Abstract: Analog electrical signals are converted to digital form by analog to digital sampling in accordance with a variable successive approximation technique that permits extremely wide dynamic range coupled simultaneously with extremely high bandwidth capabilities, low power consumption, and low cost. Each of multiple data (sample) points of the input analog signal are digitally compared to a variable reference generated according to the successive approximation process and changeable modes of that process so as to permit optimum efficiency of conversion at varying rates of acquisition of the input signal.

Abstract: A fluid circulation apparatus for an electrophoresis device is disclosed. The fluid circulation device has an electrode gas retaining means communicating with the two reservoirs of the electrophoresis device. The electrode gas retaining means is disposed to trap electrode produced gas at a level below the fluid level in the remainder of the electrophoresis device so that fluid in the electrode gas retaining means has a pressure head greater than the pressure at the fluid level in the remainder of the electrophoresis device. The resulting fluid pressure differential causes the fluid flow between the two reservoirs of the electrophoresis device through the electrode gas retaining means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing cardiac performance by providing real time values of left ventricular performance of ambulatory or inactive subjects. Noninvasive sensors such as noise reducing phonocardiographic sensors, multi-crystal piezoelectric doppler pulse wave sensors, volume oscillometric pulse wave sensors, and electrocardiographic sensors develop a plurality of electrical signals representing certain key physiological functions. These electrical signals are uniquely conditioned and combined by a central processing unit and associated programs to yield real time outputs of Left Ventricular Ejection Time, Systolic Time Interval and Ejection Fraction for either ambulatory or inactive patients. These values are displayed, along with analog patient cardiac-based waveforms, on a recording device and may be used for future play-back.

Abstract: A first or ranging light beam which functions as a carrier is amplitude modulated with a first radio frequency f.sub.1 ; a second amplitude modulated light beam source functions as a local signal at a frequency f.sub.2 for a heterodyne conversion of the first frequency f.sub.1 ; and an electro-optical detector receives both modulated light beams and functions as a mixer. Electro-optical heterodyning of the modulations on the ranging and local source light beams is accomplished by mixing RF modulations on the first light beam with RF modulation on the second light beam in the electro-optical detector to thereby produce a resultant, relatively lower difference frequency (f.sub.1 -f.sub.2) that is more readily processed by available electronic components. Distance measurement is represented by a phase shift of the relative low frequency difference of the heterodyned modulation signals when compared to a reference, unshifted phase of the same frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding information and recording same as sets of variably spaced related marks on the optical record. The encoded information is read by illuminating each set of such recorded marks with a coherent read light to cause an optical interference pattern consisting of a varying distribution of amplitude maxima separated by amplitude nulls (or minimas) that change in accordance with the encoded information. This read interference pattern is detected by photosensing diode arrays and after decoding, the system outputs an information signal representing the original information.

Abstract: A tone control shelving equalizer providing low shelf (bass) boost and cut, and high shelf (treble) boost and cut is disclosed wherein the active filter stages provide sharpened (accelerated) amplitude versus frequency response characteristics at the band transitions to leave the center frequencies uncorrupted by out-of-band effects of the tone controls while maintaining circuit stability and avoiding dropouts due to excessive filter phase shifts. Each high and low end band filter network has multiple poles and offset zeros located at a frequency offset so as to restrict the maximum phase shift of the filter to within a safe level not greater than about 90.degree..

Abstract: An environmentally sealed, EMI suppressed shock/vibration protected microcomputer workstation is provided by a sealed enclosure of stainless steel having a lower base portion for containing a dampened, spring suspension platform carrying the CPU and electronics, and an upper hood portion for housing the CRT which is removably held in place by a unique arrangement of support pins that cooperatively seat in quick release brackets affixed to the enclosure's interior walls. A front panel of the base portion mounts a stainless steel tactile dome keyboard retained and sealed about its perimeter within a stainless steel casement that in turn is welded to the stainless steel walls of the base portion.

Abstract: A post extracting apparatus is disclosed in which a unitary bent plate of substantial thickness and strength having a "T" shaped aperture located in a plate portion adjacent the bend allows the plate to be slipped down over a T-shaped fence post to fit within about a foot or so of the buried base of the post. The bent plate implement is then rocked into a postgripping position and an upward force is applied to a protruding portion of the plate such as by means of a standard automobile jack. The T-shaped post is wedged by the plate device adjacent its aperture, thus making contact in as many as six (6), and at least four (4) locations on the post, depending on the size and uniformity of the fence posts, gripping the post so as to transfer the upward jacking force to the post causing its extraction.

Abstract: An air baffle for a stunt kite affording enhanced kite control in gusty winds in which a flexible material is disposed transversely to the keel rod and adjacent to the trailing edge of the kite. Cooperating with the air baffle to provide structural and functional kite performance enhancements are the additional features of: a sail of flexible material; a keel rod; a leading edge rod substantially perpendicular to the keel rod and connected to the keel rod; a pair of wing rods connected to the ends of the leading edge rod; and a pair of cross rods disposed transversely to the keel rod.

Abstract: In an extension (or second) telephone set, a logic circuit powered by standard line current is connected between the standard telephone key encoder that receives and encodes the user entered key dialing digits and a dialing signal converter that produces dialing pulses on the phone line in response to the encoder. The converter accepts binary encoded digits from the encoder along with a strobe signal associated with each entered binary encoded dialing digit. Logic gates assisted by other digital circuitry determine whether the initial digit of the series is authorized and, of so, allow the associated strobe signal to be transmitted from the encoder to the outpulsing converter and thereafter allow a predetermined maximum number of digits of the series to be communicated to the converter to complete the local outbound call dialing.

Abstract: A pellet fired stove has a rotating fuel feed cylinder for reliably and uniformly transporting pellet fuel from a hopper to the stove's combustion chamber. An open upstream end of the rotatable hollow feed cylinder communicates with a hopper containing solid fuel, such as wood pellets. The downstream end of the cylinder opens into a fuel chute leading to the combustion chamber. The fuel pellets from the hopper spill into the rotating hollow feed cylinder and form a sloping pellet bank within the cylinder. The rotation of the cylinder agitates the sloping bank of fuel sufficiently to cause a uniform quantity of fuel per cylinder revolution to be separated from the fuel bank and discharged from the cylinder into a combustion chamber.

Abstract: The enhancement processor disclosed herein includes left and right channels through which the components of the stereo signal are fed, and a side channel that receives a difference signal derived from the main left and right channel signals. The side channel difference signal is shifted in quadrature, (e.g. + or -90.degree.) relative to the main channels of the processor, adjusted by a variable gain control, low pass filtered and added back into the main left and right channels prior to the stereo outputs. Further enhancement is achieved in the processor by combining with the above effect, a gain adjusted anti-phase cross-feed between the main left and right channels to produce an image-widening characteristic that compensates for some undesired image alteration resulting from the quadrature shifted side channel.

Abstract: An equalizer circuit is disclosed having adjustable bandpass filters connected with operational amplifiers in feedforward and feedback paths so as to form frequency selective boost and cut signal components, which are then combined to form the equalized output signal by a subtractive operation with a direct unfiltered signal path arranged in parallel with the filtered feedforward and feedback paths. The circuit exhibits a constant-Q operation in that it can be adjusted for selected frequency boost and cut without distortion of the component bandwidths of the individual filters.

Abstract: A musical electric signal generated by electric signal generator 1 is supplied to a rhythm signal extractor 2 so that a rhythm signal is extracted. Interval data of rhythm signal peaks are stored in memory 3. Cycle detector 4 detects a musical rhythm cycle based on the interval data stored in the memory 3 and then provides a rhythm synchronizing signal in synchronization with the rhythm. The rhythm synchronizing signal is utilized as a control signal for moving portions of a toy.

Abstract: In a system for predictive maintenance of machinery based on vibration data history, a portable battery operated vibration data collector and processor unit (10) is equipped with an electro-optical wand (18) for reading a bar code affixed to each data collection station (22) on the machinery that is to be tested. The vibration of the machinery is sensed by electro-mechanical transducers (16) temporarily attached by an operator to permanent indexing mounts (24) at each test station. The bar code (26) identifies the station and automatically initiates a predetermined sequence of vibration data collection, processing and data storage operations.

Abstract: In pulse width modulation (PWM) power regulation and amplification circuits, separate DC rectification and filtering circuitry is eliminated by providing synchronous output switching directly from an available AC source. Output switch steering logic connected to an AC power source, such as a square wave AC signal available at the secondary of an isolation transformer, receives the PWM control signal that is developed by a conventional pulse width modulator in response to an input signal and causes an output switch stage to selectively and synchronously connect the alternating current power across the load with the proper timing and polarity. Preferably the output switching stage includes a low pass filter for filtering out the higher frequency switching transients.

Abstract: An energy field disturbance sensor comprises an energy field emission means such as a light emitting diode; the emitted field may contain a time-varying component. An energy sensing device such as a photodiode receives the field energy to produce a sensing signal related to the intensity of the emitted field and any disturbance therein. A second signal complementary to the sensed signal is added in a summing junction to the sensing signal to create a summation signal. If the emitted energy field contains a time-varying component, a detection circuit is used to sample the summation signal to convert the summation signal to a proportional detection signal. An analog to digital converter converts the detection signal to a digital form. Digital processing circuitry modulates the amplitude of the complementary signal or the intensity of the energy field according to the desired mode of operation, and in accordance with the behavior of the digital detection signal and external control signals.

Abstract: Electric motors which utilize a combination of electromagnets and permanent magnets to effect relative rotation of motor components and have the following characteristics: (1) all of the magnets incorporated in one of the relatively rotatable motor components are permanent magnets, which are provided with power boost windings and are thus optionally convertible to electromagnets, and all of the magnets incorporated in the other of those components are electromagnets; (2) all of the convertible permanent magnets are oriented so that the same pole of each magnet (north or south) faces the air gap between that motor component which includes the convertible permanent magnets and the motor component in which the electromagnets of the motor are incorporated, whether functioning as a permanent magnet or as an electromagnet; (3) the relationship between the number of electromagnets (EM) and convertible permanent magnets (PM) is defined by the equation EM=PM+/-1, but where EM > or equal 3 and PM> or equal 3; (4)

Abstract: Scanned barcodes represented by an electrical signal are preprocessed in a PLA and delivered to a microprocessor in a form that permits efficient final processing of the data. High speed edge detection produce edge markers for the control logic and counting circuits coupled with a Johnson state counter to logically sequence the processor. Logarithmic conversion compresses the counted time interval to a single data word that can most efficiently be processed by the host microprocessor. Logic between the preprocessor and the microprocessor transfer digital representations of each bar and space to preassigned respective areas in the microprocessor memory. Bar/space margin detection performs a ratiometric comparison of each bar and space to determine every occurrence of 10:1 ratios and both bar/space and space/bar. Pointer signal information is transferred to the microprocessor indicating precisely where in memory each 10:1 margin ratio is located.

Abstract: A davit for an inflatable dinghy or other small inflatable boat including a pair of lock devices secured to the stern of the carrier boat for engaging and supporting hanger assembly mounted on the inflatable dinghy and enabling the dinghy, to be swung bewtween in-water and out-of-water positions, and a pair of stand-off brackets attached to the stern of the carrier boat that support the inflatable dinghy in its raised out-of water position. Each hanger assembly has an outboard catch supported by a resilient, flexible pad which in turn is adhesively secured to the dinghy sidewall and is designed to transfer the load of the inflatable dinghy without damaging the flexible dinghy sidewall or causing the support pad to separate therefrom.