Abstract: An adjustable monitor stand for pivoting a monitor about a horizontal axis which is relatively simple to operate and which does not require great effort to adjust is provided. The stand includes a base, a platform for holding the monitor, and a hinge interconnecting the base and the platform. The hinge includes a torsion spring selected with regard to the mass of the monitor and the distance of its center of gravity from the axis so that the gravitational torque produced as the monitor is pivoted with the platform about the horizontal axis is always substantially balanced by the restoring torque generated by the spring. The stand therefore requires very little effort to adjust.

Abstract: In a computer system equipped with a magneto-optical disk drive having high data density, and therefore lengthy format times, and also requiring an erase step before each write operation, a system and method for decreasing user waiting time is provided. The system and method format the disk on a continuous basis during "disk-idle" periods rather than all at once. The system and method also erase disk portions belonging to deleted data in advance during disk-idle periods, so they are ready for the next write operation.

Abstract: In a computer system equipped with a magneto-optical disk drive having high data density, and therefore lengthy format times, and also requiring an erase step before each write operation, a system and method for decreasing user waiting time is provided. The system and method format the disk on a continuous basis during "disk-idle" periods rather than all at once. The system and method also erase disk portion belonging to deleted data in advance during disk-idle periods, so they are ready for the next write operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to insure a means of purchasing a floating rate zero coupon note that is designed to fund a certain future liability of uncertain value and thereby defease fully its future cost. The method is a one-year renewable term insurance program that fully funds the purchase of a certain floating rate zero coupon note upon the occurrence of some catastrophic event, such as the death of the insured. The system projects the expected death benefit payment and then calculates the annual insurance premium based on the expected death benefit payment, type of policy, and personal and risk characteristics of the insured.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for use in implementing a switching voltage regulator, the integrated circuit including a power switching transistor, driver circuitry and control circuitry, which is operable in a normal feedback mode or an isolated flyback mode. The integrated circuit includes shutdown circuitry for placing the regulator in a micro-power sleep mode, and can be packaged in a five-pin conventional power transistor package. The terminals of the integrated circuit regulator perform multiple functions. A compensation terminal is used for frequency compensation, current limiting, soft-start operation and shutdown. A feedback terminal is used as a feedback input when the integrated circuit is in feedback mode, and as a logic pin to program the regulator for isolated flyback operation. The feedback terminal is also used to trim the flyback reference voltage.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for distributing load current among multiple power transistors in an output stage, each power transistor being adapted to conduct current over a different range of collector-emitter voltages. The circuit includes a first power transistor having a large ballast resistance for conducting current between the input and output of the circuit when the input/output voltage differential is high, and a second power transistor having a small ballast resistance for conducting current between the input and output of the circuit when the input/output voltage differential is low. Both transistors respond to a single control signal, and buffering is provided to prevent either transistor from overloading the common control point. Individual current limit protection circuitry is provided for each transistor, including a foldback network which reduces the current limit value of the current limit circuitry when the input/output voltage differential reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: A voltage reference circuit including a Brokaw Cell band-gap reference circuit is provided with breakpoint compensation to adjust the temperature coefficient of the reference voltage provided by the Brokaw Cell as a function of temperature. The voltage reference circuit also includes a thermal limit transistor which is biased by a voltage having a positive temperature coefficient. The thermal limit transistor draws a rapidly increasing current when the operating temperature reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for reducing the output impedance of an emitter-follower transistor in which a positive feedback voltage proportional to the collector current of the emitter-follower transistor is provided to the base of the emitter-follower transistor when the emitter-follower transistor supplies current to a load. The circuit includes a resistor-ratioed current source which provides collector current to the emitter-follower transistor and which forces a current through a resistor connected to the base of the output transistor in proportion to the collector current.

Abstract: An adaptive transistor drive circuit including a multiple-emitter transistor, at least one emitter of which is connected to the drive circuit. When the drive current causes the transistor to saturate, the emitter connected to the drive circuit conducts a portion of the drive current to limit saturation of the transistor. A current source provides drive current which varies as a function of the current conducted by the collector of the transistor so as to maintain the transistor in saturation as the collector current and operating temperature vary.

Abstract: A system for controlling a cable television network includes a head end, a plurality of addressable external control units having subscriber converters located off the subscriber's premises, and one or more subscriber devices located on the subscriber premises for communicating with associated external control units. The head end can selectively and rapidly poll the external control units for information on a general or on a priority basis. Information is transmitted to the head end from the external control units on any of a plurality of reverse communication channels under control of the head end. External control units use a two-part polling scheme to poll a plurality of associated drop cables, and individual subscriber devices attached to the drop cables. The polling rapidly identifies subscriber devices desiring to communicate with the external control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to fund a certain future liability of uncertain value and thereby defease fully its future cost. The method is an insurance investment plan which can be implemented using a floating rate zero coupon note obligation the interest rate on which varies automatically with the rate of inflation or the cost of some specified service or commodity which gives rise to the future liability, and the interest payments on which are automatically reinvested. The system projects the expected future cost of the liability based on a projected escalation rate associated with a certain specified index and based also on when the liability is expected to come due. It then calculates the present value sale price on the floating rate zero coupon note by discounting the expected cost at maturity at a rate that represents the insurer's projected reinvestment yield net of an insurance risk premium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for recognizing broadcast segments, such as commercials, in real time by continuous pattern recognition without resorting to cues or codes in the broadcast signal. Each broadcast frame is parametized to yield a digital word and a signature is constructed for segments to be recognized by selecting, in accordance with a set of predefined rules, a number of words from among random locations throughout the segment and storing them along with offset information indicating their relative locations. As a broadcast signal is monitored, it is parametized in the same way and the library of signatures is compared against each digital word and words offset therefrom by the stored offset amounts. A data reduction technique minimizes the number of comparisons required while still maintaining a large database.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for restructuring one or more debt obligations issued in the form of interest-bearing bonds into a serial issue of zero coupon bonds. The data processing system evaluates the cash flows and present value of an existing bond, then creates a serial issue of zero coupon bonds which provides pretax cash flows equivalent to those of the existing bond and determines a table of call yields for the serial issue of zero coupon bonds to replace the table of call prices for the old bond. The system evaluates the after-tax cash flows, and determines the after-tax present value to the issuer of the existing bond and the serial issue of zero coupon bonds. The system periodically determines the potential savings from calling the zero coupon bond issue, or selected bonds from the series, and refinancing the debt at the prevailing interest rates.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator circuit is provided which regulates an input voltage to an output voltage of lesser magnitude, and which supplies an output current greater than the current through the switch employed in the circuit. The circuit includes a transformer which causes output current to be provided both when the switch is open and when it is closed.