Abstract: An apparatus and a method for remotely indicating that a fax has been received. Received faxes are detected using an infrared emitter that sprays infrared energy into space that is open when no paper is present in the paper tray that receives incoming faxes at a fax machine, but which space is occupied by paper when a fax has been received. When there is no paper present in the paper tray, the infrared energy is lost in space. When there is paper present in the paper tray, the infrared energy is reflected back to and sensed by a photo transistor. When the photo transistor senses the presence of paper in the paper tray, a high-brightness light emitting diode is flashed to indicate that a fax has been received.

Abstract: A surface portion (104, 204) is accessible to a small animal within the confines of the animal's habitat. The surface portion (104, 204) may be an integral part of the animal's habitat, such as a tubular member (100) of an animal run. Alternatively, the surface portion (204) may be a part of a stand alone waste depository (200) that is added to the animal's habitat. The container (110, 210) is preferably removably mounted under an opening (106, 206) in the surface portion (104, 204) such that an opening (114, 214) in the container and the opening (106, 206) in the surface portion (104, 204) form a channel for receiving bodily excrement from the small animal when the small animal is on the surface portion (104, 204). The channel directs the bodily excrement to the container (110, 210) below the surface portion (104, 204). Ventilation (112, 212) is provided to dry the waste and divert odors from the waste from the small animal's general living area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the accuracy of an electronic timepiece that includes an oscillator with a 2.sup.n frequency output, means for reducing the oscillator output frequency to a time keeping frequency, means for counting the time keeping frequency, and means for displaying the time corresponding to the count of the time keeping frequency. The timepiece is initially synchronized with a time standard. After a period of time has elapsed, the timepiece is resynchronized with a time standard and the error E accumulated by the timepiece since the previous synchronization is calculated. The accumulated error, E, is divided by the number of adjustment intervals elapsed since the previous synchronizing of the timepiece, N, to obtain an accuracy adjustment factor. Then, at a specified time interval during each subsequent adjustment interval, the timekeeping frequency is adjusted by the amount of the accuracy adjustment factor to produce a resultant adjustment interval which equals an ideal time period.