Abstract: A sponsor purchases a prepaid card that can be transmitted to an intended user with increased security. Using a prepaid card dispenser, the sponsor elects an amount for the prepaid card and is prompted for at least one telephone number at which a server platform should contact the sponsor when the intended user wants to authenticate the card. The sponsor may enter additional phone numbers that will be called if the sponsor does not answer the first number when called by the server platform. When an intended user has received the prepaid card, the intended user calls a telephone number associated with the server platform and is connected to the sponsor via a telephone bridge so that the sponsor may authenticate the intended user. The sponsor may then inform the server platform (e.g., via DTMF tones) that the card has been authenticated.

Abstract: A weather station for determining and indicating weather data including a weather forecast, comprises a base, three LEDs in the base, and a microprocessor-based operating circuit in the base for operation and control, including determining weather data and operating the LEDs. There is a crystal indicator supported on the base for illumination by the LEDs to indicate a weather forecast determined by the operating circuit. The indicator includes three graphical weather images etched therein by laser for selective illumination by the LEDs to indicated respective “Sunny”, “Cloudy” or “Rainy” forecast forecasts of the weather.

Abstract: A time projection clock comprises an operating circuit including a clock circuit for time keeping and producing a time signal, and a projection unit incorporating a projection circuit for receiving the time signal from the clock circuit and, in response, projecting a corresponding time image onto an external surface, based on the time signal. The projection circuit comprises a super-bright LED for emitting a light beam, a driver for driving the super-bright LED, and an LCD panel located in front of the super-bright LED and intersected by the light beam to produce the time image.

Abstract: A weather station apparatus for measuring and indicating weather information, having a base station and a remote indicator. The base station includes a microprocessor (MCU) for evaluating weather information relating to an atmospheric parameter. At least one sensor is associated with the MCU for sensing the atmospheric parameter for subsequent processing by the MCU. An RF transmitter is included for transmitting a wireless signal representing the weather information evaluated by the MCU. The indicator includes an RF receiver for receiving the wireless signal from the transmitter, a control circuit for processing the wireless signal, and a color-changing light source controlled by the control unit to indicate the weather information represented by the wireless signal in a color that is dependent upon the value of the weather information.

Abstract: A lap counter for use by a swimmer, has a case, attachment means for attaching the case onto the swimmer, and a compass sensor housed in the case for providing an output signal which changes as between opposite directions along which the swimmer swims back and forth. There is also an operating circuit that includes a processor programmed to distinguish the change in the output signal of the compass sensor as between said opposite directions to thereby identify a reversal in direction of the swimmer and then to count the number of laps each based on two successive reversals in direction. The processor may also be programmed to distinguish the change in the compass sensor output signal to detect a rise above an upper threshold and a subsequent fall below a lower threshold, or vice versa, to thereby identify a wave in the output signal representing a swimming stroke of the swimmer and count the strokes.

Abstract: Exercise data apparatus for use on the body of a user during exercise, comprises an electrocardiogram detector for detecting electrocardiogram data of said user during exercise; attachment means for attaching the electrocardiogram detector onto the chest of said user; a motion detector for detecting body motion data indicative of steps of said user during exercise; a processor for calculating exercise data based on the electrocardiogram data detected by the electrocardiogram detector and the body motion data detected by the motion detector, the exercise data comprising at least one of heart rate, speed and distance and calorie consumption of said user; and an output device for informing said user of the calculated exercise data.

Abstract: A main frame of a camera body has a CMOS image sensor and an eyepiece of an optical finder, and the lens unit popped up from the camera body has a taking lens and an objective lens of the optical finder. Light shielding walls are formed on the main frame, and light shielding walls are formed on the lens unit. When the lens unit is popped up, the light shielding walls and the light shielding walls slightly overlap each other, thus preventing a light from the optical finder from entering the CMOS image sensor. Thus, the digital camera has a lens unit popped up from a camera body and prevents unnecessary lights other than a subject light from entering an image pickup device.

Abstract: A shock-activated switch device comprises a piezoelectric buzzer having a body for receiving a mechanical shock and a terminal for outputting an electrical output signal when the body receives a mechanical shock, and an output circuit connected to the terminal for converting the output signal into a logic signal for controlling an electronic circuit to execute a specific programmable function, such as alarm snooze.

Abstract: A vibrational alarm device for use in combination with an alarm clock, includes a receiver for receiving a RF alarm signal transmitted by the alarm clock, an operating circuit for providing an operating signal in response to the receiver receiving the alarm signal, and an electro-mechanical vibrator for vibration in response to the operating signal provided by the operating circuit. A casing houses the receiver, the operating circuit, and the vibrator for vibration by the vibrator to provide a vibrational alarm signal.

Abstract: A portable blood pressure measuring device comprises a casing, a pressure sensor sensing oscillations in pressure from a cuff attached to a user, and a microprocessor for determining blood pressure based on the oscillations in pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. A signal converter provided in the casing converts data from the pressure sensor into data for the microprocessor. A voice processor provided in the casing receives data from the microprocessor and generates a voice signal indicative of the blood pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.