Abstract: A systolic array of processing elements is connected to receive weight inputs and multiplexed data inputs for operation in feedforward, partially-- 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 that performs a convolution with kernal values as weight inputs. The convoluted image or neuron outputs from the systolic array are scaled and transformed via output look-up table for storage in the external data memory.

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 scannable latch system comprises a plurality of scannable latches and clock driver circuit that allow at-speed testing of integrated circuits. Each scannable latch comprises a master latch, a slave latch and an auxiliary latch. The master latch is a two input latch capable of receiving data from two sources. The output of the master latch is coupled to the input of the slave and auxiliary latches. The clock driver circuitry receives a clock and control signals which are transformed into signals that operate the scannable latch in three different modes. In the normal mode, the slave latch is transparent and the data is held primarily in the master latch. In the scan mode, data may be shifted into the master, shifted out through the auxiliary latch, or shifted both in and out with a propagate function. Finally, in a test mode independent data values may be stored in the master latch and the slave latch.

Abstract: A current compensation circuit for a comparator includes a pair of switching transistors which supply input bias current to their corresponding comparator input transistors, a pair of current to voltage conversion means which use collector current from the comparator input transistors to turn on and off the appropriate switching transistor when its corresponding comparator input transistor is on, a transistor to generate a negative replica of the input bias current flowing in the comparator input, and a current mirror which is programmed by the replica of the uncompensated input bias current to produce a compensated input bias current to the switching transistors.

Abstract: The system and method for pyrometrically determining the temperature of a semiconductor wafer within a processing chamber accurately determines the actual emissivity of the semiconductor wafer at a reference temperature using multiple pyrometers operating at different wavelengths. The pyrometers are calibrated for radiation received from the processing chamber and their responses are then corrected to provide the proper temperature indication for a master wafer at a known reference temperature to yield emissivity of the master wafer. Other similar wafers exhibiting extreme values of emissivity are sensed at the reference temperature to provide pyrometer responses that are corrected in accordance with the master emissivity, and such corrected responses are used to establish a correlation between emissivities and the corrected pyrometer responses.

Abstract: A staff scheduling data processing system and method schedules staff and management personnel at locations remote from a central location by applying central location policy to unique remote location data to insure the optimum staff schedule for each remote site. The system and method includes a data base for storing and retrieving information characterizing: central office policy; applicable labor requirements; tasks that need to be performed; skill levels required to perform tasks; resources that may confine or facilitate the scheduling of a task at a given time; relationships between tasks that will alter the placement or movement of a task on a schedule; employees with associated skill levels and priorities and availability; the employee's start-time and stop time, the percentage of an employee's time that it takes to work on a particular task, and the positive or negative slide in relation to the task's completion time by an employee.

Abstract: One of several processes is performed for the automatic management of footnote references in printed documents and a computer-controlled display shows bibliographically correct information in long form and short form in a processing system that provides for information to be enterd, stored, analyzed, merged, and transmitted to a printing device for the creation of a printed report that contains footnotes, endnotes or embedded notes which reference a source of information in correctly-reported style.

Abstract: The method of preparing and operating a heat-exchanging membrane of plastic material as the evaporating and condensing surfaces in a still includes treating the evaporating surface to be wettable by the distilland, and includes selectively washing the condensing surface which is unwettable by the by the distilland in order to promote efficient accumulation of condensed droplets and efficient heat transfer through the membrane to the evaporation surface. Washing liquids of either similar or disimilar chemical composition relative to the condensed vapor are recycled to the upper region of the condensing surface to facilitate washing of the surface by the downward movement of accumulated droplets of condensed vapor.

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 direction 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 transition from an intrauterine environment to the extrauterine environment, and includes a housing within which the infant is supported by a soft, form-fitting bed. Environment 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 imputs at various intervals.

Abstract: An improved electrocautery method and instrument includes interlock features which enable the instrument to be safely operated under convenient manual controls including a slide element and control buttons and interlock switch positioned on the instrument.

Abstract: A structure and method for operating a copper-vapor laser involves splitting and polarizing the exiting beam of radiation into two beams of different polarization orientations. One beam is completely reflected back to the laser medium within a first external cavity, and the other beam is partially reflected back to the laser medium in a second external cavity and is also partially transmitted to provide an output beam of short pulse duration that is selectively shaped in response to the interaction within the laser medium of the two segregated beams.

Abstract: A golf duplicator course includes large putting greens on which putting is performed, and target areas associated with tees on a teeing loop from which all other shots to the target areas are performed. The teeing loop is disposed along a boundary of the target area and has surfaces of varying characteristics along the length of the teeing loop selected from tall grass, short grass, sand, and hardpan at various elevation and degrees of level, up-sloping, down-sloping, as side-sloping terrain.

Abstract: An improved light source for illuminating optical fibers includes a high-intensity gas-discharge lamp positioned within a reflector assembly that focuses radiation from the lamp onto a remote focal point, and that selectively transmits and reflects desired visible radiation and attenuates undesirable ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Alignment procedures in assembly process ensure maximization of flux intensity supplied to optical fibers positioned at the remote focal point of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for supporting photographic sheet materials in intimate surface contact during contact exposure includes a flexible membrane which forms a common boundary wall between two gas-tight chambers. Air at ambient pressure is admitted to one chamber at a controlled rate slower than air is evacuated from the other chamber containing the photographic sheet materials. Progressive expansion of the surface area of contacting force assures that residual volumes of air between photographic sheets are squeezed out in an orderly pattern and not trapped in isolated pockets that distort resulting photographic images. A dimensionally stable blanket is supported about the perimeter to slide in a retaining frame against resilient cushioning that urges the blanket into engagement with the platen.

Abstract: A water dispensing system and method for carbonating water from a bottled water supply includes a carbonator that is controlled by electrical components which are coupled to fluid lines associated with the carbonator for remotely controlling the liquid level in the carbonator in response to the volumetric absorption of carbon dioxide in water.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are disclosed for calibrating the emissivity characteristics of a semiconductor wafer within a processing chamber by supporting a sample wafer on a graphite susceptor within the chamber and by comparing the temperature measured within the susceptor in close proximity to the center of the wafer with the temperature measured by the emission of radiation from the surface of the wafer through the walls of the processing chamber. Temperature measurements subsequently made from the radiation emitted from the surface of similar wafers are corrected with reference to the measurement made of the temperature within the susceptor on the sample wafer.

Abstract: Apparatus for warming a sterile liquid includes a basin with a heater assembly, a base surrounding the basin, and an electronic temperature controller. The shape of the basin bottom includes an plateau-like elevated central region and a depressed surrounding rim. The heater assembly is of a thin-film type, and provides relatively greater heating in the central region than in the outer region. Both the heater geometry and the shape of the basin bottom promote a natural and uniform convective flow of the liquid to promote mixing of the warmer and cooler portions of the liquid. The temperature controller allows the user to select the temperature that the liquid is to be warmed to, and provides visual and aural indications of liquid or basin temperatures which exceed reasonable pre-set limits. The controller also halts the flow of electrical current to the heater assembly when an overtemperature problem in the liquid or the basin is detected. A disposable cable connects the temperature controller to the basin.

Abstract: A logic-controlled circuit superimposes a constant voltage across an actuator or motor load that is driven by a bridge-type amplifier to control the constant velocity operation of such load in response to an applied logic signal that may also disable the bridge-type amplifier.