Circom Inc.

Cyborg Systems, Inc.

John J Bednarz

Roger L Rosenberg

Phillip J Moser

William T Bloodworth

Joel S Wexler

An employee clock system is disclosed which has a central data collector device connected to a plurality of remote satellite time clock stations. The timekeeping function is performed at the central data collector, and communication between the data collector and the time clocks takes place over communication channels wired in a spoke, rather than in a loop, configuration. The system permits use of a supervisor's card to clock in for another employee, while preventing non-supervisory employees from doing so. The central data collector collects employee attendance data from all the remote time clock stations, puts it in a form usable by a general purpose programmable computer, and sends it to the computer for use in preparing a payroll, Battery back-up is provided to permit employees to clock out in the event that the plant is closed because of a power failure.

Time clock system

A telephone controller for connecting a single-line telephone in a local N-line system with other telephones equipped with similar controller comprises N interface units each connecting one telephone line to a dual conductor telephone bus in turn connected to the telephone. Each interface unit includes an off-hook/ring detector connected to the telephone line served by that unit, a hold latch to connect a load of predetermined impedance across the telephone line to simulate an off-hook condition, a hold bus driver connected to a hold bus line extending to all system controllers, a telephone line condition indicator lamp that indicates on-hook, off-hook, incoming ring and hold conditions on the line, a line switch for connecting the telephone line to the telephone bus, an activity monitor to detect an off-hook condition for the telephone bus attributable to the associated telephone line, a telephone condition indicator lamp actuated by the activity monitor, a line selector switch, and line switch control circuits to close the line switch in response to actuation of the line selector switch and to keep it closed in response to detection of an off-hook condition by the activity monitor. The controller also comprises a hold switch, a hold latch control that actuates a hold latch when the hold switch is operated coincident with detection of an off-hook condition by the activity monitor associated with that hold latch, audible signal means to signal an incoming call, and a conference switch enabling conference calls.

Plural line telephone controller

An automatic down rigger control system is disclosed for use with a down rigger trolling line operated by a motor for raising and lowering the trolling line. Via the motor, the control system automatically lowers an end of the trolling line to a predetermined depth point and automatically raises the end of the trolling line to a predetermined surface point. Also, a manual operation mode is provided for selectively raising and lowering the trolling line to a depth other than the surface point and predetermined depth point.

Automatic down rigger control system

An automatic trolling depth controller is disclosed for a fishing boat employing a downrigger system. A sonar depth indicating unit with a sonar transducer continuously measures changing depth as the boat trolls. A depth control unit is connected thereto which automatically raises and lowers the trolling line via a reversible motor in response to depth indicating signals of the depth indicator unit so as to automatically maintain the end of the trolling line at a substantially constant given spacing from the bottom despite variations in lake depth as the fishing boat trolls.

Growing community of inventors

Elmhurst, IL, United States of America

John J Bednarz