Abstract: A collapsible shoe tie apparatus including a mounting plate, a brace and a foot plate. The mounting plate is vertically disposed for mounting to a wall. The brace is pivotally connected to the mounting plate. The foot plate is pivotally connected to the upper end of the mounting plate. The foot plate has at least one slot slidably connected to the brace. The foot plate folds against the mounting plate. In use the foot plate extends pivotally from the upper end of the mounting plate with the brace slidably extending along the slot for supporting the foot plate.

Abstract: An extended cordless telephone system for communicating information signals from a plurality of telephone lines through a telephone exchange, including a central station and a plurality of remote units. The plurality of remote units may be radio telephone handsets, data sets, and the like. The central station includes a plurality of transceivers, a power combiner, a duplexer, a power divider, and a plurality of radiax cables. The plurality of transceivers transmits and receives the information signals as ACSB signals. Alternatively, the plurality of transceivers may transmit and receive the information signals as spread spectrum signals, using frequency hopping and FSK modulation. The power combiners include a plurality of combiner striplines for impedence matching the plurality of transceivers to an output of the power combiner.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, having a first antenna, a second antenna, a first channelizer, a second channelizer, parametric encoders, a spread hopper processor and a nonspread hopper processor. The first antenna outputs a first sample of the intercept signal. The second antenna outputs a second sample of the intercept signal. The first channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the first sample of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively. The second channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the second sample of the intercept signal into a second plurality of spectrum segments having the same center frequencies and bandwidths as the first plurality of spectrum segments. Each spectrum segment of the second plurality of spectrum segments has a corresponding segment signal, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, having a first antenna, a second antenna, a first channelizer, a second channelizer, parametric encoders, a spread hopper processor and a nonspread hopper processor. The first antenna outputs a first sample of the intercept signal. The second antenna outputs a second sample of the intercept signal. The first channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the first sample of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively. The second channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the second sample of the intercept signal into a second plurality of spectrum segments having the same center frequencies and bandwidths as the first plurality of spectrum segments. Each spectrum segment of the second plurality of spectrum segments has a corresponding segment signal, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus having a central site and a remote site for customizing advertising for television using a video signal comprising a communications channel, studio processor, scheduling processor, network processor, transmittor, communications processor, video processor, a matrix switch, cue processor, and matric-switch processor. The studio processor generates a plurality of content data signals. The content data signals may include text signals, phototext signals, and/or digital audio signals. The scheduling processor generates a schedule data signal, which includes a unique identifier, accounting, administrative and scheduling data. The network processor generates a communications signal which comprises the plurality of content data signals and the schedule data signals formatted with the video signal. The transmitter transmits the communications signal over the communications channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive-power control of a spread-spectrum transmitter of a mobile station operating in a cellular-communications network using spread-spectrum modulation. A base station transmits a generic spread-spectrum signal and an APC-data signal. A mobile station has an acquisition circuit for acquiring and decoding the generic spread-spectrum signal, a detector for detecting a received power level of the generic spread-spectrum signal, a decoder for decoding the APC-data signal as a threshold, a differential amplifier for generating a comparison signal by comparing the received power level to the threshold, a transmitter for transmitting a transmitter spread-spectrum signal, an antenna, and a variable-gain device responsive to the comparison signal indicating an increase or decrease for adjusting a transmitter-power level of the transmitter spread-spectrum signal.

Abstract: A surface-acoustic-wave correlator for decoding a spread-spectrum signal having a data signal modulated with a plurality of chip sequences and reciprocal-chip sequences. A tapped-delay-line has a plurality of taps defining a tapped-delay-line structure matched to the chip sequence. In response to a plurality of first chips and second chips embedded in the spread-spectrum signal, the tapped-delay line generates TDL-chip sequences and inverse-TDL-chip sequences. A first transducer is acoustically coupled to the tapped-delay-line. In response to the spread-spectrum signal modulated by the chip sequence, the first transducer correlates a first group of the plurality of TDL-chip sequences and inverse-TDL-chip sequences and outputs a first correlation pulse. A second transducer is acoustically coupled to the tapped-delay-line.

Abstract: An apparatus for adapting to receive a particular path, having the greatest amplitude, of a spread-spectrum signal with multipath. The spread-spectrum signal is modulated by a chip-code. A chip-code generator generates a chip-code signal having the same chip-code as the spread-spectrum signal. A plurality of shift registers shift the chip-code signal by a plurality of time delays. First and second ring counters generate first and second sequencing signals for controlling first and second switching devices. The first switching device successively switches between a plurality of taps of the shift registers in a direction of increasing or decreasing delays for generating the chip-code signal with the first time delay. The second switching device successively switches between the plurality of taps of the shift registers in a direction of increasing or decreasing delays for generating the chip-code signal with a second time delay.

Abstract: A dual-framing-bit-alignment apparatus having a communications channel, a data device, an encryptor, a framing-bit device, a decryptor, a first framing-bit repositioner, and a second framing-bit repositioner. The first data device generates a first data-bit sequence having a first framing-bit sequence. The encryptor encrypts the first data-bit sequence as an encrypted-bit sequence. The framing-bit device substitutes on the encrypted-bit sequence, a second framing-bit sequence, thereby generating a framed-encrypted-bit sequence. The decryptor decrypts the framed-encryped-bit sequence as a second data-bit sequence. The second data-bit sequence contains errors due to the second framing-bit sequence. A second framing-bit repositioner detects in the second data-bit sequence, the first framing-bit sequence and the errors. In response to detecting the errors and the first framing-bit sequence, the first framing-bit repositioner aligns the first framing-bit sequence with the second framing-bit sequence.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus including a minitrampoline, a frame, a first pole, a second pole, a first hydraulic shock, and a second hydraulic shock. The frame supports the minitrampoline above a floor. The first and second poles have handles, and are pivotally mounted to the frame. The first and second hydraulic shocks are pivotally connected to the frame and are clamped to the first and second poles, respectively. The frame may connect to a wall for stabilizing the exercise apparatus. A person exercises on the minitrampoline while holding onto the handles, with the first and second hydraulic shocks absorbing energy imparted by the person through the first and second poles.

Abstract: A radio communications network for transmitting data from a plurality of remote stations to a central station is provided. This system is particularly proposed for automatic meter reading systems in which the remote stations are located at utility meters. The system includes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the mesages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations providing a high level of duplication of messages. The remote stations transmit utility usage information obtained from the previous time period at a random time subsequent to the time period so that message collisions can occur. High level of duplication provided by the increased number of receiving stations reduces the message loss. A quiet period during which the remote stations are prevented from transmitting can be used for communication between the receiving stations and the central station.

Abstract: An enhanced cinema system for use with a movie screen using a fog-like gas released from a plurality of retractable shafts having slits. The plurality of shafts may spin to generate a fog effect with the fog-like gas escaping from the slits. A movie projector may project a movie onto the movie screen, and signals may cause a laser beam of light to interact with the movie and fog-like gas in front of the movie screen. Programmable lighting panels may be mounted on the side walls of the movie theater and in response to a lighting signal from the movie projector, activate lights in the programmable lighting panels during a movie. The enhanced cinema system may further include a remote location coupled to the enhanced cinemas, for distributing programs through a communications channel or other medium, for having a globally controlled system for various movies and effects.

Abstract: A latch hook frame comprising a harp, a plurality of pegs, left and right tray supports and a tray, left and right legs and a main brace. The harp is characterized by a rectangular frame including a left member, a right member, three lateral members connected to the left member and to the right member, and a flat surface attached to the underside of the middle and front laterals. The plurality of pegs attach to the back lateral member of the harp and projecting therefrom, for holding the canvas. The left and right tray supports attach to the left and right members of the harp. The tray is connected pivotally to the left and right tray supports. The left and right legs are connected pivotally to the left and right members of the harp. The main brace connects to the left and right legs, and the left foot connects to left leg and the right foot connects to the right leg.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an intercept signal having spread spectrum modulation, having a first antenna, a second antenna, a first channelizer, a second channelizer, parametric encoders, a spread hopper processor and a nonspread hopper processor. The first antenna outputs a first sample of the intercept signal. The second antenna outputs a second sample of the intercept signal. The first channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the first sample of the intercept signal into a first plurality of spectrum segments, with each spectrum segment having a corresponding segment signal, respectively. The second channelizer channelizes the spectrum of the second sample of the intercept signal into a second plurality of spectrum segments having the same center frequencies and bandwidths as the first plurality of spectrum segments. Each spectrum segment of the second plurality of spectrum segments has a corresponding segment signal, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for decoding a received spread spectrum signal having a data signal modulated with a pseudo-noise code and transmitted as an RF spread spectrum signal. A reference-sequence-storage device holds a reference-pseudo-noise signal, and a receive-sequence storage device holds a received spread spectrum signal. A chip comparator adds each chip of the received spread spectrum signal by each respective chip of the pseudo-noise signal, thereby generating a plurality of chip comparison signals. A summer adds the plurality of chip comparison signals, generating a correlation signal. The comparator compares the correlation signal to a statistically predetermined threshold level, and generates a first data-symbol signal.

Abstract: A home video system comprising a headend system, a transmission channel, a trap, a converter, descrambling equipment, receiving equipment, and requesting equipment. The headend equipment includes program equipment, interface equipment, protection equipment, scrambling equipment, and processor equipment. A transmission channel has a large capacity for a broadcast signal. The broadcast signal includes a plurality of standard signals occupying a first set of channels and a plurality of special signals occupying a second set of channels. The program equipment originates the braodcast signal. The interface equipment is coupled between the program equipment and the transmission channel, and interfaces the broadcast signal from the program equipment with the transmission channel. The protection equipment prevents recording of a first set of special signals. The scrambling equipment scrambles a second set of special signals. The processor tracks pay-per-view subscriber usage of the home video system.

Abstract: A chain letter apparatus comprising a container, a lid, a plurality of flat members approximately rectangular in shape, a plurality of links, and first and second set of chains. The lid covers the container. The first plurality of flat members may be rectangular in shape and have two holes at each end. The first plurality of flat members are positioned in an end-to-end contiguous line. The first plurality of links connects the holes of two adjacent flat members of the first plurality of flat members. The first set of chains connects to an inside of the container and couples to the holes of the flat member at a first end of the end-to-end contiguous line. The second set of chains connects to an inside of the lid and couples to the holes of the flat member at the second end of the end-to-end contiguous line.

Abstract: An in-band framing encoder, for continuously operating on bit stream having external-framing data and payload data. The bit stream includes a plurality of time-division-multiplexed frames of payload data achieving channel integrity with external-framing data. The encoder comprises a framing-bit detector and a framing-bit remover for detecting the external-framing data of the bit stream, and removing the external-framing data from the bit stream. A unique-bit-pattern generator generates a unique-bit-pattern sequence. A multiplexer multiplexes the unique-bit-pattern sequence with payload data over the plurality of time-division-multiplexed frames of payload data, thereby generating internally-reframed data having the unique-bit-pattern sequence multiplexed with the payload data.

Abstract: Communications link using the ionized trail of a meteor entering the atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers as reflectors to relay radio frequency energy beyond the horizon using a retrodirective adaptive loop. The retrodirective adaptive loop includes a plurality of conjugate antenna elements, with each conjugate antenna element having a spatial servo-loop circuit. At least two stations having antennas with conjugate elements are required for generating a retrodirective oscillating or phase locked loop.

Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus for supporting a cabinet when installing the cabinet above a counter top, including an adjustable leg, an adjustable arm, and a cabinet-support member. The cabinet-support member extends substantially horizontally for supporting the cabinet during installation. The adjustable leg has one end pivotally connected to the cabinet-support member. The other end of the adjustable leg sets on the back of the counter top. The adjustable leg extends substantially vertically and is adjusted for supporting the cabinet-support member horizontally and at the desired height for installing the cabinet. The adjustable arm includes one end pivotally connected to the cabinet-support member. The other end of the adjustable arm is secured near the edge of the counter top. The adjustable arm extends diagonally and is adjusted for supporting the cabinet-support member horizontally and at the desired height for installing the cabinet.