Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically recognizing the characters on a license plate which is fixed on a vehicle. A sensor/controller device is utilized to detect whether the vehicle has reached a predetermined position for image sampling, and to release a trigger signal when the vehicle has reached the predetermined position. An image processing unit is coupled to the sensor/controller device to receive the trigger signal and then to send an image-sampling instruction to an image-sampling device. The image-sampling device is coupled to the image processing unit, and samples a vehicle image including the image of the license plate in response to the image-sampling instruction. The vehicle image is converted into an electric signal by the image-sampling device, which in turn is sent back to the image processing unit.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting pits on a laser disc master comprising a disc signal source with a RAM and a series of shift registers; a machine unit having a servo-rotary shaft for mounting a master disc; a servo-horizontally moving shaft perpendicular to the rotary shaft; a deviation sensor mounted on the horizontally moving shaft perpendicular to the master disc; and a diamond cutting tool controlled by a signal-source-controlled piezoelectric driver. It also comprises a computer unit, which includes a disc signal control interface, and machine unit control interfaces. The rotation error of the machine unit can modulate the signal output speed of the signal source.

Abstract: A diagnostic system comprising one or more stethoscopes and a diagnostic unit. Each stethoscope is used to pick up a sound, which is then transmitted in radio form via an antenna after amplification through an electric/audio transducer. The sound, after being received by the diagnostic unit, is compared in a computer for diagnosis of the symptoms. The result of the diagnosis is then transmitted through an antenna and received by the stethoscope for reference by its user.

Abstract: An improved treadmill comprises at track mechanism wherein the rotational speed of the tread belt is automatically controlled to suit the physical condition of the user, and a slope adjusting mechanism is associated with the track mechanism to enable the track mechanism to operate at a slope. The treadmill further comprises a controller having a microprocessor formed therein for inputting control data, processing and recording operation status data, and outputting/displaying those stored data. There are ports of sensors to collect various exercise data such as speed, distance, slope, pulse rate, duration, etc. The controller then enables the treadmill to operate in accordance with a predetermined sequence of functions and to adapt to the condition of the user, while at the same time the controller stores/displays exercise data, such as the pulse rate, pace, number of steps taken, heat dissipated, etc.