Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf disc retriever attached to an elongating handle having a substantially U-shaped rigid frame with space between adjacent upper and lower legs of the U-shaped frame to allow the passage of the rimmed edge of a golf disc into the confines thereof and to be captured, by its rimmed edge, with a movable upward acting, spring actuated rigid plate member attached to the lower leg by a integral hinge, so as to retrieve golf discs from relatively inaccessible places which include water hazards, tree hazards and the like.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: Injection molding method and apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic preform from a mold. A first lifting structure and/or step is configured to have an inner surface with an area for sealing and aligning with a complementary surface on a core, and to have an upper surface with an area for sealing and aligning with a complementary surface on a second lifting structure, said upper surface of said first lifting structure being configured to lift a molded plastic preform from the injection mold in a lifting direction for a first period of time, the lower portion of the molded plastic preform lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. A second lifting structure and/or step is configured to have an inner surface configured to lift an outer surface of the molded plastic preform from the injection mold in the lifting direction for a second period of time, the outer surface of the molded plastic preform including structure lying in a plane substantially parallel with the lifting direction.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for frequency identification and laser locking by sending optical signals of a laser through a set of optical filters. The signal power transmitted by the filters is measured and the resulting set of powers normalized with respect to a reference power. The multidimensional measurement output curve of the set of filters is nondegenerate. The set of measurements is compared to a set of points in a calibration table or constellation, which results in the identification of the frequency of the laser.

Abstract: A local exchange emulator for transmitting and receiving telephone line data comprises a plurality of serial data sequencers and global serial communication means, the plurality of serial data sequencers each being interfaced with the global serial communication means. Each serial data sequencer has a time division multiplexed I/O port for interfacing with a plurality of subscribers in use and digital signal processing means for taking measurements associated with data processed by the emulator. The digital signal processing means has first and second serial I/O lines, the first serial I/O line being connected to the I/O port for direct data transfer therewith, and the second serial I/O line being connected to the global serial communication means, the first serial I/O lines each being time division multiplexed to the same order as the I/O port. In that way, the emulator is operative on all of the time slots defined on the I/O port.