Abstract: The present disclosure describes an elongated, articulated gasket assembly which finds particular application in the EMI/RFI shielding of the gaps between adjacent panels of a metal cabinet, such as that used in a mainframe computer. The gasket assembly is characterized by its double-action capability, that is, it may be wiped in either direction under a compressive force, without sustaining any damage. Likewise, the gasket assembly exhibits excellent durability during the routine handling of the panels. Finally, since installation of the present gasket assembly does not restrict movement of the panels, a desired panel may be removed during service procedures without affecting any other panel.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically adjusting the propagation time delay of an electrical circuit, such as an integrated circuit chip. In a preferred embodiment, automatic de-skewing circuitry is provided on each of a plurality of clock distribution chips for de-skewing the clock outputs from different chips. In a preferred implementation of the de-skewing circuitry, feedback circuitry including a multi-tapped delay line and an accurate constant delay are employed in conjunction with a phase comparator for automatically adjusting the propagation delay of each chip to provide substantially the same constant delay relative to a main system clock for the clock outputs provided by the clock distribution chips.

Abstract: Focus detecting apparatus is disclosed which is useful, for example, in an optical storage system for detecting the quality of focusing of a laser beam on the surface of an optical medium. For focus detection purposes, the reflected beam is collected and separated into two beams which are applied to first and second photosensitive elements, respectively. Focus detection is achieved based on determining the difference between the diameters of the beams incident on the photosensitive elements which are located so that the diameters of the beams applied thereto are indicative of the quality of focusing of the beam on the surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mechanism for positioning a pair of members in slip-free, adjustable, angular relationships. In accomplishing the foregoing, an assembly is provided which comprises a sphere and a pair of pivotally mounted jaw-like sections for engaging the latter. The inner surfaces of the sections have substantially the same radius of curvature as the sphere surface. Additionally, the sphere surface and the inner surfaces of the jaw-like sections are configured in respective interlocking patterns. Manipulation of the jaw-like sections allows the members to be placed in the desired angular position with respect to each other--which position is maintained by virtue of the aforementioned interlocking nature of the contiguous surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a tool having a pliers-like configuration for separating the wires of a twisted pair. The tool employs a pair of rotatable, tubular jaws for effecting the separation of the wires as the twisted pair is drawn therethrough. More than one pair of twisted wires may be separated simultaneously if desired. The rotating action of the tubular jaws minimizes operator fatigue, eliminates stretch damage to the wire insulation and reduces wear of the jaw surfaces, which are preferably formed of a resilient material.

Abstract: An optical storage system is disclosed having improved spatial combining and separating apparatus along with improved focus detection and control apparatus. The spatial combining and separating apparatus functions to precisely combine a writing laser beam with a reading beam prior to focusing on an optical medium, and also functions to separate the reading and writing beams after reflection from the medium in a manner so as to prevent interference therebetween. The improved focus detecting and control apparatus employs a portion of the reflected reading beam to derive two beams which are applied to first and second photosensitive elements, respectively. Focus detection is achieved based on determining the difference between the diameters of the beams incident on the photosensitive elements which are located so that the diameters of the beams applied thereto are indicative of the quality of focusing of the beam on the surface.

Abstract: A programmatic comparator digital testing system is disclosed which cooperates with a host computer driver system and output display panel in order to permit the testing of any given type of standard reference digital electronic module with another electronic module to be tested. Multiple numbers of output signals from the standard reference module can be compared to their analogous output signals from the module to be tested in order to find out of tolerance differences between comparable digital signals which can then be flagged as errors and analyzed by the driver host computer 100 through its display terminal 7.

Abstract: Fluorescent optical switch and keyboard apparatus wherein a plurality of fluorescent optical key switches are arranged in a matrix array of rows and columns with a key disposed at each column-row intersection and wherein each key carries a fluorescent optically reflective element thereon. A single optical photo-diode disposed at each key location is caused to operate in three discrete modes with respect to the fluorescent element. In one mode the diode emits light which is caused to be reflected upon key when the key is depressed. In another mode the reflected light striking the diode causes the diode to act as a photo-receptor effectively indicating key actuation.

Abstract: Current sensing resistance apparatus in the form of a single piece, unitary, U-shaped conductor fabricated from thin flat ribbon material to provide two parallel leg portions terminating in opposite bifurcated ends each pair of which are dissimilarly sized thereby forming electrical circuit connecting elements.

Abstract: Seek drive forces coupled between head actuators in a magnetic disk storage system employing separately controllable head actuators are prevented from affecting reliable head actuator operation. For this purpose a compensating signal is derived proportional to the driving current employed in performing an actuator seek operation. This compensating signal is fed forward into the drive circuit of the other actuator so as to cause this other actuator to begin moving its heads in a direction opposite to that which would be caused by the later arriving coupled drive forces, thereby making it possible to prevent driving forces coupled between actuators from deleteriously interferring with reliable actuator operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an air sampling system which is particularly effective in detecting minute quantities of smoke caused by electrical short circuits in equipment housed in an air cooled cabinet. More, specifically, the system is useful where large number of rack-mounted printed circuit cards are employed. The system employs air sampling cylinders mounted in proximity to the cards, and through the establishment of a pressure differential, causes an air sample to be drawn into the tubes and through a detector box which includes a smoke detection unit. The presence of smoke is conveyed to a control box which responds by removing electrical power to the cards, thereby averting further damage to the cards or surrounding structures.

Abstract: A graphic control system under the control of a host processor to display, on a display monitor, high resolution color graphic images. The graphic control system employs a plurality of graphic display controllers each accessing, in parallel, a separate bit map storage area or a plane. When a gray-scale or color display is required, respective planes are read out in parallel and converted for serial transmission with respective outputs being supplied in parallel as a code to a look-up table of color or gray-scale codes that in turn are supplied to a digital-to-analog converter that drives the display monitor. In addition, a compare circuit is provided to receive outputs sent from the respective bit plane stores for comparison with preset outputs from the host computer to determine when the display monitor has reached a boundary of a figure being filled with a particular color or pattern.

Abstract: A peripheral-controller is used to manage data transfers between peripheral units of the magnetic tape type. A program sequencer in the peripheral-controller can signal an automatic read-write selection logic and control unit to operate in the "automatic read" mode whereby an automatic read-logic unit will transfer data out of the magnetic tape peripheral unit into a buffer memory of the peripheral-controller on a continuous basis without further instructions being required from the program sequencer.

Abstract: Described is a fixture for glass-bonding a digital magnetic recording slider workpiece (the component parts thereof), while holding them carefully aligned. In one preferred embodiment this fixture includes a slot for receiving a number of such work pieces in pre-assembled form registering and aligning them together and providing retainer means individually for each work piece adapted to resiliently and selectively engage each work piece and hold it positively in careful precise alignment while glass bonding and related operations carried out on the array of multiple work pieces so-aligned and retained.

Abstract: A system memory for a reduction processor which evaluates programs stored as binary graphs employing variable-free applicative language codes. These graphs are made up of nodes, each of which exists in memory and contains as its most significant bit a mark bit which when set indicates that the node is being used in a graph and when reset indicates that the node or storage location is available for future use by the processor. In order to accommodate the scanning of a number of storage locations in parallel, the system memory is divided into a node memory and the mark bit memory so that the mark bits for a number of sequential storage locations can be examined in parallel to determine which node locations are free for use by the graph manager.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a dry air breather assembly adapted to be readily mountable over the breather ports of devices which are intolerant of intake air having high relative humidities in excess of a predetermined level. Such devices include the Winchester Hard Disk Unit in which the deposition of excess moisture on the read/write heads and magnetic disk media is particularly detrimental. The present assembly includes a unique elongated, low-profile enclosure for the efficient and effective use of a desiccant having a high moisture removal capability at relative humidities above the predetermined level, and low moisture removal capability, below the level.

Abstract: Parallel register-transfer mechanism and control section have been disclosed above for use in a reduction processor for the evaluation of expressions of a variable-free applicative language stored as binary directed graphs. The expressions are reduced through a series of transformations until a result is obtained.

Abstract: A block counter sensing system for monitoring the occupation-status of word-blocks in a buffer memory of a peripheral-controller having Automatic Read/Write Logic for buffer-peripheral tape transfers and a burst mode routine for rapid host-buffer transfers of data words. The sensing system provides means to inform a microcode sequencer when certain action routines should be executed in order to maintain steady error-free data transfer operations which minimize the need for retries of data transfer cycles previously initiated.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a system for operating a dot matrix display panel including elongated anodes and cathodes oriented transversely to each other to define columns of D.C. scanning cells. An array of quasi A.C. display cells is provided spaced from the D.C. scan cells by an apertured electrode plate. Operation of the D.C. scan cells to transfer glow from a scan cell to an associated display cell is achieved by momentarily turning off the scan cell by the application of a negative pulse to its anode. To prevent the coupling of this pulse to adjacent anodes and spurious operation of adjacent scan cells and display cells, a counter-balancing positive pulse is applied to all anodes and a counter-balancing negative pulse is applied to all "off" cathodes.

Abstract: A circuit integrated into a substrate and having improved noise immunity comprises logic gates for receiving and switching current from a first bus to produce a logic signal; a resistor for receiving and passing a small bias current from a second bus indicating the state of the logic signal; a transistor for receiving and passing a large drive current from a third bus in response to bias current; and the first bus has a relatively large parasitic coupling serially through the logic gates, substrate, and resistors to the second bus; while the first bus has a relatively small parasitic coupling serially through the logic gates, substrate, and transistor to the third bus.