Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having one or more engines and a transmission associated with each engine is disclosed. The control system includes one or more control stations, each having a control arm and arm position means coupled to the control arm for providing an electrical signal that represents a position of the control arm within its operating range. The system includes one or more electronic control units, each of which is electro-mechanically coupled to an engine and a transmission. A first electronic control unit (ECU) includes input means for receiving the electrical signal, control means for controlling a throttle of a first engine and shift position of a first transmission based on the electrical signal, and output means for providing a control signal that represents a current position of the control arm to a second ECU.

Abstract: A network telephone system includes a distributed network with a connected network call processor with access to a memory or data storage to form a central database. A plurality of network telephones are connected to the network that have user specific records provided at the central database. The telephones have a display for displaying the information stored in the central database. The telephones have at least one key for assisting in access to the data displayed on the display or for selecting data, changing the display and/or actuating a telephone function based on the status of the display.

Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having one or more engines and a transmission associated with each engine is disclosed. The control system includes one or more control stations, each having a control arm and arm position means coupled to the control arm for providing an electrical signal that represents a position of the control arm within its operating range. The system includes one or more electronic control units, each of which is electro-mechanically coupled to an engine and a transmission. A first electronic control unit (ECU) includes input means for receiving the electrical signal, control means for controlling a throttle of a first engine and shift position of a first transmission based on the electrical signal, and output means for providing a control signal that represents a current position of the control arm to a second ECU.

Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having one or more engines and a transmission associated with each engine is disclosed. The control system includes one or more control stations, each having a control arm and arm position means coupled to the control arm for providing an electrical signal that represents a position of the control arm within its operating range. The system includes one or more electronic control units, each of which is electro-mechanically coupled to an engine and a transmission. A first electronic control unit (ECU) includes input means for receiving the electrical signal, control means for controlling a throttle of a first engine and shift position of a first transmission based on the electrical signal, and output means for providing a control signal that represents a current position of the control arm to a second ECU.

Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having one or more engines and a transmission associated with each engine is disclosed. The control system includes one or more control stations, each having a control arm and arm position means coupled to the control arm for providing an electrical signal that represents a position of the control arm within its operating range. The system includes one or more electronic control units, each of which is electro-mechanically coupled to an engine and a transmission. A first electronic control unit (ECU) includes input means for receiving the electrical signal, control means for controlling a throttle of a first engine and shift position of a first transmission based on the electrical signal, and output means for providing a control signal that represents a current position of the control arm to a second ECU.

Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having one or more engines and a transmission associated with each engine includes one or more control stations, each having a control arm. The system includes one or more electronic control units, each of which is electro-mechanically coupled to an engine and a transmission. A first electronic control unit (ECU) controls a throttle of a first engine and a shift position of a first transmission based on the electrical signal. The second ECU is coupled to the first ECU via the communications link, and controls the throttle of a second engine and the shift position of a second transmission based on a control signal from the first ECU.

Abstract: Data communications apparatus and methods employing a bidirectional low bandwidth channel and a unidirectional high bandwidth channel. A PC is coupled to an information source by a communications system which provides both a bidirectional low bandwidth channel between the PC and the information source and a high bandwidth channel in which the information source is the source and the PC is the sink. A component of the communications system termed the director responds to a message received in the low bandwidth channel by switching the information being sent from the information source to the PC to the high or low bandwidth channel as specified in the message. The message may come either from the PC or the information source. A graphical user interface at the PC provides the user with "buttons" to specify the bandwidth. The apparatus and methods may be advantageously employed to provide telecommuting services.

Abstract: A multipoint, multiple function recorder which can record, display, and process up to 135 input/output data points, either analog or discrete, in various combinations. A strip chart recorder is provided for permanently recording input and output data points and, in conjunction with the chart recorder, a separate programmable dot matrix display is provided, such display being responsive to the same input/output data points and operable for displaying data in both alphanumeric and graphic form, the display being independently operable from said chart recorder, such that said input/output points are displayable at different times from the times when they are being printed on the chart recorder.

Abstract: An improvement is provided for printer such as the dot matrix or thermal type, in which the printhead is stepped across the paper over a multicolor ribbon supplied from a pivotally mounted cartridge and transported through a plane between the line of traverse of the printhead and the surface of the paper. The ribbon is guided by guiding surfaces positioned on each side of the printhead, close to the printhead, and mounted to move with the printhead across the paper so that the guide surfaces will guide the path the ribbon takes to one which passes between the printhead and the paper with the guide being moveable in steps in a direction normal to the traverse of the printhead and parallel to the plane of the ribbon so as to position a selected color band of the ribbon under the printhead to select the color to be printed as the printhead traverses the paper.

Abstract: A multipoint recorder with a slow effective chart speed is operated to provide good visibility for the most recent record. A number of consecutive values for each point are scanned and stored. These values are recorded by a high speed printing mechanism during a first period of the recording cycle after which the chart is advanced forward for the remaining period of the recording cycle to a point which makes that record easily visible. At the end of the recording cycle the chart is retracted to start the next printing period with the printing mechanism at a point which corresponds to that required make the record look like a continuous line and to provide the desired time scale along the chart. To accomplish this the cycle time is coordinated to the chart speed and the number of consecutive scans recorded during each recording cycle.