Abstract: An audiovisual subscription system includes means for aperiodically inverting the lines of a transmitted video signal on a frame-by-frame basis and for decrypting encrypted PCM audio information which is transmitted along with the aperiodically inverted video information.

Abstract: An image processing system for converting gray level, digital, pixel information into binary data. Pixels with digital values close to the threshold value are further processed to determine the binary value to be specified for that pixel. In such cases, the adjacent horizontal pixel is tested and, if that test is inconclusive, the adjacent vertical pixel is tested. Depending upon the tests of whether the adjacent pixels were also close to the threshold value, the current pixel value is assigned the opposite value as the previous adjacent pixel. This has the effect of specifying, for transition areas at the boundaries of text characters and graphic lines, alternating pixels which produce a serrated edge along the borders of the character or line. These edges are of high spatial frequency and are substantially undetectable under ordinary circumstances by an observer. These edges are also smoothed in the printing process by the fusing of the toner to the output medium.

Abstract: The number of pages of a multi-page document which can be stored in a buffer memory, when one or more of the pages of the document is substantially non-compressible, is increased by the invention. A machine, which is adapted to reproduce multi-page documents from image data of interleaved compressible and substantially non-compressible types of pages, includes multi-page buffer memory. The image data of the compressible page type is compressed and stored in the buffer memory. All pages of one type, either compressible or substantially non-compressible, are reproduced and the reproductions stored. Then, all the pages of the other type are reproduced, during which time, the stored reproductions of the one type page are delivered seriatim from storage into the reproduction document in collated fashion at the position corresponding to the position of the associated original in the multi-page document.

Abstract: Multi-page documents containing at least two types of pages requiring skip frame cycles between types are produced by first producing and storing all the pages of one type and then producing all the pages of the other type. Collation is effected during production of the latter type pages, the stored pages are withdrawn from storage at appropriate times and interleaved between the other pages as they are produced. For example, all multi-color sheets can be produced one after the other in the order in which they occur in the original document and stored. Then all single-color pages can be produced in the order that they occur in the original document and sent directly to an exit tray, the multi-color pages being inserted at proper positions.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing multi-sheet, collated copy sets of a multi-original document with apparatus for monitoring the copy sets for confirming that each copy set contains all of the sheets, and has no grossly skewed, or unwanted duplicate or blank sheets. First electrical information signals characteristic of the images on the originals and second electrical information signals characteristic of the images on the copy set sheets are compared to produce an error signal representative of differences therebetween. A malfunction of the copier/printer is indicated in response to error signals of at least a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: Where components are drilled by means of a robot a problem occurs when different size holes are needed to be drilled. The existing solution to this problem is to provide a drill unit (including drill bit, chuck and feed device) for each size of hole to be drilled and programme the robot to select the appropriate drill unit from the series of drill units supplied, perform its task, replace the drill unit in its store and select a further drill unit. Thus a complete drill unit is changed for every change in hole size. The presently described arrangement provides means to effect only drill bit change, the chuck and feed unit remaining on the robot at all times. The arrangement also provides means to effect such drill bit change while the chuck is rotating thereby obviating the need to stop and restart every time the drill bit is changed.

Abstract: A multimode scrambling system for video signal transmission systems is described. The system provides for baseband video scrambling controlled by a central originating computer facility. The scrambling of each field of a video changes on a per field basis. The video signal is scrambled in several modes including vertical interval scrambling, alternate line inversion, bogus sync pulse generation, video compression and video offset techniques. A scrambling sequence is sent by a unique algorithm, sent during the vertical interval to each system decoder. The algorithm is reordered for each of a plurality of fields of the video signal and the reordering position is identified by a unique synchronization pulse transmitted during the vertical interval of the video signal. Additional security measures are provided to inhibit a subscriber from avoiding a transmitted disable command, or an attempt to invade the subscriber decoder mechanical packaging security.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for softening and displacing electrically insulative material on a portion of the surface of an electrographic imaging web by heat and pressure to effect electrical contact (e.g. grounding) with an isolated conductive layer thereof. One apparatus embodiment maintains a constant tension in the web which urges the insulative material into pressure contact with flanges on each end of a heated aluminum roller. The roller makes electrical contact with a conductive layer of the web when the softened insulative material is displaced from between the roller and the conductive layer. Means for protecting the center of the web from the heat supplied to the roller and means for preventing a buildup of insulative material on the flanges of the roller are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring continuously shrinkage and crimp development in a long continuous sample of yarn involves the steps providing a zero-tension loop, applying a standard tension, then developing crimp in a single downward pass through a hot air chamber providing a second zero-tension loop and thereafter retensioning it. The shrinkage and crimp development is calculated from differential speeds of rolls advancing the yarn.

Abstract: Non-destructive vibratory cleaning of reverse osmosis and ultra filtration membranes is accomplished by strategically positioning a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and using a frequency modulating sweep system to vibrate various and different transducers for vibrating liquid adjacent the membrane to be cleaned while preventing long period standing waves from being produced and/or continuously move a transducer along a filter module during cleaning to provide intense ultrasonic energy while preventing formation of membrane destructive standing waves.

Abstract: Subscription apparatus and methods wherein an encoder begins inversion of a video signal during the last horizontal trace line of a randomly selected vertical interval and continues to invert trace lines in the following field of the video signal. The encoder also suppresses the amplitude of randomly selected horizontal blanking pulses only during fields of the video signal while maintaining unaltered the absolute amplitude differential between the horizontal blanking pulses and associated horizontal synchronization pulses. A decoder reinverts trace lines of the field following detection of an inverted last horizontal trace line of a vertical interval. The decoder also selectively rebiases the video signal to restore the horizontal blanking pulses upon detection of a suppressed amplitude during the front porch of a horizontal blanking pulse. Reinversion of the trace lines and rebiasing of the blanking pulses is achieved by selective reference biasing of a video modulator circuit in the decoder.

Abstract: A hollow, projectile-shaped body containing an acoustical transducer is rased into the sea such that the body descends in free fall until it strikes and penetrates the sea floor, coming to a rest therein. Acoustic signals emanating from the acoustic transducer are processed to generate a direct current analog signal which is a function of the acoustical attenuation of the acoustic signals from a time immediately preceding the body striking the sea floor surface until the body comes to rest in the sea floor, thereby obtaining an indication of the physical characteristics of the sea floor.

Abstract: A hollow, projectile-shaped body containing an acoustical transducer is rased into the sea such that the body descends in free fall until it strikes and penetrates the sea floor, coming to a rest therein. Acoustic signals emanating from the acoustic transducer are processed utilizing the doppler effect to generate a direct current analog signal which is the function of the velocity of the body from a time immediately preceding the body striking the sea floor surface until the body comes to rest in the sea floor, thereby obtaining an indication of the physical characteristics of the sea floor.

Abstract: A TV monitor includes an antenna coupler capable of selectively coupling the TV receiver being monitored to an antenna or an r.f. oscillator. The oscillator is selectively operated to impose an r.f. signal onto the antenna input of the receiver between successive horizontal blanking periods on an active video line. One probe, connected to the horizontal retrace circuit of the receiver monitors the receiver for an "on " or "off" condition, while another probe, connected to the kinescope circuits of the receiver detects the channel to which the receiver is tuned. By successively stepping the r.f. oscillator through successive frequencies within the bandwidth of individual channels, and by monitoring the kinescope probe for that frequency which compares to that generated, channel identification may be determined.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus having improved structure and procedures for regenerating electrophotosensitive properties of its photoconductive imaging member. Erase lights, of spectral quality matching peak absorption characteristics of the imaging member, are located to enable their radiation to be strongly absorbed proximate the positively biased surface of the imaging member. The regenerative sources are provided at locations around the copying path which cause relief of field load on the photoconductor during each cycle, soon after its useful function has been accomplished.

Abstract: A hollow, projectile-shaped body containing an acoustical transducer is rased into the sea such that the body descends in free fall until it strikes and penetrates the sea floor, coming to a rest therein. Acoustic signals emanating from the acoustic transducer are processed utilizing the doppler effect to generate a direct current analog signal which is the function of the velocity of the body from a time immediately preceding the body striking the sea floor surface until the body comes to rest in the sea floor, thereby obtaining an indication of the physical characteristics of the sea floor.

Abstract: A method of protecting the cladding of a nuclear fuel element from internal attack and a nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor are disclosed. The nuclear fuel element has disposed therein an additive of a barium-containing material and the barium-containing material collects reactive gases through chemical reaction or adsorption at temperatures ranging from room temperature up to fuel element plenum temperatures. The additive is located in the plenum of the fuel element and preferably in the form of particles in a hollow container having a multiplicity of gas permeable openings in one portion of the container with the openings being of a size smaller than the size of the particles. The openings permit gases and liquids entering the plenum to contact the particles. The additive is comprised of elemental barium or a barium alloy containing one or more metals in addition to barium such as aluminum, zirconium, nickel, titanium and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel element for use in the core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed. A heat conducting, fission product retaining metal liner of a refractory metal is incorporated in the fuel element between the cladding and the nuclear fuel to inhibit mechanical interaction between the nuclear fuel and the cladding, to isolate fission products and nuclear fuel impurities from contacting the cladding and to improve the axial thermal peaking gradient along the length of the fuel rod. The metal liner can be in the form of a tube or hollow cylindrical column, a foil of single or multiple layers in the shape of a hollow cylindrical column, or a coating on the internal surface of the cladding. Preferred refractory metal materials are molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium and alloys of the foregoing metals.