Abstract: A method for operating a game of chance comprises the steps: initiating a base game by a player; triggering a feature mode from the base game upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein a first number of feature games are provided in the feature mode; playing the feature games in the feature mode, wherein each of the feature games has an opportunity to win a progressive award; and returning to the base game upon the termination of the feature games.

Abstract: In a system having a page server for transmitting pages upon request and a page client (or “web browser”) for requesting pages and presenting those pages to an operator, the page client dynamically identifies links subsequent to the loaded page and preloads pages identified by those links for subsequent presentation to the operator, so that the preloaded pages are preloaded dynamically in response to operator selections and are available for presentation to the operator when ultimately selected.

Abstract: A toe-kick saw including a rear or front toe-kick wall guide. The toe-kick saw includes a motor contained within said housing, a spindle on the motor, a spindle extension linked to the spindle, a blade mount secured to the spindle extension and a fixed blade guard secured at the end of the spindle extension. The fixed blade guard includes features to enhance safety during tool misuse, such as a rear toe space bumper, a front toe space bumper, primary and secondary blade guards, and a rearward leaning spike. The larger fixed blade guard allows use of a dust port on this tool.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for inhibiting prebiotic effect of food proteins on the oral bacteria microflora of carnivorous domestic animals, said method consisting in administering to the carnivorous domestic animal an inhibitor of said prebiotic effect, said inhibitor comprising a water-soluble food phosphate. The inhibitor may be administered alone or via a food or a formulation veterinary or not.

Abstract: A laser-emitting device may be coupled to an electro-optically controlled wavelength actuator. An electro-optically controlled wavelength actuator may be a holographic wavelength actuator or a liquid crystal wavelength actuator. The electro-optically controlled wavelength actuator may function as a tunable diffraction grating for external cavity lasers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing different levels of liquids in their respective containers in a liquid-consuming and/or producing instrument system. According to a preferred embodiment, an elongated liquid-sensing probe having axially spaced electrodes adapted to sense liquid at multiple levels is arranged in each container of liquid. A controller, e.g. a suitably programmed microprocessor, operates to selectively poll different pairs of electrodes carried by the probe to determine whether or not the polled electrode pairs are immersed in the contained liquid. Preferably, the polling circuit comprises an electronically-controlled resistor that serves to normalize the level-sensing output signal for liquids of different bulk resistivity.

Abstract: A rolling tool case for holding and transporting a tool. The case includes two sections which are joined to enclose the tool body in an interior cavity. The handle of the tool extends through an opening hole in the top of the case. The tool's handle may be gripped to roll the tool over a surface, reducing the needed size of the tool case. Wheels on the bottom of one of the two sections allow the case to roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling pipe sections, preferably for use with a drilling head. The apparatus includes a storage bin defining a substantially fixed bin dispensing position, a transfer device for individually transferring a pipe section between the bin dispensing position and a pipe transfer position, and a handling device for individually moving the pipe section between the pipe transfer position and a drilling head interface position. The method includes presenting a pipe section to the bin dispensing position, moving the transfer device to the bin dispensing position to engage the pipe section at the bin dispensing position, transferring the pipe section with the transfer device from the bin dispensing position to the pipe transfer position, engaging the pipe section with the handling device at the pipe transfer position, and moving the pipe section with the handling device from the pipe transfer position to the drilling head interface position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing different levels of liquids in their respective containers in a liquid-consuming and/or producing instrument system. According to a preferred embodiment, an elongated liquid-sensing probe having axially spaced electrodes adapted to sense liquid at multiple levels is arranged in each container of liquid. A controller, e.g. a suitably programmed microprocessor, operates to selectively poll different pairs of electrodes carried by the probe to determine whether or not the polled electrode pairs are immersed in the contained liquid. Preferably, the polling circuit comprises an electronically-controlled resistor that serves to normalize the level-sensing output signal for liquids of different bulk resistivity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimally invasive replacement of a valve. The system includes a collapsible valve and anchoring structure, devices and methods for expanding the valve anchoring structure, adhesive means to seal the valve to the surrounding tissue, a catheter-based valve sizing and delivery system, native valve removal means, and a temporary valve and filter assembly to facilitate removal of debris material. The valve assembly comprises a valve and anchoring structure for the valve, dimensioned to fit substantially within the valve sinus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for dispensing multimedia content. The invention discloses a network kiosk configured to receive multimedia materials from a variety of sources that may be stored, combined and recorded on mass storage devices such as solid state memory, multimedia players and rewriteable optical storage devices including rewriteable Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) and rewriteable Compact Discs (CDs). Users may select material for purchase or rent at the kiosk or through external wired and wireless computing devices such as computers, cellular telephones, personal data assistants (PDAs), multimedia players.

Abstract: A system and method are described for transfer of data between a memory location and a portable storage, such as an optical disk, at high efficiency data transfer rates. Such transfer rates allow for quick download of large data files containing multimedia data onto an optical storage medium, including handling multiple streams of data simultaneous, wherein the system is capable of adjusting to a failure in the component handling the transfer of the data onto the optical storage medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for dynamic preloading of web pages. In a system having a page server for transmitting pages upon request and a page client (or “web browser”) for requesting pages and presenting those pages to an operator, the page client dynamically identifies links subsequent to the loaded page and preloads pages identified by those links for subsequent presentation to the operator, so that the preloaded pages are preloaded dynamically in response to operator selections and are available for presentation to the operator when ultimately selected.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrical contact capable of mating with an electrical connector. The electrical contact has an intermediate contact having a flexible connection medium, and an outer contact surrounding the intermediate contact. The electrical contact also has a first insulator surrounding the intermediate contact and the flexible connection medium. The first insulator provides electrical isolation of the intermediate contact from the outer contact. The front insulator also has a front face that protects the flexible connection medium from being distorted by an electrical connector. The outer contact surrounds the first insulator, and a center contact is surrounded by the intermediate contact. The front face may have a flange that isolates a front portion of the flexible connection medium from the mating connector.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies are encapsulated using disposable frames. The microelectronic assemblies are disposed within an aperture defined by a frame. The aperture is covered by top and bottom sealing layers so that the frame and sealing layers define an enclosed space encompassing the assemblies. The encapsulant is injected into this closed space. The frame is then separated from the encapsulation fixture and held in a curing oven. After cure, the frame is cut apart and the individual assemblies are severed from one another. Because the frame need not be held in the encapsulation fixture during curing, the process achieves a high throughput.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for dynamic downloading of hypertext electronic mail messages. The system includes a mail server for receiving electronic mail messages and their headers, and a mail client for downloading electronic mail messages and their headers from the mail receiver and presenting downloaded electronic mail messages and headers to an operator. The mail client dynamically downloads and presents electronic mail messages responsive to interactive instructions from an operator, preloads and stores electronic mail messages for subsequent presentation to the operator, and organizes electronic mail messages in hypertext sections for selection by and presentation to the operator.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies are encapsulated using disposable frames. The microelectronic assemblies are disposed within an aperture defined by a frame. The aperture is covered by top and bottom sealing layers so that the frame and sealing layers define an enclosed space encompassing the assemblies. The encapsulant is injected into this closed space. The frame is then separated from the encapsulation fixture and held in a curing oven. After cure, the frame is cut apart and the individual assemblies are severed from one another. Because the frame need not be held in the encapsulation fixture during curing, the process achieves a high throughput.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies are encapsulated using disposable frames. The microelectronic assemblies are disposed within an aperture defined by a frame. The aperture is covered by top and bottom sealing layers so that the frame and sealing layers define an enclosed space encompassing the assemblies. The encapsulant is injected into this closed space. The frame is then separated from the encapsulation fixture and held in a curing oven. After cure, the frame is cut apart and the individual assemblies are severed from one another. Because the frame need not be held in the encapsulation fixture during curing, the process achieves a high throughput.

Abstract: A lamination machine includes means for using gas pressure to bring a coverlay and a microelectronic package into intimate contact and means for heating a coverlay adhesive in order to seal the coverlay to the package. A method of laminating a coverlay to a microelectronic package using the lamination machine includes using gas pressure to bring a coverlay into intimate contact with a microelectronic package. The method also includes heating an adhesive on the coverlay in order to adhere the coverlay to the package. Once the coverlay is laminated to the package, the package can be encapsulated with a curable encapsulant composition. The method may also include decreasing the pressure in the chamber disposed above the package to reduce voids and bubble and/or regulating the pressure in a bladder disposed in a chamber below the package.

Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike body having a plurality of active contacts arranged in a regular grid pattern. The active contacts may include several sheetlike metallic projections extending inwardly around a hole in the sheetlike element, on a first major surface of the sheetlike element. A support structure such as a grid array of noncollapsing structural posts is on a second major surface of the sheetlike element, and each of the posts is electrically connected to one of the active contacts. The grid array of posts and the grid array of active contacts are offset from one another so that an active contact is surrounded by several posts. The posts support the sheetlike element spaced away from a substrate to which the posts are attached. A microelectronic element having bump leads thereon may be engaged by contacting the bump leads with the active contacts, and deflecting the sheetlike element between the bump leads on one side and the posts on the other side.