Abstract: A control system that can be configured to control any one or more devices having dedicated sets of control codes includes a medium to distribute the codes and a decoder. In one embodiment the distribution medium is a VCR tape. The VCR tape contains data pertaining to the control codes of all devices of interest. To configure the system for a particular device, the tape is played in a VCR and the user designates the device of interest. The decoder receives the data being read from the tape, and stores that data which pertains to the device of interest. Thereafter, when the user issues a command for the device to carry out a particular function, the appropriate code is retrieved from those which have been stored and a signal is sent to the device which is in the proper format for that device, to cause it to carry out the desired function.

Abstract: Hard, infusible, discrete beads of crosslinked copolymer are prepared by free-radical catalyzed polymerization of a monomer mixture in aqueous dispersion wherein oxygen is incorporated in the monomer mixture. Ion exchange resins having improved mechanical strength are obtained by attaching functional groups to the copolymer.