Abstract: A golf green measuring device according to the present invention includes a plurality of spaced apart rails attached to an enclosed structure. The structure includes a control unit including a microcontroller, circuitry, a battery, a display and a level indicator. The rails include infrared emitters and detectors that sense a golf ball traveling through the enclosed structure. The microcontroller measures the elapsed time the golf ball travels between a pair of detectors disposed at the rail front end and the elapsed time the golf ball travels between another pair of detectors disposed at the rail rear end. The change in velocity or deceleration of the golf ball is determined based on the measured time intervals and converted into a speed value. The computed speed value is displayed on a device display. The device may include an optional printer to provide a hardcopy of the measurement.

Abstract: A computerized lottery or wagering system includes a game generator and a plurality of vendor stations that permit players to select game parameters. The game is graphically portrayed in animation as one or more races (horse race, dog race, car race, motorcycle race, etc.). The game may entail win, place, show, quinella, exacta/perfecta, trifecta, or series bets. At a predetermined time for each game, selection of game parameters for that game is ended and a winning sequence of numbers is randomly generated. The game generator selects and seamlessly composes a plurality of video segments into an animated video sequence of the race(s) corresponding to the winning sequence of numbers, for broadcast via RF transmission, microwave transmission, fiber optic cabling or closed circuit television lines. The video segments are rendered directly to a compressed digital format to maintain the video image in the highest quality possible.

Abstract: A computerized lottery (or wagering) system that permits players to select game parameters from remote locations, transfers the selected parameters to a game generator and broadcasts the lottery game on television for public viewing. The broadcasted game may be a race and the game parameters are numbers associated with the participants in the race. Examples of the games contemplated include horse races, dog races, car races and motorcycle races. At a predefined time of day, selection of the game parameters is ended and the game is then broadcast on television so that the players can watch the game and root for their selections. In addition, the system of the present invention determines which players are eligible for a grand prize pool and after the broadcast of the game announces the grand prize winner.

Abstract: A modular connector for modular data communication comprises a socket member located in a module. The module has a base for supporting the socket member. A connecting member for connecting thereto a connecting block is oriented on the base at an acute angle relative to the orientation of the base and socket member therein. In the preferred embodiment, a first face of the modular connector has a socket opening for plugging therein a modular plug. A second face of the modular connector, opposite the first face, has a row of posts with a longitudinal axis which is aligned substantially diagonally across the face. Such an arrangement permits two independent modular connectors to be placed side-by-side within a standard electrical box.

Abstract: A monitor system for ensuring that passengers have exited a vehicle such as a school bus is activated when the ignition of the vehicle is shut off. A buzzer sounds in response to ignition shut off, alerting the driver to disable the alarm system. If he does not do so within a predetermined period of time an alarm is actuated. A switch for disabling the alarm system is located at the rear of the bus to require the driver to walk to the rear of the bus to disable the alarm. This, in turn, requires the driver to observe whether or not any children remain in the bus.