Abstract: A telephone system having a telephone network line for connection to an external phone line. The telephone system also includes a computer system and a telephone coupled to the telephone network line, and the telephone is taken off-hook to enter a voice command. A transmitter communicates the voice command from the telephone to the computer system without the telephone seizing the external phone line. A computer interface unit is connected to the computer system to receive the voice transmitted from the telephone and to transmit voice signals transmitted by the computer system to the telephone. A phone interface unit is connected between the telephone and telephone network line, and the phone interface unit is selectable between a first mode and a second mode. The phone interface unit connects the telephone to the telephone network line if it is in the first mode, and isolates the telephone from the telephone network line if it is in the second mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide communication in a telephone system connected to an external phone line, wherein the telephone system has a telephone line, a telephone, a phone interface unit coupled to the telephone and the telephone line, a computer system, and a computer interface unit coupled to the computer system and the telephone line. A bias voltage on the telephone line is detected to determine if the telephone is on-hook or off-hook, a ringing voltage on the telephone line is detected to determine if an external call is incoming, and a first carrier transmitted by the phone interface unit is detected. A second carrier is transmitted using the computer interface unit under control of the computer system. Detection of the bias voltage, ringing voltage, and/or first carrier is communicated to the computer system. An off-hook condition is indicated if the line bias voltage is less than an off-hook bias threshold voltage.

Abstract: A method for use by a teacher (38) to illustrate the location of a star (41) or other celestial object which consists of a rod (12) which is illuminated with a red light (14) at its far end. The rod is placed on the shoulder of a student (40) and pointed by the teacher at the object. The student, by sighting down the rod, will be able to observe the object the teacher is referring to without having any knowledge of astronomical coordinate systems or using star charts.

Abstract: A data line comprising a stationary disk (34) and an opposed rotating disk (36) couples data from a stationary data source (30) to a rotating data module (12) to which the rotating disk (36) is fixed. The rotating disk (36) includes an insulating substrate (38) on which concentric arcuate strips (40) are formed in registration with corresponding strips on the stationary disk (36). The link transmits data from one disc (34) to the other (36) by capacitive coupling between corresponding strips to the two discs. The several pairs of corresponding strips are in separate parallel data channels, and crosstalk between the channels is prevented by intermediate ground strips (42) disposed between the data-carrying strips (40).

Abstract: A circuit is described for substantially reducing the level of radiation from another circuit such as a clock circuit that might be used in a computing device. By maintaining the current drawn by the clock driver from the power supply at a constant level, the amount of radiation is lowered. If all currents drawn can be controlled so as not to change as the clocking occurs, then radiation from the clock is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: An interface device that serves to connect a local RF signal and a broadcast signal to a television receiver as alternate inputs to the receiver.

Abstract: An electronic game wherein simulated players, a simulated object, a simulated playing field, and so forth, are produced electronically on the image screen of a television receiver by an electronic master controller, the players being caused to move about in both the .+-. x direction and the .+-. y direction by the electronic master controller under the control of human operators. Movement of the simulated object, spatial coincidence of the players and the object, and so forth, are all sensed and predetermined actions are taken on the image screen by virtue of signals from the electronic master controller to the television receiver.

Abstract: An electronic game wherein an electronic controller, connected to introduce RF signals through the antenna circuit of a television receiver, introduces to the receiver electric signals that produce on the screen thereof the simulation of at least part of a playing area and the simulation of active parts or components of a game.