Abstract: A photocontrol controls the activation of lighting based on ambient light and the time of day using a radio-controlled timer. Radio signals from a particular source of correct time, such as the National Institute for Science and Technology's WWVB radio broadcast, carry encoded time information that can be decoded by the photocontrol to ascertain the current time on start up and periodically during operation. The correct date and time information is used to synchronize the photocontrol's internal clock so that it can turn the lighting load off or on at specific times of the day in accordance with the user's needs. Thus area, business signage, and security lighting, for example, can be turned off late at night and then back on early in the morning to reduce energy consumption by the lighting during those hours when the lighting is not needed.

Abstract: A connector system is disclosed. The connector system includes a single-pin plug that has at least two conductors electrically isolated from one another to provide two separate electrically conductive surfaces to facilitate simultaneously transmitting two different electrical signals through the pin at the same time. The connector system further includes a socket to receive the single-pin plug. The socket includes electrically isolated conductors to independently contact different conductive surfaces of the plug.

Abstract: A connector system is disclosed. The connector system includes a single-pin plug that has at least two conductors electrically isolated from one another to provide two separate electrically conductive surfaces to facilitate simultaneously transmitting two different electrical signals through the pin at the same time. The connector system further includes a socket to receive the single-pin plug. The socket includes electrically isolated conductors to independently contact different conductive surfaces of the plug.

Abstract: In general, the controller of the present invention senses the temperature of the electric blanket in which the controller is used, and controls the temperature accordingly. The temperature is sensed using both the PTC and NTC methods discussed below, and contained within the wire. The controller adjusts the power delivered to the electric blanket based on the temperature sensed as well as on a heat setting by the user of the blanket. Additionally or alternatively, the controller uses the sensed temperature information to guard against overheating, caused either by inadvertent consumer misuse or component failure.

Abstract: A wide input voltage range relay drive circuit allowing a more than 2:1 input voltage variation is provided. The circuit utilizes a scaled and rectified bulk voltage to drive the relay coil. As the monitored bulk voltage increases beyond the relay coil rated voltage, the circuit pulse width multiplexes this bulk voltage to protect the relay coil. The bulk voltage switching does not begin, however, until the relay energizes. To reduce the power dissipation during the PWM switching, of the relay coil, a power dissipating switch is included and held on during the PWM switching events. To further increase relay life, the circuit controls the energizing of the relay coil to actuate the contacts of the relay at or near a zero cross of the power switched thereby.

Abstract: Methods are provided for distributing a visual presentation. One described method includes storing show data and media referenced by the show data at a data center. The method also includes processing the show data and media to generate a set of visual presentation data files. The method further includes distributing each visual presentation data file to at least one digital playback device. Systems are also provided to implement the described methods.

Abstract: A digital playback device is disclosed for displaying at least a portion of a visual presentation. One described device includes a housing, a display device supported by the housing and a self-contained computer in communication with the display device. The computer is disposed within the housing and positioned relative to the display device to define a thermal airspace between the display device and the computer.

Abstract: An electronic display is disclosed for displaying a visual presentation. One described electronic display includes a plurality of digital playback devices. Each digital playback device includes a display device comprising a portion of a display area of the electronic display. Each digital playback device further includes a processor, persistent memory, video data representing a video presentation stored within the persistent memory, and control logic for controlling playback of the video presentation.

Abstract: For an electronic fish scale including a molded housing having upper and lower portions for supported hand grasping and a pair of opposed C-shaped jaws which open when a jaw actuator is manually moved upwardly to receive a lower lip of a fish securely held and unhurt between the jaws when closed for weighing the fish, a jaw tip cover for the lower distal end portion of each jaw half. The jaw tips or GRIP SOCKS are over-molded of resistant plastic material to enhance gripability of fish lips and to reduce harm to the fish when released.

Abstract: A silicon based system that filters infrared light by using a traditional photodiode or phototransistor to sense visible and infrared light. The system then provides for a second photodiode or phototransistor which senses only infrared. The signal provided by this second, infrared-only photodiode or phototransistor is then subtracted from the first photodiode or phototransistor. The resulting signal represents only the visible portion of the spectrum.

Abstract: Methods are provided for distributing a visual presentation. One described method includes storing show data and media referenced by the show data at a data center. The method also includes processing the show data and media to generate a set of visual presentation data files. The method further includes distributing each visual presentation data file to at least one digital playback device. Systems are also provided to implement the described methods.

Abstract: An electronic display is disclosed for displaying a visual presentation. One described electronic display includes a plurality of digital playback devices. Each digital playback device includes a display device comprising a portion of a display area of the electronic display. Each digital playback device further includes a processor, persistent memory, video data representing a video presentation stored within the persistent memory, and control logic for controlling playback of the video presentation.

Abstract: A digital playback device is disclosed for displaying at least a portion of a visual presentation. One described device includes a housing, a display device supported by the housing and a self-contained computer in communication with the display device. The computer is disposed within the housing and positioned relative to the display device to define a thermal airspace between the display device and the computer.

Abstract: An electrode wire feeder, including a housing defining a sealed compartment for containing a suitable lubricant, respective pairs of feed rolls rotatably mounted exteriorly of said housing, on rotatable shafts, one of the shafts of each pair of feed rolls being mounted in eccentric mounting member rotatably mounted in one wall of the housing for moving one of the feed rolls of each pair between operative and inoperative positions, pinion gears mounted on the inner ends of the feed roll shafts inside the lubricant compartment with the pinion gears of the movable shafts moving into and out of meshing relation with the other pinion gears, a motor driven gear in the compartment and meshing with the pinion gears for driving the feed rolls, and manually operable levers for rotating the eccentric mounting members to move the feed rolls between operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: An educational toy (10) having a dodecahedron shape is formed with a different visual display on each planar face (17-28). A position sensing mechanism (50) is oriented inside the toy (10) to inform a microprocessor (62) which one of the planar faces (17-28) is in the “up” position. As the toy (10) is turned or moved a signal is generated to “power on” and a musical tune is played. When one of the planar faces (17-28) is stopped in the “up” position, the position sensing mechanism (50) informs the microprocessor (62) and an aural response corresponding to the visual display is transmitted through a speaker (44). If the toy (10) is left alone for a specified period of time, a warning tune is transmitted. If the toy (10) is still not moved thereafter, the toy (10) will automatically “power off”.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correctively guiding an item on a desired path along a material is provided wherein a guide path matching a desired path for an item to be guided along a material and a plurality of templates containing images of the material are inputted into a computer. The item is guided along the material in a path following the inputted guide path, and a need for correction of the actual path of the item along the material is checked and, where necessary, correction is made at predetermined, inputted intervals. Self-correction of the path the item follows along material is accomplished by visual recognition of templates containing images of the material matching previously inputted templates.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.

Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.