Abstract: Responding to an account reactivation request includes receiving an account reactivation request from a former subscriber having a deactivated account and automatically accessing stored account information related to the deactivated account based on the account reactivation request. The stored account information is compared with a reactivation standard to produce a comparison result. Based on the comparison result a response to the reactivation request is provided. The receiving, accessing, comparing, and responding may be performed by a computer without interaction between the former subscriber and a service representative.

Abstract: Fishing rods are molded with integral line guides or line guide stanchions for attaching conventional or only slightly modified line guides. The preferred line guides are made of metal or ceramic guide inserts in metal frames with one or two support feet. The molding process facilitates the automated manufacture of rods with line guides in proper alignment and positioning. The handle section of the blank can be molded to form an integral foregrip and/or reel seat.

Abstract: A digital thermometer, having a sensing tip that is integral with a heater, a display, and a microcontroller which samples for rise time and proportionally operates the heater to increase the temperature of the sensing tip in an alternating control sequence that includes a post-heating delay and, thus, the sensing tip quickly arrives at a stable temperature when no further heating is required.

Abstract: A digital thermometer, having a sensing tip that is integral with a heater, a display, and a microcontroller which samples for rise time and proportionally operates the heater to increase the temperature of the sensing tip in an alternating control sequence that includes a post-heating delay and, thus, the sensing tip quickly arrives at a stable temperature when no further heating is required.

Abstract: A system for detecting the existence of a hazardous condition in an area includes a number of battery-powered detecting units whereby each detecting unit is respectively located within a zone within the area and each detecting unit includes a sensing circuit, a battery level monitoring circuit and a transmitting circuit. The sensing circuit senses the existence of a hazardous condition within that respective zone and generates a hazardous condition alert signal in response thereto. The battery level monitoring circuit monitors the level of the battery powering the detecting unit and generates a battery status signal when the battery is at an acceptable level. The transmitting circuit transmits the hazardous condition alert signal and/or the battery status signal. The system also includes a receiving unit which is responsive to the detecting units and includes a receiving circuit, a battery status indicating circuit and a hazard condition alert circuit.

Abstract: An improved heater wire and electro-thermal controller suitable for use in electric heating appliances such as electric blankets and heating pads. The heater wire is formed with a first conductor for heat generation and a second conductor for sensing. The first conductor and second conductor are wound as coaxial spirals with an insulation material electrically isolating the two conductors. The two spirals are counter-wound with respect to one another to insure that the turns cross, albeit on separate planes, several times per inch. With the conductors thus formed, if the insulation separating the conductors fails, the first and second conductors will come into electrical contact to facilitate detection of this hazardous condition. The controller of the present invention includes an electronic control unit a sensor input circuit, a heater driver circuit and a user interface circuit.

Abstract: A digital fever thermometer includes a backlit LCD display, which may act as a non-audible annunciator indicating that a stable temperature has been achieved. The digital fever thermometer includes a photo detector and a single mode-select switch to determine when the backlight should be enabled. When the backlight is enabled, the thermometer activates the backlight, indicating that a temperature reading is complete.

Abstract: A safety-assuring control device for an electric blanket which includes a PTC heater includes an integrated circuit microcontroller unit having first and second safety circuit inputs and an output connected to a control input of an electrically controlled heater switch. A neon tube is connected between the primary safety link return conductor of the heater and the first safety circuit input, to indicate whether there is a first type of fault in the PTC heater. A connection between the second safety circuit input and the secondary safety link return conductor of the PTC heater is provided which indicates whether there is a second type of fault in the heater. The microcontroller unit includes a preliminary fault detection circuit for supplying a limited power test signal in a test mode to the heater for a predetermined period of time prior to a full power operation of the heater.

Abstract: A two-terminal electronic thermostat connectable in series with an electrical heater and a source of AC power and selectively providing AC power to the electrical heater, and a power supply incorporated in the thermostat for providing DC power to the control circuitry of the thermostat, includes a relay connectable in series with the electrical heater, a control circuit for selectively actuating the relay, an ambient temperature sensor and a potentiometer for setting a set point temperature. The power supply includes a current transformer having its primary winding connected in series with the relay and the electrical heater. The power supply also includes a first bridge rectifier circuit, a second bridge rectifier circuit connected to the secondary winding of the current transformer and a capacitor divider network formed from first and second capacitors and providing a desired DC voltage to the control circuit. The first capacitor is coupled to the first bridge rectifier circuit.

Abstract: A connector element for a two-part coupling connector having a wire holding part (9) and a contact holding part (5) axially supporting within its boundary at least one insulation displacement element (6). The contact holding part includes a contact spring (8) arranged to resiliently urge a shielding braid pig-tail of a cable whose insulated conductors (14, 15, 16 and 17) are held by the wire holding part, into a recess (20) in the contact holder part for providing a resilient electrical contact with the shield.

Abstract: A humidity control device includes a microcontroller, a variable impedance humidity sensing circuit and a zero crossing detector circuit. The humidity sensing circuit and zero crossing circuit are provided with an AC line voltage and both have outputs which are provided to the microcontroller. The humidity control device also includes a semiconductor switch circuit which switches the AC line voltage to an external electrical device, such as a dehumidifier or heater, at the zero crossing.

Abstract: An automatic thermostat which automatically reprograms itself after a power outage without the need of a backup battery or other storage device includes a temperature sensor, a set temperature potentiometer, a setback temperature potentiometer and an ambient light sensor. The thermostat also includes a microprocessor which is responsive to signals from the temperature sensor, the set and setback temperature potentiometers and the ambient light sensor. The microprocessor controls a display which displays the set temperature, the setback temperature and the actual temperature. A power outage detector detects when there is a power outage and triggers the microprocessor to reprogram itself by rereading the signals from set temperature potentiometer and the setback temperature potentiometer. A relay is controlled by the microprocessor to selectively provide power to a heating or air conditioning unit.

Abstract: Heating pads using positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistance material are subject to fire risk if one of the conductor wires between which the PTC material extends should break and produce an electric arc. Protection by fuse and a fuse-blowing circuit responsive to fire detection must allow for an immense inrush of current when the cold pad is turned on. A heat setting control using a microprocessor can reduce the fuse rating by chopping the a.c. heating current for a short start-up period following with full-on feed until the heat setting is reached. The presence of a microprocessor allows response to a safety circuit that detects a break in a heater feed or return conductor before much excess heat develops, so that the microprocessor can turn off the heater switch. That response is so quick that it can be confirmed by repeated detection after very short pauses before the heater switch (a triac) is turned off.

Abstract: Heating pads using positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistance material are subject to fire risk if one of the conductor wires between which the PTC material extends should break and produce an electric arc. Protection by fuse and a fuse-blowing circuit responsive to fire detection must allow for an immense inrush of current when the cold pad is turned on. A heat setting control using a microprocessor can reduce the fuse rating by chopping the a.c. heating current for a short start-up period following with full-on feed until the heat setting is reached. The presence of a microprocessor allows response to a safety circuit that detects a break in a heater feed or return conductor before much excess heat develops, so that the microprocessor can turn off the heater switch. That response is so quick that it can be confirmed by repeated detection after very short pauses before the heater switch (a triac) is turned off.

Abstract: A dual compartment single evaporator refrigerator and temperature control apparatus that effectively controls two compartment temperatures by making the evaporator fan control independent of the compressor cycle. The compressor cycle is initiated by the fresh food compartment temperature, runs for a predetermined minimum time, and is terminated by the freezer temperature. The evaporator fan runs with the compressor and is terminated by the freezer control temperature. A small portion of the evaporator air circulation flows through the fresh food compartment and compartment temperatures are balanced according to the freezer temperature settings during the post-compressor cycle fan control. The temperature control set points to operate the compressor and fan are based on algorithms that compensate the control for the combination of freezer and fresh food temperature settings.

Abstract: An automatic power control device comprising a passive, non-linear voltage detector controlling a series bipolar transistor regenerative latch circuit, acts to connect the load to a power source only when the voltage obtainable from the power source is sufficient to prevent improper ambiguous operation of the load, and further acts to disconnect the load from the power source when its voltage declines to that range which could result in ambiguous and/or erroneous operation. An electronic thermometric digital display instrument is shown, powered solely by a miniature solar panel. The instrument is amply powered, and the display is legible, even in dim light. Operation at lower levels of light is available with an economical auxiliary battery that is cut out of the circuit at when the light is as little as 5 lux.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercise has a frame structure for hand holding standing up on a restrained universal mount fixed on a platform. A coil spring in compression and a stretched elastic cord laced around in tension restrains the universal mount providing adequate force for restoring the frame structure to its normal vertical position except as the user of the device deflected from that position. A two-axis sensor at the pivot center within the universal mount provides electrical inputs to a computer game programmed for video display. The position of the structure determines the direction of activity and the deflection specifies the amount of exertion input within the framework of a computer program for simulation of any of a variety of existing and new sports. The characteristics of the universal mount offer the player a challenge in terms of muscular strength, coordination and body balance.

Abstract: A bourdon tube for gas and liquid-filled thermometers and pressure gauges constructed by edge welding two strips of isoelastic nickel alloy to form a wall to wall low volume bourdon tube that exhibits a low ambient temperature effect and improved rangeability over all existing bourdon tubes used for temperature and pressure measurement and control.