Abstract: A self-standing floor sign including two support panels and a plurality of movable panels. The support panels each have a proximal and a distal end and are pivotally coupled to each other via their proximal ends to allow relative movement of the panels between a closed and an open position. When closed, the support panels are generally parallel to each other, whereas when open, the distal ends are spaced apart and allow the sign to stand on the floor. Each of the movable panels has a proximal and a distal end and a portion therebetween having two surfaces. Each movable panel is rotatable between a first position where the movable panel is supported by one of the support panels with one of its surfaces being visible, and a second position where the movable panel is supported by the other support panel and its other surface is visible.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a universal, wireless controller for transmitting wireless signals that control features of a plurality of systems. In a first aspect of the present invention, the electronic timepiece includes a data store which contains a library of control signals. In one embodiment, the library of control signals may be detached from the electronic timepiece so that new control signals may be added to the library. Each of the control signals can be retrieved and transmitted by the universal, wireless controller to emulate a conventional wireless transmitter which controls functions of a corresponding one of the plurality of systems. The electronic timepiece includes the capability for selectively retrieving a control signal for a target system from the library. In one embodiment of the present invention, the selective retrieving is performed in response to input entered through a programmable interface.

Abstract: A lightguide for illuminating a dial of a timekeeping device having a flat portion having a bottom surface and an upper surface in facing alignment with the watch dial, a lightpipe integrally formed with and extending below the flat portion, the lightpipe having a foot region at one end thereof, and geometries molded into the bottom surface of the flat portion to selectively eject internally reflected light from the bottom surface of the flat portion through the upper surface, where the lightguide provides illumination to the dial when a concentrated light source disposed below and spaced apart from the foot region conducts light to the lightpipe.

Abstract: A wristwatch dial illumination system with a light guide beneath a light transmissive dial receiving light from an LED mounted on a PC board below the light guide. A pattern of white reflective dots on the bottom surface,of the light guide selectively ejects internally reflected light toward the dial and an absorption pattern of light absorbing material selectively absorbs ejected light, including the bright spot from the LED.

Abstract: A strobe light power source transfers a constant amount of energy to a capacitor bank for each flash of a strobe lamp by maintaining a constant energy transfer rate between a power source and the capacitor bank and allowing the capacitor bank to charge for a set period of time. The effective value of the input current to a charging circuit connected between the power source and the capacitor bank can be maintained at a constant value to provide an approximately constant energy transfer rate. Such constant current control is most effective for a source having a relatively constant output voltage. In sources where the output voltage varies over time, both the input current and voltage to the charging circuit are monitored, combined and integrated to generate a duty cycle output signal which controls the charging circuit. A timer circuit is provided to set time periods during which the capacitor bank is charged at the constant rate to provide constant energy for each flash of the strobe light.

Abstract: A process for making lignin-epoxide resins from lignin separated from the waste cooking liquor from a paper pulping process comprising the steps of reacting the separated lignin with a chemical system to produce unsaturated end groups on the lignin molecule which are epoxidized to produce the resin.

Abstract: A process for the extraction or separation of lignin from waste black cooking liquor resulting from the kraft and sulfite paper pulping process. After the lignin is separated, it is reacted with a chemical system to produce unsaturated end groups on the lignin molecule which are epoxidized to produce a lignin-epoxide resin.