Abstract: The electronically controllable system of the invention for viewing on a television, updateable television programming information comprises a microcontroller which is partially controllable by remote control system and is updateable via telephone link, magnetic cards or floppy disks, or television or radio subcarrier, the microcontroller including input/output interfaces, a microprocessor and a RAM; a mixer for mixing a regularly received television signal with the signal generated by the microcontroller; an RF converter for receiving the radio frequency information from the mixer, microcontroller, and television antennae and properly converting the information into information which may be sent to the television; and a remote control system for permitting the viewer to direct the microcontroller to perform searches on information contained in the RAM so as to provide on the television screen in a chosen format, subsets of information desired by the viewer.

Abstract: A postage stamp booklet dispenser mechanism uses a multi-position gate cam, which rotates about a central axis and controls the opening and closing of opposed pairs of gate members through which the stamp booklets are dispensed. The operative followers of each pair of gates alternately move between dwell and rest positions to thereby provide corresponding open and closed modes of operation, resulting in the selective dispensing of single booklets from a criss-cross stack. By disposing one pair of gate members in a position slightly offset from the gate cam's central axis, one of the gate members of that pair receives a slight preferential opening position to insure that the booklet dispensed when that pair of gates is opened, falls in the proper orientation onto the chute of the dispenser mechanism. Between each dispensing cycle, all four gates return to their rest positions to prevent inadvertent dispensing and "jackpotting" of the entire stored group of booklets.

Abstract: A receiving cradle for the pre-packaging of items (e.g., stamp booklets) to be oriented in and then dispensed from a criss-cross stack. Initially, pairs of rubber bands are placed on the fixture in a preferred sequence, followed by the loading of alternately stacked booklets forming the criss-cross stack to ultimately be placed into the booklet dispenser equipment. When the prearranged criss-cross stack has been set into place, the operator sequentially draws the rubber bands from their pre-set positions over the opposed corners of the criss-cross stack. The result is an integral stack, rubber banded together, forming a criss-cross booklet package in preassembled form, ready for prompt loading into a dispenser mechanism.

Abstract: An electroluminescent light fixture is provided which is designed for use in military aircraft which is especially arranged for night viewing compatibility either by the naked eye or with the night vision goggles of an aircraft pilot. The fixture generally comprises a frame which prevents an observer from directly viewing the source of light, an electroluminescent strip adjacent the outer portion of the frame, and a lens of a modified torus shape which is adjacent the EL strip and which pipes the light of the EL strip towards the face of the instrument. The lens is configured with a light-emitting face which is optimally angled from the normal to the instrument dial surface such that maximal uniformity of illumination is provided. Two light-emitting faces angled at different angles may be provided to highlight dial pointers. The lens is also preferably pigmented so as to eliminate undesired reflections and glare.