Abstract: A cable connector includes a connector housing attached to an outer shell. A seal is disposed at least partially between the outer shell and the connector housing. A shield is at least partially disposed about the connector housing adjacent to the seal. In one exemplary approach, the connector housing is removably attached to the outer shell. In another exemplary approach, the seal has a unitary configuration.

Abstract: A connector has a plug connected to a first electric cable, and having a pin terminal and a plug holder, a socket connected to a second electric cable, and having a socket terminal and a socket holder, and a first tubular shield member and a second tubular shield member. The pin terminal of the plug is press-fitted and electrically connected to the socket terminal of the socket. The plug holder is connected to the socket holder. A first end of the first tubular shield member is electrically connected to a shield wire of the first electric cable. An elastic arm formed at an opening edge at a second end of the first tubular shield member is contacted to a conductive inner peripheral surface of the plug holder. A first end of the second tubular shield member is electrically connected to a shield wire of the second electric cable. An elastic arm of formed at an opening edge a second end of the second tubular shield member is contacted to a conductive inner peripheral surface of the socket holder.

Abstract: An electrical center is mounted on a wiring harness. The electrical center comprises an upper insulator housing having a plurality of upper terminal receiving cavities, a circuit board assembly disposed in the upper housing below the upper terminal receiving cavities, a plurality of terminals mounted on the circuit board contact portions above the circuit board disposed in the upper terminal receiving cavities for engaging mating terminals plugged into the upper terminal receiving cavities, and a lower insulator housing having a plurality of lower terminal receiving cavities. The terminals mounted on the circuit board have contact portions below the circuit board disposed in the lower terminal receiving cavities for engaging mating terminals that are attached to wires of the wiring harness and that are plugged in the lower terminal receiving cavities.

Abstract: An electrical card connector (100) includes an insulating housing (30), a metal shield (10) shielding over the insulating housing for defining a card receiving space, a plurality of contacts (32) received in the insulating housing and a base (20) assembled at a side of the metal shield. The insulating housing has a body portion (31) and first and second assembling boards (301, 302) formed at two ends of the body portion. The first assembling board defines a first retaining hole (35) and the second assembling board defines a second retaining hole (37). The base includes a guiding portion (21), an extending portion (22) at a front part of the guiding portion and a protruding portion (23) bending laterally from a distal end of the extending portion. The metal shield forms a first fastening element (15) received in the first retaining hole. A second fastening element (27) is retained by the protruding portion and is received in the second retaining hole.

Abstract: An electrical adapter assembly for connecting a first hard disk drive and a second hard disk drive. The electrical adapter assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first golden fingers capable of electrically inserting into the first hard disk drive and a second golden fingers electrically connecting to the first golden fingers. The second connector includes a first plug electrically connecting the second connector to the second golden fingers, a second plug capable of electrically inserting into the second hard disk drive, a chip configured for controlling data transfer between the first hard disk drive and the second hard disk drive, and circuits connecting the chip to the first connector and the second connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plug body having a cavity defined by outer body walls. The cavity has a cavity axis extending between a mating end and a base end of the cavity. The plug body also includes a web portion within the cavity, wherein the web portion extends along the cavity axis and includes a first side and a second side. The first and second sides are spaced apart from, and generally face, corresponding ones of the outer body walls. The plug body is configured to be received within a receptacle of a mating connector, and a portion of the mating connector is received within the cavity along the first and second sides of the web portion when the plug body is mated within the mating connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulating housing defining a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwards from a front face of the base portion and a plurality of terminals. The tongue portion defines a recess portion at each of opposite end walls thereof. Each terminal defines a solder portion extending towards a bottom face of the base portion and a contacting portion located on the tongue portion. A pair of detecting pins are located in recess portions and each comprises a leg portion extending out the base portion and an arc section projecting out beyond the end wall of the tongue portion to be touched by a sidewall of a shielding shell of a counter connector when the electrical connector is inserted by the counter connector.

Abstract: A dual-purpose socket has a body, pin base and a pin set. The body has a front side, a chamber defined in the body and at least one opening. The at least one opening is formed through the front side, communicates with the chamber and allows an HDMI or Displayport plug to be inserted into the chamber. The pin base is mounted in the chamber and corresponds to HDMI and Displayport plugs. The pin set is mounted on the pin base and comprises a detecting pin. When the HDMI or Displayport plug is inserted into the chamber of the body, the detecting pin will respectively not touch or touch a pin of the HDMI or Displayport plug. Since HDMI and Displayport plugs can be used, the dual-purpose socket improves convenience and cost for electronic device consumers and manufacturers.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a row of terminals (20) having a pair of differential signal terminals (21) mounted on a mating tongue (11). Each of the signal contact terminals has a rear end (211) on a back outer face of the connector and a free mounting end (213) away from the back outer face. The free mounting ends are located on a first end row and bent from the rear ends and away from each other in opposite transverse directions so as to widen a pitch therebetween to improve impendence for decreasing interference.

Abstract: A connector arrangement comprising an elongate member with electrically conducting areas forming a first connector and a second connector being arranged inside said elongate member ? The second connector is usable independently of the first connector.

Abstract: A housing for a device for mounting on an assembly surface, in particular a sensor module with a sensor for a motor vehicle, has a housing assembly surface, by way of which the housing may be brought into contact with the assembly surface and a contact socket with electrical contacts which may be electrically and mechanically connected with a complementary contact plug and running parallel to a housing plane in which the housing assembly surface is arranged. A locking device is provided with the following features: a detector for detecting a given position on the assembly surface when the housing is on contact with the assembly surface by way of the housing assembly surface, a blocking device for releasing or blocking the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the contact socket and the contact plug. The connection is released by the blocking device when the housing is in contact with the given position on the assembly surface by way of its housing assembly surface.

Abstract: A keyed power source connector (32) and keyed device connector (14) that are backwards compatible, ensuring that the power rated device connectors can only mate with power source connectors power rated at or above the device connector power rating. One connector is formed as a plug, and the other connector is formed as a socket. The connectors have peripheral contoured body portions (16, 34) having a profile being a function of the respective connector power rating. A keyed portion (41, 62, 72, 82) of the power source connector plug will physically interfere with and not be receivable within a device connector socket when the device connector power rating exceeds the power source connector power rating. This connector system (10) ensures target portable electronic devices coupled to the device connector can not draw power exceeding the rating of the power source connector.

Abstract: An electrical contact (1) includes an elongate planar base portion (10), a pair of contact engaging portions (11) orthogonal to the planar base portion, a stopper portion (12) coplanar with the contact engaging portions, and a solder portion (13) orthogonal to the planar base portion and opposite to the contact engaging portions. The stopper portion connects one of the pair of contact engaging portions and extends to a back side of the planar base portion.

Abstract: A surface mount electrical connector for mounting to a substrate comprising a housing and a contact carried by the housing, the contact comprising a retention section held by the housing and a tine configured for mounting to a surface of the substrate wherein the tine extends from the retention section and wherein the tine lies inside an outer contour line of the housing is disclosed. A method of connecting a surface mount electrical connector to a substrate comprising the steps of providing a housing carrying a contact, the contact having a tine within a projected footprint of the housing on the substrate, attaching the housing to the substrate, inserting a jig into an opening of the housing, and bending the tine toward the substrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A wire connector for connecting a printed circuit pad or line on a flat surface with an outlet wire. In one embodiment, the connector includes a connection member having a conductive member having a first end portion and a second end portion, and an insulting cover formed around the conductive member such that the first end portion and the second end portion of the conductive member are exposed outside the insulating cover, and a boot having a bottom portion, a top portion and a bowl-like body formed therebetween, where the bottom portion has a flat bottom surface, the top portion defines an opening, and the bowl-like body has a height defined the bottom portion and the top portion. As assembled, the insulting cover of the connection member is received and accommodated tightly by the opening of the boot such that the first and second end portions of the conductive member are respectively located outside and inside the boot.

Abstract: A modular electronic device where (predominantly) sealed modules are aligned and attached/connected in pre-determined sequences, forming a robust block-like structure with extendable function: Control and/or inter-module communication are implemented without direct electrical interconnect, by non-contact means such as (magnetic, inductive, light, infrared, radio frequency, sound, ultrasound, or other non-contact means). This device's inter-module power transfer may be with or without direct electrical contact, or devices may be internally powered. Power transfer through inductive/transformer action where one or more alignment pins are used as transformer core is one potential implementation. Modules may be liquid filled to facilitate cooling and/or crush resistance to high-pressure environments.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling movement of a marine vessel. An operator controllable device outputs a signal that is representative of an operator-desired rate of position change of the vessel about or along an axis. A sensor outputs a signal that is representative of a sensed actual rate of position change of the vessel about or along the axis. A rate of position change controller outputs a rate of position change command based upon the difference between the desired rate of position change and the sensed rate of position change. A vessel coordination controller controls movement of the vessel based upon the rate of position change command.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a transmission device disposed on a middle portion of a drive shaft driven by an engine. The transmission device includes a forward-reverse switching device housed in a transmission case. Lubricating oil for lubricating the forward-reverse switching device is stored in the transmission case. The transmission case has a drain hole arranged to discharge lubricating oil in the transmission case that is provided in a lower portion of a side wall and in a position in front of the drive shaft, and a drain bolt for opening or closing the drain hole. An exposed opening for exposing the drain hole is provided in an upper case that covers the transmission case. As a result, work efficiency in discharging or draining of lubricating oil is greatly improved without requiring dismantling of a main body of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A collapsible flotation device is provided that uses a coilable spring coupled to a panel to collapse the device when the spring is coiled, and to expand the device when the spring is uncoiled configuration. The spring can be contained within a sleeve along the outer portion of the panel. A support member that traverses the panel is provided. An inflatable bladder disposed about a part of the outer portion of the panel and coupled to the support member buoyantly supports a body weight of a user. The combination of the inflatable bladder and the support member provide support for a user in a seated position on the panel. Many configurations are disclosed, including a multi-user collapsible flotation device, multiple connected single-user flotation devices, and so forth. A back support member and a headrest, both of which can be inflatable, provide additional support for a user to maintain a seated position on the panel. A foot support member is provided for the comfort of the user.

Abstract: A method of aging a field emission device including a cathode and an anode arranged parallel to each other, an emitter arranged on the cathode to emit electrons to the anode, and a gate electrode arranged on the cathode adjacent to the emitter, the method including: supplying a voltage to the cathode; supplying a voltage to the gate; and then supplying a sufficiently low voltage to the anode so as to prevent a short-circuited portion between the cathode and the gate electrode from being permanently damaged due to an overcurrent.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plasma display panel (PDP) device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels. Each pixel or sub-pixel is defined by a hollow Plasma-disc filled with an ionizable gas. The Plasma-disc has at least two opposing flat sides such as a flat top and flat bottom. One or more other sides or edges may also be flat. Two or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each Plasma-disc. A flat side of the Plasma-disc shell is in contact with a substrate and each electrode is in electrical contact with a flat side of the Plasma-disc. The PDP may include inorganic and organic luminescent materials that are excited by the gas discharge within each Plasma-disc. The luminescent material may be located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the Plasma-disc or incorporated into the shell of the Plasma-disc. Up-conversion and down-conversion materials may be used. The substrate may be rigid or flexible with a flat, curved, or irregular surface.

Abstract: A light emitting device having a die that includes a light source that generates light of a first wavelength and a layer of phosphor particles covering the die is disclosed. The phosphor particles convert a portion of the light of the first wavelength to light of a second wavelength. The light source can be fabricated by attaching the light source to a substrate, and converting the light source by applying a light converting layer that includes a volatile carrier material and particles of a phosphor that convert light of the first wavelength to light of the second wavelength over the light source. The volatile carrier material is then caused to evaporate leaving a layer of the phosphor particles over the light source. A binder material can be incorporated in the volatile carrier for binding the phosphor particles to one another after the volatile carrier material is evaporated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluorescent lamp is provided. One of a dispersed metal oxide precursor sol prepared by a sol-gel reaction and a fluorescent substance slurry is coated on a glass tube having at least one open side and then the other of the fluorescent substance slurry and the dispersed metal oxide precursor sol is coated on the glass tube. Next, passivation and fluorescent layers are simultaneously formed by baking the coated layers. Then, air is exhausted out of the glass tube and a discharge gas is injected into the glass tube. Finally, the glass tube is sealed.

Abstract: A curling structure for use in mechanical swimming creatures and the like includes a series of jointed segments pivotally connected together, with cross members pivotally connected between non-adjacent segments. Each cross member has its first end pivotally connected to a given segment above the pivot point connecting that segment to an adjacent segment, and its second end connected to a non-adjacent segment below the pivot point which connects that non-adjacent segment to the next segment. The result is that as one segment pivots about the joint connecting it to an adjacent segment, the cross members cause all of the segments to curl in a single direction.

Abstract: An animal call includes a mouthpiece, a barrel, and a reed. The mouthpiece defines an air channel therein and has a reed bed proximate the air channel. The barrel is coupled to the mouthpiece and has an internal chamber that is fluidically coupled to the air channel of the mouthpiece. A surface comprising the air channel varies in order to maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional area magnitude along a length of the channel. The reed is disposed adjacent the air channel and proximate the reed bed.

Abstract: A paper doll in which a trunk portion is hollow and disposed with its axial line directed in a longitudinal direction. Right and left shoulder joint members each formed in an approximately U-shape are rotatably coupled with the trunk portion by a first metal coupling passing through the trunk portion and the intermediate wall portions of the shoulder joint members. The base end portion of each of hollow upper arm members is held between a pair of side wall portions of the shoulder joint member and the upper arm members are rotatably coupled with the shoulder joint members by a second metal coupling passing through the side wall portions and the upper arm members, and femoral members each formed to be hollow are rotatably abutted against the trunk portion through the portions where the femoral members are abutted against sides of the trunk portion by a third metal coupling.

Abstract: A beating appliance (1) for cheering easy to beat and suitable for carrying, comprising a body portion having a plurality of tubular members (10), (20), and (30) reduced in diameter from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction and combined with each other so as to be extended/retracted. The tubular members (10), (20), and (30) adjacent to each other are brought into an extended state by connecting the inner peripheral surfaces of the large diameter side tubular members (10) and (20) to the outer peripheral surfaces of the small diameter side tubular members (20) and (30) in taper-stacked states, and brought into a retracted state by storing the small side tubular members (20) and (30) in order and in a nested state in the large diameter side tubular members (10) and (20). Also, a head cap (40) is fitted to one end of the maximum diameter tubular member (10), and an end member (50) having a diametrically grip end (51) is fitted to the other end of the minimum diameter tubular member (30).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a drive mechanism for launching a figurine. The drive mechanism can include a housing, a rotary drive supported in the housing and being drivingly engageable with the figurine for launching the figurine outwardly from the housing, and a locking element movable between a locked position, in which the locking element engages the rotary drive to prevent movement of the rotary drive with respect to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the locking member is moved away from the rotary drive.

Abstract: A pad for a brassiere having a foam layer; a liner layer and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer is provided. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere. A brassiere having a pair of breast-receiving cups is provided. Each of the pair of breast-receiving cups has a pad having a foam layer, a liner layer, and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the said liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere.

Abstract: A system. method and apparatus to monitor a frictional coefficient of a substrate undergoing polishing is described. A polishing pad assembly includes a polishing layer including a polishing surface, and a substrate contacting member flexibly coupled to the polishing layer having a top surface to contact an exposed surface of a substrate. At least a portion of the top surface is substantially coplanar with the polishing surface. A sensor is provided to measure a lateral displacement of the substrate contacting member. Some embodiments may provide accurate endpoint detection during chemical mechanical polishing to indicate the exposure of an underlying layer.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to enable efficient vibration processing by applying a sufficient displacement amount and response speed to an object to be vibrated. In grinding of an outer surface of a workpiece W, first and second supporting members are provided for supporting two opposed points of the workpiece, and first and second vibrators comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged in blind holes formed in the center of the first and second supporting members. The first and second vibrators are activated with sine wave signals which differ in phase by 180 degrees so as to cause the first and second supporting members to expand and shrink in the back-and-forth direction. The displacement amount is amplified and the processing is performed. Also, the second supporting member can move back and forth toward the first supporting member.

Abstract: A servo stroking apparatus and system (10) for honing wherein the cam stroking motion follows a cam profile which produces a finite jerk profile for reducing machine vibration and optimizing one or more honing parameters. The cam profile can be selected for example from a simple harmonic cam profile, a cycloidal profile, a modified trapezoidal profile, apolynomial profile, and a modified sine profile, or a mix of cam profiles. The servo controlled stroker mechanism can include for instance a ball screw mechanism (36), a linearmotor (40), a fluid cylinder, a chain drive or a belt drive. One or more other servo controlled aspects of the honing operation can be synchronized with the servo controlled stroking operation, such as the, rotation of the honing tool.

Abstract: The present invention offers a device for rendering CMP polishing pads easily and temporarily removable from and replaceable upon the platen of a CMP polishing apparatus comprising two sheets, the upper sheet attached to the said CMP polishing pad and the lower attached to the said platen, the said two sheets held together by pegs, pins or protrusions fitted to matching holes in the upper surface of the lower sheet and the lower surface of the upper sheet, said pegs or pins attached to either the upper or lower sheet and able to enter the hold on the adjoining sheet when the sheets are brought together and hold the sheets together by means of the sliding friction attendant upon a tight fit with the said holes. The device allows far easier metrology and storage of CMP polishing pads at different stages of use with no damage to the CMP pad, which may be put back into service at any time.

Abstract: There is provided a double-side polishing method for a wafer of sandwiching a wafer held in a carrier between upper and lower turn tables each having a polishing pad attached thereto and simultaneously polishing both surfaces of the wafer while supplying a slurry to a space between the upper and lower turn tables from a plurality of slurry supply holes provided in the upper turn table, wherein a polishing amount at an outer peripheral portion of the wafer to be polished is adjusted and outer peripheral sag of the wafer is suppressed by supplying the slurry in such a manner that an amount of the slurry supplied from the slurry supply holes provided on an outer side relative to the center of rotation of the upper turn table becomes larger than an amount of the slurry supplied from the slurry supply holes provided on an inner side relative to the same at the time of polishing both the surfaces of the wafer.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly and method is configured to apply coherent jets of coolant in a tangential direction to the grinding wheel in a grinding process, at a desired temperature, pressure and flowrate, to minimize thermal damage in the part being ground. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful when grinding thermally sensitive materials such as gas turbine creep resistant alloys and hardened steels. Flowrate and pressure guidelines are provided to facilitate optimization of the embodiments.

Abstract: A carrier head that has a base assembly, a retaining ring assembly, a carrier ring, and a flexible membrane is described. The flexible membrane has a main portion and an outer annular portion, wherein a junction between the main portion and the outer annular portion comprises a peripheral edge hinge and an annular recess above the hinge along the outer wall of the outer annular portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sanding element with a succession of overlapping lamellas (3, 4) containing sanding grains (9), characterized in that these lamellas (3, 4) are alternately formed of sanding lamellas (3) and compressible lamellas (4), whereby each sanding lamella (3) rests on a compressible lamella (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for heating an aircraft cabin and comprises a first hot air supply line (12) that leads to an air conditioning unit (14), a flow control valve (16) that is disposed in the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the air conditioning unit (14), and a second hot air supply line (18) that branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) between the flow control valve (16) and the air conditioning unit (14) and bypasses the air conditioning unit (14). In order to assure air conditioning of the aircraft cabin in the event of a failure of the air conditioning unit (14) a third hot air supply line (20) branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the flow control valve (16), which third hot air supply line (20) connects the first hot air supply line (12) to the second hot air supply line (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a flap (2) of a motor vehicle ventilation system, which is disposed in a housing (1) in the mounted state and controls the air supply to the interior of the vehicle along with a second flap (4). The flap (2) according to the invention comprises a pivot axis about which the same can be pivoted. At least one portion of the flap area (2?) is pivotable and/or flexible to the pivot axis or shaft (2?) and/or another portion of the flap (2) juxtaposing the pivot axis.

Abstract: A vented door for a computer system includes a vented base and an outer door. The vented base and the outer door are separately pivotable. The vented base is pivotably attached to the computer system's enclosure for movement between a closed configuration where the vented base abuts against a panel of the enclosure and an open configuration where the vented base is swung away from the panel. The outer door is pivotably attached to the vented base to avoid interfering with a neighboring computer system's vented door as the vented base is pivoted to the open configuration. An acoustic noise reduction lining is provided on the outer door and in the air flow apertures of the vented base. The outer door is preferably removable from the vented base so that the combined weight of the vented base and the outer door need not be lifted when removal is necessary.

Abstract: An on-line poker game system includes a poker table staffed with a live dealer with a plurality of designated seats assigned to at least one a remote player and one or more live players or to a plurality of remote players. Remote players connect to the system via a wide area network. Located at each designated seat is a private card camera that produces and transmits images of face down cards dealt thereto. A public card camera produces and transmits images of all face up cards dealt on the poker table. A table camera constantly provides an image of the entire table and dealer. A deck of cards with an identifying RFID tag is used with images to verify the identity of the private and public cards. A game logic server connects to a network server and host and client-side software programs enable the remote players to connect to the server.

Abstract: A method for playing video gambling games whereby pay tables vary from play to play, or, alternatively, whereby a plurality of pay tables are possible within a game. For example, in a video poker game a player wagers against a first pay table. If a winner occurs, the next game offers a new pay table with a greater expected value. This process continues until the player loses, whereupon the player is returned to play against the first pay table. Pay tables increment and decrement in expected value based on achieving predetermined events within the current game, within a previous game or games or randomly.

Abstract: A game of chance is provided in which a wagering game of skill and chance is played electronically automatically according to a predetermined set of rules. Such games of chance may include card games, such as poker and blackjack, or other games, such as dominoes, craps or backgammon. Such games may be reduced to games of chance, removing the element of player skill, and allowing such games to be played outside legal gaming jurisdictions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of a bonus symbol over at least two outcomes. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of the occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number. According to another embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of matched lottery numbers over a plurality of lottery outcomes (e.g., lottery number drawings) and/or a plurality of lottery entries. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of occurrences of matched numbers is at least equal to a predetermined number.

Abstract: A system and method of playing an interactive bingo game. Each game session comprises a plurality of game events in which the bingo game draws at least one bingo number from a set of bingo numbers. The player is provided with one or more bingo cards. The game drawn bingo numbers are matched to the bingo cards and the player is awarded a prize according to a dynamic paytable. The dynamic paytable depends on a plurality of dynamic variables that are modified during the game session. The dynamic paytable further comprises a plurality of triggering events that are associated with a plurality of bingo patterns, and a threshold event that is engaged after one or more triggering events. The threshold event is configured to determine a plurality of prize credits awarded for each subsequent bingo pattern. For the chargeable action embodiment, the player is charged one or more credits for each of the game events and the credits that are charged are determined by said player.

Abstract: A gaming system having a centralized controller coupled to an array of game apparatus; a display device, including a plurality of prize object displays, for displaying a bonus event prize for at least one game apparatus in the array; and provision for holding prize objects in an individually controlled manner, is disclosed. In another embodiment, a gaming system including a plurality of game apparatus, each game apparatus having a plurality of prize objects where at least one prize object is a dynamic prize object, the latter being distinguishable from other prize objects; and a central controller in communication with the plurality of game apparatus, the central controller being configured to assign a prize value to a selected prize object if the selected prize object is a dynamic prize object and cause the prize value to be displayed to a player on the associated game apparatus, is disclosed.

Abstract: A game machine includes a monitor, a comparator and an adjuster. The monitor monitors a difference between the amount of game value inserted and the amount of game value paid. The comparator compares the difference with a preset reference value. The adjuster extends a game time of a game performed on the monitor when a result of the comparison that the difference is greater than the reference value is determined by the comparator.

Abstract: A method to implement a wagering game which allows a player to make multiple bets on independent outcomes. The outcome distributions/variances of each of the bets can vary. The player can, for example, place a bet on whether cards drawn from independent decks will have the same suit, the outcomes of which are entirely independent of each other.

Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices and a shared or a common secondary display associated with the gaming devices. In one embodiment, the shared display is adjacent to one or more of the gaming devices of the gaming system. The gaming system includes at least one primary game and at least one secondary or bonus game. The bonus game is associated with a plurality of average expected payouts or values. In one embodiment, the bonus game that is played on the secondary display is associated with a higher average expected payout or higher values than the average expected payouts or values of the bonus game played on the individual gaming devices. When the player places a designated wager, they qualify to play the game on the secondary display and thus qualify for a chance to win the higher awards.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new bonus game for reel-based slot machines. The bonus game is an embedded slot game, with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game.