Abstract: An information-discriminating circuit has a biasing device that superposes bias voltage on an input signal, and a comparator that discriminates information by comparing an output signal from the biasing device with a threshold value. The difference between the bias voltage and the threshold value is continuously adjusted such that a noise margin is varied according to the amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing a suite of test scripts for testing a proposed network management application. The proposed network management application, termed a subsystem control facility (SCF), is first defined as a set of requirements with the aid of a developmental tool incorporating a subsystem knowledgebase and a test generation knowledgebase. The subsystem knowledgebase contains the rules governing the operation of a given network and a library of permitted commands, objects, attributes, modifiers and other data. The test generation knowledgebase includes information relating to those commands and object specific to the proposed subsystem control facility set of requirements. A user interface coupled to the knowledgebases permits the selection of types of tests and specific commands and objects to be tested.

Abstract: In a sound source apparatus, a central processing unit is integrated in a semiconductor chip and operates in response to a primary operating clock signal for creating a control message. A tone generating unit is integrated in the same semiconductor chip and operates in response to a secondary operating clock signal for generating a musical tone according to the control message. A master clock generator generates a master clock signal having a desired frequency selected from a plurality of frequencies. A mode changer designates one of a first mode and a second mode corresponding to different operating speeds. A clock generator is provided for variably frequency-dividing the master clock signal to generate the primary operating clock signal and the secondary operating clock signal. The clock generator is responsive to the mode changer for changing a frequency ratio of the primary operating clock signal to the secondary operating clock signal between the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: An extrication collar for immobilizing the head and neck of an injured victim is field adjustable by an emergency medical technician who matches the size of the victim by tearing lower and/or upper peripheral portions of the extrication collar off along a perforated line. The vertical height of the collar and hence the length of neck to which the collar is adjusted is varied by the amount of the collar periphery, which is removed by manually tearing along a perforated line. The plurality of perforated lines are defined through the collar to provide a plurality of discrete sizes. Rigidity of the collar is provided by an exterior and noncompressible foam layer, while cushioning of the collar is provided by an interior compressible foam bonded to the noncompressible foam. The noncompressible foam or the compressible foam or both are selectively separable through the perforated lines in the front portion of the collar, the back portion of the collar or both.

Abstract: A screened gasket for sealing a junction and filtering fluid flowing through the junction includes a sandwich-type structure with first and second gasket members holding a central screen securely therebetween. An inner seal annularly surrounds the screen and prevents radial fluid leakage between the two gasket members. Outer seals are provided which engage the surfaces of the flanges of the junction.

Abstract: An automatic performance section and an effect imparting section or (and) a pitch measuring section are provided in combination within a single device, and the operations of these sections are collectively controlled by a processor. To an external sound signal input from outside the device, the effect imparting section imparts an effect designated by designating data. For tuning purposes, the pitch measuring section detects zero-cross points of the external sound signal to measure the pitch of the signal. Under the control of the processor, the automatic performance section, which has automatic performance data and change data stored therein, under the control of the processor, reads out the performance data to perform an automatic performance process and also reads out the change data for changing the designating data to thereby change an effect to be imparted.

Abstract: A molding process includes forming a primary molded product having interlocking projections and holes in a primary mold. The product is transferred into a secondary mold having interlocking grooves and pins, and secured therein by the engagement of the projections and holes of the product with the grooves and pins, respectively, of the secondary mold. A secondary molded product containing the primary molded product as an insert is formed without having any undesirable displacement of the insert caused by the injection of a molding material at a high pressure. An appropriate molding apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transformer has a primary winding including a first end which is connected to a first input terminal. A switching transistor is connected between a second end of the primary winding and a second input terminal. Timing circuits control an on-off operation of the transistor while a rectifying and smoothing circuit provided on the secondary side of the transformer rectifies and smooths an output from the transformer. In the switching power circuit, a parallel circuit of a capacitor and an inductance element absorbs charges from the capacitor connected in series to the primary winding of the transformer, while a resonance capacitor connected between the collector and the emitter of the switching transistor forms a voltage resonance circuit with the main inductance of the primary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: An animal toy comprising a durable, flexible target attached to the end of a line of a pole and reel assembly. The target is made of a plastic material in order to withstand chewing and breaking by the animal. Further, the target may be shaped as a circular ring or drooping spiral to allow for easier attack and chewing by the animal. The target is resilient so that it moves in and of itself apart from the pole to more reliably evoke the play or attack behavior of the animal or cat.

Abstract: In order to give piano-like key touch to a player in an electronically sound producing mode, a keyboard incorporated in a musical instrument is linked with key action mechanisms associated with hammer mechanisms, and a stopper blocks the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings so that noises are not mixed with synthesized tones.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing a suite of test scripts for testing a proposed network management application. The proposed network management application, termed a subsystem control facility (SCF), is first defined as a set of requirements with the aid of a developmental tool incorporating a subsystem knowledgebase and a test generation knowledgebase. The subsystem knowledgebase contains the rules governing the operation of a given network and a library of permitted commands, objects, attributes, modifiers and other data. The test generation knowledgebase includes information relating to those commands and objects specific to the proposed subsystem control facility set of requirements. A user interface coupled to the knowledgebases permits the selection of types of tests and specific commands and objects to be tested.

Abstract: A musical sound system is operated according to a selected set of a system program and a control program, which are separate from each other and which are related consistently to each other. The system is comprised of a sound unit and a control unit. The sound unit is operable based on a selected system program for producing a musical sound. The sound unit has a floppy disk driver for loading into the sound unit the selected system program and for concurrently loading a control program corresponding to the selected system program, and has a communication interface for transmitting the loaded control program. The control unit receives the transmitted control program for controlling the sound unit according to the control program to thereby hold consistency between operations of the sound unit and the control unit.

Abstract: A lightweight, economical, reliable and adaptable tool for use in joining wire connector assemblies such as those utilized in telecommunications includes a base member including a housing and a cam mechanism with a T-bar pivotally connected with a cam mechanism. Removable wire connector holders are provided which can be interchanged on the base member and force applicators for use with particular wire connectors can be applied to the T-bar. By providing interchangeability for the wire connector holders and the force applicators, the disclosed tool is capable of being utilized with a variety of industry standard wire connector assemblies without requiring multiple tools. In addition, the tool is formed utilizing a simplified construction and is made from materials which reduce the weight, increase the reliability and reduce the cost thereof.

Abstract: A tone signal control system for controlling a tone signal supplied from a tone generator. The tone signal control system includes a CPU for executing a computational and control operation in accordance with an externally stored program, a DSP for executing a computational and control operation in accordance with an internally stored program, a memory accessible by both CPU and DSP, and an access controller for controlling an access by CPU and DSP to the memory. The access controller calculates a logical product of a clock signal, an access signal from CPU, and an access signal from DSP, and outputs the logical product as a CPU wait signal. The tone signal control system is not required to increase the number of pins too many even if CPU and DSP are assembled on a single chip.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading a bar code symbol is provide which includes a bar code scanner and a receiver. The scanner transmits an RF signal representation of the bar code symbol to the receiver that includes substantially less information than that originally present in the bar code, thus reducing the need for electrical power. The receiver reconstructs the original information of the bar code symbol from the RF signal. The scanner comprises an encoding element that converts a first signal representative of light reflected from the bar code symbol to a second signal representative only of bar-to-space and space-to-bar transitions of the bar code symbol. An RF transmitter within the scanner provides an RF signal from the second signal. The receiver comprises an RF receiving element adapted to receive the RF signal and reconstruct the first signal from the RF signal.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for a printer is provided which rapidly decelerates and stops a rotating roll of print media in between printing operations, and allows the roll to rotate freely during printing operations. The printer includes a print head mechanism that draws a print media to a print region from a roll of the print media. A roller supports the roll of print media and permits the roll to rotate freely upon application of a drawing force from the print head mechanism. A brake drum is axially coupled to the roller. A lever arm is affixed at a first end thereof to a support structure of the printer and is pivotal between a first position and a second position. A second end of the lever arm has a pedal disposed at a portion of a path along which the print media follows toward the print region.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting the level of a liquid in a tank. The apparatus is designed to be connected to a controller that controls a pump so as to switch the pump on when the liquid level reaches a maximum authorized level and to stop operation of the pump when the level of the liquid has gone back down to a minimum level. The apparatus includes a float that is lifted by the liquid and that is guided vertically. The apparatus also includes a magnet that is carried by the float, and at least two switches each having contacts sealed in a capsule. Each switch is fixed in a horizontal fashion to a plate so as to correspond to a predetermined liquid level, and each switch turns on an electrical circuit connected to the controller when the switch is in the magnetic field of the magnet. The plate is disposed in a vertical plane that is parallel to and in close proximity to the displacement of the float.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided a self-bias measurement method of measuring the self-bias voltage of an object when the object is subjected to a plasma process by using a plasma generated between a pair of electrodes, the object being held, by means of electrostatic chucking means having an electrostatic chucking electrode, on one of the pair of electrodes situated in a processing chamber, the method including the steps of detecting a leak current between the object and the electrostatic chucking electrode while varying the DC voltage applied to the electrostatic chucking electrode, and calculating the self-bias voltage of the object on the basis of the leak current detected, an apparatus for measuring the self-bias, and an electrostatic chucking apparatus having means capable of measuring the self-bias.

Abstract: An ophthalmological surgery system and method for performing ablative photodecomposition of the corneal surface by offset image scanning. A mask having opaque and transparent portions corresponding to a desired type of correction, such as a hyperopic correction, intercepts a laser beam to provide a profiled beam. The mask is mounted for rotation about an axis and the image of the mask is offset from an intended center of rotation corresponding to an ablation center by an imaging lens which is radially offset from the center of rotation. The mask and lens rotate in unison to scan the image over the desired portion of the corneal surface. The invention enables wide area treatment with a laser having a narrower beam and makes optional the use of rotating mirrors and prisms.