Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiming billiard balls comprising an object ball with a surface coated with an array of colored dots. Adjacent dots are dissimilarly colored to aid in their distinguishment. A desired trajectory is aimed for by first sighting the object ball from a direction opposite a target and selecting a contact dot disposed collinear with that trajectory and furthest from that target. A cue ball or other striking means is then aimed to strike the object ball at the contact dot.

Abstract: A method of programming a programmable controller in a manner by which a variety of menus, options, or questions seeking limited parameter answers are presented to the user; for example, setup parameters such as the type of labware, source and destination of reagent transfer etc. for conducting a particular biological and chemical assay experiments by an automated laboratory workstation. Software "templates" are used to focus the request for parameters from the user to tailor user needs to the laboratory workstation's capabilities. The software templates are designed to accommodate a wide variety of experimental setups in accordance with the setup parameters input by the user. By providing the parameters with the assistance of the templates, the user may program a complete set of instructions for conducting a biological or chemical assay. The instructions may include the time and method for undertaking the experiment.

Abstract: A telescoping pool cue or similar ball-striking device wherein a continuously variable amount of energy is stored. A main spring within an elongated handle is held in compression by a ratchet and pawl which provides an audible or visible signal of the amount of stored energy. A telescoping member may be marked with vernier indicia to visibly indicate the amount of stored energy or an electronic display provided. The main spring urges an outer plunger forwardly, but an actuator spring urges an inner plunger rearwardly. Upon release, the inner plunger moves rearward to release the pawl and ratchet after which both plungers move forwardly. This reciprocal action allows the cue to begin and end a stroke near the desired point of impact.

Abstract: An automated multi-purpose analytical chemistry processing center and laboratory work station having a movable table for supporting microtiter plates and other fluid receptacles, a movable arm, and a modular mobile pod affixed for reciprocal movement along the arm. The workstation combines into a single programmable system the capabilities for automation of a wide range of bioanalytical procedures including, not only sample pipetting, serial dilution, reagent additions, mixing, reaction timing and similar known manual procedures, but also programmable spectrophotometric measurements and other physical parameters, further processing based on these measurements and automatic data recording. The work station is adapted to transfer, dispense, and aspirate liquid from one location to another automatically in accordance with user programmed instructions.

Abstract: An automated multi-purpose analytical chemistry processing center and laboratory work station having a movable table for supporting microtiter plates and other fluid receptacles, a movable arm, and a modular mobile pod affixed for reciprocal movement along the arm. The work station combines into a single programmable system the capabilities for automation of a wide range of bioanalytical procedures including, not only sample pipetting, serial dilution, reagent additions, mixing, reaction timing and similar known manual procedures, but also programmable spectrophotometric measurements and other physical parameters, further processing based on these measurements and automatic data recording. The work station is adapted to transfer, dispense, and aspirate liquid from one location to another automatically in accordance with user programmed instructions.

Abstract: An automated multi-purpose analytical chemistry processing center and laboratory work station having a movable table for supporting microtiter plates and other fluid receptacles, a movable arm, and a modular mobile pod affixed for reciprocal movement along the arm. The workstation combines into a single programmable system the capabilities for automation of a wide range of bioanalytical procedures including, not only sample pipetting, serial dilution, reagent additions, mixing, reaction timing and similar known manual procedures, but also programmable spectrophotometric measurements and other physical parameters, further processing based on these measurements and automatic data recording. The work station is adapted to transfer, dispense, and aspirate liquid from one location to another automatically in accordance with user programmed instructions.

Abstract: A liquid boundary level detector employing an open-ended conduit which directs pressure waves toward a liquid boundary layer. The conduit is moved from a starting position toward the liquid boundary and, upon contact with the boundary, there is a change in acoustic impedance within the conduit. This change is monitored and a signal is generated indicative of such contact. Once the initial liquid boundary position is determined, that may become the reference position for subsequent liquid boundary measurements or motions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape reading system wherein tape in a tape cassette has color marks (133a, b, c) on the tape to be read by an optical system, part of which is in the cassette and another part of which is in the tape drive. The part in the cassette consists of an optical element (51) having mutually isolated light transmission paths. The paths carry light reflected from or transmitted through different portions of the width of the magnetic tape (50). This light is directed to optical sensors (63, 65) which are part of the tape drive. A lamp (61), also part of the drive, illuminates the tape so that light shining on the tape will contrast with the color marks. Changes in contrast due to the color marks, transmitted through the optical element, are detected by optical sensors (63, 65) and converted to electrically readable signals. A feedback circuit connected to the lamp and to the sensors provides electrical feedback to the lamp.

Abstract: A web guide system wherein misalignment of take-up and supply rolls relative to a reference surface may be compensated without tape distortion by a crown pulley and an adjacent concave web guide. The concave web guide is a fixed, flangeless post about which the web is partially wrapped. The web tends to be self-centering in the concave curved portion of the guide. Tape is fed from a roll to the concave guide and then to the crown pulley of minimum radius which is mounted for axial as well as rotational motion. Pulley axial motion promotes equal edge tension and completes web self-alignment. Final axial alignment without edge pressure is accomplished by fixed tape edge-guides in the region of the head.

Abstract: A tape cleaner head that has an arcuate surface around which tape is wrapped. The body of the cleaning head has an opening formed therein, the opening being shaped so as to form first and second knife edges at a point where the arcuate surface is in contact with the tape. The knife edges provide scraping surfaces to the tape regardless of the direction of travel of the tape over the cleaning head to thereby remove foreign particles from the tape surface to prevent signal disturbance and form a cavity to entrap the particles and remove them from the system.

Abstract: A control system is described for activating a machine using magnetic signals encoded on a magnetic card, tape or equivalent member. The magnetic signals are pulse-width-modulated and, in one embodiment, also sawtooth-modulated. A means is provided which is responsive to the magnetic signals for generating a first and a second number. The first number corresponds to the number of times the magnetic card is usable for activating a machine. The second number is provided for identification and validation purposes. Means are also provided for reducing the number of times the card can be used each time it is used to activate a machine and for visually displaying that number on a visual display device. The use of skewed recording and reproduction heads is also described for improving signal discrimination and security against the usability of fraudulently produced magnetic cards.