Abstract: A user-controlled interactive computer display system and method is disclosed for manipulating a hierarchy of information (a topmost node and a number of subordinate nodes, each with only one superior node). This display system and method allows a hierarchical arrangement of information to be constructed and changed with a minimum of steps and errors because positional information about each node is handled implicitly by the system.

Abstract: An improved gain stage includes a pair of differentially-connected, matched, bipolar transistors and local positive feedback from the output to the collector electrode of one input transistor to provide D.C. balance and substantially enhanced voltage gain.

Abstract: A system for detecting the air pressure in each wheel and for effecting inflation or deflation in each wheel while the vehicle is operating including a controller (30) and a high pressure reservoir (34) mounted on each wheel. Each controller includes a magnet (45) that is positioned responsive to the pressure in the associated tire and a stationarily mounted solenoid detector (32) senses the position of the magnet and generates a signal which is fed to a data processor (97) for the generation of an output signal to the vehicle operator indicating the pressure in the tire. Additionally, through actuation of the control, a current is passed through a coil (62) on the solenoid detector to actuate the magnet (45) in an individual wheel for opening a valve and allowing air to flow through the tube (39) into the tire for raising the tire pressure, or to allow the exhaust of air to lower the tire pressure.

Abstract: Improved method and means are disclosed for holding sheets in registration during photographic exposure on a light table. An impervious blanket is rolled out from and into a housing which travels over the sheets positioned on the light surface to be selectively secured and sealed in place for vacuum gripping of sheets between blanket and light table.

Abstract: Method and means are disclosed for producing an improved vacuum blanket with a pattern of air-flow passages that is formed on the underside surface of the air-impervious blanket using conventional printing techniques. The blanket forms an air-tight seal over and around the perimeter of a glass exposure plate, and residual air may be evacuated from beneath the blanket through porous regions beyond the edges of the glass exposure plate.

Abstract: A flow limit valve for limiting the flow rate of a pressurized fluid includes a valve body with an interconnecting cavity of circular cross section. Within the cavity if a piston that slides within the cavity under force generated by a pressure differential across the piston to a closed position which prevents fluid flow through the valve. A pin is provided that is attached to the piston and that protrudes through the piston seat into the outlet side of the cavity when the piston is at the closed position. Opposite the pin is an encapsulated magnet within the valve body that can be moved in response to another magnet outside the valve body to contact the pin attached to the piston to move it to the open position. The magnetic forces applied through the valve body affect internal valve operation via the pin attached to the piston and this avoids the danger of noxious fluids escaping through sliding seals or flexible membranes.

Abstract: A particulate counter determines the size, number and distribution by size of various particles within a vessel by the principle of near angle scattering in which the portion of a light beam which is deflected by a given particle indicates detection and sizing of that particle. The counter disregards sidelobes which are caused by interference between the deflected portion of the beam and the beam itself by allowing only a single valid particle detection to occur in the space of a given time window.

Abstract: An improved file access security technique and associated apparatus accesses data which is stored in encrypted form under one encryption key and re-stores the data re-encrypted under another encryption key, and produces a record of each access and data re-encryption both as the control source of encryption keys for access and re-entry of encrypted data and as a secured audit record of users that had access to each file.

Abstract: Method and means of supplying currency includes assembling and packing currency on a transport medium which is secured within a housing and which is incrementally unpacked under security control to dispense the desired amount of currency. Method and means for assembling and packing currency on the transport medium include adhesive regions on the transport medium for attaching currency thereto in substantially coplanar array to facilitate selective unpacking by non-coplanar manipulation of currency and transport medium. Another embodiment utilizes packets of currency that move along with the adhesive transport medium to facilitate self-contained assembly of units of currency on the transport medium. Equal rates of movement of the next unit of currency and the transport medium assure that only the next unit of currency will be transported on the adhesive medium.

Abstract: A portable banking terminal under control of an authorized user and operating within a system of banks and retailers may be initialized for personal use under separate controls by the banks and the retailers to facilitate the completion of basic transactions such as deposits and withdrawals from remote locations. Multiple verification checks for authorization of the user secure the transactions against interception and alteration during transmission over unsecured communication channels.

Abstract: Units of currency are assembled and packed on a transport medium which is secured within a housing and which is incrementally unpacked under security control to dispense the desired amount of currency. The units of currency are removably attached to the transport medium by isolated, discontinuous adhesive regions on the transport medium that attach the currency thereto in substantially coplanar array with the forward edge unattached to facilitate selective unpacking by non-coplanar manipulation of the transport medium that separates the forward edge of the currency from the transport medium.

Abstract: The operating efficiency of a Diesel engine is improved by method and means which prevaporize the injected fuel, and which establish initial combustion in a thermally-isolated, high-temperature chamber, and also which rely on various sources of heat in the operating engine to preheat the fuel to gaseous state prior to injection into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for reproducing sound includes a third channel which is derived from the pair of signals representing traditional left and right stereophonic channels and which represents a linear algebraic difference between such a pair of signals. A third loudspeaker associated with the third channel povides acoustic radiation as a supplement to acoustic radiation from two laterally-spaced loudspeakers normally used to reproduce respective left and right signal channels. Acoustic radiation from the third loudspeaker is toward a preferred listening region and in a direction substantially opposite to that from the two laterally-spaced left and right loudspeakers which are positioned and oriented to provide essentially codirectional acoustic radiation toward the preferred listening region.

Abstract: An improved water-level control method and apparatus automatically maintains the water level in a pool by selectively filling or draining water as required during the period that the circulating system is not operating.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique are provided to automatically align an insert for insertion into a hole of a predrilled board. The hole is located by a retractable centering pin on the apparatus to ensure an accurate alignment with the insert, and, once aligned, the insert is inserted into the hole with a force axially applied by the apparatus.

Abstract: A card-encoding system and method preserves the security of the encoding process against duplication and counterfeiting of cards by securing the interactions under the control of the individual and then of the issuing institution. Multilevels of offset codes are generated in successive interactions so that attempted alteration, duplication, or counterfeiting of a coded card will be readily detectable using "off-line" card-checking apparatus. An "active" card is initially issued or authorized with an established credit balance, and its authenticity, balance, and proper use are continuously checked, debited and updated in each authorized transactions completed by the proper individual. A card or other data-carrying medium may be verified as authentic and unaltered, and the identity of an authorized individual assigned to the card may be verified by initially recording an offset on the card and by subsequently comparing the recorded offset with an offset regenerated from the same data used initially.

Abstract: A pulse generator for generating pulses having predetermined slopes is disclosed, comprising a capacitor that can be charged and discharged through predetermined current sources, a switching device for connecting and disconnecting the current sources and a step function signal source for controlling the switching device. The capacitance of the capacitor is in the range of the stray capacitance of the switching device. A fraction of the output signal of the step function signal source is superimposed in oppposite phase upon the output signal of the capacitor so as to compensate the voltage surge in the output signal of the capacitor resulting from the voltage divider formed by the stray capacitance of the switching device and the capacitor.

Abstract: A marine depth sounder uses digital techniques to enhance the image of a received acoustic pulse for providing expansion of a portion of the range information with high resolution.

Abstract: A card-encoding system and method preserves the security of the encoding process against duplication and counterfeiting of cards by securing the interactions under the control of the individual and then of the issuing institution. Multilevels of offset codes are generated in successive interactions so that attempted alteration, duplication, or counterfeiting of a coded card will be readily detectable using "off-line" card-checking apparatus.

Abstract: A torque wrench is provided in which a removably attached alarm indicator produces an audible buzzing or visual indication when a pre-selected torque is applied by the torque wrench. In a preferred embodiment, an audible buzzer has a magnet in its base to facilitate removable attachment to a faceplate on the wrench, and also to make possible the use of the same audible buzzer on other torque wrenches. The audible buzzer may include an electrical circuit having a switch, battery, and buzzer all connected in series.