Abstract: A card having randomly-oriented optical fibers, and a system having a card reader for reading the card and having a keyboard for entering secret user-identification data, are disclosed for securing the user-identification data entered into the system. The system includes a logic unit for controlling the keyboard, and for applying data to the card via the card reader. The card operates in conjunction with the logic unit of the system to transform the applied data and to improve the security of said data. A method of fabricating said card and a method of securing entered data using said card are also disclosed.

Abstract: A card having randomly-oriented optical fibers, and a system having a card reader for reading the card and having a keyboard for entering secret user-identification data, are disclosed for securing the user-identification data entered into the system. The system includes a logic unit for controlling the keyboard, and for applying data to the card via the card reader. The system also includes a physical data collector or transducer for collecting fingerprint or voice print data, or the like, from a user and applying said data, in digital form, to the card via the logic unit and the card reader. The card operates in conjunction with the logic unit of the system to transform the applied data and to improve the security of said data. A method of fabricating said card and a method of securing entered data using said card are also disclosed.

Abstract: Semi-submersible offshore drilling platforms are stabilized to reduce heave at wave periods which are shorter than those at which heave resonance occurs. Platform structures include supporting columns and pontoons. The pontoons extend outboard of the columns and have non-uniform cross sections. In addition, the pontoons may be shifted outwardly from the column center-lines. Reduced heave response to head-on, stern-on and beam waves is achieved.

Abstract: The extent, location, and severity of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries are determined by intravenous injection into the circulating blood of a number of small, discrete positron-emitting particles and by tracking the particles in three dimensions in the region of the heart using suitable gamma detectors disposed external to the patient's chest. The resolution and counting rates of the gamma detectors permit the sequence of positions of each particle to be recorded as a function of time as each particle flows through a coronary vessel. Data analysis of these recordings of particle position provide information about the velocity of blood flow through the course of each coronary artery. This velocity information is used to determine the extent, severity, and location of stenotic lesions of the coronary arteries.

Abstract: A multi-module, multi-port memory system includes modules having semiconductor memory circuits which require periodic refreshing to retain the contents stored therein. Priority circuits resolve conflicts between the multi-port access of the memory modules and the refreshing requirements of semiconductor memory circuits within the modules. The modules of the preferred embodiment are arranged in a polymorphous array of selectably expendable rows and columns. Modules utilizing different memory technologies may be combined within the address space of the array without interfering with independent multi-port access by various computer processors and other memory using devices.

Abstract: Perivascular infiltration of liquid being administered to a patient is detected by the method of altering the temperature of a region of the patient's skin adjacent the site of a transcutaneous puncture and providing an output indicative of the difference between the altered skin temperature and the temperature of the infiltrated liquid.

Abstract: A printer-plotter system includes a vacuum-buffered bidirectional paper drive system for moving paper uniformly forward and backward over a sprocketed platen and sprocketed drum. The platen comprises a stationary portion with a flat region and a rotatable sprocketed portion. The platen and drum are connected by a drive belt for synchronous rotation of the drum with the sprocketed portion of the platen to assure proper contact of a print head with the flat region of the stationary portion and proper movement of paper by the sprocketed portion after printing.

Abstract: An improved method and means for preventing the intravascular needle of liquid infusion apparatus from clogging uses a delivery control means which operates in two modes at two liquid delivery rates. In the first operating mode, the delivery control means may be set to deliver liquid to a patient at a selected rate. In the second operating mode, the delivery control means supplies liquid at a slower rate which is sufficient to flush the needle. The transition from operation in the first mode to operation in the second mode is initiated in various ways in response to the volume of liquid delivered to a patient.

Abstract: An improved sweep circuit for an oscilloscope or the like has an adjustably delayed sweep which is time shared to display separate recurring events of interest alternately to provide an apparently simultaneous display of the events. The adjustable delay between sweeps may be directly indicated as a time interval between sweeps.

Abstract: A non-interlaced raster-type display includes interface circuitry for displaying character patterns indicative of data signals manipulated by a processor under the control of a manually-operable keyboard. The displayed character patterns are enhanced by half-shifting or delaying a raster line of display signals for a given character in order to improve the legibility of displayed alphanumeric character patterns. A blinking pointer or cursor is manually movable via keyboard control to the character spaces desired and the blinking cursor display is inhibited during movement thereof in order to maintain an invariant display of the cursor during repositioning.

Abstract: Special circuitry in the transmitter of an electrocardiograph (ECG) telemetry system detects various malfunctions of the system and changes the transmitted signal to indicate their presence to the system receiver. When the transmitter detects that an input electrode has become detached from the patient, it changes the frequency of the subcarrier signal to indicate this problem to the receiver. The receiver monitors the subcarrier frequency and flashes an alarm light when the frequency corresponds to the electrode inoperative condition.

Abstract: A method and means for measuring the electric properties of capacitor, inductor and resistor elements is described. The element to be measured and a reference element are connected in series, and standard A.C. voltage is applied to one end of the series circuit whereas a variable voltage is applied to the other end of said circuit. The variable voltage is controlled in order to zero the voltage or the current at the common junction of both the element to be measured and the reference element. Said standard voltage and said variable voltage are rectified, and the generated D.C. signals are used for charging integrator capacitors. These capacitors are then discharged and the ratio of charging and discharging time is a measure of the resistance, capacitance and inductance, respectively, of the unknown element. Dielectric and magnetic dissipation factors may be measured in a similar manner.

Abstract: An improved circuit at the input of a high frequency counter includes a bias-sensitive binary divider in the input stage and includes circuitry for altering the bias on the binary divider to change sensitivity automatically as a function of applied signal level.

Abstract: An improved electronic lock includes a random bit-pattern generator which may be selectively cycled through a plurality of bit-pattern combinations to provide a code that can be stored in a mating electronic key. Several bit-patterns or codes may be stored in a single key for convenient use in operating a corresponding number of separate locks.

Abstract: A customer code word issuing machine is provided wherein a customer manually inputs to the machine his secret password. The machine encodes the password and displays his corresponding issued code word. A verification machine is provided which includes a dial or keyboard for manually inputting the customer's password and the issued code word. The verification machine encodes the inputted password to derive an output for comparison with the manually inputted code word to derive an output indicative of the truth or falseness of the match of the code word with the respective password. The verification machine may be employed to open a lock, to allow use of a credit card for a telephone call, purchase of goods, etc.

Abstract: An improved data transfer system enables a common data source to operate asynchronously with a plurality of different data receivers at a data transfer rate that is limited only by the operating rates of the data receivers and the data source. The operating conditions of the data receivers are sensed in common by the data source and the operating condition of the data source is sensed by the data receivers in order to optimize the data transfer rate without loss of data and without restriction to a predetermined (or synchronous) data transfer rate.