Abstract: This invention is primarily a "resistive fuse" circuit, being a hardware circuit that explicitly implements either analog or binary line processes in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A learning and identification support system for birders and such comprising, a media having a plurality of visually recognizable bird pictures thereon associated with respective ones of a plurality of birds to have birdsong associated therewith. A plurality of scannable barcodes are disposed on the media and associated with respective ones of the bird pictures. Each of the plurality of scannable barcodes comprises a unique index indicating the one of the bird pictures with which it is associated. A barcode scanner is used for scanning individual selected ones of the barcodes to obtain an electrical signal at an output thereof containing the unique index. There is a Compact Disc (CD) containing a plurality of birdsongs associated with respective ones of the plurality of birds, each of the plurality of birdsongs being individually addressable by means of a unique index associated therewith.

Abstract: A CMOS analog integrated circuit comprising a plurality of nodes for simultaneously computing the largest of the signals at inputs of the nodes. There is a common line supplying current and producing a maximum voltage potential and a plurality of nodes connected to the common line. Each node comprises a follower transistor having a source operably connected to the common line for sourcing current and a gate being the input of the node and being connected to a current signal input source providing a current signal to the node to be compared to the current signals at respective ones of the other nodes. There is an inhibitor transistor having a gate connected to the common line and a drain operably connected to the gate of the follower transistor. The inhibitor transistor provides the voltage output of the node and inhibits the voltage output at all nodes connected to the common line which have a current signal which is smaller than the largest current signal connected to one of the nodes.

Abstract: This invention is a control system for controlling an electrostatic printer/plotter electrostatically generating an image on a recording media being driven by a transport motor over a plurality of image-forming electrodes by applying image writing pulses to the electrodes. There is a media sensor for sensing which one of a plurality of pre-determined media types is currently being used in the printer/plotter and a sensor for measuring a parameter related to conductivity of the media. There is also a microprocessor for determinnig from the conductivity and type of media currently being used in the printer/plotter an optimum pulse width for the image writing pulses which maintains the density of an image produced on the media by the electrodes at a maximum density and for generating images employing image writing pulses transmitted to the electrodes which are of the optimum pulse width. Pulse repetition rate and media speed are also regulated in an optimum manner.

Abstract: This is a bottle for containing a window-washing solution and having a sponge and a squeegee blade mounted vertially thereon along the side of the bottle. The sponge communicates with the interior of the bottle through an anti-leak valve contained in a button protrusion in the sidewall of the bottle overwhich a plastic member carrying the sponge and squeegee blade is snapped. A protective cover also snaps onto the bottle and covers the sponge and squeegee blade to protect them from deformation and damage during storage. The bottle with sponge, squeegee blade and protective cover in place provides a small profile for storage in the glove compartment of an automobile or the like.

Abstract: An improved communication system for the prevention of lockup in a computer system of the binary n-cube type. Input circuitry at each of the nodes is connected for receiving messages and includes an input buffer for initially receiving the messages. Output circuitry at each of the nodes is connected for transmitting holding the messages prior to and during transmission thereof. A kernel program at each of the nodes acts as an interface between the user process programs and exclusively controls the receiving and transmitting of messages into and out of the node. There is provision for the user process programs to pass control to the kernel program to request the sending and receiving of messages by the kernel program. A lock bit is associated with each message, sensible by the user process programs, and reset by the kernel program when the kernel program has transferred the associated message.

Abstract: A wireless local television transmission system with related methods, apparatus, and components. There is a source of a video signal to be viewed at a remote location such as a TV camera, cable select box, antenna, or VCR. An up converter is connected to the source for shifting the video signal to a frequency above the normal television bands. A transmitter is connected to the up converter for transmitting the video signal at the shifted frequency. A receiver is disposed at the remote location for receiving the transmitted video signal. A down converter is connected to the receiver for shifting the video signal back down to a frequency within the normal television bands and identified with a known channel. Finally, conventional television set functions are connected to the down converter for processing and displaying the video signal on the known channel.

Abstract: This is an atomic force microscope in which the sensor can be built as a very small integrated structure. The sensor utilizes optical interference and can be operated in either the contact mode for high resolution or in the non-contact mode to measure electric and magnetic fields. One configuration of this microscope is a stand-alone configuration in which the microscope can be placed on or be suspended above large samples for sanning of small local areas thereof. The sensor is built into a scanner so that the sensor can be scanned over a stationary sample.

Abstract: A wireless local television transmission system with related methods, apparatus, and components. There is a source of a video signal to be viewed at a remote location such as a TV camera, cable select box, antenna, or VCR. An up converter is connected to the source for shifting the video signal to a frequency above the normal television bands. A transmitter is connected to the up converter for transmitting the video signal at the shifted frequency. A receiver is disposed at the remote location for receiving the transmitted video signal. A down converter is connected to the receiver for shifting the video signal back down to a frequency within the normal television bands and identified with a known channel. Finally, conventional television set functions are connected to the down converter for processing and displaying the video signal on the known channel.

Abstract: A method for growing a superlattice structure on a substrate. First, a periodic array of monoatomic surface steps are created on the surface of the substrate at an area to have the superlattice structure grown thereon. There is apparatus for creating a beam of a material being input thereto and for selectively including or not including respective ones of a plurality of materials within the beam. The beam is directed at the steps of the substrate. Finally, logic causes control apparatus to include and not include respective ones of the materials within the beam in a pre-established pattern of time periods which will cause the materials to be deposited on the steps in a series of stacked monolayers. Tilted Superlattices (TSLs) and Coherent Tilted Superlattices (CTSLs) are created. The method can create pseudo ternary semiconductor alloys as part of a CTSL by employing at least two binary compound semiconductor alloys in the deposition process.

Abstract: In a fishing rod having a handle and a reel attached to the handle, the improvement comprising, a trigger-clamp having a body disposed on the handle on a side thereof opposite the reel and a finger grip extending outwardly in a direction away from the handle; and, a plurality of bolts inserted through the trigger body, one end of each of the bolts being engaged with the trigger body and the other end of each of the bolts being connected to a structural member of the reel. Preferably the other end of each of the bolts is threaded and there are plates for threadedly coupling the bolts to the reel. Also preferably, the structural member of the reel comprises a plurality of cross-bars connecting a pair of side members and the plates are disposed on the cross-bars on sides thereof opposite the trigger body.

Abstract: This invention provides a low-cost printer for use by businesses and individuals to print a ten digit Postnet barcode on an envelope at the time of mailing so as to improve the routing and delivery time thereof. There are input keys or dials for a user to manually input digits comprising a ZIP+4 Code of an addressee. There is also calculator logic for calculating a tenth digit representing a check value associated with the digits of the ZIP+4 Code and a printer for printing a sequence of Postnet barcode characters corresponding to respective ones of the digits of the ZIP+4 Code and the tenth digit comprising the ten digit Postnet barcode. In a manuel version, the calculator logic is separate from manual input and printing apparatus. A user uses the calculator logic to calculate the tenth digit and then inputs it manually for printing. In a powered version, the calculator logic is included with the logic which drives a mechanical printhead such as an inkjet or dot matrix printer.

Abstract: A wireless local television transmission system with related methods, apparatus, and components. There is a source of a video signal to be viewed at a remote location such as a TV camera, cable select box, antenna, or VCR. An up converter is connected to the source for shifting the video signal to a frequency above the normal television bands. A transmitter is connected to the up converter for transmitting the video signal at the shifted frequency. A receiver is disposed at the remote location for receiving the transmitted video signal. A down converter is connected to the receiver for shifting the video signal back down to a frequency within the normal television bands and identified with a known channel. Finally, conventional television set functions are connected to the down converter for processing and displaying the video signal on the known channel.

Abstract: Various apparatus and methods are shown for controlling the emissions from sprinkler heads in an irrigation system to cause variable volume irrigation at a constant pressure. In one approach, a rotating sprinkler head is rotated at different speeds as a function of the radial position of the emerging water stream so that dryer areas have slower rotational movement of the sprinkler head and, thereby, a greater volume of water discharged thereon. In another approach, the water to the sprinkler head is turned on and off during the irrigation period rather than being turned on at the beginning and off at the end. As a result, multiple heads which are individually turned off and on have a better average water distribution. Likewise, high-precipitation sprinkler heads are made to operate with an average low-precipitation so that run-off and water waste are virtually eliminated.

Abstract: This is a facsimile printer broadcast exchange (PBX) system for receiving a facsimile transmission over a telephone line from a facsimile device at a remote loction directed to a telephone number with an extension number and for transmitting the facsimile transmission over a network to one of a plurality of printer units associated with the extension number for printing thereby. There is a data buffer for receiving and holding digital data. An interface is connected to the telephone line for removing and saving the extension number, for establishing and maintaining a bi-directional facsimile communications link with the facsimile device over the telephone line, for using the link to receive the transmission from the facsimile device, and for storing data of the transmission in the data buffer. Data transmission logic removes data from the data buffer means and transmits it to a network in packets addressed to the extension number.

Abstract: A printing medium for the printing of images thereon to form a document by the printer of a standard facsimile machine in a manner which renders the document unreadable to a casual observer. There is a strip of a flexible printing medium receivable by the facsimile machine for passage therethrough past the printer thereof. The printing medium has a surface for receiving an image from the printer. Additionally, there is a strip of an obscuring medium removably attached to the printing medium along an edge thereof in a manner which will allow the obscuring medium to pass through the facsimile machine in combination with the printing medium. The obscuring medium has an obscuring portion covering a printing surface of the printing medium upon which the printer prints images for rendering printing on the printing medium unreadable to a casual observer. Four embodiments are disclosed for use in both thermal and plain paper facsimile machines.

Abstract: This invention is a lockable and retractable safety cap for covering the needle of a hypodermic syringe to prevent accidental needle-stick. There is a unitary cap assembly of a resiliently flexible plastic material including a hub portion disposed concentrically about a base portion of the needle and attached to the barrel, a sliding safety hub portion having a bore therethrough slidably disposed with the needle passing through the bore and extending over a point end of the needle, and a plurality of slats extending between the hub portion and the sliding safety hub portion. The slats are parallel to the needle whereby a longitudinal compressive force against the sliding safety hub portion is resisted by a longitudinal compressive resistance of the slats which must be overcome before the slats will deform and flex outward from the needle to expose the needle for use. A releasable safety latch assembly can be disposed over the slats for preventing deforming and outward flexing thereof.

Abstract: This is an automatic locking and unlocking mechanism for use with an automatic garage door opening system. A spring-biased locking bar is attached to the garage door for vertical sliding motion. There is a pivot plate mounted to the top of the garage door including a pair of vertical members with a pivot pin disposed between them. A lock-lifting arm is disposed between the vertical members with the pivot pin through a first hole at one end. A connecting cable is connected between a second hole at the other end of the lock-lifting arm and the locking bar. A slider member is disposed between the vertical members and has the operating arm of the automatic garage door opener connected thereto for sliding the slider member. The slider member includes a lifting slot operably connected to the lock-lifting arm for lifting the lock-lifting arm when the slider member is slid to an open and unlocked position and for lowering the lock-lifting arm when the slider member is slid to a closed and locked position.

Abstract: Facsimile record and playback apparatus for receiving and recording facsimile transmissions on a removable recording medium for later display and viewing. There is a cassette device and a record/playback deck for removably receiving the cassette device, for receiving data signals, for writing the data signals on the recording medium, for reading the data signals, and for providing the data signals at an output. A modem is connected for receiving facsimile transmissions. First logic is connected to the output of the modem for establishing a handshaking interface with a facsimile machine transmitting a facsimile, for receiving the facsimile transmission, for stripping off unnecessary transmission related information from document data information, for inserting control characters required for proper transcription at a later time, and for transmitting the control characters and document data information as data signals to the record/playback deck.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a printer or a plotter feeds image-receiving media such as paper by rotation of a shaft, and a media position sensor responds to the rotation of a sensor roller. The apparatus includes a position sensor calibration device having an elastically deformable ring compressible between the shaft and the sensor roller and a calibrator for changing the distance between the shaft and the sensor roller so as to change the amount by which the deformable ring is compressed, in order to adjust the output of the media position sensor for a given amount of media movement. The shaft is connected to one of a pair of media-gripping pinch rollers, the one pinch roller being rotatable by the shaft, and a shaft motor is connected to the shaft. The ring is pinched between the shaft and the sensor roller. The calibrator is a screw threaded through a stationary threaded support and extending toward the sensor roller to push the roller toward the shaft and compress the elastically deformable ring.