Abstract: An intelligent front-end communication system which is interposed between a plurality of actively redundant process control computers and a computer network. The intelligent front end communication system includes at least one front end computer which is coupled to the computer network, and a serial communication interface which is coupled between the actively redundant process control computers and the front end computer. The serial communication interface transmits sequential sets of dynamic data from the actively redundant process control computers to the front end computer. The front end computer includes a plurality of reflective or shadow memory buffers for storing and time aligning corresponding sets of dynamic data which are asynchronously received from the serial communication interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic connection of battery cables to eliminate spark or other undesirable effects from misconnection includes apparatus for sensing the polarity of the batteries to which the cables are attached and for automatically switching the connection cables so that the polarities are matched. Other portions of the circuit inhibit charging if one of the clamps becomes disconnected from a battery post or if a battery is below a predetermined small voltage indicating either an unchargeable battery or a disconnected cable condition. A specialized battery cable clamp is provided in which one set of jaws is insulated from the other, with a standoff preventing the jaws from touching each other. Once predetermined conditions have been met and the sense of the terminals on each of the batteries has been periodically ascertained, the main switching relays are activated so as to connect the appropriate main battery cables from one battery to another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic connection of battery cables to eliminate spark or other undesirable effects from misconnection includes apparatus for sensing the polarity of the batteries to which the cables are attached and for automatically switching the connection cables so that the polarities are matched. Other portions of the circuit inhibit charging if one of the clamps becomes disconnected from a battery post or if a battery is below a predetermined small voltage indicating either an unchargeable battery or a disconnected cable condition. A specialized battery cable clamp is provided in which one set of jaws is insulated from the other, with a standoff preventing the jaws from touching each other. Once predetermined conditions have been met and the sense of the terminals on each of the batteries has been periodically ascertained, the main switching relays are activated so as to connect the appropriate main battery cables from one battery to another.

Abstract: A character overprinting apparatus and method for overprinting in a laser non-impact printer is disclosed. Control bits are generated and assigned to data words transmitted from a host system. An underline control bit identifies whether the associated data word will require underlining and a data control bit identifies the data word as a character space or a character shape. An intermediate storage register stores a line of data words and associated control bits for overprinting. Stored data words and associated control bits from the intermediate storage register and data words and associated control bits from the host system are compared in an overprinting circuitry means to effect a selected merger of the data words and a selected modification of the control bits. The merger and modification are done in accordance with a pre-selected set of overprint rules.

Abstract: The device includes a speedometer in an automobile, having a speed scale and a pointer; the speedometer has photo-electric means and a shield on the pointer to interrupt the light rays in the photo-electric means, above a predetermined speed, for effecting warning signals or inhibiting excess speed; the PE arrangement eliminates mechanical contacts in the speedometer; the warning signals include external warning light viewable by others than those in the automobile such as other drivers and the traffic police, and includes a shifting down of automatic trasmission, for reducing speed; other forms of the invention are adapted to industrial installations.