Abstract: A modular robotic teaching tool including a plurality of modules that may be operated, for example, to play robot soccer, for introducing principles of mechanical engineering and robotics to prospective students. The teaching tool includes a modular robot that may be assembled in a plurality of configurations. The modular robot includes a body portion, first and second motors, first and second motor mounts, at least three wheels, two of which are mountable to the motors, at least one flipper module, and a remote control module for actuating the motors and the flipper module. The modular robot is advantageous in that it provides for an inexpensive, challenging, and entertaining introduction to some of the principles of robotics and mechanical engineering.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly for in line emulation function includes plural pairs of electrical IDC (insulation displacement connection) contacts that face opposite directions on opposite sides of a multiconductor cable and a strain relief for holding together the cable and the contacts for use such that electrical connection is provided among each pair of contacts and a respective conductor of the cable. Desirably the IDC connections of contacts to the cable conductors are made simultaneously by contacts on both sides of the cable. A method and a machine for making the assembly provide for such simultaneous IDC connections and subsequent direct molding of the strain relief.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly for in line emulation function includes plural pairs of electrical IDC (insulation displacement connection) contacts that face opposite directions on opposite sides of a multiconductor cable and a strain relief for holding together the cable and the contacts for use such that electrical connection is provided among each pair of contacts and a respective conductor of the cable. Desirably the IDC connections of contacts to the cable conductors are made simultaneously by contacts on both sides of the cable. A method and a machine for making the assembly provide for such simultaneous IDC connections and subsequent direct molding of the strain relief.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for depositing soft, frangible food materials on an edible food product wherein the pieces to be deposited are feed from as hopper and conveyed to a depositor roll having pockets and subsequently conveyed into the product to be coated thereby preventing the coating product from breaking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for depositing chips of chocolate, fudge, and the like on food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper shaped to retain the chips therein, and a depositor roll having a peripheral surface with a plurality of recessed pockets into which the chips are received. A feed plate extends from an outlet portion of the hopper to the depositor roll at an elevation substantially commensurate with the longitudinal axis of the depositor roll. The feed plate preferably has a length which is greater than twice the dimension of one of the chips to form a dynamic, free-surface reservoir in which the chips temporarily pool prior to lodging in the depositor roll pockets. When the depositor roll is rotated, the chips continuously feed from the hopper, along the feed plate, and into the depositor roll pockets.

Abstract: The present invention provides in a data processing system storing a plurality of discrete entities, each identified by a single parameter within a monotonic parameter spectrum, resident at an addressable location and locatable by searching a system maintained hierarchical index mapping parameters onto location addresses, a method of compressing the index by the system, which method is interruptable to permit valid searching of the index and executes in a variable length ordered sequence of processing cycles, each comprising a variable length sequence of two part iterations, each iteration comprising the selective performance of each of an ordered fixed sequence of basic operations, wherein each full cycle initially operates on successive index levels in the direction opposite to that in which the index is searched while performing the first part of each iteration and thereafter operates on successive levels in the reverse direction performing the second part of each iteration, parameter relocation at a level