18th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 47 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090111477 | UPLINK COMMUNICATION METHOD IN A RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, RADIO TERMINAL AND RADIO BASE STATION - A radio communication system including a radio base station and radio terminals communicating with the radio base station, wherein the system further includes a unit for allocating a first frequency resource which is shared by the radio terminals and which is used when each of the radio terminals transmits a first signal to the radio base station in periodic transmission timing. Also included is a unit for allocating a second frequency resource which is used when each of the radio terminals transmits a second signal to the radio base station. Also included is a unit for controlling the second frequency resource when each of the radio terminals transmits the second signal in transmission timing of the first signal, so that the second frequency resource is changed to a third frequency resource which is smaller than the allocated second frequency resource so as not to overlap the first frequency resource. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111478 | METHOD OF SEARCHING FOR FREE BAND FOR A COGNITIVE TELECOMMUNICATION TERMINAL - This invention relates to a method of searching for free band using a cognitive telecommunication terminal operating in a zone covered by a primary telecommunication system using a plurality of frequency bands (B). The terminal classifies said bands as a function of their conditional probabilities of being available (p(b | 2009-04-30 |
20090111479 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALLOCATING CONNECTION IDENTIFIER IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An apparatus for allocating one or more connection identifiers in a base station of a wireless communication system is used in a base station. The base station has a function of allocating one or more connection identifiers used for specific call communication between the base station and a mobile station. The apparatus includes a unit for defining one or more connection identifiers used for the specific call communication and one or more burst profiles that are attributes related to wireless communication using the one or more connection identifiers. Also included is a unit for broadcasting the one or more connection identifiers used for the specific call communication and the one or more burst profiles to the mobile station. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111480 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING CONTROL INFORMATION VIA A CONTROL SIGNALING CHANNEL - A method for transmitting control information may include providing formatting rules that define a format for transmission of the control information to a base station via a control signaling channel. The control information may include a channel quality indicator (CQI), an acknowledgement/non-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK), a pre-coding matrix indicator (PMI), and rank information. The method may also include providing combination rules as part of the formatting rules. The combination rules may define how the CQI, the ACK/NACK, the PMI, and the rank information are combined for transmission on the control signaling channel. The method may also include transmitting the control information to the base station via the control signaling channel in accordance with the defined formatting rules. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111481 | METHOD FOR PREDICTING AIR INTERFACE CAPACITY BASED ON PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS - The present invention provides a method of wireless telecommunications in a wireless telecommunications network that provides a plurality of service types. The method includes accessing at least one first performance measurement associated with the wireless telecommunications network and determining at least one load associated with at least one of the plurality of service types based on the at least one performance measurement. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111482 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Whether a Mobile Terminal Has Moved Outside a Given Locale - A method and apparatus are described for determining whether a mobile terminal | 2009-04-30 |
20090111483 | POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD - There is provided a system and method for positioning a receiver, the system comprising an antenna array coupled to a common generating and switching unit. The generating and switching unit is configured to generate a periodic signal and to switch the signal between at least two antennas, constituting a positioning signal; such that an RF receiver receiving the positioning signal and having a phase difference estimator is capable to measure phase differences between portions of the positioning signal transmitted by the spaced-apart antennas, the phase differences indicating the orientation of the received relative to the positioning system. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111484 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Tracking Objects - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tracking an object. An identification signal is received that identifies an identification tag associated with the object to be tracked. The identification signal is stored in memory of a cellular phone. When an incoming call is received at the cellular phone, then the information associated with the identification signal is uploaded to a network database. When an outgoing call is placed from the cellular phone, then the information associated with the identification signal may also be uploaded to the network database. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111485 | Communication Terminal and Recording Medium - A communication terminal includes a first wireless unit for carrying out cellular communication, and a second wireless unit for carrying out WLAN communication. A control unit carries out a power save operation that inactivates the WLAN communication function of these wireless communication functions. Location information for access points accessible by WLAN communication is stored in the storage unit. The control unit calculates distances between access points and the communication terminal and determines whether or not the communication terminal is within communication range of any of the access points by matching location information for the communication terminal obtained by the GPS unit and location information for the access points stored in the storage unit. When the access point is within communication range, the control unit gives notification by outputting the signal strength via a display unit and the like according to the distance to the access point. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111486 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A MESSAGE - One or more embodiments may concern a portable communication device comprising a detection unit and a control unit, said portable communication device being adapted to use an information template for generating a message. The detection unit is configured to detect a physical entity. The control unit is configured to insert information corresponding to the detected physical entity, detected by the detection unit into a pre-specified position in the message template. One or more embodiments may also concerns a method for generating a message in a portable communication device by using an adaptive information template. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111487 | TEXT DISPLAY OF GEO-REFERENCED INFORMATION BASED ON RELATIVE DISTANCE TO A USER LOCATION - A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided for displaying geographically referenced information. In one example, a method includes causing a display of search results from a search of geographically referenced information (e.g., point-of-interest locations, geo-tagged objects, other users, and so on), the display comprising text associated with each of the search results, where the text varies for at least one of the search results based on the distance of the search results from a user location. For example, text associated with relatively close search results displayed more prominently than relatively distant search results. The method may further include generating presentation data according to a display scheme for displaying search results and communicating the presentation data to a user device. The method may vary the text based on at least one of font size, font style, color, shading, three-dimensional height, associated features, animation, combinations thereof, and the like. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111488 | Method of Communicating Multimedia Messages Among Remote Terminals Using a Programming Agent - The invention is in the technological field of imaging. The invention relates more specifically to a colximunication method between at least two terminals ( | 2009-04-30 |
20090111489 | TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES APPARATUS AND METHODS - A home location register (HLR) in a mobile telecommunications network is programmed to forward a selected subset of routing information request messages (SRI SM) to a message router (SMS Router), instead of the home location register providing the usual response. The message router then generates a modified response to the routing information request message, in consequence of the modified response receives the mobile terminated text message associated with the routing information request message, derives the destination MSISDN requested by the message sender associated with the mobile terminated text message, and queries the home location register to determine delivery information relating to the intended destination of the text message, such as a diverted destination. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111490 | ALERTS BASED ON SIGNIFICANCE OF FIXED FORMAT SMS TEXT MESSAGES - A method and system for processing a fixed format short message service (SMS) text message for alerting a user of a mobile phone to significant information in the message received by the mobile phone. Program code stored in memory on the mobile phone executes the method on a processor. A value of each preset variable of at least two preset variables is retrieved from the memory on the mobile phone. The mobile phone receives the message from a sender. The message is ascertained to be significant by ascertaining that the received message passes at least one test. Each test utilizes at least one aspect of the received message and the retrieved value of at least one preset variable. Responsive to the ascertaining, default handset settings of the mobile phone are overridden and the user is alerted by an audio tone or vibration that the received message is significant. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111491 | Remotely modifying data in memory in a mobile device - Methods and corresponding systems in a mobile device for remotely modifying data stored in the mobile device include receiving a message in the mobile device. The message can be a short message service (SMS) message. The message is compared to a secret message, wherein the secret message is a hash value output by a hash function, wherein inputs to the hash function include a text string and a secret text string. The text string can be an e-mail address, and the secret text string can be a password of the mobile device. In response to the message matching the secret message, data stored in memory in the mobile device is modified to prevent unauthorized access. A secret message cancellation can be received in the mobile device to cancel a scheduled memory modification. Memory modification can include erasing data, replacing data, or encrypting data. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111492 | System and Method for Enhanced Message Delivery - Coincident with the evolution, maturation, etc. of wireless messaging ecosystems an infrastructure that provides for intelligent and dynamic alternate Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message delivery channels. Occasions may arise where a Mobile Subscriber would like to use their Wireless Device to exchange (for example, MMS) messages but circumstances may prohibit or limit same. On such occasions the MMS messages may be appropriately processed and then routed through one or more alternate message delivery channels such as, possibly inter alia, E-Mail. The infrastructure may optionally leverage the capabilities of a centrally-located Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111493 | TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - In a telecommunications system such as a global mobile telephone network in which each subscriber unit includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card), each SIM card has fixed memory locations, to which data can be addressed over the air. Some of the locations can not be overwritten from the subscriber unit but can be accessed therefrom on the entry of short simple codes, each associated with one of the locations. Further fixed memory locations can be read over the air only when the subscriber enters a personal identification number. Locking control files are used to control read/write access to the locations respectively. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111494 | Telecommunications System - In a telecommunications system such as a global mobile telephone network in which each subscriber unit includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card), each SIM card has fixed memory locations, to which data can be addressed over the air. Some of the locations can not be overwritten from the subscriber unit but can be accessed therefrom on the entry of short simple codes, each associated with one of the locations. Further fixed memory locations can be read over the air only when the subscriber enters a personal identification number. Locking control files are used to control read/write access to the locations respectively. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111495 | RETREIVING AND PRESENTING INFORMATION IN A PORTABLE DEVICE - The present invention is related to a method for retrieving contacts in a portable device being arranged to operatively communicate messages and being provided with: access to a memory arrangement comprising a plurality of contacts, each being associated with one or several contact addresses for enabling a user of the portable device to communicate messages with the contact in question; a presentation arrangement for presenting contacts; and at least one control unit for controlling the operation of the portable device. The portable is arranged to perform the method, which is characterized by the steps of: monitoring the number of messages that are communicated with the device for each contact in a set of contacts among said plurality of contacts; sorting said set of contacts with respect to the number of times each contact has been involved in the communication of a message; presenting the sorted set of contacts on the presentation arrangement. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111496 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING BLUETOOTH CHANNELS USING A WIDEBAND RECEIVER - Aspects of a method and system for classifying Bluetooth channels using a wideband receiver are provided. In this regard, FFT analysis may be utilized to detect signals/interference present in a sub-band of an ISM band and classify Bluetooth channels in that sub-band based on the detected signals. A co-located Bluetooth transceiver may utilize the classification to determine which Bluetooth channels comprise a best communication link for communicating via Bluetooth. In this regard, Bluetooth channels may be ranked in order of preference based on the classification. Preferred Bluetooth channels may provide more reliable Bluetooth communications. The ISM frequency band may be the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band. The sub-bands may each comprise a WLAN channel. The Bluetooth channels may be classified based on strength, type, and/or a rate of recurrence of the detected signals. In addition to the FFT, a signal strength indicator may be utilized to detect signals/interference. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111497 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONGESTION CONTROL IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILZIING SCHEDULED ACCESS COMMUNICATION CHANNELS - A first communication channel is used by a communication unit for communicating with a base site. The first communication channel has an inbound link and an outbound link. The communication unit determines that congestion is present on the communication channel. The communication unit determines its transmission requirements and whether the first communication channel is capable of supporting its transmission requirements. If the first communication channel is not capable of supporting the transmission requirements of the communication unit, the communication unit locates a second communication channel capable of supporting its transmission requirements, and switches to the second communication channel to communicate with the base site. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111498 | Software control of half duplex radio data transceivers - Apparatus and method for providing a data interface to a plurality of radio transceivers such as between a personal computer or other information processing device to one or more radio transmitter/receiver systems having a serial data interface in a manner that provides control of the radio and means to send and receive data via the radio without regard to the characteristics of the radio or its serial interface. A common control protocol is employed that exposes the functionality necessary to control the radio transmitter/receiver device in a generic manner. The invention may communicate with the data terminal equipment via a widely-available data interface or network protocol, such as an asynchronous serial interface, the Universal Serial Bus (USB), or an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The invention also provides a means of implementing synchronous serial framing formats through software implementation, allowing compatibility with future data systems to be achieved without requiring hardware modifications. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111499 | METHOD OF MODIFYING PILOT POWER FOR A HOME BASE STATION ROUTER BASED ON USER DEMAND - The present invention provides a method implemented in a base station router. One embodiment of the method includes determining a transmission power for a pilot signal transmitted by the base station router. The transmission power being determined based upon a number of mobile units that are camped on the base station router. Another embodiment of the method includes deploying the first base station router in a physical structure and estimating the dimensions of the physical structure based on a statistical representation of at least one handover attempt associated with the first base station router. Estimation of the dimensions of the physical structure occurs in response to deployment of the first base station router in the physical structure. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111500 | MULTI-RADIO PLATFORM WITH WIMAX AND BLUETOOTH RADIO MODULES AND METHOD - Embodiments of a multi-radio platform with longer-range and shorter-range radio modules and method are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a transmit power level is set for transmissions by a shorter-range radio module during a reception by a longer-range radio module to a lesser of a maximum allowed power level or a next requested power level when transmit step-down mode is enabled. The transmit power level is set to the next requested power level when the longer-range radio module is not transmitting. The shorter-range radio module refrains from transmitting when a transmit-kill mode is enabled during the reception by the longer-range radio module. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111501 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND ITS DEVICE - A wireless communication device includes a wireless communication module and a solar power module electrically connected with the wireless communication module. The wireless communication module transmits or receives a first wireless communication signal. The solar power module receives a light and outputs a power to the wireless communication module according to the light. A wireless communication system is also disclosed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111502 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANTI-COLLISION TAG IN RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEM - A method and an apparatus for preventing tag collision in a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) system are provided. A method of a reader for preventing the tag collision in the RFID system includes modifying variables such that every tag responds in the same slot, measuring a power of tags received in the same slot, allocating slots by predicting the number of the tags based on the measured power, and reading the tags in the allocated slots. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111503 | Overload indicator for adjusting open loop power control parameters - The exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method, apparatus, and program to determine actions to be taken upon receiving overload indicators. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method includes: determining if more than a first predetermined number of overload indicator messages are received within a first predetermined period of time. If such a determination is made that more than the first predetermined number of overload indicator messages are received within the first predetermined period of time is made, a value of a power output parameter is adjusted by decreasing the value of the power output parameter, and the adjusted value of the power output parameter is sent. If a determination is made that less than a second predetermined number of overload indicator messages are received within a second predetermined period of time, the value of the power output parameter is adjusted by increasing the value of the power output parameter, sending the adjusted value of the power output parameter is sent. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111504 | DETERMINING A TARGET TRANSMIT POWER OF A WIRELESS TRANSMISSION - Different target transmit powers are determined for different wireless transmissions from a wireless device. The target transmit power of a wireless transmission may depend upon whether any transmitters other than the device to which the wireless transmission is to be sent are within range of the sending wireless device. The target transmit power of a wireless transmission may be based, at least in part, on a current location of a device to which one or more frames carried by the wireless transmission are addressed. The target transmit power of a wireless transmission may be based, at least in part, on confidentiality of data carried by the wireless transmission. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111505 | PORTABLE TERMINAL, NETWORK SERVER, NETWORK SYSTEM, NETWORK COMMUNICATION METHOD AND PROGRAM - The technology that is capable of causing operation keys of a mobile terminal to flexibly deal with external data such as a new program, or the like, and also improving an operability of the mobile terminal in handling the external data can be provided. In the network system | 2009-04-30 |
20090111506 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN PEER TO PEER COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES AND/OR SYSTEMS RELATING TO RATE SCHEDULING, TRAFFIC SCHEDULING, RATE CONTROL, AND/OR POWER CONTROL - Methods and apparatus related to peer to peer communication networks are described. Embodiments directed to methods and apparatus for establishing traffic data transmission rates and/or transmission power levels between wireless terminals is described. Embodiments direct to methods and apparatus of making decisions whether or not to transmit as a function of the received power of the received response signals are also described. Transmission of pilot signals after granting of a transmission request and a decision to transmit traffic data has been made occurs in some embodiments. Rate information to be used in determining a traffic rate may be received in response to the pilot signal from a peer to peer (P2P) device. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111507 | Speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones - The present invention is directed to improved speech intelligibility in telephones with multiple microphones. Such a telephone includes a first microphone, a second microphone, a voice activity detector (VAD), a receiver module, and a signal processor. The first microphone outputs a first audio signal, which comprises a voice component when a near-end user talks and a background noise component. The second microphone outputs a second audio signal. The VAD generates a voice activity signal responsive to a ratio between the first audio signal and the second audio signal. The voice activity signal identifies time intervals in which the voice component of the near-end user is present in the first audio signal. The receiver module receives a third audio signal, which comprises a voice component of a far-end user. The signal processor modifies the third audio signal responsive to the voice activity signal. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111508 | HANDHELD COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING DUAL OPERATING MODES - A handheld communication device having dual operating modes includes a casing, a display and a keyboard. The casing is formed with an accommodating trough. One side of the accommodating trough is provided with a first connecting port. Further, the casing is provided thereon with a receiver. The display is sealed to cover on the accommodating trough and is displaceable with respect to the casing. The keyboard is detachably received in the accommodating trough. One side of the keyboard is provided with a second connecting port for insertion to correspond to the first connecting port. The keyboard is provided with an emitter for transmitting wireless signals to the receiver and a battery module for providing the necessary power of the emitter. Via the mutual insertion and disconnection between the second connecting port and the first connecting port, wired and wireless operating modes can be switched. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111509 | Systems and methods for augmenting communications protocols - A method, computer program, and system for augmenting communications protocols. Communications are received with which at least one protocol is determined to be associated. The at least one protocol may be configured to control at least one of the communications. Parameters associated with the at least one protocol are identified. In turn, at least one rule is accessed that is based on the at least one protocol and the parameters. Subsequently, a user is provided with at least one communications-control option according to the at least one rule. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111510 | MULTIMODE PORTABLE TERMINAL AND MODE SWITCH-OVER METHOD - [PROBLEMS] To provide a multimode portable terminal capable of variously switching over the mode of a network connection according to various needs such as high-quality and high-speed data communication or inexpensive data communication, and a mode switch-over method. [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] A multimode portable terminal capable to any one of a plurality of radio communication networks with different standards includes a mode selecting device | 2009-04-30 |
20090111511 | PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH THREE DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY - The present invention relates to a portable communication device ( | 2009-04-30 |
20090111512 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING HIGH-RESOLUTION CAMERA WITH TUNABLE SENSOR AUTO FOCUS - To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a high-resolution digital camera function is incorporated into a multifunction portable electronic device. In exemplary embodiments, a clamshell portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, is provided with a digital camera/video function. The lens of the camera/video function is separated from an image sensor in a manner such that the two are not linearly aligned. Light coming through the lens is reflected by a reflective element, such as prism, onto the image sensor. The sensor is movable relative to a fixed position of the prism to provide an auto focus feature. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is movable along a portion of the width of the portable electronic device, the width being substantially greater in distance than the thickness of one of the clamshell portions. In this manner, the width of the portable electronic provides a greater distance available for the focal length than in the typical configuration, in which the lens and image sensor are linearly aligned within a clamshell portion. By increasing the focal length, higher resolution can be obtained. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111513 | OPERATION INPUT DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - An operation input device includes a printed circuit board having at least one single push button switch mounted on an upper surface of the printed circuit board, an operation dial supported rotatably about a rotation axis above the printed circuit board, a push button which is rotated at the center of the operation dial integrally with the operation dial and is movable upwardly and downwardly independently, a plate-shaped magnet with at least a pair of magnetic poles evenly and radially divided which is included in the push button and placed on an axis coincident with the rotation axis, and a magnetic-field detection device provided below the push button. When the operation dial is rotated, the magnetic-field detection device for detecting magnetic fluxes from the plate-shaped magnet detects the direction and the amount of rotation. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111514 | MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device includes a trigger having a rod-like body fixed at one end. A housing has a first hole into which the body is inserted. A sensor detects that the trigger has been operated in the direction in which the body is pulled from the hole. A buzzer is activated in response to the sensor's having detected the operation of the trigger. A second hole is formed in a firmly fitted member. The body is inserted in the second hole so as to be freely slid forward or backward against the hole. The fitted member is fitted firmly in the entrance portion of the first hole; and a sealing member contacts the internal wall of the first hole and the body. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111515 | MOBILE TERMINAL - A mobile terminal includes a terminal body having a display and a wireless communication module, a camera body disposed adjacent to the terminal body in a longitudinal direction, and coupled to the terminal body so as to rotate at a certain angle in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction such that an optical axis of a lens formed on the camera body is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and a display mode controller for controlling the display such that a first available set of modes is outputted on the display if the camera body is rotated in a first direction, and a second available set of modes is outputted on the display if the camera body is rotated in a second direction. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111516 | RFID READER INTEGRATED WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE - An integrated RFID reader and wireless communication device is realized by a radio frequency (RF) front end operable, in a first mode, to generate a radio frequency identification system (RFID) outbound radio frequency (RF) signal, to receive an RFID inbound RF signal responsive to the RFID outbound RF signal and to convert the RFID inbound RF signal to an RFID near baseband signal, and operable in a second mode, to generate a transceiver outbound radio frequency (RF) signal, to receive a transceiver inbound RF signal and to convert the transceiver inbound RF signal to a transceiver near baseband signal. The integrated device further includes a digitization module operable, in the first mode, to convert the RFID near baseband signal to an RFID digital baseband signal, and operable, in a second mode, to convert the transceiver near baseband signal to a transceiver digital baseband signal, and a baseband processing module operably coupled, in the first mode, to convert the RFID digital baseband signal into inbound RFID digital data, and operably coupled, in the second mode, to convert the transceiver digital baseband signal into inbound transceiver digital data. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111517 | Handheld device capable of independently actuating camera and method thereof - The present invention discloses a handheld device capable of independently actuating camera and method thereof. The handheld device comprises an input module, a storage module, a mobile phone module and a camera module. The input module has a first button and a second button. The storage module is connected to the input module and stores a first operating system and a second operating system. The mobile phone module is connected to the storage module and provides a mobile phone function. The camera module is connected to the storage module and provides a camera function. When the first button is pressed, the first operating system is activated for enabling the mobile phone module to provide the mobile phone function. When the second button is pressed, the second operating system is activated for enabling the camera module to provide the camera function. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111518 | INTERFACE FOR CELLULAR AND LOCAL NON-CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS - Interface apparatus supports communications between a cellular network and a local non-cellular network, such as a Bluetooth, cordless phone, or PBX network. In an exemplary embodiment, the interface apparatus connects a conventional cellular phone to the base of a conventional cordless phone set. By placing the cordless phone, interface apparatus, and cordless phone base at a location of acceptable cellular signal strength, a user may communicate with the cellular network via the cordless phone set using the cordless phone's handset, even in locations of low cellular signal strength. The orientation of the interface apparatus may be (manually or automatically) controlled using a motorized base to optimize reception of cellular signals. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111519 | FM CHANNEL SCANNING - A system may include a buffer that is arranged and configured to receive an audio input signal and to buffer the audio input signal for a period of delay time, where the audio input signal includes one or more periods of silence and one or more periods of content and a processor that is arranged and configured to search the audio input signal for the periods of silence during the period of delay time. The system also may include a frequency modulation (FM) receiver that is arranged and configured to be enabled by the processor during the periods of silence to scan an FM spectrum for available frequencies for transmission and an FM transmitter that is arranged and configured to transmit the audio input signal on an FM frequency and to be disabled by the processor during the periods of silence. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111520 | System for collection and distribution of machine data via a cellular device - A data collection and distribution system associated with a machine comprises an electronic control module located on a machine. The electronic control module is configured to collect operation data associated with the machine. The system also comprises a personal area network (PAN) control module communicatively coupled to the electronic control module. The PAN control module is configured to detect a PAN-compatible cellular communication device proximate the PAN control module. The PAN control module is also configured to transmit the operation data to the PAN-compatible cellular communication device using a PAN connection between the PAN control module and the PAN-compatible cellular device, wherein the PAN-compatible cellular communication device is configured to transmit the operation data to a condition monitoring system via a cellular network. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111521 | Data Entry Systems - A data entry system includes a hand held data entry unit having a reading sensor for sensing commands and/or data, rewritable storage for storing information relating to selectable items, a controller (a microprocessor or other processing circuitry) and a display screen for displaying a user readable representation of the commands and/or stored information for a selected item, and a telecommunication interface for the telephonic transmission of information relating to a selected item or items from the storage to a remote processing center and for the telephonic information relating to selectable items from the remote processing center to the storage. Preferably a telecommunications interface is provided in the hand held unit for cellular or other wireless telephony systems. The hand held unit can be configured to combine the data entry functions with those of audio telephony. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111522 | Smart Card and Method for Manufacturing Said Card - The present invention relates to a smart card provided with an integrated circuit for identifying a user, storing and exchanging information with an electronic device, such as for example a mobile telephone, a personal computer, etc. The smart card is provided with additional communication contacts apart from those that are conventionally arranged on the integrated circuit itself, and it incorporates means allowing one of these cards provided with additional contacts to be able to be used without any problems in card readers that do not support these additional contacts. The present invention consists of the fact that the arrangement of these new contacts is not located on the surface of the smart card, plastic body of the card or microchip, preventing the conductive parts of the reader which are in contact with the smart card from causing any type of malfunction thereof. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the previously mentioned smart card. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111523 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing apparatus including an IC chip receiving, by communicating with a reader/writer, service data corresponding to a service provided via the reader/writer and processing the received service data, a SIM card holding section holding a SIM card which includes a card internal memory storing information and to which a unique number for identifying a subscriber is added and a control section storing in the card internal memory of the SIM card the service data processed by the IC chip in the communication with the reader/writer, reading the service data stored in the card internal memory of the SIM card and making the IC chip process the service data. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111524 | POWER MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR A UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS - Power management techniques for a universal serial bus are described. For example, a mobile computing device may include an interface having a universal serial bus, a host processor to couple to the interface, and a radio module to couple to the interface. The radio module may have a radio processor and a detector, the detector operative to detect temporary block flow from radio signals communicated over wireless shared media, the radio processor to enable the universal serial bus when the detector detects the temporary block flow and disable the universal serial bus when the detector does not detect the temporary block flow for a guard interval. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111525 | MINI BASE STATION CONNECTABLE WITH INTERNET AND TERMINAL - A mini base station connectable with the Internet including a frequency recognition unit to recognize a frequency band of an external signal transmitted from a cellular base station; and an operation frequency determination unit to determine an operation frequency band according to interference generated with the cellular base station based on the recognized frequency band of the external signal. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111526 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DISPLAY SIGNAL STRENGTH - Various embodiments are directed to a status indicator module to display a first signal strength and a second signal strength for different radio transmission signals using a single status indicator. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111527 | Adhesive mounted communication device - Systems and methods for a communication device are disclosed. The system generally includes a housing, a microphone for converting an acoustic signal to an electrical signal disposed within the housing, a receiver for converting an electrical signal to an acoustic signal disposed within the housing, and an adhesive attached to the housing for removably adhering the housing to a user. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111528 | Method and Apparatus for an Audible Indication of an Active Wireless Link - A mobile telephone is operable to alert a user of the mobile telephone to the presence of an active wireless audio interface during a telephone call. The telephone comprises a local audio interface, having a loudspeaker and microphone, a user activity detector operable to detect user interaction with the telephone if a wireless audio interface is active, and a processor, operable to cause an audible signal to be generated by the loudspeaker of the local audio interface if a wireless audio interface is active and user activity is detected by the user activity detector. User interaction with the telephone is monitored and an audible message is played through the local audio interface of the mobile telephone if user interaction with the mobile telephone is detected and a wireless audio interface is active. The audible message alerts the user to the presence of the active wireless audio interface. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111529 | In-vehicle handsfree apparatus - An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus performs a dialing control with a first dialing phone number, which is a phone number included in historical data of outgoing or incoming calls of a cellular phone. If the destination of the dialing with the first phone number does not answer, the handsfree apparatus performs a dialing control by using a different second phone number, if it is available from the cellular phone. The second phone number, e.g., a number of a home telephone, is registered in phone book data of the cellular phone by using the same registration name as that of the first phone number; further, the second phone number is transmitted from the cellular phone to the handsfree apparatus. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111530 | Vehicular handsfree apparatus - When telephone directory data is transmitted from a cellular phone to a vehicular handsfree apparatus, only a portion of the telephone directory data that reflects call history data of outbound calls or inbound calls is selectively transmitted, for use as the telephone directory data in the apparatus, in a manner that associates registration names used in the cellular phone with telephone numbers in the call history data transmitted from the cellular phone, instead of transmitting all of registered telephone directory data. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111531 | Method and apparatus for transferring electrical power in an electronic device - A short-range wireless power transmission scheme is used between two movably or detachably coupled device parts in an electronic device. In a device, such as a foldable or slidable mobile phone, both device parts have some electronic components that require electronic power but only one part has a power source. For example, a phone cover has a display but there is no power source in the phone cover. A receiver can be implemented in the cover to receive microwaves from a transmitter in the phone body. The receiver and the transmitter can be arranged such that, the antennas are placed as close to each other as possible in order to achieve best efficiency of energy and data transfer. If one pair of antenna is not enough, multiple antennas or antenna arrays can be used for this purpose. Different antenna pairs can be configurable for different purposes. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111532 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING RESIDUAL ENERGY AWARENESS IN AN AD HOC WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A method of coordinating devices in a wireless network is provided. First capability data associated with a first type of power source and a first state of the power source of a first device is received at a second device. Second capability data is transmitted to the first device from the second device. The second capability data is associated with a second type of power source and a second state of the power source of the second device. The first capability data is compared with the second capability data at the second device. If the comparison indicates the first capability data is less desirable than the second capability data, the second capability data is transmitted again to the first device from the second device. If the comparison indicates the first capability data is more desirable than the second capability data, the first capability data is received again from the first device at the second device. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111533 | UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS CONNECTOR WITH ANTENNA CAPABILITIES - An electrical connector (male and female) that support conventional Universal Serial Bus (USB) signals and includes one or more additional compact coaxial connectors to enable advanced communications and/or functionality between electronic devices and/or accessory devices. In one embodiment, an electrical connector includes a contact support member housed at least partially within a housing. A plurality of first contacts are mounted on a contact support member, wherein each of the plurality of first contacts is configured to electrically connect with the associated connector along a first plane parallel to a plane of insertion for the associated connector into the port. At least one compact coaxial connector is located adjacent the housing to receive one or external antennas. The male connector includes an elastic member coupled to the one or more compact coaxial connectors, so that the male connector can be secured to a compliant female adapter and a conventional USB connector (e.g., a female USB connector not having one or more coaxial connectors positioned adjacent the housing. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111534 | HOUSING AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A housing ( | 2009-04-30 |
20090111535 | HEADSET - A communication unit, e.g. a headset, constructed as a slave station which may be coupled to a plurality of master stations, e.g. a mobile telephone, via a short-ranged communications connection, such as of the Bluetooth type or the DECT type, and has a plurality of address fields in which one or more identification keys may be stored. At least one of the address fields has an associated electrical lock which may be unlocked only by an adapter master station having a unique indentification key. It is also possible to “lift” the receiver of the public switched telephone electrically or mechanically via the headset, so that a call and conversations from the public switched telephone may be made and take place via the headset. In an embodiment, the coupling box has a recess in which the headset may be placed and be charged via a charging unit in the coupling boy. The invention ensures that the public switched telephone is used as much as possible, which, in addition to a better sound reproduction, is favourable in terms of costs. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111536 | Portable Data Terminal and Function Selecting and Starting Method Used Therein - A selection operation of function of a fold-type housing for each shape is stored as a function history of each shape in a function history storage section | 2009-04-30 |
20090111537 | MOBILE TERMINAL DEVICE - In a foldable mobile terminal device, a first housing is connected to a second housing via a connecting portion. The mobile terminal device includes: a first hinge shaft for opening/closing the second housing together with the connecting portion in a longitudinal direction; a second hinge shaft for opening/closing the second housing in a lateral direction; a call clearing button disposed on a second hinge shaft side of an upper surface of the first housing as seen from a lateral center of the upper surface; and a first projection for button identification which is provided on an edge portion of the second hinge shaft side and lies lateral to the call clearing button wherein a height of the first projection is made lower than a height of the upper surface of the first housing. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111538 | MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device includes a trigger having a molded component defining the outer shape of the mobile device, and a rod-like body fixed to the molded component at one end. A housing has a hole into which the rod-like body is inserted. Guide walls guide movement of the rod-like body in the direction in which the rod-like body is inserted into or pulled from the hole. A sensor detects that the trigger has been operated in the direction in which the rod-like body is pulled from the hole. An alarm device is activated in response to detection of the operation of the trigger by the sensor. The trigger has sheet-metal members fixed to the molded component and guided by the guide walls by their being moved in contact with the guide walls in the direction in which the rod-like body is inserted or pulled. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111539 | MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device includes a housing in which an opening is defined, a lid freely uncovering or covering the opening. The lid has a body plate that defines part of the outer shape of the mobile device. The lid has a fitting projection projecting from the opening side face of the body plate and fitting into the opening. The lid has a groove formed all the way along a periphery so that a waterproof O-ring is disposed. The O-ring prevents entry of water into the opening by being fitted in the groove so as to be in contact with an internal wall face of the opening. The projection has a plurality of pressing ribs that are separately disposed along the groove so as to project in the inward direction of the groove at least in a portion opposite the rotation shaft and so as to narrow the groove. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111540 | MOBILE PHONE - The invention provides a mobile phone that effectively meets user needs to a high degree. A mobile phone in which a lower substrate on a operation panel side is foldably connected to a upper substrate on a liquid crystal display side, includes: a lower casing removably fitted to the lower substrate; a upper casing separated from the lower casing and removably fitted to the upper substrate; and a slip-off prevention section for fixing the lower casing to the lower substrate in such a manner that the lower casing is removable from the lower substrate, and for fixing the upper casing to the upper substrate in such a manner that the upper casing is removable from the upper substrate. The above constitution allows easily modifying the overall design of the mobile phone, thereby easily meeting the needs of the user to a high degree. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111541 | PORTABLE TERMINAL - A portable terminal is provided that has a terminal body, a receiver located in the terminal body, the receiver being oriented in a first direction, and a ground unit located in the terminal body. The ground unit includes a first ground portion connected to the receiver, and a second ground portion connected to the first ground portion at a position on the first ground portion at a distance from the receiver. The second ground portion is configured to emit electromagnetic waves in a second direction away from the first direction. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111542 | Wireless Receiver with Receive Diversity - Wireless receivers are described for receiving signals from a transmitter. A receiver can include a plurality of antennas each for receiving a version of a signal via a different propagation channel and providing that version to a respective input. Signal processing means can be included and configured to operate diversity processing of a supplied number of said inputs for use in performing detection of said signal. The receiver can include channel parameter estimation means, configured to estimate one or more channel parameters on the propagation channels. The receiver can also include selection means configured to select only a subset of said inputs to implement a specific dimensionality of the receiver diversity processing, in dependence on the one or more channel parameters indicative of channel conditions on said propagation channels. The diversity processing can be linear or non-linear. Related methods and software implementations and computer program products are also described. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111543 | PROTECTIVE SLEEVE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - The present invention relates to a protective sleeve for portable electronic devices. The protective sleeve for portable electronic device includes a sleeve frame, a cover, and a turning structure. The sleeve frame includes a plurality of connecting sidewalls cooperatively defining a space for receiving the portable electronic device. The cover is covering the space of sleeve frame. The cover is connected to the sleeve frame and can be opened via the turning structure. The protective sleeve for portable electronic device is convenient for use, and can fully protect the portable electronic device. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111544 | Vehicular multimode cellular/PCS phone - A vehicular multimode cellular/PCS phone including a chipset located in the vehicle for communicating with at least one of a plurality of wireless service provider networks; an multimode antenna in communication with the chipset for communicating with a wireless base antenna of at least one of the plurality of wireless service provider networks; at least one medium port for receiving a removable medium, the removable medium containing at least one of access numbers, access codes, and access authentication numbers of at least one of the plurality of wireless service provider networks. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111545 | Tailings rethresher mechanical delivery to return pan - A rethreshing system and method for a combine having a cleaning system that includes at least one sieve or like material separating mechanism. The rethreshing system includes a tailings collection pan for collecting tailings that do not pass through the sieve and a tailings rethreshing mechanism receiving the tailings from the collection pan and rethreshing the tailings. A distribution auger is arranged across a return pan of the cleaning system and is operable to substantially evenly distribute rethreshed tailings on the return pan of the cleaning system. The distribution auger includes a tubular auger housing having an entrance for receiving material to be conveyed, a closed end opposite the entrance, and a longitudinally elongated and tapered slot formation through a sidewall of the tubular auger housing, the slot formation having a small width near the entrance to the tubular housing and a wide width near the closed end of the tubular housing. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111546 | Top cover for axial rotary combine having coned transition - A threshing and separating mechanism for a combine includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis on the combine within a rotor housing. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor to form an annular space between the rotor and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. The housing includes a smooth transition section between the threshing section and the separating section of the housing. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111547 | Adjustable vane system for an axial flow rotor housing of an agricultural combine - A adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. The housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. All of the adjustable vanes are gang together and moved together. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes will skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111548 | Residue splitter - A residue splitter apparatus for use with a horizontal spreader assembly that employs a pair of spreader paddles disposed side-by-side to rotate about respective generally vertical axes for controlling the spread width distribution of crop residue on and over a field, and the method of use thereof, including a flow guide element located generally intermediate to the spreader paddles of the horizontal spreader assembly with crop residue flow surfaces that extend rearwardly from a front edge portion of the flow guide element and sidewardly to free end portions generally aft of at least portions of the spreader paddles to receive and direct the flow of crop residue from such spreader paddles. Preferably, the flow guide element is laterally expandable to permit the flow of crop residue from the spreader paddles to be adjustably varied to effect a desired pattern of crop residue flow from the spreader paddles, for instance, so as to better and more evenly distribute the flow side-to-side over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111549 | Combine harvester residue chopper active counter knife assembly - An active counter knife assembly for a material chopper assembly or construction that has a rotary chopper element disposed across a material flow path, including a chopper grate assembly, having a grate portion with spaced generally transverse slots therealong, positionable generally parallel to the rotary chopper element of the residue chopper assembly; a rotatable shaft positionable generally beneath and parallel to the grate portion of the chopper grate assembly, with a plurality of fixed or flail-type knife elements attached to such shaft and positioned thereon to be alignably rotatable through the spaced generally transverse slots of the grate portion of the chopper grate assembly; and a drive mechanism for effecting rotational movement of the counter knife assembly, which drive mechanism is preferably controllable to allow an operator to vary the rotational speed and direction of the rotatable shaft so that the rotatable shaft may be selectably either maintained in an essentially fixed or locked condition or operated to rotate either counter to the rotation of the rotary chopper element of the chopper assembly or in the same tangential direction as the rotary chopper element, thereby controlling to some extent both the throughput speed of the material at the chopper assembly and the quality of the chop by the chopper assembly. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111550 | Text Message Entry of a Remote Contest Using Participation Code Awarded at a Local Arcade Game - An arcade game is disclosed that includes receiving one or more game credits, beginning the arcade game in response to receiving the game credits, and awarding a participation code to a player for a remote contest in response to the player beginning the game, or unsuccessfully or successfully completing one or more objectives of the game. The participation code awarded to the player is entered using a text message. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111551 | CARD GAME - A method of playing a card game against the house. Optionally, before the cards are dealt, each player may place a bet. Then, a predetermined number of cards are dealt to each player. After the cards are dealt, each player decides whether to “Play” or “Surrender.” A surrendering player forfeits at least a portion of his/her bet, if one was placed. The game terminates for each surrendering player; however, the game continues for the other players. Optionally, each remaining player may bet a raise amount. Then, a hit card is selected from the deck and displayed to the remaining players. A player is a winner, if the player has a card with the same suit as the hit card and with a relationship with respect to the hit card, the relationship selected before the game as one selection from the following two choices: a value greater than the value of the hit card and a value less than the value of the hit card. Winning players who placed bets are paid a winning amount while losing players who bet forfeit a lose amount. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111552 | Gaming machine, playing method thereof and gaming system - In a gaming machine | 2009-04-30 |
20090111553 | Techniques for incentivized networking - Techniques for playing a game of chance providing networking opportunities for large groups of players are described herein. During the game, to qualify for a prize, a player should have one or more partners chosen from the players playing the game. A winner of the prize shares a prize with his/her respective prize partner who would have been selected from at least one partner already chosen by the winner or, based on player's information, by a game computer. The game may be played by groups of on-site players or remote (e.g., online) players, in live and virtual gaming environments or a combination thereof. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111554 | Techniques for incentivized networking - Techniques for playing a game of chance providing networking opportunities for large groups of players are described herein. During the game, to qualify for a prize, a player should have one or more partners chosen from the players playing the game. A winner of the prize shares a prize with his/her respective prize partner who would have been selected from at least one partner already chosen by the winner or, based on player's information, by a game computer. The game may be played by groups of on-site players or remote (e.g., online) players, in live and virtual gaming environments or a combination thereof. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111555 | Techniques for incentivized networking - Techniques for playing a game of chance providing networking opportunities for large groups of players are described herein. During the game, to qualify for a prize, a player should have one or more partners chosen from the players playing the game. A winner of the prize shares a prize with his/her respective prize partner who would have been selected from at least one partner already chosen by the winner or, based on player's information, by a game computer. The game may be played by groups of on-site players or remote (e.g., online) players, in live and virtual gaming environments or a combination thereof. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111557 | Game of Chance - A video slot game is described that increases a multiplier associated with each active pay line of the game independently of the multipliers associated with other pay lines of the game. Each line multiplier acts to multiply the winnings based on that particular line only. A multiplier for a particular line may be incremented for a current spin based on a wager outcome on that line in an immediately previous spin. A line multiplier may continue to increase as long as the player continues to win on that line. The increased line multiplier may have the side effect of acting as an incentive for a player to keep playing the game of chance, so as not to leave an unused line multiplier for another player. According to one variation, if the player does not win on a particular line, then the multiplier associated with that particular line may revert to a default level. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111558 | GAMING MACHINE ARRANGING TWO SYMBOL COLUMNS IN THE SAME ORDER - A display unit displays symbols in a plurality of columns, and in particular arranges the symbols in the same order in two or more of the columns. A game controller unit determines an arrangement of symbols at random on a condition that symbols are arranged in the same order and at the same positions in the two or more columns. A display controller unit causes the display unit to spin the two or more columns of symbols from the same position in synchronization with each other, and stop the two or more columns at the same position to display the arrangement of symbols determined by the game controller unit. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111559 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DESIGNATED SYMBOL DISPLAY AREAS THAT MODIFY AWARDS - Gaming devices and methods of operating gaming devices are provided that include indicator or designator symbols. When an indicator or designator symbol is generated and displayed, the indicator or designator symbol indicates at least one symbol display area as a modification symbol display area. Upon at least one subsequent generation of symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, awards associated with symbols displayed in the modification symbol display areas are modified. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111560 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING A MULTIPLAYER BONUS GAME HAVING A PLURALITY OF AWARD OPPORTUNITIES - A gaming system where, as players play the primary games of the gaming devices, the gaming devices or the players playing at those gaming devices are occasionally provided with game elements associated with a multiplayer bonus game. In one embodiment, when a designated number of the game elements associated with the multiplayer bonus game have been awarded during game play, the multiplayer bonus game is triggered. During the multiplayer bonus game, the gaming system randomly selects a plurality of the game elements and compares the randomly selected game elements with the game elements awarded to the players. The players receive bonus awards based at least in part on the relationship between the awarded game elements and the game elements which are randomly selected during the bonus game. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111561 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTI-LEVEL PERSONAL PROGRESSIVE AWARDS - A gaming system and method including at least one gaming system progressive award adapted to be provided to any player at one of a plurality of the gaming machines. The gaming system progressive award is associated with a designated quantity of points wherein the first player at one of the gaming devices to accumulate the designated quantity of points is provided the gaming system progressive award. The gaming system and method also includes, for each of a plurality of players, a plurality of personal progressive awards arranged in a personal multi-level progressive configuration. Such personal progressive awards are individual to each specific player and funded by that player's wagers placed at the gaming devices in the gaming system. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111562 | CIRCULATING DATA CARD APPARATUS AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A gaming device having a card management system which is operable to manage a plurality of circulating data cards is described. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111563 | GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING - A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, an outcome generator arranged to determine a game outcome based on the displayed symbols and to provide a player reward when the displayed symbols corresponds to a win outcome, and a symbol position modifier arranged to automatically modify the display position of at least one symbol so that the display positions of the displayed symbols after modification of the display position of the at least one symbol corresponds to a win outcome. The display position of the at least one symbol is only modified if a win outcome is available by modifying the display position of the at least one symbol. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111564 | Bonus actuator attachment for gaming machines - The present invention relates to a bonus actuator attachment for a slot or gaming machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of selectively triggering a first bonus triggering event, by way of a bonus actuator attachment, so as to make the player eligible to participate in a bonus game upon the happening of a second bonus triggering event. Actuation of the bonus actuator attachment is a first triggering event wherein the gaming machine recognizes that the player wishes to be eligible for a bonus round within the gaming machine. The first triggering event may also require that the player make an additional wager separate from any initial wager on the game wherein the additional wager is solely to make the player eligible for a second bonus triggering event and, ultimately, a bonus round of the gaming machine. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111565 | Gaming machine with various game styles - The present invention relates to a gaming machine which has a display screen or physical reel mechanism and one or a plurality of types of features provided on said display screen, wherein said one or more features are activated when an extra bet wager is made separately of the initial wager amount, and can be adjusted independently. Also, the gaming machine of the present invention has one or more bonus games, and a player can change a bet amount at any time during the course of said bonus game. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111566 | Display of bonus game progression in reel-type games - Reel-type games are described in which a player's progress towards an award of a bonus game is displayed to the player. The required triggering event for an award of a bonus game may be accumulated over multiple turns of the game. A bonus indicator (e.g., icon) is provided on the display in association with each reel of the reels. After a spin of the reels, the bonus indicator for a given reel is activated if a symbol associated with an award of a bonus game is presented on the given reel. As the player continues to play, whenever the symbol associated with the bonus game appears for the first time on a given reel, the associated bonus indicator is activated and remains activated. When all the indicators have become activated, a bonus game is awarded to the player. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111567 | REEL GAME APPARATUS FOR PLAYING SUB GAME AND THE METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate various sub-games depending on the appearance of specific symbols on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in a reel game, and includes a main game part for spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, in a reel game, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear, and a sub-game part for playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears, wherein the first sub-game is played to give winnings when coin items are generated in the sub-game part and fall on winning targets. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111568 | SLOT MACHINE WITH INSURANCE FUNCTION AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a symbol display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of symbols; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a normal game in which the plurality of symbols are variably displayed and then stop-displayed by the symbol display device after game media have been BET in number equal to or less than a previously set maximum number of BETs, and a payout value is determined according to the stop-displayed symbols or a combination thereof; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media have been inserted; (C) counting the number of normal games played after the mode has been shifted to the insurance mode, in the insurance mode; and (D) paying out a predetermined number of game media and also conducting a free game that is executed even without a game medium BET thereon, when the number of normal games counted in the processing (C) has reached a specific number. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111569 | Gaming Machine - A slot machine variably displays symbols and stops symbols in a variable display portion using composite reel bands. Each of the composite reel bands is generated by combining a symbol reel band with a background reel band. The background reel band is configured to include partial background images that are a part of a special background image. If one special background image is displayed by a background image of composite symbols stopped in the variable display portion as a result of variable display and stop of symbols based on the composite reel bands, the slot machine awards a bonus game to a player. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111570 | Gaming Machine - When a slot machine accepts a bet of a gaming value, the slot machine renews each bonus payout data based on the bet gaming values. The slot machine drawn a bonus payout indicated in the renewed bonus payout data on each bonus symbol corresponding to bonus payout. The slot machine scroll-displays and repositions symbols on a variable display portion by using a reel band including the bonus symbol on which the bonus payout is drawn. When a bonus condition based on the bonus symbol is satisfied on the variable display portion, the slot machine pays out a bonus payout amount corresponding to the bonus condition. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111571 | Gaming machine arranging two symbol columns in the same order - The present invention may be gaming machine, including a mechanical reel which is configured with a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel indicating indicia on a circumferential surface of the reel, a display which shows a part of the circumferential surface and a controller which stops two reels to indicate the same kinds of indicia with the same arrangement on the circumferential surface of each of the two reels shown on the display, the two reels being installed contrastively to a vertical axis dividing a plurality of the rotatable reels. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111572 | Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing an outcome enhancing feature - An embodiment of a gaming device includes a game having at least three choices, wherein each of the choices either trumps or is trumped by one of the other choices, and a processor programmed to determine if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable a player to elect to enhance an outcome if an outcome enhancing condition is satisfied, enable the player to select one of said choices, select one of said choices, determine an outcome based on a comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice, provide a win outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a draw determination, provide a draw outcome if the player elected to enhance an outcome and the comparison of the player's choice with the processor's choice results in a lose determination. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111573 | SERVER BASED GAMING SYSTEM PROVIDING MULTIPLE SIDE BET AWARDS - A gaming system including at least one gaming machine enabling a player to select at least one of a plurality of different selectable side bets. A side bet controller maintaining at least one side bet. A side bet revenue manager configured to communicate with the gaming machine and side bet controller to accept and track fund data associated with a side bet from the gaming machine; transfer fund data to the side bet controller; accept and track fund data from the side bet controller; and transfer fund data to the gaming device. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111574 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PLAY OF LOCAL FIRST GAME AND REMOTE SECOND GAME - A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming devices. Upon the central server determining that a game transfer event has occurred, the central server selects a game played by a first player at a first gaming device to be displayed to a second player at a second, gaming device in the gaming system. The first player at the first gaming device and the second player at the second gaming device are provided any awards for the outcomes generated in association with the game currently played by the first player at the first gaming device. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111575 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BETTING GAME VIA COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Provided is a system for providing a betting game via a communication network. A game operation unit sequentially provides at least one user terminal accessing a communication network with a game selection screen, a game waiting screen, a gaming screen, and a game result screen. A dividend calculation unit calculates the dividend to be given to each participant selecting the selection object corresponding to the game mission, on the basis of the sum of bet amounts and the number of participants selecting the selection object corresponding to the game mission. A storage unit stores screen configuration information of the betting game, betting values, and the number of participants and the bet amount of the betting game. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111576 | METHOD OF PROVIDING PLAYER STATUS AND ABILITY TO JOIN GAMES - A method is disclosed in a gaming and media system for quickly and efficiently showing all friends gaming at a given time, what they are playing, and for providing the ability to download and/or join their friend's game. Information relating to which friends are gaming online, what games they are playing and whether their games are joinable are consolidated onto a single GUI. That same GUI, referred to as a Friends Playing Now GUI, also provides the user with the ability to join games which are indicated to be joinable. | 2009-04-30 |
20090111577 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING DISPLAY DEVICE WITH CHANGEABLE WHEEL - A gaming device having a display device including one or more display screens and a blank physical mechanical rotatable wheel mounted behind the display screen(s). Each display screen is capable of showing one or more images in a coordinated manner with the blank mechanical wheel. The display device is particularly suited for a server based gaming environment as discussed below, where the symbols on the mechanical wheel may need to be different for different games caused to be displayed by a central server. | 2009-04-30 |