Abstract: A magnetic structure for a mailer, postcard or other suitable device is provided. The structure includes a magnetic layer to which is secured a printable outer layer. The outer layer is formed of a material which can receive printed indicia thereon, as well as personalized handwritten indicia, to enable the structure to be customized by the sender or the recipient of the mailer structure.

Abstract: A writing apparatus comprises a housing and a keyboard mounted in the housing and having keys representing symbols of a language. Each key is moveable from a rest position. Sensors sense position of each key and develop a signal representing position of each key. A controller is operatively connected to the sensors for monitoring the signal. The controller is configured to determine if any of the keys are pressed by monitoring the position of each key and for any given key determining if an amount of change in position from the rest position for the given key is greater than a select movement amount and rate of change in position for the given key is greater than a selected velocity amount, and generating change in an output state for the given key responsive to the given key being pressed.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pinsetting device for each lane, a pinsetter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pinsetter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane, which patterns may comprise any array of pins. The game control unit responsive to pin fall data received from the gamesetter generates scoring information which is displayed using video graphic displays on the overhead monitors. The game control program can be any one of a plurality of different game programs which may be downloaded to the memory from a memory associated with the manager's control terminal.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pinsetting device for each lane, a pinsetter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pinsetter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane, which patterns may comprise any array of pins. The game control unit responsive to pin fall data received from the gamesetter generates scoring information which is displayed using video graphic displays on the overhead monitors. The game control program can be any one of a plurality of different game programs which may be downloaded to the memory from a memory associated with the manager's control terminal.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pinsetting device for each lane, a pinsetter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pinsetter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane, which patterns may comprise any array of pins. The game control unit responsive to pin fall data received from the gamesetter generates scoring information which is displayed using video graphic displays on the overhead monitors. The game control program can be any one of a plurality of different game programs which may be downloaded to the memory from a memory associated with the manager's control terminal.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pin setting device for each lane, a pin setter control unit, a game scoring control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. A manager's control system provides accounting control over the bowling center system and is operable to communicate with a selected game control unit as necessary. A plurality of remote terminals are provided associated with selected ones of the lane pair control systems. Each remote terminal system includes a keyboard and a display monitor. The remote terminal operates under the control of the game unit to allow a user thereof to enter requests for video displays. The video displays include, the example, ball trajectory displays which illustrate the path of the ball in the bowling lane, or dynamic displays, such as for training, generated by video source devices associated with the manager's control system.

Abstract: A memory system for use in a text entry system is provided. The system includes a retentive data memory and a system for locking a portion of the retentive memory and a key for unlocking the lockable portion of the memory to allow a predetermined number of bits of data to be written to the memory when the lockable memory is in unlocked state. The system automatically locks the memory after the predetermined number of bits have been written into the lockable portion of memory.

Abstract: A memory system for use in a text entry system is provided. The system includes a retentive data memory and a system for locking a portion of the retentive memory and a key for unlocking the lockable portion of the memory to allow a predetermined number of bits of data to be written to the memory when the lockable memory is in unlocked state. The system automatically locks the memory after the predetermined number of bits have been written into the lockable portion of memory.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes a plurality of lane pair control systems each including a pin setting device for each lane, a pin setter control unit, a game control unit, a bowler input station and a pair of overhead display monitors. The game control unit is operable under the control of a game control program stored in a memory for automatically operating the pin setter control units during game play to selectively set a sequence of pin patterns on the lane. A manager's control system is coupled to each of the lane pair control systems and includes a bowler input station similar to the game control unit bowler input station.

Abstract: There is disclosed a computer system including a storage means such as a random access memory (RAM) for receiving data to be displayed upon a display means, e.g. a color cathode ray tube, a microprocessor for control of the computer system operations, and viewer input devices such as a control stick or keyboard, whereby the viewer may respond selectively to the data displayed upon the display means. A limited capacity storage unit, illustratively in the form of a tape cassette, stores data in the form of a program for permitting the viewer to store useful material in the form of a repository, such as a Christmas list; the program to be displayed by the display means can assume any of a limitless number of programs and may be adapted to an exceptionally wide range of uses for the home, office or school. The computer system permits the viewer to respond as through the input devices, to the material being displayed, whereby subsequent material may be effected.

Abstract: An electronic tuner control system particularly adapted for television receivers employs a gated oscillator for sequentially stepping the tuner from one channel selection to the next. The system includes a counter responsive to the gated oscillator for causing the sequential scanning or stepping to take place in either the "up" or "down" direction. Separate tuning potentiometers are associated with each channel and are selected in sequence under control of the counter. Each potentiometer is set to either a first range of settings indicative of a valid tuning voltage for that channel or to a second range indicating that no tuning or channel selection is to be effected for such a second or "non-preferred" setting. All of the tuning potentiometers are coupled to an analog steering circuit comprised of isolating diodes, and only one potentiometer at a time is selected to apply a tuning voltage to the output of the steering circuit under control of the counter.

Abstract: An automatic fine tuning defeat circuit disables the application of an automatic fine tuning or automatic frequency control correction voltage to the voltage-controlled tuners of a television receiver during switching from one channel to another. The tuning voltage for a selected channel is coupled in series with the automatic frequency control voltage to provide a composite tuning voltage for the tuners. During a channel change, a switch is rendered conductive to shunt or short-circuit the output of the automatic frequency control circuit, thereby rendering its output ineffective for control of the tuners during channel change. Upon completion of the channel change, the automatic frequency control circuit output voltage again is applied in series with the tuning voltage to form the composite tuning voltage for the tuners.

Abstract: There is disclosed a computer system including a storage means such as a random access memory (RAM) for receiving data to be displayed upon a display means, e.g. a color cathode ray tube, a microprocessor for control of the computer system operations, and viewer input devices such as a control stick or keyboard, whereby the viewer may respond selectively to the data displayed upon the display means. A limited capacity storage unit, illustratively in the form of a tape cassette, stores data in the form of a program for permitting the viewer to store useful material in the form of a repository, such as a Christmas list; the program to be displayed by the display means can assume any of a limitless number of programs and may be adapted to an exceptionally wide range of uses for the home, office or school. The computer system permits the viewer to respond as through the input devices, to the material being displayed, whereby subsequent material may be effected.