Author: claimsbot

1. A method comprising creating a non-transitory computer readable design for a circuit having components characterized by one or more design parameters by performing, on a computing device, operations comprising:
generating an optimization problem comprising a set of non-linear constraint functions and a set of linear constraint functions, each constraint function comprising exponent of at least one design parameter, the set of non-linear constraint functions and the set of linear constraint functions describing the circuit’s operation;
converting the optimization problem into a convex optimization problem by taking a logarithm of each of the set of non-linear constraint functions; and
solving the convex optimization problem to produce one or more optimized design parameter values for the circuit.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more design parameters comprises a set of non-exponential design parameters and a first set of exponential design parameters, wherein the operations further comprise:
replacing the set of non-exponential design parameters with a second set of exponential design parameters; and
rewriting the optimization problem in terms of the first and second set of exponential design parameters.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second set of exponential design parameters is obtained by taking a logarithm of each design parameter in the set of non-exponential design parameters.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of non-linear constraint functions comprises at least one of a posynomial function, a monomial function, and a log-convex function.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise transforming, through approximation, a set of signomial constraint functions into constraint functions that are not signomial.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise providing constraint values for the constraint functions.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a set of design parameters for transistors are selected, wherein the transistors comprise Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) transistors.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the set of design parameters comprise any of: (a) a transistor width (W); (b) a transistor length (L); (c) a two-terminal voltage of one of the MOS transistors; and (d) a two-terminal capacitance of one of the MOS transistors.
9. A computer program product stored as program code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the program code executable by at least one processor for optimizing a circuit having components characterized by one or more design parameters, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program code comprising instructions for:
generating an optimization problem comprising a set of non-linear constraint functions and a set of linear constraint functions, each constraint function comprising exponent of at least one design parameter, the set of non-linear constraint functions and the set of linear constraint functions describing the circuit’s operation;
converting the optimization problem into a convex optimization problem by taking a logarithm of each of the set of non-linear constraint functions; and
solving the convex optimization problem to produce one or more optimized design parameter values for the circuit.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the one or more design parameters comprises a set of non-exponential design parameters and a first set of exponential design parameters, wherein the computer readable program code further comprises instructions for:
replacing the set of non-exponential design parameters with a second set of exponential design parameters; and
rewriting the optimization problem in terms of the first and second set of exponential design parameters.
11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the second set of exponential design parameters is obtained by taking a logarithm of each design parameter in the set of non-exponential design parameters.
12. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the set of non-linear constraint functions comprises at least one of a posynomial function, a monomial function, and a log-convex function.
13. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the computer readable program code further comprises instructions for transforming, through approximation, a set of signomial constraint functions into constraint functions that are not signomial.
14. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the computer readable program code further comprises instructions for providing constraint values for the constraint functions.
15. A computer having a storage medium containing program code that when processed by a processor of the computer causes a method to optimize a circuit having components characterized by one or more design parameters, the method comprising:
generating an optimization problem comprising a set of non-linear constraint functions and a set of linear constraint functions, each constraint function comprising exponent of at least one design parameter, the set of non-linear constraint functions and the set of linear constraint functions describing the circuit’s operation;
converting the optimization problem into a convex optimization problem by taking a logarithm of each of the set of non-linear constraint functions; and
solving the convex optimization problem to produce one or more optimized design parameter values for the circuit.
16. The computer of claim 15, wherein the one or more design parameters comprises a set of non-exponential design parameters and a first set of exponential design parameters, wherein the method further comprises:
replacing the set of non-exponential design parameters with a second set of exponential design parameters; and
rewriting the optimization problem in terms of the first and second set of exponential design parameters.
17. The computer of claim 16, wherein the second set of exponential design parameters is obtained by taking a logarithm of each design parameter in the set of non-exponential design parameters.
18. The computer of claim 15, wherein the set of non-linear constraint functions comprises at least one of a posynomial function, a monomial function, and a log-convex function.
19. The computer of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises transforming, through approximation, a set of signomial constraint functions into constraint functions that are not signomial.
20. The computer of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises providing constraint values for the constraint functions.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An implantable catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body, the catheter comprising:
an elongate tubular core comprising a first material, the core having a proximal end and a distal end;
an elongate tubular tip comprising a second material different that the first material, the tip having a bending stiffness greater than a bending stiffness of the core, wherein a proximal end of the tip is positioned to abut or be near the distal end of the core such that a continuous lumen extends from the proximal end of the core to a distal end of the tip, the tip defining a cylindrical outer surface of uniform diameter extending between the proximal and distal ends of the tip; and
an elastomeric jacket having a radial compliance greater than a radial compliance of the core, the elastomeric jacket surrounding and fixedly secured to longitudinal portions of both the tip and the core, wherein the distal end of the tip protrudes beyond a distal end of the elastomeric jacket, and wherein the elastomeric jacket has an outer diameter that is three or more times larger than an outer diameter of the core.
2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the elastomeric jacket terminates at the proximal end of the core.
3. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising strengthening members positioned near at least a portion of both the core and the tip.
4. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the strengthening members are surrounded by, or embedded within, the elastomeric jacket.
5. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the strengthening members terminate a distance short of the distal end of the elastomeric jacket.
6. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the strengthening members comprise a tubular braid located coaxially about portions of both the core and the tip.
7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the tubular braid comprises a plurality of polyethylene terepthalate (PET) fibers.
8. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising one or more longitudinal members extending along portions of one or both of the core and the tip.
9. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the core comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK) tubing.
10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip comprises glass tubing.
11. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the tip comprises stainless steel hypodermic tubing.
12. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric jacket comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicone and polyurethane.
13. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elastomeric jacket comprises a marker band.
14. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the marker band comprises a fluoroscopic or radiopaque material.
15. An implantable catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a body, the catheter comprising:
an elongate tubular core comprising a first material, the core having a proximal end and a distal end;
an elongate tubular tip comprising a second material different that the first material, the tip having a bending stiffness greater than a bending stiffness of the core, the tip also having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the tip is positioned to abut or be near the distal end of the core such that a continuous lumen extends from the proximal end of the core to the distal end of the tip, the tip defining a cylindrical outer surface of uniform diameter extending between the proximal and distal ends of the tip; and
an elastomeric jacket comprising: a proximal end terminating at the proximal end of the core; and a distal end terminating at a location between the proximal and distal ends of the tip, wherein the elastomeric jacket is fixedly secured to outer portions of both the tip and the core, and wherein the elastomeric jacket has an outer diameter that is three or more times larger than an outer diameter of the core.
16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the outer diameter of the elastomeric jacket is about 4 to about 6 times larger than the outer diameter of the core.
17. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the first material comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
18. The catheter of claim 15, wherein the second material comprises stainless steel.

1. A method of gaming comprising:
conducting a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions;
determining independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game;
determining upon triggering of the community game, whether the player has an active eligibility in respect of a conducted game portion; and
determining, upon the player having an active eligibility, an award to apply in respect of at least one winning outcome of the community game based on at least the identity of the game portion in relation to which the player has an active eligibility.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the different game portions is a base game portion which is conducted in each play of the game.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the different game portions is a feature game portion conducted in addition to the base game portion in response to a feature trigger event occurring.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of different feature game portions.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of the different game portions is a feature game choice portion.
6. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a feature game portion comprises generating a plurality of game outcomes.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein eligibility is defined by a timer defining a time within which the community trigger must occur.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the timer is adjusted based on time rules associated with respective ones of the game portions.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein eligibility is defined by a time window defining a time within which the community trigger must occur.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the time window is an active time window of one of a plurality of time windows associated with respective ones of the game portions.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein respective time windows are activated based on time rules associated with respective ones of the game portions.
12. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the award a player is eligible for is derived for each active wager from a fixed prize multiplied by a bet multiplier determined from a wager made in the base game portion, a multiplier dependent on size of an ante bet wagered in the base game portion.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein upon the eligibility being associated with a feature game portion, the fixed prize is also multiplied by a multiplier associated with the feature game portion
14. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of players and the method comprises conducting an instance of the game for each player and determining eligibility for an award in the community game for each player based on the player’s game instance.
15. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising conducting the community game and determining whether to make an award to each eligible player.
16. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a player is entitled to have more than one active eligibility and the award is determined from each eligibility.
17. A gaming system comprising:
a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device comprising a game controller arranged to conduct a play of a game for a player when the gaming device is active, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions; and
a community game controller arranged to determine independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game;
the gaming system arranged to:
determine upon triggering of the community game, whether each player has an active eligibility in respect of a conducted game portion; and
determine, for each player having an active eligibility, an award to apply in respect of at least one winning outcome of the community game based on at least the identity of the game portion in relation to which the player has an active eligibility.
18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the community game controller controls the community game.
19. A gaming system comprising:
means for conducting a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions;
means for determining independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game;
means for determining upon triggering of the community game, whether the player has an active eligibility in respect of a conducted game portion; and
means for determining, upon the player having an active eligibility, an award to apply in respect of at least one winning outcome of the community game based on at least the identity of the game portion in relation to which the player has an active eligibility.
20. A method of gaming comprising:
conducting a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions having associated time windows and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions;
activating at least one time window in respect of each conducted game portion;
determining independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game; and
determining that a player is eligible to win an award from the community game upon an activated time window being open when the triggering occurs.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein one of the different game portions is a base game portion which is conducted in each play of the game.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein one of the different game portions is a feature game portion conducted in addition to the base game portion in response to a feature trigger event occurring.
23. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein a condition of activating the time window is that the player has placed a qualifying wager for the play of the game.
24. A gaming system comprising:
a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device comprising a game controller arranged to conduct a play of a game for a player when the gaming device is active, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions having associated time windows and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions, each gaming device arranged to activate at least one time window in respect of each conducted game portion provided the player has placed a qualifying wager in respect of a base game portion of the game; and
a community game controller arranged to determine independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game;
the gaming system arranged to determine that a player is eligible to win an award from the community game upon an activated time window being open when the triggering occurs.
25. A gaming system comprising:
means for conducting a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions having associated time windows and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions;
means for activating at least one time window in respect of each conducted game portion provided the player has placed a qualifying wager in respect of a base game portion of the game;
means for determining independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game; and
means for determining that a player is eligible to win an award from the community game upon an activated time window being open when the triggering occurs.
26. A method of gaming comprising:
conducting a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions by generating at least one game outcome having an associated time window activated by generation of each game outcome;
determining independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game; and
determining that a player is eligible to win an award from the community game upon an activated time window being open when the community game is triggered.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein one of the different game portions is a base game portion which is conducted in each play of the game.
28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein one of the different game portions is a feature game portion conducted in addition to the base game portion in response to a feature trigger event occurring.
29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein there are a plurality of different feature game portions.
30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein different numbers of game outcomes are generated in respect of different ones of the feature game portions.
31. A gaming system comprising:
a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device comprising a game controller arranged to conduct a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions by generating at least one game outcome having an associated time window activated by generation of each game outcome; and
a community game controller arranged to determine independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game;
the gaming system arranged to determine that a player is eligible to win an award from the community game upon an activated time window being open when the triggering occurs.
32. A gaming system comprising:
means for conducting a play of a game for a player, wherein the game comprises a plurality of different game portions and conducting the play of the game comprises conducting at least one of the game portions by generating at least one game outcome having an associated time window activated by generation of each game outcome;
means for determining independently of play of the game whether to trigger a community game; and
means for determining that a player is eligible to win an award from the community game upon an activated time window being open when the triggering occurs.
33. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising executing computer program code.
34. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising storing said computer program code in a computer readable medium.
35. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising transmitting the computer program code.
36. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising generating data signal comprising the computer program code.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for packaging a mattress in a sheet which is unwound continuously from a feeder roll, the machine comprising: a horizontal supporting surface for said mattress; a horizontal receiving surface; guiding means for guiding said sheet in a substantially vertical direction which passes between said supporting surface and said receiving surface, so that by moving said mattress in an advancement direction from said supporting surface toward said receiving surface said sheet is arranged over and under said mattress; joining and cutting means for joining and cutting said sheet, upstream of said mattress, along said advancement direction, and for forming a bag which wraps around said mattress in a loop; unwinding assemblies for unwinding said sheet from said feeder roll, which comprise two rollers movable along said receiving surface, said rollers being actuatable with an outgoing stroke, in said advancement direction, and with a return stroke, said rollers being articulated about vertical axes to rotate to rotate between an alignment position, in which the rollers are perpendicular to the advancement direction and a position in which the rollers are parallel to said advancement direction and to the sides of said mattress; and actuation means for actuating said rollers to reach said alignment position, upstream of said sheet while said mattress is arranged on the supporting surface and to maintain said position during said outgoing stroke and transfer of the mattress from the supporting surface onto the receiving surface, in order to allow said rollers to engage and stretch said sheet over and under the mattress, and to return to said position in which they are parallel to the advancement direction after the mattress has been transferred onto said receiving surface, in order to allow said rollers to disengage from said sheet and return to said position for engaging said sheet.
2. The machine of claim 1, wherein said unwinding assemblies comprise:
two guides which are arranged at sides of said receiving surface and are parallel to said advancement direction; respective sliders each of which is slideable on a respective one of said guides; respective horizontal rollers each of which being articulated along a respective vertical axis to a respective one of said sliders; and respective jacks for actuation of said rollers between said alignment and parallel positions, said jacks being each supported on a respective one of said sliders.
3. The machine of claim 2, comprising: a driving pulley; a driven pulley; a reversible motor and a horizontal portion of a belt which is closed in a loop on said driving and driven pulleys, said driving pulley being actuated by said motor in order to make said sliders, which are fixed on said belt, perform said outgoing and return strokes.
4. The machine of claim 3, wherein said rollers are rotatable about respective vertical axes thereof on horizontal planes, which lie above the upper face of the mattresses.
5. The machine of claim 1, in combination with an apparatus for automatic roll changing.
6. The machine of claim 2, further comprising sealing elements for lateral heat-sealing of said bag, said unwinding assemblies and said sealing elements being adjustable transversely to the advancement direction of the mattress.
7. The machine of claim 6, comprising: rails arranged transversely to said advancement direction, carriages which are slideable on said rails, said unwinding assemblies and said sealing elements being mounted on said carriages; and adjusting means for adjusting a position of said unwinding assemblies and of said sealing elements on said rails.