All The Claims

1. A coal flue gas scrubber for removing carbon dioxide from flue gases of coal fired furnaces, said scrubber comprising a cylindrical vessel hereinafter termed a scrubber barrel, said scrubber barrel positioned within a coal fired furnace smoke stack, said scrubber barrel having a small opening at the top for gaseous flow into said smoke stack, a bottom opening hereinafter called a drain passage for sorbent liquid to drain into a sludge basin, a facility exhaust fan forcing combustion flue gases into a connecting duct, said conducting duct holding electrically charged plates for placing a charge on said combustion flue gases, said connecting duct eccentrically attached to the side of a receiver, said receiver axially concentrically positioned within said scrubber barrel, said eccentric attachment of said conducting duct to said receiver causes the flow of said charged combustion flue gas to move tangentially in a horizontal spiraling upward flow into a misting zone of said scrubber barrel, said misting zone containing finely diffused sorbent spray discharged from a plurality of ejectors, said ejector finely diffused sorbent spray being horizontally directed in the opposite direction of said horizontal spiraling flow of said receiver, said combustion gases from said receiver and finely diffused sorbent spray, into a coalescing zone, a condenser in said coalescing zone, said condenser having a plurality of water cooled plates and ultrasonic transducers mounted on said scrubber barrel, said finely diffused sorbent spray being condensed on said water cooled plates, said finely diffused sorbent spray coalescing on said coolant plates and passing downward to channels at the bottom of said water cooled plates and directed to the sides of said scrubber barrel bottom opening, a rotating table below said bottom opening, a scraper blade removing precipitate material from said rotating table, said sorbent spray and said precipitate material falling through said bottom opening into a sludge basin, a submersible sludge pump pumping sorbent and sludge out of said sludge basin.

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 method for directing a computing device to register a player to play a secondary game of chance at a slot machine, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a request to register the player to play the secondary game of chance, the request to register including a player identifier;
determining a secondary game identifier corresponding to the secondary game of chance, the secondary game identifier associated with a plurality of client identifiers, each client identifier corresponding to a slot machine configured to facilitate a primary game of chance and the secondary game of chance; and
storing the player identifier, the secondary game identifier and the plurality of client identifiers, thereby registering the player for the secondary game of chance.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining further includes determining at least one completion parameter associated with the secondary game of chance.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one completion parameter defines a maximum number of plays in which to successfully complete the secondary game of chance.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one completion parameter defines a maximum duration of time in which to play the secondary game of chance.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one completion parameter comprises a set of game requirements.
6. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of:
selecting at least one of the plurality of client identifiers; and
outputting a description of the at least one slot machine corresponding to the at least one selected client identifier.
7. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:
determining a minimum number of client machines on which the player must play to receive a secondary game bonus.
8. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:
determining a maximum number of client machines on which the player may play to receive a secondary game bonus.
9. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:
receiving pre-payment for the secondary game of chance.
10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of:
receiving pre-payment for the primary game of chance.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of receiving further includes receiving a second player identifier corresponding to a second player, the player and the second player comprising a team, and the step of storing further including storing the second player identifier.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
communicating a plurality of secondary games of chance to the player; and
receiving a player selection identifying one of the plurality of secondary games of chance.
13. A method for directing a computing device to conduct a secondary game of chance at a client slot machine, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a player identifier corresponding to a player;
retrieving registration data including:
a secondary game identifier, the secondary game identifier corresponding to game requirements for determining a winner of the secondary game of chance, the secondary game identifier further corresponding to a plurality of eligible client identifiers, and
a session status;

receiving a client identifier corresponding to the client slot machine;
determining whether the client identifier is associated with one of the plurality of eligible client identifiers;
receiving an outcome;
analyzing the outcome based on the game requirements, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements; and
updating the session status based on the step of analyzing.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the game requirements for determining a winner of the secondary game of chance define a plurality of outcomes.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality of outcomes are mutually exclusive from a plurality of outcomes which qualify for an award according to a primary game of chance.
16. The method of claim 13 further including storing the outcome if the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements.
17. The method of claim 16. further including the step of:
storing a timestamp associated with the outcome.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein at least one game requirement defines a minimum number of client slot machines required to successfully complete the secondary game of chance.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein at least one game requirement defines an order in which the slot machines corresponding to at least two eligible client identifiers must be played.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of analyzing is performed for every received outcome.
21. The method of claim 13 wherein at least one game requirement defines a time during which an outcome must be received in order to satisfy the game requirement.
22. The method of claim 13 further including the step of outputting a description of a slot machine associated with at least one eligible client identifier.
23. The method of claim 13 further including the step of outputting a description of at least one game requirement.
24. A method for directing a computing device to award winnings associated with a secondary game of chance, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a player identifier corresponding to a player;
retrieving player data including:
a secondary game bonus amount representing an amount to be awarded to the player; and
a secondary game status;

determining whether the player is eligible for the secondary game bonus based on the secondary game status;
transmitting a signal directing the secondary game bonus to be awarded;
outputting the secondary game bonus amount; and
updating the secondary game status to reflect an award of the secondary bonus.
25. A method for determining eligible client identifiers associated with a secondary game of chance, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving historic data associated with a plurality of slot machines, each slot machine having a corresponding client identifier;
ranking the slot machines based on the historic data;
identifying a subset of the ranked slot machines as eligible client slot machines; and
generating a list of the eligible client identifiers corresponding to the identified subset of ranked slot machines.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the historical data represents a number of plays.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein the historical data represents an amount of winnings.
28. The method of claim 25 wherein the historical data represents an amount of coins received.
29. A registration kiosk, comprising:
a processor;
a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;
said processor operative with said program in said memory to:
receive a request to register the player to play the secondary game of chance, the request to register including a player identifier,
determine a secondary game identifier corresponding to the secondary game of chance, the secondary game identifier associated with a plurality of client identifiers, each client identifier corresponding to a slot machine configured to facilitate a primary game of chance and the secondary game of chance, and
store the player identifier, the secondary game identifier and the plurality of client identifiers, thereby registering the player for the secondary game of chance.
30. A slot machine server, comprising:
a processor;
a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;
said processor operative with said program in said memory to:
receive a player identifier corresponding to a player;
retrieve registration data including:
a secondary game identifier, the secondary game identifier corresponding to game requirements for determining a winner of the secondary game of chance, the secondary game identifier further corresponding to a plurality of eligible client identifiers, and
a session status,

receive a client identifier corresponding to the client slot machine,
determine whether the client identifier is associated with one of the plurality of eligible client identifiers,
receive an outcome,
analyze the outcome based on the game requirements, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements, and
update the session status based on the step of analyzing.
31. A kiosk, comprising:
a processor;
a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;
said processor operative with said program in said memory to:
receive a player identifier corresponding to a player,
retrieve player data including:
a secondary game bonus amount representing an amount to be awarded to the player, and
a secondary game status,

determine whether the player is eligible for the secondary game bonus based on the secondary game status,
transmit a signal directing the secondary game bonus to be awarded,
output the secondary game bonus amount, and
update the secondary game status to reflect an award of the secondary bonus.
32. A slot machine server, comprising:
a processor;
a memory connected to said processor storing a program to control the operation of said processor;
said processor operative with said program in said memory to:
receive historic data associated with a plurality of slot machines, each slot machine having a corresponding client identifier,
rank the slot machines based on the historic data,
identify a subset of the ranked slot machines as eligible client slot machines, and
generate a list of the eligible client identifiers corresponding to the identified subset of ranked slot machines.
33. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a computing device to register a player to play a secondary game of chance at a slot machine, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:
receiving a request to register the player to play the secondary game of chance, the request to register including a player identifier;
determining a secondary game identifier corresponding to the secondary game of chance, the secondary game identifier associated with a plurality of client identifiers, each client identifier corresponding to a slot machine configured to facilitate a primary game of chance and the secondary game of chance; and
storing the player identifier, the secondary game identifier and the plurality of client identifiers, thereby registering the player for the secondary game of chance.
34. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a computing device to conduct a secondary game of chance at a client slot machine, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:
receiving a player identifier corresponding to a player;
retrieving registration data including:
a secondary game identifier, the secondary game identifier corresponding to game requirements for determining a winner of the secondary game of chance, the secondary game identifier further corresponding to a plurality of eligible client identifiers, and
a session status;

receiving a client identifier corresponding to the client slot machine;
determining whether the client identifier is associated with one of the plurality of eligible client identifiers;
receiving an outcome;
analyzing the outcome based on the game requirements, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements; and
updating the session status based on the step of analyzing.
35. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for directing a computing device to award winnings associated with a secondary game of chance, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:
receiving a player identifier corresponding to a player;
retrieving player data including:
a secondary game bonus amount representing an amount to be awarded to the player; and
a secondary game status;

determining whether the player is eligible for the secondary game bonus based on the secondary game status;
transmitting a signal directing the secondary game bonus to be awarded;
outputting the secondary game bonus amount; and
updating the secondary game status to reflect an award of the secondary bonus.
36. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for determining eligible client identifiers associated with a secondary game of chance, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of:
receiving historic data associated with a plurality of slot machines, each slot machine having a corresponding client identifier;
ranking the slot machines based on the historic data;
identifying a subset of the ranked slot machines as eligible client slot machines; and
generating a list of the eligible client identifiers corresponding to the identified subset of ranked slot machines.

1. A connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes comprising:
a base, a bracket fixed on the base;
a lock buckle fixed on a door of the fingerprint safekeeping box;
a lock cam having a latch portion, an engaging bulge, a lock groove and a lock cam pivot, the lock cam being connected with the bracket in rotary connection;
a biasing means deposited on the lock cam pivot for providing a continuing turn force to the lock cam;
a lock bar having a biasing force embedding in the lock groove for locking the lock cam without turn;
an actuator device constituted by crank shaft and connecting rod, the lock bar being connected with the connecting rod in rotary connection;
an electric motor fixed on the base and being connected with the crank shaft;
When closing the fingerprint safekeeping boxes the lock buckle pushes the engaging bulge to force the lock turn, then the latch portion of the lock cam inserts into the lock buckle to lock the door, the lock bar embeds into the rock grove to lock the lock cam without turn; when opening the door, the motor drives the crankshaft turn to pull the connecting rod, which in turn pulls the lock bar out off the lock groove of the lock cam, then the biasing means forces the lock cam turn to let the latch portion leaving from the lock buckle, thereafter, the door is opened.
2. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 1, wherein the actuator device is constituted by a flywheel having a biasing pivot and a connecting rod with a through slot connected with the biasing pivot in rotary connection, the lock bar inserts into the through slot of the connecting rod.
3. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 1, wherein the biasing means is a torsion spring, which is disposed on the lock cam pivot, one end of the torsion spring is against a pin fixed on the body of the lock cam, another end is against the lock bar.
4. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 1, wherein the lock bar is a torsion spring which is disposed on a lock bar pivot fixed on the base, one end of the torsion spring inserts into the through slot of the connecting rod, another end is fixed with the bracket.
5. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 1, wherein the lock buckle has n shape.
6. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 1, wherein the motor is controlled by an electrical control system being secured by personal fingerprint.
7. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 2, wherein when the motor is turned in step, the end of the slop of the connecting slot first leaves the rock bar, then returns and moves to the rock bar rapidly, finally strikes the rock bar out off the lock groove, thereby a small power motor can be used for the assembly.
8. The connecting rod style lock assembly for fingerprint safekeeping boxes of claim 1, wherein The motor 1 is controlled by an electrical controlling system secured by fingerprint, after passing a test of fingerprint, the electrical system issues a step moving signal to the motor, then the motor turns a circuit then stop.

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 ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
an ultrasound probe configured to transmit ultrasonic waves into a subject and receive ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of the ultrasonic waves from the subject, the ultrasound probe including a signal processor for processing reception signals based on the ultrasonic echoes; and
a diagnostic apparatus body configured to generate ultrasound images in accordance with the reception signals processed in the signal processor of said ultrasound probe and set a region of interest which is spaced apart from said ultrasound probe,
wherein said ultrasound probe is configured to perform a plurality of types of ultrasound transmission and reception in mutually different directions of ultrasound transmission and reception and said diagnostic apparatus body is configured to combine ultrasound images based on each of the plurality of types of ultrasound transmission and reception, and
wherein, upon production of the composite ultrasound image in said diagnostic apparatus body, said ultrasound probe is configured to control drive of said signal processor so that a depth of at least one of said ultrasound images to be combined is changed according to the region of interest.
2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, upon the production of the composite ultrasound image in said diagnostic apparatus body, said ultrasound probe performs ultrasound transmission and reception for obtaining a main image as an ultrasound image in a preset predetermined output region by one of said plurality of types of ultrasound transmission and reception.
3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, upon change of a reception depth of at least one image of said ultrasound images to be combined in accordance with the region of interest, said ultrasound probe does not perform ultrasound scanning in a region of said at least one image having the changed reception depth where said at least one image and said main image do not overlap each other.
4. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature at a predetermined position inside said ultrasound probe, and
wherein, upon the production of the composite ultrasound image in said diagnostic apparatus body, said ultrasound probe changes conditions of the ultrasound transmission and reception so as to change an image quality of an ultrasound image to be combined with said main image in accordance with a temperature measurement result obtained with said temperature sensor.
5. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said temperature sensor measures the temperature of said signal processor.
6. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasound probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in identical directions for a last ultrasound image of one composite ultrasound image in temporally consecutive composite ultrasound images and a first ultrasound image of its subsequent composite ultrasound image.
7. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
an ultrasound probe configured to transmit ultrasonic waves into a subject and receive ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of the ultrasonic waves from the subject, the ultrasound probe including a signal processor for processing reception signals based on the ultrasonic echoes;
a diagnostic apparatus body configured to generate ultrasound images in accordance with the reception signals processed in the signal processor of said ultrasound probe;
an acoustic coupler detachably attached to said ultrasound probe so as to cover an ultrasound transmission and reception surface of said ultrasound probe; and
a detector provided in at least one of said ultrasound probe and said diagnostic apparatus body to detect that said acoustic coupler is attached to said ultrasound probe,
wherein said ultrasound probe is configured to perform a plurality of types of ultrasound transmission and reception in mutually different directions of ultrasound transmission and reception and said diagnostic apparatus body is configured to combine ultrasound images based on each of the plurality of types of ultrasound transmission and reception, and
wherein, upon production of the composite ultrasound image in said diagnostic apparatus body, said ultrasound probe control drive of said signal processor so that a depth of at least one of said ultrasound images to be combined is changed upon detection of attachment of the acoustic coupler to said ultrasound probe made by said detector.
8. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, upon the detection of the attachment of the acoustic coupler to said ultrasound probe made by said detector, said ultrasound probe increases the depth of at least one of said ultrasound images to be combined.
9. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, upon the production of the composite ultrasound image in said diagnostic apparatus body, said ultrasound probe performs ultrasound transmission and reception for obtaining a main image as an ultrasound image in a preset predetermined output region by one of said plurality of types of ultrasound transmission and reception.
10. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, upon the detection of the attachment of the acoustic coupler to said ultrasound probe made by said detector, said ultrasound probe does not process the reception signals in said signal processor as for a depth region corresponding to the acoustic coupler in at least one of said ultrasound images to be combined.
11. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, upon the detection of the attachment of the acoustic coupler to said ultrasound probe made by said detector, said ultrasound probe does not process the reception signals in said signal processor as for the depth region corresponding to said acoustic coupler in all of said ultrasound images for use in producing said composite ultrasound image.
12. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, upon the detection of the attachment of the acoustic coupler to said ultrasound probe made by said detector, said ultrasound probe does not perform ultrasound scanning of regions of other ultrasound images than said main image where the other ultrasound images and the main image do not overlap each other.
13. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, which includes a proximity mode for combining said ultrasound images in a predetermined depth region on a subject skin surface side.
14. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, upon the detection of the attachment of the acoustic coupler to said ultrasound probe made by said detector, said ultrasound probe sets the depth of the at least one of said ultrasound images to be combined as a predetermined depth deeper than in said predetermined depth region in said proximity mode.