Abstract: A fiber, with enhanced stimulated Raman scattering for use in light amplification, transmits light wave energy in a single mode. The fiber includes a cylindrical core of light transmitting material doped with a substantial concentration of GeO.sub.2, an inner cladding of light transmitting material doped with a sizable concentration of GeO.sub.2 (but less than the substantial concentration) surrounding the core, and an outer cladding of GeO.sub.2 -free material surrounding the inner cladding.

Abstract: Real-time all-optical multiplication of an n component vector by a large m by m matrix having digital accuracy utilizes an updatable two dimensional spatial light modulator.

Abstract: Fast modulation on a low-power laser beam is transferred to a high-power beam when the high-power beam pumps to depletion the amplification of the low-power beam in a fiber Raman amplifier.

Abstract: In automatic assembly apparatus operating under electronic vision control, features on components to be assembled must be recognized and located in position and orientation so that a gripper mechanism may be directed to one component to pick it up and move it into correct position and orientation relative to the other component for assembly. The invention provides a known parallel projection optical system 8, 9, at the location of each component which provides a plan view for an electronic camera 11 of the components 20, 22 at constant scale regardless of lateral or axial component movements. The grey-level picture of each component provided by the camera is thresholded into a binarized picture at a threshold level which selects a primary component feature 27 within a part of the camera field of view which is certain to contain this feature.

Abstract: A noise immune circuit for use with pulse type sensors whereby a noise modulated signal is clipped and shaped in a hard limiter to a square wave signal before being filtered by a low pass filter. A Schmitt trigger with substantial feedback then biases the threshold of said hard limiter for discrimination of noise from signal.

Abstract: A method for transmitting ciphered information between two stations while using session keys. According to the method a mutual identification of the stations (AK, A; A,B) is obtained while using an identification device (ID) comprised in each station. Number values (r.sub.1, r.sub.2), originating from each station, may be exchanged by said identification in a form which is so ciphered that the number values may be recovered by the counterpart only. The session key (t.sub.m) is formed on basis of said number values in a modification device (MODIFI). Ciphered data messages are exchanged between the station using the established session key and a message ciphering/deciphering device (MCRY, MDECRY) comprised in each station. According to the method the mutual identification and the establishment of the session key via an open channel may be obtained by transmitting one separate identification sequence in each direction.

Abstract: A protective system to prevent a dry metallized film capacitor from exploding or catching fire in the event that an internal short or fault occurs within the capacitor section utilizes a fuse and a thermal protector connected in series with the capacitor section and within its case. The fuse serves to protect the unit from a fault-induced low resistance high current in-rush, while the thermal protector is triggered by a fault-induced high resistance low current. A heat reflective circumferential sheet and positioning of thermal protector maximize its value in the protective system.

Abstract: A three module memory system is disclosed wherein a data word of 2.sup.i+1 bits is stored. Half of the data word is stored in each of two memory modules. A third memory module is provided, wherein each of the modules allows for storing symbols of 2.sup.i +1 bits. An error protection code is disclosed which for symbols of five bits has a minimum distance profile of (4, 2, 0) and for symbols of nine or seventeen bits has a minimum distance profile of (6, 2, 0). Thus a single bit error is correctable, a single symbol error is detectable, and up to four arbitrary bit errors are detectable. Also a simple and systematic decoder is disclosed.

Abstract: A shock protection circuit utilizing an immersion detection current interrupter for use in small electrical appliances wherein the combination of a solenoid or a relay plus a sensor will cause an interruption of the power leads of a small appliance and the mechanical latching of the relay or solenoid contacts in an open position when the presence of an electrically conductive fluid is detected. In one embodiment, the sensor remains conductive at a safe level, while in a second embodiment power to the sensor is also interrupted. Both embodiments are immune to electrical noise.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a bus for data, address and control signals which is divided into a left bus and a right bus by a first gating device. The gating device has an open state which is character-wise activated by a right bus request transported on the left bus. Furthermore, the gating device conducts start signals from a processor station connected to the left bus and interrupt signals from a peripheral apparatus connected to the right bus. In the closed state of the gating device, bulk data transport is possible on the right bus without interfering with the processor station. The processing speed is thus increased.

Abstract: An integrated and programmable processor for word-wise digital signal processing. The processor has a multiplier element, an arithmetic and a logic unit, a data memory and a connection for a control memory which may be integrated on-chip. The elements are interconnected by means of a double bus on which addresses as well as data may be transported by means of suitable selectors. Consequently, a pipeline operation can take place within one instruction cycle.

Abstract: Stackable modules for electronic subsystems, which are all mechanically identical, but functionally different, which can be disassembled and rearranged. Each module has a housing of two parts, in which an electronic circuit is fixed and which has openings, through which the electronic circuit is electrically accessible. It has recesses for fixing a rod provided with metallic wires, which ensure contacts with the electric circuit and project beyond the exterior of the housing. When several housings are assembled, the wires, which project beyond the exterior of each housing, are in contact with the electronic circuit of the adjacent housing via the openings of the latter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing and modifying the contents of a picture memory ("mapped memory") by means of objects to be represented described in an object memory. When an object is arranged in the picture, the picture elements that were contained in the perimeter of the object before the latter was positioned were protected in the object memory (5) at the address of the description of the object and taking its place. For displacing an object, it is consequently sufficient to exchange the picture elements between the object memory and the picture to recreate the picture with the object and then to re-arrange the object in another position according to the same exchanging process.

Abstract: One or more defective elements regularly occur in series-parallel-series digital units comprising several elements. The described system offers a solution for the construction of a series-parallel-series digital system by means of a number of series-parallel-series digital units comprising one or more defective elements; in this system only a part of the data stream passing through the system appears as being unreliable on the output thereof. Moreover, said unreliable part will always be situated within the same serial data stream, while the other serial data stream on the output will not be affected thereby.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnostic system the invention utilizes the concept that for pulse echo medical ultrasound signals the mean instantaneous frequency estimates are improved by imposing the condition that a local frequency estimate is ignored unless a condition of the amplitude exceeding some threshold is met. It provides for the use of conditional frequency or zero crossing rate measurement as applied to ultrasound attenuation measurement and also to local frequency shift measurement due to frequency dependent scattering. The system simultaneously detects the amplitude of the signal, delays the RF waveform to satisfy causality and then conditionally accepts the frequency demodulated image only when a preselected amplitude is exceeded. The system requires that the amplitude of the instantaneous RF signal exceed a set threshold in order for the half cycle of the signal to be processed.

Abstract: A circuit for processing the control signal inputs for a control data signal decoder wherein a reference voltage and a reference current are generated for use in processing a stream of control signal bits. The control signal data stream is filtered, buffered and exponentialed. The processing serves to cancel out variations in temperature, resistance, process variations and circuit voltages to yield a stable control signal current.

Abstract: A heat sensitive electrical component is hermetically sealed within a glass sleeve by focusing a laser beam on the circumferential ends of the glass sleeve which abut the side wall edges of metal end caps on each opposed end of said component. The glass sleeve absorbs sufficient heat from the focused laser beam to avoid damage to the heat sensitive component.

Abstract: For the orderly transmission of digital data between stations S.sub.1 -S.sub.n connected to a common communication path B, it is useful to provide an access and addressing procedure. According to the invention, a main station MS which is also connected to the communication path B distributes clock pulses which are counted in the stations S.sub.1 -S.sub.n. When there is agreement between the station number (ADDR) and the counting position (CNTR) the relevant station is enabled S.sub.i to transmit digital data to one of the other stations.

Abstract: An improved biplane phased array transducer for real time medical imaging in at least two sector planes having a composite piezoelectric plate with an array of transducer elements disposed on each major surface of said plate, the array on one side being at an angle to the array on the other side, said transducer elements being defined by dicing each major surface of said composite plate through the conductive electrode surface and into a portion of the composite piezoelectric material, and electrical connections provided whereby each array may be grounded alternately so that real time sector imaging in two planes is obtained.

Abstract: An electronically adjustable mechanical lens for ultrasonic linear array and phased array imaging having strip-like electrodes in the longitudinal direction of the array. Electronic delays are applied to signals going to or coming from the electrodes in both the transverse plane and the longitudinal plane to correct for phase errors which would normally occur when the mechanical lens is out of focus. This results in increased depth of field for the transducer lens.