Abstract: A flow control circuit for a computer system including a first-in first-out buffer including a register for storing a value indicating the number of stages of the FIFO which are available to store data, circuitry for detecting whether an input/output device is able to process data more rapidly than the FIFO is emptied, and circuitry for providing an value greater than the number of stages actually available for storage in the FIFO if the input/output device is able to process data more rapidly than the FIFO is emptied.

Abstract: Hardware input/output address translation apparatus adapted for use in a multitasking computer system including hardware responsive to commands from an unprivileged application program addressed to an input/output address for translating the input/output address to a physical address space of an input/output device and transferring the command to the physical address of an input/output device, and additional hardware responsive to commands from an unprivileged application program addressed to an input/output address for selecting from safe translations of input/output addresses to physical address spaces of input/output devices for the hardware for translating the input/output address to a physical address space of an input/output device.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method by which the flow of commands to an input/output device may be halted when the device is unable to respond to a command decoded to its address space. The apparatus includes circuitry for ascertaining whether the input/output device is able to respond to a command decoded by the decoding circuit, a circuit for storing the data and address of a command transferred to the input/output device to which the input/output device is unable to respond, and circuitry for generating a signal to disable immediately the flow of commands to the input/output device and an interrupt to assure that the unimplemented command is handled in an expeditious manner.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit which utilizes a metal oxide power semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) as an output switching device to switch power to load circuitry by an electrically-isolated coupling arrangement including light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a photodiode array. An arrangement is provided for sensing the current through the LED coupling arrangement to determine when the solid state relay circuit has been operated and, in turn, to operate indicating circuitry. The circuitry may also be utilized as self testing circuitry to check the integrity of components of the input portion of the circuitry.

Abstract: A zero voltage switching circuit for controlling current to a serially arranged load and AC voltage source including first and second photosensitive silicon controlled rectifiers having a gate, anode, and cathode terminals, the anode-cathode terminals being arranged to be connected in inverse parallel across the load and AC voltage source, apparatus for applying input signals to generate light to enable the first and second photosensitive silicon controlled rectifiers, apparatus for providing a voltage range within which the photosensitive silicon controlled rectifiers operate, apparatus for clamping the gate terminals of each of the photosensitive silicon controlled rectifiers to its cathode in the absence of input light signals to the photosensitive silicon controlled rectifiers, and apparatus for opening the circuit between the gate and rectifier of each photosensitive silicon controlled rectifier in the presence of input light signals.

Abstract: In solid state relay circuit including a metal oxide field effect transistor connected for switching current to a load circuit, a latch circuit including first and second transistors connected to monitor a voltage caused by current in the load circuit and to shunt current away from the field effect transistor in response to current overload in the load circuit, the first and second transistors having temperature characteristics such that they turn on in response to different voltages at different temperatures, the improvement including a second means for turning on the latch to shunt current away from the field effect transistor in response to the voltage caused by current in the load circuit, the second apparatus including temperature compensating apparatus for matching the temperature characteristics of the first and second transistors of the latch circuit whereby the latch turns on at the same voltage in the load circuit over the typical operating range of the device.

Abstract: In a solid state relay circuit using a power semiconductor as the output circuit switching device and having protection against current overload and short circuits, an indicator circuit for signaling that overload currents have occurred in the switching device comprising circuitry for sensing that current overload protection has occurred, and switching circuitry responsive to the sensing that current overload protection has occurred for operating a current overload indicator.

Abstract: In a solid state relay circuit including a power semiconductor for switching power to a load circuit and having circuitry for disabling the power semiconductor to protect against current overload or short circuits, such disabling means including a silicon controlled rectifier for short circuiting the input to the power semiconductor, apparatus for sensing the presence of transient voltages in the load circuit, and apparatus for disabling any short circuit caused by the silicon controlled rectifier due to such voltage transients.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit including a power semiconductor for the switching device, the power semiconductor having gate, source, and drain terminals, the source and drain terminals being adapted to be connected across a load circuit, switching circuitry providing a normally non-conducting path between the gate and source terminals, and circuitry for switching the switching device to a conducting condition in response to the appearance of voltage spikes in the output circuit having a value sufficient to cause the power semiconductor to conduct before the power semiconductor can be caused to conduct.

Abstract: Interactive game apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more photosensitive weapon devices which can interact with a coded video display and with each other to provide two-way interaction, where each weapon may score against an opponent and may be hit by an opponent. Accessory devices in the form of a photosensitive light source and a rotating mirror act to increase the excitement of the game play.

Abstract: An electrical outlet box installing device including a base portion having a preselected length and width, an upright member affixed to the base portion, the upright member being provided with an arrangement for mounting an electrical outlet box at a preselected height and abutting a first vertical wall, and an arrangement for positioning the upper portion of the upright member a preselected distance from a second vertical wall.

Abstract: A multichannel FM subcarrier broadcast system is disclosed which enables the transmission of multiple independent signals by generating independent sidebands of suppressed carriers in the subcarrier band of an FM transmitting station. Transmitting and receiving apparatus is disclosed which employs phase shift networks to minimize interchannel distortion, thus allowing close spacing of adjacent sidebands.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas analyzer is disclosed which includes sensing, compensation and counter electrodes in an electrolyte. The compensation electrode provides a compensation signal related to the concentration of gas dissolved in the bulk of the electrolyte. This compensation signal is subtracted from the analyzer output signal to eliminate errors caused by bulk electrolyte dissolved gas.

Abstract: A non dispersive optical gas analyzer is disclosed which uses thermopiles as optical detectors. The thermopiles are formed of an array of interconnected thin films of dissimilar metals deposited on a heat conductive substrate to form a multitude of thermocouples. The array is configured in such a manner that a number of the thermocouples are employed to compensate each thermopile output signal for changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: An anti-theft assembly for carts including a housing adapted to fit adjacent a wheel of a cart, a receiver within the housing for sensing the passage of the cart beyond a preselected range and providing a signal indicative thereof, and an arrangement responsive to the signal for lowering an arm into the direct path of the adjacent wheel.

Abstract: A toy clock having a housing with a base portion for supporting the clock face thereof in a vertical position, the clock face having an hour hand and a minute hand proportionately coupled and rotatable, the rotatin thereof simultaneously effecting proportional rotation of a coaxial pair of co-planar disc surfaces to effect a digital readout corresponding to the position of the dials. The clock is provided with a rear compartment which houses a conveyor operated by rotation of the dials to elevate marbles from a given location to a marble storage rack in the upper rear portion in the housing. A tuned escapement or release mechanism permits a number of marbles, corresponding to the number indicated by the hour hand, to be released sequentially along a trackway viewable from the front, the track providing a path of travel for the marbles under the force of gravity with periodic interceptions by pivotally supported animated figures to the lower portion of the housing.

Abstract: A play desk in the form of an animated character having the main body portion thereof in the form of an openable compartment with a first surface textured to provide a chalk board and the opposing surface having aligned parallel grooves and slots for receiving removable alphanumeric members parallel with the board by engaging the slots or perpendicular to the board by engaging the grooves. Simulated arm members are pivotable for supporting the desk on an incline with either body surface exposed. Simulated leg members are pivotable between a first position for supporting the play desk on a vertical plane or to a second position in line with the lower edge of the body compartment to permit inclining of the desk. A head portion is configured about the periphery for insertion therein or imprinting therein of a face of a character with the peripheral ridge forming a tray. The arm members may be hollow to serve as additional storage.

Abstract: A doll stand for supporting a doll by one leg, the stand including a base member, a clip member for gripping the lower leg in proximity to the ankle with interconnecting means between the clip member and the base. The interconnecting means include a rod member insertible within an aperture in the base and affixed to the clip member, the rod member being offset in a forward direction to provide clearance for the foot of the doll. The free end of the rod member is secured to the clip member with the rod member and clip member being angularly disposed in a direction generally perpendicular to the offset direction to provide an angle between the supporting direction of the clip and a line generally perpendicular to the base to support the doll with the center of gravity generally perpendicular to the base.

Abstract: A doll having a compressible torso with a neck opening having support means adjacent to said neck opening with a mechanism coupled to the support means and extending into the torso, compression of the torso in a lateral direction actuating a slide member of the mechanism in a direction generally perpendicular thereto to pivot the head. The slide mechanism is provided with a ramp coacting with lever means adapted to urge against the interior of the head of the doll adjacent the lips to displace the lips outwardly during actuation thereof to simulate kissing. Other means are provided within the doll responsive to actuation of the mechanism to emit an audible sound.