Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and a device for delaying an electrical signal, the method and device being useable in various signal processing applications. A buried channel is formed by disposing a portion of a layer of piezoelectric semiconductor material between confining layers. A surface acoustic wave is established in the piezoelectric semiconductor material. Majority carriers are depleted from the channel, and an electrical signal is injected into the channel. A delayed version of the electrical signal, which had been carried along by the surface acoustic wave, can then be extracted from the channel.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for encoding and/or decoding video signals for use in a compatible high definition television system or in other applications. In a form of the disclosure there is provided an encoder which includes means for storing an input frame as an array of digital pixel values, and means for interrogating the stored array and for generating a sum signal and at least one difference signal. The sum signal is representative of the sum of the pixel values in a group of pixels. The difference signal is representative of the difference between the total of the pixel values in some of the pixels in the group and the total of the pixel values of other pixels in the group. The sum signal and the difference signal are generated for a multiplicity of groups which cover the video frame. The sum signal is generated at a relatively high information refresh rate and the difference signal is generated at a relatively low information refresh rate.

Abstract: Shielded arc welding apparatus advances a consumable electrode towards a workpiece; applies a welding voltage between the electrode and the workpiece; and applies an auxiliary voltage between the electrode and the workpiece, whereby the auxiliary voltage initiates an arc between the electrode and the workpiece before the electrode engages the workpiece.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory chip (FIG. 2) with a memory array (3) is backed-up by a self diagnosis circuit (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) so that an error of a single defective cell, or a single defective row of cells, or a single defective column of cells is automatically corrected. The backup circuit comprises a self diagnosis circuit (15) which has a one-bit memory for storing information in write phase before it is stored in a cell of the memory array (3), and comparison means for comparing the content of said one-bit memory with information immediately read out of the same cell in said write phase, a register means (16, 17) for storing the address of the memory array when said self diagnosis circuit (15) provides an error signal (P) according to the result of the comparison, and an inverter circuit (19) for inverting the output of the addressed memory cell when selected address in read phase coincides with the content of said register means (16,17).

Abstract: A plastic card mounting an IC memory of a credit card size called a music card stores encoded digital music information including tone, musical interval, musical length and loudness of each musical note and pause, and said music information actuates a synthesizer which generates music sound signal. The music card also stores a character code for indicating title of music on said synthesizer. As music note is encoded and stored in a digital form, a small capacity of IC memory is enough for storing a long play music.

Abstract: Amorphous thin film with easy magnetization axis perpendicular to film surface for magneto-optical recording with low recording power and high S/N in reading signal is set forth. The medium is an alloy of heavy rare earth element and iron with substitution of some heavy rare earth elements by light rare earth element, and the preferable chemical formula of the thin film is (R.sub.z A.sub.1-z).sub.x Fe.sub.1-x, or [(R.sub.z A.sub.1-z).sub.y B.sub.1-y ].sub.x Fe.sub.1-x where R is a light rare earth element, A and B are heavy rare earth elements, and the atom ratios satisfy 0.15.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.35, 0.00<y<1.00, 0.00<z<1.00. Recording is effected by using Curie point, or magnetic compensation temperature, and reading of information is effected by using the Kerr effect.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for forming frames of color video signals. A video color encoder and a multichannel keyer are employed in generating color frames from monochrome frames. Colors from a pseudo-color generator can be automatically inserted in portions of a frame that are not being colorized by an operator with operator-selected colors.

Abstract: A chuck assembly (8) is described comprising a plurality of external jaws (103) arranged in an annular configuration; and a corresponding plurality of internal jaws (122) positioned within a pipe (13) in use with the internal and external jaws in alignment. The jaws (103,122) are radially movable towards each other to grip the pipe wall therebetween. Each jaw (103,122) includes a gripping portion comprising a recess (128) or projection (127) respectively which cooperate to assist the gripping of the pipe wall by the chuck assembly (8).Examples of the use of these chuck assemblies in friction welding apparatus and pipeline construction apparatus are described.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a structure comprising the steps of:(a) transmitting a burst of acoustic energy through the structure from a transducer coupled to it,(b) detecting a received wave resulting from the burst at one or more transducers coupled to the structure, and(c) monitoring for any change in the structure after a given time (or event) by repeating the steps (a) and (b) with the coupling of the transducers being essentially unaltered, to detect a further received wave or waves; comparing the further received wave or waves with a corresponding reference received wave or waves; and determining for each comparison whether the received wave differs from the reference, any difference being indicative of the formation or growth of a defect in the overall acoustic path travelled by the acoustic energy.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed which includes a tubular body having front and rear ends, the body having a central bore which narrows at the front thereof to form a tip. A piston is slidable in the bore, the bore space in the body forward of the piston defining a chamber. A supply bottle is removably mounted at the rear of the piston. The piston has a communicating passage between the bottle and the chamber. A first one-way valve means restricts flow in the communicating passage to occur only from the bottle toward the chamber. Also, a second one-way valve means restricts flow as between the chamber and the tip to occur only from the chamber toward the tip. The first one-way valve means includes a hollow valve body having one end which opens into the chamber and at least one port which communicates between the communicating passage and the inner region of the valve body.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved method and apparatus for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation. A plurality of key frames are stored, each key frame including a common figure having one or more joints, and each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb. Each joint is defined in each frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine the three-dimensional position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed. A plurality of in-between frames are generated, the in-between frames including the common figure having one or more joints and limbs corresponding to the joints and limbs of the common figure in the key frames. The parameters of the joints of the in-between frames are obtained by interpolating in three dimensions, the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of the corresponding joints of the key frames.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for imaging radiation pattern from within a body. In accordance with the preferred method of the invention, there is provided a technique for imaging internal structure of a body which includes the following steps: a radiation-emitting substance is introduced into the body. A miniaturized probe is inserted into the body, the probe being coupled to a cable and including at least one radiation detector surrounded by a coded aperture. Signals are received from the detector via the cable for a series of positions of the probe and for different orientations of the coded aperture with respect to the body. The signals from the detector are processed to obtain an image of the radiation pattern within the body. The imaging hereof allows both the position and the strength of a source (e.g. a tumor) to be determined in the presence of background radiation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed, which includes a disordered alloy converted from at least a first active semiconductor region and a second semiconductor barrier layer that have been disordered by introduction of a disordering element selected from the group consisting of silicon and krypton such that the alloy exhibits a higher energy gap than the first active semiconductor region.

Abstract: The disclosed device is a field-effect transistor which includes a support region that may typically comprise a substrate having a buffer layer thereon. A semiconductor channel layer of one conductivity type is disposed on the support region. A first highly-doped semiconductor layer of opposite conductivity type is disposed on the channel layer. A second highly-doped semiconductor layer of said one conductivity type is disposed on the first highly-doped semiconductor layer. Source and drain electrodes are disposed in spaced relation, and contact the channel layer. A gate electrode is disposed on the second highly-doped semiconductor layer in the region between the source and drain electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, the source and drain electrodes are disposed on the second highly-doped semiconductor layer and extend through the second and first highly-doped semiconductor layers to the channel layer. The first and second highly-doped layers are thin enough to be fully depleted by adjacent layers.

Abstract: In the bumped-tape automated bonding process for connecting leads to a semi-conductor circuit device, it is known to form the bumps on the free ends of the conductive leads of the tape by plating or etching. In the present invention, the free ends of the leads on the tape are heated by means of a laser beam to melt the ends of the leads so that surface tension forces form the liquid-phase end of each lead into a ball, constituting the bonding bump. The bumped ends of the leads of the tape are then bonded to terminals of the semiconductor device by conventional means.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for joining hard-walled, semi-rigid pipe including a tubular portion over which the end of the pipe to be coupled may be engaged. The tubular portion has an external thread carrying a nut including an internal thread. The nut has a second tapered threaded portion adapted to cut a thread into the outside surface of the pipe and to secure the pipe to the coupling.

Abstract: A method for measuring properties of earth formations surrounding a borehole and, particularly, properties of the invaded zone of the formations. A short pulse of electrical energy is applied at a transmitter location, and signals are induced at a plurality of receiver locations. The polarities of the initial portions of the signals detected at the receiver locations are used in determining properties of the formation invaded zone, particularly its thickness and its conductivity as compared to the virgin formations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of monitoring the resistance characteristics of a circuit carrying an alternating current or a current having an alternating component is described. The apparatus includes first integration or averaging means for integrating or averaging the potential drop for the period between instants when the instantaneous current has the same value in a current loop; and display means for displaying a value representative of the output from the integration or averaging means.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for generating a processed image of a cross-section through a body. Fluoroscopic tomography is achieved wherein a series of video frames of a cross-section of a body can be viewed in real time. In this manner, for example, one can monitor the progress of a bolus of contrast material moving through a blood vessel in the cross-section being viewed. In a form of the disclosure, a recorded series of frames of a principal plane of a body being imaged can be processed to obtain a corresponding series of frames that represent a plane of interest that is spaced from the principal plane, thereby avoiding the necessity of re-exposure for each new plane to be viewed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a body is disposed between a combination of a source of radiation and an associated detector, such that a beam of radiation from the source impinges angularly on the body and passes through to the detector.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection of a solid workpiece, such as a steel workpiece. In accordance with the method of the invention, ultrasound is generated at an annular ring or portion thereof and focused into a hollow substantially cone-shaped beam, or sector thereof. The beam is directed at the surface of the workpiece so as to establish shear mode ultrasound energy in the workpiece. Ultrasound energy is then received from the workpiece (e.g. by reflection or transmission) and characteristics of the internal structure of the workpiece can be determined from the received ultrasound energy. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the beam is configured such that the ultrasound energy impinging on the surface of the workpiece is at a sufficiently large angle with respect to the normal to the surface such that primarily shear mode of ultrasonic energy will be established within the workpiece.