Abstract: A video camera support system for a video microscopy system including an adjustable boom for supporting a video camera at selected locations, and a microscope/camera coupler attached to a microscope for slidably engaging the lens mount of the video camera. The video camera is supported by the boom as aligned with the microscope/camera coupler.

Abstract: A phase locked loop circuit including ramp generating circuitry for generating a dual slope ramp signal having alternating positive and negative slopes that are controlled by the level of the control signal, and sampling circuitry responsive to sample command pulses for providing a sample output representative of the level of the dual ramp signal at the time of sampling. The sample output is provided to a loop which provides the control signal for the ramp generating circuit. Also disclosed is a phase locked loop having ramp generating circuitry for generating a ramp signal, and track and hold circuitry having a plurality of track/hold capacitors that are controlled to track the ramp voltage or hold the ramp signal voltage in response to a sample command signal, such that only a capacitor that is tracking is switched to hold the ramp voltage in response to the sample command signal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for remote control of a driver's seat in a vehicle equipped with powder seats but without memory seats function. The system is controlled by remote RF transmitter and auto security system which are responsive to a remote control signal disarming the system. Upon receipt of such signal the system will position the driver's seat on a preselected mode to either initial easy access position or a driver position corresponding to the particular transmitter code. In the event an intrusion is detected while the security system is armed, the system automatically moves the driver's seat to an alarm position closest to the vehicle's dashboard to make it difficult or impossible for an intruder to drive the vehicle.

Abstract: A container and dispenser for adhesives and sealants such as silicon rubber is disclosed. The device comprises a thin-walled tubular member formed of plastic or other material which is non-permeable to air or water vapor. The tubular member has a typical diameter in the range of 1/8 to 1/2 inch. The tubular member is open at each end thereof. The portion of the sealant adjacent each open cures from its exposure to the air, forming a seal or plug at each end of the tubular member. The sealant or adhesive is dispensed by cutting open the tubular member in the area intermediate the sealed ends, and squeezing the tubular member. Any unused portion will seal itself for later use.

Abstract: An interface and memory system is disclosed which receives a digital raster scan image from an external source and displays this image as an inset window on a video monitor display. The input image is asynchronous with respect to the display refresh. The pipeline dual memory system is composed of update and display buffers. If the vertical rate of the input signal is greater than the vertical rate of the display refresh, the update buffer copies its entire contents into the display buffer every time the input signal completes a frame update. If the vertical rate of the input signal is less than the vertical rate of the display refresh, the copy operation is initiated just after the start of the active portion of the input frame at a vertical position equal to the top line of the input window. A continuous display is provided because no interaction between input, copy and display refresh operations is possible.

Abstract: An adaptive image acquisition system employing a hand-held optical scanner or camera is disclosed. The system includes an adaptive camera exposure control system to adjust the camera exposure time to the media's reflectivity characteristics. The system assembles a "filmstrip" of images from compressed video data, wherein redundant image data appearing in successive image frames has been removed. The system employs a correlation process between successive frames to identify the redundant frame information and determined the camera velocity. By adapting the correlation process to the velocity of the camera, the effects of variations in the velocity may be substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive stand for disposable writing instruments characterized by a removable cap having an attached resilient pocket clip. The stand includes the stand base and the pen cap, with the stand base including structure for attaching the cap to the stand base by cooperative engagement with the pocket clip so that the cap is supported by the stand base in a generally upright or inclined position.

Abstract: Apparatus for fusion joining first and second axially abutted thermo-plastic piping system component connection ends that are in axial and circumferential alignment including apparatus for enabling the heating of a melt region in the proximity of the interface of the first and second piping system component connection ends at least to the material softening point of the thermo-plastic material of the melt region, and further including vacuummetric apparatus for vacuummetrically inducing outward translation of the melted material of the melt region.

Abstract: A high speed drilling system is disclosed for high spped drilling of very small holes in workpieces such as printed circuit boards. The A-Y positioning system includes air bearings to provide lift between the stationary guide beams, the crossbeam and the top table, and further includes a vacuum preloading apparatus for providing a preloading force between the table and the guide beam. The preload force dampens Z axis oscillations which can result in drill bit breakage. The top table is a lightweight honeycomb structure, whose effective rigidity is virtually that of the guide beam due to the vacuum preloading. The system includes pairs of spindles, one a conventional spindle for drilling holes large than about 0.125 inches, and the other a high speed spindle for drilling holes in the range of about 0.003 to 0.125 inches. The high speed spindle includes a stationary spindle body carry the stator of the rotary drive motor. Only the spindle rotor is translated along the Z axis to perform the drilling movements.

Abstract: A multi-featured electronic vehicle security system includes an output device protection feature, to prevent damage to output devices such as power transistors from damage due to improper installation or miswiring. The system can be user-programmed so that second and subsequent trippings of the same sensor device will result in an alarm condition only if a system trigger device has also been tripped. The system includes a user-enabled feature wherein a first alarm signal generator is activated by a sensor tripping, and a second, distinct alarm signal generator is activated when a trigger device has been tripped. A further user-enabled feature is useful with vehicles having a courtesy light delay timer, with the door trigger wired to the interior light, to permit the system to be actively armed even while the interior light is still turned on. The system entrance delay is automatically bypassed if a sensor device has been tripped.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly system is disclosed. One aspect of the system is the robotic end effector for gripping and inserting each component into the circuit board. The end effector includes a compliance mechanism which compensates for variations in body-to-lead configurations to permit components to be precisely placed without damage to the component body or leads. Another aspect of the system is a programmable lead clinching system for clinching leads of each component as the component is inserted into the circuit board. The clinching system includes a clinch element and a drive system for driving the clinch element through a predetermined series of strokes to clinch the component leads.The system further includes a component presentation module, with a plurality of component feeder devices for feeding a number of different component types, and a presentation robot for sequentially selecting each component to be inserted in the board and delivering the component to a part presentation station.

Abstract: An interactive optical scanner system for use with a host computer or terminal comprising a central processor and a keyboard having a plurality of keyboard character and function keys to allow entry of keyboard character and function data to the central processor in accordance with predetermined keyboard codes. The system includes a camera enclosed in a camera housing suitable for hand-held use. The camera comprises an opto-electronic transducer array disposed within the housing for capturing successive images of characters on a medium surface and providing digital video signals representative of the images. The camera includes a plurality of tactilely-operated camera function keys disposed on the housing for providing respective camera function key token signals corresponding to each camera function key in dependence on the user manipulation thereof.

Abstract: A multi-channel remote control transmitter is disclosed for control of apparatus such as vehicle security systems, garage door openers, and the like. The transmitter provides the capability of selecting one of many different channels or codes to be transmitted with a minimum number of control switches. The transmitter includes at least one channel select switch and a transmit switch. The user actuates the channel select switch to select a desired channel, and then actuates the transmit switch to actually transmit the selected channel code. The transmitter includes an audible or visual indicator for confirming to the user the particular channel selected. The transmitter provides an audible "battery low" signal when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A data security fuse system is disclosed for allowing one-time programmability of protected data cells in a reprogrammable logic device, which may determine, for example, the logic architecture of the device. The system includes a fuse enable circuit which may be erased to the disabled state only prior to packaging of the device during manufacture. The protected data cells may be selected for programming by a decoder which decodes cell selection signals. A security fuse circuit is enabled by a fuse enable signal from the activated fuse enable circuit. The security fuse circuit allows the protected cells to be selected once for programming after the system has been activated, and thereafter defeats any attempts to access the protected data cells.

Abstract: A multi-function security system for monitoring access to a protected area such as a vehicle. The system has a self-diagnostic capability for detecting defective sensor or trigger devices and bypassing such devices to allow the system to be armed. The system includes audible and visual message capability for providing an indication when the system is disarmed that an intrusion was attempted and identifying the particular intrusion point. Multiple levels of security are provided by programming the disarming event as either entry of a code via a remote transmitter or entry of the code via the transmitter and then entry of an authorization code manually via a key pad.

Abstract: An adaptive image acquisition system employing a hand-held optical scanner or camera is disclosed. The system includes an adaptive camera exposure control system to adjust the camera exposure time to the media's reflectivity characteristics. The system assembles a "film-strip" of images from compressed video data, wherein redundant image data appearing in successive image frames has been removed. The system employs a correlation process between successive frames to identify the redundant frame information and determine the camera velocity. By adapting the correlation process to the velocity of the camera, the effects of variations in the velocity may be substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Method for fusion joining first and second axially abutted thermo-plastic piping system component connection ends that are in axial and circumferential alignment. The joining apparatus includes apparatus for enabling the heating of a melt region in the proximity of the interface of the first and second piping system component connection ends at least to the material softening point of the thermo-plastic material of the melt region, and further includes vacuummetric apparatus for vacuummetrically inducing outward translation of the melted material of the melt region. The method includes the steps of (a) heating a melt region in the proximity of the interface of the first and second piping system component connection ends at least to the material softening point of the thermo-plastic material of the melt region, and (b) vacuummetrically inducing outward translation of the melted material of the melt region.

Abstract: A high speed drilling system is disclosed for high speed drilling of very small holes in workpieces such as printed circuit boards. The X-Y positioning system includes air bearings to provide lift between the stationary guide beams, the crossbeam and the top table, and further includes a vacuum preloading apparatus for providing a preloading force between the table and the guide beam. The preload force dampens Z axis oscillations which can result in drill bit breakage. The top table is a lightweight honeycomb structure, whose effective rigidity is virtually that of the guide beam due to the vacuum preloading. The system includes pairs of spindles, one a conventional spindle for drilling holes larger than about 0.125 inches, and the other a high speed spindle for drilling holes in the range of about 0.003 to 0.125 inches. The high speed spindle includes a stationary spindle body carrying the stator of the rotary drive motor.

Abstract: A tube magazine component feeder is disclosed. The component feeder is reconfigurable to accommodate different tube magazine sizes and different component configurations. The component feeder includes a pair of upright masts for supporting loaded tube magazines in a stacked upright manner. The spatial separation of the two masts is adjustable to accommodate different tube magazine lengths. Other elements of the component feeder are adjustable or replaceable so as to quickly and easily adapt the device to a different tube magazine size or different component configuration.