Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph G. Hohenfeldt
  • Patent number: 4259725
    Abstract: A composite video signal waveform is fed through a video mixer and to a video monitor for displaying a raster scanned image on its screen. Signals are also fed through the mixer for causing a cursor having distinctive light intensity to be overlayed on the image. Programs for defining multiple cursors are stored in a readable memory. A microprocessor uses the programs for generating cursor parameters for each horizontal raster line and these are stored in a random access memory. A direct memory access controller responds to occurrence of each horizontal sync pulse by loading the cursor parameters for each corresponding raster line into counters which determine the starting point and end point of the cursor in that line or the width of the particular cursor line. During the interval representative of cursor line width, signals are fed through the mixer for altering the brightness intensity of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward W. Andrews, James E. Blake, Thomas W. Lambert
  • Patent number: 4258428
    Abstract: A gamma camera having a Compton scattered radiation deemphasizer. A summing device produces pulses proportional to the total energy of each scintillation caused by absorption of gamma photons in a scintillation crystal. Scintillation events are displayed at the x,y coordinates of the event on a cathode ray tube screen by unblanking the tube with z pulses applied to its control electrode. The deemphasizer determines where the peaks of total energy pulses fall in a part of the energy spectrum or window and between lower and upper limits. The deemphasizer causes small z pulses to be produced in the part of the spectrum where Compton scatter is most prevalent and causes increasingly larger z pulses as total energy increases to the midpoint of the spectrum where Compton scatter is insignificant. Constant amplitude z pulses are produced at and after the midpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Eric M. Woronowicz
  • Patent number: 4256960
    Abstract: An instrument for tuning the photomultiplier (PM) tubes of a scintillation camera to the gamma ray photon energy spectrum of interest. A finely collimated beam of photons from a test isotope is placed on the scintillator crystal in alignment with the photomultiplier tubes in succession. A summing amplifier develops signals that are proportional to the total energy of scintillation events. Lower and upper level discriminators define an energy window and produce output signals, respectively, depending on whether incoming total energy signals are within or above the window level. The output signals are sent to an integrating capacitor. A sensing circuit continuously senses capacitor voltage and drives visual indicators which indicate whether the energy spectrum within the acceptable window predominates or whether energies above the window predominates and the gain of the PM tube under test is adjusted accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David M. Snider
  • Patent number: 4253171
    Abstract: The segments of several 7-segment character displays are defined by elongated light distributors in the form of slots or a series of holes which are in a panel. A large area light source is located on the rear side of the panel. Rotatable opaque disks are interposed between the light source and characters. Each disk has an array of holes for transmitting light to predetermined ones of light pipes which lead to slot segments in one embodiment and which lead to the holes that define segments in another embodiment. When a disk is rotated, different groups of holes in the disks become aligned consecutively with the light pipes where they are used or with the panel holes to thereby illuminate selected character segments so they define a sequence of characters such as the numbers zero to nine. In a digital clock application, a synchronous motor drives a first disk in angular steps to define minutes at their rate of occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold M. Grinwald
  • Patent number: 4250388
    Abstract: A bridge plate mounted on the top of an x-ray spot filmer has an opening for passing an x-ray beam and several pads adjacent the opening. Each pad has a threaded hole. A ring member which supports an x-ray image intensifier on its top side has a plurality of planar areas on its bottom side which interface with the respective pads. Each planar area is under a recess on the top side of the ring member. When cylindrical washers are placed in the recesses and machine screws are passed through the washers and turned into the threaded holes of the pads, the centers of the spot filmer and the image intensifier and the focal spot of the x-ray tube are established on a common axis. Locators cooperate with the ring member to remember its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Maria M. Janu
  • Patent number: 4245647
    Abstract: Signals associated with heart beats occurring at the normal rhythm of the heart and also with extrasystoles or PVCs are fed to a one-shot multivibrator which is enabled to produce clock signals corresponding with incoming heart activity indicating signals such as R-wave signals provided the R-wave signals are spaced in time to correspond with normal heart rhythm. An analog signal corresponding with average heart rate is fed to an integrator. The ramp output of the integrator is fed to one input of a comparator and a reference signal representative of a percentage of time between normal rhythm R-waves is fed to the other input of the comparator. Until the two input signals cross over, the output signal of the comparator is such as to inhibit output of a clock signal from the multivibrator so R-wave signals associated with extrasystoles occurring during the integration or lockout period are not gated through the multivibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Harvey G. Randall
  • Patent number: 4244462
    Abstract: A bottle transporting table, somewhat like a spoked wheel, revolves about a vertical axis. A plurality of vertical shafts are angularly spaced around the rim region of the wheel and the top end of each shaft has a bottle supporting turn table fastened to it. The shafts are journaled on a thrust bearing and a radial bushing fixed in the top of the rim region and the bottom ends of the shafts extend into a cavity at the bottom of the rim which is created by fitting complementarily with a lower stationary ring. A pair of vertical bores or ducts are formed in the rim parallel to and radially spaced from the turntable shafts and their bearings. A seal forms an annular channel over the bearings and bores. A nozzle fed from a pump projects lubricating oil into one of the bores adjacent each shaft as these bores orbit with the rim. The channel enables the lubricant to be conducted to the bearings and the other bore enables lubricant to be recirculated back to a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Inventor: Hermann Kronseder
  • Patent number: 4245244
    Abstract: Data derived from multiple x-ray views of a body layer is processed in accordance with an image reconstruction algorithm by a central processing unit (CPU) to result in a matrix of digital data corresponding with picture elements (pixels) which are for being displayed on a tv or video monitor. A device for delineating or identifying a region in the displayed picture with a box, irregular trace, or cursor with a bright dotted line uses a trackball to generate data signals corresponding in position with pixels in the matrix. The trackball generated data is processed for producing video picture modulating signals corresponding with the pixels in the matrix to which they positionally relate. The modulating signals are overlayed on the composite video signals from the display controller with a video mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Lijewski, James E. Blake, Thomas W. Lambert
  • Patent number: 4236702
    Abstract: A picture frame making tool or jig comprises two frame rail clamps interconnected by a scale bar in adjustably spaced relationship. The frame rail clamps have jaws with shoulders adapted to be received in the picture receiving groove of the frame rail, whereby the rail is clamped between its outer edge and at the inside edge of its picture receiving groove. The scale is graduated to read in units of length related to the distance between the corners of the picture receiving groove, whereby the user can saw miter cuts at the ends of the rail, and the cut rail will be of the correct length to receive the picture in its picture receiving groove. The clamps further comprise corner clamps for clamping two miter cut frame rails together in angular relationship for assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Inventor: Burton G. Keddie
  • Patent number: 4236174
    Abstract: A method for the correction of the colors of an image, the image being split up into a plurality of image points, wherein a color to undergo maximum correction and a spatially limited domain around the extremity of the vector associated with it in the color space are selected, for each of the image points whose color is to be corrected a test is made to determine whether a color vector associated with the point has its extremity in the domain and correction by addition of a color correction vector is carried out for the color vectors whose extremity is located within the domain, the color correction vector resulting from a freely selectable vector and a superimposed quantity which makes the color correction vector maximum if the color vector to be corrected coincides with the vector of the color which is to undergo maximum correction and which makes it to be the closer to zero the closer the extremity of the color vector to be corrected is to the edge of the domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventor: Ferenc Gall
  • Patent number: 4233798
    Abstract: A machine for folding the top flaps on a succession of boxes which are advanced on a conveyor belt. A shaft extends across the path of the boxes and has arms journaled on it for rotating and folding the trailing end flap of each box when the shaft is rotated. Torsion springs have one of their ends fastened to the shaft and another of their ends in driving contact relationship with the respective arms. When a box is in a position for one of its end flaps to be folded, limit switches are actuated in succession to cause an electrically operated clutch to turn the shaft one revolution so the arms swing around under the driving influence of the torsion springs and fold and hold the trailing top end flap until the box is advanced to the position where its end flaps are finally restrained by folding and holding its side flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Inventor: James R. Helding
  • Patent number: 4229864
    Abstract: A holder for forming loops in short strands of yarn to facilitate picking them up with a latch hook in connection with making a hooked rug comprises a sheet of plastic divided into sections by crease lines that serve as hinges to enable some sections to be folded over others. A median section has a slot over which the middle portions of a group of parallel arranged short yarn strands are laid. A section on one side of the slot serves as an ejector blade which folds over the median section and other sections subsequently fold over the blade section. The blade section is then advanced and retracted to force the yarn through the slots to expose the loops for access. The holder finally folds into a triangular configuration which may be placed on a table or held in one hand during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Inventor: Georgia A. Rankin
  • Patent number: 4230518
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying decorative metallic foils to the necks and over the closure elements of bottles. The bottles are orbited past a foid depositing element on a revolving table on which each bottle is supported on a turntable and stabilized by a retractable plunger. The adhesive coated foils are square or rectangular and are deposited so a pair of foil corners project up and down and a pair project laterally. A roller assembly bends in the lateral corners or points as the revolving table revolves. At a transfer area between the revolving table and a bottle removal star wheel a deflector bends down the upwardly projecting foil point. Variously oriented rotating brushes act on the foils when the bottles are on the star wheel and are rotating to finish the foil forming operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Hermann Kronseder
    Inventor: Adolf Fahnrich
  • Patent number: 4228884
    Abstract: A machine for wrapping articles uses several guard covers to enclose its operating mechanism for safety purposes. A switch in the machine must be actuated to enable machine operation. At least one cover is provided with a switch actuator and one or more other covers have interlocks which must be properly set by having all covers in place to permit the actuator to actuate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles E. Michels
  • Patent number: 4228465
    Abstract: In a convolver, analog video waveforms for each horizontal line to a raster scanned video monitor are sampled at regular intervals with a high speed shift register such as a charge coupled device to obtain trains of picture elements (pixels) which are transferred line-after-line to a series of registers to thereby delay the lines by the number of register stages used. As the trains are transferred the pixels are simultaneously supplied to delay elements to delay corresponding pixels in each line by a given amount in reference to the individual pixel which is to be convolved at the instant. The delayed pixel signals existing at the instant are variously processed in summing devices and the result is used to act on the individual pixel to convolve it in accordance with the filter function which is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Barry N. Stone, Thomas W. Lambert
  • Patent number: 4222305
    Abstract: A tool for inserting primers in shell casings comprises an elongated body, a carrier element engageable with the body, a primer cap driving pin slideable in the carrier element in opposition to a coil spring surrounding the pin, a shell holder supported in the body, a hand operating lever hooked onto a pin in the body, and a toggle link pivoted on the lever for driving the pin axially wherein all parts are constrained in assembled condition by force derived from the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Inventor: Richard J. Lee
  • Patent number: 4220948
    Abstract: A sign board comprises an opaque front plate interfacing with a translucent or reflective back plate. Slots in the front plate define the segments of 7-segment characters. Shutters are slideable within the interface to selectively open and close slots for defining individual characters. Means are provided for retaining the shutters in open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Trame
  • Patent number: 4216555
    Abstract: A dual flush system tank adapted to provide either a full flush or a partial flush at the option of the user. The control handle is actuated normally to produce a full flush. If a partial flush is desired, the control handle is held in its depressed condition for two or three seconds after which it is released. This produces a partial flush. A partial flush is produced by a buoyant reseating weight which will float down with the falling level of liquid in the tank to depress the flush ball and prematurely reseat it in its outlet seat when only part of the liquid has been discharged from the tank. The reseating weight is provided with a latch actuated by the flush handle. For a full flush, the latch is released but is immediately re-engaged before the reseating weight moves downwardly in the tank and is hence latched against premature seating of the flush bal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Inventor: Edgar W. Detjen
  • Patent number: 4215410
    Abstract: An open loop servo controller for controlling motors which drive a solar energy utilizing device about its azimuth and altitude axis to track the sun. The controller has a central processor and elements for inputting data corresponding with the present day of the year, the hour of the day, the minute of the hour and with the latitude and longitude of the device installation. Memories store program data, and tables of data corresponding with the declination of the sun on any day and of other mathematical functions. The processor uses the data to calculate the azimuth and altitude angles of the sun itself within every minute of the day and causes signals to be produced which result in motor controllers causing the motors to turn the device through azimuth and altitude axes angles corresponding with the calculated angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignees: Jerome H. Weslow, Harold J. Weslow, Thomas A. Weslow, Paul R. Netzow, Roland Weslow
    Inventors: Jerome H. Weslow, James A. Rodrian
  • Patent number: 4210815
    Abstract: An x-ray receptor is translatable in x and y directions relative to the angulation axis of an x-ray source. Servo motors angulate the source and receptor coordinately with translation so the central ray of the x-ray beam from the source will be perpendicular to the input plane of the receptor when an x-ray exposure is made. New circuitry prohibits making an exposure until the source and receptor are properly angulated. Potentiometers develop signals corresponding with x and y distances and these are divided to get a servo motor command signal corresponding with the tangent of the angulation angle .theta.. Potentiometers driven coordinately with the receptor and source produce respective sets of signals corresponding with true instantaneous or real time angles .theta. and tangent .theta.. The first tangent .theta. command signal is continuously compared with the other tangent .theta. signals and the first tangent .theta. signal is independently compared with the actual angle .theta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark E. Riehl