Abstract: A limited-use appliance, such as a garage door operator or a home network bridge device, is disclosed which has at least one input device for generating an input signal and a controller associated with the input device and receiving the input signal. The controller initiates at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of the input signal. A test device is maintained by the controller, and has a predetermined criteria which determines whether the input signal should be sent on to the controller or not. A warning system may be incorporated so that imminent expiration of the limited-use functions initiate warnings for the benefit of the end-user.

Abstract: A contactless-smart-IC-card receive and read-write mechanism for an on-street parking meter. The mechanism includes a nested cartridge set consisting of a card read-write unit and a card receiver. The card read-write unit further includes an outer case having an induction coil and a circuit board attached to one outer side of the outer case. The card receiver is removably nested in the outer case for an IC card to insert thereinto. The circuit board has different circuits provided thereon for controlling power supply to correctly complete card reading and overwriting. A detecting switch is mounted on the outer case to detect the existence of the IC card in the card receiver. Only when a correct IC card in the receiver is detected will a high frequency power supply circuit be actuated for the card read-write unit to read and overwrite data or amount stored in the IC card. The card read-write unit is not affected by external dust or rainwater to cause error operation.

Abstract: An LCD display with a high resolution moveable pointer has a first image pane (10) with slanted conductive first segments (12) on a surface thereof. A second image pane (16) has second segments (18) and a surface thereof. The second segments are slanted opposite of the first segments. The LCD has the image panes mounted parallel to one another with the surfaces with the segments thereon facing one another with a dichroic liquid crystal material in between. A first set (26) of segments on the first image pane and a third set (30) of segments on the second pane are driven by first electrical signals of fixed amplitude and frequency. A second set of segments (28) on the first pane and a fourth set (32) on a second pane are driven by second signals 180.degree. out of phase with the first signals. A pointer is formed at an area (38) where the dichroic material is subject to an electrical potential sufficient to make the dichroic material transparent.

Abstract: A timing device comprises a container of a transparent material, a channel in said container, and a flotation liquid and a float in said channel, said float having a density different from that of said flotation liquid. Flotation liquid compositions are disclosed which provide a transit time of said float through said channel which is essentially independent of temperature over the normal ambient room temperature range. A number of the embodiments provide for adjustment of the transit times over a substantial range of times.