Patents Issued in March 6, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030045315
    Abstract: Multi-Icon Display. The present invention provides a mobile terminal with a display for making better use of the available screen space in order to provide icons for informing the user of all the various system operating parameters. The multi-icon display displays icons in an area of a display and display a meta-icons with a second area in the space surrounding the display space of the icons. Each icon and meta-icon is representative of a particular metric. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a memory for storage of data, a display for graphical user interface, and a control circuit that is configured to control a flow of data between the memory and the display and the appearance of information upon the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Yojak Vasa
  • Publication number: 20030045316
    Abstract: A data communication system is configured to communicatively link a host device and a client device with a point-to-point data communication link, where the point-to-point data communication link is configured with multipoint network data communication components designed for data communication over a distributed network. A data communication interface at the host device is communicatively linked with a data communication interface driver via the point-to-point data communication link between the host device and the client device. The data communication interface driver communicates with a virtual driver component for the client device via a virtual network at the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Soemin Tjong, Larry Morris, Glenn Davis
  • Publication number: 20030045317
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a method and an apparatus for controlling power during a dispatch group call in a wireless communication system are described. A base station (142) monitors for a transmission from a plurality of mobile stations (270) via a first communication resource during a time period. The base station (142) adjusts transmission power associated with a second communication resource based on the transmission from the plurality of mobile stations (270) via the first communication resource. Further, the base station (142) determines whether the transmission power associated with the second communication resource is above a transmission power threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Shao Wei Pan, Frank Zhou, Hechun Cai
  • Publication number: 20030045318
    Abstract: Techniques to combine soft-decision power control symbols received for multiple active base stations. In one method, a received signal is initially processed to derive soft-decision (multi-bit valued) symbols for power control commands transmitted from a number of base stations. Each soft-decision symbol for each base station is then scaled based on a scaling factor associated with the base station and which is related to the received signal quality for the power control symbols for the base station. The scaling allows power control symbols for more reliably received base stations to be given greater weights. The scaled soft-decision symbols for each power control period are then combined to provide a decision metric for the period. Each decision metric is then compared against a particular threshold, and a power control decision is derived for each decision metric based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Parvathanathan Subrahmanya
  • Publication number: 20030045319
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for power control include receiving a transmission having a channel with active portion and a silent portion, and controlling power of the received transmission as a function of a parameter of the active portion of the channel during a first time period and independent of the parameter during a second time period. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Sandip Sarkar, Tao Chen
  • Publication number: 20030045320
    Abstract: A mobile communication system is provided for decreasing power consumption in a mobile station. In the mobile communication system, a base station or a radio network control apparatus sets a threshold of signal energy to noise power density ratio of a common pilot signal according to downlink total sending power, which may change every moment, and sends the threshold to the mobile station 110. The mobile station 110 measures the ratio, and omits surrounding cell measurement when the measured ratio exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Motohiro Tanno, Takehiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20030045321
    Abstract: A power control method during a soft handoff in a mobile communication system. A mobile station communicating with a plurality of base stations at a soft handoff measures the signal strengths of forward common pilot channels received from the base stations and transmit them to the base stations sequentially. Then the base stations control the transmission power of forward common power control channels according to the received signal strength measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youn-Sun Kim, Jae-Sung Jang, Ho-Kyu Choi, Hwan-Joon Kwon
  • Publication number: 20030045322
    Abstract: A method of wireless communication in restricted wireless zones (102) includes providing a restricted wireless zone communication system (104) having one or more wireless nodes (106) and a wireless device (110) having a first transceiver (150) restricted from operating in a restricted wireless zone (102) and a second transceiver (152) not restricted from operating in a restricted wireless zone (102). Upon entering restricted wireless zone (102) first transceiver (150) is disabled and second transceiver (152) is enabled to communicate with restricted wireless zone communication system (104). Wireless device (110) is then able to send and receive content from outside restricted wireless zone (102). Upon wireless device (110) leaving restricted wireless zone (102), the second transceiver is disabled and the first transceiver (150) is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne G. Baer, Daniel S. Rokusek
  • Publication number: 20030045323
    Abstract: A cellular phone terminal can eliminate extra process and save power to be consumed. The cellular phone terminal includes a low speed clock circuit generating a low speed clock to be used for generating a low speed clock used for generation of a preliminarily set intermittent reception cycle, and a high speed clock circuit generating a high speed clock required at least for receiving operation and stopped during periods other than a period of receiving operation, and performing at least checking of incoming call and measurement of a reception level according to said intermittent reception cycle. The terminal also includes an analog/digital converting circuit for converting a measured value of conditional variation in own terminal into the digital signal, an averaging circuit for averaging a result of measurement using said analog/digital converting circuit, and a control circuit for controlling said analog/digital converting circuit and said averaging circuit adapting to said intermittent reception cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Asada
  • Publication number: 20030045324
    Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus includes a casing made of a dielectric material. An antenna including a feed element and first and second parasitic elements is provided in the casing. The feed element includes first and second feed radiation plates. A parasitic radiation plate of the first parasitic element is located near the first radiation plate, and a parasitic radiation plate of the second parasitic element is located near the second feed radiation plate. The amount of coupling between the feed element and the first and second parasitic elements is adjusted based on the relative permittivity of the casing. The feed element and the first parasitic element perform multi-resonance in the same frequency band as the resonance frequency of the first feed radiation plate. The feed element and the second parasitic element perform multi-resonance in the same frequency band as the resonance frequency of the second feed radiation plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Nagumo, Kengo Onaka, Takashi Ishihara, Jin Sato
  • Publication number: 20030045325
    Abstract: A communication terminal device has a storage portion, in which the information retrieved by a base unit is stored so that, when a piece of information of which the retrieval is requested on a remote unit is stored in the storage portion, that piece of information is read out from the storage portion. Moreover, in the storage portion is stored also the information retrieved by the remote unit so that, when a piece of information of which the retrieval is requested on the base unit is stored in the storage portion, that piece of information is read out from the storage portion. This permits the information retrieved via the Internet by either of the base and remote units to be shared between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tomonori Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20030045326
    Abstract: A computer port is used to power a wireless transmission of audio signals from a sound card of a personal computer to a home entertainment system for high fidelity sound production. The computer port comprises any computer port that provides power. The computer port is used to power a FM transmitter that is connected to an audio output of a sound card of a personal computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: James L. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20030045327
    Abstract: This invention relates to a storage device including a wireless unit which performs wireless communication with another device, a storage unit for storing data, a processor which transmits, based on a command from the device that has been received by communication through the wireless unit, data stored in the storage unit from the wireless unit to another device and stores data received by the wireless unit in the storage unit, and a battery which supplies power to the wireless unit, storage unit, and processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Koichi Kobayashi, Junichiro Iba, Kazunari Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20030045328
    Abstract: In a mobile communication network equipped with a wireless communication interface with a mobile communication terminal, when a need arises for disabling calling and card functions of a mobile communication terminal with a plurality of card information stored, there is provided a credit transaction system for permitting the process of disabling the calling and card functions of the mobile communication terminal, comprising a mobile station 100, a mobile telephone network 20, a mobile packet communication network 30, a CAT terminal 40a, 40b, . . . , the CAFIS network 50, acredit company's server 60A, 60B, and the Internet 70. Credit disablement flags are set in a control station 33, and the mobile station 100 receives a disabling signal from the control station 33 through a base station 31. The mobile station 100 subsequently deletes credit contract information stored in itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Takeshi Natsuno
  • Publication number: 20030045329
    Abstract: A mobile terminal device comprises a voice recognition processing unit and semiconductor memory that has a plurality of areas. During a telephone call, a user can operate input means to perform voice recognition of any portions of the telephone call and store the conversation as strings in the memory areas. After the telephone call is completed, the user can cause the strings stored in the memory areas to be displayed, and edit and send them by e-mail. It is possible to display only those strings in the areas that contain information required by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20030045330
    Abstract: Communication systems for establishing communication links between first and second computing devices are provided. A representative system includes a second computing device that incorporates a speed-dial system, a first actuator and a menu. The speed-dial system is configured to receive a first user input corresponding to actuation of the first actuator, determine whether a phone number is associated with the first actuator, and enable the user to associate a first phone number with the first actuator without accessing the menu. So configured, after the user associates a phone number with the first actuator, the second computing device speed-dials the phone number in response to actuation of the first actuator to establish a communication link with the first computing device. Methods and other systems also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Eric L. DeWald, Eric P. Christianson
  • Publication number: 20030045331
    Abstract: A mobile, cellular telecommunications handset (MS1) has a browser to navigate between and provide a display (5) of data from different network addresses. A key (4b) on the device is operable in a first mode e.g. a relatively short press, to navigate between previously listed network addresses. The key is also operable in a second mode e.g. a relatively long press, to provide a selective display of only previously visited homepages so that the user can quickly select a homepage from the previously visited homepage display and navigate directly to the selected homepage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Franco Montebovi
  • Publication number: 20030045332
    Abstract: A holder for supporting a cellular phone on the front seat of a motor vehicle to permit the driver of the motor vehicle to converse over the phone without taking his or her hands off the steering wheel. The holder has a main base member with legs over the front and the back of the seat. An adjustable telescopic pivot arm is supported on the main base member and telescopes, as well as pivoting up and down. A cellular phone is held at the end of the adjustable telescopic pivot arm and may be adjusted so that the user can speak and hear over the cell phone without having to hold it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Joel Lopez, Anita D. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030045333
    Abstract: A compound information terminal, a mobile communications system and a control method thereof, which prevent the reception on a GPS terminal unit in operation from being affected by interference without turning off a 3GPP-compliant mobile telephone unit or disabling it for transmission. The compound information terminal comprises a user interface unit, a terminal control unit, a 3GPP-compliant mobile telephone unit and a GPS terminal unit. When the GPS terminal unit is activated, the terminal control unit switches the operation of the 3GPP-compliant mobile telephone unit to the compressed mode, in which the transmission is suspended at intervals of arbitrary period of time. Accordingly, the GPS terminal unit can be brought into action while the 3GPP-compliant mobile telephone unit suspends its transmission operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Kimata, Masaki Ichihara
  • Publication number: 20030045334
    Abstract: A video game device is provided with a recording medium 122 storing a first image data group including a plurality of frames of image data for displaying a running action and a second image data group including a plurality of frames of image data for displaying a goal finishing action which successively follows the running action; a character display control unit 201e for reading the first and second image data group from the recording medium 122 and displaying motions of a play character based on the read image data, and a switch control unit 201h for switching the first image data group to the second image data group such that the running action and the goal finishing action are successively displayed without any discontinuity when the play character reaches a predetermined position by repeatedly displaying the running action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Hirotaka Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20030045335
    Abstract: Creation of a cutting template for a virtual jigsaw puzzle using guide points and a spline-fitting algorithm is described. Guide points that define geometric parameters of a piece of a virtual jigsaw puzzle are selected. A curve is fit to the guide points using a spline-fitting algorithm to define a shape of the puzzle piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Philip R. Lantz
  • Publication number: 20030045336
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for playing a game based on outcomes of multiple sequential wagering events, such as a series of horse races, players place wagers on the outcomes of the sequential wagering events. The outcomes of a plurality of the wagering events are determined. It is determined whether the wagers have a winning status for each of the plurality of the wagering events. It is also determined whether the wagers are the only wagers placed on the outcomes of the sequential wagering events having a winning status for all of the plurality of the wagering events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Cherry
  • Publication number: 20030045337
    Abstract: In a gambling game a collateral gambling game which can be won by players on at least one specific event occurring in the principal game, the collateral game being separate from the principal game but one when any of the possible winning events occur in the principal game, the payment to the player being calculated from the total value available for the game divided by the total number of players who bet on the specific winning event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: BET Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Russell Byrne
  • Publication number: 20030045338
    Abstract: A gaming device having a multi-characteristic matching game including a plurality of rounds. In each round, the gaming device displays a base and a plurality of selections including at least two characteristics. The gaming device enables a player to pick one of the selections to match at least one of the characteristics of the selection with one of the characteristics of the base. The player continues to pick selections until there are no selections remaining in the round that include at least one characteristic that matches one of the characteristics of the base. The gaming device then initiates the next round. The player continues to pick selections in each of the rounds until there are no rounds remaining. The gaming device determines a modified award in each round based on a modifier associated with each round. The modified awards are summed to provide a total award for the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jan K. Dolloff, Randall D. Mead, John D. Hostetler, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20030045339
    Abstract: A method of conducting a lottery wherein lottery participants may choose to purchase insured lottery tickets is disclosed. The insurance purchased with an insured ticket guarantees that if the insured ticket turns out to be a winning ticket, the purchaser is entitled to his share of the jackpot immediately, rather than being forced to accept a smaller amount immediately or the full amount in installments over time. In a particular embodiment, insurance may be purchased that guarantees a winner will immediately be paid, in addition to his share of the jackpot, an additional amount equal to at least a portion of the income or other taxes payable on the jackpot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Manu Ghela
  • Publication number: 20030045340
    Abstract: A lottery gaming system and associated method utilizes the internet along with an instant game lottery. The need to maintain jurisdictional and age control for the sale of lottery tickets is maintained while limiting the payment options, since most lottery jurisdictions do not permit payment for lottery tickets on credit. Additionally, the frequency and excitement typically offered by pair-mutuel type play is offered in an internet-based system. Instant game lottery tickets are sold from a standard ITVM or the like. Each lottery ticket includes a unique serial number in a bar code or other format. Upon the purchase of the ticket, the ticket's bar code is read by the ticket dispensing terminal and transmitted to a central computer system for recording and access to remaining play data. In addition to the instant game available on the lottery ticket, the ticket includes an access code or internet address for subsequent interactive internet-based play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Interlott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian J. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030045341
    Abstract: A voice-activated electronic bingo player unit facilitates automatic playing of bingo. Via a microphone, the unit receives bingo caller's game announcements broadcast over a conventional public announcement system. The unit digitally processes the received sound signals, recognizes received voice commands matching standard samples stored in its memory and utilizes the recognized voice commands in lieu of player's manual entries and/or in lieu of conventional game commands received over a gaming network. Via a point of sale terminal, the unit is downloaded with a library of voice samples of a bingo caller who conducts the current bingo session. In order to facilitate the recognition of voice commands, the actual bingo caller's voice announcements are filtered-out from the background noise and compressed by the bingo caller terminal before broadcasting via the public announcement system. The voice-activated bingo caller terminal also drives bingo flashboards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Yuri Itkis, Boris Itkis
  • Publication number: 20030045342
    Abstract: A method and system for allowing a bingo player to self-select set or sets of bingo numbers for playing a game of bingo using a machine readable bingo number selection form that is read by an input device and stored in the system. The bingo player presents the form and purchases the bingo numbers. The system prints a receipt and bingo game card having the self-selected set or sets of bingo numbers on the receipt and bingo game card. The self-selected bingo numbers may be stored in the system or on portable machine readable media for future play. The system tracks the bingo game while it is being called for quick determination of a winning bingo game. The system provides an accounting of each set of bingo numbers purchased for a particular bingo session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bradley K. Miller, Wayne D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20030045343
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having a primary game with a bonus triggering event that affects the outcome of a secondary or bonus game. The number of symbols in the bonus game is dependant on the number of bonus triggering symbols in the bonus triggering event. After generating a number of bonus triggering symbols in the base or primary game, the gaming device animates the bonus triggering symbols and generates a related number of bonus symbols. The gaming device provides an award based on the combination of the bonus symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew Luccesi, Bayard S. Webb, John G. Gilliland, Randall D. Mead, Johnny L. Palchetti, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20030045344
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having an offer/acceptance type bonus game. One embodiment provides a plurality player selectable selections wherein each selection has an associated offer, anti-terminator or terminator. The gaming device enables the player to pick the selections. If a terminator is associated with the selection, the game ends unless the player has previously picked an anti-terminator associated with a selection. When the player picks an anti-terminator, the processor retains or accumulates the anti-terminator until a terminator is selected. The anti-terminator nullifies the effect of the terminator and allows the game to continue. The present invention accordingly provides a gaming device which includes the combination of an offer acceptance bonus scheme having at least one terminator and at least one anti-terminator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bayard S. Webb, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Gregg J. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20030045345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities such as slot machines. A display grid having a multiple display segments is presented, where one or more of the display segments is presented having multiple display subsegments. Each of the display subsegments presents a subsegment symbol independently of the other display subsegments in its respective display segment. Paylines are created from a plurality of the display segments, where each of the subsegment symbols of each of the display subsegments is independently used in formulating payout results for each of the paylines in which the display segment is affiliated. Paylines may be dynamically created at any location as a result of corresponding symbols occurring in a predetermined number of adjacent display segments and/or subsegments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: King Show Games LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Berman
  • Publication number: 20030045346
    Abstract: A game machine includes a first display, a second display and a game changer. A plurality of spinning reels, each reel having a plurality of symbols of a combination game are displayed on the first display. A role playing game in which a character as an object of operation for a player acts in a virtual field and aims at a predetermined target is displayed on the second display. The game changer changes a first game to a second game advantageous to the player on the first display, depending on whether or not the character as the operation object has achieved the predetermined target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: KONAMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030045347
    Abstract: A first current displayed symbol determination section (321) determines that symbol “RED7” is currently displayed at an arbitrary symbol display position on a main display section (310). On the basis of the result of determination made by the first current displayed symbol determination section (321), a state change section (322) changes, from an initial state to a valid state, the state of a display area corresponding to a symbol display position at which the symbol “RED7” is currently displayed. A valid combination determination section (324) determines whether or not a valid display area on the display section (330) forms a predetermined valid combination. A point bringing section (325) gets points in accordance with a result of determination made by the valid combination determination section (324).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: KONAMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20030045348
    Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Gregg J. Palmer, Joseph E. Kaminkow, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20030045349
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of selections, a plurality of credit symbols associated with the selections, a plurality of awards symbols associated with the selections, and a winning combination of award symbols. A player is awarded credits when the player selects a selection having an associated credit symbol and player accumulates award symbols when the player selects a selection associated with an award symbol. The player wins a preferably large award when the player accumulates said winning combination of award symbols. The number of player selections is determined based on the player's wager in the primary game wherein the player obtains a specified number of player selections which are necessary to achieve the winning combination and thereby win the large award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Andrea C. Hughs-Baird
  • Publication number: 20030045350
    Abstract: A gaming device having an improved award-providing bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during different rounds of the bonus scheme. The gaming device enables the player to select an award from a plurality of awards. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award, creating a subsequent or modified award, and carry over residual award improvements from one round to a different round of the bonus game, with the idea of increasing the award to receive a greater or higher award during the bonus game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Bayard S. Webb
  • Publication number: 20030045351
    Abstract: A secure first memory contains a boot program and a decryption key. When the gaming device, such as a stand-alone slot machine, is switched on, the boot program is used to download a start program from an external memory into a main memory. The start program contains a decryption algorithm. The start program is then used to download an encrypted gaming program from the external memory. The start program decrypts the gaming program using the code key from the first memory and stores the decrypted gaming program in the main memory. A main processor then carries out the gaming program when a player initiates play of the gaming device. Because of the special sequence of all steps to load the data, an unauthorized person cannot load different or changed programs to any of the memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Gauselmann
  • Publication number: 20030045352
    Abstract: A handheld game controller for use with a dedicated game system, personal computer, or other device is provided. The game controller includes two user grippable portions, typically a pair of handles, which the user holds during game play. As a result of this configuration, during use the game controller neither rests on nor becomes attached to a rigid surface such as a desk, tabletop, or other stationary object. In one aspect, one handle of the game controller is held by one of the user's hands while the second handle of the game controller, held by the user's other hand, is free to rotate within the predetermined rotational limits of the device. In a typical application, right direction and left direction control signals are sent to the game system or personal computer as a result of clockwise rotation and counter-clockwise rotation of the second handle of the game controller, respectively. A sensor coupled to the second handle generates the control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Radica Games Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Ireland, James Woodward, Ho Yiu Cheung, Kevin D. Brase
  • Publication number: 20030045353
    Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides electronic signature capability to enable signature transactions to be effected from the gaming machine. The gaming machine utilizes electronic signature capture and authentication software in conjunction with an electronic signature database to authenticate an electronic signature input on the gaming machine. The authentication software may be co-located with the electronic signature capture software on the gaming machine or may be remotely located from the electronic signature capture software. The electronic signature database may be co-located with either or both the electronic signature capture software and authentication software or may be remotely located from either or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Craig A. Paulsen, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030045354
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first wireless transceiver. A portable data unit includes a second wireless transceiver. In response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, a wireless transmission link is established between the first and second wireless transceivers. The wireless transmission link may, for example, be a radio (RF) link or an infrared (IR) link. Information is transmitted between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link for such purposes as cashless gaming, player tracking, game customization, and data transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: John J. Giobbi
  • Publication number: 20030045355
    Abstract: Pictorial characters are used to replace one or more words or even one or more full sentences of a message for communication to one or more people. In the context of an electronic communication device, a person (“sending party”) can use pictorial characters to “encode” words or sentences of a message to be sent to another person (“receiving party”). The receiving party, upon receiving the message, decodes the coded message and, if appropriate or desired, replies to the message. The communication devices used by the sending and receiving parties can be provided with various pictorial character-related features. For example, the communication devices may be provided with processing circuitry that conditions the use of a particular pictorial character for sending messages upon prior entry of a valid authorization (unlocking) code for that character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Claude Comair
  • Publication number: 20030045356
    Abstract: The invention presents a games management system for an electronic game, the system comprising a data portion associated with the electronic game including data indicative of one or more operating requirements for playing the game, and a comparator for comparing the data against a handset specification so as to determine whether the handset can support the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Graham Thomas
  • Publication number: 20030045357
    Abstract: An system, methodology and computer program product for gathering game data pertaining to players, teams, and leagues, so that the players, teams, league, and league administrators have access to the game data. A touch screen computer terminal is provided at the sports venue and it is in communication with a computer network. A server computer is in communication with the touch screen computer terminal over the computer network, and the server computer receives the game data over the computer network from the touch screen computer terminal, and proceeds to and store and organize the game data in a database. The game data is then made available over the computer network to league administrators, so that the league administrators can make quick and accurate decisions based on game data. The game data is also made available to the players over the computer network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Aaron J. Bishop
  • Publication number: 20030045358
    Abstract: A system for providing enhanced services to users of a gaming application comprises a server and a platform remotely coupled to the server. The server executes a gaming application. The platform receives a request for enhanced services, and establishes an enhanced services session with a user of the gaming application in response to the request for enhanced services. The enhanced services session corresponds in time at least in part with the execution of the gaming application. The platform further provides enhanced services to the user of the gaming application during the enhanced services session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Fergus A. Leen, Sam B. Lawrence, David G. McNally, Clive Hetherington, David M. McDowell, Kevin R. O'Neal
  • Publication number: 20030045359
    Abstract: A system for providing game advice to a user of a gaming application comprises a server and a processor remotely coupled to the server. The server executes a gaming application and monitors a plurality of game events during the execution of the gaming application. The server further communicates event information associated with at least one game event. The processor receives the event information and generates game advice associated with the gaming application based at least in part upon the event information. The processor further presents the game advice to the user during the execution of the gaming application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Fergus A. Leen, Sam B. Lawrence, David G. McNally, Clive Hetherington, David M. McDowell, Kevin R. O'Neal
  • Publication number: 20030045360
    Abstract: A player can easily select a desired game, and the information about players can be appropriately managed and provided. A user terminal transmits self-introduction information to a room master. The room master adds the self-introduction information from the user terminal to the player table list. Additionally, the self-introduction information is added to update history data, and a count value of the update history counter is incremented. The user terminal adds the current count value of the update history counter and ask the room master for an update history. Upon receipt of the update history requests from multiple user terminals, the room master transmits data to all user terminal members (addressed to the IRC channel) in the room. The data is transmitted sequentially from the update history data associated with the oldest update counter value in the requests to the update history data associated with the latest history counter value of the room master.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: SQUARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hora
  • Publication number: 20030045361
    Abstract: A slip joint includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber defined at one end by a seal assembly and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly. The pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A pressure plate is disposed within the housing of the pressure regulator assembly and is supported for sliding movement relative thereto. A spring urges the pressure plate toward the open end of the housing and the lubricant chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Scott B. Robb
  • Publication number: 20030045362
    Abstract: Coil springs 33 and 36 couple input and output rotary members 2 and 3 together such that they can rotate relative to each other. The coil springs 33 and 36 have a torsion characteristic having a positive region and a negative region that has a lower rigidity than the positive region. A second friction generating section 71 is arranged such that friction is generated rotationally-between the input rotary member 2 and the output rotary member 3 due to the elastic force of the coil springs 33 and 36 when the two rotary members 2 and 3 rotate relative to each other. A friction suppressing mechanism secures rotational gaps 91 and 92 on only the negative side of the torsion characteristic. These rotational gaps serve to prevent the elastic force of the coil springs 33 and 36 from acting on the second friction generating section 71 within a prescribed angular range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Aoki, Hiroshi Uehara
  • Publication number: 20030045363
    Abstract: A tripod type constant-velocity joint is proposed which is lower in cost and lighter in weight. Raceway grooves are formed in side faces of each track groove formed in the inner periphery of an outer ring and in side faces of each guide block supported by each of three trunnions of a tripod member. A plurality of rolling elements mounted between the raceway grooves are retained by retainers. The retainers have such a structure that a plurality of pockets are formed in plate members and a plurality of claws extending in opposite directions are provided on the periphery of each pocket so that it can be formed by pressing. It is thus possible to achieve reduced cost and lighter weight for a tripod type constant-velocity joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Tatsuro Sugiyama, Fumihiro Isobe, Haruo Nagatani, Masashi Hashiya
  • Publication number: 20030045364
    Abstract: A retainer for retaining a pair of bearing cups on an opposed pair of trunnions of a universal joint cross includes a pair of cup-shaped end portions that are connected together by an intermediate strap portion. The retainer is expandable from a contracted size, wherein the cup-shaped end portions are spaced apart from one another by a first distance, to an expanded size, wherein the cup-shaped end portions are spaced apart from one another by a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The retainer, or at least a portion thereof, is preferably formed from a single material that is relatively flexible, stretchable, or otherwise expandable to permit the retainer to be selectively expanded from the contracted size to the expanded size. During installation, the retainer is initially expanded to the expanded size to allow the end portions to be disposed about the bearing cups supported on the trunnions of the universal joint cross.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Yogesh A. Deo