Abstract: A multi-property comp bank allows comp points to be earned and redeemed in an aggregated manner at a plurality of affiliated casino properties. The comp bank includes a first bank account of comp points for each casino patron having a balance that is visible to the patron, accessible by the patron, and directly redeemable by the patron, and a second bank account of comp points having a balance that is invisible to the patron, accessible only by authorized casino employees, and redeemable on a discretionary basis only by authorized casino employees. Each award of comp points is apportioned between the patron's first and second bank accounts according to a predetermined ratio. The comp points in the first bank account can be aggregated across properties and redeemed at any property, whereas the comp points in the second bank account can be redeemed only at the property where they were earned.

Abstract: A process fluid pressure transmitter has a remote pressure sensor. The transmitter includes an electronics housing and a loop communicator disposed in the electronics housing and being configured to communicate in accordance with a process communication protocol. A controller is disposed within the electronics housing and is coupled to the loop communicator. Sensor measurement circuitry is disposed within the electronics housing and is coupled to the controller. A remote pressure sensor housing is configured to couple directly to a process and is spaced from the electronics housing. A pressure sensor is disposed within the remote pressure sensor housing. The pressure sensor forms at least one electrical component having an electrical characteristic that varies with process fluid pressure. Portions of the electrical component are coupled directly to a multiconductor cable that operably connects the pressure sensor to the sensor measurement circuitry.

Abstract: A power supply includes a forward converter having a first transformer coupled to an input of the power supply and to a first voltage output. The power supply also includes a separate flyback converter having a second transformer that is coupled to the input and to a second voltage output. A clamp reset circuit is coupled to the first transformer and to the second transformer. The clamp reset circuit includes a capacitor and a voltage limiting element. The voltage limiting element is coupled to prevent energy received at the capacitor from both the power converters from exceeding a threshold. The voltage limiting element limits a voltage on the capacitor.

Abstract: A duplicate address discovery process detects duplicate MAC addresses or duplicate unique port identifiers within the network, alerts attached devices of the duplicates, and takes action to avoid data corruption that might be caused by such duplicate addresses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an allograft intervertebral implant sized and configured for insertion between adjacent vertebral bodies in a spinal fusion surgery. The implant is preferably manufactured from two or more pieces of allograft bone joined together by a joint, more preferably a dovetail joint. The dovetail joint being sized and configured to substantially follow the exterior shape or surface of the intervertebral implant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.

Abstract: A method and a composition for delivery of a biomaterial to an animal cell or a tissue, the composition includes (a) a biomaterial; (b) a biodegradable cross-linker portion having a hydrolyzable bond, wherein the biodegradable cross-linker portion is covalently bound to the biomaterial; and (c) a substrate, wherein the substrate is covalently bound to the biodegradable cross-linker portion, provided that the biodegradable cross-linker is adapted to hydrolyze by breaking the hydrolyzable bond and thereby release and deliver the biomaterial. A process of making the composition is also provided.

Abstract: Described is a method for operating a power semiconductor component. A power amplifier provided with a programmable logic is assigned to this power semiconductor component. In at least one embodiment, control signals for the power semiconductor component are transmitted to the power amplifier. The power semiconductor component is influenced by the power amplifier in dependence on these control signals. The type and manner in which the power semiconductor component is influenced is determined by the programming of the logic. The power amplifier can be sent programming signals which are then processed by a processor of the power amplifier. The programming of the logic is changed by the processor in dependence on the programming signals.

Abstract: A cover for an inflatable modular structure is claimed. A plurality of covers fit on the core of an inflatable module. An inflatable shell is attached to the core enclosing the covers and the core. In the pre-deployed configuration, the inflatable shell is folded over the covers and the covers provide a measure of protection for the shell. In the deployed state, the inflatable shell is filled with air and expands to its deployed configuration. The covers can be removed from core and attached to the inside of the shell. The covers then function as a platform to secure items in place.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and carrier are described for obtaining one or more positions in a playable message and at least an indication of a playback system configuration and signaling a decision of which supplemental content to use in supplementing the one or more positions in the playable message.

Abstract: An improved aluminum-boron carbide (ABC) composite has been discovered that is comprised of a continuous network of AlB24C4 and boron carbide grains having therein other isolated aluminum-boron carbide reactive phases and at most 2% by volume of isolated metal. The improved ABC composite may be formed by forming boron carbide particulates into a porous body that has a porosity of at most about 35%, where the boron particulates have been heat treated to a temperature of 1200° C. to 1800° C., infiltrating the porous body with aluminum or aluminum alloy until an infiltrated aluminum-boron carbide body is formed that has at most about 1% porosity, heat treating the infiltrated body for at least 25 hours at 1000° C. to 1100° C. to form an aluminum boron carbide composite having a continuous network of AlB24C4 and boron carbide, and subsequently heat-treating to 700° C. to 900° C. to form the improved aluminum boron carbide composite.

Abstract: A container for storage and shipping of objects includes a lid assembly having two configurations and an open-top box. In the first configuration the container can be loaded with objects for storage or collection while limiting physical and visual access to the contents of the box and in the second configuration, the container is sealed for shipping. The lid assembly contains side flaps which may be used to stabilize the lid assembly in the first configuration, and in the second configuration, secure the lid assembly to the open-top box. Preferably, the container is formed from one contiguous blank. The blank is preferably made of corrugated cardboard but may be formed from any substantially rigid material.

Abstract: An electronic device having an alterable configuration includes a non-volatile memory configurable to include at least a first partition and a second partition, the non-volatile memory storing a boot ROM. The boot ROM is operable when executed by a processor of said electronic device to, in the event that a third partition is available, boot an operating system in the third partition, the operating system operable when booted to cause the third partition to be deleted and the second partition to be expanded to encompass memory freed by the deletion; and otherwise boot an operating system in the first partition.

Abstract: An indicating device suitable for indicating the number of dosages of a substance that have been dispensed from or remain in a container includes at least one first indicator member incrementally moveable to a plurality of positions and a second indicator member moveable in response to a predetermined number of movements of the at least one first indicator member. The at least one first indicator member includes primary dosage indicia adapted to indicate the number of dosages of substance that have been dispensed from or remain in the container. The second indicator member includes secondary dosage indicia adapted to indicate that less than a minimum predetermined number of dosages of substance remain in the container. In one preferred embodiment, the primary dosage indicia are configured as numerical indicia and the secondary dosage indicia are configured as color indicia.

Abstract: A connector to connect a pair of components of a building and transfer a load from one to the other. The connector comprising a pair of members, each to be connected to a respective one of the components, and an adjustable abutment acting between the members to inhibit relative movement between the members in one direction. The ratchet mechanism acting between the members to permit movement in the one direction and to inhibit relative movement in an opposite direction, whereby adjustment of the abutment to cause relative movements in the one direction is accommodated by the ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneously operating the horn and light systems of a motorized vehicle is provided. The controller used to operate the systems can be a single controller that operates the horn when a certain range of pressure is applied to the controller and operates the horn and lights systems when a stronger pressure is applied. The system can include a dedicated horn operating system controller independent of the dual function controller to eliminate the need for differing pressures to operate the horn and light systems substantially simultaneously. Also disclosed are apparatuses and methods to coordinate a vehicle braking system with the vehicle horn and light systems to improve the reception of safety and/or emergency warnings.

Abstract: A process for removing water and solutes from the lumens of green wood, while leaving the cell walls throughout the wood uniformly fully swollen, comprises subjecting the green wood to supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of extracting and recovering embryonic-like stem cells, including, but not limited to pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, from an exsanguinated human placenta. A placenta is treated to remove residual umbilical cord blood by perfusing an exsanguinated placenta, preferably with an anticoagulant solution, to flush out residual cells. The residual cells and perfusion liquid from the exsanguinated placenta are collected, and the embryonic-like stem cells are separated from the residual cells and perfusion liquid. The invention also provides a method of utilizing the isolated and perfused placenta as a bioreactor in which to propagate endogenous cells, including, but not limited to, embryonic-like stem cells. The invention also provides methods for propagation of exogenous cells in a placental bioreactor and collecting the propagated exogenous cells and bioactive molecules therefrom.