Abstract: In an electronic special video effect device, first and second digital video signals (D.sub.F and D.sub.S) derived during a keying interval of time from two television signals (VA and VB) between the beginning and a switching instant of each predetermined period and between the switching instant and the end of the period, respectively, are written in a memory (35) in addresses corresponding to the respective periods starting at an initial address corresponding to the switching instant. Each period may be a horizontal or a vertical scanning period. The memory addresses are merely cyclically read out to provide an output signal (VD) that enables a scene represented by one of the television signals to be pushed away from a television screen by another scene represented by the other, leftwards, rightwards, downwards, or upwards. Read-out may be started at the initial address with write-in carried out merely cyclically. Both may start at the initial address.

Abstract: In a digital video effect system, only one one-frame RAM (30) produces a mixed and phase-locked signal (14) for n individually synchronized input television signals (11, 12) when read by horizontal and vertical address signals (48, 49) derived from a reference timing signal (15) in synchronism with horizontal and vertical synchronizing pulses included therein. Digital video signals (39') and vertical address signals (29') derived from n or (n-1) input television signal or signals are written in n or (n-1) four-line RAM (80) by horizontal address signals (28') derived also therefrom and read by horizontal address signals (48 or 28) derived either from the timing signal or one of the n input television signals. Thus horizontally phase-locked digital video signals (39, 83) are written in the one-frame RAM by the last-mentioned horizontal address signals and likewise horizontally phase-locked vertical address signals (29, 84).

Abstract: A purely electrical tension control system utilizing the characteristics of a shunt motor coupled with the supply reel. In a recording or reproducing mode, the reel drive motor is forced to rotate in a direction opposite to its normal direction of rotation, thus producing a counter electromotive force and torque for rotation. The counter electromotive force is detected and employed to control the motor torque to thereby maintain a fixed tape tension.

Abstract: Luminance/chrominance separating apparatus in which a luminance signal and chrominance signal are extracted from a composite color television signal by a comb filter. A low frequency signal component is extracted from the chrominance signal and passed through a variable attenuator. The low frequency signal component from the variable attenuator is added to the luminance signal to produce a compensated luminance signal.

Abstract: A data transmission system, particularly useful for transmission of computer data by radio frequency cables, makes use of a phase demodulator which eliminates the usual requirement for a coherent local oscillator for use in the demodulation process. The demodulator performs a phase-shifting operation on a phase modulated signal to arrive at an unmodulated carrier signal. The unmodulated carrier is sustained by use of a resonant circuit and used to demodulate the phase modulated signal.

Abstract: An internal mirror type gas laser tube having mirrors at the opposite ends thereof supported by hollow flexible metallic members to allow for mirror adjustment. The hollow members include a support pipe, provided outside of the hollow metallic member, the support pipe being covered by a thermocontractive insulating material. The insulating material eliminates electrical shock hazards which are present when the metallic member assumes the high voltage potential utilized to operate the laser.

Abstract: A video multiplexing communications system for distributing two distinct video programs via a single satellite channel utilizes time division principles, transmitting alternating lines of video information for the two programs by a single frequency modulated carrier to increase FM carrier-to-noise, thereby also maintaining each video program signal-to-noise ratio above FM detection threshold. The alternating lines are compacted in time and occupy a substantial portion of the synchronizing pulse period of the video lines; one line is partially repeated to reduce spurious system transient responses upon inter-program line switching; and amplitude expansion/reduction may be employed to maintain a large FM carrier deviation.

Abstract: A rate-control servomechanism includes a load driving motor and a tachometer mounted on the motor shaft to produce a feedback signal hich corresponds to the rotational speed of the motor. An additional signal corresponding to the motor current is added to the tachometer feedback signal to compensate for the resonance-like effects resulting from the inductive coupling between the motor and tachometer windings.

Abstract: A multichannel pipette is disclosed having an improved arrangement of replaceable tip containers in which the individual tip containers are connected together by flexible connecting members which are deformable to permit connection of the tip containers to differing configurations of tip cones.

Abstract: A tape transport control system suitable for use in tape recording apparatus which utilizes supply and take-up reels onto which the tape is wound. The control system is coupled to both the supply and take-up reels so as to generate detection signals which represents the rotation of the reels. The circuitry utilizes the detection signals to determine the point at which each of the reels in nearing its end, and sends a control signal to the tape transport circuitry to stop the rotation of the reels.

Abstract: A digital time base corrector for correcting a time-base error in a television video signal, the video signal including a horizontal synchronizing signal and a color burst signal. The start of a write-in clock pulse oscillator is determined by a one-cycle portion of the color burst signal which has been extracted from the video signal in a prefixed phase relationship with the horizontal synchronizing signal. Oscillation frequency control at the write-in clock pulse oscillator is performed in response to the phase deviation of the write-in clock pulse from the extracted one-cycle burst signal portion. Phase-locking of the write-in clock pulse oscillator is performed in response to the phase difference, from the extracted one-cycle burst portion, of a selected one of first and second pulses, the first pulse occurring at the rate of the subcarrier signal and the second pulse occurring at the rate of the horizontal synchronizing pulse. Both pulses are obtained from the write-in clock pulse.

Abstract: A light branching and coupling device, having a light focusing transmission body, in which the refractive index distribution of the body gradually decreases from the center towards the periphery of the body in a cross-section thereof, said cross-section being perpendicular to the center axis of the body. The light focusing transmission body has a length substantially equal to a positive integral multiple of 1/4 pitch with a reflective surface positioned from an end face of the body at a predetermined distance substantially equal to an odd number multiple of 1/4 pitch. Light incident on one of two end faces perpendicular to the center axis of the body propagates undulatingly to the other end face at a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a cylinder lock and associated flat-key configuration, the lock being virtually pick-proof and the key being virtually imitation-proof. These features arise from a particular employment of supplementary lateral ribs or cams on the key, of predetermined height and longitudinal location, coacting with a system of supplementary pins guided by transverse bores in the cylinder core, and one or more case pins of the conventional pin-tumbler components of the lock will dog the cylinder against key-operation beyond a limiting angle, should the supplementary rib or cam profile of the inserted key be incorrect.

Abstract: A signal detector circuit comprises a plurality of series-connected data latch circuits. An input signal and clock signals are applied to the first data latch circuit, the clock signals being effective to shift the input signal along the succeeding data latch circuits. The outputs of the data latch circuits are coupled to the plural inputs of a plurality of first logic circuits in a manner such that the outputs of different data latch circuits are combined at different ones of the first logic circuits. The outputs of the first logic circuits are combined in a second logic circuit which produces an output signal. The input signal may be a composite television synchronizing signal and the output signal may correspond to the vertical sync pluses in the composite synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A synchronous binary counter includes a plurality of counter stages wherein each stage experiences a state change in response to the application of a toggle signal thereto. Gating apparatus is provided between successive ones of the counter stages and said gating apparatus is responsive to a first state of the preceding counter stage for transferring the toggle signal to successive ones of the counter stages and responsive to a second state of the preceding counter stage for blocking the transfer of the toggle signal.

Abstract: A novel selector device for the determination of the conductivity-type in a semiconductor wafer utilizes the determination of the polarity of the electromotive force produced in the wafer by the Hall effect. The device comprises two pairs of probes in diagonal arrangement for supplying an electric current through the wafer and for detecting the electromotive force, respectively, by contacting the wafer surface, and a pair of permanent magnets positioned oppositely with the wafer in between to produce a magnetic field perpendicular to the wafer. One of the permanent magnets is located within the circumference determined by the probes.

Abstract: An electronic circuit board has protrusions of rubber-like material on the surface opposite to the surface on which the printed circuit is provided with terminal contact points located at positions in correspondence with the individual terminal contact points or with the individual groups of the terminal contact points, each of the groups being composed of the terminal contact points aligned in a row.

Abstract: In a semiconductor laser element, a semiconductor laser crystal having a pair of reflection surfaces and a pair of opposing principal surfaces is fused to a heat sink having a planar surface wider than each of the principal surfaces by a layer formed of a fusible metal on the planar surface, whereby one of the ohmic contacts formed on predetermined areas of the principal surfaces is brought into contact with a predetermined portion of the fusible metal layer. A unitary film of an electrically insulating material, such as silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, and/or aluminium oxide, is sputtered or otherwise formed continuously on the reflection surfaces and on the exposed portion of the fusible metal layer left uncovered by the laser crystal fused to the heat sink. After the unitary film is formed on the other of the contacts, it is still possible to bond a metal lead directly to the other contact by employing an ultrasonic bonding technique.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an optical microscope of inverted design and having versatility for application to solve and serve virtually all microscopy problems and needs. The microscope features a particular U-shaped housing with upstanding legs and with integrated optical elements contained within and carried by said housing. A rugged specimen table is removably secured to both legs, and is presented for viewing a specimen on said table via either reflected light or via transillumination, the light source in both cases being so mounted to the exterior of the housing as to be thermally isolated from the housing and from the lens system, the latter being vertically adjustable in the space between the housing legs and beneath the specimen table. Various further features are described.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a solar-cell construction wherein plural spaced elongate unit cells of an array are formed from a parallel-grooved single wafer of substrate material of a first conductivity type, with adjacent sidewalls of adjacent units at each inter-unit groove formation. In the transverse succession of such groove formations, the sidewalls of every other groove are formed with regions of a second conductivity type, so that at or near the radiation-exposure surface of each unit there is but one junction between first and second conductivity types. In one general form, all grooves go all the way between upper and lower wafer surfaces, thus defining discrete single-cell units; in another general form, every other groove ends close to but short of the upper surface, thus defining discrete twin-cell units. The units are series-connected by making ohmic connection between the second conductivity-type region of one unit and a first conductivity-type region of an adjacent unit.