Abstract: There is described method and apparatus for use in phototypesetting operations wherein a character is scanned by a plurality of scans or strokes of a light spot output of a cathode ray tube (CRT) of the phototypesetting apparatus, and output signals derived from a photosensor device in response to the light spot, are compacted to be stored in a magnetic storage device. In particular, each stroke is examined to determine which method of a plurality of compacting methods will produce the smallest quantity of image data, thus requiring the minimum storage area within the storage device.

Abstract: A bias boost circuit for a television receiver is disclosed, comprising a timing circuit for providing an exponentially decreasing bias to a video amplifier of the television receiver for a period of time corresponding to the initial warmup of the TV receiver, i.e. until the various amplifier and display portions are ready to display a high brightness image. The timing circuit comprises an RC circuit coupled to a power source of the TV receiver, whereby upon turn-on of the TV receiver the source's voltage is applied to the timing circuit, i.e. to its capacitor, to provide a decreasing voltage bias to the base of a transistor, whereby the transistor is gradually turned off thus decreasing exponentially a bias boost signal that is applied to the video amplifier and in particular, to its first stage.

Abstract: A chair and method of manufacture is disclosed to provide a seat and backrest formed of a plurality of blocks strung on a single piece of rope between a pair of opposed side panels. Each side panel includes a backrest portion extending generally vertically, a seat support portion extending at an angle with respect to the backrest support portion and generally horizontal with respect to the ground, and a pair of legs extending from the seat support portion toward the ground. The blocks are strung in a series of generally parallel rows disposed between the side panels. In particular, each row includes a plurality of blocks suspended from the rope in a manner to permit the blocks to move freely along the rope and to provide a flexible support surface in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of backbone of the person resting in the chair.

Abstract: A panel carrying device for carrying wallboard panels and/or similar panel like structures where the device has a pair of panel support ends connected by curved arms to a panel engaging handle. The curved arms rock or pivot the carrying device upward when a panel is placed on the support ends for easy lifting of the panel.

Abstract: Cardiac monitoring and pacing apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits electromagnetic energy within the patient's body which is sensed and used to power the implanted unit, which stimulates, via pacing electrodes, the patient's heart. The internal unit also includes a monitoring circuit connected to the same pacing electrodes coupled to the patient's heart, for providing atrial and ventrical signals to be pulse-width modulated for transmission to the external unit. The external unit decodes the transmitted signals to provide diagnostic quality signals indicative of the patient's EKG.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas flow measuring and calculating system including a transducer for measuring line or flow pressure of the gas flowing through a conduit, a transducer for measuring the line or flow temperature of the aforementioned gas, a turbometer for measuring the gas flow through the conduit, and calculation means in the form of a microprocessor for repetitively calculating with high accuracy the base gas flow in terms of standard cubic feet, wherein the supercompressibility factor is computed based upon values of measured gas temperature and pressure for specific entered values of specific gravity and of the gas compaction, and there are a plurality of computing steps for each calculation of the base gas flow.

Abstract: Cardiac monitoring apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The internal unit includes a monitoring circuit connected via electrodes coupled to first and second sites of the patient's heart, for providing corresponding first and second signals to be first time multiplexed and then pulse-width modulated before being re-transmitted to the external unit. The external unit decodes the transmitted signals to provide diagnostic quality signals indicative of the patient's EKG.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to areas of the nervous system wherein the method permits precise pulse dosage control over prescribed time intervals to be exercised by the administering physician, and the apparatus is organized to provide the desired pulse dosage by means of selectable duty cycle on/off modulation of a pulse train having selectable pulse repetition rates and pulse widths. Digital circuitry is used in a pulse counting technique to implement the generation of pulse sequences such that direct quantitative control may be exercised.

Abstract: Cardiac stimulating apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits a power signal and a control signal, the power signal comprising a first pulse for energizing the second internal unit, and the control signal for controlling the internal unit to pace the patient's heart in a variety of modes, e.g., atrial, ventricular and atrial/ventricular sequential pacing.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system is disclosed having a rigid framework which contains a high compliance loudspeaker connected to an adjustable air column tube. The adjustable air column tube provides exact 1/4 wavelength tuning for the speaker system, to further improve its low frequency response, in accordance with tuned enclosure theory.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for sensing and transmitting the stimulating pulse of an implanted pacemaker over readily available, low-bandwidth transmission media to a remote receiver capable of measuring the pulse width to provide an indication of the condition of the pacemaker energy source, e.g. a battery. In particular, the sensing and transmitting apparatus detects the electrical activity, e.g. the EKG, of a patient through attached electrodes and modulates a carrier or tone of a suitable frequency to be transmitted over the low-bandwidth transmission medium to the receiver, along with a pulse signal multiplied by a selected, fixed factor dependent upon the carrier frequency of the signal and the other information to be transmitted to the receiver.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid velocity measuring apparatus comprising an actuable generator for providing a relatively high frequency signal to a transmitting transducer for directing an ultrasonic wave into a conduit through which liquid is directed. A receiver transducer is disposed to receive the acoustical wave as reflected from the liquid, and to provide an output signal to be amplified and demodulated to provide a train of high frequency pulses, the frequency of which is indicative of the velocity of the liquid directed through the conduit. The train of pulses is applied to a counter and a decoder for respectively counting and decoding the pulses to provide a signal to a display whereby a digital indication of the liquid velocity is given.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid velocity measuring apparatus comprising an actuable generator for providing a relatively high frequency signal to a transmitting transducer for directing an ultrasonic wave into a conduit through which liquid is directed. A receiver transducer is disposed to receive the acoustical wave as reflected from the liquid, and to provide an output signal to be amplified and demodulated to provide a train of high frequency pulses, the frequency of which is indicative of the velocity of the liquid directed through the conduit. The train of pulses is applied to a counter and a decoder for respectivey counting and decoding the pulses to provide a signal to a display whereby a digital indication of the liquid velocity is given.

Abstract: A set of heart stimulator leads including first and second leads is disclosed for respectively stimulating and sensing the atrium and ventricle of a patient's heart. The proximal end of each of the aforementioned first and second leads is associated with a heart pacemaker of the atrial-sensing, ventricular-inhibited (ASVIP) or sequential type, both of which have leads that are attached to the atria and ventricles. It is critical to ensure that the first and second leads associated respectively with the atrium and ventricle of the patient's heart, are not interchanged, which condition could possibly cause arrhythmias and morbidity, and is ensured by configuring the proximal end of each of the first and second leads so that both of these leads may not be inserted into the incorrect openings or bores of the pacemaker at the same time.

Abstract: Apparatus for stimulating body tissue and in particular the heart, is disclosed as including a device or circuit responsive to the initiation of stimulation and/or to the failure or pending failure of a component of the stimulating apparatus to provide the patient with a perceivable stimulation to a second, different portion of body tissue. There is disclosed an impedance level detector for sensing the impedance presented between the outputs of the stimulation apparatus to provide a warning signal indicating that the output impedance falls outside a predetermined range. In particular, the impedance level detector output is sensed by a stimulation control logic to apply a first train of pulses at a first rate to an auxiliary electrode for stimulating the second portion of tissue.

Abstract: A blank of suitable materials such as corrugated paper board of generally rectangular configuration is provided with two fold lines spaced equally from opposite long edges of the blank and is provided with three fold lines spaced equally from each of the short ends of the blank with the spacing of the fold lines determining the depth of the carton to be produced. A pair of spaced fold lines are provided adjacent to the middle portion of the blank at right angles to the long edges thereof and spaced at the same distance as the other fold lines to provide the back for the carton and to provide along one edge thereof a hinge line for the top of the carton. Certain of the fold lines are cut to provide tabs and each short side of the blank is provided with spaced tabs to lock the components of the carton together in assembled condition. At least six cartons of variable sizes may be folded from the carton blank.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for storing signals indicative of a customer's consumption of a utility as measured by a meter, such as adapted to measure the flow of water, gas or electricity, for example, and for storing a corresponding data word to permit subsequent readout from the system of utility consumed and of a data word identifying the customer consuming the service, whereby the utility company providing the service may appropriately and accurately prepare a bill for the customer.

Abstract: A television receiver is disclosed including a varactor-type tuner selectively coupled to a synthesizer. Illustratively, the synthesizer includes a keyboard for selecting the desired channel within the UHF or VHF band, a channel memory for receiving and storing the selected channel and a programmable divider which divides selectively the output of the tuner's local oscillator in accordance with the selected channel to generate and apply its output to a phase comparator. The output of a reference oscillator also is applied to the phase comparator, whereby the output of the programmable divider is mixed therewith to obtain a tuning voltage to be applied to the tuner, which is associated with an automatic fine-tuning circuit (AFT); the AFT is adapted to be detuned selectively to increase the amplitude of the picture carrier signal and therefore, enhance the quality of the displayed images for weak signals, such as received from distant stations.

Abstract: Remote control apparatus is disclosed for a television receiver, including controls for turning on and off the television receiver, selecting a channel and for adjusting the volume of the audio portion of the transmitted program. In particular, the television receiver has a housing including a front faceplate having an opening therein, wherein a remote adaptor is inserted to make electrical connection with the TV receiver, and in particular its tuner, whereby a remote transmitter may transmit, as by ultrasonic waves, signals indicative of the desired control function to be effected upon the television receiver. The operations for adapting the television receiver for remote control are carried out without tools and may be readily effected by the viewer.

Abstract: A liquid velocity measuring system is described utilizing ultrasonic waves to measure the velocity of a liquid and in particular, the velocity of blood as directed through a conduit external of the patient's body. The liquid velocity measuring system comprises an ultrasonic soundwave transmitting transducer energized by a continuous wave generator, preferably at a frequency of 3.13 MHz. The transmitting transducer is disposed with respect to the conduit such that the transmitted ultrasonic waves are backscattered or reflected from ultrasonic reflection centers in the blood. This signal is received and detected by a second ultrasonic transducer. The reflected ultrasonic wave is frequency-shifted dependent upon the velocity of the liquid directed through the conduit and is detected by the second transducer to be amplified and demodulated subsequently, before being applied to a microbubble detection circuit in accordance with the teachings of this invention.