Abstract: The present invention is an improved body board for use in the ocean surf, the improvements being a substantially vertical step in the lateral edges to increase the speed by allowing the water to shear off the side; a raised portion in the upper surface to provide greater leverage to the rider in controlling turns on the body board; and a dimpled portion in the center thereof below the rider's body to provide both a lubricating effect and an adhesion effect between the rider's body and the body board.

Abstract: An integrateable circuit is disclosed which allows selection between pre-defined and user-defined characteristics. The circuit utilizes a single input terminal for both selection and definition by a user. In a preferred embodiment, a comparator senses whether a user-supplied voltage at this input terminal is at a logic low level or not. It the voltage at this input terminal is at a logic level low, an internal voltage proportional to a pre-defined characteristic is enabled. If the voltage at this input terminal is not at a logic low level, the internal voltage proportional to the pre-defined characteristic is disconnected and a characteristic defined by the user, its value proportional to the user-supplied voltage present at the input terminal, is connected and activated.

Abstract: A novel rubber band powered balloon is presented. No spine, frame, or other support member is used to resist the tension of the rubber band. Instead, the balloon, formed from a substantially non-elastomeric material, is sufficiently rigid when inflated such that supports for the rubber band can be directly connected to the balloon's outer skin. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention includes a novel flapping-vane propulsion system in which the rotational motion of the rubber band is converted into reciprocating motion of the vane.

Abstract: A computer for implementing an event driven algorithm which is used in conjunction with a master computer is disclosed. The computer includes a plurality of processors coupled in a ring arrangement each of which is microprogrammable. Each processor includes a memory and a memory address generator. The generator can generate addresses based on a combination of signals from both the microcode and signals on the data bus.

Abstract: A stereo tactic frame for use with fluoroscopy is utilized to aim and guide a puncturing tool to a target located within a body. An aperture within the frame is positioned to overlie the target when viewed on a fluoroscopic image display. The frame is then rotated about two axes so that the aperture plane is made perpendicular to the beam passing through the aperture, wherein the center of the aperture is made to align with the target object.

Abstract: A convertible exercise bench includes a bench frame having a generally horizontal plane and two movable barbell suport members that may be positioned along a horizontal axis of the frame. The bench includes a platform having a head section and a foot section, pivotally joined at a location intermediate the ends of the bench, so that the platform may be configured in a V-shaped, or inverse thereof, an incline or a decline respective to the horizontal axis of the bench. A removable support member is used to support the head section, independent of the movable vertical barbell supports, and a lockable leg exercise member is attached to the foot section end of the bench.

Abstract: A spread spectrum system provides bidirectional digital communication on a vacant television (TV) channel for simultaneous use by more than 75,000 subscribers using time and frequency division multiplex signals locked to horizontal and vertical sync pulses of an adjacent channel Host TV station. The system, whose operation is analogous to a radar system, comprises: (1) the Host TV station to send down-link sync and data pulses to subscribers during the horizontal blanking interval (HBI), (2) subscriber "transponders" which detect those signals and transmits up-link "echo" data pulses only during the HBI to eliminate interference to TV viewers, and (3) a central receiver which also uses the host TV sync pulses to trigger range gates to detect the up-link data pulses.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a musical tone signal forming circuit, an automatic rhythm generator rhythm selection switches, and a registration memory. The switches are used to select one of a plurality of rhythms. The automatic rhythm generator automatically generates a percussion instrument sound corresponding to a selected rhythm. In the registration memory, musical tone data respectively suitable for selectable rhythms are stored in advance. The musical tone signal forming circuit generates a musical tone signal representing a musical tone and further modifies the musical tone signal in accordance with the musical tone data corresponding to the selected rhythm, whereby a musical tone suitable for the selected rhythm can be generated.

Abstract: An improved memory organization for use in a computer display system including a display having a plurality of display pixels for defining images that includes: a frame buffer memory having a plurality of memory cells organized into a matrix, said memory comprising first and second maps wherein the contents of the maps correspond to the pixels and define characteristics of the pixels, the maps being defined along X and Z axes of the matric; reading means coupled to the frame buffer memory for selectively reading, in one memory cycle operation, a plurality of bits from memory cells defining one of the maps; writing means coupled to said frame buffer memory for selectively storing, in one memory cycle operation, a plurality of bits into memory cells defining one of the maps; control logic means coupled to the reading means and the writing means for generating control signals for selectively reading a plurality of bits from one of the maps and writing a plurality of bits into one of the maps to define the images

Abstract: Local area networks having a high level of network integrity, error detection and correction, message security, expandability and flexibility are disclosed. The system is comprised of a loop controller which may communicate with a host through a standard interface such as an RS232 interface, and to which a plurality of nodes are coupled in a reconfigurable network. Each node has a plurality of modes controlled by the network controller to serve various functions depending upon requests from the controller and/or the needs or condition of the respective node from time to time. In particular, the first node is coupled to the controller through a pair of wires, with each successive node being coupled to the preceding node through a similar pair of wires. In one mode, the respective node monitors the incoming signal from the controller as repeated through any preceding nodes, and itself acts as a signal repeater for the next downstream node.

Abstract: A lid for an electronic musical instrument is disposed to be vertically pivotal about a pivot and covers a keyboard section of a musical instrument body when it is closed. In the lid structure, the pivot is arranged at a position separated forward from the rear end of the lid and downward from the lower surface of the lid by predetermined distances, respectively, and the rear end portion of the lid is housed, when it is opened, in the musical instrument body through an opening formed in the upper surface of the musical instrument body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wire harness with nipped connectors uses a work table having connector holding tools and wiring/nipping tools in a predetermined pattern thereon and a robot with a hand which can be freely moved on the work table. The hand can selectively hold at least a connector holding head for loading connectors in the connector holding tools and a wiring/nipping head for performing wiring between the connectors to prepare a wire harness.

Abstract: A fork stabilizer for the front-end fork of a motorcycle is provided. The fork stabilizer includes an elongate member, comprised of unitary metallic material having a substantially solid cross-sectional area, the elongate member also having transverse curved areas disposed at each end of the elongate member, said curved areas being closely machined to make a net fit between the prongs of the front-end fork of the motorcycle, having bolt holes disposed at each corner thereof, said bolt holes having an expanded region adapted to receive the heads of said bolts and also having a restricted region adapted to retain the elongate portion of said bolts whereby the twisting forces are substantially reduced, thereby assuring smooth and continuous operation and steering of said front-end fork.

Abstract: A floppy disk drive controller interface implemented as an integrated circuit on a single semi-conductor chip. The controller connects to a host computer data bus and one or more floppy disk drives. Based upon clocking and control signals received from a digital computer, the controller generates serial encoded data for recording on a floppy disk and receives serial encoded data previously recorded on a floppy disk. The controller comprises a read control circuit including a read data register, write control means including a write data register, a mode register, a status register, state latches, a decoder and special function registers. The controller operates by the setting and clearing of the state latches and reading or writing the mode register, the status register, the special function registers, the read data register and the write data register. The setting of a state latch and accessing of a register is done simultaneously.

Abstract: A circuit for providing a dynamic noise floor level. An analog to digital converter provides one of a plurality of outputs as determined by the level of an input signal. A comparator compares each digital input signal with the signal latched in a storage device. For an increasing digital signal the value is latched in a storage device. If the signal is decreasing, the value stored in the storage device is decremented by 1. The output of the storage device is coupled to a demultiplexor for digital to analog conversion. The outputs of the demultiplexor are coupled to a plurality of capacitors of varying capacitance so that a range of output signals may be achieved. The analog output of the circuit is used as a noise floor level in a precise call progress detector.

Abstract: An actuator for an automatic performance piano, includes electromagnetic plunger units provided in correspondence to and adjacent to a plurality of keys of the piano, each of the electromagnetic plunger units having an excitation coil and a plunger, and a key drive portion, provided at the distal end of the plunger for driving the key. The electromagnetic plunger units are arranged along the key arrangement direction to be deviated from each other in the front-back direction of the key in a staggered manner. A motion stroke of the key drive portion of the electromagnetic plunger unit in one row is made smaller than a motion stroke of the key drive portion of the electromagnetic plunger unit in the other row.