Abstract: A systolic array of processing elements is connected to receive weight inputs and multiplexed data inputs for operation in two dimension convolution mode, or fully-connected neural network mode, or in cooperative, competitive neural network mode. Feature vector or two-dimensional image data is retrieved from external data memory and is transformed via input look-up table to input data for the systolic array. The convoluted image or outputs from the systolic array are scaled and transformed via output look-up table for storage in the external data memory. The architecture of the system allows it to calculate convolutions of any size within the same physical systolic array, merely by adjusting the programs that control the data flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for simulating and detecting timing errors in digital circuit designs. The system consists of a logic simulator connected to various storage registers, a sequencer, and a randomizer, for simulating component functionality within the digital circuit design at sequential time increments using stored parametric data. The method includes selecting, for each component in a digital circuit design, a specific timing constraint from a range of possible timing constraint values, using a psuedo-random selection algorithm. The digital circuit is then simulated through a number of periods using this timing constraint. When an adequate number of periods have been simulated, a new set of timing constraints are selected. Timing requirement violations are detected and reported to a user.

Abstract: A LISP-based library of files of selected functionalities are preprocessed into Context files of machine-readable codes as the smallest usable modules of massive computer programs for distribution to users and for independent operation on a computer as each such functionality is required by a user. Such Context files are initially prepared after assuring that each Context file which relies on the contents of any other Context file is rendered independent by copying the dependent material into the Context file for storage and distribution therewith. At run time, each Context file is loaded into a memory segment of a computer only as needed in response to selection by a user, and as loaded into the computer for execution, clashes among names or keys associated with each newly-requested functionality in a session are resolved against the keys or names of the Context files already in memory segments of the computer.

Abstract: Extrusion apparatus and method includes a chamber of alterable volume having an outlet and a vent in a movable wall of the chamber to facilitate sealing the chamber upon application of force to the movable wall to displace viscous, fluid composition from within the chamber through the outlet and along a desired path. After displacement of a volume of the composition from the chamber, the vent is relieved to promote expansion of the composition within the chamber through the vent rather than through the outlet. The composition may be cured to substantially non-fluid condition along the desired path in response to applied thermal and/or ultraviolet radiant energy to provide traces of selected electrical properties on a work surface.

Abstract: A multiplier tree sums the partial products of a multiplication operation, employing a regular hierarchical arrangement of bit adders that accept nine initial inputs and a carry input and produce three outputs and a carry output. The regularity of the structure of the bit adder allows it be used to form an array of bit adders to sum twenty-seven input bits and ten carry input bits to produce three output bits and ten carry outputs bits. These bit adders form the basis of the multiplier tree. The multiplier tree using this structure can sum the partial products from a 52 to 54 bit multiply operation in no more adder delays than a Wallace tree, but with a more regular structure. A method for reducing nine input signals to three output signals segregates the input signals into sets of signals and combines them into reduced sets of logically equivalent signals.

Abstract: A composite optical cable for lateral emission of light flux therefrom includes a plural number of sets of transparent optical fibers with each set of fibers assembled into a single cable and with a plurality of single cables assembled in the composite optical cable. The sets of optical fibers forming the single cables may be wound in one direction of rotation to form a spiral of fibers with length, and the single cables may be wound in the opposite direction of rotation to provide the composite optical cable. Selected masking schemes provide apertures at predetermined locations along the single cables through which light flux carried by the cables may be emitted for special lighting effects.

Abstract: A product-demand production-control system and method stores past-product demand data during past time periods for use with other data to compute product demands in such manner that the past-product demand data is used to estimate the product demands in current and near-future time periods. The system measures and stores the product demand data for a plurality of predetermined time periods and a plurality of products, and preestimates the product demand for a plurality of products for near-future time periods. Product-demand estimates for current and near-future time periods are revised for a plurality of products in response to weighted emphasis or confidence regarding product demand data in time periods just prior to the current time period.

Abstract: A CMOS tri-state buffer circuit transfers digital signals between a first digital circuit system operating at 3.3 Volts and a second system operating at 5 Volts. The buffer circuit receives an active high enable signal and a data signal as inputs to a tri-state select network. When the enable signal is high, data is propagated through a driver stage and onto a data bus in the second system. Driver clamp circuitry and an n-well voltage controller operate conjunction with the driver stage to prevent the 5 volt supply of the second system from interfering with the circuitry of the of the 3.3 Volt system. A clamped line driver transmits signals from the 5 Volt system to the 3.3 Volt system.

Abstract: The system and method for processing streams of coordinated data segments includes formatting the data segments into a single processing data word having a number of bits not less than the sum of the formatted data segments for common processing as a single data word in at least one clocked operating cycle.

Abstract: A slide component is configured to be inserted into a recess in an assembled magnetic diskette cartridge and rotated into operable orientation to be slideably positioned between locations in the recess that designate whether or not the magnetic disk in the cartridge is write-protected.

Abstract: A method for modulation doping of semiconductor heterostructures includes forming a semiconductor heterostructure comprising a substrate layer, a narrow band-gap quantum well layer, and a donor implantation layer. A focused ion beam writes across the surface of the donor implantation layer, at a maximum angle of incident less than that of the channeling half-angle .alpha. of the donor implantation layer. Channeled dopant ions penetrate deep within the donor implantation layer, far from surface damage sites, and away from the quantum well layer. The addition of a dechanneling layer within the donor implantation layer, and of a series of spacer layers, further localizes the implanted donor ions and separates these ions from the quantum well layer. Once activated by a thermal annealing process, the donor ions release carriers into the quantum well layer where carrier mobility is unimpeded by donor ion collisions. An alternative embodiment implants the donor ions before the heterostructure is completely formed.

Abstract: Dual pyrometric detectors and method measure the temperature of a remote heated object in the presence of ambient radiation. One detector measures emitted radiation from both the remote object and from the environment, and the other detector measures radiation predominantly from the environment alone. The output signals from the two detectors are processed electronically to yield the detected radiation from the remote object alone. The result can then be electronically processed to display the pyrometrically-measured temperature of the remote object.

Abstract: An infant environmental transition system and method provides an infant with a controlled, healthy transistion from an intrauterine environment to the extrauterine environment, and includes a housing within which the infant is supported by a soft, form-fitting bed. Environmental conditions provided within the housing include simulated motions, sounds and tactile sensations resembling the intrauterine environment. A suspension and drive system controls the degree of movement imparted to the housing and to an infant supported therein. The resulting motion closely approximates the motion experienced by the fetus while the mother is walking. The sound profile simulates intrauterine cardiovascular and gastrointestinal sounds. The system simulates day and night variations in motions and sounds, integrates changes to the environment over time toward the natural extrauterine environment, and may respond to infant activity or other inputs at various intervals.

Abstract: A polyphase electric power distribution system is protected from the effects of geomagnetic storms by countering the difference of potential between spaced grounding points in the system, and or by altering the magnetic circuits of transformers in the system to reduce half-cycle saturation and associated high peak currents.

Abstract: A current feedback circuit for controlling the error current in current feedback amplifier includes transistor biasing circuitry which monitors the error current to detect high input signal slew rates and switches on a transistor controlled shunt circuit to divert drive current from the transistors forming the amplifier input, when the error current generated exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: The apparatus and method transforms composite video signals according to NTSC, PAL, or SECAM standards into a symmetrical form in which the chroma component is phase locked to the instantaneous horizontal frequency to provide a fixed chroma phase to horizontal position alignment of video samples for efficient spatial manipulation thereof while preserving the storage efficiency of the single signal composite video format. The horizontally phase-locked symmetrical composite video signal may be transformed back to original asymmetrical chroma-reference based phase modulation for conventional display of the video signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically determining the temperature of an object in an environment at elevated temperature provides enhanced measurement accuracy by sensing radiation from the object in two or more different wavebands of radiation. The information derived therefrom is cyclically sampled and processed to provide corrected emissivity of the object. The temperature of the object is accurately determined from the corrected emissivity and sensed radiation therefrom. The apparatus includes a radiation detector for receiving radiation during an interval, an optical filter structure with a plurality of optical filters of different radiation transmissive characteristics, and sampling circuits for receiving the radiation signal from the detector during a selected period within the interval during which radiation is supplied to the detector; wherein the selected period is shorter than the interval, is determined in response to the cyclic operation of the filter structure, and contains the least amlitude gradient.

Abstract: A computer system in a fault-tolerant configuration employs three identical CPUs executing the same instruction stream, with two identical, self-checking memory modules storing duplicates of the same data. Memory references by the three CPUs are made by three separate busses connected to three separate ports of each of the two memory modules. The three CPUs are loosely synchronized, as by detecting events such as memory references and stalling any CPU ahead of others until all execute the function simultaneously; interrupts can be synchronized by ensuring that all three CPUs implement the interrupt at the same point in their instruction stream. Memory references via the separate CPU-to-memory busses are voted at the three separate ports of each of the memory modules. Each CPU has a local memory, separate from the memory modules, and this local memory is of the dynamic type so it must be periodically refreshed.

Abstract: An attachment for a handlebar includes a pair of relatively movable elements that are constrained against movement in a substantially vertical plane by resilient elements that generate opposing centering forces in response to relative movement of the pair of elements. The resilient force may be manually adjusted by altering the configuration of the mounting conditions of the resilient elements. Safety limiters are provided to inhibit excessive movements of the pair of relatively movable elements.