Abstract: A recording-reproducing device of information such as pictures, voices and so on, in which the used amount of the recording medium is counted. A plural number of the memory devices for memorizing the counted value of the used amount when the recording medium which has not been used is exchanged.

Abstract: The counter circuit is adapted to counting high frequency pulses and to being read while counting said pulses. It comprises a plurality of pulse counting stages of increasing numerical significance, and read means for reading the states of said stages. Said plurality of pulse counting stages comprises lower significance stages (10.sub.1 to 10.sub.4) connected as a synchronous counter (10) and higher significance stages (12.sub.1 to 12.sub.n) connected as a ripple counter (12). The synchronous counter is so connected that it counts the high frequency pulses (H) directly, and that any change of state required in any of its stages on counting a pulse occurs substantially simultaneously with the arrival of said pulse. The ripple counter is so connected that it counts count cycles of the synchronous counter, and that it takes a long time relative to the interval separating two successive high frequency pulses for a change of state to propagate, where necessary, from the least significant stage (12.sub.

Abstract: A token-passing, ring-based data communications network provides a distributive method and apparatus for detecting and regenerating a lost token. The method includes, after detection of the loss of the token, transmitting at a detecting node a data packet not including a token, the data packet uniquely identifying the transmitting node as the data source. Simultaneously, the transmitting node, after transmitting the tokenless data packet, strips all incoming data from the network. If the transmitted packet is successfully received by the transmitting node, a new token is generated by the node. If the packet is not received, the node defers to an arbitration method which includes delaying a next data packet transmission for a probabilistically determined period of time. The mean time upon which the probabilistic approach is based increases with each unsuccessful data packet transmission attempt.

Abstract: In a highly compact odometer an electric motor which drives a mechanical display thereof, is disposed within the set of annular figure wheels used in the display and drivingly connected to said wheels through a worm and worm wheel drive train. In the case of integrated "total" and "trip" odometers a multipole rotor having a torque capacity adequate for driving both odometers is disposed within the set of figure wheels used for the "total" odometer display while the coil is disposed within the "trip" odometer set. Yokes extend between the sets of wheels to provide a magnetic connection between the coil and rotor. To prevent reversing of the odometer and gear chatter in the drive train a one-way clutch type bearing is used to support the output shaft of the electric motor.

Abstract: A single-wavelength, bidirectional fiber optic transmission system is described in which at each terminal the output radiation of a light source (LED or semiconductor laser) is coupled through a small diameter hole in the active area of a photodiode into the core of a larger diameter transmission fiber. On the other hand, radiation propagating through the fiber in the opposite direction exits from the fiber with a large NA so that most of it is incident on the active area of the photodiode and little is lost through the hole. Also described are a number of photodiode configurations for use in such a system, as well as dual photodiodes to perform both signal detection and output monitoring functions.

Abstract: If data from more than one subscriber circulates on a bus link in an optical bus network structure in which access of the subscribers to the bus is not synchronously controlled, data collisions can occur. In order to guarantee a high data throughput on the bus, these data collisions must be avoided insofar as possible or must be quickly perceived. A circuit for identifying possible data collisions determines whether the bus is free for a subscriber wishing to transmit, and which permits collisions on the bus to be quickly identified and corresponding measures to be quickly initiated to prevent further collisions. The present invention enables a subscriber to a bus system to distinguish between a data collision and normal transmission errors. This distinction is made by concluding that a collision has occurred only when the bit error frequency is substantially higher than the probabilistically determined normal transmission error frequency.

Abstract: A dual mode encoding/decoding technique for use in digital systems wherein transmitted digital words are limited, on average, to an alotted number of bits. The transmitted digital words are coded into first and second modes. The first coding mode utilizes predictive differential coding to provide a precision which can be greater than that obtainable by coding information solely with the allotted number of bits, while the second mode assures at least a minimum precision for the allotted number of bits. The first coding mode is transmitted as long as a preselected precision is provided. If not, the second coding mode is transmitted. In the disclosed embodiment, the dual mode encoding/decoding technique is applied to the transmission of color video signals.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the application of a timing pulse to a count down chain where the contents of the count down chain are read-out in stages and asynchronously with respect to the application of the timing pulse. The control circuit ensures that a timing pulse is not applied during the read-out of the contents of the count down chain.

Abstract: A control system for an acreage counter, controllable by an electrical logic condition, includes: a flip-flop having enable logic condition output upon being set, and an inhibit logic output upon being reset; an enable counter and an inhibit counter connected respectively to the set and reset inputs of the flip-flop; an enable clock and an inhibit clock connected respectively to the enable and inhibit counters; and sensors or switches connected to the respective counters and cooperating respectively with an operating lever or operating switches of an agricultural implement to actuate the associated counters upon change in the status of the operating controls. The clocks and counters function to delay setting or resetting of the flip-flop for a selected time so that minor adjustments may be made to the working position of the implement without falsely initiating or interrupting the acreage counter.

Abstract: A graded index of refraction (GRIN) lens/diffraction grating combination is used to monitor the output source peak wavelength of an optical source. As the output wavelength of a source varies, different detectors are activated. The output of these detectors is used to control a thermoelectric cooler which will raise or lower the temperature of the source so as to drive the output wavelength toward the desired peak output wavelength.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer is used in a wavelength division multiplexing. An optical energy transmission body has N side faces, where N is equal to or larger than three. A first predetermined one of the N side faces directs a single beam of radiant energy, at a predetermined angle, into or out of the body for carrying out the demultiplexing or multiplexing operation. The single beam contains M preselected wavelengths, where M is equal to or smaller than N-1. A plurality of beam passing means are associated in a one-to-one correspondence with (M-1) of the N side faces. The beams which pass through the M-1 side faces contain a corresponding one of M wavelengths and reflect a beam containing at least one of the M wavelengths, other than the corresponding wavelength. Another of the N side faces passes a beam which is finally reflected by the plurality of beam passing means.

Abstract: In a data-transmission system designed for operation over a very broad temperature range and having a very large dynamic range, the receiver is of the type providing an alternating-current connection between the transimpedance circuit assembly and two comparator circuits for processing a signal which is coded at three levels. A threshold-generating circuit permits automatic switching of the thresholds among a plurality of predetermined discrete values as a function of the variation in amplitude of the signal. A circuit for inhibiting overoscillations is provided prior to transcoding. The transmitter delivers the information in the form of an internal code such as a PBP code having a constant direct-current component, and with refreshment. A delay circuit prevents overlapping of the code and refreshment pulses.

Abstract: Speech signals are optically coupled from a transmitter to a receiver using low duty-cycle infrared pulses. A conditioning circuit converts an a.c. input signal to be transmitted into a unipolar signal, whose magnitude controls the frequency of an oscillator which determines the frequency of the infrared pulses. In the receiver the detected pulses are low-pass filtered in a voice-band filter the output of which is coupled to a telephone line and/or a loudspeaker. A plurality of similar transmitters can be provided to enable signals from an arbitrary number of people to be coupled to a common receiver.

Abstract: The invention is a laser microphone in which two aligned beams of laser light, of which one beam is slightly delayed in relation to the other beam of the same frequency and is reflected by an object in motion, to produce intensity variation that vary as a function of the movements of the reflecting object.

Abstract: A frequency synthesized transceiver capable of tuning to a plurality of communication channels is disclosed. The transceiver includes a receiver section and a transmitter section which are coupled to the synthesizer which generates the appropriate injection signals to achieve tuning. The frequency synthesizer includes a multiposition switch which accesses various addressable memory locations in a programmable read-only memory where the appropriate divisors are stored to cause tuning of the synthesizer to the appropriate communication channel. A zone selector switch enables grouping and easy retrievability of channels. The divisors are supplied to a single synchronous binary swallow counter which works in conjunction with a dual modulus prescaler to monitor the frequency output of the voltage controlled oscillator. A programmable divider coupled to a reference oscillator source is compared with the output of the synchronous counter in a digital and analog phase detector.

Abstract: In a broad-band communications system, whose subscriber lines are preferably formed by light wave guides, and by way of which television broad-band signals are transmitted as pulse-modulated signals, for television program distribution, each television program is supplied, in a plurality of time channels, to time channel individual inputs in program source individual switching planes of a broad-band switching arrangement. In order to increase the blocking attenuation, crosspoint switches which lead to one and the same output are connected via multiplex logic linking elements to the output in question of the broad-band switching arrangement. When a crosspoint switch is blocked, the broad-band signal in question then experiences the cascaded blocking attenuation of a crosspoint switch and a threshold value multiplex circuit. The crosspoint switches and the threshold value multiplex circuits are preferably formed by logic linking elements constructed in accordance with ECL technology.

Abstract: A copying machine managing apparatus identifies information recorded on a plurality of using section magnetic cards and on an administrative department magnetic card. The plurality of using section magnetic cards are respectively assigned to using sections and bearing thereon respective using section codes. When one of the using section magnetic card is inserted in a slit of the copying machine managing apparatus, the using section code is identified and a copying machine associated therewith is made operable. The number copies produced by the particular using section is accumulated by a digital computer at each production of a copy and stored in an RAM. The accumulated number is at the same time indicated on an indicator window of the managing apparatus. When the administrative department magnetic card is inserted in the slit, the accumulated number of copies for each using section is successively read out from the RAM and indicated on the indicator window.

Abstract: The transmission system of this invention provides for transmitting over a fiber-optic line serially sampled analog data from a plurality of channels. Each sampled analog signal has a interleaved digital pulse. A sequence of digital pulses provides synchronization data for the determination in the receiver of the output channel for each received sampled analog signal. The digital pulse associated with each sampled analog signal provides the timing for a sampling circuit to provide as an analog signal each of the sampled analog data as an analog signal to a separate channel. The digital pulses not needed for synchronization are used for digital data transmission.

Abstract: A digital frequency relay for use in protecting an electrical power transmission line in the event of frequency deviations indicative of a fault condition, including an input device for receiving AC electric signals, and an oscillator for generating a reference frequency, which are connected to respective first and second counters which respectively count the number of output pulses from the oscillator during the AC electric signal positive half-cycle, and during the AC electric signal negative half-cycle. The resultant output from the first and second counters is added and compared with a set value to produce a trip signal for the frequency relay.

Abstract: A digital depth indicator for rotary earth drills, and particularly auger type drills, operates from the means used to lower and raise the drill. The indicator operates from either the wire or cable of a wire line hoist auger or the hydraulic fluid flow in a hydraulic Kelly hoist type machine. A rotary measuring device is provided with an incremental shaft encoder which rotates to produce a dual signal which is supplied to (1) an up/down digital counter and (2) a programmable .div.N counter, which counter supplies a .div.N pulse to the up/down digital counter. The programmable .div.N counter is provided with switches for (1) setting the apparatus to read in feet or in meters and (2) setting the program for the drilling machine type or model. The output from the up/down digital counter is fed through a display driver to a digital display showing the indicated depth in feet or meters.