Abstract: A digital joystick controller is disclosed which utilizes a plastic base portion and a pivotally mounted "joystick." A plurality of electrical contacts are disposed within the bottom of the base portion and a planar conductive member is suspended a selected distance above the electrical contacts. The planar conductive member includes a number of elongate sections which serve to urge the joystick into an erect position and which deflect to contact selected ones of the plurality of electrical contacts in response to manual displacement of the joystick from an erect position. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention an elongate button switch is disposed within the joystick and is axially movable therein. An elongate section of the planar conductive member is utilized to urge the button switch into a first position and to selectively contact a particular electrical contact in response to manual depression of the button switch.

Abstract: An improved solid-state fluorescent lamp ballast circuit in which rectified line voltage is chopped, utilizing high power field effect transistors, to provide a high frequency input to a fluorescent lamp, thus permitting smaller reactive components to be utilized. Also shown is circuitry whereby the duty cycle of the chopping switches may be modulated to permit dimming of the lamp, which may be remotely located.

Abstract: A runners watch which includes a lightweight case dimensioned to be worn on the wrist of the wearer. A display face is formed on the case. Clock circuitry is disposed within the case for operating the display face in order to display the time of the day, the date and elapsed time to the wearer. A sensor in the case detects the stride of the wearer when the wearer is running or jogging. Circuitry within the case is responsive to the sensor for computing the distance traveled by the wearer. Circuitry within the case is also responsive to the sensor for computing the rate of travel by the wearer. Switches are provided on the case for being operated to display the computed distance and the computed rate of travel.

Abstract: An energy conserving thermostatic control system having digitally implemented control functions for use with a heating and/or air conditioning system is disclosed. The digital thermostat includes an LCD data display for simultaneously displaying present time and ambient temperature. Slide switches are provided for setting and indicating set point information such as day temperature, night temperature, night-to-day transition time, and day-to-night transition time. The switch contacts of each slide switch are multiplexed to the display driver conductors for conveying time and temperature set point data during time and temperature scan intervals which alternate with a display interval. Strobe signals which are applied to the driver conductors are counted during the alternate scan intervals for selecting a day temperature different from a night temperature, for selecting the times which divide night from day and for providing set-back to night temperature during a predetermined time of the day.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a digital data word representative of the position of a switch element which is selectively engageable with one of a plurality of driver conductors which are utilized for conducting actuating signals from a source to a data display system of the type having a plurality of display elements for visually indicating alphanumeric data. The display elements have visually perceptible and imperceptible data indicating states and are characterized by a lagging response to either the application or interruption of the actuating signal wherein a turn-on or turn-off transition interval elapses during a change from one state to the other with the preexisting state of the display element appearing to an observer to remain unchanged during the transition interval. The actuating signals are periodically applied during a load energizing interval through one or more of the driver conductors and are interrupted during a sampling interval.

Abstract: An energy conserving thermostatic control system having digitally implemented control functions for use with a heating and/or air conditioning system is disclosed. The digital thermostat includes an LCD data display for simultaneously displaying present time and ambient temperature. Slide switches are provided for setting and indicating set point information such as day temperature, night temperature, night-to-day transition time, and day-to-night transition time. The switch contacts of each slide switch are multiplexed to the display driver conductors for conveying time and temperature set point data during time and temperature scan intervals which alternate with a display interval. Strobe signals which are applied to the driver conductors are counted during the alternate scan intervals for selecting a day temperature different from a night temperature, for selecting the times whichdivide night from day and for providing set-back to night temperature during a predetermined time of the day.

Abstract: A D.C. potential multiplier has a first capacitor which is time shared between two potential multiplying circuits. In the first multiplying circuit, gates connect the first capacitor for charging from a potential source. The gates then switch the capacitor into potential adding series with the source for charging a second capacitor toward the combined potential of the source and first capacitor. The gates next switch the first capacitor into the second multiplying circuit for charging the first capacitor from the second. The gates then switch the first and second capacitor into potential adding series for providing an output potential from the second potential multiplying circuit.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch for electronic devices such as watches includes a housing provided with a cavity. A first electrically conducting contact member is mounted within the cavity on an electrically insulating portion of the housing. A diaphragm extends across and seals the cavity. A second resilient electrically conducting contact member is mounted between the first contact member and the diaphragm on an electrically conducting portion of the housing. The first contact member extends through the electrically insulating portion of the housing for forming one terminal of the switch while the electrically conducting portion of the housing forms the other terminal. Depressing the diaphragm deflects the second contact member into contact with the first contact member for electrically connecting the terminals to close the switch.