Abstract:
A method and apparatus for optimizing game design and development upon multiple gaming systems includes an authoring system in which a set of authoring tools and game components are provided to an authoring computer. The authoring computer operates under the control of a game designer to produce a set of game design files which define a game to be played upon a gaming device such as a slot machine. A collector transforms the game design files into ordered game data files which may then be transferred to a host gaming device. A game data player and interface are provided within the host gaming device. The game data player in response to the game data files provides a sequence of interpretive instruction commands which are communicated to and which interpretive sequence the game play of the host game play device. The use of the game data collector and game data player facilitate gaming authority approval and provide great flexibility allowing any game data player equipped host gaming device to play any game data collected game without adaptation or alteration.
Abstract:
A wagering game is played on processor-based gaming apparatus including: providing a gaming apparatus of processor, video display and gaming input system; after a wager, the processor executes code to play a first wagering game and display images associated with the first wagering game on the video display;when the processor recognizes a predefined trigger outcome, bonus play of a second game different from the first wagering game begins;the processor identifies bonus points accumulated during bonus play distinct from any wagering credits; the processor displays at least two distinct bonus events of a first bonus event played on the first wagering game and a second bonus event played on the first wagering game. The first bonus event and the second bonus event being activated by the processor diminishing accumulated bonus points. An amount of bonus points needed to activate the first bonus event is different from an amount of points needed to activate the second bonus event.
Abstract:
A leak detection system for detecting a leak within a duplex valve assembly is disclosed. The duplex valve assembly includes a first valve, a second valve and an intermediate fluid flow passageway fluidly interconnecting the first valve to the second valve. The leak detection system includes a means for indicating whether the first valve is maintained in a closed position or an open position, a means for indicating whether the second valve is maintained in a closed position or an open position, and a pressure change detector within the intermediate fluid flow passageway. The pressure change sensing means is at least partially positioned within the intermediate fluid flow passageway for detecting a pressure change within the intermediate fluid flow passageway.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on the gaming machine. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage.
Abstract:
Hydrogen generating method and apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mixed phase protonic-electron conducting cermet membrane (2), wherein said membrane is coated with porous metal or composite catalyst (1) effective to decompose hydro-carbon and water reactants into a hydrogen-rich syngas at elevated temperature and pressure. The hydrogen ions are continuously withdrawn in situ by diffusing them through the mixed phase conducting cermet membrane (2) to the second membrane side where the hydrogen ions can be reconstituted into molecular hydrogen with a supply of electrons. The method favorably shifts the equilibrium of steam reforming and water gas shift reaction by use a single stage, high efficiency and high purity membrane reactor.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for repairing the heart's mitral valve by using anatomic restoration without the need to stop the heart, use a heart-lung machine or making incisions on the heart. The method involves inserting a leaflet clamp through the heart's papillary muscle from which the leaflet has been disconnected, clamping the leaflet's free end and then puncturing the leaflet. One end of a suture is then passed through the hollow portion of the clamp, while the other end of the suture is maintained external to the heart. The clamp is then removed and the suture's two ends are fastened together with a securement ring/locking cap assembly to the heart wall exterior, thereby reconnecting the leaflet to the corresponding papillary muscle. The introduction of the clamp, puncturing of the leaflet, passage of the suture therethrough and removal of the clamp can be conducted a plurality of times before each suture's two ends are fastened to the securement ring/locking cap assembly.
Abstract:
A TVRO earth station having a satellite seeking system comprising at least one controllable motor for adjusting the position of an antenna for receiving signals from a satellite having multiple transponders transmitting signals at prescribed nominal center frequencies and with different polarizations, control means for energizing the motor to move said antenna along a predetermined satellite-searching path, a receiver for receiving the incoming signals from the antenna and successively tuning to the center frequencies at each of a succession of intervals along the searching path, means responsive to the signals detected by the receiver for producing a signal or value representing the quality of the detected signals at each of the successive intervals along the searching path, and means responsive to the quality-representing signal or value for identifying the locations along the searching path at which the antenna receives signals from a satellite.
Abstract:
An improved system is provided for accurately referencing the revolving motion of electric motors used as positioning devices, and is particularly applicable to the automatic positioning and repositioning of ground station antennas in the reception of satellite TV signals.The system utilizes the action of the positioning motor itself as a reference and involves the extraction and counting of variations in the form of pulses produced in the current within the motor as a result of pulses generated, during motor operation, by the commutation process. A low impedance source senses the motor current pulses and feeds them to an active lowpass filter which suppresses any high frequency noise produced during motor commutation. Peak following circuitry, including separate positive and negative peak detectors, detects and follows the positive and negative peaks of the motor current pulses and produces a pulsating output waveform which is proportional to the number of motor current pulses detected by the peak detectors. The output pulses can be counted to provide an accurate referencing of the motor revolving motion with improved resolution and reduced susceptibility to measurement errors.
Abstract:
An electronic gaining system moderates payout rates by the processor randomly providing a first random outcome which determines whether the wager is initially resolved by the processor as a winning outcome, tie outcome or losing outcome. The processor recognizes specific ones of, but less than all of the tie outcomes and/or the losing outcomes as belonging to a provisional subset of the outcomes and/or losing outcomes. The processor recognizes a random outcome as within the provisional subset, the processor randomly selecting from among multiple additional outcomes stored in memory for at least individual ones of random outcomes within the provisional subset, and randomly selecting a final random outcome for the at least individual one of the random outcomes within the provisional subset from a second set of random outcomes that includes at least one winning outcome, and resolving the wager on the basis of the final random outcome.
Abstract:
A control apparatus comprising a first control interface generating a display containing a plurality of function types and receiving a first function type selection. A second control interface generating a display containing a plurality of parameters associated with the selected function type and receiving a parameter selection. A chart interface displaying historical data for a variable and receiving a first and second cursor selection from a user interface device control and generating chart location data associated with the first and second cursor selection. A function controller receiving the location data associated with the first cursor selection and executing a second related function if the chart location data associated with the first cursor selection is within allowable location data and executing the selected function after execution of the second related function if the chart location data is within allowable location data associated with the first selected function.