Abstract: Enhancements to the base station of an infrared-linked communication system include tubular reflective concentrator apparatus for reflecting IR signals entering an inlet end onto a photodetector located at an outlet end. Signal-to-noise ratio is improved, signal gain in attained, and unwanted light signals are excluded thereby. The tubular reflective concentrator apparatus can also be employed with IR emitters to focus and direct emitted light from an LED or the like towards a predefined field of view. Multiple tubular reflective concentrator apparatus is shown implemented in a unitary, molded plastic shell. The photodetectors and emitters can also be mounted at the bottom of an associated tubular reflective concentrator apparatus with a plug attached thereto so that they can be plugged into a support structure to provide custom installations where necessary.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are shown for controlling the emissions from sprinkler heads in an irrigation system to cause variable volume irrigation at a constant pressure. In one approach, a rotating sprinkler head is rotated at different speeds as a function of the radial position of the emerging water stream so that dryer areas have slower rotational movement of the sprinkler head and, thereby, a greater volume of water discharged thereon. In another approach, the water to the sprinkler head is turned on and off during the irrigation period rather than being turned on at the beginning and off at the end. As a result, multiple heads which are individually turned off and on have a better average water distribution. Likewise, high-precipitation sprinkler heads are made to operate with an average low-precipitation so that run-off and water waste are virtually eliminated.

Abstract: Facsimile record and playback apparatus for receiving and recording facsimile transmissions on a removable recording medium for later display and viewing. There is a cassette device and a record/playback deck for removably receiving the cassette device, for receiving data signals, for writing the data signals on the recording medium, for reading the data signals, and for providing the data signals at an output. A modem is connected for receiving facsimile transmissions. First logic is connected to the output of the modem for establishing a handshaking interface with a facsimile machine transmitting a facsimile, for receiving the facsimile transmission, for stripping off unnecessary transmission related information from document data information, for inserting control characters required for proper transcription at a later time, and for transmitting the control characters and document data information as data signals to the record/playback deck.