Abstract: A combination model train sensor and signal includes a train proximity sensor, a signal such as red yellow and green signal lights, semaphores, wig-wag signals and the like together with a controller connected to the proximity sensor and the signal and the controller activates the signal appropriately when the proximity sensor indicates the absence of a train, and when the train proximity sensor indicates the presence of a train. A light source, preferably an infrared light source, and a light detector, preferably an infrared light detector, are arranged to reflect and detect from a passing train to indicate its presence. An output connected to the train proximity sensor for producing an output signal when the sensor indicates the presence of a train, which output can be used for controlling a remote signal. An input, responsive to a signal received from a remote sensor, controls the signal and synchronizes two signals.

Abstract: A diagnostic capsule has a sensor system, a transmitter, and a controller. The controller is configured to detect one or more target conditions external to the diagnostic capsule based on target data from the sensor system and enable the transmitter to transmit diagnostic data, wherein the diagnostic data is collected by the sensor system while the one or more target conditions are present. A diagnostic system utilizing the diagnostic capsule is also disclosed. A method of managing power consumption in a diagnostic capsule is also disclosed. A target sensor is enabled. The target sensor is checked for a target condition. At least one diagnostic capsule subsystem is enabled if the target condition is present. The target sensor is further checked for the target condition. The at least one diagnostic capsule subsystem is disabled if the target condition is not present.

Abstract: A tunable light filter has a transparent plate, a first mirror surface coupled to the transparent plate, and a base spaced from the transparent plate and defining a flexible base region. The flexible base region has at least one cell and a membrane coupled over the at least one cell. The flexible base region also has a second mirror surface coupled to the membrane. The tunable light filter also has an actuator which can move the second mirror surface relative to the first mirror surface. Methods of manufacturing a tunable light filter are also discussed.

Abstract: A switch machine for a model railroad layout includes a unidirectional motor, a switch actuator coupled to the motor and movable between two switch positions by rotation of the motor, a sensor coupled to the switch actuator for sensing the position of the switch actuator, and a controller connected to the motor and the sensor and having a power input and at least a single wire control input, the controller responsive to a first control signal to activate the motor to move the switch actuator from a first position to a second position at a slow speed simulating an actual railroad switch, and responsive to a second control signal to move the switch actuator from a first position to a second position at a fast speed to avoid a derailment.

Abstract: A combination model train sensor and signal includes a train proximity sensor, a signal such as red yellow and green signal lights, semaphores, wig-wag signals and the like together with a controller connected to the proximity sensor and the signal and the controller activates the signal appropriately when the proximity sensor indicates the absence of a train, and when the train proximity sensor indicates the presence of a train. A light source, preferably an infrared light source, and a light detector, preferably an infrared light detector, are arranged to reflect and detect from a passing train to indicate its presence. An output connected to the train proximity sensor for producing an output signal when the sensor indicates the presence of a train, which output can be used for controlling a remote signal. An input, responsive to a signal received from a remote sensor, controls the signal and synchronizes two signals.

Abstract: A replenisher is used in a system to replenish a fuel cell. The replenisher has a casing that extends around an interior space. The casing has a partition that defines an infeed chamber and an outfeed chamber within the interior space. The partition has an access channel that extends between the infeed and outfeed chambers. The chambers each have a port. The replenisher has a biaser disposed within the casing. The biaser pressurizes the infeed chamber positively and the outfeed chamber negatively.

Abstract: A combination model train sensor and signal includes a train proximity sensor, a signal such as red yellow and green signal lights, semaphores, wig-wag signals and the like together with a controller connected to the proximity sensor and the signal and the controller activates the signal appropriately when the proximity sensor indicates the absence of a train, and when the train proximity sensor indicates the presence of a train. A light source, preferably an infrared light source, and a light detector, preferably an infrared light detector, are arranged to reflect and detect from a passing train to indicate its presence. An output connected to the train proximity sensor for producing an output signal when the sensor indicates the presence of a train, which output can be used for controlling a remote signal. An input, responsive to a signal received from a remote sensor, controls the signal and synchronizes two signals.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display unit for a camera has a liquid crystal display panel and a back light source panel arranged along a back side of the liquid crystal display panel to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel. The back light source panel has a panel portion that extends farther than the back side of the liquid crystal display panel to be located beyond the back side in order to provide illumination other than to the back side when the back light source panel illuminates the liquid crystal display panel. A transparent protective cover panel covers a front side of the liquid crystal display panel to view the liquid crystal panel through the protective cover panel and has a panel portion that extends farther than the front side of the liquid crystal display panel to cover the panel portion of the back light source panel in order to permit illumination from the panel portion of the back light source panel to shine through the panel portion of the protective cover panel.

Abstract: A camera has a main module and a lens movement control. The lens movement control has opposed front and rear grip surfaces that are disposed adjacent respective front and rear faces of the main module. The grip surfaces are pivotable relative to the main module from a neutral position to opposed first and second pivoted positions. A lens system is joined to the main module. The lens system has a driver and a movable lens element connected to the driver. The driver extends and retracts the movable lens element, relative to the main module, during the pivoting of the lens movement control to the first and second pivoted positions, respectively.

Abstract: A model railroad crossing gate includes a base, a crossing gate mounted on the base for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring coupled to the crossing gate biasing the gate to the raised position, a string attached to the crossing gate and the base for pulling the gate against the spring, and a tensioner engaging the string for pulling the gate from the raised position to the lowered position. A controller is coupled to the tensioner for controlling the position of the gate. The controller is preferably is also coupled to a limit sensor and a motor for operating the motor to move the gate from the raised position to the lowered position or vice versa and then stop the motor.

Abstract: A combination model train sensor and block signal includes a train proximity sensor, a red signal light, a green signal light, and a controller connected to the proximity sensor and the red and green signal lights and the controller turns on the green signal light and turns off the red signal light when the proximity sensor indicates the absence of a train, and turns on the red signal light and turning off the green signal light when the train proximity sensor indicates the presence of a train. A light source, preferably an infrared light source, and a light detector, preferably an infrared light detector, are arranged to reflect and detect from a passing train to indicate its presence. An output connected to the train proximity sensor for producing an output signal when the sensor indicates the presence of a train, which output can be used for controlling a remote block signal.

Abstract: A model railroad crossing gate includes a base, a crossing gate mounted on the base for movement between a raised position and a lowered position, a spring coupled to the crossing gate biasing the gate to the raised position, a string attached to the crossing gate and the base for pulling the gate against the spring, and a tensioner engaging the string for pulling the gate from the raised position to the lowered position. A controller is coupled to the tensioner for controlling the position of the gate. The controller is preferably is also coupled to a limit sensor and a motor for operating the motor to move the gate from the raised position to the lowered position or vice versa and then stop the motor.

Abstract: A camera has a main module and a lens movement control. The lens movement control has opposed front and rear grip surfaces that are disposed adjacent respective front and rear faces of the main module. The grip surfaces are pivotable relative to the main module from a neutral position to opposed first and second pivoted positions. A lens system is joined to the main module. The lens system has a driver and a movable lens element connected to the driver. The driver extends and retracts the movable lens element, relative to the main module, during the pivoting of the lens movement control to the first and second pivoted positions, respectively.

Abstract: An EL backlight device drive circuit useful with a camera LCD display. The backlight device is connected to the flash storage capacitor of the camera flash circuit for its energy source. Pulsing of the DC voltage from the storage capacitor is accomplished by a switching transistor coupled across the EL backlight device driven from a fixed duty cycle pulse source via an AC coupled pulse differentiating circuit. The AC coupled circuit reduces the On time duty cycle of the transistor relative to the pulse train duty thereby increasing the ON time duty cycle of the EL backlight device to increase its light output operating efficiency. With increased operating efficiency, a higher value coupling resistor is inserted between the EL backlight device and flash storage capacitor to thereby limit the AC current through the EL backlight device to a predetermined safety operating level.

Abstract: A camera includes a rotatable film winder that coaxially engages a film spool to rotate the film spool in order to wind a filmstrip onto the film spool and that is retractable from the film spool to facilitate film loading into the camera, is characterized in that a flexible cord is connected to the film winder to be pulled to retract the film winder. Preferably, a chamber is provided for the film spool, a film door is closed to cover the chamber and is opened to uncover the chamber, and a latch member is movable into engagement with the film door to secure the film door closed and out of engagement with the film door to permit the film door to be opened and is connected with the flexible cord to pull the flexible cord to retract the film winder when the latch member is moved out of engagement with the film door.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge loading chamber for receiving a film cartridge with a rotatable film spool having an exposed spool end, a rotatable support spindle which projects into the chamber to coaxially engage the spool end when the film cartridge is in the chamber, a door which pivots open to open the chamber and pivots closed to close the chamber, and a multi-function spring which urges the film cartridge to coaxially engage the spool end with the support spindle and urges the door to pivot open. The multi-function spring is a single springy piece which has a cartridge-positioning springy portion that is permanently positioned inside the chamber to urge the film cartridge to coaxially engage the spool end with the support spindle, regardless whether the door is closed, and has a door-opening spring portion that is permanently positioned outside the chamber to press against the door when the door is closed, regardless whether the film cartridge is in the chamber.

Abstract: An exposure count indicator comprises a scale of successive exposure count indicia for visually indicating which film frame is positioned for exposure in a camera, and a confirmation indicator separate from the exposure count indicia for providing a visual confirmation indication that a first available frame is positioned for exposure in the camera. The confirmation indicator includes a light-transmitting indicator arranged on a single-color background and a separate two-color changeover including a smaller portion that has a color indistinguishable from the color of the background, and which when superimposed to the light-transmitting indicator renders the light-transmitting indicator substantially indistinguishable from the background, and a larger portion that has a color distinguishable from the color of the background, and which when superimposed to the light-transmitting indicator renders the light-transmitting indicator distinguishable from the background.

Abstract: An exposure count indicator includes a flexible split ring having a series of exposure count indicia provided along the split ring, and a mask that covers the split ring to prevent the exposure count indicia from being seen. When the split ring is rotated relative to the mask, the split ring is advanced through a ring egress opening in the mask to progressively relocate the split ring from being beneath one side of the mask to being above another side of the mask to allow the exposure count indicia to be progressively seen. Thus, the split ring becomes increasingly present at one side of the mask and decreasingly present at the other side of the mask as the exposure count indicia can be increasingly seen.

Abstract: An exposure count indicator has a scale of successive exposure count indicia for visually indicating which film frame is positioned for exposure in a camera, and a confirmation indicator separate from the exposure count indicia for providing a visual confirmation indication that a first available frame is positioned for exposure in the camera. A pointer is supported to move from pointing to a pre-initialization one of the exposure count indicia for visually indicating that the first available frame has not been positioned for exposure in the camera to pointing to a successive one of the exposure count indicia for visually indicating that the first available frame is positioned for exposure.

Abstract: A camera comprising a cartridge receiving chamber for a film cartridge with a filmstrip having a protruding film leader, a film door that opens and closes to uncover and re-cover the chamber, a backframe opening for exposing successive sections of the filmstrip, a film platen positioned over the backframe opening to support each section of the filmstrip at the backframe opening, and a film support positioned within the backframe opening to prevent the film leader from becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the film cartridge is placed in the chamber, is characterized in that the film platen is movable to at least partially uncover the backfrane opening in order to provide a film entry zone for the film leader into the backframe opening when the film door is opened, and the film support is coupled with the film platen for movement to the film entry zone to be positioned to prevent the film leader from becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the film platen is moved to partially uncover the backfra