Abstract: A facsimile machine which allows the user to select whether all documents have their like edges aligned, or whether successive documents have alternate orientations. The machine determines the orientation of each received page. Reversing the order of the data allows a document orientation to be switched. Whether it is switched depends on the format selected by the user. The machine also includes a switch to print the received documents in one of three formats including top edges always first, bottom edges always first, or alternating documents such that a first has all of its pages aligned top edges first, the next has all of its pages aligned bottom edges first, etc.

Abstract: A set of badges is distributed at a party to help attending party-goers "break the ice" with members of the opposite sex. Each girl at the party is given a badge of one type, and each boy is given a badge of another type. Each badge has a light that can blink, but it is normally off. Each badge transmits a contact signal that is picked up by any opposite-type badge that is in proximity with it. If the two badges blink, indicating a match, the facing boy and girl must start talking to each other. Either both badges will blink or neither will, but whether or not they blink is based on chance. Each party-goer is given a hidden remote control which, when turned on, increases the probability of the lights blinking. Provision is also made for an exchange of personal information via the badges when a match is made.

Abstract: An access control system for litigation document production. Documents are produced as stored images on an optical disk. Documents which are to be redacted or maintained confidential are stored in encrypted form. As the litigation progresses, access by the opposing counsel/party to additional documents can be effected by distributing appropriate decryption keys.

Abstract: A compressed digital multi-channel video communications system having at least one auxiliary channel. The other channels are assigned to respective program sources. These channels are prioritized. The auxiliary channel works with the assigned channel which has the highest priority and which also requires additional bit capacity; the two channels carry bit streams whose combined rate exceeds the highest bit rate that can be carried by a regularly assigned channel. As the needs of the assigned channels continuously change, the auxiliary channel works with different channels.

Abstract: A system for limiting the number of different video game machines on which a cartridge may be played so as to effectively inhibit the conduct of a cartridge rental business. Every machine has a serial number. Every cartridge records the serial number of any machine on which it is played, up to a maximum number (e.g., ten) of such serial numbers. A machine will not play an inserted cartridge if its serial number is not recorded in the cartridge and if there is no room left to record it.

Abstract: A telephone answering device for permitting a person to switch an incoming telephone call to a message recording or answering machine for taking or recording a message from a caller onto at least one cassette of the message recording or answering machine. This device includes a telephone instrument, at least one message recording or answering machine, and a person actuated switch. The person actuated switch has a first "normal" position to permit a person to receive calls using the telephone instrument and a second position for permitting a person to switch the caller to the message recording or answering machine after the person has initially spoken to the caller.

Abstract: A facsimile machine in which all received documents have their corresponding edges aligned. Incoming data is stored in memory. Character recognition software processes this data to determine whether the top or the bottom edge of a document was transmitted first. To print the document, data is read out of the memory in the order in which it was received, or in the reverse order, such that an "upside down" document is reoriented.

Abstract: An exercise system and method for insuring that a user exercises at a level at or above a preset level. The user exercises in front of TV. Noise is mixed with the TV signal if the exercise level drops below the preset level. The result is instantaneous biofeedback and maintenance of the desired exercise level.

Abstract: A cartridge-controlled system whose use is limited to authorized cartridges. Blocks of instructions of a program designed to run on the machine are encrypted by the machine manufacturer using the private key of a public-key cryptosystem pair. The machine, during an initialization step following the insertion of a new cartridge, decrypts information strings stored in the cartridge through use of the associated public key, and stores the resulting decrypted instructions in random access memory. The machine microprocessor then accesses the instructions in the random access memory. Although the public key may be widely known, as long as the private key is kept secret, there is no way for an unauthorized software/cartridge supplier to encrypt a program such that following decryption in the machine there will result an intelligible sequence of instructions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-layer tape system, of the type disclosed is Castelluzzo application Ser. No. 930,700, U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,789, for applying register marks or other symbols to aligned art-work sheets used in the graphic arts field. In a two-layer system, each of two superimposed tapes has aligned markings thereon. A weak adhesive secures the two tapes together, and the two outer surfaces are coated with a strong adhesive. In a four-layer system, a separator is disposed between a pair of two-layer systems; the separator has holes therein so that the two tape systems can adhere to each other and remain in alignment, contact being made in the regions of the holes. The relative adhesive strengths maintain the system integrity prior to use while also permitting tape sparation during use. Instead of using clear tapes and printed markings as in the Castelluzzo system, opaque or colored tapes with punched markings are employed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a board game. The board itself has three tracks with a plurality of interconnecting segments therebetween. A group of switches is provided, each adapted to be placed on the board in the region of one of the interconnecting segments. The switches serve to define an operative path from a start point to a finish point which includes selected segments of the tracks. Each player has a set of value pieces and the players take turns and alternately place their value pieces on random ones of a set of identifiable positions on the tracks. Thereafter, the players take turns and alternately place the switches on the board on a random basis until a complete operative path is defined. A marble is then rolled down the path to expose the values of the player pieces which it passes, and the players add up their respective scores.

Abstract: An improved action game. Each player can see the other player's piece only when it is in the play area; he is given an indication of the position of his own piece at all times. A player scores a point if his piece catches the other player's piece in the play area. The pieces automatically change shape depending on whether a player is the first or second to enter the play area, and automatic scoring counters are also provided. Each player piece is moved under manual control, a variable number of positions by a ratchet gear drive. The players alternate in moving their pieces.

Abstract: There is disclosed a board game. The board itself has three tracks with a plurality of interconnecting segments therebetween. A group of switches is provided, each adapted to be placed on the board in the region of one of the interconnecting segments. The switches serve to define an operative path from a start point to a finish point which includes selected segments of the tracks. Each player has a set of value pieces and the players take turns and alternately place their value pieces on random ones of a set of identifiable positions on the tracks. Thereafter, the players take turns and alternately place the switches on the board on a random basis until a complete operative path is defined. A marble is then rolled down the path to expose the values of the player pieces which it passes, and the players add up their respective sources.

Abstract: A board game in which two players have facing sets of numbered pieces, each piece of each player being capable of capturing a predetermined number of the other player's pieces in accordance with their numerical values. Each turn consists of a player capturing those pieces which he can, removing the captured and capturing pieces from play, and then making a "move." A move involves a player re-positioning one of his pieces which remain in play in his line of pieces. The type of move taken by a player is determined by the roll of a die.

Abstract: There is disclosed a two-way cable system in which the deliberate introduction of continuous upstream message interference at any subscriber terminal does not destroy the efficacy of the system. Each subscriber terminal is coupled through an interface unit to the cable, and the interface unit permits upstream transmission of a message from the respective terminal only following recognition by the interface unit of the downstream transmission of the address of the respective terminal. Because the interface units are located off the premises of the subscribers, a deliberately introduced interference signal on a subscriber line cannot reach the cable except during the respective time slot of the subscriber.