Abstract: A thermal system for controllably altering a temperature within a reaction chamber in a sample processing assembly is described. The reaction chamber is bounded by a substrate and cover member in the sample processing assembly. The thermal system includes at least one thermal generator for generating temperature changes, one or more transfer layers for transferring temperature changes between the thermal generator and the sample on the substrate and a fluid isolator for isolating the thermal generator from fluid dispensed into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a plurality of games of chance. The gaming system includes a primary game display area and a secondary game display area. The plurality of games includes at least a plurality of electronic table games including two or more electronic table games from a group of table games including, craps, baccarat, roulette, blackjack, three-card poker, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud and big 6 wheel. The processing of the two or more electronic table games includes a separate and discrete game state engine for each of the two or more electronic table games. High hold percentage side bets are offered to increase the hold percentage of at least one table game and the overall hold percentage of the gaming system.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a plurality of games of chance. The gaming system includes a primary game display and a secondary game display. The plurality of games includes at least a plurality of electronic table games including two or more electronic table games from a group of table games including, craps, baccarat, roulette, or blackjack. The processing of the two or more electronic table games includes a separate and discrete game state engine for each of the two or more electronic table games.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a plurality of games of chance. The gaming system includes a primary game display and a secondary game display. The plurality of games includes at least a plurality of electronic table games including two or more electronic table games from a group of table games including, craps, baccarat, roulette, or blackjack. The processing of the two or more electronic table games includes a separate and discrete game state engine for each of the two or more electronic table games.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. One version of the system and method is facilitated by a slot-based primary game incorporating certain pre-established symbols (e.g., dice) that diminish (or increase) health values of the prize blocks.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. One version of the system and method is facilitated by a slot-based primary game incorporating certain pre-established symbols (e.g., dice) that diminish (or increase) health values of the prize blocks.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. One version of the system and method is facilitated by a slot-based primary game incorporating certain pre-established symbols (e.g., dice) that diminish (or increase) health values of the prize blocks.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed that enables defect margining during disk drive burn-in testing. The disk drive comprises: a disk comprising a plurality of tracks; a head actuated over the disk; and a processor. The processor is configured to: perform disk drive burn-in testing to detect media defects; generate an initial defect list based upon detected media defects for sectors; generate an extended defect list that includes detected media defects and extended defect margins from the detected media defects; and utilize the extended defect list for burn-in, wherein a spare area of the disk allows for the detected media defects and the extended defect margins.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user-dependent message relating to a personalized item, wherein the personalized item carries on a surface a personalized optical code that encodes user-dependent information. The method comprises: using an optical device to read the personalized optical code; using the isolated personalized optical code to determine user-dependent content relating to the item; and displaying at the telecommunications device the user-dependent content. In an embodiment, the personalized item is a gaming ticket, such as a lottery ticket, that carries on a surface an optical code that encodes a choice or choices made by the user participating in the game and the user-dependent content relating to the item identifies whether the personalized item is a winning gaming ticket.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the problems in the existing art described above by providing an online digital video signal transfer apparatus and method. Rental of the digital video signals occurs within an online environment including one or more client computers and at least one network server connected by a communications link to the one or more client computers. The method includes providing access to an online catalog stored within a memory of a network video server computer. The online catalog includes information regarding digital video signals available for rental from the network server computer. Requests are then received from client computers for rental of digital video signals selected from the online catalog for a specified period of time. The requests include electronic payment based on the selected digital video signal and the specified period of time. Once electronic payment is provided, the digital video signal is transmitted to the client computer via communications link.

Abstract: A remote surveillance and conferencing system includes video transceivers and provides audiovisual communications over a standard Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The system provides capabilities for closed circuit television (CCTV) applications, security systems, video conferencing, remote video surveillance, home automation and fire control, all in one, without requiring a use of computer. Each video transceiver includes a dedicated keypad which allows users to use the system without a telephone. Keypad controllers available to some of the video transceivers provide a capability to remotely control the system.

Abstract: A data demodulator operating to recover symbols from a data signal including, an estimator, coupled to the data signal, for estimating a reference parameter, and a decision function that is responsive to the reference parameter and the data signal, for selecting a symbol for a symbol time from a set of predetermined symbols where the symbol is coupled to the estimator for updating the reference parameter when the symbol is representative of the reference parameter.