Abstract: The program, in conjunction with physical modifications to the pinball game, was developed to modify the subject machine to accept US Dollars, with coin acceptance also being possible. A series of timed dollar bill validator or coin mechanism pulses transfers inserted money amounts to a microprocessor that stores the pulses in memory. The program accesses the memory and displays the pulses as “Paid Credits”, a new category. Pulses can be configured to any monetary pulse combination desired, with the most common configuration being $1.00 equal to 20 credits, with each credit having a value of $0.05. The programming, containing two (2) options for the machine operator, permits the owner of the machine to select either (a) the separation of credits that are won from credits that are paid for or (b) the combining the credits that are won along with credits that are paid for in jurisdiction in which the same is legally permissible.

Abstract: A placemat (1) and a coaster (2) are provided as a set, each having a similar decorative effect (4), for example a graphic design, and the placemat being made in pieces as a jigsaw puzzle (7). The coaster illustrates the decorative effect to be achieved on the placemat when the pieces are assembled. There may be the same or different decorative effects on opposite surfaces of the placemat and coaster. A package (8) made of plastics material folded into a box form accommodates the separated pieces (19) of the placemat (1) and is formed with a location (15) at which the coaster (2) is held so that it can be seen from the outside of the package.

Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a head over tracks on a disc in a disc drive includes a servo positioner for positioning the head over a desired track, a sectoring circuit for determining when the head is over a data sector on the desired track, a formatter for controlling data transfers to and from the desired track, and a controller for providing the servo positioner with a track address indicative of the desired track. A track change system is coupled to the formatter and the servo positioner, and provides a direct communication channel between the servo positioner and the formatter. Thus, the data transfer can be carried out utilizing communications between the formatter and the servo positioner, without waiting for the microcontroller to be interrupted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase (glucanase EII endohydrolase) enzyme, whose amino acid sequence has been modified in order to provide an enzyme whose three-dimensional structure confers improved thermostability and/or pH stability. Specific modifications are based upon a comparison between the three-dimensional structure (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase and that of (1→3)-&bgr;-glucanase. The (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase gene has been modified by site-directed mutagenesis, and modified enzymes have been expressed in E. coli. Modified sequences, DNA molecules encoding them, plasmids, expression vectors and transgenic plants are disclosed.

Abstract: A television program guide system is provided in which the relative sizes of the promotional information and program listings regions can be adjusted in real time to provide different display formats. The size of the promotional information region can be increased to accommodate normal aspect ratio videos that are larger than a quarter screen. The size of the promotional information region can be reduced when a logo or similar small graphic is to be displayed in the promotional information region. Transition between different configurations can be instantaneous or can take place gradually over a period of time. Transitions can be controlled and can be synchronized with the content of the promotional information region.

Abstract: A portable field boundary for field sports such as soccer, football, flag football, rugby, field hockey, ultimate, lacrosse or others is formed of a flexible cord or twine with pennants or flags or other marking devices being permanently attached to the cord to denote appropriate desired points such as corners, goals, goal lines, mid-field, yardage increments or other desired elements. The boundary is designed to lay restingly on the ground with stakes or other anchoring devices used to affix the boundary to the desired surface defining the corners and perimeter of the playing field. The design is lightweight and durable to allow for multiple subsequent temporary applications, retrievals and storage of the apparatus, the duration of a single use typically being a single practice or competition.

Abstract: An indexing mechanism for providing intermittent rotation to a device includes a rotatable driven member having a pair of spaced oppositely disposed arcuate slots and a driving member having a pair of angularly spaced driving rollers engageable with the slots for rotatably accelerating and decelerating the driven member. The driven member locking rollers adjacent the slots engageable with the outer periphery of the driving member to prevent rotation of the driven member when it is not being indexed by the driving member. The indexing mechanism further includes a positive lock mechanism actuatable by a cam follower that rides within an endless cam track in the driving member. The positive lock mechanism is actuated by the cam follower to engage the indexed device and prevent rotation of the device when it is not being indexed.

Abstract: Inker apparatus includes an ink reservoir and a chamber communicating with the reservoir and in which chamber there is a piston movable against a spring bias. The chamber in which the piston is disposed is in turn connected to a needle through which ink is delivered. A solenoid is adjacent to the reservoir and chamber and is actuated in response to the finding of a defective die under test. The piston moves along with the reservoir and the chamber, and continues to move by inertia or kinetic energy after the reservoir and chamber have ceased their movement. The continued movement of the piston causes the displacement of ink from the chamber and from a hollow needle extending from the chamber and which in turn results in ink being placed on the defective die.

Abstract: A cellular telephone network comprising an exchange (101) and a voice messaging center (102) connected to the exchange, the exchange being connectable to a plurality of cellular telephones (103), each having an associated voice mailbox (VM1) at the voice messaging center (102), the exchange (101) being operable in the event of failure to connect a caller to a desired telephone (103) to divert the call to the voice messaging center (102) which can record a message from the caller in the associated mailbox (VM1). When such a message has been stored, the VMC transmits a "message waiting" flag for that telephone to the exchange (101). The exchange (101) transmits a "message waiting" signal to the telephone when it registers with a cell of the network, and/or if it initiates an outgoing call.

Abstract: A chock for a vehicle wheel comprising a first plate, having a series of swaged down portions to rigidify the plate and to grip a roadway, a second, flexible plate welded at one end to said first plate, and a pin engageable in a hole at the other end of each plate, to deform the flexible plate to a curved shape, which conforms to the shape of a vehicle wheel. The pin can be removed and the chock flattened to a folded condition, with the pin then being placed in a slot in the flexible plate.