Abstract: An improved method and means for protecting converter circuitry during input overvoltage and all load conditions includes a control circuit which reduces duty cycle below requisite conduction time for effective signal conversion with resulting reduction in load current.

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: An improved method and means for carbonating water includes an inexpensive pressure vessel that operates at low fluid pressures, and that is selectively vented of accumulated atmospheric gases to maintain high carbonating efficiency. Supplemental gasification of the dispensed liquid and selective cooling techniques used on the inlet water and on the carbonator promote high-level carbonation on low volume usage of pressurized carbon dioxide gas. Post-mix apparatus and method produce flavored soft drinks with only minimum additional equipment.

Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method are disclosed for interleaving selected video fields of multiple displayable programs to facilitate viewer selection of which programs to display. Selected video fields are stored and continuously displayed until new, successive video field is selected to update the currently stored video field. In this manner, a sequence of rapidly updated, fixed or frozen video fields provide the appearance of continuous movement of displayed images. Digital data is included in the video fields to identify the particular fields occurring in an arbitrary sequence. The sequence of interleaved video fields may be assembled in real time or stored as a video tape recording, and the information needed to re-assembly correlated video fields of a selected displayable program from the arbitrary sequence of interleaved video fields is included in the digital data in the horizontal scans of traces of each video field in the sequence.

Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method are disclosed for interleaving selected video fields of multiple displayable programs to facilitate viewer selection of which programs to display. Selected video fields are stored and continuously displayed until a new, successive video field is selected to update the currently stored video field. In this manner, a sequence of rapidly updated, fixed or frozen video fields provides the appearance of continuous movement of displayed images. Audio signals are included in the video fields of displayable programs to provide audio signals in synchronism with selected video fields. The sequence of interleaved video fields may be assembled in real time or stored as a video tape recording, and the information needed to re-assemble correlated video fields of a selector displayable program from the sequence of interleaved video fields is included in the horizontal scans or traces of each video field in the sequence.

Abstract: An improved linear amplifier circuit includes controlled current sources connected to supply additional current to the output stage during rapid change of applied signal. The current sources are responsive to current levels in the input stages and thus need only conduct low levels of current during quiescent operating conditions. Symmetrical and asymmetrical circuit configurations with respect to reference potential are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved linear amplifier circuit includes current mirror circuits that are cross connected in the collector circuits of input transistors for supplying proportional current to circuit nodes from which signal is derived for controlling the output stages. The states for supplying boost current to the circuit nodes are stabilized in quiescent condition to avoid delays commonly associated with the turning on of a non-conducting stage.

Abstract: A scanning device and method for reading bar-code or other contrasting marks from a surface at variable distance from the scanning device operates by modulating the focal point of the optical system to yield pulse responses on detected code bars while in focus, and average background response levels from the bar-code surface while out of focus. Modulation of focal point of the optical system is achieved in selected ways such as by positioning optical elements using piezoelectric or electromagnetic drivers or liquid-crystal elements, or by staggering the positions along an optical axis of arrays of optical sensors, or of optical fibers coupled to the sensors.

Abstract: A spherically-shaped piston is rigidly attached to a connecting rod for reciprocating and tilting motion within a borehole in response to rotation of a crankshaft having an associated crank which is rotatably attached to the connecting rod. Web and ribs and ridges integrally formed on the hollow, underside of the piston control thermal transfer and deformation to assure continuous perimeter seal with the walls of the borehole over all operating temperatures as the piston sides and tilts within the borehole.

Abstract: An improved direct-coupled amplifier includes a push-pull pair of transistors in an output stage that provides high output current on low quiescent current. Each such output transistor is driven by a push-pull pair of driver transistors that receives the applied signal at proper bias levels provided by forward-biased diodes (or diodes and gain element) to provide high input impedance to low output impedance signal buffering with wide bandwidth at high power levels.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for illuminating optical fibers includes a bezel block for positioning the ends of optical fibers near an area of illumination that is isolated from the heat of the source of illumination and that is cooled by air flowing through the block. Heat is transferred from the source of illumination by flowing air which is controlled within an enclosure for maintaining low exhaust temperatures.

Abstract: An improved system, apparatus and method are disclosed for interleaving selected video fields of multiple displayable programs to facilitate viewer selection of which programs to display. Selected video fields are stored and continuously displayed until a new, successive video field is selected to update the currently stored video field. In this manner, a sequence of rapidly updated, fixed or frozen video fields provides the appearance of continuous movement of displayed images. Audio signals are included in the video fields of displayable programs to provide audio signals in synchronism with selected video fields. The sequence of interleaved video fields may be assembled in real time or stored as a video tape recording, and the information need to re-assemble correlated video fields of a selector displayable program from the sequence of interleaved video fields is included in the horizontal scans or traces of each video field in the sequence.

Abstract: A scanning device and method for reading bar code or other contrasting marks from a surface at a variable distance from the scanning device operates by modulating the focal point of the optical system to yield pulse responses on detected code bars while in focus, and average background response levels from the bar code surface while out of focus. Modulation of focal point of the optical system is achieved in selected ways such as by positioning optical elements using piezoelectric or electromagnetic drivers or liquid-crystal elements, or by staggering the positions along an optical axis of arrays of optical sensors, or of optical fibers coupled to the sensors. The light sources and detectors may be transposed to provide an array of individual light sources that are selectably and rapidly energized at locations in the optical system which provide illumination that is substantially in focus or out of focus on the surface being scanned.

Abstract: The method and means of fault-tolerant processing includes a plurality of system building blocks, each including a real-time processor and specialized processors and local non-volatile memory that are coupled to communicate internally within each of the system building blocks, which, in turn, communicate with one another over local-area network links, and communicate with the remainder of the system over an I/O bus controlled by an I/O processor. Transaction-based processing is under control of a transaction coordinator which permits all of the transaction operations to complete successfully and then alter stored data for the completed transaction, or not to alter any stored data if a transaction is not completed. The transaction coordinator maintains a record of the distributed file accesses required during processing of a transaction, and prevents other transactions from altering stored data during processing of a transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining remaining distance to the green and for selecting an appropriate club to use in advancing the golf ball over the remaining distance. A device for storing the distances achieved in the past with a selected club is operated to yield a statistical value useful in selecting the club to use on the next stroke. In addition, the method and apparatus measures directly the distance achieved with the club used to advance the golf ball toward the green, and performance information is continually updated to provide currently-accurate performance information upon which to base the selection about which club to use on the next stroke.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for supporting photographic sheet materials in intimate surfact 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.

Abstract: A water purification method and system, employing at least a first chamber and a second chamber to freeze a portion of a volume of impure water in the first chamber while melting ice in the second chamber. The unfrozen liquid, which has a high impurity concentration, is drained from the first chamber. The melted ice, from which up to 95% of the original impurities have been rejected during the freezing operation, is drained from the second chamber. Then, a new volume of impure water is supplied to the second chamber, and the process continues with the roles of the chambers reversed. The system includes at least one heat transfer fluid coil portion wrapped around (or disposed within) each chamber. The system requires no scraping or transporting of frozen ice, requires no chemical or cartridge replacement, and can be embodied in a small housing suitable for use as a home or restaurant appliance.

Abstract: A hand-held washer having an upper wall and a lower wall in substantially parallel alignment. Portions of a first sidewall and a second sidewall are tapered toward each other from the upper wall to the lower wall. A first end wall and a second end wall are in substantially parallel alignment. The upper and lower walls and the first and second sidewalls, and the first and second end walls together define a washer body. The washer body is made of a transparent material. An inlet channel is positioned within the washer body for carrying fluid from a source. An outlet channel is positioned within the washer body for applying a vacuum. A plurality of wash tubes descend from the inlet channel through the lower wall. A plurality of aspirator tubes descend from the outlet channel through the lower wall. A valve means connected to the inlet channel controls the flow of fluid through the inlet channel.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for establishing scan-ring testing circuitry and control logic therefor on CMOS integrated circuit chips which can then be tested thereby during fabrication, after wire bonding and packaging, and while assembled and connected with other components on a printed circuit board. Tri-state buffers fabricated on the IC chip within the scan-ring control circuitry facilitate the operation of the scan-ring testing circuitry in several distinct operating modes which enable the functional circuitry of the integrated circuit to be electrically isolated from the associated signal pads for testing of the functional circuitry independently of circuitry connected to the signal pads, and for testing circuitry connected to the signal pads independently of the function circuitry of the chip.

Abstract: A spherically-shaped piston is rigidly attached to a connecting rod for reciprocating and tilting motion within a borehole in response to rotation of a crankshaft having an associated crank which is rotatably attached to the connecting rod. Web and ribs and ridges integrally formed on the hollow, undeside of the piston control thermal transfer and deformation to assure continuous perimeter seal with the walls of the borehole over all operating temperatures as the piston sides and tilts within the borehole.