Abstract: A bird feeder having a container, a selector, and a base is disclosed. The selector has at least one large opening and at least one small opening. The base includes at least one feeding port. When one of the openings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is covered by a perimeter wall of the base. In preferred embodiments, the base includes a rain guard above the feeding ports.

Abstract: A hummingbird feeder having a cover portion and a bottom portion of a base, as well as a nectar reservoir, is disclosed. The cover portion includes a reservoir coupling region, a feeding region, and a first mating region. The reservoir coupling region is configured to be coupled to the nectar reservoir. The feeding region is configured to accommodate a beak of a hummingbird to access nectar. The a bottom portion includes a second mating region, which is configured to mate with the first mating region of the cover portion. Preferably, the bottom portion further includes a retaining wall located within an outer ridge of the bottom portion. The retaining wall retains liquid within an inner region of the bottom portion and restricts liquid from flowing to an outer region of the bottom portion, providing easier maintenance and less mechanical force on the cover portion during feeder use. The reservoir optionally contains a wide opening for easy maintenance.

Abstract: A bird bath that can be coupled to a reservoir is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a bird bath that includes a coupling portion and a basin portion. The coupling portion is configured to be coupled to a water reservoir. The basin portion is configured to receive water from the reservoir to function as a bird bath. The basin portion includes one or more basins that are sized to accommodate at least one bird.

Abstract: A liquid nectar concentrate composition for preparing a liquid bird food or nectar is disclosed. The liquid food concentrate compositions comprises a solution of sucrose, potassium sorbate and optionally FDA Red Dye #40 to provide a convenient means for preparing a safe and palatable nectar that attracts hummingbirds. Also provided is a liquid nectar food composition to provide a convenient, safe and palatable liquid food composition that attracts hummingbirds which contains a solution of sucrose, potassium sorbate and optionally FDA Red Dye #40.

Abstract: A target holding device is disclosed. Preferred embodiments of the invention includes one or more of the following features. First, an automatic reloading feature of the invention allows a first replacement target stored in a target storage region of the device to slide down into a target exposure region of the device after an initially exposed target in the target exposure region is destroyed. Second, a ricochet feature of the invention deflects an incoming projectile to ricochet in a direction away from the shooter of the projectile. Third, a spare target viewing feature enables the shooter to determine whether additional targets are present within the target storage region. Fourth, the mounting feature of the invention positions the target storage region above the target exposure region. Fifth, the target storage region of the device has the capacity to store two or more additional targets.

Abstract: A portable communication device uses a first electrostatic antenna element and a second electrostatic antenna element and circuitry which is coupled to the first antenna element and to the second antenna element and which derives operating power from an electrostatic field in the vicinity of the first and second antenna elements. The electrostatic field may be provided by an array of exciter elements containing both horizontal and vertical exciter elements so that at some point as a communication device is moved across the exciter antenna array, the device will have sufficient power coupled to it to power up and become operational.

Abstract: A cursor control system is provided whereby a discrete-direction input device, such as a joystick, may be used to accurately move a cursor in both straight and curved lines. The cursor control system may be implemented in software and is ideal for with an electronic drawing application having only a rudimentary joystick-like control and various user buttons. A cursor capable of indicating the direction of movement, such as an arrow, is provided and may be aimed with the joystick. During drawing or movement, depression of the joystick causes the arrow to rotate towards the selected direction at a fixed angular rate such that the arrow travels in a smooth arc. The control system may be arranged so that the rotation of the arrow stops when it has reached the selected direction or so that the arrow continues to rotate even after it has reached the selected direction. The former control method may be used for moving and the latter control method for drawing.

Abstract: In a microprocessor based interactive audio game for two users to play against one another, or for one user to play against the computer, the game having the ability to store and retrieve sets of statistical data corresponding to the performance of actual players, keys for the users to affect the state of the game, and an audio output for communicating the state of the game or the results of a game play to the users, the audio output for a particular game state or game play result being variable in order to maintain user interest. A plurality of visual indicators are arranged in a grid that represents the flight of a thrown ball through a vertical cross section of the strike zone. Visual indicators are sequentially flashed a predetermined number of times and in a predetermined pattern for a particular variety of pitch.

Abstract: A method of operating turbochargers for use with internal combustion engines and a turbine housing therefor wherein the housing is uniquely configured so as to be able to be mounted in the engine compartment in a variety of modes and wherein the turbocharger may or may not be used in conjunction with a wastegate control. The unique configuration of the turbine housing permits the passage of exhaust gas through the interior of the turbine housing and more specifically through the extent of the internal scroll thereof wherein the exhaust gas imparts to the turbine operation peak efficiency before the driving gas is vented through a wastegate passageway at the terminus of the turbine housing as opposed to the entry thereof. The exhaust gases may also be bypassed from a point between the entry and terminus of the internal scroll.