Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value during bonus game play, entry for which occurs during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment has steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward subsequent players, such that the bonus value paid by the house is constant and the house advantage is fixed regardless of player proficiency in the bonus game. The bonus games include knowledge-based playing. The knowledge-based bonus game includes a player answering, selecting, or guessing the proper responses to questions. The answering, selecting, or guessing has the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme or varying difficulty. The knowledge-based playing has the step of asking the player questions the bonus value of which is measured against survey responses.

Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value is used to pay during play of a bonus game. Entry of the bonus game is achieved during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment includes steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward the player or subsequent players. The awarding step is based on bonus games including the step of knowledge-based playing. The awarding step of the knowledge-based bonus game includes the step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing the appropriate responses to questions. The step of knowledge-based playing includes the step of selecting or guessing the appropriate answers to multiple choice questions. The step of knowledge-based playing by answering, selecting or guessing includes the step of challenging the player with questions having a common theme.

Abstract: A simplified, high-strength fastening device for securing fixtures, other objects, structural components, or members for use in “blind hole,” inaccessible applications, particularly overhead or ceiling installations or wall portions having at least one concealed side. The fastening device can be installed easily, can be removed easily and used repeatedly, and can present a maximum bearing surface for engagement with the securing member for distributing an attached load evenly and uniformly upon said member. The fastening device has two parts: (1) a specially shaped nut comprising the actual fastener, and (2) a plate attached hingedly to the nut that provides the means for inserting the nut through a blind hole and for urging it into operational position. The nut has a threaded bore located approximately at its center to receive a fastening commercially produced bolt of appropriate size and kind.

Abstract: A portable grill easily carried as components, which may be stacked as generally flat parts, to be carried in a compact container, and may be easily assembled without tools and used in various modes. Upper and lower reflectors which are flat rectangular parts when disassembled, are flexed and held in arcuate shapes upon assembly, to form the cooker lid and body, respectively, by rods that engage the edges of the reflectors and mount in holes in the legs. After use, the cooker may be disassembled and transported again. By installing, removing and substituting various parts, the cooking unit may be used as, for example, a grill, a baker, a boiler, a smoker, a steamer, a deep fryer and the like. Provision is made for propane as well as charcoal, wood and other consumable fuels.

Abstract: A non-blocking broad band asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch having a plurality of ports is adapted to provide a switching function for narrow band traffic by means of adaptive virtual junctors attached to the switch ports to provide ingress to and egress from the switch and each having means for assembly and disassembly of ATM payloads. Each adaptive virtual junctor has a virtual connection with every other adaptive virtual junctor, each said virtual connection comprising a number of virtual circuits. Control means associated with each said adaptive virtual junctor determine on a call by call basis the number of virtual circuits on each virtual connection associated with that adaptive virtual junctor. A semi-permanent pool of capacity may be provided by transmission adaptation devices associated with the adaptive virtual junctors.

Abstract: A single event upset (SEU) sensitivity control system (42) dynamically hardens a digital circuit (48) to single event upsets. The sensitivity control system (42) includes an upset rate sensor (66) for detecting a quantity of particles (38) that cause single event upsets. A noise margin control circuit (70) is configured to adjust a noise margin (46) of the digital circuit (48) in response to the quantity of particles (38). Noise margin (46) is increased when a particle density (34) is high to decrease the sensitivity of the digital circuit (48) to single event upsets. Additionally, noise margin (46) is decreased when a particle density (36) is low to decrease the power consumption level of digital circuit (48).

Abstract: A multistationed integrated life safety system in which each station will be situated at a diffferent location and have complete capabilities in terms of local fire protection, fire detection, control and/or monitoring and controlling the security of an area. Each station communicates with four adjacent stations so that when an event occurs at one station, that station is programmed to cause that information or that new status to be transmitted to each of the four adjacent stations. Thus, each station will be interconnected or networked to four other stations to provide multiple location control and annunciation so that each station may act independently.