Abstract: Disclosed is a selector switch for use in forming an asynchronous network of concurrent processors where the selector switch receives a message from one input port and transmits it to one of two output ports. A path through the network which has been established can be cleared should it become apparent that that particular path has become locked in due to a malfunction of a component in one of the nodes or switches in the network.

Abstract: A composition for a conductor ink used in a screening process and including a nickel powder, a lead-free glass binder, and a vehicle suitable for firing at a temperature below about 590.degree. C. The conductor composition is designed for use in gas plasma display panels.

Abstract: A test fixture having a planar array of spring-loaded contact probes of sufficient number and arrangement to accommodate circuit boards having different patterns of test points. A personalizing board is provided for each different test point pattern and contains partially drilled holes corresponding to probes which are not required for the test point pattern of its corresponding circuit board and completely drilled holes corresponding to probes which are required by the test point pattern. In operation, a personalizing board is mechanically forced against the array of probes so as to cause the probes in the partially drilled holes which are not needed to be depressed, while leaving the required probes in the completely drilled holes undepressed. The vacuum which is used to force the circuit board against the probes thus need depress only the required probes.

Abstract: A three beam laser optical system comprising a writing beam and two reading beams all incident on the same track of a rotating disk optical recording medium. One of the reading beams is incident on the track ahead of the writing beam so as to serve as a read-before-write beam, while the other reading beam is incident on the track behind the recording beam so as to serve as a read-after-write beam. The read-before-write beam is used during the recording of data to provide an advance indication as to whether there is previously recorded data ahead of the writing beam, in which case the recording operation is interrupted to prevent an overwrite error. The read-after-write beam is used during recording to check the accuracy of the recording operation.

Abstract: Data transfers between remote data sets, data terminals and a main host computer are controlled by a peripheral-controller designated as a Line Support Processor (LSP). The LSP manages a plurality of line adapters, each of which handles a separate data comm line. The LSP includes internal processor means and interface circuit means to effectuate data transfer operations using a variety of protocols and systems both for bit-oriented and byte-oriented data transfers.

Abstract: A system for rotating a data storage disc in a disc drive and for rapidly bringing the disc to a halt comprises a brushless motor fed with direct current in its windings by a motor drive circuit which current is also fed to a solenoid to hold a spring loaded solenoid arm from pressing a brake against a shaft to brake the disc, the motor control circuit using the current caused by back emf in the windings of the motor to provide motor braking while passing the current through the solenoid which applies the brake when the motor speed falls below a predetermined limit, the solenoid also being employed as a current smoothing choke.

Abstract: A pipelined microprogrammed data processing system is provided having a three-stage pipelined architecture implemented so as to in effect provide for the execution of a plurality of microinstructions using three separate processors operating 120 degrees out of phase with one another and sharing the same physical hardware. Synchronized microinstruction tasking and dynamic resource allocation are also provided in the system to provide both multiprogramming and multiprocessing on a microinstruction level.

Abstract: A wafer-scale integrated circuit wherein a plurality of memory cells on a wafer are connectable from a port to form a chain memory looping away from and back to the port by means of a serial connection of forward moving data registers and a serial connection of backward moving data registers between cells, has a reduced risk of any individual, otherwise functional cell being non-functional as a result of a failure elsewhere on the wafer of an associated global signal line by achieving a reduction in the numbers of global lines by providing the clock signal for controlling the shifting of data in the registers between the cells in parallel with the data, the inter-cell clock operating a multiple clock pulse generator in each cell.

Abstract: A microprogrammed data processing system is provided in which each high level instruction is performed by one or more tasks, each task being in turn performed by executing one or more task microinstructions in a microprogrammed manner. Dynamic resource allocation is provided by employing a plurality of dynamically allocatable registers whose free and use states are continuously monitored in an allocation register. The outputs of the allocation register are used as an address for a register allocation memory which is mapped so as to identify a particular group of free registers which are available for assignment for each new task in response to the allocation register address.

Abstract: A sheet item reloader-feeder wherein a pivoted item receiving tray is arcuately-angularly movable from a load position in which the tray is empty to a feed position in which the tray is full. A coiled spring biases the item tray vertically to bring the top most sheet item into the nip of a feeding device. A cable connected to the tray is interconnected to an over-center spring biased cam and an external tray handle whereby movement of the handle causes the tray to automatically move against the tension of the biasing spring from the empty position to the loaded position bring the top most sheet item into the nip of the feeding device for automatic feeding. Two such reloader-feeder devices are stacked in vertical offset relation to one another permitting operator reloading during feeding without stopping the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Unprocessed video signals from an optical scanner are processed in accordance with a transfer function which adjusts the gain of the unprocessed video to produce processed video which better represents the form of the object scanned. The transfer function is selected from a memory including a plurality of such functions by a signature signal which characterizes the entire scanner system including the optical system, the illumination system and the sensor system. The signature signal is developed from an initial value of signature which is updated by processing with the unprocessed video.

Abstract: An improved driver circuit for transistor power switches, which allows operation of the power transistor at high output power and at a duty range from zero to 100 percent without the previously large switching losses. This new driver circuit uses a constant current source which forces base current into the power transistor.

Abstract: A gas-filled display panel comprising a glass base plate and a glass face plate hermetically sealed together along a perimeter seal area to form an envelope which is filled with an ionizable gas, the base plate having an array of longitudinal slots in which anode wires are seated and having an array of cathode electrodes on the top surface thereof. The base plate has cross grooves transverse to the slots and positioned one near each end of the base plate, and a glass rod is secured in each cross groove with the ends of each rod lying within the seal area between the base plate and the face plate, the top surface of each insulating member being generally coplanar with the top surface of the base plate in the seal area, to insure the formation of a hermetic seal between the base plate and face plate at the cross grooves.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for substantially eliminating clock signal timing errors occurring between the signal paths of the various cabinets or modules of a large, high speed digital synchronous data processor. Such errors result from the most part because of the long cable lengths needed for coupling the cabinets to a master clock source. The present system provides a measure of the signal delay from the output of the master clock source through the elements of a given cabinet and permits corrective measures to be made at a single location within the cabinet without the necessity of accessing the large number of elements contained therein.

Abstract: A high density optical storage system employing a laser beam for reading data in a track on a rotating optical disk containing a large number of closely spaced concentric tracks. When a short seek operation is to be provided, track following is temporarily suspended for an appropriate time period during which specially shaped waveform is applied to the galvanometer-controlled mirror in the path of the beam. This specially shaped waveform is a doublet comprising a pulse of one polarity followed by a pulse of the opposite polarity. The duration and amplitude of these opposite polarity pulses are chosen based on the number of tracks that the beam is to be moved and the mechanical characteristics of the system so that the galvanometer mirror will accurately move the beam the requested number of tracks. After movement of the beam has been completed, operation automatically returns to track following.

Abstract: A digital memory system comprises a wafer full of uncomitted but interconnectable memory cells and a controller acting as an interface between the wafer and a host system. Each cell comprises input logic to allow coupling thereto from just one other neighboring cell and output logic allowing a cell to be commanded by the controller to couple to any selectable one other neighboring cell not already so coupled to. The controller accesses the wafer via a port and successively tests and couples cells from the port to form a chain of memory cells. Each cell comprises a plurality of individually selectably usable data storage loops and allows a cell to be used even if the loops are not fully functional by the provision of through-passing data transfer path.

Abstract: A method of attaching semiconductor die to a package substrate and a composition for such die attach is disclosed, which method and composition comprise the combination of a low and a high-melting powder with a vehicle consisting of a solvent and a binder so as to form a thick-film ink. The ink is deposited onto the package substrate and the semiconductor die with a metallized back surface is located in contact with the deposited ink. The package containing the ink and the die is heated to a temperature of approximately 160.degree. C. so as to remove the solvent from the powders and the residual binder. Next, the package is fired at a temperature within the range of approximately 200.degree. C. to 430.degree. C. so as to melt the low-melting powder which bonds the chip to the package substrate. Then, a lid is sealed over the die-receiving cavity of the package by heating the package and the bonded die to a temperature within a range of approximately 400.degree. C. to 450.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an arbiter switch for use in forming an asynchronous network of concurrent processors where the arbiter switch receives a message from one of two input ports and transmits it to its output port. A path through the network which has been established can be cleared should it become apparent that particular path has become locked in due to a malfunction of a component in one of the nodes or switches in the network.

Abstract: A CML compatible EFL type latch with a data input transistor differentially coupled as a current switch to one emitter of a second multi-emitter transistor. The second emitter of the second transistor is differentially coupled as a current switch to a third transistor. The true output of the latch is connected to the collector of the second transistor, and to the base of the third transistor. Second, clamping Schottky barrier disposed between the collector and base of the third transistor. A third current switch responsive to a system clock source is connected between the two current switches to complete the latch circuitry. Utilizing this arrangement, the EFL type latch is connected directly to a combination decoder-multiplexer circuit.

Abstract: A tool for removing soldered IC packages comprises a block of heat-conducting material having a plurality of cylinder-shaped holes with parallel axes; a plurality of heat-conducting rods, each of which has one end that slides in a respective one of said holes; an insulator containing the block having a lid with another plurality of holes which are aligned with at least some of the rods in the block; and means for moving the rods that align with the holes in the lid partway through such holes by distances of unequal length so they can conduct heat from the block to respective I/O pins on the package that lie in multiple planes.