Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method capable of providing an estimated premium without extensive and repetitive questioning. The present invention utilizes unique assumptions to dramatically reduce the amount of information that must be provided by the customer. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a mainframe computer system, an application server, and an external rules management system to interact with the customer via an attractive graphic user interface. Once logged onto the website of the present invention, the customer may choose to engage in a fast quote process which utilizes assumptions, driver information, and vehicle information to assess the risk associated with insuring the customer and then calculates an estimated cost to insure.

Abstract: A final drive assembly is used to support a track chain on a track type machine. The final drive assembly includes a sprocket hub mounted for rotation on a fixed hub. A seal is positioned between the fixed hub and the sprocket hub. The fixed hub and the sprocket hub define a seal protection passageway that extends between an outer surface and the seal. The seal protection passageway includes a labyrinth located between an annular attachment flange and the seal along a rotation axis of the sprocket hub. The outer surface includes a valley between a sprocket mount of the sprocket hub and a machine mount of the fixed hub. The seal protection passageway opens at a greater radius than a minimum radius of the valley.

Abstract: Electrical supply apparatus (201) for providing electrical power to a first type of socket and a second type of socket (410). The apparatus comprises an electrical power source (420) for providing electrical power, a first mains circuit (204) for conveying electrical power to the first type of socket, a second mains circuit (208) for conveying electrical power to the second type of socket, and a control unit (210) configured to interrupt the supply of electrical power through the second mains circuit, and thus to the second type of socket. The interruption of electrical power through the second mains circuit does not interrupt the supply of electrical power to the first type of socket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a refractory metal-intermetallic composite. The method includes providing a first powder comprising a refractory metal suitable for forming a metal phase; providing a second powder comprising a silicide precursor suitable for forming an intermetallic phase; blending the first powder and the second powder to form a powder blend; consolidating and mechanically deforming the powder blend at a first temperature; and reacting the powder blend at a second temperature to form the metal phase and the intermetallic phase of the refractory metal-intermetallic composite, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a sealed fuel system and a controller. The fuel system includes a fuel tank, a fuel cap, a control orifice, and an absolute pressure sensor. The controller associates a threshold large leak in the fuel system with a fuel cap sealing error. The controller detects completion of a prior refueling event, compares measurements from the pressure sensor to a reference vacuum across the control orifice to determine the presence of the threshold large leak, and sets a diagnostic code corresponding to the large leak only upon completion of the prior refueling event. A method for detecting the large leak includes detecting completion of the refueling event, comparing vacuum measurements from the absolute pressure sensor to a reference vacuum across the orifice to determine the presence of the large leak, and setting a diagnostic code corresponding to the large leak only upon completion of the prior refueling event.

Abstract: A fuel system diagnostic wakeup system for a vehicle includes a first control module. The first control module generates a wakeup request, powers off when the vehicle powers off, and powers on and performs a fuel system diagnostic in response to a wakeup signal while the vehicle is powered off. A second control module independent of the first control module receives the wakeup request and generates the wakeup signal after the vehicle powers off based on the wakeup request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for identifying and tracking gaming objects and game states on a gaming table. Through the use of imaging devices and identity and positioning modules gaming objects are detected. An identity and positioning module identifies the value and position of cards on the gaming table. An intelligent position analysis and tracking (IPAT) module performs analysis of the identity and position data of cards and interprets them intelligently for the purpose of tracking game events, game states and general game progression. As a game progresses it changes states. A game tracking module processes data from the IPAT module and keeps track of game events and game states. Ambiguity resolution mechanisms such as backward tracking, forward tracking and multiple state tracking may be used in the process of game tracking. All events on the gaming table are recorded and stored on video and as data for reporting and analysis.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a sealed fuel system having a fuel tank, a canister for storing fuel vapor, a vapor circuit external to the fuel tank, and a control valve. The vapor circuit includes an absolute pressure sensor and a switching valve connecting the fuel tank to the control valve. A controller evaluates or diagnoses a vapor purge function of the sealed fuel system using vacuum measurements from the absolute pressure sensor, executing or diagnosing only when the engine is running, purge is enabled, and the pump is off. The controller diagnoses the vapor purge function by comparing the vacuum measurements to a threshold vacuum. An apparatus includes the vapor circuit and controller. A method for diagnosing the vapor purge function includes actuating the switching valve, measuring a vacuum in the system using the absolute pressure sensor, and comparing the measured vacuum to a threshold vacuum.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method are disclosed. A selected symbol is displayed in a non-revealed manner, for example on a display, a player having nominated at least one characteristic of the symbol. If the selected symbol is revealed to have the nominated characteristic a prize is awarded to the player, and if the symbol is revealed to be a special symbol a game controller awards the player a feature outcome that comprises a plurality of bonus plays of a feature game that includes at least one special symbol. Progression to the next bonus play in the plurality of bonus plays is dependent on selection of the special symbol.

Abstract: A process for fracturing a selected region of a formation including: introducing a supply of fracturing fluid to the region of the formation until a first threshold is reached, adjusting the flow of the fracturing fluid to the region of the formation to reach a second threshold, adjusting the flow of the fracturing fluid to the region of the formation to reach a third threshold and ceasing flow of the fracturing fluid to region of the formation, the fracturing fluid being a non-participating gas and including a proppant in at least one of the stages of flow of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently implementing signal processing cores as application specific processors. A signal processing core, such as a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) core or a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) core includes a data path and a control path. A control path is implemented using processor components to increase resource efficiency. Both the data path and the control path can be implemented using function units that are selected, parameterized, and interconnected. A variety of signal processing algorithms can be implemented on the same application specific processor.

Abstract: A restriction diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a pressure difference module and a diagnostic module. The pressure difference module determines a pressure difference between an ambient air pressure and a filtered air pressure measured at a location between an air filter and a valve that is selectively opened to enable ambient airflow through the air filter to a fuel vapor canister. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses restriction of the airflow through the air filter when the pressure difference is greater than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A laser imaging system and method of projecting a laser template on a surface, including independently determining a position and orientation of the surface using an external metrology device, independently determining a position and orientation of a laser projector using the metrology device, generating a signal from the metrology device to a computer and orienting the laser projector relative to the surface to project a laser template. The apparatus includes a plurality of metrology transmitters at fixed locations, a plurality of metrology receivers at fixed locations relative to the surface and a plurality of metrology receivers at fixed locations relative to either the laser projector or laser targets within a field of view of the laser projector. A laser projector and frame assembly is also disclosed, wherein the metrology receivers are located on the frame and the frame includes laser targets for correcting laser drift.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a stream of data values from a data medium, wherein the received data values correspond to ideal values but may include added noise that is dependent on previous noise and dependent on data on the data medium, said ideal values being determined by possible values of data on the medium, and for outputting information specifying a sequence of states corresponding to the stream of received data values, said sequence of states corresponding to possible data values on the medium, the apparatus comprising: a first detector, for calculating state sequence likelihood information based on a first noise model and received data values, and for providing said state sequence likelihood information to a second detector; a second detector for calculating weighting values indicating likelihoods that a data value received at a particular time corresponds to a particular state transition, using a second noise model, received data values, and state sequence likelihood information from the fi

Abstract: The casino table yield management data processing system has a minimum bet change recommendation generator receiving casino table occupancy and player betting data and generating recommendation data based on casino game operations model data and business rule data. A timing filter determines when recommendation data is to be presented to an operator. A quantification filter calculates revenue value data of implementing a minimum bet change and determining whether recommendation data is to be presented to an operator.

Abstract: An exercise system for simulating the motions involved in boarding sports such as surfing or snowboarding in a repetitive manner which allows for a cardiovascular, aerobic exercise that builds and tones the same muscles and reflexes used in boarding sports. The exercise system generally includes a frame including a first track and a second track. The first track is positioned parallel with the second track. A carriage assembly is slidably mounted on the first track and the second track such that the carriage assembly may freely slide back and forth along the tracks. The carriage assembly is adapted to tilt about a horizontal axis of rotation and swivel about a vertical axis of rotation. By sliding the carriage assembly along the tracks and utilizing the swiveling and tilting motions, the operator may simulate the motions and exercises encountered while enjoying boarding sports such as wakeboarding, snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding.

Abstract: Improved compositions are described for the protection of gas turbine parts at elevated temperatures. The compositions are of the MCrAlY type, wherein M is Nickel, or Nickel in combination with cobalt and/or iron. The compositions further comprise a lanthanide, a group 4 metal selected from hafnium, zirconium, titanium, or a combination of these, and optionally, a group 14 element selected from silicon and/or germanium. The combination results in improved Al retention properties. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising the coatings.

Abstract: A control module and method for operating the same includes a diurnal control valve module that opens a diurnal control valve (DCV) and an evaporative leak check module (ELCM) diverter valve control module that switches on an ELCM diverter valve. The control module includes a correlation module performs a correlation of a ELCM pressure signal and a fuel tank pressure signal and that generates a fault signal in response to the correlation when the DCV valve is open and the ELCM diverter valve is on.

Abstract: A laser imaging system and method of projecting a laser template on a surface, including independently determining a position and orientation of the surface using an external metrology device, independently determining a position and orientation of a laser projector using the metrology device, generating a signal from the metrology device to a computer and orienting the laser projector relative to the surface to project a laser template. The apparatus includes a plurality of metrology transmitters at fixed locations, a plurality of metrology receivers at fixed locations relative to the surface and a plurality of metrology receivers at fixed locations relative to either the laser projector or laser targets within a field of view of the laser projector. A laser projector and frame assembly is also disclosed, wherein the metrology receivers are located on the frame and the frame includes laser targets for correcting laser drift.

Abstract: This rotary engine configuration combines the four cycles required to produce power, thrust, exhaust, intake, and compression which are merged into a single cycle per revolution. Most conventional engine designs need two revolutions. This requires the mechanical functions to produce power simultaneously; consequently, the parts are performing several functions at the same time. So, only very few parts are needed. The rotor is the big worker. Combustion turns the rotor power cog one way, while the exhaust gases go the opposite way to escape through an opening directly behind the power cog, into the open air. In this concept, where many power generating functions are going on at the same time, only one moving assembly is needed. Fewer parts used translate into the many benefits described in the claims. The fact that 345 degrees pressure differential are being applied to the power cog is doing work. This work produced during the 345 degrees maximizes more fuel economy compared to conventional engines.