Abstract: Methods and systems directed to dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology are provided. Aspects relate to a container, such as a beverage cup, having a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals to a second wireless transceiver associated with a dispenser. The wireless transceiver may be configured to transmit electronic signals indicative that the container is validated to receive a beverage and whether it is properly located to receive the beverage from a valve of the dispenser. Further aspects of the invention relate to a beverage dispensing system having a wireless transceiver. In one embodiment, the dispenser is configured to receive a return signal from a container indicative that the container is validated to receive a beverage and whether the container is properly located to receive a beverage from a valve of the dispenser.

Abstract: The disclosed electrometer is of the type including an integrating amplifier and an electronically controlled switch. When the switch is closed, the electrometer is reset or cleared, and when the switch is open, the amplifier operates as an integrator. The switch is configured to substantially eliminate leakage currents between the switch and the inputs of the amplifier. The electrometer is operative for very small input currents and is operative over a wide dynamic range. The disclosed electrometer may be used to implement a highly accurate pressure transducer.

Abstract: A simple, reliable and effective apparatus for assisting a golfer in improving their putting stroke is disclosed. The apparatus includes a guide attachable to the waist of the golfer and an extension attachable to the putter grip. The guide includes a narrow slot which is horizontally oriented when the guide is attached to the waist of the golfer. The extension includes a top end which terminates in a thin, wide guide member which slides in the slot of the guide. The extension is preferably a longitudinal section of a cylinder which will clip over the putter grip. The putter grip is preferably covered with the loop portion of a hook and loop fastener. A strip of hook fastener is bonded to the extension so that the hooks engage the loops when the grip of the putter is forced into the bight of the extension. This provides a strong effective attachment. The advantage of the apparatus is that it provides a reliable guide which permits the user to relax and learn the motions required for an ideal putting stroke.

Abstract: A lightweight, hollow building block is disclosed. The building block preferably has a rectangular base and an open pentagonal top. Two adjacent sides of the block form right angles with the base and the top. The three remaining adjacent sides are inclined outwardly from the base at an angle which permits the blocks to be stacked one inside another. When four such blocks are arranged in a double-wide and double-long pattern, they form a rectangular, vertical sided building unit. A building is constructed from the blocks by laying a course at the time and preferably filling the open, upturned blocks in each course with some locally available filler material to lend weight and stability to the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to increase the consistency of a golfer's putting stroke by providing a specially constructed putter and a putting stroke guide worn at the user's waist. The golf putter has a putter head, a putter shaft, and a grip; the grip being provided with a flat, straight face extending along its length and wider at the remote end of the grip, the face being aligned so that it is at right angles to the face of the putter head and is on the same side of the grip as the rear end of the putter head. The guide is attachable to a golfer's belt or a waist band and provides a flat surface cooperable with the flat face on the putter grip to direct the putting stroke.

Abstract: In an information transmission system for use for inter-node trunks, both circuit-switched and packet-switched traffic is handled, the former being given priority. The system uses successive equal-length envelopes each providing a number of bits usable to provide a number of frames each usable for either sort of traffic. Circuit-switched traffic has priority and uses frames at the beginnings of the envelopes, after which packets are handled. The envelope is of such a size that it provides frames for all circuit-switched channels to be catered for, and in most cases the remainder of the envelope can handle packet traffic.