Abstract: A video signal is modified so that a television receiver will still provide a normal color picture from the modified video signal while a videotape recording of the modified video signal produces generally unacceptable pictures. This invention relies on the fact that typical videocassette recorder automatic gain control systems cannot distinguish between the normal sync pulses (including equalizing or broad pulses) of a conventional video signal and added pseudo-sync pulses. Pseudo-sync pulses are defined here as any other pulses which extend down to a normal sync tip level and which have a duration of at least 0.5 microseconds. A plurality of such pseudo-sync pulses is added to the conventional video signal during the vertical blanking interval, and each of such pseudo-sync pulses is followed by a positive pulse of suitable amplitude and duration.

Abstract: The invention provides a system with no moving parts for autocorrelating optical radiation signals. An incident optical radiation signal is first divided into first and second optical beams which, in the preferred embodiment, are directed respectively through first and second electro-optic crystals to produce a relative time adjustment between the optical beams. The optical beams are then combined and a product value is determined. Using the technique of autocorrelation, the product of the optical beams is measured over a range of time adjustments between the optical beams to provide a measurement of the incident optical radiation signal. The system and method described provide a vibration-free technique for autocorrelation which can be incorporated into laser resonator structures.

Abstract: A furnace loading system is provided for loading and unloading wafer boats or other receptacles from a furnace tube of the type used in semiconductor processing. The system includes a carrier for supporting the receptacles in a cantilevered manner out of contact with the furnace tube. Actuators are provided for moving the carrier and receptacles into the furnace tube and for depositing the receptacles on the floor of the furnace tube without any contact between the carrier and the furnace tube. The carrier is then withdrawn, completing the loading cycle. Unloading is accomplished by inserting the carrier into the furnace tube while supported in a cantilevered manner. The carrier is then raised to pick up and support the receptacles on the carrier, after which they are withdrawn from the furnace tube. Only the feet of the receptacles contact the furnace tube, reducing particulate matter generation to a minimum.

Abstract: A system for verifying the effectiveness of electromagnetic signal control of a subsurface safety valve installed in a well. Signals are transmitted from a surface station to actuate the subsurface installed valve. Signals received at the valve are decoded and information relating to them is stored. A sensor detects actual valve actuation and provides signals indicative thereof which are also stored. After the valve is removed from its downhole installation, the stored signals are read, and the data indicated thereby is compared with data recorded at the time of signal transmission from the surface.

Abstract: An arm sling includes a semi-rigid trough which partially encircles and supports a patient's forearm, wrist, and hand. A yoke is connected to the sides of the trough at a location away from the distal end. An adjustable-length strap extends upward from the yoke over the front of the patient's ipsilateral shoulder, diagonally across the patient's back, and transversely across the front of the patient's body to an attachment point on the trough near the patient's elbow. An elbow piece adjustably fixed to the trough accommodates various elbow angles and arm widths. The yoke supports the patient's forearm, wrist, and hand in a cantilevered fashion at various elevations, while not interfering appreciably with lateral movement of the distal end of the trough and rotation of the patient's upper arm at the shoulder joint.

Abstract: A drive circuit applies an oscillating signal to the drive coil of the fluxgate thereby generating output pulses from the detection coils of the fluxgate, which pulses have an area proportional to the magnetic flux through that coil. The output pulses are integrated sequentially by an integrator. The output may be used directly to obtain the orientation of the fluxgate, and hence of a vessel in which the fluxgate is mounted but it is preferable on the grounds of accuracy and speed of response to apply a predetermined number of pulses from each detection coil, apply a constant signal to the integrator and measure the times between the application of that constant signal and the integrator output attaining a predetermined value. This may be measured digitally giving a more accurate measurement of the fluxgate orientation. Suitable error elimination means may be provided.

Abstract: An inclinometer includes a toroidal race containing a spherical ball free to move therein under the influence of gravity. Signal source and collector electrode assemblies are provided on opposite sides of the toroidal race, and the ball functions to capacitively couple signals on the source electrode to the collector electrode. In one embodiment the source electrode is shaped so that the amplitude of coupling varies with ball position in the race so that the signal on the collector electrode is indicative of ball position. In other embodiments the source electrode is continuous and symmetrical, and signals applied thereto are selected such that a property of the signal coupled to the collector electrode, such as signal phase, varies in accordance with ball position in the race. Three such inclinometers can be combined in a borehold sensor for drilling applications.

Abstract: A semi-rigid pool coping form board of the type which is temporarily adhered on the generally vertical surface of a pool mouth-bounding structure to project a uniform height above the generally horizontal upper surface of that bounding structure is provided where its basal feet adjoin its coping inner edge-molding concave surface with an integral bead. At regular intervals, the bead is replaced by a spring clip with a similarly shaped nose. Each spring clip is rooted in the foam board to a standard depth with the aid of a stop shoulder and an adhesive. By locating in, snapping into and filling the liner track channel mouth the bead/spring clip structure automatically locates the form boards heightwise in relation to the pool mouth-bounding structure, provides an easy to use and effective secondary securement system for the form boards and keeps the pool liner track channel so free of cement that any clean-up needed is minor.

Abstract: A device for separating a shorter-wavelength component of a combination-wavelength beam from an orthoganally polarized, longer wavelength component. A combination beam generator produces such a beam which is directed into a positive uniaxial crystal having an input face, an output face, and a pair of parallel faces. Each of the faces is parallel to the crystal axis. The beam enters the crystal through the input face in a predetermined orientation and impinges on the pair of parallel faces at angles greater than the critical angle of the shorter component wavelength and less than the critical angle of the longer component wavelength. The shorter wavelength component is internally reflected on the pair of parallel faces until it exits from the output face. The longer wavelength component is partially externally transmitted at each point of reflection of the shorter wavelength components.

Abstract: An optical system for a surgical ophthalmic instrument 10 using a YAG laser reduces the size of the components and facilitates their combination with a binocular microscope 11. A parallel plate beam splitter 22 splits a beam 21 from a visible light He-Ne laser 20 into equal and separated He-Ne beams 21a and 21b. A pair of expanders 27 and 37 diverge the He-Ne beams and a beam 30 from the YAG laser 15. The diverging beams are combined on a coincident optical path, which is collimated and coincided with the optical path of microscope 11 between its binocular head 42 and objective 43. There, a mirror 50 coated to reflect the YAG laser light also has a pair of spaced-apart regions 51a and 51b with a second coating to reflect both the He-Ne beams 21a and 21b so that all laser light converges on the patient's eye. The central mirror region 52 is transparent to visible light so that most of the light reflected from the patient's eye is visible to the surgeon.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafer handling equipment is cleaned and rinsed in a sealed first chamber. Thereafter, the first chamber is unsealed and the handling equipment is moved into a second chamber so that only the handling equipment is introduced into the second chamber. The second chamber is then sealed and the handling equipment is dried therein and thereafter subjected to a stream of ionized gas to eliminate static charge therefrom.

Abstract: Information relevant to a remote instrument is made viewable within a microscope 10 by a heads up display using a beam splitter 15 arranged in a collimated light region between binoculars 12 and objective 11 of microscope 10. An electronic digital display 16 relevant to a control setting for the remote instrument is arranged off the optical axis of microscope 10 and viewed by a convex mirror 20. A folding mirror 21 directs diverging light from convex mirror 20 toward beam splitter 15, and a collimating lens 22 collimates the diverging light enroute from folding mirror 21 to beam splitter 15. Collimated light from the lens is incident on beam splitter 15 to position an image of the digital display in a marginal region of the apparent field of one of the binoculars 12.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the speed of an audio tape capstan to a speed such that an audio tone prerecorded on the tape corresponds to a reference frequency, the apparatus thereafter phase locking the frequency of the audio tone to the reference frequency. The apparatus stores a signal corresponding to the last tape speed utilized even after the tape has stopped, allowing for faster phase lock after the tape has started again. Logic circuitry determines the presence of a valid tape audio tone, and means are included for adjusting the system gain to substantially reduce any wow or flutter which normally would result from damaged or spliced tape. A phase adjust knob is provided to allow for offset of the phase locked condition if necessary. The apparatus includes a pair of frequency-to-voltage converters which provide an essentially ripple-free DC voltage output while permitting a response time of only a few cycles of a relatively low (typically 60 Hertz) input frequency.

Abstract: A tube of toothpaste is provided with an internal balloon or similar elastically expansable chamber near its far end, from which a slender inflation tube extends axially out of the neck and is communicated to the exterior of a cap. The cap includes a lateral projection provided with a push to close/pull to open captive closure-type valve. A valved source of compressed gas is communicated to the inflation tube. An actuator is linked both to the cap valve and to the compressed gas valve, so that as the cap valve is opened to dispense toothpaste, the compressed gas valve may be opened to pressurize and inflate the balloon within the tube. Thus the toothpaste reservoir is pressurized for dispensing. The compressed gas line to the inflation tube is provided with a safety valve incorporating a whistle. An appliance is provided housing and mounting the foregoing elements. It may also house and mount toothbrushes and include a floss dispenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for allowing simultaneous depression or chording of a multiple number of keys on a keyboard coupled through an interface circuit to a computer operating system. An arbitrary association can be made to the chord which is distinct from the association made with its component keys. A dedicated processor system in the keyboard peripheral scans and stores in a dedicated memory the identity of all keys detected in the depressed state during the scan of the keyboard. For transmission to the computer operating system, each key depression detected during the scan is represented as an 8-bit binary component and the most significant bit of each binary component is set to the same one of the two permissible binary values, except for the most significant bit of the binary component representing the last depressed key detected during the scan of the keyboard. The most significant bit of that component is set to other of the two permissible binary values.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for bending panels which are provided with reinforcing stiffening ribs. The bending is caused by upsetting or elongating the ribs. Apparatus for carrying out the method also is disclosed and includes means which engage the ribs at points spaced a predetermined distance from the panel skin. The invention is particularly applicable to the shaping of aircraft fuselage skin sections.

Abstract: A laser construction is described having a single resonator structure for both a dye laser optical cavity and one or more pump laser optical cavities. In the described embodiments, such resonator structure is formed principally from a plurality of parallel rods.