Abstract: A register assembly for augmenting the flow of conditioned air from a central air-conditioning unit to a room includes a fan, a temperature sensor, and a processing means. The fan is operably positioned for increasing air flow through the register assembly. The temperature sensor is for measuring a temperature of air in the register assembly and for outputting a measured temperature signal. The processing means is for: receiving the measured temperature signal; using the measured temperature signal in determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to the room; and activating the fan to augment the conditioned air flow if the central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to the room. The processing means also provides drift compensation to prevent unwanted operation of the fan due to temperature drifts.

Abstract: A register assembly for augmenting the flow of conditioned air from a central air-conditioning unit to a room includes a fan, a temperature sensor, and a processing means. The fan is operably positioned for increasing air flow through the register assembly. The temperature sensor is for measuring a temperature of air in the register assembly and for outputting a measured temperature signal. The processing means is for: receiving the measured temperature signal; using the measured temperature signal in determining whether the central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to the room; and activating the fan to augment the conditioned air flow if the central air-conditioning unit is providing conditioned air to the room. The processing means also provides drift compensation to prevent unwanted operation of the fan due to temperature drifts.

Abstract: A system has a boat trailer and a mechanical arm coupled to the boat trailer. The system further has logic that actuates the mechanical arm based upon a user input, such that the mechanical arm applies a pressure to the boat when the boat is positioned for loading onto the trailer.

Abstract: A golf training club comprising optical sensors, electronics and a display to provide visual feedback related to how a golfer strikes a golf ball. The club includes a shaft having a grip end and a tip distal from the grip end. The club has a club head affixed to the shaft proximate the tip that has a face for striking a golf ball. The optical sensors are embedded in the head and generate signals representative of the contact between the face and ball. The electronics, mounted within the shaft's grip end, process the sensor signals to determine the location of the contact between the face and ball. The display is operable to show such location. The electronics also process the sensor signals to determine whether the ball is tending to slice or hook by detecting lateral movement of the ball during contact with the face.

Abstract: A series of staggered, overlapping coin carousels with coin stalls that receive coins, drive motors that operate to rotate the carousels and position the coin stalls so that the coins can be transferred between the carousels, and coin transfer mechanisms with gates that operate to move the coins between the carousels. An electronic controller is programmed to keep track of the positions and values of the coins in the coin stalls, and to determine and operate the appropriate drive motors and transfer gates for transferring coins between the carousels and for returning change.

Abstract: A plurality of gates with control arms and cam arms that pivot to open and close a plurality of coin stalls, so that a coin will enter the first open stall, engage the cam arm to pivot the control arm to close that stall, and come to rest on one of a plurality of support arms. A coin select mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to a coin select member with pins that engage slots with openings in the arms. The actuator is selectively operated to slide the coin select member to align one of the pins with the opening of one of the arms, to permit that arm to pivot to release the coin in that stall. A coin release mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to a release member with pins that engage the release the arms so that only the desired coin stall is emptied.

Abstract: A golf training club apparatus is disclosed having impact sensors and a display to show where on the club face the ball was struck for providing immediate visual feedback by electronic means to the golfer. The golf club includes a shaft having a grip end and a tip distal from the grip end. The golf club also has a club head affixed to the shaft adjacent the tip of the shaft and having a face for striking a golf ball. The club has a plurality of optical sensors adjacent the face for detecting contact between the face and the golf ball and electronics mounted within the head for processing signals from the sensors for analyzing at least the location of the contact between the face and the golf ball. The club further includes a display for displaying to the golfer at least the location of the contact between the face and the golf ball. The electronics also analyze whether the ball is tending to slice or hook by detecting lateral movement of the ball during contact with the club face.

Abstract: A plurality of gates with control arms and cam arms that pivot to open and close a plurality of coin stalls, so that a coin will enter the first open stall, engage the cam arm to pivot the control arm to close that stall, and come to rest on one of a plurality of support arms. A coin select mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to a coin select member with pins that engage slots with openings in the arms. The actuator is selectively operated to slide the coin select member to align one of the pins with the opening of one of the arms, to permit that arm to pivot to release the coin in that stall. A coin release mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to a release member with pins that engage the release the arms so that only the desired coin stall is emptied.

Abstract: A series of staggered, overlapping coin carousels with coin stalls that receive coins, drive motors that operate to rotate the carousels and position the coin stalls so that the coins can be transferred between the carousels, and coin transfer mechanisms with gates that operate to move the coins between the carousels. An electronic controller is programmed to keep track of the positions and values of the coins in the coin stalls, and to determine and operate the appropriate drive motors and transfer gates for transferring coins between the carousels and for returning change.

Abstract: A coin validation mechanism for evaluating coins and the like inserted therein and for validating acceptable coins includes a coin chute defining a coin path and a sensor for evaluating the type of material of which the object in the coin chute is made of. The sensor for evaluating includes a coil sensor positioned adjacent the coin path and a non-resonant electrical circuit for operation of the coil sensor. The coin validation mechanism also includes a light source for directing light across the coin path and a light sensor for sensing light directed across the coin path. An electronic unit is provided for evaluating an electromagnetic perturbation caused by an object moving past the coil sensor and for determining the amount of light blocked by the object in the coin path by comparing the amount of light sensed by the light sensor with the object in the coin with the amount of light sensed by the light sensor in the absence of an object in the coin path.

Abstract: A coin escrow apparatus for use with a pay telephone includes a housing defining a coin hopper, a coin acceptance chute, and a coin return chute. The apparatus also includes a door mounted within the housing for selective movement between an escrow position for supporting coins in the hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from the hopper to the coin acceptance chute, and a return position for releasing coins from the hopper to the coin return chute. The apparatus also includes structures for selectively moving the door between its escrow, acceptance, and return positions. An integrated circuit is provided for unconditionally simulating a relay switch contact normally indicative of successful firing of the escrow coin apparatus to allow the coin escrow apparatus to be used with so-called "smart" telephones without requiring electromechanical components to sense and indicate successful firing of the coin escrow apparatus.

Abstract: A coin escrow apparatus for use with a pay telephone includes a housing defining a coin hopper, a coin acceptance chute, and a coin return chute. The apparatus also includes a door mounted within the housing for selective movement between an escrow position for supporting coins in the hopper, an acceptance position for releasing coins from the hopper to the coin acceptance chute, and a return position for releasing coins from the hopper to the coin return chute. The door includes first and second ends and an underside portion.

Abstract: A printed circuit board modification and repair system is presented which functions under computer control. Modification is accomplished by securing the printed circuit board to an X-Y positioning fixture mounted on a work station table. After indexing to a reference point, the X-Y positioning fixture can be moved fore, aft and sideways by computer command to bring a specific location on the printed circuit board under any one of a plurality of heads mounted above the work station surface. One head will contain an etch cutting bit for making cuts in printed circuit connections. A second head has mounted thereon a laser beam discharge device for removing conformal coatings and wire insulation. A third head mounts a wire dispenser for making new conductive paths and a glue dispenser for securing the newly positioned wire to the board. A fourth head contains an ultra-violet lamp for achieving quick cures of glues and epoxy.

Abstract: A digital counter is phased locked to a reference frequency by a voltage trolled oscillator which causes the counter to increase its count rate or decrease its count rate in accordance to the presence of a one or a zero on the most significant bit of the counter at the halfway point of one cycle of the reference frequency. The counter is reset at the end of the cycle of the reference frequency. A single microprocessor which can assess this most significant bit (MSB) and vary the oscillator output, can in this manner control any number of independent phase lock loop circuits.

Abstract: Each incoming pulse has its width determined and is stored in a designated torage counter in accordance with its pulse width. The contents of the storage counters are serially addressed and the value of each counter is obtained. The value of each counter is used as a Y input to a readout and the serially addressing of the counter is used as the X input of the readout device. The count on counters are maintained within their capacity by sensing when a counter reaches its maximum value and causing all counters to down count in accordance with the input rate to this particular storage counter.