Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: A method/system for controlling downshifting in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) utilized on a vehicle having a manually controlled engine brake (46) and foot brake (44) system. The engine speed at which downshifts are commanded (ESD/S) is modified as a function of sensed operation of the engine brake (EB?) and foot brake (FB) systems.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: A process for machining edge portions of a ceramic article preform without chipping includes grinding in such consecutive machining steps and machining directions that a chipped portion which results in a machined part of the edge portion in a machining step, is removed by any succeeding. Further, a lastly remaining part of the edge portions of the ceramic article preform is machined in a final step without chipping, thereby enabling the edge portion of the ceramic article preform to be ground without chipping.

Abstract: A process for chucking and machining an elongated cylindrical article made of a ceramic material according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: (1) chucking the elongated cylindrical ceramic article between chuck heads at longitudinally opposite end portions of said ceramic article; (2) holding the elongated cylindrical article between the chuck heads under such a low chucking pressure as allowing the ceramic article to slip inside a driven side chuck head while being kept inside the chuck heads at the opposite end portions, and slipping the ceramic article inside the chuck heads for a given time under rotation of a driving chuck head so that any positional deviation between the location of a center axis passing centers of of the chuck heads and an axis of the ceramic article may be removed due to a self aligning centrifugal action of the ceramic article; (3) raising the chucking pressure of the chuck heads to such a level as required for machining the ceramic article; and (4) then machining a su

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching for specific television programs which satisfy certain criteria concerning a user's viewing preferences, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus generates a list of such television programs in order to predict for the viewer certain programs which may be of interest. In a first embodiment of the invention the apparatus stores information about the particular television shows which the user watches, as search criteria. In a second embodiment of the invention the search criteria is editable by the viewer to further refine the searches.

Abstract: A control method/system for controlling engagement of reverse ratios in automated vehicular transmission systems (10) having a controller (38) issuing command output signals to non-manually controlled actuators (30, 34) is provided. The controller includes logic rules for (i) sensing predetermined reverse ratio enabling conditions, including remaining in neutral for at least a predetermined period of time (N.sub.T >REF.sub.2) prior to selecting reverse, and (ii) issuing commands to cause a reverse ratio to be engaged only upon sensing such conditions, to minimize accidental engagement of reverse ratios without requiring mechanical interlocks.

Abstract: A television receiver, provides a hierarchy of menus for controlling functions affecting the display of the video image. A "fetch" menu which can be customized by a user, which is absent from the screen during normal program viewing, and which is easily accessible by means of a single key, holds a given number of the user's favorite commands. The user may add commands to the fetch menu which normally reside any position in the menu hierarchy. The user may thereafter cause display of his list of favorite commands via a remote control key, and cause the execution of his desired command without having to find that command at its normal position in the hierarchy.

Abstract: A tweezer-like heater structure includes a pair of arms that can be pivoted towards one another and a pair of legs having ferromagnetic temperature self regulating Curie point heaters at the ends of the legs, the legs being removably connectable to electrical connectors located in the arms whereby current is supplied to coils that energize the heaters. Heaters of different temperatures are provided by choosing heaters with ferromagnetic materials having different Curie temperatures. The structure is used as a soldering iron by inserting a heater with a proper shape in one arm and short circuitry the connector in the other arm.

Abstract: Data processing equipment suitable for recording details of manually connected telephone calls has a plurality of operator stations with keyboards and VDU's connected in groups to operator's control units which respond to keyed instructions to obtain data from peripheral units storing such data and for recording on magnetic tape cartridge the details of the calls. The magnetic tape cartridge recording units are duplicated and the data to be recorded in the two units, which are separately generated and should be the same, are compared with one another and their validity checked. If both data are valid, whether they differ or not, they are recorded. If only one set of data is valid only the valid data are recorded by both recorders. A marker signal may be recorded to indicate that the data recorded may be incorrect.