Abstract: A hand held device includes an oscillator driving a microcontroller having as a part of its program a counter actuable by a user to initiate a program count function, counting through a predetermined range of numbers until the program count function is terminated manually at any moment of the user's choosing. A further feature permits the base frequency of the oscillator, and thus the counting rate of the counter, to be varied as a function of some external parameter such as a biometric parameter of the user, for example, by detuning the oscillator through a touch pad on the device housing. Visual and/or audible indicia provide a perceptible indication of the relative counting rate. A further, optional feature permits replacement game parameter data to be downloaded from an external source, and stored in nonvolatile memory for use by the microcontroller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes at least one user accessible input mechanism and a test assembly configured to initiate a self-test in response to stimulus signal. The self test determines whether a sensor, a fault detection circuit or a circuit interrupter assembly are in an operational mode or are in a failure mode, the reset stimulus being provided in the operational mode and a reset lockout stimulus being provided in the failure mode. The device also including a reset lockout mechanism coupled to the circuit interrupter assembly and the test assembly. The reset lockout mechanism is configured to disable the reset stimulus in response to the reset lockout stimulus if any one of the at least one sensor, at least one fault detection circuit, or circuit interrupter assembly is determined to be in the failure mode after a predetermined time elapses.

Abstract: An automatic plant watering apparatus having a cavity for receiving a standard houseplant pot, a reservoir for holding water, a pump for removing water from the reservoir, a host for delivering water from the pump to a plant positioned in the cavity. The pump is operated by a microcontroller that is programmed to measure a first time period during which the pump is not operated, and a second time period during which the pump is operated. According, the apparatus can be programmed to automatically water a house plant at predetermined intervals, as well as deliver a predetermined amount of water.

Abstract: A hand held device includes an oscillator driving a microcontroller having as a part of its program a counter actuable by a user to initiate a program count function, counting through a predetermined range of numbers until the program count function is terminated manually at any moment of the user's choosing. A further feature permits the base frequency of the oscillator, and thus the counting rate of the counter, to be varied as a function of some external parameter such as a biometric parameter of the user, for example, by detuning the oscillator through a touch pad on the device housing. Visual and/or audible indicia provide a perceptible indication of the relative counting rate. A further, optional feature permits replacement game parameter data to be downloaded from an external source, and stored in nonvolatile memory for use by the microcontroller.

Abstract: An automatic plant watering apparatus having a cavity for receiving a standard houseplant pot, a reservoir for holding water, a pump for removing water from the reservoir, a host for delivering water from the pump to a plant positioned in the cavity. The pump is operated by a microcontroller that is programmed to measure a first time period during which the pump is not operated, and a second time period during which the pump is operated. According, the apparatus can be programmed to automatically water a house plant at predetermined intervals, as well as deliver a predetermined amount of water.

Abstract: An automatic plant watering apparatus having a cavity for receiving a standard houseplant pot, a reservoir for holding water, a pump for removing water from the reservoir, a host for delivering water from the pump to a plant positioned in the cavity. The pump is operated by a microcontroller that is programmed to measure a first time period during which the pump is not operated, and a second time period during which the pump is operated. According, the apparatus can be programmed to automatically water a house plant at predetermined intervals, as well as deliver a predetermined amount of water.

Abstract: An automotive speedometer drive apparatus is disclosed that replaces an existing speedometer cable of the type used to drive mechanical speedometer instruments. The drive being an electronically controlled motor made to rotate at the correct rate to give an accurate speed indication, taking into consideration the specific tire size and specific speedometer involved. The drive may also be easily installed and field-calibrated by the user without the need of any special knowledge or equipment.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter which protects an AC circuit subjected to a possible arcing fault includes a sensor which produces a signal that can be evaluated to see if it is associated with arc fault current. The evaluation is done by a discrimination circuit which identifies a characteristic of the sensor signal associated with cessations of the arc fault current. An accumulator counts the number of occurrences of the cessations, and if the number of cessations counted within a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined number, the arc fault circuit interrupter interrupts the AC circuit.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) detects arc faults by identifying the various signature patterns of arc fault noise while rejecting arc mimicking noise from normal load phenomena.

Abstract: A hand held device includes an oscillator driving a microcontroller having as a part of its program a counter actuable by a user to initiate a program count function, counting through a predetermined range of numbers until the program count function is terminated manually at any moment of the user's choosing. The number in the counter at the moment of termination of the count is visually displayed and/or stored in electronic memory. The microcontroller contains a plurality of game parameter data indicative of the lowest and highest numbers in the range and the number of selections to be made in generating a group of numbers. Switches on the device permit the user to select the active game data, to initiate the first program count function, to terminate the program count function and to reinitiate the program count function following each termination until the requisite number of selections has been made.

Abstract: A protection device for an electrical circuit having a load includes a sensor operatively associated with the electrical circuit to sense current changes and voltage fluctuations in the electrical circuit. A detector receives input from the sensor and compares the input to known arc fault signatures and arc fault mimicking signatures to determine what category of arc fault or mimicked arc fault occurs. The detector then produces an encoded output signal indicative of the category of arc fault or mimicked arc fault. Categories of arc faults include upstream or downstream series, downstream parallel, downstream line to line, and downstream line to ground.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter which protects an AC circuit subjected to a possible arcing fault includes a sensor which produces a signal that can be evaluated to see if it is associated with arc fault current. The evaluation is done by a discrimination circuit which identifies a characteristic of the sensor signal associated with cessations of the arc fault current. An accumulator counts the number of occurrences of the cessations, and if the number of cessations counted within a predetermined time interval exceeds a predetermined number, the arc fault circuit interrupter interrupts the AC circuit.

Abstract: Downstream series and parallel arcing in AC power lines is determined by using a detector and microprocessor to detect characteristic di/dt behavior received from a current sensor through which the power lines pass. When downstream parallel arcing is detected, the microprocessor uses a speedy algorithm which cannot be used to detect series arcing. Upstream series arcing is detected by sensing a flat voltage portion of the line voltage. Upstream parallel arcing is detected by sensing a voltage spike followed by a voltage flat portion of the line voltage. When upstream parallel arcing is detected, the microprocessor is temporarily shut off to avoid false tripping.

Abstract: Manually portable equipment for use at locations remote from a business promises or office for wireless credit card and/or check verification. The equipment includes a cell phone and/or wireless transceiver preferably capable of operation via direct satellite link, in addition to a terminal, interface, check reader, and printer, in various combinations. A rechargeable DC battery provides operating power to the components for a relatively long-time period.

Abstract: An L-shaped bracket is affixed to one side of a portable battery (40). One leg of the bracket extends outwardly from the side of the battery and carries a pair of receptacles (46 and 48), one for transmitting operating and/or recharging power to the external, DC powered device and the other for transmitting recharging power to the portable battery. A carrying case (10) of heavy fabric has a plurality of compartments for diverse articles. The battery, with bracket and receptacles is mounted, preferably permanently, in an internal compartment which must be opened in order to gain access to the receptacles for insertion and removal of plugs (64). The battery is positioned in a pocket having an upper edge flush with the leg of the bracket carrying the receptacles and an upper portion of the battery extends above the pocket.

Abstract: A self-testing arc fault or ground fault detector includes arc fault detecting circuitry and components. The detector includes a testing circuit which tests at least part of the circuitry and components and generates a recurring signal when the test completes successfully. If the test does not complete successfully, the signal is lost. This loss of signal is signaled by an indicator connected to the testing circuit. In one version, the loss of signal activates a circuit interrupter which disconnects the load side of the detector from the line side.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) detects arc faults by identifying the various signature patterns of arc fault noise while rejecting arc mimicking noise from normal load phenomena.

Abstract: A vehicle sticker for monitoring a time-period associated with a motor vehicle, comprises an electronic timer, first and second indicator devices, and some mechanism for affixing the sticker to the vehicle. The timer is configured to time the time-period associated with the vehicle and to generate an "impending expiration" signal and an "expiration" signal. The first indicator device is coupled to the timer, and is configured to indicate an "impending expiration" or a "renewal" warning in response to the impending expiration signal. The second indicator device is also coupled to the timer, and is configured to indicate the expiration of the time-period in response to the expiration signal. The affixing mechanism must hold the sticker on the vehicle, in such a position that the impending expiration indication is directed to someone inside the vehicle and the expiration indication is directed to someone outside the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic timing label for indicating the expiration of a time period associated with a particular article. The label comprises a pulse generator and a binary counter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a series of pulses at a predetermined pulse rate, and the counter is configured to count from an initial count number in response to the series of pulses and to generate an expiration signal upon reaching a final count number. The number of counts between the initial and final count numbers, and the pulse rate, are chosen to establish a counting time for the counter which corresponds to the time period associated with the article. The label also comprises a display for indicating the expiration of the time period, a programming port for directing programming pulses to the counter, and some mechanism for affixing the label to an application surface associated with the article.