Abstract: A digital system provides command data to a display system during the display time period such that minimal image degradation occurs. The digital system includes a CPU coupled to a graphics controller coupled to a display system via a cable. The display system includes an intelligent display driver controller (IDDC), driver circuits, display screen, and possibly sensors. The IDDC operates on image data and instructs the driver circuits to display an image on the display screen. Operating condition changes measured by transducers may result in a degradation in image quality unless a response is made. The digital system may automatically respond to operating condition changes to maintain a predetermined image quality level. Alternatively a user's request may change the image quality. In either case the CPU is interrupted and it provides one or more control sets of command data interspersed within the image data transparently to the graphics controller.

Abstract: A plurality of lights operated by timers and/or a radio frequency remote control device are used to direct students from one activity to another. The lights are preferably arranged in a housing to resemble a traffic signal, the housing also including electrical circuitry to actuate the lights in response to timers, the remote control device, or noise levels above a selected threshold to communicate with the students. For example, a red light could signal the class to be quiet, a yellow light could indicate it is time to prepare for the next classroom activity, and a green light indicate it is time to move on to the next activity. The invention replaces the tedium of vocally repeating classroom instructions with signaling lights controlled automatically or responsive to the remote control device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons.TM., rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used on conjunction with a frequency card program or the like. Virtual Coupons.TM. may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list selected Virtual Coupons.TM. displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons.TM. authorized for a particular consumer. An appropriate coupon discount may then be applied and the Virtual Coupon.TM. may be considered "redeemed".

Abstract: A trap for trapping and killing small animals such as rats and mice, is described. The trap comprises a stand, a pivoting clamp, journalled in the stand around a first axis. The clamp may be strained against the action of a spring which may be released by a releasing mechanism from a first, loaded position, when an animal acts upon the releasing mechanism. When released, the clamp immediately swings, acted upon by the spring, to a second position, where it hits and kills the animal. The clamp, extending from the first axis is provided with a first arm and a second arm. A first fastening point of the spring is provided at an end that is turned from the first axis of the first arm. The second fastening point of the spring is provided at the stand. The force line between the two fastening points of the spring runs through or in the vicinity of the first axis such that the spring exerts little or no or torque in the direction towards the second position of the clamp.

Abstract: A bladder is attached to a puff to allow even and accurate dispensing of soap or other wash products. When squeezed, liquid soap within the bladder is dispensed through a nozzle. In a second embodiment, liquid soap dispensing is accomplished by having a handle which at the end has a bladder portion. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention may also incorporate a novel means of shaving one's legs by having a receptacle at one end of the handle wherein a razor can be inserted. When a razor is inserted in the receptacle, the user can grasp the "puff end" of the handle and quickly, easily reach the extremities of the legs and shave them.

Abstract: A multiple optical head interferometer comprises one Light Source-Detection-Computing unit and multiple optical heads. The diameters of all of the optical heads are of equal size, and oriented in the same direction. Shutters or adjustable mirrors are provided such that the Light Source-Detection-Computing unit is used with only one optical head at a time. The multiple optical head interferometer of the present invention may measure many workpieces quickly in a short time, as while one workpiece is being measured, others may be setup for measurement or removed for further processing. In a first embodiment, the branching device for branching the laser beam comprises a plurality of beam splitters. Shutters are used to control which optical head is to be used with the Light Source-Detection-Computing unit at a particular time. In the second and preferred embodiment of the present invention, branching out of the optical heads is achieved by using adjustable mirrors and reflection.

Abstract: Electronic lighting devices that simulate a realistic flame are disclosed. The preferred embodiment has a plurality of lighting elements in a plurality of colors which are modulated in intensity by a control circuit with a stored program. The control program includes stored amplitude waveforms for the generation of a realistic flame simulation. The program further contains random elements to keep the flame constantly changing. The control circuit has built in power management functions that can control the mean intensity of the simulated flame based on some power management budget with the ability to measure the charge/discharge duration of the power source, when used with a rechargeable power source. The currents to the individual lighting elements are selectable from a set of discrete quantization values. Tables of amplitude modulated time waveforms are stored in the microprocessor memory, from which the real time control data streams for the individual lighting elements are synthesized.

Abstract: A phased lock loop (PLL) clock circuit generates a clock signal at 1x the desired clock frequency while maintaining substantially a 50% duty cycle. A first loop provides a feedback signal to maintain clock frequency, while a second loop provides a feedback signal and controls duty cycle. Two clock signals from a ring oscillator are fed to a level shifter, where each clock signal triggers a respective rising or trailing edge of the output clock signal. The level shifter is provided with a delay for controlling timing of the trailing edge of the output clock signal. The output clock signal is fed to a equi-current buffer where a charge pump, driven by the output clock signal, charges and discharges a capacitor in proportion to the duty cycle of the output clock signal, producing a feedback control voltage. The feedback control voltage is applied to the delay of the level shifter to maintain a substantially 50% duty cycle.

Abstract: A digital body interface apparatus for use in playing an amusement video game is disclosed. The apparatus provides a unique array of infrared beams and push buttons to achieve a full body interaction between a playing participant and a computer-controlled video game. The apparatus utilizes an infrared beam at the front of each padded target place to detect a punch or a kick by a player. In the preferred embodiment, a padded target is provided with a hollow cavity through which the infrared beam passes. When the target is punched or struck, the cavity is at least partially collapsed, interrupting or attenuating the infrared beam. As with other games, adequate enclosure spaces for a video monitor, a coin mechanism, audio effects, and other necessary hardware, are incorporated.

Abstract: A mechanics' limited-access nut starter instrument 1 may provide a precision hexagonal nut holding capability in limited-access mechanical areas commonly encountered by mechanics. Because a hexagonal recess is provided slightly undersized with respect to its intended nut size, the instrument 1 actually begins to hold a nut prior to locking with serrated locking extensions 6a and 6b. Engaging locking extensions 6a and 6b will apply a clamping pressure on the held nut. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a pistol-type tool grip may be provided for a tool (including the nut starter of the first embodiment). The pistol-grip afford better gripping and control over the tool, reducing fatigue and more importantly, reducing the risk a tool may be dropped or lost into a limited-access area. A lanyard or the like may be attached to the pistol grip to attach the tool to the wrist of the worker to prevent loss. The lanyard may also be used to hold the tool in a clamped position.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for automatically controlling the degree of temporal integration in a real time video image processor. The degree of integration may be determined by a combination of image brightness detected over a specific area of an image and motion detected within specific locations within the image. The apparatus comprises two main components, an integrating processor and integrating controller. The integrating processor receives an incoming analog video signal and converts it in an A/D converter into a series of digital pixel values. These digital pixel values may then be passed through an arithmetic processing unit where each pixel value may be fractionalized and summed with a fractionalized value of a geometrically corresponding pixel or pixels stored in a memory (i.e., temporal or recursive filtration). The sum of these fractionalized pixel values may then in turn be stored in memory as a new pixel values.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for correcting buoy motion in Doppler moment estimates. In the present invention, it is assumed that the buoy is stationary over short periods of time, 0.5 seconds for example. The average pitch and roll angles are measured for the 0.5 second period. A short-term Doppler spectrum for a particular beam is computed and stored along with the corresponding average pointing angle. This short-term Doppler spectrum must be averaged with many others to be able to detect the clear air signal. To correct for motion broadening, the present invention shifts each short Doppler spectrum some number of velocity bins before averaging them together. This shifting scales the measured radial velocity at some measured pointing angle to the radial velocity that would have been measured if the antenna was pointing at some initial pointing angle, typically the steering angle if the antenna was level.

Abstract: An oscillator runaway detection circuit is provided with a synchronous delay line such that energy saving or sleep modes of operation are not mischaracterized as oscillator runaway. A Schmitt trigger monitors oscillator control voltage at a filter capacitor. If the control voltage is below a predetermined limit, indicating a possible runaway condition, a signal is output to a synchronous delay line. The output of the Schmitt trigger is propagated through the synchronous delay line comprising a plurality of flip-flops clocked by the system reference clock. The output of the synchronous delay line drives a transistor which in turn may charge the filter capacitor to reduce the control voltage and thus lower the frequency of the oscillator. A one-shot coupled to the clock tree monitors for clock activity in the clock tree.

Abstract: A tooth brush holder adapted to contain at least one tooth brush is provided with a switch and circuitry such that when the tooth brush is removed from the holder a sound producing device is actuated which device can continue to produce sound for at least a predetermined time. In one preferred form of the invention, the sound producing device may incorporate an audio chip on which a pre-recorded message is located and, in a second form, may include a recordable chip recorded by a user or some other person. The apparatus may be provided with a control apparatus to monitor the amount of time the toothbrush has been removed from the holder to insure that proper brushing has taken place. If the toothbrush is replaced in the holder before the predetermined time period has elapsed, a warning message or tone (and/or light) may be activated advising the user that more brushing is needed.

Abstract: A signal detector for detecting the presence of a intermittent signal component in a signal. The signal detector receives each of the signal strength samples during a corresponding iteration, and compares a threshold value with the received signal sample. The signal detector sets a counter to a pre-determined number if the sample compared is greater than the threshold value. The signal detector decrements the persistence counter if a corresponding sample is not greater than the threshold value. If the persistence counter is greater than a trigger value, the detector indicates the presence of a intermittent signal component or otherwise declares the absence of a intermittent signal component. The detector may indicate the presence of a intermittent signal component by a logical value of 1 and the absence by a logical value of 0. The threshold value is composed of two components; the intermittent signal component and the background signal component.

Abstract: A display controller to upscale a source video image for display on a display unit of a computer system. An encoder circuit stores in a local memory pixel data of previous scan lines required for interpolation in a compressed format using differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) scheme. As a part of the DPCM scheme, encoder generates a predicted value for each source video pixel data as a function of at least one prior pixel data value in the scan line. However, when a slope over load condition is encountered, the decoder circuit changes the predicted value for a subsequent pixel data value to a different value, which may enable the graphics controller circuit to avoid a slope overload condition as to subsequent pixel data values. A decoder circuit decompresses the pixel data into original format prior to sending to an interpolator.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises two parts; an apparatus for automatically installing the supplemental (shunt) joint, and the shunt joint itself. The shunt joint provides both mechanical and electrical connection between two ends of an electrical cable, augmenting the existing joint which may remain in place. The installation device comprises a frame which may be lifted into place over the power line by a crane or helicopter. The frame is provided with a first linear actuator for placing at least first and second wedge elements fitted at each end of an existing socket joint. The frame also comprises a second linear actuator for placing first and second wedge sockets at least partly surrounding the line and cooperating with corresponding wedge elements. At least one threaded shaft, powered by an actuator motor, is provided to pull together the wedge sockets with the wedge elements. Together, the wedge elements and wedge sockets surround and lock around the line at each side of the socket joint.

Abstract: An improved animal barrier material and an improved fastening system to simplify its knotting process are disclosed. The animal barrier material comprises a see-through cable netting characterized by strong and secure knots. An improved fastening system may be employed to simplify knotting and produce superior cable connections. The improved fastening system requires only a single spool of cable to form grids for netting; its simplified knotting process does not require passing a spool of cable through any previously-tied portion of the net. The resulting cable netting provides a superior see-through netting for simultaneous containment and visual enjoyment of zoo animals.

Abstract: A checkers type board game is provided where movement of playing pieces is determined by the role of the dice. The board is similar to a checkers board, but with 10 longitudinal rows and eight latitudinal rows, for a total of eighty squares. Each player initially places twelve pieces on the board, eight pieces occupying a back row and four pieces centered in the second row. When a player rolls the dice, he or she may move a playing piece diagonally in any direction equal to the number indicated by one or both of the dice. When a player's piece lands on an opposing player's piece, that piece is captured by the player. Once a player's piece has reached the far opposing row, it may not be moved or attacked. Play ends when a player has advanced eight pieces, or remaining pieces, to the opposing row from their starting position. The winner is determined by which player has captured the largest number of pieces.

Abstract: A flash EPROM cell has a reduced cell size by providing vertical coupling between the floating gate and the bit line during programming. The erase operation is done by tunneling of electrons from the sharp tip of the Poly spacer to the control gate. The cell is adapted so that the source for each cell within the array is the source of an adjacent cell and the drain is the drain to another adjacent cell. The cell is formed by forming the drain regions into the substrate through openings in a first insulator that is preferably the field oxide. A second insulator is deposited over the first insulator, over the substrate and along the side walls of the openings and is preferably a thin layer so that the opening is covered with a thin insulating layer. The insulated opening is filled with a metal, preferably tungsten or a tungsten alloy. The field oxide is selectively removed.