Abstract: A frequency-hopping datalink and providing communication between a base station, relay unit and multiple remote units utilizes time-division multiplexing and transmits information signals containing information relevant to the next frequencies of transmission. Signals from the base station are transmitted on a first frequency to a relay unit which retransmits the signals on a second frequency to a group of remote units. The information signal from the base station contains information concerning the frequencies of the next transmission and the time slot allotted for the remote units to respond. The remote units respond back at the first frequency which is received by the relay unit and rebroadcast to the base station at the second frequency.

Abstract: A direction sensitive optical shaft encoder includes an optical shutter disk mounted to a shaft for rotation therewith, the optical shutter disk bearing at least first and second radially concentric tracks having alternating light transmissive and light blocking areas formed thereon. The light transmissive and light blocking areas of one track are angularly offset with respect to the light transmissive and light blocking areas of an adjacent track. A pair of light emitters and light detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the optical shutter disk and aligned with the first and second concentric tracks, respectively. Because the pattern of light transmissive and light blocking areas on the two tracks are angularly offset, the output of the light detectors follows a unique pattern which is dependent upon the direction of rotation of the optical shutter. The frequency of repetition of the pattern of outputs by the light detectors is indicative of the speed of rotation of the optical shutter.

Abstract: This linear feedback shift register (LFSR) circuit having systolic architecture comprises N cells (C1 to CN) each of which includes an upstream register (e.g. RGE1l ), two operators (e.g. OP1 and OC1l ), and a downstream register (e.g. RGS1). The upstream and downstream registers of each cell are serial shift registers, and their total content is equal to the total number of bits constituting each digital sample processed by the circuit.

Abstract: The amount of liquid dielectric fuel in a tank is monitored with a capacitor including first and second electrodes immersed in the fuel. The fuel level determines the capacitance between the electrodes. Contaminants in the fuel are reflected as a shunt resistor for the capacitance between the electrodes. A periodic symmetrical triangle voltage is applied to the electrodes. The impedance between the electrodes responds to the voltage by deriving a composite current having a constant amplitude square wave component and a component that is a replica of the periodic voltage. The amplitude of the constant amplitude component is determined, in one embodiment, by sampling the amplitude of the composite current at the center of each square wave component to indicate the capacitance and the amount of fuel in the tank independently of effects of the shunt resistor on the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for interconnecting memory slot machines, for example parking meters or ticket vending machines. Each slot machine (B.sub.1, B.sub.2, . . . ) includes a circuit (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, . . . ) which receives data to be transferred. These circuits are interconnected by a seizure loop (18; 20, 22) and by a data transmission loop (26, 28). When information becomes available at a slot machine, this causes the seizure circuit to be powered up, thereby supplying power to the data transfer loop and to the data-receiving circuits (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, . . . ) of the other slot machines. Once the information has been transmitted to the other slot machines, the above-mentioned circuits are no longer powered.

Abstract: The diaphragm comprises a peripheral zone (12) and a central zone (16) in the same plane. Between these zones there is a corrugated zone comprising 2n corrugated portions (18.sub.1 to 18.sub.4) which are separated by connection zones (20.sub.1 to 20.sub.4). Any one corrugated portion may be derived from the adjacent corrugated portion by a rotation through 180.degree. about the connection zone, or else by a rotation of 2.pi./2n about the diaphragm axis followed by a symmetry about the housing plane.

Abstract: A bidirectional data communications distribution network is established between the system operations center (SOC) and customer terminals of a load management and electrical energy distribution system. The distribution network comprises independent processor controlled, primary communications interface units (PCI) in communication with the SOC over telephone lines or other medium. Each PCI is in turn in communication with a plurality of independent processor controlled, secondary communications interface units (SCI) over electrical utility primary distribution power lines. Signals between PCIs and SCIs on the primary distribution power lines are code division multiplexed using direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signal processing. Each SCI continuously polls a number of assigned customer load terminals on the low voltage side of the electrical energy distribution system, storing and calculating meter register readings and load status.

Abstract: A band pass digital filter which may be straightforwardly implemented. Considering successive samples I the last of which is N and input samples XI and output samples YI, the filter, in one embodiment, conforms to the expression:Y.sub.N =2.sup.-K+J.(X.sub.N -X.sub.N-2)-C.sub.4.Y.sub.N-1 -Y.sub.N-2 +2.sup.-K.Y.sub.N-2where J and F are integers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shift register structure and its control. The positioning and/or synchronization of data contained in this register for the purpose of serial operation are essentially obtained by acquisition of data on at least one auxiliary output SA1 of this register R. In particular the invention enables a programmable delay buffer register to be produced very simply.

Abstract: A liquid filled differential pressure detector comprises two pressure sensors. Each sensor is constructed of one or more capsules, which are pairs of diaphragms sealed at their peripheries. The innermost diaphragms are interconnected by a tube which contains a rod assembly. The interior of the sensors and interconnection tube form a sealed volume filled with a incompressible liquid. The rod assembly contacts the outermost diaphragm of the sensors and is displaced by expansion and contraction of the capsules caused by a differential pressure change against the outer surface of the sensors. The motion of the rod assembly is transformed into an electrical signal to indicate the pressure measurement. The apparatus is symmetrical about the center point of the tube to reduce error caused by the fluid's thermal expansion by causing equal and opposite forces to cancel, thereby preventing motion of the rod assembly.

Abstract: A sequence of samples of a time varying signal is multiplied by respective, corresponding, multiplicands corresponding to values of a separate signal. The multiplicands are provided as ratios of capacitances switched into and out of a circuit between the input time varying voltage and an accumulating integrator. The arrangement is used to provide multiplication of a time varying signal by corresponding amplitudes of a sinusoid without requiring generation of a sinusoid. The arrangement is used for sampling, detecting signals utilizing a simulated local oscillator signal, and for generation of an arbitrary time varying function.

Abstract: An autozeroing operational amplifier for a voltage or current-to-frequency converter includes a master amplifier and a slave amplifier. The master amplifier uses the voltage across a master capacitor to control the polarization level of an MOS transistor. Changing this level changes the operation of a differential pair connected to a load thereby changing the amplifier's input offset voltage. The slave amplifier, similarly constructed, is connected to periodically refresh the voltage across the master capacitor to compensate for drift and temperature effects.

Abstract: A device for detecting and localizing neutral particles such as X photons, gamma photons or neutrons is essentially constituted by a solid converter (2) disposed at a glancing incidence relative to the radication to be detected, together with networks of wires such as (3') disposed in the proximity of the converter. The device is applicable to industrial imaging.

Abstract: For any ostomy appliance, a body-side ostomy member includes a medical grade adhesive pad and a coupling having one part captive to but telescopically slidable relative to another part to provide access for the fingers or thumb of a wearer beneath a lateral flange of the coupling, when the parts are spaced from one another.This allows an ostomy coupling to be secured together without applying undue pressure to the sensitive body area of the wearer.

Abstract: An innput/output terminal assembly for pressure transducers of the flexure type. The transducer includes a flexure member which senses an applied pressure by means of strain gauges mounted thereon. A known problem with such an arrangement concerns the electrical connections to the strain gauges wherein there is conflict between the flexible connections required to accommodate flexure displacement and the rigid connections required to lead away from the gauges since a pressure chamber must be spanned. Previously this conflict has been resolved by bonding an insulative terminal plate proximate the flexure to provide a junction between flexible and rigid conductors. Such an arrangement gives rise to problems of construction rigidity and performance if excess bonding resin contacts the flexure. The invention provides a welded terminal plate, which is insulative by virtue of a thick film layer of glass, on which electrical connection may be made to areas of thick film gold.

Abstract: A pair of incontinence pants or briefs includes a pocket located in the crotch region and defined by an outer wall of a liquid-impermeable material which is longer than it is wide and an inner wall of like material whose edges define a substantially oval hole. A portion of the inner wall overlaps, but it not connected to another thereof and the edges are crossed over one another at one end of the pocket.

Abstract: An electromechanical system which may be used in conjunction with spinning catheters, such as those which have differential cutting burrs, includes an electric prime mover which attaches to an advancer assembly. The advancer assembly has an off-axis drive and apparatus for loading a catheter unit, which is driven through a catheter engagement coupling. The catheter assembly can also include one or two lumens with access ports at the advancer assembly, whereby medicines may be injected or pressure readings may be obtained from the vessel.

Abstract: An integrally formed single piece loop ostomy appliance includes a central rod portion, a cross piece transverse to the rod portion at one end, and a displaceable end piece at the other end, displaceable between a first position which extends in the same general direction as the rod portion and a second position transverse to the rod portion. The end piece comprise a catch disposed to be in locking engagement with a recess in the rod portion when the end piece is moved to the second position. The end piece further comprises first and second spaced apart walls partially forming an aperture and adapted to be squeezed toward one another to release the catch from the recess. The loop ostomy appliance is preferably made of plastic, e.g. polypropylene.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and structure which produces extremely thin, electrically conductive epoxy bonds between two substrates. Copper microspheres, having an average diameter of about 2 microns are bound in an epoxy layer which bonds two substrates together. The microspheres make electrical contact between the substrates while providing intersphere gaps which are filled with the epoxy which actually bonds the substrates together.