Abstract: Fluorescent optical switch and keyboard apparatus wherein a plurality of fluorescent optical key switches are arranged in a matrix array of rows and columns with a key disposed at each column-row intersection and wherein each key carries a fluorescent optically reflective element thereon. A single optical photo-diode disposed at each key location is caused to operate in three discrete modes with respect to the fluorescent element. In one mode the diode emits light which is caused to be reflected upon key when the key is depressed. In another mode the reflected light striking the diode causes the diode to act as a photo-receptor effectively indicating key actuation.

Abstract: Current sensing resistance apparatus in the form of a single piece, unitary, U-shaped conductor fabricated from thin flat ribbon material to provide two parallel leg portions terminating in opposite bifurcated ends each pair of which are dissimilarly sized thereby forming electrical circuit connecting elements.

Abstract: Standard ASCII coded text is divided into alpha, numeric, and punctuation tokens. Each token is converted to a string of four-bit nibbles. One nibble is coded to identify the type of token. Additional nibbles are coded to identify the location, if any, of a corresponding alpha or punctuation token in a global dictionary. If no corresponding alpha token is in the dictionary, an alpha token is divided into prefixed, suffixes, and a stem. The location of any prefixes in a table of prefixes, suffixes in a table of suffixes, and the number, and location of corresponding individual characters in a table, of the remaining stem are then coded and stored as part of the string of four-bit nibbles for the alpha tokens. Numeric tokens are stored as a string of four-bit nibbles in which the first nibble identifies the type of token, the next nibble the length, followed by a nibble for each of the digits.

Abstract: A protected document has a cancellation phrase, normally invisible to the human eye, which will appear if the document is copied on a color copier. The protection of these documents is improved in the following protected document. The document is made up of a substrate, first and second cancellation phrase images which form a combined cancellation phrase image printed on the substrate, first and second background images forming a combined background image printed on the substrate and a camouflage overlay image (merged with) the combined cancellation and combined background images. The first and second cancellation phrase images appear on the document when it is copied on a color copier. The two images extend the range of protection for color copy machines having multiple darkness settings.

Abstract: A synchronizing circuit using a switchable bistable element for synchronizing an asymmetric signal with the clock of a data processing system. The occurrence of a balanced or metastable state in the switchable bistable synchronizing element which can slow up the data transfer rate is inhibited by applying an asymmetric injection signal thereto having a frequency, magnitude and asymmetry such that the maintenance of a balanced or metastable state in the synchronizing element is inhibited without interfering with the normal switching operation thereof.

Abstract: Novel apparatus (probe) for sensing and controlling the surface charge on an electro-photographic copier drum in which a hollow, cylindrical, tubular shield member provided with a single elongated aperture therein houses a rotatable charge receiving, insulatingly segmented, rod-like fluted member, the latter extending centrally through the shield member. The elongated slot of the outer shield member extends from edge-to-edge of the drum and in close, spaced proximity thereto. One end of the probe apparatus carries an electromagnetic, Hall effect transducer including a phasing paddle wheel member rotatable with the segmented member for timing and synchronizing the rotation of the probe with the drum rotation. The probe is disposed between two spaced apart drum charging corotrons. The probe senses the surface charge on the drum and compares this charge with a known standard charge level.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for providing on-line error detection and correction of errors in an optical disk storage system using Reed-Solomon decoding techniques. An implementation is employed which divides the Reed-Solomon decoding process into a sequence of well defined steps requiring a minimum of inter-step parameter transfers. These steps are implemented by a plurality of processors operating in a pipelined manner.

Abstract: Optical apparatus is disclosed for spatially combining and/or separating a plurality of reading and writing laser beams as required, for example, in an optical memory system. The apparatus includes a spatial combining and separating device comprising a thin transparent element which is provided with reflective and anti-reflective coatings and an appropriately located opening in a manner so as to permit the original and reflected writing beams to pass through the device without change in direction while the original and reflected reading beams are reflected from the device in predetermined directions.

Abstract: An equipment enclosure comprises a frame whereon edge covers can be assembled by means of lugs fitting into corresponding recesses in the frame. Each of the edge covers comprises a groove overhanging the frame on either side to form a continuous channel all around. Covers are slidably insertable into the continuous groove to trap the lugs in the recesses to prevent the removal of the edge covers, the edge covers in turn co-operating to retain the side covers. A back cover is boltable onto the frame to prevent the sliding out of the side covers and to complete the assembly of the enclosure. The edge covers are provided with projections and slots which are insertable one into the other between adjacent covers to lend added strength to the enclosure. In a modification to the invention an openable portion of the enclosure is provided.

Abstract: An optical storage system is disclosed having improved focus detecting and controlling apparatus which is responsive to a reading laser beam reflected from an optical medium so as to provide a focus error signal having a high gain in the immediate vicinity of the in-focus position along with a wide capture range. Focus detection is achieved based on determining the difference between the diameters of the beams applied to a pair of photosensitive elements located so that the diameters of the beams applied thereto are indicative of the quality of focusing of the reading beam on the optical medium.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a programmable unit employing plural levels of sub-instruction sets in addition to conventional instruction sets. The conventional level of instruction sets is employed to specify computational routines and other processing algorithms to be carried out by the unit. Each instruction in a conventional set is implemented in the unit by a sequence of first level sub-instructions which specify the various operations to be carried out within the unit which operations are comprised within the specific routine. In turn, the various first level sub-instructions are implemented by second level sub-instructions which specify the various control signals required to set the various gates as required for the particular unit operation to be carried out. With this hierarchy of sub-instruction sets, first level sub-instruction sets may be interchanged dynamically during the operation of the unit to dynamically change the processing capability of the unit.

Abstract: A composition for a dielectric ink used in a screening process including a lead-free glass frit binder, silica, and a vehicle. The dielectric composition is particularly suited for use in gas plasma display panels.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering a terminal comprising a support plate having a top surface to which a terminal is secured and a bottom surface to which are secured two cross bars mounted on a threaded shaft which moves the cross bars toward and away from each other. Four pivotable legs are positioned with respect to the cross bars so that movement of the bars in one direction pivots the legs to raise the support plate and its terminal, and movement of the bars in the opposite direction pivots the legs to lower the support plate and its terminal.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus comprising two plates to be coupled together, with each plate carrying a locking mechanism for receiving a coupling member, the coupling member having two ends, each end being adapted to engage and couple to the locking mechanism on one of the plates whereby the two plates can be rigidly coupled together.

Abstract: A method of allocating available bandwidth between stations configured in a write token controlled loop communications network. When a station desires to reserve additional bandwidth to itself, it captures the write token and transmits a bandwidth allocation token which includes a field indicating the originating station's amount of currently reserved bandwidth. Each station on the loop adds to the field the amount of its currently reserved bandwidth. When the allocation token arrives back at the originating station, the write token is regenerated and transmitted. If the total amount of currently reserved bandwidth indicated in the allocation token plus the desired additional bandwidth sought to be reserved is less than the allocatable bandwidth, then the reservation is granted. The additional bandwidth desired is then added to the total reserved by the originating station.

Abstract: The method of making a display panel 10 comprising forming an assembly of a glass base plate having a set of longitudinal first slots in which anode electrodes are secured and having an array of cathode electrodes seated on the top surface of the base plate and oriented transverse to the anodes. An apertured electrode plate is disposed adjacent to the base plate and its electrodes, and a face plate assembly is prepared by providing a glass plate and forming on one surface, in order, a large-area electrode and one or more insulating layers, after which an apertured insulating layer is formed thereon by a photo-etching process. The face plate assembly carrying the apertured insulating layer is assembled with the other parts of the panel, and the panel is processed to completion.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a matrix of D.C. scan cells arrayed in rows and columns and a matrix of A.C. display cells arrayed in rows and columns, each scan cell being in operative relation with two display cells so that for every column of scan cells there are two sets of display cells. The panel also includes two sets of sustainer electrodes associated with the two sets of display cells and properly operated by complementary oppositely phased sustaining signals in conjunction with the scan cells to select and turn on desired display cells, column by column. Also disclosed is a circuit for generating the two oppositely phased sustainer signals for the two sets of sustainer electrodes.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a matrix of D.C. scan cells arrayed in rows and columns and a matrix of display cells arrayed in rows and columns, each scan cell being in operative relation with more than one display cell. The panel also includes a plurality of sustainer electrodes associated with rows of display cells and properly operated in conjuction with the scan cells to select and turn on desired display cells, column-by-column.

Abstract: A data storage cell is provided for use when concatenated with similar cells in a wafer-scale integrated circuit as part of a serial memory chain. Data is stored in or retrieved from a shift register. A data switch is operable, dependently upon a selectable match criterion being met between the successive contents of a key word register and selectable sections of the data stored in register, the particular sections so selected being controlled by the contents of a control register. The access control is such that records are selectively stored in, or retrieved from, a particular cell dependent upon the content of the records themselves thus removing the necessity for keeping track of the position of records in the serial memory chain. The switch is selectably operable to provide a copy of the circulating contents of the data storage register as the signal on a data output line of the cell, so providing a means for non-destructive readout from the cell.

Abstract: In an autoteller, where a card is inserted into a slot to be read by the autoteller, and remains visible at all times by means of an indentation in the slot whereby the card can also be grasped, a cam operated bale arm assembly prevents the card from being removed from the slot by interposing the tips of bale arm behind the fascia of the autoteller between the card and the slot. A bale arm clamp is provided for holding the bale arm assembly closed for the card to be pushed into a retention bin transversely to its direction of insertion into the autoteller by means of a drive wheel driven card ejection pin in the event of the autoteller desiring to retain the card. The bale arm assembly performs a dual action, both preventing the removal of the card and drawing the card into a predetermined position prior to the card being read. The clamp maintains the bale arm assembly in a removal-preventing position even although the cam operating mechanism is de-activated.