Abstract: A CPU 11, in the condition where the limited mode is not set, outputs the data arbitrarily selected by a user operation from a display unit 18 and a sound speaker 23, and in the condition where the limited mode is set, predetermined data is output instead of data specified by the user. As a result, in the case in which data is output according to the operation of a function included in an electronic device, even if no limitation is imposed to that function, the output of data or information, which the third party should not know about, can be prevented merely by setting the limited mode, in which limitations are imposed on the operation.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for evoking a brain response of the balance function. The stimulus used for evoking the response is rapid movement of the head through an arc and at a rate of acceleration selected to minimize interference from other, unwanted responses. The brain signals are simultaneously monitored with an electro-encephalograph machine and processed to obtain the desired signals.

Abstract: A technique is provided for entering certain information into a computer without the use of hands. A touch screen system which utilizes a grid of light beams across a display surface is modified. Instead of interrupting the light beam with the operator's finger, light blocking devices are moved into position along the periphery of the surface to shield a light detector at the position where otherwise such detector would be blocked by the operator's finger. The light-blocking device is moved by motors under foot control. In another approach, indicator arrays are placed along adjacent sides of a display surface. One indicator along each side is lit by foot control to represent a selected position. In still another approach, a cursor is selectively positioned on the display surface with foot-operated control circuitry. Once a position is selected, further inputs can be made even with the use of another, hand-operated, technique in a convenient, user friendly and prompt manner.

Abstract: A technique is provided for determining which pages of a selected magazine are read by a person acting as a test subject. Optic lenses are included which provide images of the magazine to a superimposing device. An image of the reader's eyes is also provided to the superimposing device so that the reader's eye movement is superimposed over the particular page being read. The superimposed optical signal is provided to a video camera which supplies it to a video monitor for real time observation as well as to a video recorder for later analysis.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for monitoring the eye movements of a subject with apparatus that is removably attachable to the subject's own eyeglass frame. The apparatus includes a light source to bounce light off the subject's eye and a detector to sense the reflected light. Both are adjustably mounted on a support. The support includes several interlinked parts which are readily adjustable to fit the subject's eyeglass frame.

Abstract: A technique is provided for providing accurate information regarding the readership of certain magazines. A transmitter unit is attached to the magazines of interest and emits a signal unique to that particular magazine. A receiver unit is worn by individuals who have been selected as test subjects. The transmitter unit can detect the emitted signal only when it is within approximately one foot from the magazine. The receiver unit includes circuitry responsive only to the particular signal emitted by the transmitter in the magazine. When that signal is received, information is stored in memory regarding the occurrence of exposure of the magazine to the individual test subject and/or the time period of exposure. Information stored in that memory is then retrieved for analysis.

Abstract: A device is provided which is specifically adapted to be removably secured to an eyeglass frame as it is worn by a person. The device can be aimed so that an optic system carried by the device will detect the scene being viewed by the wearer.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for testing the effectiveness of a television commercial before it is broadcast. The commercial is displayed to a test subject in a realistic setting which includes a choice of programs from which he can select. The reactions of the test subject in selecting from among the various programs and commercials available to him are monitored and analyzed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for displaying a video program in an automobile to backseat passengers. The apparatus includes one portion which securely accomodates a TV. To it is rotatably coupled a panel which securely accomodates the VCR and can be swung against the first portion to form a space for protecting the the TV and VCR from damage. One embodiment includes a padded head portion and two panels respectively suspended therefrom by a hinge. The rearward surface of the head portion has an opening in which a television set is secured and through which the screen is visible. Padding in the head is provided for passenger safety. Audio is available from an assembly mounted on the rear panel. Video tape playback is provided by a VCR mounted on the front panel. All the components are combined in a single unit to be easily installed into and removed from the automobile.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed to provide eye movement measurement in which the eye position signal is corrected for head movement. A reference point and reference point monitor means are provided one of which is fixed relative to the viewer's head and the other is fixed relative to the screen. An error signal is generated when movement of the reference point is sensed by the reference point monitor means. The error signal is combined with the eye movement measurement signal to obtain a corrected reading. This technique is usable with eye movement monitoring equipment which is of the head-mounted type and that which is of the stationary type.

Abstract: An autofocus system is provided for facilitating the focusing of a camera. An autofocus device is tiltably mounted on the camera body. Its position is controlled by an eye-movement-monitoring apparatus responsive to movements of the cameraman's eyes. As the cameraman shifts the position of his eyes, the autofocus device is controlled to move accordingly so it is aimed at the same portion of the scene viewed by the cameraman. The autofocus device then suitably controls the lens focus.

Abstract: A grid of electrical conductors for locating the position of a stylus utilizes a reduced number of line drivers. The grid utilizes twice as many conductors as required by conventional grids for a given resolution. The conductors are divided into coarse and fine sets which are interleaved and coextensive in the long dimension of the conductors. The coarse set is divided into subsets which consist of a predetermined number of conductors in close proximity to each other, adjacent coarse conductors being separated by only one fine conductor. The fine set is divided into a number of subsets equal to the number of conductors in each coarse subset. The number of conductors in each fine subset equals the number of coarse subsets. Each of the conductors of the fine subsets is spaced one from the other by a number of fine conductors equal to the number of coarse subsets. The conductors of each subset are connected to each other and to the output of a single driver.

Abstract: A pencil device for a plotting machine comprises a housing (10) including a barrel (13) with a passage (13a) therethrough for receiving a lead (12) said passage having an exit for the lead at a forward end of said barrel; lead feeding means (11, 14, 15) located in said housing for containing spare leads and for continuously feeding the passage of said barrel with a lead; lead driving means (16, 17) for pressing the lead located in the passage against the recording medium during a writing operation; and means (36) for urging the forward end of the barrel in contact with the recording medium so that a consumed lead is replaced by a new lead without interrupting a trace being produced.

Abstract: A technique is provided for simultaneously displaying on a television screen juxtaposed pictures from two independent image sources. The required picture compression is achieved by storing analog samples of the video signals in an analog memory at one frequency and retrieving the samples at a higher frequency for display. A 2 to 1 picture compression is attained, for example, by retrieving the samples at twice the frequency at which they are stored.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for securely retaining a television set in an automobile for rear seat viewing. The apparatus includes an adjustable platform to support the television set and a holder to accommodate a video tape recorder. In addition, an audio assembly is provided having a rearward facing remote speaker and earphone jacks to provide any level of quiet and privacy desired. The apparatus includes means for readily and removably securing it to the front seat.

Abstract: A transistor logic tristate output gate or device is provided with active or passive element arrangements coupled between the enable gate on the one hand and the base of the pull down element transistor on the other hand. This coupling affords a low impedance route to ground or low potential from the base of the pull down element when the enable gate is at low potential and the output device is in the high impedance third state. Miller feedback current at the base of the pull down element transistor is thereby diverted to ground. The coupling arrangement affords high impedance to current flow in the opposite direction thereby blocking current flow from the enable gate when the enable gate is at high potential. For active discharge of Miller current three transistors are provided in a double inversion series coupling between the enable gate and pull down element. Alternately a multiple emitter junction transistor is used.

Abstract: A precision motor speed control system employing a phase locked loop in which the inertial mass of the motor, its tachometer and motor driven devices, such as fly wheels, tape transports, etc., perform the functions of the usual low pass filter and voltage control oscillator.

Abstract: Readily available and normally discardable items are modified for attachment one to another as parts in constructing a desired structure. In one embodiment, the top of a twist-on type of bottle cap is extended to duplicate the threaded portion of a bottle top. In another embodiment, the bottom of a bottle cap is provided with a skirt having an annular groove on its inside surface. The top of the cap is provided with an annular flange designed to snap into the groove of an identical cap. The caps can be stacked by twisting one onto another (first embodiment) or snapping one onto another (second embodiment). Punch-outs are provided on the periphery of the caps to be used in combination with a fastening means, such as rivets, to attach the caps side by side. Beverage cans are provided with similar adaptations.

Abstract: In the representative embodiments of the present invention described herein, a drilling mud is circulated through a drill string at a sufficient rate to effectively operate an impeller-driven electrical generator arranged on a tool coupled in the drill string for supplying power to downhole electrical circuits and one or more downhole condition-measuring devices on the tool. By selectively controlling the flow of drilling mud past the impeller in accordance with the conditions being monitored by the condition-measuring devices, data-encoded acoustic signals are produced in the circulating fluid and transmitted to the surface for detecting and decoding as power is simultaneously supplied to the downhole system by the generator.