Abstract: A method of gaming including: selecting in each game round a plurality of symbols for display to a player in a set of display positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, subsets of the display positions corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a plurality symbols; controlling the correspondence of display positions to reels so that at least one game round is a diagonal spin game round in which at least one of the reels is arranged to spin diagonally such that it corresponds to display positions in a plurality of neighbouring columns; determining an outcome for each game round based on the selected symbols.

Abstract: A method is described for use with a gaming machine that is arranged to provide a spinning reel game in which symbols are spun up on a plurality of reels, each reel having an associated sequence of symbols, and an award is awarded if a winning combination occurs. The method includes spinning the reels to provide a resultant reel configuration and displaying a symbol array from the resultant reel position in a reel display portion of a display. The award is awarded if the winning combination occurs in the reel display portion. The method includes replacing the displayed symbol array in the reel display portion with a further symbol array from the resultant reel configuration. The method may include a simulation of the symbol array shattering.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically prioritizing a plurality of customer requirements. A request for fulfilling a product-modifying customer requirement is received. Prioritization data associated with the customer requirement is obtained. The prioritization data includes revenue opportunity sizes, time constraints, the request's age, and indications of whether the product requires an operating system included in a predefined strategic operating system list and whether revenue associated with a business opportunity is lost if the request is rejected. Component scores for customer requirement-related variables are determined by evaluating formulas that include the variables. Evaluating the formulas includes applying weights to the variables and substituting the prioritization data for the variables. A priority score for prioritizing the customer requirement relative to other customer requirements is automatically determined by summing the component scores.

Abstract: A method of providing sound to accompany a game, the method comprising: outputting a game accompanying sound derived from a plurality of sounds associated with respective ones of a plurality of objects to compete in a competition; and modifying the contribution of sounds to the game accompanying sound based on the relative positions in the competition of the objects with which the sounds are associated.

Abstract: Gaming system(s) and/or method(s) of gaming are provided in which a plurality of symbols are selected from a set of symbols for play of the game. A display displays selected symbols at symbol positions in rows and columns. The symbols are rearranged so that at least one of selected symbols moves to a different symbol position. In an embodiment, a row of symbols may be rotated so that the row becomes a column. In another embodiment, a column of symbols may be rotated so that the symbols move to symbol positions in a row. A game outcome is based on patterns of the symbols in the row and column positions.

Abstract: A gaming system comprising: a display; a memory storing reel data defining a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a set of symbols in a symbol sequence; and a game controller arranged to: select symbols from the reel data for display at a plurality of display positions, the selection of at least two symbols of at least one reel being performed independently of the symbol sequence; display the selected symbols at respective separate display positions on the display; and control display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of the symbol sequence: after the reel is stopped, the at least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective display positions; and during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol sequence relative to the display positions.

Abstract: An approach to monitoring, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or conditioning of animals such as horses does not require use of restrictive equipment such as treadmills or force plates and that can provide either or both of more or less immediate or continuous processing of data to perform the monitoring or diagnosis. One or more wireless sensors are attached to the animal, for example, to measure motion-related parameter associated with one or more parts of the animal. Sensor data is received from the sensors and processed to identify a characteristic of the motion of the animal, such as a quality of gait. The sensor data can also be used to avoid injury to the animal and/or the rider, and to verify the identity of an animal.

Abstract: A plurality of components of a storage area network is grouped into a plurality of component groups, wherein a component group includes one or more of the plurality of components of the storage area network. A group relationship data structure provides relationships among one or more of the plurality of component groups, wherein a relationship indicates a supported configuration of the storage area network.

Abstract: An approach to monitoring, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or conditioning of animals such as horses does not require use of restrictive equipment such as treadmills or force plates and that can provide either or both of more or less immediate or continuous processing of data to perform the monitoring or diagnosis. One or more wireless sensors are attached to the animal, for example, to measure motion-related parameter associated with one or more parts of the animal. Sensor data is received from the sensors and processed to identify a characteristic of the motion of the animal, such as a quality of gait. The sensor data can also be used to avoid injury to the animal and/or the rider, and to verify the identity of an animal.

Abstract: Included herein is a service outsourcing system for providing at least one purchaser with concrete. The system may include at least one central server comprising at least one central database and an interactive electronic ordering guide configured to allow the purchaser to place at least one concrete order. The concrete order may include a job site location. The outsourcing system may be configured to receive at least one concrete order and provide the purchaser with the ability to select at least one selected concrete supplier from at least one potential concrete supplier. In addition, the service outsourcing system is further configured to access the at least one central database. Finally, the service outsourcing system may be further configured to outsource the concrete order with the selected concrete supplier.

Abstract: Included are methods for providing concrete to at least one purchaser. The method may include securing at least one outsourcing agreement with at least one concrete supplier, and providing at least one order menu screen through computer logic. The order menu screen may be configured to receive at least one concrete order, and the concrete order may include order data. Also included in the methods are receiving the concrete order, displaying at least one potential concrete supplier based on the order data, receiving data indicating at least one selected concrete supplier, and outsourcing the concrete order to the selected concrete supplier.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner raceway fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. A backing ring is centered to the shaft fillet. An annular wear ring is positioned between the inner race and the backing ring. An improved lubricant seal arrangement is provided between the wear ring and the supporting outer raceway.

Abstract: A method and a system for identifying a copy of an image sequence which is presented on a screen. At least one identifier distinct from the image sequence can be projected through the screen such that the identifier is displayed using visible light along with the image sequence. The identifier can be presented at periodic intervals and can define a theater location, a date and/or a time. A color and/or an illumination of at least a portion of the image sequence presentation can be measured. Based on the measured illumination and/or color, a projection brightness and/or color can be determined for the identifier. Also, a location on the screen through which the identifier should be projected can be determined.

Abstract: The invention classifies volumes (e.g., file systems or LUNs) of a data storage system according to application requirements and allocates space for the volumes on storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives) accordingly. A person such as an IT administrator configures the volumes specifying size, type (e.g., file system or SAN LUN), and priority (e.g., high, medium, low, or archive). The host schedules I/O requests to the storage devices in priority queues using the volume definition to match the application requirements and reduce storage seek time between volumes of different priorities. The host also allocates high performance bands of the storage devices to high performance applications and lower performance bands to lower performance applications. In this manner, the data storage system places data on the band of the storage device that best supports its performance needs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to write operations in data storage systems. In an embodiment, the invention relates to a method of writing data across a plurality of disk arrays, including writing a first copy of the data as a first plurality of stripes corresponding to the plurality of disk arrays and writing a second copy of the data as a second plurality of stripes corresponding to the plurality of disk arrays, wherein the second copy of the data is staggered with respect to the first copy on the plurality of disk arrays.

Abstract: A process for heating a powder material by microwave radiation so that heating of the powder material is selective and sufficient to cause complete melting of the particles. The process entails providing a mass of powder comprising a quantity of filler particles of a metallic composition, and subjecting the mass to microwave radiation so that the filler particles within the mass couple with the microwave radiation and are completely melted. According to one aspect, the mass further contains at least one constituent that is more highly susceptible to microwave radiation than the filler particles, and the filler particles are melted as a result of heating by microwave radiation and thermal contact with the at least one constituent. According to another aspect, the powder mass is thermally pretreated to induce an irreversible increase in its dielectric loss factor prior to melting by microwave irradiation.

Abstract: A method for the subsurface application of fertilizers, biologicals, fumigants, non-fumigant pesticides or other chemicals to soil with reduced application rates. Discrete amounts of the materials are injected into the soil at numerous sites along a path during a pass through the soil. At the injection sites, the materials form diffusion patterns which may touch or overlapping with diffusion patterns of adjacent soil injections. The application of materials to soil in this manner maintains optimum efficacy with the use of the least amount of materials necessary per acre of soil.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for introducing a discrete, predetermined amount of material into soil at a plurality of predetermined points in the soil which includes a container for holding the material to be introduced into the soil, and tubing in fluid communication with the container at a first end thereof At least one electrically controlled injector is provided in fluid communication with a second end of said tubing. Also, at least one shank is provided, which includes a base, and an injector mounting member attached to a surface of the base that is adapted for detachably mounting the electrically controlled injector onto the base. In addition, a controller is provided for activating the electrically controlled injector to introduce the material into the soil. Accordingly, enhanced control of the injection of the material into soil is achieved, and maintenance can be performed easily.

Abstract: Computerized method and system for graphically identifying replacement parts for selected equipment and a selected system thereof is provided. The method allows to provide a database comprising detailed parts data about the replacement parts for each assembly of the selected equipment, with the detailed data identifying each part in a selected assembly by providing a series of linked schematic representations of the selected assembly and any subassemblies thereof and respective parts. The method further allows to provide a respective identifier for uniquely identifying the selected equipment. An input/output device for communicating with the database is provided.