Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures.

Abstract: A vapor cooled current lead for a superconducting device located in a cryostat includes a normal conductor section extending from ambient conditions inward to an intermediate point, and a composite lead having a ceramic high temperature superconductor core with a metallic sheath extending between the normal conductor section and the superconducting device, preferably in a helical path to reduce heat leak by conduction. The metallic sheath is stripped away at spaced intervals, preferably adjacent the low temperature end of the composite lead, and the gaps are filled with a filler which provides mechanical strength for the core and reduces thermal conduction. A flow of cryogen vapor directed by a tubular housing maintains the high temperature superconducting material below its critical temperature, and cools the normal conductors.

Abstract: A neural network is disclosed in which communication between processing elements occurs by radio waves in a waveguide. Radio wave communication using common carrier signals by transceivers in a waveguide allows processing elements to communicate wirelessly and simultaneously. Each processing element includes a radio frequency transceiver and an accompanying antenna which performs the neuron summing operation because input signals simultaneously received from plural processing elements by the antenna add. The weights on each input are provided by different spatial relationships between the transmitting processing elements and the receiving processing element which causes signal strength loses through the waveguide to be different.

Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures.

Abstract: Processes for producing stable, radiation hard, highly conductive polymers by a combination of chemical doping and ion irradiation and microelectronics are described. The highly conductive polymers formed by these processes may contain regions of different kinds of conductivity on the same polymer. Resist coatings and masks are used in conjunction with chemical doping and ion irradiation to create specific predetermined n and p conductivity patterns and insulation areas on polymeric films of selected thicknesses for electronic circuitry applications. The resulting circuitry, besides having a conductivity approaching that of metal, is extremely light in weight, flexible, and conductively stable. Several different configurations of microelectronic junction devices fabricated from single type or multiple type conductivity polymer films used either alone or with a polymer of opposite conductivity and a suitable metal or metals are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention uses a personal computer 180 with an A/D converter 184 and a hard disk drive 182 to record the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity of a subject 192 during a commercial and to record event related potentials (ERP) during commercial evaluation sequences subsequent to the commercial. The EEG is analyzed by a signal processing computer 205 for alpha and beta frequency amplitude content to determine attention cognition of the commercial. Different commercials for the same product are compared using overall attention and cognition ratings. The ERP is analyzed to determine the amplitude and latency of the ERPs potentials produced by stimulus events in the evaluation sequences. The ERPs are filtered and the peak amplitudes and latency measured. The amplitude and/or latency determines the understanding of the commercial, the value of the product, the intent to buy the product and the memory of the product. By computing overall results for each commercial different commercials can be compared.

Abstract: A multiple channel rotary joint design is described in which the channel components are laid out in a manner to reduce the number of layers of microwave circuitry necessary to provide rotary coupling with the antenna. The reduction of layers in each channel allows room for larger conductors in each channel, providing greater power handling capability. Compactness is also achieved through the use of a novel central extrusion that replaces the usual coaxial input lines, novel choke designs, and a novel stripline configuration that makes dual use of various components and minimizes losses within the joint. The central extrusion provides all the high power inputs, while allowing the passage through its center of a plurality of low power coaxial lines to low power channels residing on top of the high power channels. Cooling of the rotary joint is simplified by keeping the center of the joint stationary, and cooling air is fed through the transmission lines to make this function more efficient.

Abstract: A digital set theoretic system is disclosed that expands the reasoning capability from reasoning with probability measures to reasoning with set theory measures and other Venn diagram type operations using linear transformations and power series transformations, and appropriate hardware and software implementations. This expansion also leads to an increase in precision of the output which can be provided by a hardwired power series expansion. A recursive power series expansion increases this precision while reducing the spatial requirements. The system also enhances flexibility by allowing the constants of the power series expansion to be selectable.

Abstract: A preprocessing device is disclosed which performs a linear transformation or power series expansion transformation on the input signals to a neural network node. The outputs of the preprocessing device are combined as a product of these linear transformations and compared to a threshold. This processing element configuration, combining a transformation with a product and threshold comparison, performs non-linear transformations between input data and output results. As a result, this processing element will, by itself, produce both linearly and non-linearly separable boolean logic functions. When this processing element is configured in a network, a two layer neural network can be created which will solve any arbitrary decision making function. This element can be configured in a probability based binary tree neural network which is validatable and verifiable in which the threshold comparison operation can be eliminated. The element can also be implemented in binary logic for ultra high speed.

Abstract: A system for converting a high definition video signal corresponding to a high definition picture, into a subsampled video signal compatible with NTSC transmission includes a circuit for performing N-phase subsampling on the high definition video signal to produce N sets of subsamples. Each of the subsamples corresponds to a different geographic position in the high definition picture. The N sets of subsamples are processed during N NTSC video frames, respectively, and the N NTSC video frames form an NTSC picture corresponding to the high definition picture. Each of the N sets of subsamples are processed to map each subsample into a geographic position within the NTSC picture, which corresponds to the geographic position in the high definition picture. By outputting the NTSC samples in a manner which preserves, in the NTSC signal, the relative frame-to-frame geometric offsets used in the sampling process, NTSC flicker on conventional NTSC receivers is minimized.

Abstract: Dual light beams directed onto adjacent surface elements defining a seam therebetween produce reflected light images which contact an electro-optic linear array sensor which in turn generates light spot position information for determining seam location via triangulation calculations.

Abstract: In CATV systems employing one-way addressable converters in a subscriber's premise, a computer at the system head-end develops tagged messages for display on the subscriber's television to both promote upcoming pay-per-view events and to acknowledge a subscriber's order for the pay-per-view event.

Abstract: An industrial robot in which both a column which is pivotally mounted on a rotatable base member and a boom which is pivotally mounted on the upper end of the column are of hollow construction to provide a rigid lightweight structure capable of carrying substantial loads. The column is counterbalanced by a spring and the boom is counterbalanced by pneumatic cylinders on a movable carriage so that the major axes of the robot can be driven by relatively low energy driving sources. A simplified hand gear train is provided which is capable of carrying substantial loads and is easily serviced.

Abstract: Binary data consisting of command signals and information is converted into a pulse width modulated waveform which is inserted in the non-picture portion of a television video signal and transmitted to remote local subscriber systems to control the television programming provided to local subscribers.

Abstract: In a satellite communications network wherein primary video signals containing address and command data pulses in the vertical blanking intervals are transmitted to a plurality of local television subscriber systems, each local system is provided with decoder/controller/switcher apparatus to extract the data from the signals and effect control of the programming provided to the local subscribers in response to the data.

Abstract: The operation of a two-photon, three level laser system at high temperatures or pressures is made possible by reducing the build up time of the flux of the second lasing transition in the laser discharge region.

Abstract: Multiple wavelengths are produced from a single laser gain medium by utilizing gain saturation effects within the laser cavity. Two or more partially reflecting mirrors are coupled to a totally reflecting mirror through the laser gain medium by a grating element. The optical path lengths defined by each of the partially reflecting mirrors are varied by the positioning of the partially reflecting mirrors. This permits a lower gain line to build up first, followed by a higher gain line, which then terminates the lower gain line through gain saturation. The frequency switching times and pulse intensities of the wavelengths can be varied by varying the optical path lengths.

Abstract: An optical reading system employing a commercially available line scanning camera which is sensitive to the ink employed in preprinted document formats. The sensitivity of a line scan camera to the preprinted ink formats is minimized by employing an incandescent document illuminating source, a lens system for the line scan camera which is optimized for use in the near infrared region, and an infrared pass filter positioned between the line scan camera lens system and the document to filter the light reflected from the document.

Abstract: The level and duration of RF current flowing in the neutral grounding circuit of a generator is monitored to determine internal arcing conditions.

Abstract: A termination rack suitable for mounting in a 19 inch instrument cabinet is designed to provide separate cable troughs associated with each of a plurality of printed circuit board housings to permit versatile and high density packaging of electronic circuitry.