Abstract: A wall control unit for a movable barrier operator sends baseband signals over a wire connection to a head unit of a movable barrier operator to command the movable barrier to perform barrier operator functions. The wall control unit has a wall control unit port for connection to the wire connection. A first switch sends a barrier command signal to the head unit commanding the head unit to open or close a movable barrier. A second switch commands the head unit to provide energization to a light source. An infrared detector causes a command signal to be sent to the head unit to control the illumination state of the light source.

Abstract: A wall control unit for a movable barrier operator sends baseband signals over a wire connection to a head unit of a movable barrier operator to command the movable barrier to perform barrier operator functions. The wall control unit has a wall control unit port for connection to the wire connection. A first switch sends a barrier command signal to the head unit commanding the head unit to open or close a movable barrier. A second switch commands the head unit to provide energization to a light source. An infrared detector causes a command signal to be sent to the head unit to control the illumination state of the light source.

Abstract: A retractable tape measure assembly is disclosed which includes a housing, a coiled tape located in the housing, which tape is adapted to be extended from and retracted into the housing. The coiled tape has a free end with a pull tab secured thereto. A resilient bumper is mounted in the housing in position to contact the pull tab when the tape is retracted. The bumper includes a front surface for contacting the pull tab and a tape support surface behind the front surface extending generally perpendicular thereto. An integral spring is located behind the tape support surface and engages a stop in the housing so that when the tape is retracted the spring is compressed to absorb the stress in the tape. The casing also includes a tape lock mechanism for locking the tape in an extended position. The pull tab also has a rear surface on which a high friction element is placed to help hold the pull tab in position when the tape is extended and engaged with a work piece for measurement.

Abstract: A shell-form transformer for charging an energy storage device contained in a battery powered impact device. The primary and secondary windings of the transformer are wound in a predetermined manner around the center leg of a core which has an air gap therein. The gap increases the reluctance of the center leg which decreases the flow of magnetic flux through the core which, in turn, enables the current applied to the transformer primary to be increased without causing the core to be saturated. As a result, the current applied to the transformer primary can be increased, thereby increasing the output voltage supplied from the transformer secondary which, in turn, enables rapid charging of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Solid state control circuitry for driving an electromagnetic armature of a battery operated electric stapler. The armature is activated by a trigger signal generated by a trigger switch which discharges an energy storage device through the armature. Energy is rapidly replenished in the energy storage device following its discharge; but if a subsequent trigger signal is not forthcoming, the control circuit reverts to a quiescent state, thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: A device for remotely controlling call forwarding for a given telephone line. The device includes a detection circuit for detecting an incoming call to the given telephone line. If it detects only one or two signals indicating a previous call forwarding initiate setting, it automatically terminates call forwarding and awaits input of a new call forwarding telephone number followed by a security code. If it detects more than four rings, it knows that the call forwarding was not enabled and it is ready to accept the new call forwarding number remotely input along with the security code. After receiving successfully the remotely inserted call forwarding number and security code, it proceeds to reprogram the system with the new call forwarding number. Should any unauthorized user be using the system, it will reprogram with the previously stored call forwarding number.

Abstract: A remote control system for a video computer game having a portable controller unit with transmitter circuits responsive to manipulation of a joy stick for generating RF signals indicative of such manipulations. A reset switch and a game select switch is also provided for generating signals which are also sent as RF signals. A central receiver receives the RF signals from the portable controller unit and converts the manipulation signals into signals applicable to control the video game. The reset signal and the game select signal are sent to an actuator unit which is physically mounted onto the master control center and includes mechanical actuator mechanisms to mechanically engage the reset and game selector buttons on the master control center. The central receiver also includes detection elements to prevent random signals from disturbing the game during such time periods when it is not receiving signals from the transmitter controllers.

Abstract: A beeper simulator for a telephone answering apparatus which produces onto the telephone line a beeper signal to operate the apparatus in response to digits being dialed onto the telephone from a remote telephone. When preselected digits representing a code are entered onto a remote telephone, the digits are detected by the beeper simulator. It then causes a signal generating means to emit the particular beeper signal needed for operation of the telephone answering apparatus. The beeper simulator can be initialized so that it will produce the particular beeper signal needed to operate the particular telephone answering apparatus.

Abstract: A power factor controller for AC induction motors having a control triac connected in series with the motor for controlling the voltage applied across the motor to reduce the power to the motor commensurate to motor loading. A sensing circuit produces square wave pulses representative of the phase difference between the current through the motor and line voltage across the motor. A reference circuit provides a reference signal representative of the full cycle of the pulse. A comparison circuit compares the output of the sensing circuit with the reference circuit and produces the phase lag signal for the control circuit. In a digital embodiment the sensing means and reference means each respectively control gated clocks whereby the count is representative of the duration of the pulse. In an analog version there is included an integration circuit which produces an output voltage level proportional to motor loading.

Abstract: A power factor controller for an AC induction motor which includes a control circuit adapted to be electrically connected in series with the motor for controlling the voltage applied to the motor. A sensing circuit provides phase lag signals corresponding to the difference in phase between the current through the motor and voltage across the motor. An oscillation circuit produces a cyclical output whose frequency is variable and is dependent on the value of the phase lag signal. A counter receives the cyclical output and produces a control signal corresponding to a predetermined cycle count of the cyclical output so that the duration of the control signal is dependent upon the phase difference. The control signal is applied to the control device for controlling the conduction angle of the voltage applied to the motor to thereby provide power to the motor in accordance with motor loading.

Abstract: A power factor controller for an AC induction motor which controls the input power to the motor commensurate with the loading on the motor so as to improve efficiency. The circuit provides a signal representative of the phase difference between the current through the motor and the voltage across it. The phase difference varies with motor loading and accordingly is utilized to control the input power to the motor. The improvement in efficiency is displayed in terms of the percent savings provided by the controller. The circuit provides an immediate response to initial energization of the motor to enable the motor to reach full speed in minimum time.

Abstract: A telephone answering system which can be interconnected to a telephone line and includes two tapes, one of which is utilized for recording incoming messages from the telephone line, and the other of which is used basically for playing outgoing messages onto the telephone line. The outgoing message tape includes a plurality of tracks each of which can be selectively placed in communication with the telephone line. A decoding apparatus is responsive to numerals dialed onto the telephone line by the caller with which the caller can select the particular track to be placed in communication with the telephone line and thereby receive the particular outgoing message contained on that track. By dialing an additional number, the caller can also change over the operation of the outgoing message tape to a record mode whereby he can utilize that tape for also receiving incoming messages from the telephone line and cause the message to be placed on a particular selected track.

Abstract: An electronic circuit contained within a housing and having two sets of optoelectronic display elements on the face of the housing arranged to represent the spots of a set of dice. The electronic circuit includes a timer which produces timing pulses of varying duration controlled by an externally available switch which determines the beginning of the timing pulse and their duration. During the duration of each timing pulses a switching circuit produces two varying sequences of clock pulses each of which is counted by a binary counter configurated to six counts in a repetitive counting cycle. At the termination of each timing pulse, the final count on each of the counters is displayed on the optoelectronic elements as the numbers on a set of dice. An audible oscillator simulates the sound of rolling dice during the course of each timing pulse.