Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage-cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; participation in one or more short term investments; and subscriber unilaterally initiated use of charge, debit or checking instruments. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by charge card use, check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the short term investments available to subscribers include an ordered ensemble of insured savings accounts.

Abstract: A multiphase communication system for simultaneously transmitting plural binary digits employs one or more error-check bits which perform an encoding on the conveyed information over a plurality of digit intervals. The information and error check digits are then communicated via a transmission channel--as by amplitude modulating phase-orthogonal carriers.Upon reception, the incoming information and error check digits are decoded, and supplied to error syndrome circuitry which corrects errors which may arise from time to time during data transmission.

Abstract: Migraine modulator apparatus and methodology employs a transcutaneous electronic wave to reduce and control migraine headaches. A first positive contact electrode is placed at the pain site and a second positive contact is placed at the web of the contra-lateral hand; a first negative contact is placed at the contra-lateral trapezius origin, and a second negative contact electrode is placed at the web of the ipsilateral hand. An electronic current wave comprising relatively high frequency pulses with a low frequency amplitude modulation is then applied between the positive and negative electrodes.

Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage/cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; a participation in one or more short term money market or comparable funds; and subscriber-initiated use of electronically responsive subscriber identity credit/debit media and/or checking systems. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by "charge card" check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber. The short term investment position of each account is modified as necessary to permit money market or comparable earned yields on the account free credit cash balance.

Abstract: Automated fluid dispensing apparatus operative under stored program control includes an attended console for controlling an array of dispensing pumps or the like, e.g., a pump island in a self service filling station. An array of data input fields, display and status signalling fields and control keys are disposed on the console. Input signalling from the console may illustratively comprise data from price-per-gallon and transaction limit registers, pump enabling keys, and display controls. Console presentations are for such as pump identity and status, and dispensed fuel value or volume. A microprocessor is connected to the console equipment, and to individual pump controllers, sensors and the like. Fluid flow at each pump is thus readily monitored and controlled by an attendant at the console via the microprocessor.

Abstract: Dental electronic analgesia apparatus and methodology employs a transcutaneous electronic wave to suppress perceived pain during trauma associated with dental procedures. A first electrode is placed on the buccal side of the gum adjacent the work area, and second electrodes are disposed on the web of the ipsalateral hand and on the ipsalateral trapezius origin. An electronic current wave comprising relatively high frequency pulses with a low frequency amplitude modulation is then applied between the first to the second electrodes.The apparatus of the instant invention has been found to block pain in most subjects with a low level current without any chemical intervention--or with a reduced dosage of local anesthesia.

Abstract: Improved non-cooperative radar apparatus locates and type-classifies an agitated, vibrating reflective target (e.g., a vehicle with its engine running)--whether the target is moving or stationary.A homodyne-type receiver with a cooperating band pass filter extracts a reflected, frequency-shifted energy pattern which identifies the incidence of the agitated target. In accordance with further aspects of the instant invention, the particular energy distribution for the returned, reflected wave is then compared with a stored ensemble of such distributions, or target "signatures", to type-catagorize the target.

Abstract: A tuning system for use in radio frequency multi-signal receiving systems, e.g a CATV converter, utilizes a closed feedback loop digital arrangement for channel selection (local oscillator frequency control) and channel fine tuning. The system may be implemented either via discrete hardware or through the use of microprocessor controlled apparatus.

Abstract: Sampling apparatus for securing and removing endometrial tissue for pathological examination includes a thin elongated flexible sheath with a curved end portion terminating at an annular metallic tissue-scraping leading member. In use, the sheath with an inner path-dilating obturator is inserted into the endometrial cavity. The obturator is then removed, and a syringe attached to place the sheath under vacuum.The composite apparatus is scraped across the endometrium to remove tissue samples which ultimately repose within the syringe for subsequent processing and analysis.

Abstract: An improved sheathed cable and method for producing same is described. The cable includes an inner insulated conductor/conductor group, an outer corrugated metal sheath, and a barrier layer of a pliable, inert sealing material disposed therebetween to prevent the passage of gas or vapors via the cable. The method includes the steps of applying the pliable material around the inner insulated conductor/conductor group, wrapping the pliable material with a flexible tape, forming an outer metallic sheath around the material, and making annular corrugations in the outer sheath so as to compress the sealing compound.

Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage/cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; participation in one or more short term money market or comparable funds; and subscriber-initiated use of electronically responsive subscriber identity credit/debit media and/or checking systems. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by "charge card" use, check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber. The transactional data is reviewed against predetermined norms to detect abuses such as check kiting.

Abstract: Head end apparatus delivers video signals, e.g., premium and standard television programming to distinct locations such as hotel/motel rooms, an apartment or the like via a common MATV cable. The head end also transmits digital messages to receivers at each room location which are recovered via a phase detector and supplied to predetermined appropriate output utilization apparatus via a multiplexer and microprocessor. Similarly, messages generated at each room are transmitted upstream to the head end via the cable, employing a portion of the phase detector apparatus.In accordance with varying aspects of the present invention, the bilaterally propagating digital messages may comprise status controls for controlled equipment, e.g., electrical loads; and/or may comprise a data exchange for a communications application. Further, the room transmission apparatus is adapted to fail, if at all, in a noninterfering mode which does not comprise overall system operability.

Abstract: A thin, sheet material substantially aids in absorbing a mechanical impact or shock--useful in widely disparate applications, e.g., on handle/grips of sports equipment such as bats, rackets, paddles, clubs or the like. The material is formed of a three layer laminate including a central resilient fabric embedded in a low solid-content, large pore polyester or polyether urethane elastomer, bounded by large pore polyurethane of open and closed surface pore configuration, respectively.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, grip enhancement is effected by providing mating open surface pore urethane surfaces--as by a glove cooperating with a handle wrapping or the like.

Abstract: Automated dispensing apparatus is disclosed for administering intravenous fluid to a patient under gravity pressure at a controlled volumetric rate, such that deviations from a desired fluid volumetric rate are automatically corrected. In accordance with the invention the area and maximum width of each fluid drop are measured with two intersecting light beams. Apparatus, responsive to each of the light beams, generates signals representative of drop area and width, and these two parameters are combined to obtain a signal proportional to drop volume. The measured drop volume signal is compared with a rate control signal to automatically correct the fluid flow rate.

Abstract: Automated dispensing apparatus is disclosed for administering intravenous fluid to a patient under gravity pressure at a controlled volumetric rate, such that deviations from a desired fluid volumetric rate are automatically corrected. The area and maximum width of each fluid drop are measured with two intersecting light beams. The light beams are either collimated or converging. Use of converging light beams is particularly advantageous when fogging or imperfections are present in the walls of a transparent tube through which the intravenous fluid flows. Apparatus, responsive to the light beams, generates signals representative of drop area and width, and these two parameters are combined to obtain a signal proportional to drop volume. The measured drop volume signal is compared with a rate control signal to automatically correct the fluid flow rate.

Abstract: Microprocessor controlled flow metering apparatus employs mechanically coupled registers driven by a positive displacement or other flow meter to display fluid volume dispensed during a monitored transaction--and as a cumulative total over time. User adjustable electrical switch decades electrically enter computational scale factor variables such as price per gallon and tax rate.The stored program controlled microprocessor computes all desired output variables (fuel cost, tax)--and outputs the variables in predesignated fields onto a printed ticket (invoice) while controlling printer carriage movement and solenoid actuation. In accordance with varying aspects of the invention, mechanical and software security is provided to ensure proper correlation between customer fluid (e.g., fuel) receipt and billing.

Abstract: Improved multiplexed communications apparatus distributes plural video signals via a single satellite transponder with enhanced reproduced quality, i.e., improved signal-to-noise ratio. The up-link transmitter delays each signal for one line period, and computes statistics characterizing the preceding subject line (e.g., minimum signal level and dynamic range) which are transmitted during the horizontal synchronizing pulse period. The transmitted video is then shifted in level and selectively amplified in accordance with the line statistics to more fully occupy the available transponder deviation allotted to the channel.Following satellite frequency shifting and transponder re-broadcasting, the received, modified video is restored utilizing the sync-period transmitted information (minimum level/offset; range/scale factor). Each multiplexed received video signal thus exhibits a substantially enhanced signal-to-noise ratio vis-a-vis video information transmitted in unmodified form.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for selectively applying either video game signals or conventional television program signals to a television receiver includes a pair of complementary filters to respectively pass and block the transmission of signals within a selected game-display channel. A switch may be selectively placed in either a game-playing mode or a program-receiving mode. In the latter mode the switch connects an input cable to the receiver. Correspondingly, when used for video games, the switch passes the incoming cable signal through one of the filters to a video game-playing adaptor and player which, in turn, are connected back to the receiver through the other of the filters.

Abstract: A practice for storage recognition of unknown document characters contained in a matrix representation of a document region wherein a plurality of arrays of matrix positions incrementally displaced in accordance with a predetermined displacement pattern are interrogated and the results of these interrogations processed in accordance with predetermined reference character recognition equations to derive catalogues of errors. The lowest errors in the derived catalogues are analyzed to determine the reference characters recognizable as unknown document characters.

Abstract: A tuning system for use in a radio frequency multi-signal receiving system, e.g., for CATV converters, utilizes a closed feedback loop digital arrangement for channel selection (local oscillator frequency control) and channel fine tuning. The system may be implemented either via discrete hardware or through the use of microprocessor controlled apparatus.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, double heterodyne tuning apparatus automatically compensates for frequency drift in the second local oscillator.