Author: claimsbot

1. A roll-up truck cover assembly for use on trucks having a generally rectangular open truck body defined by upstanding opposite side and end walls; said cover assembly comprising:
a generally rectangular flexible top cover which is substantially co-extensive with the opening of said truck body; said top cover having one end attached to one of said end walls of said truck body;
a take-up roll for said flexible top cover having opposite ends, said take-up roll being attached to an opposite end of said cover and extending substantially across its width, said take-up roll having an associated biasing member tending to rotate the roll in a take-up operation of the cover;
a pair of elongated swinging arms one of each of which is positioned adjacent to one of said opposite side walls of said truck body, each of said swinging arms comprising first and second elongated members at least one of which is tubular and the other of which is telescopically and retractably mounted within said tubular member such that the length of said arms is variable and can be changed by sliding one member in or out of the other, said first member being rotatably connected to one of said opposite ends of said take-up roll and said second member being pivotally mounted to a lower end portion of one of said opposite side walls of said truck body;
a pair of rollers one of each of which is rotatably mounted onto one of a pair of shafts, each one of said shafts being attached to said first elongated member;
biasing means provided within said tubular first or second member;
a pair of elongated guide roller tracks one of each of which is mounted substantially longitudinally to one of said opposite side walls of said truck body;
each one of said pair of rollers being moveable engaged within one of said pair of roller tracks; and
means for pivotally moving said pair of swinging arms longitudinally along said opposite side walls of said truck body in an arch-like manner from one opposite end to the other, the arrangement being such that movement of said rollers along said guide tracks causes said first or second member to retract within the other tubular member thereby keeping to a minimum the height to which said take-up roll and cover can be raised above said truck body.
2. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second elongated member of each swinging arm is tubular and wherein said first elongated member is telescopically and retractably mounted within said second member.
3. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein said biasing means is provided within said second member.
4. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 3, wherein said biasing means is a spring.
5. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 3, wherein said biasing means is air or a compressible gas sealed within said second member.
6. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 3, wherein said roller guide track is an inverted U-shaped channel secured to one of said opposite side walls of said truck body and wherein said roller is maintained in moveable engagement with said channel by said biasing means in said second member.
7. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein a shield is provided over the top of said U-shaped channel to protect said channel and roller against damage.
8. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein said roller and shaft are mounted to said first elongated member using a mounting plate secured to said first member by U-bolts.
9. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein said roller and shaft are mounted to said first elongated member using a mounting plate secured directly to said first member.
10. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein said roller and shaft are mounted to said first elongated member by extending said shaft directly through said first member and securing said shaft in either one of two positions by a cotter pin passing through said shaft.
11. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first elongated member of each swinging arm is tubular and wherein said second elongated member is telescopically and retractably mounted within said first member.
12. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein said biasing means is provided within said first member.
13. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 12, wherein said biasing means is a spring.
14. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 13, wherein said biasing means is air or a compressible gas sealed within said first member.
15. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein said roller guide track is an inverted U-shaped channel secured to one of said opposite side walls of said truck body and wherein said roller is maintained in moveable engagement with said channel by said biasing means in said first member.
16. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 15, wherein a shield is provided over the top of said U-shaped channel to protect said channel and roller against damage.
17. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein said roller and shaft are mounted to said first elongated member using a mounting plate secured to said first member by U-bolts.
18. A roll-up truck cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein said roller and shaft are mounted to said first elongated member using a mounting plate secured directly to said first member.

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

We claim:

1. A computerized system comprising:
an operating system providing for hosting controls of a predetermined type within windows of a predetermined type via an interface for controlling the windows; and,
at least one program utilizing the interface to host one or more controls within one or more windows.
2. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined type of the controls comprises ACTIVEX-type controls.
3. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises an application program interface (API).
4. The computerized system of claim 3, wherein the API comprises a WIN32 API.
5. A computer comprising:
a processor;
a computer-readable medium; and,
an interface executed by the processor from the medium both to control windows of a predetermined type and to host controls of a predetermined type within the windows.
6. The computer of claim 5, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a memory.
7. The computer of claim 5, wherein the predetermined type of the controls comprises ACTIVEX-type controls.
8. The computer of claim 5, wherein the interface comprises an application program interface (API).
9. The computer of claim 8, wherein the API comprises a WIN32 API.
10. The computer of claim 5, wherein the predetermined type of the windows comprises windows of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.
11. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon for execution on a suitably equipped computer comprising an application programming interface (API) for both controlling windows of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system and for hosting ACTIVEX-type controls.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the API comprises a WIN32 API.
13. An operating system for a computer comprising an application programming interface (API) for both controlling windows of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system and for hosting ACTIVEX-type controls.
14. The operating system of claim 13, wherein the operating system is a version of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.
15. The operating system of claim 13, wherein the API comprises a WIN32 API.
16. A computerized method comprising:
a) receiving a create window command at an interface, the command including a control parameter of a type selected from the group of types consisting of a program identifier, a class identifier, a Universal Resource Locator (URL) address, and HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code;
b) creating an instance of a window by the interface;
c) determining at the interface the type of the parameter;
d) upon determining that the parameter is a program identifier, converting the parameter at the interface to a class identifier, and, creating by the interface an instance of a control as referenced by the class identifier for placement into the window;
e) upon determining that the parameter is a class identifier, creating by the interface an instance of a control as referenced by the class identifier for placement into the window;
f) upon determining that the parameter is a URL address, creating a viewer control at the interface to view the URL address, and, creating by the interface an instance of the viewer control created for placement into the window; and,
g) upon determining that the parameter is a HTML code, creating a viewer control at the interface to view the HTML code, and,
creating by the interface an instance of the viewer control created for placement into the window.
17. The computerized method of claim 16, wherein the control created in d), e), f) and g) comprises an ACTIVEX type control.
18. The computerized method of claim 16, wherein the interface comprises an application program interface (API).
19. The computerized method of claim 18, wherein the API comprises a WIN32 API.
20. The computerized method of claim 16, wherein the interface is part of an operating system comprising a version of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.
21. The computerized method of claim 16, wherein the window created in d), e), f) and g) comprises a window of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system.

1. A method for managing networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine includes an embedded user interface and the gaming machine provides a game having a plurality of winning outcomes, the method comprising:
establishing one or more triggering events for the networked gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning outcomes;
initiating a gaming session on one or more of the networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine generates a game outcome when the game is played;
establishing a group of gaming machines participating in a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period, wherein the group of gaming machines comprises two or more gaming machines;
initiating a first single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period in response to the one or more triggering events on the established group of gaming machines;
displaying a notification message regarding the initiation of the first grouped bonus period on each embedded user interface of the group of gaming machines; and
awarding a prize in response to a winning outcome being achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first grouped bonus period.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a system host when one or more triggering events are satisfied.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the system host sends instructions to initiate the first single-action initiated, grouped bonus period on the gaming machines.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of gaming machines is randomly selected from all of the networked gaming machines.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the notification message further comprises identifying the player that triggered the first grouped bonus period.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a player with an option to be eligible for a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
notifying the system host when a second triggering event is satisfied;
initiating a second grouped bonus period, wherein the second bonus period is presented to the gaming machines;
displaying a second notification message on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the second bonus period; and
awarding a second prize in response to a second predetermined winning outcome being achieved by one or more of the gaming machines during the second bonus period.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented concurrently.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented in sequential order.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the prize further comprises multiplying a payout of the prize.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the prize further comprises dispensing a redeemable voucher for merchandise.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is cash, player points, system game points, or a combination thereof.
13. A method for managing a plurality of networked gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine provides a game having a plurality of winning outcomes, the method comprising:
establishing one or more triggering events for the plurality of networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine includes an embedded user interface;
receiving game information from the plurality of networked gaming machines;
determining whether the triggering event is satisfied by the game information provided by one of the plurality of networked gaming machines;
selecting two or more networked gaming machines to participate in a single-player initiated, grouped bonus period when one or more triggering events are satisfied;
sending a notification message for display on each gaming machine selected to participate in the grouped bonus period; and
initiating the bonus period and presenting the bonus period on the embedded user interface of the selected gaming machines.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising choosing a winning game outcome for the grouped bonus period.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising awarding a prize in response to a winning outcome being achieved during the grouped bonus period.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein awarding the prize further comprises applying a multiplier the prize amount.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein awarding the prize further comprises dispensing a redeemable voucher for merchandise.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the triggering event is a winning outcome of the game.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the triggering event is based upon time of play, frequency of play, number of maximum wagers, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the notification message comprises time remaining in the limited-time bonus period, a goal of the limit-time bonus period, and a potential prize.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein the game is a mechanical slot game, video slot game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, video keno game, video roulette game, Class II bingo game, or a combination thereof.
22. A system for managing gaming devices in a networked environment, comprising:
one or more gaming devices, wherein each gaming device comprises a game display, a user interface, a gaming processor in communication with the game display, and an additional user interface system incorporated into the gaming device, wherein the additional user interface system includes an additional processor, a web page display screen, and a dictionary extension;
a first system host in communication with the gaming processor of each gaming device;
a second system host in communication with the first system host and the additional processor of the additional user interface system from each gaming device, wherein the second system host manages a player-initiated, grouped bonus period on two or more gaming devices.
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a player tracking system in communication with the gaming devices.
24. A method for managing networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine provides a game having a plurality of winning outcomes, the method comprising:
providing a gaming machine having a game display, a user interface, a gaming processor in communication with the game display, and an additional user interface system incorporated into the gaming machine, wherein the additional user interface system includes an additional processor, a web page display screen, and a dictionary extension;
establishing one or more triggering events for the networked gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning outcomes;
initiating a gaming session on one or more of the networked gaming machines;
notifying a system host when one or more triggering events are satisfied;
establishing a group of gaming machines participating in a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period, wherein the group of gaming machines comprises two or more networked gaming machines;
receiving instructions from the system host to initiate a first single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period on the group of gaming machines;
displaying a notification message on the web display screen regarding the initiation of the first grouped bonus period; and
awarding a prize in response to a winning outcome achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first grouped bonus period.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein displaying the notification message further comprises identifying the player that triggered the first grouped bonus period.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising presenting a player with an option to be eligible for a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period.
27. The method of claim 24, further comprising:
notifying the system host when a second triggering event is satisfied, and initiating a second grouped bonus period by the system host, wherein the second bonus period is presented to the gaming machines;
displaying a second notification message on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the second bonus period; and
awarding a second prize in response to a second predetermined winning outcome being achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the second bonus period.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented concurrently.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented in sequential order.
30. The method of claim 24, wherein awarding the prize further comprises multiplying a payout of the prize.
31. The method of claim 24, wherein awarding the prize further comprises dispensing a redeemable voucher for merchandise.
32. The method of claim 24, wherein the prize is cash, player points, system game points, or a combination thereof.
33. A gaming machine, comprising:
a gaming processor for managing a game;
a gaming presentation in communication with the gaming processor;
a user interface separate from the gaming presentation, the user interface comprising:
a web page display screen that presents information to a user;
an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system; and
a dictionary extension, wherein the dictionary extension receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, and indirectly navigates the web page display screen to the uniform resource locator, wherein the embedded processor receives instructions from a system host to initiate and present information regarding a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period.
34. A gaming machine, comprising:
a gaming processor for managing a game;
a gaming presentation in communication with the gaming processor;
a user interface separate from the gaming presentation, the user interface comprising:
a web page display screen that presents information to a user;
an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system; and
a dictionary extension, wherein the dictionary extension receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, and indirectly navigates the web page display screen to the uniform resource locator, wherein the embedded processor monitors the gaming processor for triggering events, notifies a system host of the triggering events, and receives instructions from the system host to initiate and present information regarding a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period in response to the triggering events.

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. A liquid crystal display comprising:
a liquid crystal panel; and
a DC-DC converter which receives an input voltage to generate an analog drive voltage and a gate-on voltage used to operate the liquid crystal panel,
wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:
a pulse width modulation circuit which modulates a pulse width of the analog drive voltage and the gate-on voltage;
a boost converter which outputs the analog drive voltage by boosting the input voltage; and
a charge pump which outputs the gate-on voltage by boosting one of the input voltage and the analog drive voltage,
wherein, when a high voltage stress test is performed, the DC-DC converter outputs the analog drive voltage boosted to a voltage level higher than a voltage level of the analog drive voltage during a normal operation, and outputs the gate-on voltage having a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of the gate-on voltage during the normal operation.
2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, further comprising:
a gate driver which receives the gate-on voltage and provides a gate signal to the liquid crystal panel; and
a data driver which receives the analog drive voltage and provides a data signal to the liquid crystal panel.
3. The liquid crystal display of claim 2, wherein the gate driver includes an amorphous silicon gate disposed on the liquid crystal panel.
4. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein, when the normal operation is performed, the charge pump boosts the analog drive voltage to output the gate-on voltage.
5. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the input voltage, which has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage, to output the gate on voltage.
6. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein, the DC-DC converter further comprises a regulator which outputs a second analog drive voltage having a preset voltage level during the high voltage stress test.
7. The liquid crystal display of claim 6, wherein the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage during the high voltage stress test.
8. The liquid crystal display of claim 6, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator to output the gate on voltage.
9. A DC-DC converter comprising:
a pulse width modulation circuit which modulates a pulse width of an analog drive voltage and a gate-on voltage;
a boost converter which boosts an input voltage to output the analog drive voltage; and
a charge pump which boosts one of the input voltage and the analog drive voltage to output the gate on voltage,
wherein, when a high voltage stress test is performed, the analog drive voltage is boosted to a voltage level higher than a voltage level of the analog drive voltage during a normal operation, and the gate-on voltage maintains a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of the gate-on voltage during the normal operation.
10. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, wherein, when the normal operation is performed, the charge pump boosts the analog drive voltage to output the gate on voltage.
11. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the input voltage, which has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage, to output the gate on voltage.
12. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, further comprising a regulator which outputs a second analog drive voltage having a preset voltage level during the high voltage stress test.
13. The DC-DC converter of claim 12, wherein the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage during the high voltage stress test.
14. The DC-DC converter of claim 12, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator to output the gate on voltage.
15. A method of operating a liquid crystal display, the method comprising:
boosting an input voltage to generate an analog drive voltage; and
boosting the analog drive voltage during a normal operation to generate a gate-on voltage; and
boosting a voltage having a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage during a high voltage stress test to generate the gate-on voltage.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, an input voltage having a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage is boosted to generate the gate-on voltage.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the analog drive voltage has a voltage level higher than the analog drive voltage during the normal operation.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, a second analog drive voltage, having a voltage level lower than the analog drive voltage during the high voltage stress test, is boosted to generate the gate-on voltage.