Abstract: Disclosed is a compact sheet feed apparatus suitable for attachment to a printer or the like, including a removable cartridge for holding a stack of sheets. The cartridge provides an intergral edge aligner surface and second sheets restraint during lateral shingling of sheets prior to feeding in a direction transverse to shingling.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for and a method of decreasing the time duration of playback of recorded speech without distortion. Speech recorded at a normal rate is played back at a higher rate using two variable length buffers in alternating fashion to receive sampled speech segments. Threshold analysis logic circuitry is provided to continually compare the output voltage levels of both buffers and to switch the output between the buffers to a using device when the voltage level of both buffers is approximately zero and of an equal amplitude. In this way output to the using device consists of segments from both buffers joined with a minimum of generated noise and no associated dead zone without regard to any predetermined segment length.

Abstract: A high speed printer wherein sheets of continuous forms are fed to the print station by a pin feed sprocket type mechanism drivingly engaging marginally punched holes in the sheets. Each sheet is accurately moved past the print station during print time under control of a pressure feed roll mechanism the operating characteristics of which are independent of the relative position or physical condition of the marginal holes engaged by the sprocket. This sprocket and pressure feed roll coaction results in precision alignment as among printing lines within a sheet being advanced through a high speed printer.

Abstract: A spherical wasp-waist shaped contour is formed on the surface of a magnetic head by rotating a lap plate against a single contact point on the head surface at a time. An arc along the head's length is defined by a fixed longitudinal radius. For each increment along the longitudinal arc, a different arc transverse thereto is defined by a variable transverse radius. The point of contact between the head and the lap plate moves along each transverse arc in sequence from one end of the longitudinal arc to the other and back again until the desired shape and depths are achieved. The longitudinal radius is fixed by the spacing selected between the lap plate on one side of the head and a longitudinal head rocking axis on the other side of the head. The transverse radius is determined by the spacing chosen between the lap plate and a transverse rocking axis placed on the same side of the head as the longitudinal rocking axis.

Abstract: In an image processing system, words of bit length n of video data representing a horizontally scanned image are sequentially loaded in parallel by row into a matrix memory having n rows and in columns. The matrix memory is unloaded sequentially in parallel by column into an array of shift registers of n .times. n bit capacity. Each shift cycle yields a word comprising all bits from the corresponding bit position in each register.

Abstract: A method of making a large single crystal thin film not dependent upon the size or temperature resistance of the substrate crystal by first depositing an amorphous film of the crystalline material to be produced followed by heating of the amorphous film in such a manner that nucleation of epitaxial grains is propagated through the amorphous film whereby a single crystal thin film is produced.

Abstract: A rotor stator assembly comprising a stepping motor having an improved torque-to-inertia ratio resulting from a substantial reduction in moment of inertia due to the conical shape of the rotor. A core energized by a DC coil is disposed axially of the base of the conical rotor and the magnetic path is through the base of the rotor, out its periphery, through the stator, through conductive members and back to the core. There is a further increase in torque-to-inertia ratio which is due to a decrease in rotating mass when the rotor is hollow.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer solid impurities contaminating recirculating ink are removed by subjecting contaminated ink to ultrasonic energy for forming an aerosol of the ink. The aerosol of ink is entrained in an air stream and carried to impactor means where the ink aerosol is caused to return to a liquid state.