Abstract: A liquid crystal device which uses parallel transparent plates having a nematic crystal material which is free of chiral or twisting additives positioned therebetween. The device applies an AC carrier modulated signal to establish an electric field across the material, the modulation level thereof controlling the state of the directors thereof over a range from a selected partially driven state to a fully driving state. The device can be used in a system to measure and to control the retardance of the device and in systems for controlling the intensity of light being transmitted through the device. The devices can further be used in a system to provide a birefringent filter.

Abstract: In a color television signal the total line length or period and the bandwidth requirement can be conventional, but the active line period is increased to e.g. about 94% of the line period, giving an aspect ratio of about 3:2 instead of 4:3.

Abstract: A wafer-scale integrated circuit comprises a few hundred modules which can be connected into a long chain by commands sent from a terminal XMIT to the modules along a transmit path set up by way of module inputs from neighbouring modules and outputs thereto, only one of which is enabled by one of four selection signals. The transmit path normally follows a route through a main chain of modules M0 to M15, as shown by a full line. However, commands may be sent to nodal modules M0, M6 and M10 to make a alternative direction selections thereat, so as to obtain access to modules M16 etc in spur chains. Commands are addressed to the modules in accordance with their distances F from XMIT. Spurs may themselves include nodal modules such as M17. The normal and alternative direction selections are listed in a stored table which is used by a command unit to access any desired module and then restore the main chain M0-M15.

Abstract: A centrifuge device for separating different species of particles having different masses or sizes which are contained in a fluid medium, wherein the device comprises a plurality of adjacent channels positioned in a centrifugal field. The fluid medium flows through such channels and the channels are arranged such that portions of the fluid medium are successively diverted from one channel to the next in a cascaded manner. Accordingly, for separating particles of two different species, for example, portions of the fluid containing particles of one species and a fraction of the particles of the other species are so diverted in each case from one channel to the next adjacent one, while the remaining portions containing only particles of the other species continue to flow in the one channel.

Abstract: Conventionally, transmission of television images is performed by Raster scanning. To avoid the problems associated with flyback, and the limiting of Raster scanning to image scanning standards it is proposed to transmit images by scanning along a locus defined by a fractal curve. A Peano curve is particularly suitable. Image resolution may be varied by varying the order of curve used to scan the image. Smoothing of a curve of a given order results in a graceful degradation to a curve of lower order so that the image created by a given order is still recognizable when displayed by a lower or higher order.

Abstract: This invention is a hold-down retainer, including a pair of wires pivoted together at their centers, one wire having one straight end for insertion into ground or concrete, and the other having legs to bear against a cover on the ground or concrete.

Abstract: A surgical clip of plastics material for performing sexual sterilization comprises two jaws hinged to move from an open position to the closed position shown, in which a Fallopian tube is occluded. A catch mechanism engages when the jaws reach their closed position, and locks the jaws closed. The location of the catch mechanism in the vicinity of the hinge ensures that it does not contact the vulnerable mesosalpinx, thus reducing the risk of bleeding. Interdigitated teeth and a curved, springy tongue prevent the tube escaping from the clip as the jaws close. The teeth are rounded and are loosely interdigitated to reduce the risk of damage to the mesosalpinx. A resilient lining on the jaw biasses them apart. The clip will spring back open during application if it has not been closed sufficiently to engage the catch mechanism. The biasing also enables the clip to be located firmly in an applicator before closure.

Abstract: A visual display device is disclosed in which a liquid crystal cell is adjacent a light waveguide. Electrodes in the liquid crystal cell alter the dielectric constant therein to change the critical angle defined by the two media of the cell and the waveguide to regulate the amount and location of light which may escape from the waveguide. Color display can be obtained with visible light by providing a dyed layer and with ultraviolet light by providing colored ultraviolet phosphors. A shaped mirror or contoured reflective layer is provided with a visible light device to cause the displayed light to scatter in desired directions.

Abstract: A universal addressing system for use in a digital data processing system including a universal memory for storing data including instructions and at least one local system having access to the universal memory. The universal memory is organized into objects, and each item of data is associated with an object. Each object is specified by a unique identifier, and data is addressed by means of a logical address which specifies the UID of the object containing the data and the offset of the data in the object. A processor in the local system responds to instructions by providing memory operation specifiers to the universal memory. Each memory operation specifier specifies a memory operation and a logical address. The offset in the logical address may specify any bit in the object. The memory operation specifier also specifies a length in bits.

Abstract: A signal processing system for measuring the amplitude and time delay responses of a network over the bandwidth allocated to the network wherein a plurality of subburst signals each in the form of a suppressed-carrier, amplitude-modulated signal, is applied to the network. The signals received from the network are provided in complex form having in-phase and quadrature components. Matched filters respond to such components and the matched filter outputs are processed so as to determine the estimated amplitude and time delay responses of the network at the carrier frequency of the subburst signals over the operating bandwidth of the network.

Abstract: Control circuitry utilizing first and second voltage sources and first and second circuits across such sources, one circuit having a first energizable element in series with a first diode arrangement and the other circuit having a second energizable element in series with a second diode arrangement. If the voltage difference from the sources is greater than a first value the first diode arrangement is conductive and the energizable element is energized, while if such voltage difference is less than a second value this second diode arrangement is conductive and the second energizable element is energized.

Abstract: A microwave ion source is disclosed and includes a plain rectangular waveguide having a first section to which a microwave generator is coupled, a second section defining a discharge chamber and an intervening transformer section dimensioned to provide for transmission of microwaves between the first section and the second section substantially without impedance losses. The first and second sections have uniform rectangular internal cross-sectional shapes defined by a first dimension which, for both sections equals one half of the wavelength of the microwaves, and a second, smaller dimension which is less than the second section of the waveguide than in the first section.

Abstract: Missing lines of a video signal are interpolated from the signal on three successive fields by deriving low vertical frequency components solely from the central or current field and the higher vertical frequency components partly from the lines of the current field and partly from the lines of two adjacent fields. The total contribution from the current field is unity and the total contribution from each adjacent field is zero. The circuitry for deriving and combining these components comprises an arrangement of delays, adders, subtractors and multipliers (FIG. 7). The system can be used to generate the missing lines necessary to derive a sequentially scanned video signal from an interlaced scan video signal.

Abstract: An instrument panel member comprising a multiple-ply back sheet of fiberglas reinforced material impregnated with a polyester resin, a multiple-ply front sheet of the same material and one or more electroluminescent (EL) lamp elements positioned therebetween. The overall structure is cured at a temperature and pressure selected to provide adequate curing without damage to the EL lamp elements and so as to minimize warpage of the final structure. The thickness of the back sheet is selected to accommodate the dimensions of the EL lamps and any electrical connectors used therewith while the thickness of the front sheet is normally much less and need only be such as to permit light from the EL lamps to be seen therethrough.

Abstract: A signal processing system in a transmitter/receiver system for reducing undesired amplitude, frequency and/or phase distortions arising due to variations from transmitter pulse to transmitter pulse. A plurality of sequential samples of transmitted pulses are averaged and a plurality of filter coefficients are determined therefrom. The coefficients are used in a plurality of filters which respond to a plurality of sequential samples of received pulses, the filters providing output signals in which such distortions are reduced.

Abstract: A continuous wave laser and modulator drives a fibre optic delay line whose output is detected by a photo detector and gain control amplifier. The signal from the amplifier is phase advanced in a modulator by a phase advance signal whose period is equal to the loop delay including the delay line. The resulting signal is added to an input signal in an adder whose output is the modulating signal for the modulator. Cycles of the phase advanced signal are counted to establish a processing time of N circulations round the loop where N might be 160 or significantly larger. At the end of the processing time, the output signal from the adder, over a segment equal to the delay time, represents the frequency spectrum of the input signal. N can be varied to vary the resolution of the measurement. The fibre optic delay line provides a highly stable determinate delay and permits very wide band operation.

Abstract: A towing hitch is disclosed which has a housing for receiving a tow bar such that said housing can be pivotally connected to said tow bar. A tongue is coupled to the housing for receiving a towing element. The housing has a pin which project into said tow bar and said pin has a resilient block mounted thereon such that said block is arranged between said pin and said tow bar to dampen or absorb shock or vibration transmitted to said towing hitch.

Abstract: A process and system for providing a design pattern in a material wherein a seleced medium is applied to the material, the material being positioned adjacent a surface of a template which surface has selected surface characteristics either topographical or non-topographical in nature. The material is held against the template surface at a selected pressure and for a selected time period, at least a portion of the medium coming into contact with the template surface. The surface characteristics of the template interact with the material and the medium as the medium comes into contact with the surface to produce the desired pattern.

Abstract: In a clamp mechanism for an electronic apparatus, a part of knurled wheel is exposed from a housing so as to manually rotate a male screw for clamping the electronic apparatus, and rotation of the knurled wheel is locked by a key-lock means for protection against burglary.

Abstract: A system for performing an examination of the eye of a subject which uses a source of light and a concave mirror for focusing such light at a selected region of the fundus of the eye so as to form an enlarged optical image of the selected region at a selected spatial region which is remote from the eye. An ophthalmoscope, or camera, or other viewing instrument is then focused at the selected spatial region to permit the selected region of the eye to be viewed either immediately or photographed for subsequent viewing.