Abstract: The present invention includes a method of obtaining a biological sample from the nose, nasal cavities, nasal pharynx, oral mucosa, or saliva of a subject to be used for detection of a virus (e.g., a SARS-Co V-2 virus), and kits for performing the method.

Abstract: Described is a method of constructing prize structures that are particularly useful in gaming systems which can be used to implement various games such as bingo and poker. In particular the described pay structures and game systems can have sufficient granularity such that the outcome or payoff of the game being played can be expanded to provide higher payout amounts as well as closely replicate the payoff of a second game. Included are methods and apparatus for playing bingo games and determining which bingo cards are winners. In addition, methods and apparatus for evaluating or checking each card in a bingo game using a bit marked card technique and vector operations are described.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.

Abstract: Described is a method of constructing prize structures that are particularly useful in gaming systems which can be used to implement various games such as bingo and poker. In particular the described pay structures and game systems can have sufficient granularity such that the outcome or payoff of the game being played can be expanded to provide higher payout amounts as well as closely replicate the payoff of a second game. Included are methods and apparatus for playing bingo games and determining which bingo cards are winners. In addition, methods and apparatus for evaluating or checking each card in a bingo game using a bit marked card technique and vector operations are described.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed wherein an outcome probability is determined for each of a number of possible outcomes achievable in a wagering game. Different subsets are then associated with each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The possible outcomes and their respective probability are assigned or mapped to the different subsets so that the probability of achieving a possible outcome included in a subset comprises a value approximating the desired probability of an award of the prize level with which the subset is associated.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.

Abstract: Described is a method of constructing prize structures that are particularly useful in gaming systems which can be used to implement various games such as bingo and poker. In particular the described pay structures and game systems can have sufficient granularity such that the outcome or payoff of the game being played can be expanded to provide higher payout amounts as well as closely replicate the payoff of a second game.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed wherein an outcome probability is determined for each of a number of possible outcomes achievable in a wagering game. Different subsets are then associated with each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The possible outcomes and their respective probability are assigned or mapped to the different subsets so that the probability of achieving a possible outcome included in a subset comprises a value approximating the desired probability of an award of the prize level with which the subset is associated.

Abstract: A method of tuning an ion beam in an ion implanter relative to, e.g., ion beam current, energy, size and shape, includes retrieving a set of parameters associated with operation of the ion implanter, at least some of which are stored in a dynamic database, configuring the ion implanter according to the retrieved set of parameters, to thereby provide an ion beam, optimizing the ion beam by varying one or more of the parameters, and updating the parameters stored in the dynamic database which changed during optimization.

Abstract: A pattern probability (302) is determined for each of a number of target patterns (301) achievable in a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability (302) comprises a probability of achieving the respective target pattern (301) in the bingo-type game. Different pattern sets are then associated with each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The target patterns (301) and their respective pattern probabilities (302) are assigned or mapped to the different pattern sets so that the probability of achieving any target pattern included in a pattern set comprises a value approximating the desired probability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of tuning an ion beam in an ion implanter such as may be used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. There are many operational parameters associated with operation of the ion implanter that influence the ion beam that reaches the wafer. Controlling these parameters allows the ion beam to be tuned to provide an optimum ion beam current, energy, size and shape for a any particular implant. The present invention provides a method of tuning an ion beam comprising: retrieving a set of parameters at least some of which are stored in a dynamic database; configuring the ion implanter according to the retrieved set of parameters thereby to provide an ion beam; optimising the ion beam by varying one or more of the parameters; and updating the parameters stored in the dynamic database that changed during optimisation.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of operating a gaming apparatus. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of wagers made. The method also includes determining whether a prize event has occurred based on an outcome of a game play associated with the plurality of wagers made. Further, the method includes outputting prizes when the prize event occurs. Each of the prizes complies with a prize constraint limit, and a total value of the prizes is greater than a maximum per wager limit value. In addition, a totality of the prizes has a prize structure that is representative of a modeled prize structure of an apparatus that exceeds the prize constraint limit on a per wager basis.

Abstract: An articulated work machine, such as a wheel loader, includes many regularly serviced hydraulic points, such as a hydraulic fluid filter, a case drain filter, a transmission fluid filter and brake accumulators that are grouped and mounted in a common service center subassembly, which may be preassembled and then later attached to the work machine chassis when the machine is being built. Likewise, an electrical service center subassembly might include a battery box, relays and an emergency shutoff switch that can be preassembled and attached to the machine chassis as a unit at the time that the work machine is being built. The respective hydraulic and electrical service centers are attached to the work machine chassis underneath cab access steps on opposite sides of the machine. This strategy allows for a potential reduction in cost during the work machine manufacture, and also better facilitates servicing of the hydraulic and/or electrical service points at an easily accessible and common location(s).

Abstract: A general automated method for synthesizing the design of both the topology and parameter values for controllers is described. The automated method automatically makes decisions concerning the total number of signal processing blocks to be employed in the controller, the type of each signal processing block, the topological interconnections between the signal processing blocks, the values of all parameters for the signal processing blocks, and the existence, if any, of internal feedback between the signal processing blocks within the controller. The general automated method can simultaneously optimize prespecified performance metrics (such as minimizing the time required to bring the plant outputs to the desired values as measured by the integral of the time-weighted absolute error or the integral of the squared error), satisfy time-domain constraints (such as overshoot, disturbance rejection, limits on control variables, and limits on state variables), and satisfy frequency domain constraints (bandwidth).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a system to achieve a specified response. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a proportional, integrative, and derivative (PID) controller having a proportional element, an integrative element, and a derivative element coupled together. The elements respond to a reference signal and generate a control signal that causes a plant to generate a plant output. The proportional element has a gain element where the gain is a function of the ultimate gain of the plant (Ku) and the ultimate period of the plant (Tu). The controllers may also be embodied in non-PID controllers that share common elements, such as the use of: (a) Astrom-Hagglund controller output as an input for a subsequent controller; (b) internal feedback; and (c) a subsequent controller that performs a subtraction operation to generate the difference between the output of the Astrom-Hagglund controller and the output of the subsequent controller.

Abstract: A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server (101) to collect game play requests (501) from a plurality of electronic player stations (103). The server (101, 102) determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum (502), and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests (506, 507). Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games (506, 500). When enough game play requests are collected (503), the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress (506, 507). Each game play request is associated with a bingo card representation and each such card representation is associated with a respective pay table. Prizes or outcomes of the game are assigned for each bingo card representation according to the respective pay table with which the card representation is associated.