Abstract: An optical tennis line sensing system employs a double beam laser for projecting only a pair of collimated beams of light along the entire outer boundary and base lines of a tennis court with one beam positioned on the line slightly above the playing surface and the remaining being positioned slightly outside the lines. A detector circuit including photo multiplier light sensors detects interruptions of the light beam in a timed sequence for generating a signal indicating when a tennis ball is out of bounds. The detector circuit discriminates between momentary interruption of one of the light beams by a tennis ball and interruption of one or both of the light beams by the player's foot. Display means coupled to the detector circuit displays only out-of-bounds shots which are marginal and which cannot be accurately called by the line judges.

Abstract: The disclosed circuit provides a signal generator which is particularly adapted for use as an audible "kilo-sonic" game device in which a plurality of switches are provided so that the different combinations of switch positions produce a corresponding number of different sounds. The circuit includes a voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) having an output coupled to a transducer such as a speaker. The VCO is modulated in accordance with a control signal, provided by an up-down staircase generator which is responsive to a pulse generator, to vary the frequency of its output signal. The output of the pulse generator is also selectively coupled with the output of the staircase generator.

Abstract: A line monitoring apparatus is disclosed which is particularly adapted for use in determining whether a ball lands inside or outside of an area having a premarked boundary, such as a line on a tennis court. The apparatus incorporates electrical circuitry which distinguishes between a player's foot or a ball activating the switching means monitoring so that a player cannot activate an audio or visual indicator. An embodiment of the system includes pressure operated switching means for monitoring the boundary, as well as a service foot fault detector.

Abstract: Portable, electronic, indicia display apparatus, for use as a portable scoreboard, clock, and the like for athletic contests, and a portable display for commercial exhibitions, such as trade exhibitions and conventions, comprising (a) a portable remote display member having a panel upon which the desired information in the form of numbers, letters, and other indicia are displayed by a controlled energizing of electrical illumination elements, e.g. light bulbs, and (b) a portable control member, separate and remote from said display member, having a face panel capable of displaying essentially the same or more indicia displayed on the remote member face panel, and containing digital logic circuitry and manual input functions, e.g.

Abstract: Score inputs are provided from remote locations from a number of judges who individually score the contestants. A central operator at a control console enters for each event the position, degree of difficulty and athlete identification numbers. In accordance with the particular sport being scored, the calculator portion of the system is operable to sum the judges' scores, multiply them by the degree of difficulty, or sum the judges' scores and subtracting high and low scores and then multiplying by the degree of difficulty. A still further programmed arrangement possible with the system is the summation of the judges' scores, subtracting of high and low scores, multiplication by a weighting factor and finally multiplying by a degree of difficulty factor. The system is readily adaptable to a number of different sports having the requirement for a variety of scoring setups, particularly for diving, synchronized swimming, gymnastics and figure skating.

Abstract: A swimming pool touch pad seats on a swimming pool wall and is adapted to close an external electric circuit when contacted by a swimmer. The pad includes a nonconductive baseplate adapted to be mounted on a swimming pool wall. A normally nonconductive generally planar pressure sensitive elastomeric pad is seated on the baseplate and is adapted to become selectively conductive through the pad from the front to the rear surface upon application of pressure by a swimmer. When conductive it will provide an electrical current path in the area of pressure application. Electrodes secured to the front and rear surfaces of the elastomeric pad and insulated conductors connected between the electrodes and the external circuit complete the electrical path from the elastomeric pad to the external circuit. A nonconductive waterproof flexible cover member is secured to the baseplate and covers the elastomeric pad with the insulated conductors passing through the cover member.

Abstract: An automatic information system applicable in the organization of gymnastic competitions is intended to collect and process the individual scores awarded by the judges to each competitor, to facilitate and accelerate the judging procedure, to keep the record and score, as well as to provide for visual display of the current and final results of a competition for the benefit of the competitors, judges and spectators. The system incorporates specialized digital devices for each event of an all-around competition, as well as superior judge's and dispatcher's panels.