Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a magnetic read/write head with precision orientation on a suspension assembly arm. The arm contains a plurality of mounting indicia. Computer controlled apparatus, including an optics system, scans the mounting indicia and the head and mounts the head on a predetermined desired location on the arm and with the desired orientation.

Abstract: Many of the data read errors encountered in an optical disk system are due to reading off track. These errors are the result of bit shift, which is the shifting of the data transition relative to the center of the detection timing window. This bit shift is the result of the rounded edges of the data marks on the recording medium. A normal data signal is read off the recording medium while the read apparatus is centeed on the data storage track of the recording medium. If the read beam of the read apparatus moves off track radially to either side of the center of the data storage track, the detected data transitions move toward each other due to the rounded edges of the recorded data on the data storage track. This makes the data mark appear shorter and results in bit shift and increased error rate. The off-track bit shift compensation apparatus compensates for this misalignment and the resultant bit shift by dynamically adjusting the analog detection threshold of the read apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for modifying an individual sheet feed offset duplicator to print impressions on continuous form pre-punched and perforated paper. A first tractor module is attached to the input of the duplicator for delivering the paper into the duplicator and an indexing mechanism is provided in the first tractor module for providing precise indexing to the paper as it is delivered into the duplicator. A device for adjusting the registration of the impression on the paper is provided in the first tractor module adjustment while the machine is operating. A rear tractor module is also connected at the output of the duplicator and engages the continuous form paper to maintain a predetermined amount of tautness on the paper by providing supplementary pulling on the paper while the paper is pulled through the duplicator. The present invention can also be used to collate multiple streams of continuous form paper into a single output stream as part of the printing process.

Abstract: A tape threading arm mechanical linkage undergoes significant variations in mechanical advantage through its motion. In order to compensate for the drastic changes in the mechanical advantage of the tape threading arm, the operation of the tape threading arm is divided up into a plurality of control segments. Each segment represents a portion of the tape threading path wherein the mechanical advantage of the tape threading arm remains fairly constant. A control memory stores data indicative of various control parameters that are required to regulate the operation of the tape threading arm motor to maintain the tape speed throughout this segment of the tape threading path at a constant velocity. In addition, the measured velocity of the magnetic tape as it is removed from the file reel is used to compute the difference between the predicted operation of the tape threading arm and the measured operation of the tape threading arm.

Abstract: An energy storage and generation apparatus is formed by a vertical tube extending downward into a body of water with an upper opening near the surface of the water that permits a flow of water down the tube. A stream of air bubbles is introduced into the water, which is subject to hydraulic compression as the water falls. A separation chamber located at the lower end of the vertical tube separates the compressed air from the water. An exhaust tube extends upward from the lower portion of the separation chamber with an upper opening located below the surface of the body of water. A number of orifices introduce streams of air bubbles into the exhaust tube to induce a flow of water from the separation chamber through the exhaust tube. An air compressor initially powered by an external energy source supplies ambient air to these orifices during off-peak periods to maintain a flow of water through the apparatus to build a reservoir of compressed air in the separation chamber.

Abstract: An improved phase-locked loop control having DEAD TRACK acquisition wherein a separate oscillator generates a fixed frequency of digital pulses corresponding to the frequency of the data board in the storage media and, in the event of a DEAD TRACK in the storage media, the phase-locked loop control locks onto the fixed frequency output of the oscillator to insure lock during DEAD TRACK integral.

Abstract: The instrument of the present invention is designed to electrically alter membranes of vesicles in a suspension in order to perform vesicular alteration and electrostructuring of the membranes. The instrument includes a supply for delivering voltage to a pulse forming network. The output of the pulse forming network is selectively switched to deliver one or a plurality of output pulses across a chamber holding the suspension. Disposed in the chamber are a pair of electrodes which define a geometry for applying either a non-uniform field across the suspension or defining a uniform field across the suspension. The present invention is not limited to the type of field uniformity. Connected in parallel across the electrodes is a device for matching the impedance of the chamber containing the suspension of vesicles. This device is in parallel combination with the chamber and when properly adjusted, matches the impedance of the chamber to the pulse forming network.

Abstract: This data security arrangement provides a significant level of data security in an automatic magnetic tape cartridge library by isolating the actual data from the control of the data retrieval process. This isolation is accomplished by the use of a plurality of architectural devices that dissociate control and data. The data written on the magnetic tape cartridges cannot be accessed by the library modules. The library modules are not electrically connected to the tape drives or the data bus that connects the tape drives to the host computer. In addition, library software on the host computer emulates an operator's console and intercepts all tape mount commands generated by the host computer. The library software translates these commands into control signals to activate the library module to retrieve a designated magnetic tape cartridge and load this cartridge into a tape drive. Thus, the data retrieval apparatus is separate from the library control apparatus.

Abstract: The tape having a surface with a low coefficient of friction consists of a conformable substrate manufactured of polycarbonate or mylar. Rods of alumina, having cylindrical cross section, are adhesively bonded to the substrate. These rods are parallel to each other, spaced apart at regular intervals and oriented lengthwise across the narrow dimension of the tape. The cylinders of alumina are tapered at both ends so that there is a smooth transition at either edge of the tape. The cylinders of alumina having a very low coefficient of friction and an extremely long lifetime, to thereby provide a surface with a low coefficient of friction for the tape transport path of a magnetic tape drive.

Abstract: The present invention is a simple, inexpensive youth stirrup attachment which attaches to a standard-sized saddle to enable small children and youths to enjoy horseback riding. The attachment of the present invention is a single strap having stirrups mounted on each end and adjustment buckles to alter the length of the attachment. The strap is slipped through the opening in the pommel of the saddle and looped over the saddle horn. The pressure from the rider's feet in the stirrups will cause the strap to frictionally engage the saddle horn. With the current invention there is no need for additional straps or buckles as in prior devices.

Abstract: A tape head positioning system for a tape cartridge drive data backup system having a stepper motor with a lead screw connected to the stepper motor and a follower nut threadedly engaging the lead screw. The follower nut has a formed slot for receiving one end of a lever arm. The other end of the lever arm engages in a formed slot a head mounting assembly carrying the tape head and the lever arm is pivoted a first predetermined distance from the first end and a second predetermined distance from the second end. The ratio of the first predetermined distance to the second predetermined distance determines a mechanical advantage for the system thereby causing an inexpensive coarser stepper motor to effectuate fine adjustments of the tape head.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operational speed of a peripheral multispeed record/playback device so that the device and a connected computer can communicate at a compatible data rate. When a speed control operation is initiated, the device generates index pulses at a rapid rate. The computer generates a series of n test pulses in response to the generation of the first index pulse. The computer then times how long the n test pulses take to be generated. The peripheral device is then told to run at the data rate represented by how long it took to generate the n test pulses.

Abstract: Semiconducting metal silicide electromagnetic radiation detectors have a thin film of semiconducting metal silicide, such as rhenium disilicide, grown or deposited on a silicon wafer. The detectors are intrinsic semiconductor detectors and can be formed either as discrete devices, or monolithically on a silicon chip to provide an integrated detector or detector array. The semiconducting rhenium disilicide detectors are efficient at wavelengths which mate with the transmission capabilities of certain optical fibers, thereby enhancing the combination of infrared detectors and optical fiber transmission previously known. The range of electromagnetic radiation sensed by these rhenium disilicide detectors include the infrared range of wavelengths up to 14 microns.

Abstract: The label generation apparatus enables the user to define a label of arbitrary size, shape and characteristics. Each label in a series of labels includes unique indicia that individually identify each label according to any predefined sequence. The label generation apparatus includes a template generation capability that enables the user to define the basic label format having one or more writable indicia fields. These one or more writable indicia fields can be used to provide each label with individual identifying indicia according to any predetermined sequence. The label generation apparatus also includes an indicia generation capability that produces the individual identification according to various characteristics that are specified by the user of this apparatus.

Abstract: A tool is used simultaneously align and square a conventional mat cutter. The tool is an elongated member (such as a rectangular block) with a bottom surface and at least two perpendicular lateral edges, together with a channel extending across its bottom surface parallel to one of the lateral edges of the tool. The vertical cross-section of the channel is contoured to seat firmly against the guide rail assembly of the mat cutter. Using the guide rail assembly as a fixed point of reference, the perpendicular arms of the mat cutter can be aligned and squared against the lateral edges of the tool. In addition, the tool can be used to ensure correct placement of measuring rulers on the perpendicular arms of the mat cutter.

Abstract: The generation of soft x-ray and/or extreme untraviolet laser radiation is accomplished in a capillary plasma generated by a fast discharge. The method yields laser action at short wavelengths in a discharge created plasma having a large length-to-diameter ratio.

Abstract: An interchangeable adapter module allows a circuit board, tape cartridge system, or other add-on device to be readily interfaced with any of a variety of different computer systems. A number of pins extend perpendicularly outward from the device circuit board. An adapter circuit board having a pin connector attached thereto engages these pins to removably secure the adapter module in a plane parallel to the device circuit board. One or more external connectors attached to the adapter circuit board are then plugged into corresponding connectors of the external electronic system. Electrical interface circuitry on the adapter circuit board provides electrical interconnections between a predetermined set of the pins attached to the device, and a predetermined set of the electrical contacts of the external connectors.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive.

Abstract: The adaptive data compression apparatus is located within a tape drive control unit which is interposed between one or more host computers and one or more tape transports. The adaptive data compression apparatus functions to efficiently compress a user data file received from a host computer into a bit oriented compressed format for storage on the magnetic tape that is loaded in the tape transport. The data compression apparatus divides each block of an incoming user data file into predetermined sized segments, each of which is compressed independently without reference to any other segment in the user data file. The data compression apparatus concurrently uses a plurality of data compression algorithms to adapt the data compression operation to the particular data stored in the user data file. A cyclic redundancy check circuit is used to compute a predetermined length CRC code from all of the incoming user data bytes before they are compressed.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for removing debris from the soles of ski boots prior to locking the ski boots in the bindings of skis. The device is a compact, low profile scraper mountable on the skis themselves. The scraper is formed of a molded plastic material having flexible properties at extremely cold temperatures. The scraper has slanting side surfaces with a single semi-cylindrical channel formed in the scraper body extending the full length of the scraper. The upper surface of the scraper has two narrow flat lip surfaces. The lip surfaces and the slanting side surfaces form blunt scraping edges. The single relatively large channel provides an efficient method of removing debris and also allowing the scraper body to flex about its longitudinal axis. The scraper is mounted on the ski so that channel is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The ability of the ski to flex about its longitudinal axis is not limited by the addition of the scraper.