Abstract: A control mechanism is provided for a jet propelled watercraft that enables an operator to engage and disengage a braking gate with hand pressure using a lever on the handlebar of the watercraft. Hydrodynamic assist devices are provided to assist the operator during the engagement and disengagement of the brake by counteracting both rejecting forces and retaining forces exerted on the gate by the stream of water ejected from the nozzle of the jet propulsion device. During initial insertion of the gate into the stream of water, a first hydrodynamic assist device counteracts the rejection forces otherwise exerted by the stream of water against a deflecting surface of the gate. After full deployment of the gate within the stream of water, a second hydrodynamic assist device opposes the retaining forces exerted on the gate and reduce the magnitude of the force necessary to be exerted by the operator to move the gate out of the stream of water and disengage the brake.

Abstract: A vertical trim system for a marine inboard-outboard outdrive includes a transom plate defining an opening therethrough and having first and second sides, the first side adapted to be mounted to a boat transom. At least one arm includes first and second ends, the first end being pivotally coupled to the second side of the transom plate, such that the arm pivots about a horizontal axis. The second end of the arm is adapted to be pivotally coupled to a gimbal ring of an outdrive.

Abstract: A steering cylinder mounting assembly includes a cylinder housing having a longitudinal opening formed therethrough, a groove formed along a longitudinal face of the cylinder housing, a protruding rib formed at opposite longitudinal ends of the cylinder housing and formed spaced apart from and parallel to the groove, and a plurality of apertures formed in a surface of the cylinder housing opposing the groove and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing. A mounting bracket is selectively connected with the cylinder housing and positioned between the protruding ribs. The mounting bracket includes a tongue portion engageable with the groove of the cylinder housing, and a plurality of apertures formed therein transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing. Connecting members are aligned with the apertures of the cylinder housing and the mounting bracket for securing the cylinder housing to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An outboard motor having an oil pan positioned on the underside of the engine, and having an exhaust passage, a water supply passage for cooling water, and a wastewater passage extending down from the engine and passing near the oil pan. The exhaust passage, the water supply passage, and the wastewater passage are molded as a single unit with the oil pan, and provide a simple, lightweight structure that does not result in an increase in the number of parts or assembly man hours necessary for construction. The oil pan is protected from exhaust heat by the water passages, and a flush port to clean the cooling system is easily accessible.

Abstract: An exhaust timing control valve control arrangement is disclosed. The exhaust valve is positioned in an exhaust port of an engine and movable between a retracted position in which the exhaust flow timing is advanced, and an extended position into the port in which the exhaust flow timing is retarded. A control is provided for moving the valve in a cleaning operation after the engine is started and running above a predetermined low speed. The cleaning operation may additionally be performed when the engine is shut off.

Abstract: A muffler comprises a housing having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet. A first exhaust chamber is disposed concentrically within the housing and is connected with the exhaust inlet. The first exhaust chamber includes a plurality of openings through a first exhaust chamber wall for distributing exhaust gas radially outwardly therethrough. A second exhaust chamber is disposed concentrically around the first exhaust chamber and receives exhaust gas passed to it from the first exhaust chamber. The second exhaust chamber is defined along an outside diameter by a second exhaust chamber wall that comprises a plurality of openings therethrough for passing exhaust gas radially outwardly therefrom. The second exhaust chamber is in communication with the muffler outlet. A third exhaust chamber that is disposed concentrically around the second exhaust chamber for receiving exhaust gas from the second exhaust chamber. The third exhaust chamber is defined along an outside diameter by the muffler housing.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of four cycle outboard motors that have water cooled engines and an oil pan that is formed in the upper portion of the drive shaft housing. An exhaust pipe collects exhaust gases from an exhaust guide and delivers to a cavity that is formed in the oil pan by an interior wall thereof. The exhaust pipe does not terminate below the lower surface of the oil pan and several arrangements are disclosed for delivering idle exhaust gases to the area between the exterior of the exhaust pipe and the interior surface of the oil pan that defines the cavity. Various arrangements are disclosed for conveying idle exhaust gases to this area and discharging them to the atmosphere through and above the water exhaust gas discharge. These arrangements incorporate a system for precluding water from entering into the engine through its exhaust system including the idle discharge.

Abstract: A soft wakeboard for use behind watercraft, the wakeboard having a central torsion box with front and rear fin blocks, to secure front and rear fins thereto, and strengthened foam core blocks on either side to provide a foam core material. A closed-cell foam top skin layer and a smooth, polymer bottom skin layer are shaped and bonded to the contoured core material. Vertically extending fins are secured to the fin blocks and extend from the bottom skin layer.

Abstract: In a surfboard of the type including spaced-apart top and bottom surfaces and an elongated recess formed therebetween for removably anchoring the base of a surfboard fin therein, a shallow draft surfboard fin socket for location in the recess in bonded engagement therewith including an elongated housing including a narrow bottom wall, spaced-apart upstanding elongated side walls, and spaced-apart upstanding short front and rear end walls, all joined together along their intersecting marginal edges to form an elongated cavity configured to receive therein the base of the fin, a flange extending outward from the side and end walls for location between the top and bottom surfboard surfaces, the housing side and end walls extending above the flange a distance sufficient to locate the upper marginal edges of the walls above the bottom surface of the surfboard and, first and second recesses formed in the front and rear housing walls respectively, interior the cavity, for receipt therein of a protrusion, formed at t

Abstract: A surfboard fin quick release system, for use on a surfboard having a top surface and a fin having a tang, comprising a fin box submerged within the surfboard and a locking mechanism mounted to the fin tang. The fin box comprises a longitudinal channel having a vertical channel and a horizontal channel. The locking mechanism has a main shaft which extends vertically through the fin tang, a release handle fixed to the main shaft above the fin tang, and a locking base having a locking base flange, said locking base fixed to the main shaft below the fin tang. A coil spring extends around the main shaft between the release handle and the tang. When the fin is extending in the vertical channel, the locking base is selectively positioned by rotating the release handle so that the base flange extends into the horizontal channel to lock the fin within the fin box.

Abstract: A process for producing a field emitter flat display includes providing a supported porous layer of a non-evaporable getter material by depositing the non-evaporable getter material on a substrate followed by sintering the deposited material. The substrate having the porous layer of non-evaporable getter material thereon is then housed in an inner space defined by opposing plates. The inner space is then evacuated and hermetically sealed. The non-evaporable getter material is preferably deposited by preparing a suspension of non-evaporable getter material particles in a suspending medium, coating a surface of a substrate with the suspension by, e.g., spraying, and sintering the coating.

Abstract: Positional accuracy of apertures in nonplanar electrodes is improved with a new fabrication method. This method precedes process steps which establish a photoresist pattern that defines apertures with deformation steps which produce a nonplanar electrode. Thus, the deformation steps do not have an opportunity to spatially alter the photoresist pattern. The improved positional accuracy enhances the performance and lifetime of ion thrusters which include nonplanar electrodes that are fabricated with this process.

Abstract: An improved aerodynamic disc comprised of a disc shaped center, a circumferential rim portion, and a protrusion extending from one surface of the disc shaped center. The protrusion extends beyond the circumferential rim portion to provide a resting support surface. This resting support surface when combined with the resting support surface of the circumferential rim portion in contact with the landing surface provides an opposing elevated rim portion which is designed to aid a pet or a person to retrieve the aerodynamic disc from the landing surface. The protrusion may be permanently affixed or removable and attachment members such as including a whistle element or a light element may be attached to the center shaped disc in addition to the protrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus which transforms itself from one form to another. The apparatus comprises a body having a first rotatable leg and a second rotatable leg mounted thereon. When placed in motion, the apparatus is in its first form. First and second links are rotatably mounted in the first and second rotatable legs, respectively. The first and second links are pivotably joined at a pivot point. The apparatus has a weight disposed at the pivot point. Forces acting on the apparatus at different stages of travel cause forces to shift. This causes rotation of the first rotatable leg and said second rotatable leg. When this occurs, the apparatus is transformed into the second form. Also, a center of gravity shifting apparatus shifts the center of gravity of the apparatus from the front of the apparatus to the rear of the apparatus.

Abstract: A toy having a motorized portion in the form of an inanimate object and a non-motorized portion in the form of an animate object. The two portions are tethered together, and the motorized portion is driven such that the non-motorized portion in the form of an animate object appears to be alive and in pursuit of the inanimate motorized portion. The motorized portion preferably is in the form of a substantially spherical hollow ball within which an eccentric driving mechanism is placed. The non-motorized portion is an animal with a furry body or bushy tail and is preferably a weasel, embodies by a furry tail having a face invisibly connected to the ball. The non-motorized portion is preferably tethered to the motorized portion with a substantially invisible attachment so that from a distance the two portions of the toy do not appear to be connected together.

Abstract: A model kit for creating replicas of animals comprises a mold into which a casting material is placed to generate the chosen animal-like form. Components simulating internal organs of the creature are assembled and placed within the mold prior to casting, whereby they are embedded in the casting material. One or more of the components may simulate selected soft tissue organs or groups of organs, and may be of a bladder-like construction, allowing it to be filled with a liquid. The casting material sets to a thick gel-like consistency, allowing the material to be excised from about the internal organ components, whereby the user can "dissect" the creature.

Abstract: A cushion tip for a brassiere frame is molded in-situ about an end of the brassiere frame that has been reduced in transverse cross-section at its end, whereby the cushion tip provides a continuation of the outer surfaces of the brassiere frame in at least the dimension of the thickness of the frame, and also, optionally, in the direction of the width of the frame.

Abstract: An emergency control system for selectively activating and deactivating an apparatus. The system includes a fiber optic transmitter for emitting radiation and a fiber optic receiver for receiving and measuring a wavelength and an intensity of the radiation. A manually-operated fiber optic switch is placed in optical communication with the fiber optic transmitter and the fiber optic receiver. In operation, the switch is selectively actuated, thereby selectively opening and closing a fiber optic circuit defined by the transmitter, receiver, and the switch. The system further includes a relay controller in communication with the fiber optic receiver, such that the relay controller is actuated when the fiber optic receiver receives a predetermined wavelength and intensity of radiation from the transmitter. When the relay controller is actuated, it allows a signal to pass through the relay to a point of use.

Abstract: A method for N-C controlled grinding of the top facet of an ophthalmic lens comprising: determining the length of a circumference of an apex of a facet groove in a lens mount which will receive the lens, determining the length of the circumference of the apex of the top facet in the vicinity of the circumferential edge which is to be installed in the lens mount, comparing those lengths and determining whether the deviation in the length of the facet groove from the length of the top facet is within a preset limit. If it is not within the limit, changing the position of the Lop facet to be within the limit, determining a change value and then finish grinding the top facet using values selected from the comparison value or the change value.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer dicing saw is controlled by monitoring blade exposure from a flange holding the blade during the wafer dicing process. As the wafer is cut and separated into discrete electronic chips, the dicing blade wears. As the blade is brought closer and closer toward the wafer during cutting, the blade exposure is continuously being reduced. The small dimensions, coolant flow, and close tolerances typical in the wafer dicing process, do not permit visual inspection. Excess blade wear and thus reduced exposure or flange clearance between the blade cutting edge and flange edge will cause damage to the wafer and blade by restricting coolant flow or by contact of the flange with the wafer.

Abstract: An in-situ sensor measures polishing pads during chemical mechanical polishing. From the measurements, polishing pads can be identified as worn out or unevenly worn and replaced. Scheduling maintenance according to current measurements, rather than according to statistical predictions, minimizes down time for maintenance and still prevents use of worn out or unevenly worn polishing pads. Alternatively, a tool is reconfigured according to the polishing pad measurements. Reconfiguring the tool can prolong pad life and improve polishing performance. One embodiment of the invention includes a non-contact sensor such as a laser sensor that directs an incident beam at a target area and determines a distance to a reflection point by triangulation of incident and reflected beams. As polishing pads wear, distances to the reflection points increase. Movement of the polishing pads and the sensor during polishing causes the in-situ sensor to measure portions of the polishing pads that are along a zigzag trajectory.

Abstract: A dental curet and sharpening machine system has been developed for convenient, accurate, and rapid sharpening of dental curets. Curets comprising a cutting blade, shank, and handle have been designed so that, regardless of the instrument's rake angle, the arc center of the toe on the face of the cutting blade which is to be sharpened lies on the longitudinal center axis of the instrument and at a constant distance from reference means on the instrument handle. The sharpening machine comprises a base, a sharpening element, and an instrument guide unit. The instrument guide unit can position the blade face of a curet of any rake angle in a plane with the arc center of the toe on the blade's face coincident with an axis about which the guide unit can be swung while the blade is engaged with the sharpening element during the cutting procedure. The invention comprises three aspects: (1) the curets; (2) the sharpening machine; and (3) the method of sharpening the curets.

Abstract: A lower side of a rotatable grindstone spindle is connected directly to a PZT (Piezoelectric element). By changing electric drive supplied to the PZT, reciprocating movement can be applied to the grindstone through the grindstone spindle in addition to rotational movement. As a result, the grinding locus of an abrasive grain of the grindstone on a taper surface of a workpiece becomes a sine wave, and therefore, the grinding locus can be shifted in a direction other than in a peripheral direction. In this way, the removed amount of the taper surface increases, and circularity of the taper surface can be made to equal to 0.3 .mu.m or less.

Abstract: A planarizing system which significantly reduces the problems associated with non-uniform removal of surface material across the face of a semiconductor wafer or other comparable workpiece. The invention involves a planarizing apparatus that takes the leading edge of a wafer out of contact with the polishing pad while concomitantly enhancing slurry penetration and distribution at the polishing pad-wafer interface. This result is accomplished by combining: means for deflecting upward a portion of a flexible polishing pad as it passes in rotation beneath a wafer to form a raised polishing pad area, and means for positioning the wafer such that the wafer's leading edge overhangs the front edge of the raised polishing pad area during the planarization procedure. The invention also encompasses a method of using the planarizing apparatus to uniformly remove surface material across the face of a wafer.

Abstract: A method of making a chemical-mechanical polishing slurry includes mixing a ferric salt oxidizer with a solution to produce a mixture with a dissolved ferric salt oxidizer, filtering the mixture to remove most preexisting particles therein that exceed a selected particle size, adding a suspension agent to the mixture, and adding abrasive particles to the mixture after filtering the mixture. Advantageously, when polishing occurs, scratching by the preexisting particles is dramatically reduced.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a rotating plate on which a substrate is received, and a polishing pad which moves across the substrate as it rotates on the plate to polish the substrate. The load of the pad against the substrate, and the rotary speed of the plate, may be varied to control the rate of material removed by the pad.

Abstract: A method of planarizing a substrate employs two separate chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) steps. In the first CMP step, the substrate is polished using a first CMP slurry solution and a polishing pad. A diluting solution is then applied to the polishing pad to remove slurry of the first CMP step. In the second CMP step, after applying the diluting solution to the polishing pad to remove the first slurry, second CMP slurry solution is applied to the polishing pad to facilitate additional planarization of the substrate. In a particular embodiment of this invention, the diluting solution comprises a buffer solution having a pH level corresponding to a pH level of one of the first or second CMP slurry solution. In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment, a plurality of different diluting solutions are applied to the polishing pad intermediate the respective first and second CMP steps.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus, for polishing a thin plate. The method comprises the steps of: rotating a holding plate on one surface of which the thin plate is held to adhere; and bringing the thin plate held on the rotating holding plate into contact with a polishing pad mounted on a surface of a rotating turn table, to polish the thin plate. The step of polishing the one surface of the holding plate is carried out by using the polishing pad for polishing the thin plate before the thin plate is held to adhere on the one surface of the holding plate.

Abstract: The device for removing coatings from the surface of a glass plate comprises at least one head which is movable along the rim portion of the glass plate, and at least one motorized tool provided at the head. The tool is of the cup-shaped type and has an active flat surface for treating the coatings. The tool is contacting the glass plate coating on an annular portion of the flat surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double-side grinder capable of grinding double-sides of an aluminum disk highly efficiently and affording a ground aluminum disk free of end-face flaw and superior in both surface accuracy and dimensional accuracy while obviating the occurrence of grinding marks extending in different directions. A rough grinding mechanism having rough grinding wheels disposed opposedly to each other is mounted, a finish grinding mechanism having finish grinding wheels disposed opposedly to each other is mounted just after the rough grinding mechanism, and a belt-like carrier having a large number of pockets formed longitudinally of the carrier with aluminum disks engaged therein is passed between the rough grinding wheels and the finish grinding wheels, thereby allowing double-sides of each aluminum disk to be subjected to rough grinding and finish grinding in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. The polishing apparatus has a pusher for transferring the workpiece between a top ring of a polishing apparatus and the pusher. The polishing apparatus includes a turntable having a polishing surface, a top ring for supporting the workpiece to be polished and pressing the workpiece against the polishing surface, and a pusher for transferring the workpiece between the top ring and the pusher. The pusher comprises a workpiece support for supporting the workpiece, an actuating unit for moving the workpiece support in a vertical direction, a sliding mechanism movable within a horizontal plane, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the workpiece support and the top ring with respect to each other in association with the sliding mechanism when the workpiece is transferred between the workpiece support and the top ring.

Abstract: A pad sander skirt which flares out over the periphery of the sanding pad and which is coupled to a lower housing so that it swivels about the body of the sander. The skirt and lower housing can be selectively swivelled in a rotational manner to a position desired by the user. A further sander improvement disclosed relates to the protection of a user's hand. Palm-grip random orbit sanders are sometimes configured so that the sanding pad may begin spinning at high speed when the sander is lifted off of the work. To this end, the present application discloses a protective skirt which flares out over the periphery of the pad in a palm-grip random orbit sander. Also disclosed is an improved dust collection system comprising a filter housing formed of a rigid porous material for entrapping dust.

Abstract: The base attached to the top of a surface and adjustable for positioning directly to the side of the patron, at the level of the patron's face. The chimney assembly is mounted on the base for capturing tobacco smoke. A fan disposed in the chimney assembly for propelling smoke upwardly.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling air conduction in a vehicle includes an air conduction element. The air conduction element is controlled as a function of the moisture in the vehicle interior, intermediate positions of the air conduction element being possible between a maximum proportion of circulating air and a maximum proportion of fresh air. In this way, the proportion of fresh air is increased only gradually when there is a high pollution impact if the interior moisture does not exceed a maximum moisture value .PHI..sub.max. Control of the moisture in the vehicle interior increases the comfort of the vehicle occupants. A circulating-air dryer makes it possible, in principle, to continue in circulating-air operation for an unlimited period.

Abstract: A heating and air conditioning system for a motor vehicle includes a plenum supplied with air by each of a pair of variable speed blowers. A set of heating and air conditioning ducts extend from the plenum to the drivers side of the vehicle, and another set of heating and air conditioning ducts extend from the plenum to the passengers side of the vehicle. Accordingly, both the driver and the passenger can control the blower supplying air to the ducts on the corresponding side of the vehicle. A defrosting duct extends from the plenum to supply defrosting air to the windshield of the vehicle. One of the blowers normally supplies air to the defrosting duct, but the volume and velocity of air may be "boosted" by optional use of the other blower.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an air conditioning unit and a blower unit. An air passage of the air conditioning unit is partitioned into first and second air passages by a partition plate, and an air guiding wall for guiding air blown from the blower unit into the first and second air passages is formed in the air conditioning unit. Further, first and second step portions are provided in the air guiding wall to facilitate a flow of air blown from the blower unit to the first air passage proximate to the blower unit. The fist step portion is formed at a side of the first air passage, and the second step portion is formed on a partition line extending from the partition plate. Thus, air uniformly flows into both the first and second air passages.

Abstract: A mine tunnel ventilation control device and method for constructing same quickly with an easily transportable matrix material to provide a rigid flame retardant barrier wall. The air flow stopping includes a peripheral frame extending about and across a tunnel opening to which is secured a matrix material, preferably in the form of a composite including a sheet of very strong grid material, such as a biaxially oriented integral geogrid or the like, bonded to a sheet of a textile material, such as a non-woven, needle punched, geofabric or the like which spans the apertures of the geogrid. At least one side of the matrix material, and preferably both sides, are covered with a sealant composition to prevent passage of air through the mine stopping and to develop structural rigidity.

Abstract: A fan is attached directly adjacent to a clean air filter sealing an air inlet under a horizontal portion of a plenum chamber below a vertically movable loading platform which all move as a unit. A vertical portion of the plenum chamber, trapezoidal in cross-section, communicates with a wafer pod on the loading platform through an angled perforated grill sealing an air outlet from the vertical portion of the plenum chamber. Clean air flows evenly throughout the entire height of an angled perforated grill over the surfaces of the wafers. Mechanisms lift the pod cover and load and unload the wafer carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for confining an atmosphere (B) in a space (4) communicating with its surroundings via at least one opening. A gas curtain (1+2) comprising a low-velocity jet (2) and a high-velocity jet (1) is generated at said opening. Characteristically, a fraction of the flow in said low-velocity jet (2) is injected into the confined atmosphere (B) and adds to the induced flowrate of said low-velocity jet (2), the size of said fraction being variable depending on the pressure within said space (4). The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: Aeration system for a multi-storied building 10 having living space 11 on each floor, wherein an air supply hole for letting in outdoor air is located in a lower section of the living space, and an air exhaust hole is located in an upper section of the living space. An air supply path and an air exhaust path are connected to the air supply hole and air exhaust hole of each living space. Said air supply path and said air exhaust path extend in opposite vertical directions. All holes and paths in their said locations and directions respectively are provided on each floor.

Abstract: Damper apparatus includes a housing and dividers in the interior of the housing. One of the dividers forms a plenum and two openings leading from the plenum to an air flow outlet of the housing. Separate damper blades control air flow through the openings. A second divider divides the housing interior into separate passageways, one passageway in communication with one opening and the other passageway in communication with the other opening.

Abstract: A ridge vent comprising a pair of opposing vent parts each fabricated from a plurality of stacked, interconnected layers of a corrugated plastic sheet material and a top panel extending between and connected to the opposing vent parts, with the entire assembled ridge vent being rolled into a spiral or coil, and secured in that configuration for later installation on a roof. The assembled ridge vent is rolled into the spiral configuration from an initially planar configuration by engaging a leading end of the ridge vent and rolling the ridge vent onto a drum or mandrel to form a tight, uniform spiral. The rolled vent can then be labeled and banded or packaged. The fabrication process from bulk rolls of sheet material to packaged roof vents can be substantially continuous and automated. Roof vents of various lengths or widths can be manufactured with only minor adjustments or substitutions in the fabrication equipment.

Abstract: A semiconductor assembling method joins a bonding wire with a bonding object by pressing the bonding wire against the bonding object with a bonding pressurizing tool and by effecting at least either one junction process of thermal junction or ultrasonic junction. The method includes steps of measuring a time elapsing from a last bonding process to a subsequent bonding process or a temperature of the pressurizing tool, and changing at least one junction condition of pressurizing force, pressurizing time, ultrasonic oscillation output, and ultrasonic oscillation time for the subsequent bonding process, based on the measured time. A semiconductor assembling apparatus including a measuring device for measuring the time or temperature and a junction condition changing device for changing the condition to perform the method.

Abstract: A microwave grain monitor determines grain density and moisture content without measuring the phase shift of the measurement signal in passing through the grain. A set of grain coefficients is determined and stored in a non-volatile memory. A microwave measurement signal is transmitted through the grain and the ambient temperature is sensed. The grain density and moisture content are determined from the attenuation of the measurement signal in passing through the grain, the sensed temperature and the set of grain coefficients.

Abstract: A blackjack or other card game system having a plurality of player counters which count the blackjack hands or other player jackpot tally events dealt to players. The system also includes at least one dealer counter which counts the number of bust hands of the dealer or other dealer jackpot tally events. Displays are included for both the dealer and players to indicate the counts. The counters are typically zeroed at the end of each hand if a tally event has not occurred. Jackpots are awarded when the tally counts exceed predefined thresholds. A tabletop retrofit game system is shown for mounting upon blackjack tables. A special round of play having modified rules can be used as part of the jackpot award.

Abstract: The present invention is a progressive gaming device conceptually similar to a conventional roulette game. The present invention comprises a modified roulette wheel on a gaming table, a lighted display panel adjacent to the roulette wheel and built into the gaming table, a display unit at the head of the gaming table, a microcomputer and a key pad. When played, the present invention allows up to seven players to play. Play is effectuated under special rules, where a modified roulette wheel is spun by the croupier and three ivory balls are spun in a direction opposite the wheel's direction. When all balls fall into slots on the wheel, this information is sent to a nearby microcomputer for display on several display units, thereby allowing a croupier to determine payout and/or the progressive jackpot. The jackpot is progressive in that a percentage of every wager bet is placed back into the jackpot for availability during the next game.

Abstract: A secure gaming ticket and validation method for gaming tickets includes storing validation information and ticket identification information in different locations. The stored information is then encoded to create an interim type of data, which is combined with prize information data to create a validation signature. The validation signature determines a win status of gaming ticket.

Abstract: The keno playing machine according to the present invention comprises selecting means for selecting a plurality of the keno balls less than a set number out of keno balls displayed on a display screen in accordance with a player's operation, extracting means for extracting at random a required number of the keno balls out of the keno balls displayed on the display screen, first counting means for comparing the extracted keno balls to the selected keno balls to count hit winning balls, additionally extracting means for additionally extracting a required number of the keno balls out of the rest keno balls except said extracted keno balls when a number of the winning balls counted by the first counting means is above a set number, second counting means for comparing the additionally extracted keno balls to the selected keno balls to count a number of hit winning balls, and paying means for paying odds, based on a total of said number of the winning balls counted by the first counting means and said number of the

Abstract: A device for playing a bingo-style game including an input device for receiving user inputs; a display for displaying a graphic user interface (GUI); and a processor. The GUI includes a five column by five row random number display matrix; five display regions; and a plurality of user-actuatable icons. The processor includes a first random number generator for generating five sets of random numbers for display by the five column by five row random number display matrix, in which the five sets of random numbers are grouped in predetermined ranges. The processor also includes a second random number generator which responds to the user inputs corresponding to actuation of the actuation icon by the user for generating a sixth set of random numbers for display by the five display regions.

Abstract: Videogame systems and methods are provided to enhance the capability of the videogame system controller and data storage to provide graphic character element storage and processing. A display list technology utilizes an intentionally generated, location-specific vertical interrupt to implement a routine to modify or to alter existing graphical character elements. A second technique involves the definition of a small portion of the graphics map which is displayed differently than the balance of the graphics map because the stored priority bit is expressed in the defined area, but suppressed and replaced in all other areas. The third technique employs a virtual character element library to map the character elements appearing on the display, and recognizes available space within the video random access memory character element storage to provide a dynamic memory space.