Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: A high resolution raster display includes a central processor for providing image data, a digital image processing circuit for converting the image data to display signals, and an analog display circuit for converting the display signals to drive signals for driving a CRT to form a color raster display on the screen of the CRT. The digital image processing circuit includes a display memory for storing the image data and a programmable attribute look-up table for storing attribute data. Under the control of the central processor, the image data stored in the display memory is read out and is used to address the attribute look-up table which provides attribute signals as an output. A pixel rate converter reads in the attribute signals at a first rate and outputs analog display signals at a second rate which is much higher than the first rate, with a video bandwidth of up to 210 MHz.

Abstract: A multimode fiber optic coupler includes a first multimode optical fiber having a core and cladding surrounding the core and having a first longitudinal segment in which the cladding has been substantially removed exposing the core and in which a portion of the exposed core forms a first biconical taper segment; a second multimode optical fiber having a core and a cladding surrounding the core and having a second longitudinal segment in which the cladding has been substantially removed exposing the core and in which a portion of the exposed core forms a second biconical taper segment; and a coupling region formed by portions of the first and second biconical taper segments being fused together in parallel juxtaposition with one another.

Abstract: A method for removing excess solder from a printed circuit board is practiced by mixing a quantity of ceramic beads with an oil to form a fluidized bed mixture. The fluidized bed mixture is heated to a temperature above the melting point of a solder on the printed circuit board. A surface of the printed circuit board to be cleaned is placed in contact with the heated fluidized bed and agitated against the bed to remove excess solder.

Abstract: A decoder for recovering data signals and clock signals from an encoded data stream includes: a delay circuit responsive to an encoded data stream for producing a delayed data stream, the delayed data stream being delayed a predetermined period of time from the encoded data stream; a D-type flip-flop responsive to the encoded data stream and to a clock signal for producing a data signal; and a phase comparator responsive to the delayed data stream and to the data signal for producing a clock signal.

Abstract: A data transfer controller allows data to be transferred from a network bus to a system bus in a host computer. The controller has a network bus interface for communicating with the network bus and a system bus interface for communicating with the system bus. The system bus interface has first and second buffers. A dual port memory is utilized and has one port operatively connected to one of the buffers in the system bus interface and to a microprocessor. The direct access channel is established and operatively connected to the other buffer of the system bus interface as well as coupled to the microprocessor and associated control logic. A switch under control of the control logic establishes connections between the second port of the dual port memory and either the direct access channel or the network bus interface.

Abstract: A multiple layer connection system for compactly connecting a plurality of surface mount integrated circuit packages to a printed circuit board is disclosed. A plurality of staggered metal legs is respectively inserted into a plurality of slots formed along an edge of an intermediate plastic sheet. A first outside sheet and a second outside sheet sandwich the intermediate sheet between themselves. The first outside sheet has a plurality of foil conductors formed on an inside layer thereof to connect with a first portion of the staggered legs. A plurality of feed through holes are in electrical connection with the first conductive traces and with a plurality of first outside foil traces which are connectable by soldering to the legs of a surface mount integrated circuit package. A second plurality of inside foil traces is formed on an inside layer of the second plastic sheet and contacts a second group of the legs.

Abstract: A temperature compensated complementary metal-insulator-semiconductor oscillator receives a temperature independent reference voltage from an external source. The temperature independent reference voltage is attenuated and summed with a threshold voltage in order to bias a gate electrode of MOSFET. A bipolar p-n junction diode is connected to the MOSFET at a source electrode in order to bias the MOSFET with a temperature dependent forward voltage drop to compensate for temperature variations therein. The MOSFET controls a temperature independent current. A current mirror assembly receives the current and controls a Schmitt trigger oscillator. The Schmitt trigger oscillator generates a signal having a temperature independent constant period.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring small propagation delays associated with a digital logic circuit has first and second signal paths. The first signal path in the digital logic circuit has at least a first predetermined number of devices and has an input and an output. Similarly, the second signal path in the digital logic circuit has at least a second predetermined number of devices and also has an input and an output. The first predetermined number of devices is different than the second predetermined number of devices. An input multiplexer multiplexes a predetermined input signal to the inputs of the first and second signal paths. First and second output signals are thereby produced on the outputs of the first and second signal paths, respectively. An output multiplexer causes the output signals to be combined into a single multiplexed output signal. An average propagation delay is determined from the differential area between the output signals in the multiplexed output signal.

Abstract: A package for thermal dissipation of heat from multiple integrated circuit chips is described. The package includes a silicon substrate for electrical connection to silicon integrated-circuit chips. The silicon substrate provides a high degree of thermal dissipation of heat generated by the chips. In addition, the invention comprehends that the silicon substrate is attached to a heat dissipating means. In the preferred embodiment, the heat dissipating means includes a metal heat sink. The package is capable of dissipating up to six watts per square centimeter of heat from the chips.

Abstract: An electric pressing iron having a motion and attitude sensor including a mercury switch connected to a timer, and in conjunction therewith is adapted to disable the electric heater of the iron when the iron is oriented with the soleplate substantially horizontal and is not moving. The motion and attitude sensor and timer are also adapted to disable the electric heater when the iron is oriented with its soleplate vertical after the passage of a preselected period of time.

Abstract: A high resolution raster display includes a central processor for providing image data, a digital image processing circuit for converting the image data to display signals, and an analog display circuit for converting the display signals to drive signals for driving a CRT to form a color raster display on the screen of the CRT. The digital image processing circuit includes a display memory for storing the image data and a programmable attribute look-up table for storing attribute data. Under the control of the central processor, the image data stored in the display memory is read out and is used to address the attribute look-up table which provides attribute signals as an output. A pixel rate converter reads in the attribute signals at a first rate and outputs analog display signals at a second rate which is much higher than the first rate, with a video bandwidth of up to 210 MHz.

Abstract: A protector device as described for enhancing the security of a computer system which includes one or more user terminals in one or more host computers. The protector device includes a detection means for monitoring communications between the terminals and the host computers in which the detection means is independent from the host computers in the terminal but is connected to the computers and terminals such that certain information transmitted between the computers and terminals is transmitted through the detection means. The detection means includes additional means for user authentication, access control, command filtering, audit trail recording, audit trail analysis, interrogation, and cryptographic services. The detection means further includes means for generating an alarm in the event that certain potentially sensitive events occur and means for interrogating events generated and stored in the detection means.

Abstract: A motor speed control circuit for closed loop control of an electric motor of a household electric appliance is disclosed herein. The motor speed control circuit includes a coil adapted to be placed in proximity with a fan connected to an electric motor and producing a time varying signal in response to rotation thereof. A comparator connected to the coil generates a rectangular wave having a frequency proportional to the frequency of the coil signal. Additional means are provided for converting the rectangular wave signal, a D.C. signal having an amplitude which corresponds to the frequency of the rectangular wave. The D.C. signal is compared to a reference signal at an amplifier to produce an error signal which is fed through an opto-isolator to a conduction angle controlled thyrister. The thyrister is connected to the electric motor and a source of electric power to control the speed of the electric motor.

Abstract: An improved conduit (50) communicating between a pressurized source (10) of solution and a partially filled reservoir (34) associated with a drip chamber (24) in a continuous-flush system. The conduit comprises a tube (54,56) that is bent at approximately a 45 degree angle so that solution discharging from the conduit (50) is diverted to impinge against the interior wall (58) of the reservoir (34) before interfacing with the solution (62) accumulated therein. The arrangement reduces bubble formation normally associated with turbulent discharge flow during filling and flushing of the system.

Abstract: A method for intermetallic diffusion bonding of piezoelectric components, wherein ceramic pieces with fired-on silver electrodes are stacked with a thin shim of solid indium alloy therebetween. The indium alloy preferably comprises 25% indium, 37.5% lead and 37.5% tin. The stack is placed under 150 psi compression and heated at a temperature of about 350.degree. for 30-48 hours in an inert gas. Almost immediately upon being heated, a liquid-solid diffusion takes place in which a small amount of the silver diffuses from the electrodes into the now liquid indium alloy. The alloy in the interface becomes saturated with silver producing a new quaternary alloy which has a higher melting point than the previous indium alloy shim. Thus, there is a gradual solidification of the alloy as the concentration of silver increases. After solidification of the new alloy during the remainder of the heating time, there is a gradual diffusion of the indium into the silver and vice versa.