Abstract: A system for contacting customers of a pharmacy automatically to remind them that their prescriptions need to be refilled does so using a computer, memory, and automatic telephone dialing and voice synthesizing equipment. Information concerning each customer and his or her prescription is placed in a database in the memory. A schedule file which lists customer name, phone number, the drug prescribed and refill due date is created from this information. The schedule file is kept in chronological order by refill due date. At selected times, customers whose prescriptions are due to be refilled within selected time periods are automatically contacted by the computer using the automatic telephone dialer. When the telephone is answered, the voice synthesizer identifies the customer by name, the prescribed drug and prescription number. The voice synthesizer then reminds the customer that the prescription is due to be refilled if the medication was taken as prescribed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing an increased flexibility and rate in processing data in a random access memory (RAM) system. The apparatus comprises, in a first embodiment, a switching circuit which is coupled to the word lines of the RAM array and which is selectively operable in two modes. The switching circuit operates in a first mode to transmit word line signals to a single row of memory cells in the RAM array in accordance with principles well known in the prior art. The switching circuit is responsive to a control circuit, and operates in a second mode to alter, along the row of memory cells in the RAM array, the word line signal path, to provide simultaneous accessing of portions of at least two adjacent rows of memory cells in the RAM array. Such simultaneous accessing allows the processing of more data through the memory system that was previously possible in accordance with principles known in the prior art.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for inhibiting the unauthorized copying of ROM-resident computer software or the like, for example, the audio-visual display of an electronic video game. A protection circuit including encryption/decryption means is coupled between the microprocessor and the ROM-memory and is operable in a first mode to properly encrypt/decrypt the program information according to a first algorithm and in a second mode to prevent proper encryption/decryption. The address-data buses are monitored by the protection circuit to detect an invalid program event, such as may occur when a microprocessor emulator is used to attempt an unauthorized copying or "dumping" of the program information. Upon detection of the invalid program event or "trap condition", the protection circuit switches to its second operating mode thereby to prevent copying of the decrypted program information.