Abstract: A beverage container (10) is disclosed having an outer housing (11), a discharge nozzle (12), one or more beverage chamber (18) and a plunger means that may be a base cup (14) with shaft members (50). Preferably there are two or three beverage chambers. The beverage container (10) may include a mixing nozzle (75). The device may include positioning for a travel position, initial discharge position and fully discharged position. The beverage chambers (18) may be separately filled and held in position by a sleeve (62) frangible seals and a safety cap may be included. The invention extends to a method of providing a beverage, preferably an alcoholic beverage to a consumer.

Abstract: A computer game controller system and method has a pulse position modulated (PPM) input device for encoding status information in a pulse position control signal and a bimodal interface having a first and second interface circuits, each for coupling an input device to a computer game program. The first interface circuit is a pulse position signal decoder for decoding a pulse position control signal. The second interface circuit is a capacitor charge decoding circuit for decoding a variable resistance input compatible with the IBM game port standard. When the bimodal interface is coupled to a PPM input device, the received pulse position control signal is decoded with improved accuracy and speed using the first interface (the PPM decoder). However, when the bimodal interface is coupled to a conventional input device which generates a variable resistance input conforming to the IBM game port standard, the second interface (the capacitor charging network) is used to decode the control signal.

Abstract: An x- and y-axis translating apparatus independently translates the motion of a primary shaft in the x- and y-axis directions simultaneously to transducers which generate electrical signals representative of the motion of the primary shaft in the x- and y-axis directions. The apparatus may include button-activated switches for convenient activation with the thumb or forefinger, or other fingers.

Abstract: A combination mouse/trackball input device for an electronic computer functions as either a mouse or a trackball, depending on which of two operating modes the user selects. The user selects the desired mode by moving a selector handle to one of two positions, which causes a tracking ball to be raised to trackball mode or lowered to mouse mode. In mouse mode, the tracking ball makes contact with the mouse pad or other flat surface on which the device rests so that the ball rotates when the device is moved. This mode is suitable for general purpose use. In trackball mode, the tracking ball is elevated so that it does not make contact with the mouse pad, but it projects through an aperture in the top face of the enclosure. In this mode, which is preferred for applications requiring fine control over the cursor position, the user rotates the ball directly with his or her fingers. The device permits easy switching between the two modes with minimal interruption of the user's work.