Abstract: A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system.

Abstract: A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system.

Abstract: A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system.

Abstract: Oral input is used to control a digital computer. Associative searching techniques of tabular data structures are used in conjunction with rules and conventions derived from natural language to facilitate the use of oral input. The method is capable of being implemented in connection with conventional sequential computers, associative single-instruction multiple data computers and parallel processors.

Abstract: A display tray formed from corrugated or solid fiber paper is useful for packaging, shipping, displaying and transportation of various goods. The tray includes a planar bottom which has a central and two extreme sections formed by a pair of parallel score lines. Opposing ends and sides are joined to the bottom and each side includes a pair of vertical and angular score lines which intersect proximate the bottom score lines for folding purposes. The tray can be easily changed from an open to either a partially or fully closed tray by manually bending along the sides at the described score lines to rotate the end assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to permit selective variation in the size of the output image derived from digital image signals. A Reduction Ratio register is pre-programmed to a count reflecting the image size desired with a Threshold register set to the desired threshold count. The count from the Reduction Ratio register is input to an Accumulator and summed with the count left over from processing the previous image signals. The Accumulator count and the Threshold count are compared. Where the Accumulator count exceeds the Threshold count, the image signal in process is passed on. Where the Accumulator count is less than the Threshold count, the image signal is deleted and the count from an Additive Reset register is added to the Accumulator.In an alternate embodiment, a Counter is set to the magnification ratio integer number and pulses a control gate astride the stream of image signals according to the Counter setting to generate additional image signals.