Abstract: A method for use in an environment having a service provider, a subscribed terminal, and a remote terminal, for activating a service for the subscribed terminal. The method processes an order from a terminal and processes an authorization request from a terminal. However, the service order is activated only upon an authorization request from the subscribed terminal. The subscribed terminal may be a telephone in which case a caller ID value provided by a central office switch serving the requesting terminal is used to determine whether a requesting telephone is the subscribed telephone.

Abstract: A reusable heat pack containing a solution of a salt hydrate capable of being supercooled to provide heat of crystallization upon inducement of crystallization, the heat pack being provided with a reusable trigger mechanism located on the surface of the heat pack to permit simple and positive initiation of crystallization.

Abstract: A temperature controller for use with a fryer of the type comprising a vat containing cooking oil and heater, such as a gas burner or electrical heating element, for heating cooking oil comprises a temperature probe for sensing the temperature of the cooking oil, a temperature selector switch producing a signal corresponding to the selected temperature for the cooking oil and also producing a signal corresponding to a normal temperature approximately 25.degree. below the selected temperature. A heat demand comparator produces a heat demand signal when the temperature of the cooking oil is below the selected temperature. A normal temperature comparator compares the temperature of the cooking oil with the normal temperature and provides a signal when the cooking oil is in the normal temperature range, and a cooking gate inhibits this signal if cooking is taking place in the fryer. A heating element control oscillator provides pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying the relative locations of particular information recorded on a movable record medium, such as a magnetic tape, the particular information being represented by a predetermined signal. Electronic pulses are generated corresponding to the movement of predetermined amounts of the record medium past a reference position. A bidirectional counter counts these pulses so as to derive a count representing the amount of medium which has been moved past the reference position, and also representative of the relative position of that record medium which then is juxtaposed the reference position. An indicating signal is produced in response to the predetermined signal; and a memory, having a plurality of storage locations corresponding to the counts of the counter, stores an indicating signal at a storage location which corresponds to the present count of the counter at the time that the indicating signal is produced.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the location of particular information, such as instructions, represented by predetermined signals previously recorded on a record medium. An array of light emitting sources is selectively energized to indicate the position of the particular information relative to the length of the record medium while the array is scanned in synchronism with the scanning of the record medium to detect the presence of such predetermined signals. Indexing means sequentially conditions each of the light emitting sources to be energized during scanning; and a temporary storage circuit stores a representation of a detected predetermined signal, until a light emitting source is conditioned.