming machine.

Abstract: Systems, gaming machines, games, and methods for displaying an exploding icon are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a gaming device comprises a display screen that presents a game. The game presented on the display screen comprises one or more game icons for display in various locations on the display screen, wherein the game presents an animated icon upon the occurrence of a triggering event such that the animated icon produces one or more wild icons that move about the display screen before being positioned in fixed locations on the display screen. Additionally, the gaming device includes a means for activating the game and triggering the presentation of the animated icon, and a means for determining whether one or more combinations of the game icons and the wild icons form any winning combinations.

Abstract: A data entry system suitable for entry/exit (attendance) recording includes a terminal unit having identity card reading means, adapted to be connected via an extension line to a central apparatus such as a computer controlled telephone line switching system having data handling capabilities. The terminal unit includes a buffer to store the data read from the identity card prior to requesting service from the line switching system and includes a locally generated signal to indicate that the card was correctly read and means responsive to a signal from the central system to indicate that the data was accepted. The card forms a component of the system and is encoded in such fashion that the manner of its use indicates whether entry or exit information is being recorded, and the terminal unit is responsive to the information entered by the card and the response of the central system to provide appropriate logical output at the terminal, such as the activation of an automatic door lock.