Abstract: A high precision transducer and a system related thereto are provided for achieving high precision in an efficient, economical, and small size configuration. In a preferred embodiment, an optical position encoder transducer utilizes an optically sensed code wheel in combination with a vernier optical split to achieve high precision. Code wheel positions are sensed photo-optically to provide the most significant bits of the encoder position number. Optical slit position is sensed photo-optically to interpolate between disk code positions and to provide a high precision vernier to generating the least significant bits of the encoder output number. Anti-ambiguity circuitry resolves ambiguity between code wheel positions, vernier positions, and alignment. An array of photosensors provides enhanced precision and economy. Systems utilizing such transducers include digital readout systems, machine control systems, and data logging systems.

Abstract: A microcomputer system is provided that facilitates system interaction with a machine. System architecture provides for processing machine inputs and generating machine outputs under microcomputer program control to enhance capability and flexibility and to reduce special purpose interface circuitry. Use of a microcomputer having an integrated circuit read only memory for program storage, an integrated circuit RAM or scratch pad memory for alterable operand storage, and integrated circuit logic enhances cost, performance, reliability, and other considerations.

Abstract: An improved data processor architecture is provided having integrated circuit (IC) memories. Provision is made for dynamic memories with a memory refresh arrangement. Memory refresh is provided in response to instruction execution, synchronized with computer control signals to minimize contension or conflicts with computer operations and to share control circuitry.

Abstract: An improved storage device is provided for enhanced protection from fire and theft. It has advantages of lightweight for transportation and installation, heavyweight for protection when in use, steel construction for theft protection, dry insulation for heat flow retardation, fluid for limiting internal temperature rise and low cost. These capabilities are achieved by constructing a multi-walled storage device having an inner wall of steel for theft protection, an outer chamber of insulation to reduce heat flow from an external source, and an internal chamber for filling with a fluid to absorb heat and thereby reduce the maximum temperature. The fluid boils off at a particular temperature and pressure to limit internal temperature. The outer insulation limits heat flow, thereby reducing the rate that fluid boils off. Duration of temperature limit protection is a function of heat capacity and heat of vaporization of the fluid and heat flow through the insulation.

Abstract: An incremental digital filter provides high speed and low cost capability such as for performing fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), correlations, convolutions, and other digital filter operations. One configuration operates at microwave sample rates, computing a complete 512-point FFT in 0.2 microseconds for an effective sample rate of 2.56 gigahertz. High speed and low cost are derived from a parallel pipeline architecture in combination with incremental processing. Parallel pipeline architecture provides extremely high speed while the incremental mechanization provides a simple arrangement with a low component count for low cost. The incremental nature of the processor provides an integrating type mechanization, where integration-after-transformation yields high processing gain for signal-to-noise-ratio enhancement.High data rate input and output mechanizations are provided to accommodate the high processing rates. An improved input mechanization involves analog signal to incremental digital conversion.

Abstract: Projection display systems implemented with illumination amplifiers, such as liquid crystal devices, are provided. High intensity illumination is used to provide a high intensity large screen display. Heat transfer devices are used for removal of heat, which is caused by the high intensity illumination, from the illumination amplifier. The illumination amplifiers can be implemented in either transmissive or reflective modes. In a reflective mode, illumination is reflected from a front side and heat is removed from a back side of the illumination amplifier. Color is provided, such as generating multiple channels of different color images and projecting the different color images to generate a multi-colored image. Various system configurations are provided; such as a high intensity projection liquid crystal television system, a scoreboard display system, and a billboard display system.

Abstract: A filtering system is provided for acquiring and processing signals using a sampled filter for signal separation and signal enhancement; such as for determining locations, distances, and times in a geophysical exploration system. Signature signals permit mixing and seperation with sampled filters, such as for sharing common circuitry and for increasing the amount of acquired information. A sampled filter, such as a digital correlator, is provided for generating high resolution output data in response to low resolution input data processed with low resolution computational circuits. A real-time time-domain correlator is provided with single-bit resolution computational elements to provide improved correlation filtering. A high speed real-time correlator is provided to enhance signals with compositing-after-correlation and with correlation using a plurality of correlation operators.

Abstract: A microcomputer system is provided that facilitates system interaction with an improved interface mechanization. System architecture provides for processing external inputs and generating external outputs under microcomputer program control to enhance capability and flexibility and to reduce special purpose interface circuitry. Use of a microcomputer having an integrated circuit read only memory for program storage, an integrated circuit RAM or scratch pad memory for alterable operand storage, and integrated circuit logic enhances cost, performance, reliability, and other considerations.

Abstract: A racquet is provided having a transverse compliant edge system that supports the racquet strings and has independent elastic transverse movement of the string supports while inhibiting accompanying radial movement. The transverse compliant edge system includes rigid string support rails inside an outer channel in the racquet frame. Each string support rail has an outer groove that contains and supports the racquet string and an inside contact surface supported by the racquet frame and that acts as a pivot point. The string support rails are spaced away from the walls of the outer channel in the racquet frame and the spaces are bridged with compliant material or springs. This arrangement allows the string support rail to rotate about its inside contact surface pivot, thus allowing elastic transverse string movement while inhibiting accompanying radial movement, independent of transverse string movement caused by the elasticity of the ball, strings, or racquet.

Abstract: Control of illumination with illumination amplifier devices provides a basis for implementing scanner systems. Illumination amplifiers in closed illumination servo loops provide improved illumination control. An illumination control system provides precise control of camera operations for photographic and photoplotter applications. Illumination amplifier devices are used in conjunction with electronic control circuits to provide flexibility and precision in camera systems, reducing reliance on prior art mechanical devices. Illumination control circuits are presented in the form of digital gates and flip-flops and in the form of analog computational elements to provide illumination computer systems. In addition, a batch fabricated illumination computer arrangement is presented for improved implementation of illumination control systems.

Abstract: Control of illumination with illumination amplifier devices provides a basis for implementing various types of illumination systems. Also illumination amplifiers in closed illumination servo loops provide improved illumination control. An illumination control system provides precise control of camera operations for photographic and photoplotter applications. Illumination amplifier devices are used in conjunction with electronic control circuits to provide flexibility and precision in camera systems, reducing reliance on prior art mechanical devices.Illumination control circuits are presented in the form of digital gates and flip-flops and in the form of analog computational elements to provide illumination computer systems. In addition, a batch fabricated illumination computer arrangement is presented for improved implementation of illumination control systems.Illumination amplifiers are further configured for control of illumination in buildings and automobiles.

Abstract: An improved Fourier transform processor is provided for generating frequency domain output signals in response to time domain input signals. Various configurations are provided. Processing on the fly as samples are received yields improvements such as greater speed and reduced circuitry. Generating higher resolution output samples in response to lower resolution input samples yields improvements such greater precision and reduced circuitry. Directly combining complex signal components yields improvements such as greater SNR and reduced circuitry. Single bit processing yields improvements such as greater speed and reduced circuitry.

Abstract: A digital filtering system is provided for communicating and processing signals using a digital filter for signal separation and signal enhancement. A digital correlator is provided for generating high resolution output data in response to low resolution input data processed with low resolution computational circuits. In one embodiment, a real-time time-domain correlator is provided with single-bit resolution computational elements to implement the correlation filtering operation. Use of the high speed real-time correlator of the present invention permits further enhancement of signals with the capability of compositing-after-correlation and with the capability of correlation using a plurality of correlation operators. Particular advantages are achieved with the use of the real-time correlator in a geophysical exploration system embodiment and in a communication embodiment.

Abstract: A digital filtering system is provided for acquiring and processing signals using a digital filter for signal separation and signal enhancement. A digital correlator is provided for generating high resolution output data in response to low resolution input data processed with low resolution computational circuits. In one embodiment, a real-time time-domain correlator is provided with single-bit resolution computational elements to implement the correlation filtering operation. Use of the high speed real-time correlator of the present invention permits further enhancement of signals with the capability of compositing-after-correlation and with the capability of correlation using a plurality of correlation operators. Particular advantages are achieved with the use of the real-time correlator in a geophysical exploration system embodiment and in a communication embodiment.

Abstract: A filter display system is provided for displaying filtered information. Input signals are multiplied by reference signals and summed to generate filtered signals for display. In an on the fly processing configuration, an input signal sample is processed in response to a plurality of reference samples before processing of other input signal samples. Various memory configurations are used to store signal samples; including RAMs, ROMs, and CCD memories. Processing is performed with various resolutions, including single-bit sample processing and multi-bit sample processing. Processing gain is used to provide processed signal samples having resolution better than the resolution of input signal samples. A display is provided that iteratively improves the displayed information as the filtering progresses. A pipeline configuration uses hardware for progressive processing of signal samples. An iterative configuration is implemented with a computer processing signal samples in iterative form.

Abstract: A machine control system is provided, being connected to a remote source of machine commands. In a preferred embodiment, a computerized numerical control (CNC) system is provided for controlling a machine and is arranged for communication with a remote computer center for receiving parts program commands therefrom and for controlling a machine in response thereto. Multiple sources of parts program commands are provided including a tape reader source and an operator panel source of parts program commands. Parts program commands can be executed directly for control of a machine or can be stored in a parts program memory for buffering, editing, converting, assembling and other functions. Many numerical control features are provided with the CNC system of the present invention for enhanced capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved data processor architecture. In a preferred embodiment, this architecture provides a hybrid stored program computer having analog and digital signals, where this architecture utilizes the combination of an integrated circuit analog read only memory, an integrated circuit analog alterable memory, and digital processing logic to achieve a low cost monolithic hybrid data processor. Analog CCD memories are provided for obtaining high capacity storage at low cost. Digital processing is provided for flexibility and capability. Analog to digital converters and digital to analog converters are used for communication between analog and digital portions of the data processor. Adaptive compensation having stored reference signals enhances analog signal precision.

Abstract: A memory system is provided for enhanced operation; such as for increased storage capacity. One disclosed configuration stores signals in overlapping signature signal form and processes the memory output signal with a digital filter processor. Improved filter processor architectures are provided, including low resolution filter processors and process-on-the-fly filter processors.

Abstract: An incremental digital filter provides high speed and low cost capability such as for performing fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), correlations, convolutions, and other digital filter operations. One configuration operates at microwave sample rates, computing a complete 512-point FFT in 0.2 microseconds for an effective sample rate of 2.56 gigahertz. High speed and low cost are derived from a parallel pipeline architecture in combination with incremental processing. Parallel pipeline architecture provides extremely high speed while the incremental mechanization provides a simple arrangement with a low component count for low cost. The incremental nature of the processor provides an integrating type mechanization, where integration-after-transformation yields high processing gain for signal-to-noise-ratio enhancement.High data rate input and output mechanizations are provided to accommodate the high processing rates. An improved input mechanization involves analog signal to incremental digital conversion.

Abstract: Control of illumination with illumination amplifier devices provides a basis for implementing various types of illumination systems. Also illumination amplifiers in closed illumination servo loops provide improved illumination control. An illumination control system provides precise control of camera operations for photographic and photoplotter applications. Illumination amplifier devices are used in conjunction with electronic control circuits to provide flexibility and precision in camera systems, reducing reliance on prior art mechanical devices.Illumination control circuits are presented in the form of digital gates and flip-flops and in the form of analog computational elements to provide illumination computer systems. In addition, a batch fabricated illumination computer arrangement is presented for improved implementation of illumination control systems.Illumination amplifiers are further configured for control of illumination in buildings and automobiles.