All The Claims

1. An electronic gaming system comprising:
at least one player interface for enabling a player to interact with the system;
a display screen; and
a random number generator;
wherein the gaming system is configured to enable the player to simultaneously play a plurality of reel-type games;
wherein the display screen is configured to have a plurality of distinct display windows, each display window associated with a respective one of the games and configured to display a plurality of reels pertaining to the respective game, each reel having a plurality of reel indicia arranged thereon;
wherein the random number generator is configured to determine a particular outcome for each play of each given game, that particular outcome being one of a plurality of possible outcomes, and being constituted by a particular arrangement of reel indicia pertaining to the given game;
wherein the gaming system is configured to enter a feature phase based upon the outcome of a particular game constituting a predetermined feature-triggering event;
wherein the display screen is configured to display the particular game in a given display window and to automatically display the feature phase in an expanded form of the given display window; and
wherein the gaming system is configured to suspend play of at least one of the games during the feature phase, and the display screen is configured to automatically reduce in size a corresponding display window that displays a suspended game during the feature phase in order to accommodate for the size of the expanded form of the given display window that displays the feature phase.
2. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
a proportion of the display screen that displays the feature phase is larger than a proportion of the display screen that displays the particular game; and
a proportion of the display screen that displays the number of games suspended during the feature phase is less than a proportion of the display screen that displays said number of games prior to the feature phase.
3. An electronic gaming system according to claim 2, wherein:
the proportion of the display screen that displays the feature phase is 100 percent of the display screen; and
the proportion of the display screen that displays the number of games suspended during the feature phase is 0 percent.
4. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the portion of the display screen that displays the suspended game is 0 percent of the display screen.
5. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the number of games suspended during the feature phase include games other than said particular game.
6. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the number of games are suspended during the feature phase until the feature phase is completed.
7. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the display screen is configured to display a number of pay lines for each game; and
the gaming system is further configured to enable a user to define parameters of said games, said parameters representing at least one of player-selected pay lines and an amount that is bet per player-selected pay line.
8. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the expanded form of the given display window that displays the feature phase occupies substantially the whole of the display screen.
9. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the gaming system is further configured to resume play of suspended games after the feature phase is completed.
10. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the gaming system is further configured to enter a plurality of feature phases associated with a plurality of games based upon outcomes of the plurality of games constituting predetermined feature-triggering events, and wherein the plurality of feature phases are played in a sequential manner one after the other.
11. An electronic gaming system according to claim 10, wherein:
the indication of aggregate bets, aggregate wins and available credits is updated during the play of the feature phase.
12. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, which comprises a slot machine.
13. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of player interfaces for enabling a plurality of players to simultaneously play at least one of said plurality of reel-type games on the gaming system.
14. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the display screen is configured to display an indication of aggregate bets, aggregate wins and available credits for the games played by the player on the gaming system.
15. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, which comprises a computer.
16. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, which comprises a networked computer that enables a plurality of players to play the games over the Internet.
17. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the gaming system is further configured such that the probability of a given game entering a feature phase is lower when that given game is being played simultaneously with at least another one other game, than when only that given game is being played on the gaming system.
18. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the gaming system is further configured to award a prize to a player when a given game that that player is playing has a predetermined winning outcome, wherein the value of the prize is smaller when that given game is being played simultaneously with at least one other game, than when only that given game is being played on the gaming system.
19. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the gaming system is further configured such that a portion of the amounts that are bet by the player is contributed to a jackpot pool.
20. An electronic gaming system according to claim 19, wherein:
the gaming system is further configured to award a jackpot payout based upon predetermined criteria of the games played by players on the gaming system.
21. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein:
the feature phase comprises bonus rounds of the particular game or a bonus game.
22. An electronic gaming system according to claim 21, wherein:
the feature phase employs a special set of reel indicia.
23. A method of operating an electronic gaming system including at least one player interface for enabling a player to interact with the system, and a display screen, wherein the gaming system is configured so as to enable the player to simultaneously play a plurality of reel-type games, the method comprising:
simultaneously displaying a plurality of the games in distinct display windows on the display screen, each display window being associated with a respective one of the games and being configured to display a plurality of reels pertaining to the respective game, each reel having a plurality of reel indicia arranged thereon;
generating a random number to determine a particular outcome for each play of each given game, that outcome being one of a plurality of possible outcomes, and being constituted by a particular arrangement of reel indicia pertaining to the given game;
entering a feature phase based upon the outcome of a particular game constituting a predetermined feature-triggering event, wherein the particular game is displayed in a given display window of the display screen;
suspending play of a number of games during the feature phase; and
configuring the display screen to automatically display the feature phase in an expanded form of the given display window, and to automatically reduce in size a corresponding display window that displays a suspended game during the feature phase in order to accommodate for the size of the expanded form of the given display window that displays the feature phase.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein:
a proportion of the display screen that displays the feature phase is larger than a proportion of the display screen that displays the particular game; and
a proportion of the display screen that displays the number of games suspended during the feature phase is less than a proportion of the display screen that displays said number of games prior to the feature phase.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein:
the proportion of the display screen that displays the feature phase is 100 percent of the display screen; and
the proportion of the display screen that displays the number of games suspended during the feature phase is 0 percent.
26. A method according to claim 23, wherein:
the display screen is configured so that the portion of the display screen that displays the suspended game is 0 percent of the display screen.
27. An electronic gaming system comprising:
at least one player interface for enabling a player to interact with the system;
a display screen; and
means for generating a random number;
wherein the gaming system is configured to enable the player to simultaneously play a plurality of reel-type games;
wherein the display screen is configured to simultaneously display a plurality of the games in distinct display windows of the display screen, each display window associated with a respective one of the games and configured to display a plurality of reels pertaining to the respective game, each reel having a plurality of reel indicia arranged thereon;
wherein a particular outcome for each play of each given game is determined based upon a random number generated by the means for generating a random number, that particular outcome being one of a plurality of possible outcomes, and being constituted by a particular arrangement of reel indicia pertaining to the given game;
wherein the gaming system is configured to enter a feature phase based upon the outcome of a particular game constituting a predetermined feature-triggering event, wherein the particular game is displayed in a given display window of the display screen;
wherein the gaming system is configured to suspend play of a number of games during the feature phase; and
wherein the display screen is further configured to automatically display the feature phase in an expanded form of the given display window, and to automatically reduce in size a corresponding display window that displays a suspended game during the feature phase in order to accommodate for the size of the expanded form of the given display window that displays the feature phase.

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 Gaussian lens for photography comprising, in order from the object side:
a front lens group consisting of, in order from the object side, a first lens element and a second lens element, each having a positive meniscus shape with its convex surface on the object side, and a third lens element that has a negative meniscus shape with its convex surface on the object side;
a stop; and
a rear lens group consisting of, in order from the object side, a fourth lens element which has a negative meniscus shape with its concave surface on the object side, and fifth and sixth lens elements each having a positive meniscus shape with its convex surface on the image side,
wherein each lens element surface is spaced from any adjacent lens element surface so that no lens elements form a combined lens.
2. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following conditions are satisfied:
2.6<(N1N2)(N3N2)<4.3 1.0<R4f <2.3 1.0<R4R5<1.3 3.5<R10f<1.4 1.1<R9R10<1.6
where
N1 is the index of refraction of the first lens element,
N2 is the index of refraction of the second lens element,
N3 is the index of refraction of the third lens element,
R4 is the radius of curvature of the second lens element on the image side,
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens,
R5 is the radius of curvature of the third lens element on the object side,
R10 is the radius of curvature of the fifth lens element on the object side, and
R9 is the radius of curvature the fourth lens element on the image side.
3. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following conditions are satisfied:
0.001<(D4D9)f<0.017 0.22<D6-7f<0.30 0.18<D8-12f<0.25
where
D4 is the on-axis distance between the adjacent second and third lens element surfaces,
D9 is the on-axis distance between the adjacent fourth and fifth lens element surfaces,
D6-7 is the on-axis distance between the adjacent third and fourth lens element surfaces,
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens,
D8-12 is the on-axis distance between the object side surface of the fourth lens element and the image side surface of the sixth lens element.
4. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following conditions are satisfied:
12.0<21<25.0 18.0<23<30.0 35.0<3<45.0
where
1 is the Abbe number of the material of the first lens element,
2 is the Abbe number of the material of the second lens element, and
1 is the Abbe number of the material of the third lens element.
5. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
2.6<(N1N2)(N3N2)<4.3
where
N1 is the index of refraction of the first lens element,
N2 is the index of refraction of the second lens element, and
N3 is the index of refraction of the third lens element,
6. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
1.0<R4f<2.3
where
R4 is the radius of curvature of the second lens element on the image side, and
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens.
7. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
1.0<R4R5<1.3
where
R4 is the radius of curvature of the second lens element on the image side, and
R5 is the radius of curvature of the third lens element on the object side.
8. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
3.5<R10f<1.4
where
R10 is the radius of curvature of the fifth lens element on the object side, and
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens.
9. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
1.1<R9R10<1.6
where
R9 is the radius of curvature the fourth lens element on the image side, and
R10 is the radius of curvature of the fifth lens element on the object side.
10. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
0.001<(D4D9)f<0.017
where
D4 is the on-axis distance between the adjacent second and third lens element surfaces,
D9 is the on-axis distance between the adjacent fourth and fifth lens element surfaces, and
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens.
11. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
0.22<D6-7f<0.30
where
D6-7 is the on-axis distance between the adjacent third and fourth lens element surfaces, and
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens.
12. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
0.18<D8-12f<0.25
where
D8-12 is the on-axis distance between the object side surface of the fourth lens element and the image side surface of the sixth lens element, and
f is the focal length of the Gaussian lens.
13. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
12.0<21<25.0
where
1 is the Abbe number of the material of the first lens element, and
2 is the Abbe number of the material of the second lens element.
14. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following conditions is satisfied:
18.0<23<30.0
where
2 is the Abbe number of the material of the second lens element, and
3 is the Abbe number of the material of the third lens element.
15. The Gaussian lens of claim 1, wherein the following condition is satisfied:
35.0<3<45.0
where
3 is the Abbe number of the material of the third lens element.

1. A computer keyboard configured for thumbs-free user input, comprising:
circuitry configured to detect user input to the computer keyboard and to communicate data corresponding to the user input to a computer;
a body housing the circuitry;
a series of depressible keys supported by the body and in data communication with the circuitry, the depressible keys including letter keys in a modified QWERTY configuration and positioned for a user to depress the depressible keys with his fingers other than his thumbs, the modified QWERTY configuration being characterized by increased space between the G and H keys than with a conventional QWERTY keyboard; and
an input device disposed in the increased space between the G and H keys and configured for a user to engage without using his thumbs;
wherein engaging the input device causes the circuitry to communicate a space command to the computer analogously to engaging the space bar in a conventional QWERTY keyboard.
2. The computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein the input device is an additional depressible key that the user engages by pressing.
3. The computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein the input device is a motion sensor that detects a pre-chosen finger motion of the user to be engaged.
4. The computer keyboard of claim 3, wherein the pre-chosen finger motion is a swipe, a tap, or a series of taps.
5. The computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein the input device is a touchpad that detects pre-chosen finger motion of the user to be engaged.
6. The computer keyboard of claim 1, wherein:
the series of depressible keys includes a space bar, the circuitry configured to communicate a space command to the computer when the space bar is depressed;
the circuitry is programmed to selectively stop communicating the space command to the computer when the space bar is depressed.
7. A computer keyboard configured for thumbs-free user input, comprising:
circuitry configured to detect user input to the computer keyboard and to communicate data corresponding to the user input to a computer;
a body housing the circuitry;
a series of depressible keys supported by the body and in data communication with the circuitry, the depressible keys including letter keys in a modified QWERTY configuration and positioned for a user to depress the depressible keys with his fingers other than his thumbs, the modified QWERTY configuration including index finger keys positioned to be engaged by the user’s index fingers, the conventional index finger keys being spaced farther apart than keys corresponding to the index finger keys in a traditional QWERTY keyboard are spaced; and
two input keys disposed in an increased space in the vicinity of the index finger keys and configured for a user to engage without using his thumbs; the two input keys being reachable by respective index fingers of the user when the hands of the user are in a neutral position on the modified QWERTY configuration;
wherein engaging the input keys causes the circuitry to communicate a space command to the computer analogously to engaging the space bar in a conventional QWERTY keyboard.
8. A computer keyboard of claim 7, wherein the input keys are located in the increased spaces; and
wherein the increased space is situated between keys T, Y, G, B, V and F for the left hand and between keys Y, U, J, N, B, and H for the right hand.
9. A computer keyboard of claim 7, wherein the input keys are located in the increased space between letter keys F and G for use with the left hand of the user and in the increased space between letter keys H and J for use with the right hand of the user.
10. A computer keyboard of claim 7, wherein the space bar function can be actuated by the conventional space bar or be switched to the two input keys.
11. A computer keyboard of claim 7, wherein the size and shape of the input keys includes any shape or size that could be accommodated by the increased space between the conventional letter keys.
12. A computer keyboard of claim 7, wherein the keyboard is larger to accommodate the increased space needed for the input keys.
13. A computer keyboard configured for thumbs-free user input, comprising:
circuitry configured to detect user input to the computer keyboard and to communicate data corresponding to the user input to a computer;
a body housing the circuitry;
a series of depressible keys supported by the body and in data communication with the circuitry, the depressible keys including letter keys in a modified QWERTY configuration and positioned for a user to depress the depressible keys with his fingers other than his thumbs, the modified QWERTY configuration including:
a first input device centrally disposed between the R-T-G-F block of keys; and
a second input device centrally disposed between the Y-U-J-H block of keys;

wherein the first input device and the second input device are configured for a user to engage without using his thumbs;
wherein engaging either of the input devices causes the circuitry to communicate to a space command to the computer analogously to engaging the space bar in a conventional QWERTY keyboard.
14. The computer keyboard of claim 13, wherein the first input device and the second input device are depressible keys.
15. The computer keyboard of claim 14, wherein the increased space is proportionately larger to accommodate the shape and size of the two input devices.
16. The computer keyboard of claim 13, wherein the first input device and the second input device are motion sensors that detect a pre-chosen motion from the finger of the user and communicating to the computing device that a space command is sought.
17. The computer keyboard of claim 16, wherein the pre-chosen motion over the motion sensor indicating that a space command is sought, is a swipe of the finger of the user, or a tap, or a series of taps.
18. The computer keyboard of claim 13, wherein the first input device and the second input device are touchpads that recognize a pre-chosen motion from the finger of the user and communicating to the computing device that a space command is sought.
19. The computer keyboard of claim 18, wherein the pre-chosen motion over the touchpad indicating that a space command is sought, is a swipe of the finger of the user, or a tap, or a series of taps.
20. The computer keyboard of claim 13, wherein the user may switch the space bar function from being actuated by the conventional keyboard space bar present, to being activated by the two input devices.

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 base station apparatus comprising:
a control section that generates ULDL communication subframe switching information indicating whether to perform uplink communication corresponding to assignment control information in one or more communication subframes fixed to an uplink and indicating whether to perform uplink communication or downlink communication in an uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe; and
a transmitting section that transmits the generated ULDL communication subframe switching information to a terminal apparatus,
wherein an uplink communication subframe for transmitting an error detection result for downlink data or for transmitting uplink data corresponding to downlink control information, the downlink data and the downlink control information being received by the terminal apparatus, is a communication subframe that is located at or after a fourth subframe position from a downlink communication subframe in which the downlink data or the downlink control information is transmitted, and that is fixed to an uplink and positioned at earliest timing.
2. The base station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe is indicated by a combination of a UL-DL configuration indicated by a system information block (SIB), and a switchable subframe indication format which is another UL-DL configuration; and
in the switchable subframe indication format, timing of the uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe is a subset of timing of an uplink communication subframe defined by the UL-DL configuration indicated by SIB.
3. The base station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an uplink communication subframe for transmitting an error detection result for downlink data or for transmitting uplink data corresponding to downlink control information, the downlink data and the downlink control information being received by the terminal apparatus, is an uplink communication subframe that is located at or after a fourth subframe position from the downlink communication subframe in which the downlink data or the downlink control information is transmitted and that is located at or after a first subframe position from a special subframe at earliest timing.
4. A terminal apparatus comprising:
a receiving section that receives ULDL communication subframe switching information indicating whether to perform uplink communication corresponding to assignment control information in one or more communication subframes fixed to an uplink and indicating whether to perform uplink communication or downlink communication in an uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe;
a mapping section that performs mapping according to the indication of the received ULDL communication subframe switching information; and
a transmitting section that transmits a mapped signal to a base station apparatus,
wherein an uplink communication subframe for transmitting an error detection result for downlink data or for transmitting uplink data corresponding to downlink control information, the downlink data and the downlink control information being received by the terminal apparatus, is a communication subframe that is located at or after a fourth subframe position from a downlink communication subframe in which the downlink data or the downlink control information is transmitted, and that is fixed to an uplink and positioned at earliest timing.
5. The terminal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the ULDL communication subframe switching information is not received and when there is an uplink communication transmission period or transmission data in the uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe, transmission is performed in the uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe, and when there is no uplink communication transmission period or transmission data, reception is performed in the uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe.
6. A transmission method comprising:
controlling a base station apparatus to generate ULDL communication subframe switching information indicating whether to perform uplink communication corresponding to assignment control information in one or more communication subframes fixed to an uplink and indicating whether to perform uplink communication or downlink communication in an uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe; and
transmitting the generated ULDL communication subframe switching information from the base station apparatus to a terminal apparatus,
wherein an uplink communication subframe for transmitting an error detection result for downlink data or for transmitting uplink data corresponding to downlink control information, the downlink data and the downlink control information being received by the terminal apparatus, is a communication subframe that is located at or after a fourth subframe position from a downlink communication subframe in which the downlink data or the downlink control information is transmitted, and that is fixed to an uplink and positioned at earliest timing.
7. A reception method comprising:
receiving from a base station apparatus by a terminal apparatus, ULDL communication subframe switching information indicating whether to perform uplink communication corresponding to assignment control information in one or more communication subframes fixed to an uplink and indicating whether to perform uplink communication or downlink communication in an uplink communication subframe switchable to a downlink communication subframe;
performing mapping of a transmission signal according to the indication of the received ULDL communication subframe switching information; and
transmitting the mapped transmission signal from the terminal apparatus to the base station apparatus,
wherein an uplink communication subframe for transmitting an error detection result for downlink data or for transmitting uplink data corresponding to downlink control information, the downlink data and the downlink control information being received by the terminal apparatus, is a communication subframe that is located at or after a fourth subframe position from a downlink communication subframe in which the downlink data or the downlink control information is transmitted, and that is fixed to an uplink and positioned at earliest timing.