Abstract: A device for treating cell cultures, especially hepatocytes, on plate-like culture slides, at least a part of the surfaces of the slides is gas permeable with oxygen being introduced inside of the slides. On the culture slide is applied a coating of collagen (5,7) on or in which is the cell culture (6). The next cell culture slide (1) is arranged closely above the collagen coating (5,7). The culture medium can be introduced into the space between the collagen coating (5,7) and the next culture slide (1).

Abstract: Determination of the authenticity and integrity of various types of documents such as lottery tickets is accomplished by using an electronic verification machine to compare data contained in electronic circuits printed on the document to document data printed on the document. The electronic circuits are printed on the document in conductive or semi-conductive ink using, for example the gravure printing process, and the presence of status of the circuits can be used to verify or authenticate the document. Data can be represented in the electronic circuits by the electrical signature of the circuit which is measured by the electronic verification machine. In the case of lottery tickets, a ticket can be validated by having the electronic verification machine determine which play spots have been removed from the ticket and comparing data on the ticket with the removed play spots to determine a play redemption value for the ticket.

Abstract: Information can be retrieved from lottery tickets and lottery ticket security can be improved by printing electronic circuits or circuit elements on the ticket. Conductive or semiconductive ink can be printed on the ticket by using gravure, relief, planographic, letter press or flexographic methods to form the circuit elements. In one embodiment the circuit elements are printed over play indica and under a scratch-off coating so that they are removed when the ticket is played. An electronic verification machine can then be used to determine which portions of the scratch-off coatings coveting the play indicia have been removed. A second group of circuit elements can also be printed under the play indicia which improves security by blocking light that may be shined through the ticket and by being tested, along with the first group of circuit elements, for integrity by the electronic verification machine.

Abstract: Viewing apparatus for providing a viewer with an apparent 3-D image includes a diffusing holographic optical element screen, horizontal strip lamps for illuminating the screen from a plurality of different positions and a liquid crystal display for effecting spatial modulation of the light from the respective positions so as to illuminate respective images on the screen. The arrangement is such as to provide a plurality of viewing zones whereby each image can be seen only from a corresponding one of the zones.

Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Abstract: A physical exercise video system includes a physical exercise machine (22), a video system (24) and an interface module (26). The video system (24) has a computer (28) and a removable cartridge (34). The interface module (26) is interposed between the computer (28) and cartridge (34), and provides interactive communication between the computer (28) and exercise machine (22). A communication protocol governs this communication, and includes specifications for status and command data packets. The video system (24) and exercise machine (22) can be selectively operated as either stand-alone units, or in an interactive exercise mode, wherein the exercise data generated by the exercise machine (22) affects the output of the video system (24), and may also be stored in memory within the interface module (26). The video system (24) controls the operation of the exercise machine (22) generally, and specifically, controls the load resistance imposed in opposition to the movement of pedals (66).

Abstract: The playability of an instant bingo game card or similar type game cards can be enhanced by providing for improved marking of numbers on a player card portion of the bingo card. In one approach, a space is provided along side each number in which a mark is printed and a scratch-off coating is applied over the mark. In a second approach, a microencapsulated pressure sensitive dye is applied over each number and by simply rubbing a particular number can be marked.

Abstract: The steering of a human powered pontoon aquatic vehicle is improved by arranging the pontoons in three articulated sections. The forward and aft pontoon sections are rotated in reciprocal directions with the forward sections being rotated in the direction of the desired turn. The vehicle includes a support frame attached to the forward and aft pontoon sections upon which a seat is mounted. A central frame member attached to the central pontoon is shifted laterally with respect to the support frame in order to rotated the forward and aft pontoon sections. The forward and aft pontoon sections are connected to the central pontoon section by interlocking hinges which permits convenient disassembly of the vehicle for transportation.

Abstract: A formwork brick has two longitudinal walls, which form an external wall and internal wall, at least two cross walls, which extend over only a part of the brick height, a cavity lying between the walls for filling with concrete, and a first insulating insert, which is arranged on the inside of one of the two longitudinal walls. The cross walls are connected to the longitudinal walls such that the formwork brick has an H-shape. A set of second insulating inserts are placed in an inverted position over the cross walls enclosing the cross walls in the area of their reduced height.

Abstract: A lottery ticket validation system reduces or eliminates spying on the status of tickets. The system uses a compression and encryption process to store its data compactly. The system is not a flag system. No particular bit in the memory corresponds to any given ticket. Thus, spying on a ticket's status by accessing the data base is extremely difficult. The amount of memory allocated to the system is altered dynamically during the lifetime of a game depending on how many tickets have been validated. In this way, memory requirements are kept-low.

Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Abstract: Information can be obtained from a document having printed electronic circuits by using an electronic verification machine that determines the electrical characteristics or signatures of the circuits printed on the document. The electronic verification machine electronically couples with the circuit and applies an excitation signal such as an AC signal having a predetermined frequency to the circuit. A detection circuit in the electronic verification machine then generates a detection signal in response to the excitation signal which represents the characteristics of the circuit printed on the document. The electronic verification machine can also be used to stigmatize the document by applying a signal to the electronic circuits having sufficient strength to alter the electronic circuit.

Abstract: An exercise treadmill is disclosed which includes means for lubricating the endless belt treadmill components. In each embodiment, a lubricant is applied to either the inner surface of the treadmill belt or to the treadmill support deck, thereby reducing the treadmill belt to support deck friction. The applied lubricants can be either solid aerosol or liquid in form, and can be dispersed as a function of treadmill operating time, treadmill belt distance traversed or in response to a measured parameter indicative of belt to deck friction. Additionally, methods are disclosed for lubricating treadmills to reduce belt to deck friction.

Abstract: A climbing exercise apparatus is provided having a frame on which two pedals are pivotally mounted to provide a user with a vertically reciprocating exercise movement, and a control panel for user input and output. A dynamic break, alternator or the like applies a variable level of resistance (via a suitable transmission) against the user's movement. The resistance varies over time in accordance with a control signal generated by a computer. The value of the control signal is independent of the rate at which the user steps. A display successively displays images of hills. Each hill is associated with one of the series of values, and that value is graphically represented as part of or in visual association with the hill image.

Abstract: To improve tracking, an exercise treadmill is provided with a frame including molded plastic pulleys, having an integral gear belt sprocket, an endless belt extending around the pulleys and a motor operatively connected to the rear pulley to drive the belt. The pulleys are molded out of plastic and have a diameter of approximately nine inches. A mold and method for producing large diameter treadmill pulleys having an integrally molded sprocket are also disclosed. A deck underneath the running surface of the belt is supported by resilient members. A positive lateral belt tracking mechanism is used to correct the lateral position of the belt. A belt position sensor mechanism is used in combination with a front pulley pivoting mechanism to maintain the belt in the desired lateral position on the pulleys. The exercise treadmill also includes a lift mechanism with an internally threaded sleeve engaged to vertically aligned nonrotating screws. A user display of foot impact force on the belt is also provided.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for measuring heart rate is provided which comprises a sensor for generating a signal which includes the biopotential signal produced by a heart. This signal is filtered, amplified and digitized. A computer autocorrelates the digitized signal. A plurality of signal indication routines then scan the autocorrelated output for the presence of periodic signals. Each of the signal indication routines uses different search or filter criteria, such as peak and wave form detection, and generates one (and in some cases, several) candidate heart rates. An arbitrator then selects one of the candidate heart rates according to predetermined criteria. These criteria include the value of previously selected heart rates. In one embodiment, the signal indication and arbitration routines are especially well-suited for measuring the heart rate of a user while exercising on a stair climbing machine or treadmill.

Abstract: Security of game cards such as instant lottery tickets can be improved by locating a confusion pattern below a primer layer on the game cards substrate and by locating another confusion pattern on a release coat above the game card play indica. Game card security can be further enhanced by using confusion pattern ink that bleeds through the game card in response to the application of various solvents.

Abstract: An exercise management system is disclosed for maintaining a user's level of exercise intensity (such as measured by heart rate) at a target level while exercising. In one embodiment, the system includes a movement member (such as pedals) which is engaged by the user to provide an exercise movement. The movement member is selectively adjustable to varying the intensity of exercise performed by the user. A heart rate sensor indicates the user's heart rate, and a computer adjusts the movement member in accordance with the heart rate signal to establish and maintain the user's heart rate near the target level. The user may periodically disengage the heart rate sensor for a limited time, during which time the computer maintains the user's heart rate near the target level by adjusting load in accordance with the user's rate of exercise (such as measured by rpm).

Abstract: Operation of a video game or an exercise system utilizing a video display is enhanced by a floor controller utilizing weight sensitive pads that allows an operator to input information into the system by locating his feet in specific portions of the floor controller. The system includes an interface circuit which obtains foot location signals from the floor controller and transmits this information to a system microprocessor which in turn is used to control the video display. The system can also include light segments that are under control of the microprocessor and which are associated with each of the weight sensitive pads.

Abstract: In order to provide an aircraft navigation computer display unit for use in an aircraft with limited cockpit panel space, the display unit is provided with a housing configured in a rectangular cross-section and includes a cathode ray tube assembly secured in an upper quadrant of the housing, a power supply secured directly below the CRT assembly and a group of circuit boards vertically orientated in the remaining half of the housing in tracks that permit the removal of the circuit boards from the front of the housing. The display unit also includes a front panel assembly having data entry and function switches enclosed therein and an opening aligned with the CRT. The front panel additionally includes a plastic filter secured to a shoulder of the front panel assembly in front of the CRT wherein the filter is located approximately 0.010 inch from the CRT when the front panel is secured to the housing.