Abstract: All instruction words of a microprocessor have the same number of instruction word bits, but the number of instruction word bits constituting address bits varies as a function of the number of addresses associated with the operation specified by the operation code part of the instruction word. Operations having only one associated address have no address bits. A translator circuit has a plurality of inputs each receiving one bit of the instruction word, a set of control outputs for furnishing control signals, and a set of address outputs for furnishing address words. The set of control outputs has logic interconnections with each of the translator circuit inputs, as does the set of address outputs. Operation code bits in the instruction word are therefore also utilized as address bits, thereby decreasing the total number of instruction word bits required. For some operations, the required address is an operand stored in a memory location addressed by the operation code bits of the instruction word.

Abstract: In an electrical scale, the weight of the load when the scale is in equilibrium is represented by counting pulses summed up over predetermined time intervals. The sum is displayed digitally. For such a scale, a control apparatus is furnished which automatically decreases the predetermined time intervals and also the number of digits in the display in response to a signal indicating that the scale is operating in a transient condition.

Abstract: In known scales, switching from a fine to a course measurement range automatically decreases the resolution by at least one place. Since the change in range takes place in dependence upon the total weight applied to the scale, displayed values after taring still lack at least one significant digit relative to the fine indication. In the present invention this digit is reactivated automatically upon activation of the tare key if the weight after taring is less than the predetermined fine range limiting weight.

Abstract: At the television transmitting end, the program audio signals to be encoded are limited to a range of 50 to 7,500 Hz. A 202 KHz signal is modulated by the so-limited audio signal and the resultant upper side-band is heterodyned against an upper side-band derived from modulating the 202 KHz signal by video horizontal drive signals. Only the lower side-band created by the heterodyning process is transmitted. At the receiver, the received single sideband signal is applied to a product detector whose other input receives the output of a horizontal drive oscillator operating in synchronism with the corresponding oscillator at the transmitter. The baseband audio signal is separated from the upper sideband signal at the product detector output by means of a low pass filter.

Abstract: A plurality of individual control units transmits control signals, each to a corresponding controllable object. The control signals from the different units are arranged in a predetermined sequence, each control unit having a self-address which signifies its position in the sequence. The self-address is stored in the unit and transmitted in the control signal. Each unit has a receiver receiving the control signals from the other units and deriving an external address signal therefrom. The external address signal presets an address counter. After termination of the received control signal, pulses are added to the address counter until its counting output is equal to the self-address of the unit. The unit then transmits its control signal, but only if no new control signal is being received. Since the self-addresses increase as the position in the sequence increases, the presetting of the address counter causes units having a lower self-address than the preset number to be blocked.

Abstract: Undesired temperature variations in scales having a force-compensating coil carrying a load dependent current are reduced by an additional heat generator mounted near the coil. The heat generated by the latter is controlled to compensate for changes in heating power dissipated by the force-compensating coil.

Abstract: Shoes for dancing in which the heel is made of hollow plastic and contains a battery powered flashlight for illuminating a compartment therein, having light transmitting holes in a side wall, covered with a translucent name label; and a light port at the front of the heel for energizing a bundle of light carrying optical fibers, extending ythrough and embedded in the sole via branches that end in small light emitting faces spaced around the edge of the sole; and a manual switch in the front wall of the heel for enabling an energizing circuit for the flashlight, containing a spring opened pressure switch having a switch contact-roller, the rim of which normally is slightly below the bottom of the heel, but closes the pressure switch when the shoe is stood on by the wearer, energizing the flashlight with each ta, and producing a series of flashes from the sole.

Abstract: The standard composite television signal is modulated onto an intermediate frequency carrier signal. The so-modulated signal is applied to the input of a first and second frequency converter for conversion respectively to a first or second UHF or VHF output frequency. The two converters are enabled alternately, each for a predetermined number of frames. The resultant signals are summed and transmitted to a receiver location. At the receiver location, the power is split along two channels. Two tuner-mixers, one in each channel, and tuned, respectively, to the first and second output frequency, respectively convert the incoming signal components having the first and second frequency to the same intermediate frequency. The two intermediate frequency signals are summed and converted to the proper frequency for reception on standard television receiver.

Abstract: A predetermined pattern of code signals is periodically inserted into the transmitted encoded television signal. The pattern is so chosen that a bistable circuit at the receiver changes state for each received signal. A counter counts the number of state changes and, if correct, a validation signal is furnished. The validation signal allows recording of the billing charge for the program and transmission of the decoded signal to the television receiver.

Abstract: The computer at the central office is connected to the automatic answering system either with or without ringing the subscriber's telephone. Tones sent by the computer to the subscriber system are filtered and compared to a reference signal and a connect signal is furnished when the comparator outputs indicate that the tones signifying the particular billing system have been received. The connect signal energizes a relay which connects the billing system to the telephone line. A holding circuit for the relay is also energized. A first time delay circuit furnishes a signal to start data transmission from the billing system to the computer a short time after receipt of the connect signal. A billing system furnishes an "access complete" signal deenergizing the holding circuit when billing data transmission is complete.

Abstract: Reference pulses of opposite polarity to the horizontal sync pulses are added to the composite television signal just preceeding each horizontal sync pulse. The video portion of the signal is inverted for randomly selected fields. Coding bursts are added to the composite signal to indicate whether subsequent field is inverted. Transmitter clamped to reference pulse level. Reference pulse used for AGC in decoder. Video portion of received signal inverted in accordance with coding bursts. Audio program signals encoded by modulation on suppressed carrier centered above audio range. Barker signals transmitted on normal audio frequencies.

Abstract: At the sending end, a plurality of high-frequency oscillators each furnish a signal having a frequency different from the frequency of the other of the oscillators. Timing signals derived from the television signal and signals from a random pulse generator are combined to furnish enabling signals for enabling the high-frequency oscillators during predetermined time intervals of the television signal and in a random order. A logic circuit which includes externally operable switches for setting up a program code assignment receives the enabling signals and furnishes an encoder control signal only in response to certain selected enabling signals. The encoder control signal changes the polarity of the picture signals relative to the synchronizing signals in the television signal. A mixer mixes the oscillator signals into the encoded television signal.

Abstract: A predetermined pattern of code signals is periodically inserted into the transmitted encoded television signal. The pattern is so chosen that a bistable circuit at the receiver changes state for each received signal. A counter counts the number of state changes and, if correct, a validation signal is furnished. The validation signal allows recording of the billing charge for the program and transmission of the decoded signal to the television receiver.

Abstract: Due to unavoidable timing and slope errors in the leading and trailing edges of invert pulses utilized in encoding and decoding of the television signal by inversion of the picture signal portion relative to the synchronizing signal portion, transients are generated. A clamping circuit clamps the television signal to a predetermined reference level for short time intervals around each desired switching time instant. The time intervals are sufficiently long to include the maximum possible variation in the actual timing of the switching time instants. A grey level is thus inserted at the encoder. At the decoder, a clamping circuit clamps the television signal to ground potential during the grey level intervals thereby balancing the DC components of the signal portions.