Abstract: Two volume levels may be produced in a backup alarm merely by reversing polarity of the DC power connections to the circuit of the present invention. The magnitude of output power produced by any device powered by a DC source may be switched between two levels merely by reversing polarity of the power source connected to the device when used with a circuit of the present invention.

Abstract: An Ethernet adapter card for automatically switching a workstation into a network is provided. The adapter card utilizes a current circuit to sense current drawn by an external communications network and a circuit for automatically switching between a card-mounted internal transceiver and the network's external transceiver whenever the external network is coupled to the workstation via an AUI port. The adapter card provides for default selection of the internal transceiver when the external communication network is disconnected from the workstation AUI port.

Abstract: An improved method and instrument design for performing endoscopic transverse carpal ligament release surgery. The improved instrument design comprises a working end, such as a knife blade, a rasp, a curette or a blunt right angle probe, connected to a handle. The handle is positioned at an angle of approximately 21 degrees relative to the working end. The improved method eliminates the step of retracting the flexor tendons and/or ulnar nerve at any time during the surgery. Furthermore, the design of two knife blades is described that allows the number of cutting steps involved in the surgery to be reduced from five to three.

Abstract: A microprocessor access arbitration network which arbitrates among HOLD, RESET and REFRESH request commands by controlling a preempt bus so that a system memory refresh cycle is never delayed by a DMA or bus master operation is described. If a HOLD request is in progress for an operation other than a REFRESH cycle when a REFRESH cycle is initiated, that HOLD request is delayed while the REFRESH cycle proceeds to completion.

Abstract: A method for typographic design of a printed document utilizing typographical parameters designed by an expert typographer is provided. A standard body of text is executed in a standard font and a selected format by an expert design typographer to provide maximized readability of the standard body of text and to determine a set of reference parameters associated with that selected format. Utilizing the reference parameters in a computer program, an unskilled user may then execute a desired body of text in a desired font in the selected format to produce a printed document having substantially equal readability. The program allows a reader to switch between typefaces to produce printed documents having substantially equal copyfit in different typefaces.

Abstract: A system for remotely observing and optionally controlling information, including text and graphical images, displayed on a computer from among both homogeneous and heterogeneous computers coupled in a network or via other transport media such as magnetic disks captures window system event messages during a recording process. Such messages are then translated into procedure calls during the imaging process on the destination platform.

Abstract: An improved video system that enables a player to interact with mid-air stereo perception images of foreshortened perspective animation and with animation displayed on the projection screen or monitor, by controlling the motions of a robotic simulation apparatus deployed in front of the projection screen. The robotic apparatus is controlled by commands issued by the player and by feedback information from the animation. The mid-air coordinates of transducers installed on the robotic apparatus, which could be a vehicle or a gun, for example, are calculated using a geometric method to determine the coordinates of a point on the displayed animation aimed or steered at by the gun or vehicle. Animation location coordinates coded in the tracks are then compared to the coordinates of said point and the animation responds accordingly.

Abstract: An improved video system that enables a player to interact with mid-air stereo perception images of foreshortened perspective animation and return the animation back to the playing field on the projection screen or monitor, or to effect other interactive dramatics with the animation. The improvements include placing an ultrasonic transducer on the player's body for allowing the player's position to be calculated and providing the player with a pair of glasses that improve 3-D viewing of the animation. The animation reacts according to the movement of an instrument such as a baseball bat, a tennis racket or a rifle controlled by the player, as well as to the speed and direction of the player's body movement. The relative positions of the player's body, the instrument and the animation are tracked with an array of point microphones that receive signals from the ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A user-orientated telephone instrument including high-fidelity speech encoding, encryption capability and many function presently provided by centralized call processing is described. Utilizing an ADPCM encoding process including forward error correction, a high quality relatively noise immune signal is provided. To the user, the instrument appears as a unique electronic telephone which offers many special services to facilitate communications with other people and with computers. Advanced features such as optional hands-off voice on/off-hook control, personal identification by voice print and remote chart presentation are provided.

Abstract: A tool for characterization of files in a computer having an operating and file management system is described. The tool provides consistent definition and design of the functionality and appearance of icons and symbols used with operating environment programs.

Abstract: A communication system uses simple microwave transmitters disposed along roadways and in-vehicle mounted receivers to transmit encoded signals to produce location-specific commercial, traffic regulatory, emergency and other information to operators of motor vehicles. An optional remote interface links transmitters to regulatory and commercial users in real-time. A microprocessor in the receiver uses the coded signals to produce messages from prerecorded messages or from message parts stored in a replaceable memory device, and to provide the messages either audibly, visually or both. The microprocessor functions under operator supplied instructions to select certain message types for display and to reject unwanted messages. The memory device is recorded in one or more languages to allow the operator to select a preferred language for message presentation.

Abstract: An automatic in-feed conveyor system for use with an ice injector, having three sections of roller conveyors, a pallet shuttle, and sensors for detecting stacks of cartons and providing signals to a controller. The first conveyor section is a powered conveyor for receiving pallets loaded with cartons of produce. The second conveyor section positions a loaded pallet for insertion into the ice injector and supports the shuttle for inserting and retrieving the pallet into and out of the ice injector. The third conveyor is a discharge conveyor for moving the loaded pallet away from the ice injector. The second and third conveyors have catch basins for collecting the ice melt water from the loaded cartons and returning it to the ice injector.

Abstract: A direct memory access controller for computer systems in which the data may be manipulated and acted upon during a transfer to and from locations in memory, or from locations in memory to and from input/output devices. For computer systems having data word widths of two or more bytes of data fewer bus cycles are required for data transfers to and from odd address locations in memory.

Abstract: An asynchronous memory control Unit for asynchronously controlling access to and from system memory of a microcomputer system in response to control signals from conventional and state-of-the-art microcomputer I/O buses is described. The asynchronous memory control unit of the present invention operates cooperatively with a synchronous memory control unit which provides access to and from system memory in response to command signals from a microprocessor. Whenever the microprocessor controls the bus, the synchronous memory control unit is enabled; whenever the microprocessor is not controlled of the bus at main IO bus, the asynchronous control unit is enabled.

Abstract: A video system enables the operator to repeatedly touch a study object to change the action according to dramatics or game on a video display.A educational embodiment enables that student to touch the page of a printed book and effect multiple types of video response, selected on page by a student, educating the student of the meaning of the point in the printed text or graphics touched. A similar embodiment provides a solid object the student touches to effect multiple animations. Multiplexed workbooks and monitors enable the teacher's writing or drawing in workbook to be displayed on all, or selected, monitors. Questioning by the animation or in the workbook is answered by touching designated areas in the multiplexed workbooks to select an answer, which is timed, graded, and recorded for the teacher's reference. The animation responds to the student answers.

Abstract: A differentially encoded digital signal waveform is generated as a discrete time representation of a desired analog signal utilizing multi-frequency modulation techniques. The computational capability of present day, industry-standard microcomputers equipped with a floating point array processor or digital signal processor chip is utilized to perform digital frequency encoding and compute both discrete Fourier transforms and inverse discrete Fourier transforms to provide a transmitter and receiver system utilizing suitably programmed microcomputers coupled by a communications channel.

Abstract: Information pathways for communications among personnel, among computers, and between personnel and computers, in a local communication system, including remote communications via leased lines or the public network is described. To a public central office, the present invention appears as a private branch exchange (PBX), served by many trunks, WATS, and "Foreign Exchange" lines, and providing all the standard PBX services; to the remote leased facility, it appears as a standard tie line terminator or, if the remote is another ICS, as a logical tie line terminator for which several logical tie lines are combined into each leased T1 line; to the in-house computer, it provides switched connection to other computers or to terminals at up to 19,200 Baud modulated data, at 32K-Baud for native (internal system) data (including 2K-Baud of forward error correction), or up to several gigabits direct binary transmission (such as the transmission scheme used with NDS and ANR displays, etc.

Abstract: A parallel sync circuit comprising a serial-to parallel converter for converting an input serial into a corresponding parallel signal, a phase detector for detecting possible phase of a sync word in the parallel signal and generating a phase signal responsive thereto, a sync word generator for receiving the phase signal and in response generating a phase shifted stored version of the sync word, and a correlator for comparing the parallel signal to the phase shifted stored version of the sync word and in the event of substantial identity therebetween generating an output signal for indicating detection of the sync word.

Abstract: A general purpose computer, such as a personal computer, is programmed for sound-synchronized random access and display of synthesized actors ("synactors") on a frame-by-frame basis. The interface between a user and the animation system is defined as a stage or acting metaphor. The user interface provides the capability to create files defining individually accessible synactors representing real or imaginary persons, animated characters and objects or scenes which can be programmed to perform speech synchronized action. Synactor speech is provided by well-known speech synthesis techniques or, alternatively, by inputting speech samples and communication characteristics to define a digital model of the speech and related animation for a particular synactor. A synactor is defined as combination of sixteen predefined images; eight images to be synchronized with speech and eight images to provide additional animated expression.

Abstract: A self-contained exerciser provides eccentric, concentric and isometric, as well as vertical and horizontal exercise for nearly all muscles of the human body. The exerciser includes body pads and handles joined together with latex surgical tubing which is secured by a removable knot at each end of the tubing utilizing a knotting clip. The exerciser is adjustable by relocation of the body pads and handles along the length of the tubing. The knotting clip allows for easy tying and untying of the securing knots and their relocation along the length of the tubing.