Abstract: A system for dropping golf balls at pre-determined, repeatable patterns and distances from a hole or target for putting and chipping practice may include a removable ball holder and retrieval device to retrieve golf balls that have been struck for efficiently reloading the system for repeated golf ball dispensing.

Abstract: A universal power outlet, a universal junction box associated with a cover, and a universal extension cord. Sensors within openings in electrical sockets detect different characteristics of plug contacts. In response to the detected characteristics, power requirements for an energy consuming device associated with the plug are correlated. Logic dynamically selects and delivers a level of required power, from multiple available levels of power, to the device based on the detected characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a universal power outlet, a universal junction box associated with a cover, and a universal extension cord. Sensors within openings in electrical sockets detect different characteristics of plug contacts. In response to the detected characteristics, power requirements for an energy consuming device associated with the plug are correlated. Logic dynamically selects and delivers a level of required power, from multiple available levels of power, to the device based on the detected characteristics.

Abstract: An electronic talking book and method of operation thereof. The electronic talking book includes a book unit that has a front cover, a back cover and a spline cover. The book unit further includes a number of modular core sheets, where each of the modular core sheets has a laminated leaf that includes a front side and an electronic side that has at least one visual image. The electronic talking book also includes an audio recording/playback apparatus, where the audio recording/playback apparatus includes an audio input means for receiving audible utterances associated with a selected one of the visual images. An audio output means is also provided for playing back the audible utterances when the associated visual image is selected for personalizing the audio presentation of the visual images. In a related embodiment, the electronic talking book further includes a storage device for storing the received audible utterances and a playback device for audio reproduction of the stored audible utterances.

Abstract: A slot-type processor and one or more cache modules are incorporated into a vertically oriented, multiple chip module (CM) that is mounted to a printed circuit board. The MCM operates at ultra high frequencies and very high temperatures. Each component of the MCM has a heatsink, a thermal plate, and a series of mounting clips and screws which combine to dissipate heat. The heatsinks and thermal plates generate most of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) since they are not attached or grounded to the board. A series of alignment posts extend from the board and are used to individually and slidably mount each of the components to the board. Each thermal plate is grounded to the posts with grounding clips. The clips maintain contact with the thermal plate through wiping elements. Additional pressure is applied to the wiping elements through a post retaining bracket. The components are fully seated and retained in position with retaining cams.

Abstract: An option attach connector has a first indicator bit combination that alerts the device that a public switched telephone network connection has been made to it. The presence of the first indicator bit combination is a signal to the device that telephone, FAX, and E-MAIL communications applications are to be conducted over a PSTN link. The presence of the first indicator bit combination invokes a stored computer program to provide appropriate connections between the PSTN link and the telephone, FAX, and modem hardware in the device. The connections are made by an audio multiplexer that receives control signals from the system CPU, while executing the stored computer program. The program determines the communications application selected by the user and selectively configures the PSTN link to be connected to the either the ear piece and microphone for voice communications, or to the FAX/modem for FAX communications, or to the modem alone for E-MAIL communications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling configuration of a PCI daughter card residing on an MCA adapter card using MCA setup cycles and signals and for ensuring the allocation of memory space to the daughter card. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an MCA adapter card connected to an MCA system bus of a conventional PC. A PCI-compliant daughter card, the purpose of which is to provide additional functionality to circuitry of the adapter card, resides on a PCI bus of the adapter card. A PCI/MCA bridge is provided for interfacing the MCA system bus with the PCI bus of the adapter card for enabling configuration of the daughter card during the setup sequence of the MCA bus and to respond with an appropriate ROM signature during DOS boot-up to ensure that memory space will be allocated to the daughter card, if needed.

Abstract: A plurality of specialized controllers (e.g., 202, 204 & 206), each one adapted to control a particular type of data transfer operation, control the flow of data between a system bus (104) and a local bus (106) on a computer adapter card (102). When the Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller (202) is controlling a DMA operation on the local bus, certain other controllers (204 & 206) can break-in to the current DMA operation, temporarily halting the DMA opertion until the other controller has completed its data transfer operation. To break-in to a DMA operation, handshaking signals between the DMA controller and the local bus interface circuit (212) are temporarily blocked by blocking signals from a break-in logic circuit (210). The break-in circuit includes a four-state state machine to block the handshaking signals at the appropriate times, and to signal the interrupting controller to begin its data transfer operation.