Abstract: A multiple room portable camera system having a plurality of rooms, a camera unit, a switching unit, and a video printer. Each of the plurality of rooms has a monitor, a signal connector, and a control connector. The camera unit has a signal connector and a control connector for connecting to the signal connectors and control connectors in the plurality of rooms. The switching unit connects to each of the monitors, signal connectors, and control connectors of each of the rooms. Based on the connection of the control connector of the camera into the control connector of a particular room, the switching unit will route the camera signals from the camera, through the video printer, and return those signals only to the monitor of the room containing the camera.

Abstract: A home automation system comprises a number of sub-systems for controlling various aspects of a house, such as a security sub-system, an HVAC sub-system, a lighting control sub-system, and an entertainment sub-system. The network comprises a host computer connected through a host interface to a plurality of nodes. The network is in a free form topology and employ asynchronous communication. The host computer polls each node on the network to determine system configuration and to perform a diagnostic check on the system. The messages that are transmitted between the nodes are comprised of a source address, a destination address that uniquely identifies the location of each piece of hardware on the system, a message type field, and a data length segment. Each hardware device has a mirror image software object in the host computer to which messages are directed. The user interfaces for the various sub-systems share a common interfacing method whereby use of the system is greatly simplified.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AC power module for controlling the level of power to multiple electrical devices such as lights and household appliances according to control signals supplied from a processor unit. The apparatus utilizes low voltage control signals which are synchronous with the standard AC power supply to control several solid state relay which in turn regulate the AC power supplied to the devices. Each relay is optically isolated from the module. The module incorporates additional terminals through which back-up switching or control of additional relays (with different power ratings) may be provided.The module may be constructed on a single printed circuit board (PCB) to facilitate installation and removal. According to this embodiment, the PCB has pins which matably attach to a corresponding number of L-shaped tabs provided on a standard electrical box.

Abstract: A surveillance system having a monitor, a camera connected to the monitor by a camera cable, an event recorder connected to the monitor by a recorder cable, and an activation unit connected to the camera by an activation unit cable. The monitor receives power through a power cable. A power supply in the monitor supplies power to the camera and the activation unit receives power from the camera. The power supply of the monitor also provides power to the event recorder. The monitor displays video and audio signals from the camera. When the activation unit detects a condition for which the surveillance system is to record, the activation unit sends an activation signal through the activation unit cable, camera, and camera cable to the monitor. A processor in the monitor sends a command to the event recorder over the recorder cable to record the video and audio signals generated by the camera, which are also sent to the event recorder over the recorder cable.

Abstract: A cooling system for dispensing beverages is provided having a tubular tub open at the top and bottom and adapted to receive a cold plate. The cold plate has cooling coils cast within it and is easily disassembled from the tub. The tub has a ledge near the bottom. The ledge features a groove for holding a gasket, and a channel for receiving threaded lugs. The cooling plate has bolt holes which correspond to the lugs. Bolts are inserted through the cooling plate and into the lugs. Tightening the bolts creates a watertight seal between the plate and the tub. The present cooling system is thus readily disassembled for ease of repair.

Abstract: An improved cold plate (10) is disclosed for use in cooling carbonated water and syrup which is mixed to form a beverage. The cooling coil (10) employs a plurality of involute carbonated water cooling coils (12-16) formed of tubing through which is flowed the carbonated water. The use of involute coils provides a more uniform thermal gradient within the cold plate (10) and resists bridging of the cooling medium, typically ice. The syrup cooling coils (18-28) can be constructed in either a serpentine or involute configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for attaching a heat sink mounted semiconductor case to a circuit board employing a stud with a flange near one end. The longer shank is threaded and at least the shorter shank or head stud is tin-plated. The stud may be swaged into a mounting hole in the heat sink and the heat sink and semiconductor case pre-assembled. The pre-assembled unit may then be mounted and soldered to the circuit board along with other circuit components.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for attaching a heat sink mounted semiconductor case to a circuit board employing a stud with a flange near one end. The longer shank is threaded and at least the shorter shank or head stud is tin-plated. The stud may be swaged into a mounting hole in the heat sink and the heat sink and semiconductor case pre-assembled. The pre-assembled unit may then be mounted and soldered to the circuit board along with other circuit components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary heat sink apparatus in the form of a U-shaped body of thermally conductive material adapted for use in connection with semiconductor device packages having a thermally conductive transfer plate adjacent one major face of the device package. Typical of such device packages is the TO-220 plastic power package. One leg of the U-shaped clip urges the thermal transfer plate into intimate contact with a flat portion of the opposite leg by the spring action provided by the base of the U. An aperture in the base of the U allows the leads to extend from the heat sink. Fins are included on one leg of the heat sink and means for attaching the heat sink apparatus to printed circuit boards are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary heat sink apparatus for dissipating thermal energy generated by semiconductor devices encapsulated in an encapsulation device of the JEDEC TO-202 or Motorola Case 152 device case style. The heat sink is a unitary sheet metal device folded to form two opposed end plates joined by a central barrel portion which acts as a spring to urge the opposed faces of the end plates together. The thermal conductor tab extending from the encapsulation device is held between the opposed faces of the end plates.