Tandy Corporation

Grid Systems Corporation

Solopractice, Inc.

Phillip T Nash

John B Simpson

Sung Hoon Kim

Ronald Jack Smith

Lee A Watkins

Robert B Brownell

Michael E Dodson

John David Simpson

A basketball passing machine (18) includes a basketball supply (20) which provides basketballs (48) for a basketball ejector assembly (26) which passes basketballs one-at-a-time in a controlled manner along a trajectory (70) towards a waiting player. The machine can be used with a collection net assembly (16) adjacent a backboard (6) so that basketballs from both made and missed shots are collected and directed into the basketball supply. The supply of basketballs allows the passing machine to pass basketballs to the player as fast as desired, such as every three to four seconds. Balls can be passed from the machine on demand; the pass rate, the azimuth of the trajectory, the speed of the ball and the number of balls placed in play at each position can be preprogrammed. Sensors (74, 104) are used to generate signals whenever a ball is placed in play and when a shot is made. Shooting accuracy and associated information can be displayed for a player as well as recorded for future reference.

Basketball collection, passing and shot analysis system

A system for maintaining the contrast of an LCD at a constant level despite variations in temperature of the liquid crystal medium includes a temperature sensor and digital circuitry for generating a correction voltage that offsets the change in contrast level caused by the change in operating temperature.

LCD contrast adjustment system

A rechargeable battery pack for a portable computer or other battery-powered device permits recharging of the battery while it is in the computer, or removal of the entire battery pack and recharging of the battery external to the computer by connecting an AC-DC converter directly to the battery pack. This permits removal of a battery pack and replacement with a charged battery pack, so that the portable computer is not occupied with battery charging and can be taken into the field while another battery pack is being charged. In the battery pack of the invention a DC power jack is located on the battery pack, identical to the DC jack on the exterior of the computer.

Externally rechargeable battery pack for a computer

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Phillip T Nash