Abstract: A portable game includes a lower table forming a circular playing surface and an edge having a diameter D1, an upper table forming a circular playing surface and an edge having a diameter D2, wherein D1>D2. A vertical support member interconnects the lower and upper tables. Cup positioning markers are formed on said first and second table playing surfaces for locating said beverage cups thereon. An elongated barrier assembly extends vertically above said playing surface and horizontally bisects the upwardly facing playing surface. The vertical barrier is operative to define discrete opposed team play areas enabling a plurality of teams to play simultaneously on opposed sides of said barrier and to prevent horizontal travel of ping pong balls between opposing team play areas. The barrier is supported by at least one vertically elongated support stanchion slip-fit within the playing surfaces to enable selective removal and insertion thereof.

Abstract: A multifunction timer device provides a time/date stamp on a dispensing container and includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to the container. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.

Abstract: A multifunction timer device provides a time/date stamp on a dispensing container and includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to the container. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.

Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.

Abstract: A remotely actuated trail marker apparatus includes a transmitter unit designed to be carried by a hiker or hunter, which selectively broadcasts an interrogation signal throughout a predetermined range. One or more associated receiver units are adapted for pre-positioning at specific trail waypoints or a final destination. Each receiver unit generates a user sensible reply signal, such as self-illumination, in response to receiving the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.

Abstract: A remotely actuated trail marker apparatus includes a transmitter unit designed to be carried by a hiker or hunter, which selectively broadcasts an interrogation signal throughout a predetermined range. One or more associated receiver units are adapted for pre-positioning at specific trail waypoints or a final destination. Each receiver unit generates a user sensible reply signal, such as self-illumination, in response to receiving the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A protective helmet navigation system includes a helmet shell having a housing constructed of padded material covering a portion of back and side portions of the shell. The housing is positioned to provide enhanced protection of the back of a user's head and defines a control compartment and a plurality of light compartments. A light source is positioned in each light compartment and is electrically connected to a battery within the control compartment. The system includes a transmitter capable of being connected to the brake and turn signal controls of a motorcycle for transmitting a signal corresponding to an operation of an respective control. A receiver is mounted within the control compartment and electrically connected to the battery and light sources for permitting current to energize respective light sources upon reception of a respective signal. A lens covers each light compartment.

Abstract: A golf game management system for maintaining golf course, player, and golf ball location information includes a central computer having a first CPU and a mobile interface unit having a second CPU. A course database is connected to the first CPU and includes golf course records. A player database is also connected to the first CPU and includes a plurality of individual player records. The central computer and mobile interface unit each include a transmitter and receiver for exchanging database information, the mobile unit having a memory for storing requested records and a display for displaying them. The mobile unit includes a GPS receiver for determining its current geographic location and means for correlating that location with a digital map of a selected golf course. The system includes a golf ball having a receiver and sound generator that is energized upon receiving a signal from the mobile interface unit.

Abstract: A protective helmet navigation system includes a helmet shell having a housing constructed of padded material covering a portion of back and side portions of the shell. The housing is positioned to provide enhanced protection of the back of a user's head and defines a control compartment and a plurality of light compartments. A light source is positioned in each light compartment and is electrically connected to a battery within the control compartment. The system includes a transmitter capable of being connected to the brake and turn signal controls of a motorcycle for transmitting a signal corresponding to an operation of an respective control. A receiver is mounted within the control compartment and electrically connected to the battery and light sources for permitting current to energize respective light sources upon reception of a respective signal. A lens covers each light compartment.

Abstract: An order and inventory management system includes a hand-held data entry terminal having a display and input buttons. The display shows table and seat locations and a restaurant menu. The input buttons enable a waiter to select a table and seat location and to select food items ordered by a patron at the selected location. The order is transmitted to a remote host computer where it is routed to respective food and drink terminals for order fulfillment and to a billing terminal for bill printing. The host computer includes a database having a plurality of product records, each record having a menu price, inventory quantity, and vendor identifier associated with a respective restaurant product. Upon receipt of an order, the host computer modifies the quantity of ordered products and automatically delivers a signal to a respective vendor via a network connection to order an additional quantity, if necessary.

Abstract: A golf game management system for maintaining golf course, player, and golf ball location information includes a central computer having a first CPU and a mobile interface unit having a second CPU. A course database is connected to the first CPU and includes golf course records. A player database is also connected to the first CPU and includes a plurality of individual player records. The central computer and mobile interface unit each include a transmitter and receiver for exchanging database information, the mobile unit having a memory for storing requested records and a display for displaying them. The mobile unit includes a GPS receiver for determining its current geographic location and means for correlating that location with a digital map of a selected golf course. The system includes a golf ball having a receiver and sound generator that is energized upon receiving a signal from the mobile interface unit.

Abstract: Aluminum nitride powder, aluminum nitride platelets, powdered solid solutions of aluminum nitride and at least one other ceramic material such as silicon carbide, and composites of aluminum nitride and transition metal borides or carbides are prepared by combustion synthesis at low gaseous nitrogen pressures. Porous bodies of aluminum nitride or composites of aluminum nitride and transition metal borides or carbides are also prepared by combustion synthesis at these pressures. The porous bodies are suitable for infiltration, either as formed or after being coated with at least one layer of a silicate material, by polymers or metals. The powders are also suitable for preparing dense sintered bodies. The aluminum nitride powder is also used to prepare AlN sintered bodies.

Abstract: Aluminum nitride powder, aluminum nitride platelets, powdered solid solutions of aluminum nitride and at least one other ceramic material such as silicon carbide, and composites of aluminum nitride and transition metal borides or carbides are prepared by combustion synthesis at low gaseous nitrogen pressures. Porous bodies of aluminum nitride or composites of aluminum nitride and transition metal borides or carbides are also prepared by combustion synthesis at these pressures. The porous bodies are suitable for infiltration, either as formed or after being coated with at least one layer of a silicate material, by polymers or metals.