Abstract: An apparatus to collect contaminants from a known volume of fluid and to present the collected contaminants for analysis. The apparatus has a first container to receive the known volume of fluid and a second container to receive the fluid from the container. A contaminant trapping material is located between the two containers so that as the fluid passes from the first container to the second container it passes through the contaminant trapping material. The second container is connected to a vacuum generator used to create a vacuum in the second container. The apparatus also has means to recirculate the fluid from the second container back to the first container so that the fluid can pass through the contaminant trapping material a given number of times thereby insuring an adequate collection of contaminants. A method of collecting contaminants from a fluid and presenting the contaminants for analysis is also disclosed.

Abstract: An all electronic tuning system is described for establishing a frequency of a local oscillator in a television receiver. When a channel selection is made, a number representing the desired channel is entered in a memory circuit. A first plurality of frequencies is generated in response to a channel selection, and a VCO employed as a local oscillator is caused to increase in frequency. When the VCO frequency differs from the first plurality of frequencies by a predetermined amount, a second plurality of frequencies is generated. Each frequency generated in said second plurality of frequencies is compared with said VCO frequency. When a predetermined difference exists between said VCO frequency and said second plurality of frequencies, a count is recorded. When the recorded count is equivalent to the number obtained in the memory circuit, the VCO tuning is inhibited and the VCO frequency is stabilized until a subsequent channel selection is made.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating a size-controllable, segmented character for use with a television receiver. The character generator can be used to display the television channel number to which a television receiver is tuned. Associated apparatus is provided for endowing a displayed character with a cursive slant. The apparatus controlling the size of the displayed character can be set to cause the character to continuously diminish, after a predetermined time, eventually disappearing.The character segments are defined by clocking apparatus related to the horizontal and vertical scan of a television display unit. In addition from horizontal and vertical clocks enabling all possible character segments, enabling signals are generated by the receiver apparatus specifying particular segments of a desired character.

Abstract: An electrical signal distribution assembly for splitting an input signal into several output signals, comprising a uniquely constructed housing with integral connector shells and internal projections that fixedly hold a printed circuit board in place without requiring any screws, bolts, soldering or crimping operation. The connector assemblies are arranged in a manner to allow rapid assembly. The opening through which the printed circuit board is inserted is closed in a manner not requiring additional hardware.

Abstract: A communication system apparatus and method for increasing the number of users accommodated by one or more communication channels. Time sharing of the one or more communication channels by a plurality of separate groups of users is provided as a function of user access demand, and channel occupancy. The one or more communication channels are periodically sampled by the user apparatus for detection of signals present on the channels whereby the occupancy status of each one of the scanned channels is determined. Transmission of signals from the user apparatus on each individual one of the channels detected as occupied by other users, is prevented for a predetermined length of time after each said detection of occupancy. Transmission of signals from the user apparatus is permitted on the channels detected as clear or unoccupied. The apparatus additionally provides for detection of each channel having signals addressed to the user and for transmission of reply signals from the user on the detected channel.

Abstract: A light transmitter for use in a light activated T.V. remote control system. A modified cylindrical lens having a wide horizontal dispersion angle and a reduced vertical dispersion angle is directly coupled to a light emitting diode. The resulting combination provides a controlled light dispersion suitable for transmitting to a distant receiver location.

Abstract: A PABX telephone interfaced cable television system especially useful in hotels and motels for distributing free and premium program channels via a coaxial cable television signal distribution network to one or more subscriber terminals and associated television sets, includes a remotely tuned R.F. signal converter connected to each subscriber's television set and the coaxial cable network for enabling the set to receive a subscriber selected one of the premium channels not normally receivable by the set. The converter is automatically tuned to the selected premium channel by enabling signals transmitted from a central station to the subscriber's converter via the PABX telephone network and the subscriber's telephone. The request for a premium channel is made from the subscriber's telephone by the dialing of a predetermined sequence of digits peculiar to the requesting subscriber and the desired premium channel selected for viewing.

Abstract: Apparatus for returning the target to play in an electronic video game. Target return is initiated by detecting the coincidence of a player marker with a game boundary or another player marker. Separate reset switches are eliminated without depriving player participants of game control and protection against an inadvertent reset is provided.

Abstract: A deferred action battery having a magnesium alloy anode and a cathode depolarizer. The depolarizer can comprise one of the following materials: copper oxalate, copper formate, or copper citrate and copper tartrate. In addition, the depolarizer contains a form of carbon, a binder, and a metal grid used as a current collector and a base for the cathode.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for implementing rebound circuitry in a video game simulating hockey or the like. Means are provided to detect presence of a game object at an upper or lower boundary. Further means are provided to act in response of said detection for moving the game object marker away from the boundary. The rebounding game object diminishes in velocity for a predetermined time after incidence with a boundary.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a controller of a delay/amplitude equalizer. The disclosed apparatus supplies a reference signal with a frequency offset component identical in amplitude and phase to an offset frequency of the received signal. The availability of a received signal and a reference signal permits setting tap weight in the tapped delay line of the transversal filter of a delay/amplitude equalizer.

Abstract: A cable television and communication system is disclosed which is suitable for community antenna television (CATV) closed circuit television (CCTV) and other types of signal distribution systems with service function applications such as for use in hotel, motel, apartment complexes, and the like. The system has the capability of distribution and subscriber reception of unencoded and encoded or limited access video and audio programs with simultaneous two way digital data communication. The subscriber units are interconnected by a tree-organized wideband communication link such as co-axial cable system with a network central unit. Subscriber unit identification control and data exchange is accomplished by the use of a high speed time-slot organized format with each subscriber being assigned a predetermined unique television synchronization related time-slot.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the presence, in an inspection area, of a marker tag having preselected properties. Transfer of articles from a protected area can be monitored by coupling a marker tag with each article and by including an inspection area in all transfer paths. In a theft detection system, the coupled marker tag can be removed or made inoperative in some manner for authorized withdrawal of an article from the protected area.The marker tag is comprised of a small, thin strip of magnetic material. A time-varying magnetic field is provided for interacting with a marker tag located in the inspection area. The magnetic field, which includes components having frequencies f.sub.1 and f.sub.2, has a time-dependent spatial orientation which permits interaction with a marker tag having an arbitrary orientation in the inspection area. The magnetic field components of frequency f.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing electro-acoustic transducers of an acoustic surface wave device with an increased density of transducer elements. An increased density of transducer elements provides more accurate generation and reproduction of a desired frequency response above the design center frequency. By providing the sets of transducer elements which exchange signals by means of electro-acoustic surface waves with different densities of transducer elements, the transfer of undesired frequency components, introduced by the oversampled density of the transducer element sets, is reduced.

Abstract: A phase alignment system for a self-phasing antenna array is described. A single time-shared processor sequentially phase aligns each array element with a suitable reference signal. This technique is applicable to a self-phasing array in which the random phase of the signal received at each array element is slowly varying (bandlimited). Individual antenna signals are summed and the phase of the signal from a selected one of those antennas is compared to the phase of the sum (reference) and a variable phase shift is introduced into that selected one antenna output to bring that output into closer conformity with the phase of the sum.

Abstract: A four channel stereophonic sound system requiring only two transmission channels and two audio amplifiers is disclosed wherein two different linear combinations of all four original discrete signals are recorded or transmitted, amplified and subsequently decoded in a passive network interconnecting the four output speaker system.

Abstract: A substation for distributing signals of a cable system. The substation is provided with a novel center conductor seizure apparatus which permits the tension of the center conductor of a cable to be distributed to the frame of the substation. The method of coupling the cable to the substation permits the convenient exchange of associated electronics on a circuit board. The replacement of the circuit board can be accomplished without disconnecting the center conductor.

Abstract: A radiation sensor for determining a direction, relative to the sensor, in which a radiation source is located. A plurality of elongated radiation detectors are located in a base plane of the sensor. In a plane, disposed before the base plane of the sensor, slits, associated with each radiation detector, are positioned at an angle with respect to direction of elongation of the associated radiation detector. The slits provide planes of radiation which intersect each elongated radiation detector. A coordinate of the intersection of the radiation with the detector is provided by output signals from the detector. The coordinates of the intersection of the radiation with the elongated detectors can determine the location of the radiation source when more than two radiation detectors (of which two are non-parallel) are utilized, or a direction of the radiation source when two non-parallel radiation detectors are utilized.

Abstract: An antenna for providing a radiation pattern in which the phase of the emitted electromagnetic waves varies with direction from the antenna. The emitted electromagnetic waves propagate through a region, associated with the antenna, having dielectric properties which are a function of the direction of propagation. The varying dielectric properties result in a direction-dependent phase shift for the emitted electromagnetic waves. By providing a reference radiation pattern having a phase-shift independent of direction, the direction from the antenna can be determined by comparison of the phases of the reference and of the direction-dependent electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing an automatic frequency tuning system capable of supplying a local oscillator signal with a preselected frequency. The frequency of an output signal of the local oscillator is electronically varied across a frequency region which includes the preselected frequency. The output signal of the local oscillator is combined with the output signal of a reference signal generator. After the combination of the local oscillator signal with the reference oscillator signal produces a preestablished condition which is the result of the local oscillator signal attaining the preselected frequency, the frequency of the local oscillator signal is held constant. The local oscillator signal is thereafter compared to the reference oscillation signal and a change in the local oscillator signal frequency is corrected by means of an automatic frequency control feedback loop containing a discriminator circuit.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1.