Abstract: A display system adapted for use in combination with one or more electronic display tags is provided and includes a mounting panel having a plurality of openings therein forming at least one line of spaced openings. A conductive member is positioned adjacent the mounting panel and extends along at least a portion of the line of spaced openings. An elongated peg hook frame has a display end and an attachment end. The peg hook frame includes an elongated product support adapted at its front end to receive products for support and display thereof, and an elongated information display support having an attachment surface at its front end for receiving an electronic display tag. The rear end of the peg hook frame includes at least one hook-type member which is positioned within one of the spaced openings of the mounting panel.

Abstract: A power and communication system is provided for a product information display system associated with a product display or storage establishment having multiple product display or storage areas. A plurality of electronic display tags are mounted adjacent the product display or storage areas. An electrical power system supplies a/c. power to the display tags. A main power distribution loop is connected to the power supply and is magnetically coupled to multiple branch power distribution loops which extend along selected groups of display tags for supplying power to those display tags.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for boring a hole through a solid body is disclosed. The drill bit comprises a collar and a penetrating member. At a proximal end, the collar is attachable to a drill shaft. At a distal end, the collar is attachable to the penetrating member. The penetrating member has a connecting end for attachment to the collar and a cutting end for engaging the solid body. A pilot drill is fixedly attached to the cutting end for initiating contact with the solid body.

Abstract: A magnetic coupler for magnetically or inductively coupling a pair of conductors. The coupler includes a first magnetic core member having prongs and at least one slot between the prongs for receiving the conductors, and a second magnetic core member. The coupler further includes a base for retaining the first core member and a shuttle for retaining the second core member. The shuttle is slidably mounted within the base such that the shuttle slides across and in contact with the prongs from an open position in which the slot is exposed to a closed position in which the slot is covered by the second core member, and the conductors are thereby contained within the slot. The sliding action of the cores cleans debris off the mating surfaces of the core elements to provide good mating contact between the core members for efficient coupling.

Abstract: A product information display system has electronic display tags for displaying pricing and product information for products in stores or warehouses. The electronic display tags are electromagnetically coupled to a conductor. A control circuit is used to generate an information signal which contains a tag address and related data. A modulator circuit modulates an ac power signal with the information signal and applies it to the conductor for transmission to the display tags. Each of the display tags is equipped with a coil that is electromagnetically coupled to the conductor for picking up the signals carried by the conductor. A demodulator is used to demodulate the signal picked up by the coil to obtain the original information signal. Each of the display tags is provided with a manually operated switch for initializing the tags with initial addresses transmitted by the conductor.

Abstract: A method of highwall mining, the method includes providing a continuous miner (11) connected to a car train (12) extending to a launch vehicle (13). As the miner (11) progresses down an inclined mine tunnel (15) additional cars are added to the train (12) at the launch vehicle (13). The launch (13) applies a force to the end car so that the car adjacent the mine (11) provides a reaction force for the miner (11).

Abstract: A method for calibrating and updating a golf course position, yardage and measurement system for golf carts that utilize dead reckoning navigation, to avoid gradual buildup of error from components of the dead reckoning system as the golf cart is being driven on the course during play, for the purpose of aiding golfers in playing the course by displaying distance measurements between the golf cart and various course features of interest.

Abstract: A player position determining and course management system for a golf course having a plurality of roving units for use by players in playing the course is disclosed. Each roving unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) including a data processor for executing various tasks ranging from fastest execution of a task to slowest execution of a task on a schedule of priorities of task completion, a real-time means for controlling the processor to give the tasks priority ranging from fastest execution of a task with highest priority to slowest execution of a task with lowest priority, and a means for precisely timing functions of the system including modulating means utilizing a common digital modulation technique for digitally modulating data transmitted to and from all of the roving units.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining accurate measurements of distance of a golf ball from features of interest on a hole of a golf course including tee boxes, cups, water hazards, sand traps, rough areas adjacent fairway, and cart path, uses a golf cart equipped with a computerized navigation system including a display monitor. Survey data for the course are stored in the navigation system database as part of a map of so that fixed positions of at least some of the features of the course, including the cart path and outline of the hole of the computerized navigation system, can be selectively displayed in the map or portion thereof on the cart monitor screen during play of the course. The navigation system has a capability to detect and indicate the real time position of the golf cart as an icon on the course map displayed on the monitor screen, and has, in its database, a ball icon line approximating the longitudinal center-line of the hole.

Abstract: A player position determining and course management system for a golf course having a plurality of roving units for use by players in playing the course is disclosed. Each roving unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) including a data processor for executing various tasks ranging from fastest execution of a task to slowest execution of a task on a schedule of priorities of task completion, a real-time means for controlling the processor to give the tasks priority ranging from fastest execution of a task with highest priority to slowest execution of a task with lowest priority, and a means for precisely timing functions of the system including modulating means utilizing a common digital modulation technique for digitally modulating data transmitted to and from all of the roving units.

Abstract: An electronic system for controlling the operation of a hand-held pull strap closure unit. The system includes a central processing unit which controls peripheral circuitry for directing commands to a motor within the hand-held unit. The system further includes a circuit for monitoring motor torque and a hand-held unit identification circuit for identifying each unit with an individualized code. The CPU may be accessed via an external communications port to store user-selected operational parameters in a memory circuit. These parameters may include time of day, calendar, and motor torque limits for each device.

Abstract: An electronic system for controlling the operation of a hand-held pull strap closure unit. The system includes a central processing unit which controls peripheral circuitry for directing commands to a motor within the hand-held unit. The system further includes a circuit for monitoring motor torque and a hand-held unit identification circuit for identifying each unit with an individualized code. The CPU may be accessed via an external communications port to store user-selected operational parameters in a memory circuit. These parameters may include time of day, calendar, and motor torque limits for each device.

Abstract: An error diffusion process includes the steps of: processing an image comprising a plurality of pixels by determining intensity values for each of the pixels; and performing one weight error diffusion for each pixel. The one-weight error diffusion process includes the steps of: encoding an intensity value as a first binary value for each pixel when the determined intensity is less than a predetermined threshold value, and as a second binary value when the determined intensity is greater than the predetermined threshold value, calculating an error value corresponding to the difference between the intensity value and a predetermined value, selecting a pixel either at a first location relative to the pixel presently being processed or a second location relative to the pixel presently being processed, adjusting an intensity value of the selected pixel according to the error value, and performing the error diffusion step for a next pixel value.

Abstract: A method for drawing a bundling strap taut about the neck of a flexible container such as a bank bag, said bundling strap comprised of an elongated body portion having a plurality of serrations disposed along side edges thereof adapted to mate in locking contact with corresponding teeth members projecting into an aperture in a head-end portion connected to said strap body, the method utilizing an automatic bundling strap tensioning apparatus characterized by a reversible motor means connected to a reciprocating means for gripping moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, comprised of the steps of:looping said bundling strap about the open neck of said flexible container;inserting the tail end of the strap through the aperture defined by the head-end portion of the strap;pulling said tail-end of said strap completely through said aperture until at least the first set of serrations of the strap body are engaged by said teeth members projecting upwardly into the interior of the aperture, th

Abstract: A portable and collapsible golf club carrier and support device, capable of being stored in a conventional golf bag, for the retainment and transport of one or more golf clubs comprising a pair of downwardly extending, planar leg supports that are pivotally engaged with each other along the top portions thereof, preferably with a pin and hinge arrangement. The bottom portion of each leg support is contoured to accommodate the ground surface. The leg supports are movable between a collapsed position, wherein they are adjacent to each other, and a deployed position, wherein they are in a triangular relationship with a ground surface when resting thereon. The device also includes a handle that is pivotally and operatively engaged along the width of the leg supports, and adapted in size and shape to butt against the top portion of each leg support to allow the device to assume a predetermined triangular relationship with the ground surface.

Abstract: A one-piece tamper-proof bundling strap comprised of a head-end portion defining an aperture therethrough, the head-end portion being integrally connected to an elongated narrow body portion, the aperture in the head-end portion corresponding generally to the cross-sectional configuration of the body portion. The head-end portion and the body portion have a locking means integrally associated therewith for preventing reverse movement of the body portion relative to the head-end portion when the body portion is looped upon itself and disposed within the aperture of the head-end portion. The locking means is comprised of a plurality of serrations oriented along a portion of the length of the body portion and a plurality of projecting teeth members disposed within said through-aperture adapted to lock against the serrations when the body portion is looped upon itself and drawn through the aperture in the head-end portion.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for tensioning a bundling strap about an item to be bundled having a motor and a rotatable output shaft coupleable to one end of an elongated external screw threaded shaft supported for rotation at its opposite end by an end cap. A guide block is adapted for linear reciprocal movement along the shaft between the hand-held unit and the end cap and has threads corresponding to screw threads on the shaft, the guide block having connected thereto means for gripping the bundling strap. A reversible power means energizes the hand-held unit and reverses or halts the direction of rotation of the output shaft upon exertion of a predetermined force upon the guide block.

Abstract: A bundling strap of the type having an apertured head portion with an embedded resilient tongue, to receive and secure a strap therein, an end of the strap being attached to the head portion, and a security cap comprising a four-sided housing surrounding the head portion, and having body segments which when moved relative to each other will fracture apart so as to expose tampering.