Abstract: A method is disclosed for entering and/or changing the data assigned to keys and/or accessory devices of a freely programmable keyboard and stored in at least one programmable memory, a method for retrieving these data, and to a keyboard for carrying out the method. So that despite limited available memory space in the freely programmable memory, the particular keyboard can be optimally adapted to user requirements, the invention proposes dynamic management of the programmable memory of the keyboard, i.e., only as much memory space is used per key as is actually necessary for this. The unneeded memory space is therefore available to the other keys.

Abstract: A data input device for an electronic data processing device such as a personal computer includes an input keyboard, which has a key field, a casing and a plug-in receptacle for a keyboard plug on a circuit connector; and a connector, such as a junction cable, which has a keyboard plug which fits into the receptacle on the keyboard, a circuit connector which is a connection wire, a plug at the end of the connection wire connecting with the electronic data processing device, and programmable encoder electronics for encoding unique signals corresponding to each key in the key field on the keyboard. A portion of the encoder electronics, in which the program relating the keyboard to the electronic data processing device is encoded, is located within the keyboard plug and not within the keyboard itself.

Abstract: A rotary potentiometer having a cylindrical or partially cylindrical resistance track and at least one electrode pair arranged at the resistance track's edges which are parallel to the cylinder axis. A tap is fixed to an adjusting component which is rotatable around and movable along the cylinder axis. The axial breadth of the resistance track correspondsd substantially to the stroke of the adjusting component along the cylinder axis. At the circumferential edges of the resistance track, at least one second electrode pair is arranged.

Abstract: An x-y position detector is shown which comprises a pen and contact plate with a resistive layer formed thereon. Point electrodes are provided on the four sides of the resistive layer. The materials of the resistive layer and the pen are selected such that the pen is in reliable galvanic contact with the resistive layer. The resistive layer is hard and smooth, and permits easy motion of the pen.The resistive layer consists of carrier particles with a hardness of between 5 and 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, pyrolytically coated with carbon and embedded in a binder whereby the resistive layer is hard and enables easy motion of the pen. The surface on which the pen moves is formed by molding the resistive material on a smooth intermediate substrate.

Abstract: A machine for lifting, rotating and transporting crops in the form of bales. The machine includes a motorized chassis with a cab for an operator. A tilt table is located on the back of the chassis for holding and unloading the bales. A boom is positioned adjacent the table on the chassis for loading bales onto the system or for transferring bales between locations. A fork is connected to the distal end of the boom for grabbing the bales and includes mechanism for rotating the bales about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis so that the bales can be aligned in any orientation for stacking.