Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the orientation of Earth's magnetic poles. A magnet is pivotally coupled to a support and is free to orient itself with Earth's magnetic pole. A detector is fixed relative to the support and outputs a signal indicative of the magnet orientation. A display displays an indication of the relative orientation of Earth's magnetic pole consistent with the output signal. Plural detectors can be employed to increase resolution of the apparatus. The detectors can be optical detectors. A shutter is fixed to the magnet and the detectors sense the shutter position. The shutter has a patterned formed thereon with transmissive portions and opaque portions. Shutter blinds are added to limit the dispersion of light.

Abstract: An electronic object locator apparatus and method for operation in conjunction with other functionally compliant locators. The locator includes a controller with an actuator and indicator. A transmitter is coupled to transmit search signals and found signals output from the controller, and, a receiver is coupled to output received search signals and found signals to the controller. In operation the controller outputs a first search signal upon actuation of the actuator, and activates the indicator upon receipt of a first found signal responsive to the first search signal. In addition, the controller outputs a second found signal and activates the indicator in response to receipt of a second search signal. Multiple actuators are provided to address multiple functionally compliant locators. Radio signaling is employed, and may be operated under FCC Part 15. The search signals may include both a unit identity and a series identity. Braille symbols and icons can be applied to the actuators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrating a wireless telephone and a cordless telephone is taught. A docking station is used which receives a wireless telephone and electrically interfaces with in, including power, audio and data interfaces. A controller manages the interface to a transceiver, and speakerphone. A cordless telephone communicates with the transceiver, thereby enabling the utilization of a cordless telephone over a wireless telephone network. No wiring or installation is required, and the convenience and usability of the medium is enhanced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling toilet odors. A toilet seat having a tapered vent passage formed therein, for causing a gradual increase in flow velocity there through is coupled to a conduit, which is further coupled to a fan. The fan induces air flow through the vent passage and the conduit, thereby exhausting air away from the toilet. Low volume and air flow rates are employed to effectively and quietly remove objectionable odors from the toilet area during use. An inlet screen may be positioned over the inlet end of the vent passage. The fan power may be controlled with a seat-activated switch. The conduit may be a corrugated hose.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating additional data in a data communications system are disclosed. Selective application of a plurality of algorithms is advantageously applied to encoded data to yield a dual benefit of satisfying a primary function as well as communicating additional data. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of error detecting algorithms are linked to a plurality of additional data so that the system can identify the type of data slot packet that is presently decoded without the need for additional data bits to make such determination.

Abstract: A wind gauge apparatus and method. An illustrative embodiment includes a microphone positioned to engage wind pressure from a first relative direction and a controller coupled to receive an audio signal from the microphone. The controller compares the audio signal with plural threshold values, representative of wind pressure levels, and determines a first wind pressure level incident upon the microphone. Filtering and gain controls are used to condition the audio signal output from the microphone. Plural microphones are employed to allow that detection of wind direction and magnitude about a compass of directions. Digital signal processing is employed to process data. In an illustrative embodiment, the wind direction and magnitude data are used to recommend a golf club size adjustment and a golf swing direction adjustment to the user, who has taken a measurement of the wind with respect to a reference golf swing direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high fidelity duplexing, local transmission and reception of audio-signals transmitted from sources such as stereos, televisions, or musical instruments is taught. According to these teachings, high fidelity wireless stereophonic transmission system having a plurality of audio channels are realized. An oscillator is electrically connected to the first audio channel to provide a first carrier frequency upon which the data of the first audio channel is imposed. The first carrier frequency is then combined with a second audio channel's data forming a composite signal. The composite signal is then imposed on signal generated by a second oscillator. This second oscillator provides a carrier frequency for a frequency modulated (FM) transmitter. The signal from the FM transmitter is received by a receiver and the respective signal's of the two audio channels are demodulated and used to drive speakers.

Abstract: A model vehicle that operates to emulate “hydraulics” in a full size vehicle is taught. A suspension lift function and a suspension tilt function are produced though implementation of suspension apparatus. A wheel carriage is coupled to a chassis and the movement therebetween is controlled by one or more actuators. Either lift or tilt, or both, movement may be employed. In an illustrative embodiment, rotational movement is employed to effect lift and tilt, along perpendicular axis defined by a sub-chassis. A first actuator works between the chassis and sub-chassis, and a second actuator works between the sub-chassis and a wheel carriage. Control may be remote, utilizing wired, radio, sonic, or infrared remote control schemes.

Abstract: A shunt feedback circuit path for use in high frequency amplifiers fabricated as a transmission line coupled to ground at one end and coupled to the shunt feedback transmission line of the amplifier at the other end. The shunt feedback transmission line has a first and second resistive element and a first and second capacitive element. A quarter-wavelength transmission line is used to transform the impedance coupled to one end with respect to the other end. The impedance as seen from one end of the line is a function of the characteristic impedance of the line. Therefore, by selecting the characteristic impedance the transmission line can be used to affect the impedance of the feedback path so the transmission line appears as an inductor of reactance equal to the characteristic impedance of the quarter-wavelength transmission line and reduces the overall effective length of the feedback path.

Abstract: A stair tread and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The stair tread comprises a rigid frame which is encapsulated with a structural plastic material. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid frame is made from steel and the encapsulating structural plastic is a polyol and isocyanate blend which is applied to the rigid frame by the reaction injection molding process. The stair tread exhibits the advantages of a bar grating stair tread and the corrosions resistance of a plastic stair tread while being low cost and efficient to manufacture.

Abstract: A system for compensating for reference frequency drift in a communications system. The inventive system includes a frequency source for providing a reference frequency. An error determination circuit determines if the reference frequency is within a predetermined range of a desired reference frequency and provides an error signal in response thereto. A frequency correction circuit steps the reference frequency up and/or down by a predetermined amount in response to the error signal until the reference frequency is within the predetermined range of the desired reference frequency. In a specific embodiment, the predetermined amount is twice the short-term capture range of the reference frequency which corresponds to approximately four parts per million. The predetermined range is the short-term capture range or two parts per million. The predetermined range is dependent upon the reference frequency band in which the receiver can successfully receive and decode the receive signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing satellite update information are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment satellite update information, comprising satellite position, polarity, name, and abbreviation, are accumulated at a first location and transmitted via satellite to at least one of a plurality of satellite receivers. The satellite receiver is operable to receive and automatically utilize the satellite update information such that the end user of the satellite receiver in unaware of the automated process of updating satellite information in the satellite receiver. The satellite receiver uses a portion of the satellite update information to calculate a pulse count for positioning an antenna to receive radio signals from a satellite for which satellite update information has been received.

Abstract: A compressed gas gun is disclosed. A slidable breech seal is employed which is operable to seal a breech opening formed in the frame of the gun and lock the gun in a position ready for discharge. Upon discharge, a hammer strikes the breech seal causing a valve to expel compressed gas and discharge the gun. The beech seal is then slid to a second position which serves to cock the gun, expose the breech opening for subsequent loading, and to set a safety device against subsequent discharge. Once cocked, the breech seal is slid to a first position, again sealing said breech opening.

Abstract: Plurality of radio channels include a first radio channel group having channel(s) permitted to be used only when the radio channels are not being used by other device, a second radio channel group available for communication regardless of whether the radio channels are being used by other device, a base unit and/or a handset unit therein comprises a first memory unit for storing radio channels in first and second radio channel groups, a determining unit for determining whether a specified radio channel is busy, a control unit for specifying a radio channel in the first radio channel group prior to start of call and determining whether the radio channel is busy, selecting the radio channel if not busy, and otherwise one radio channel from the second radio channel group.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for checking the cell of preference in a multi-cell communications system is disclosed. While a communications receiver or transceiver is currently receiving an acceptable signal from a current cell, a cell of preference is checked for a brief period of time for a cell beacon. If a cell beacon is received, the receiver or transceiver continues to receive the cell of preference. If not, the receiver or transceiver returns to the current host cell. The preferred embodiment is directed to a land mobile radio system which broadcasts cell ID codes at periodic intervals. In the preferred embodiment, the transceiver checks-in to the cell of preference to announce its presence such that future communications can be directed to the radio after check-in.

Abstract: A method of searching for active signal frequencies from a plurality of frequency bands is disclosed. Bands of frequencies are defined by upper and lower limit frequencies. The bands are stored as chains in a chain memory. A controller searches for active signal frequencies by sequentially recalling each chain and searching the band of frequencies defined by the upper and lower limit frequencies. Active signal frequencies may be stored in a channel memory.

Abstract: A method and two-way radio apparatus are disclosed which provide for the storage and recollection of call history information, in a call history memory, based on a system ID codes and group ID codes which are linked to receive ID codes and transmit ID codes in an ID code memory. The call history memory may be arranges as a FIFO queue, and calls may be automatically replied to upon reviewing the contents of the call history memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing calls in a multi-system land mobile radio network. A plurality of call destinations are linked or grouped together into a call group. Each call destination has a preferred system. Selection of a first call destination points to or is linked to at least a second call destination. If the preferred system for a current call destination is not accessible, then a second call destination, selected in accordance with the first call destination is made the current call destination. Selecting a call group causes a radio to attempt a plurality of call destinations, each in sequence, until an accessible preferred system is found, indicating that the current call destination is valid. If an accessible system is found, then the call is placed thereto.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a compressed gas gun are disclosed. In the first embodiment, a slidable barrel supported by two barrel guides is employed. A thermoplastic compression sleeve provides a bearing for the slidable barrel, which impacts a valve assembly upon actuation of a trigger mechanism. The impact momentarily opens the valve thereby releasing compressed gas and expelling a projectile. An anti-rebound lock prevents rebound of the barrel and subsequent discharge of gas. In the second embodiment, a slidable bolt assembly serve the function of impacting the valve. The barrel is rigidly attached to the frame of the gun and a spring forces the slidable bolt assembly against the valve. A seal is provided between the slidable bolt assembly and the barrel for allowing slidable movement and preventing the loss of compressed gas.

Abstract: A select call receiver, such as a pager, is disclosed which comprises a canned message memory. The canned message memory has canned message memory storage locations that are linked to message tag identifiers. The pager recalls and displays canned messages upon receipt of message tag identifiers. In the first embodiment, the pager provides a programming mode wherein the user of the pager can remotely program canned messages into the pager by accessing a convention paging terminal and keying numeric data into a telephone keypad. The numeric data is converted to alphanumeric data according to a mnemonic entry scheme and stored in the pager's canned message memory. In a second embodiment, the message tag identifier is also remotely programmable by the user, allowing great flexibility in the definition of the message tag identifiers.