Abstract: A digital joystick control includes an elongated shaft member having a spherical ball at one end thereof. First and second socket members are coupled to the joystick to provide a swivel joint between the ball and the socket members enabling movement of the shaft about the ball in any direction; movement of the joystick effects corresponding movement of the socket members. Each of the socket members is connected to a plate member which moves therewith. The plate members have a patterned surface presenting conductive and non-conductive regions in opposing relation to wiper arms which engage the patterned surfaces. The patterned surfaces are coded in such a manner that the locations of the conductive and non-conductive regions of the patterned surfaces with respect to the wiper arms are changeable in response to movement of the shaft of the joystick whereby a unique digital-coded positional signal is generated for preselected incremental positions of the shaft.

Abstract: A PROM programmer programs an array of PROMs mounted on a circuit board. The PROM chips are selectively addressed by energization of the respective chip with a high write voltage or a low read voltage while an individual cell is addressed. A control unit controls the flow of data into and out of the circuit board via a memory buffer unit.

Abstract: A microprocessor system with high order capabilities is provided with the two non-volatile memories which are read-only-memories (ROMs) in the disclosed embodiment. A first ROM stores the microcode for controlling the operation of the microprocessor circuits. The second ROM, which is preferably disposed in a module or cartridge, stores a plurality of program codes which are used to address the first ROM. The second ROM's module may be inserted into a receptacle for interconnecting it with the remainder of the microprocessor system. Preferably, a plurality of such second ROMs are available for selectively plugging into the microprocessor system.Further, a particular embodiment of the microprocessor system with high order capabilities for use as an electronic calculator with high order capabilities is disclosed in great detail.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radio system comprising mixing means for simultaneously receiving electronic input signals consisting of a plurality of non-overlapping frequency bands and first clocking signals having a first selectable frequence. The mixing means frequency shifts the input signals by the first selectable frequency. A charge transfer device transversal filter has inputs coupled to receive the frequency shifted signals. The charge transfer device filters one frequency band from the frequency shifted signals and further frequency shifts the selected band in response to a second clocking signal. Demodulator means is coupled to the output of the charge transfer device filter for demodulating the selected one further downshifted frequency band.

Abstract: A low-power infrared information transmission system, the transmitter of which is compact, portable and capable of being powered by a low-voltage battery power source for an extended period of time, utilizes a unique infrared light pulse position modulation technique. The system is capable of transmitting information from a DC signal to a relatively high frequency AC signal. The system is utilized, for example, to transmit medical information from medical electrodes affixed to a patient via a portable infrared transmitter to a receiver unit which monitors and analyzes the patient's condition; to provide a remote control unit such as the controller for a video game or a TV on/off/channel selector, and, to provide a portable communications device such as a portable microphone or telephone set.

Abstract: A medical patient condition monitoring system includes a portable battery-operable transmitter module which transmits monitored conditions of the patient via infrared energy to the receiver input stage of a medical monitoring and display unit. In one embodiment, the transmitter module which may be worn on the patient's person includes medical electrodes which are coupled to the patient's skin to receive electrical signals generated by the patient's anatomy. A voltage-controlled pulse position modulator circuit is coupled to the medical electrodes for generating pulses controllably positioned in time from a reference frequency in dependence upon the amplitude of the signal generated by the medical electrodes. An infrared light-emitting device is coupled to the output of the pulse position modulator circuit for generating infrared energy bursts in synchronism with the pulses generated by the modulator circuit.

Abstract: A joystick control, which is moveable in the X and Y directions, generates X- and Y-coded signals indicative of the co-ordinate position of the joystick. The joystick has a normally central position; movement of the joystick to a non-central position indicates the directional vector along which movement of the display cursor, such as a cursor of a video cathode-ray tube display, is to proceed. The farther the joystick is from the central position, the faster the cursor moves along the indicated directional vector.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a keyboard having a plurality of manually actuable keys for selecting operating modes and channels for operating thereon. A first digital processor has inputs coupled to the keyboard for receiving logic signals therefrom of a first format identifying the keys which are manually actuated. In response thereto, the first digital processor generates bit serial messages of a second format indicating the manually chosen operating mode and channel. A second digital processor has inputs coupled to receive the bit serial messages. In response thereto, the second digital processor generates a plurality of micro commands. A clocking signal generator circuit and switching circuit are coupled to receive the micro commands to control the transceiver.

Abstract: A thermal printer system for actuating a plurality of groups of thermal printing elements. The system includes a first circuit in which a plurality of data words are stored, the words representing the characters to be printed. A second circuit converts the data words into printing character codes. A selected bit from each code, which bit is sequentially altered, is supplied to a third circuit for actuating the printing elements.

Abstract: A transceiver receives electronic input signals comprised of a plurality of frequency bands lying within a plurality of non-overlapping frequency channels. A mixer frequency shifts a selected band to a predetermined center frequency in response to a first clocking signal of a first selectable frequency. A charge transfer device filter is coupled to the mixer output to filter the band of the predetermined center frequency in response to a second selectable frequency clocking signal. The clocking signals are generated by clocking means which receive digital microcommands identifying the selectable frequencies. Signal level measuring means are coupled to the output of the charge transfer device filter and generate digital level signals indicating the signal level present in the filtered band. Microprocessor means are coupled to send microcommands to the clocking means for sequentially filtering various channels from the plurality, and for monitoring the resulting digital level signals.

Abstract: A transceiver has digital transmitting capability. The transceiver includes an antenna having an input for transmitting signals applied thereto. Signal generating means generate first and second signals having first and second frequencies, and transmission means selectively couple the first and second signals to the antenna input in response to first and second micro commands respectively. A processor receives manually chosen messages for transmission comprised of a series of binary encoded symbols. In response thereto, the processor sequentially generates for a predetermined time interval the first micro command for each one bit and the second micro command for each zero bit to be transmitted.

Abstract: A digital joystock is interfaced to a video game by utilizing diodes for isolation and providing means for strobing the digital joystick. In this manner, the number of conductors required in the cable coupling the digital joystick to the video game circuitry is significantly reduced. In one embodiment, a matrix-type keyboard is included in the remote control unit without adding a significant number of additional conductors. Furthermore, the multiplexer ordinarily required to couple the conductors from the digital joystick and the matrix keyboard is eliminated by this technique.

Abstract: Electronic calculators are manufactured by affixing conductors on an insulated substrate, by attaching tape-mounted semiconductor logic and display devices to selected conductors and by interconnecting the conductors with a keyboard. By using the method disclosed, the number of holes provided in the insulated substrate can be reduced or the use of such holes eliminated. Various embodiments of methods of manufacturing calculators are disclosed, along with the structure of such calculators.

Abstract: A programmable filter module includes a charge transfer device bandpass filter and a phase locked loop. The bandpass filter has a plurality of passbands dependent upon the frequency of a clocking signal. The phase locked loop receives a reference signal of one frequency and in response thereto, generates the clocking signals in the form N1 divided by N2 times the frequency of the reference signal, where N1 and N2 are programmable integers.

Abstract: A calculator program is stored on a magnetic recording medium or in a memory such as a read-only-memory. The program is read into or coupled to a programmable calculator for controlling the programmable calculator. A calculator program security system is provided whereby a security code is stored along with the program. If the security code is set, then the program cannot be examined by an operator of the calculator but the program may still be used to control the calculator. If the security code is not set, the operator may examine the program by using the calculator's learn mode. By setting the security code when the program is first stored on the magnetic recording medium or in the aforementioned memory, a proprietary program may be protected from someone using the programmable calculator to obtain a copy of the proprietary program.

Abstract: A transceiver includes an antenna having an input for transmitting electrical signals applied thereto. Signal generating means are provided for generating electrical reference signals of a fixed frequency. Transmission means selectively couple the reference signals to the antenna input in response to logic signals. Sensing means digitally indicate the forward voltage waveforms and reverse voltage waveforms on the antenna when the reference signals are applied thereto. A processor is coupled to selectively generate the logic signals and to receive the digital signals indicating the magnitude of the forward voltage and reverse voltage for making signal strength calculations thereon.

Abstract: An electronic timekeeping system is implemented in bipolar integrated circuit technology for displaying time by way of a digital display. The bipolar circuitry is implemented utilizing integrated injection logic and is interconnected with a plurality of circuit elements connected in parallel in levels such that the levels are electrically stacked and serially diode coupled.

Abstract: A clarifying radio receiver has a charge transfer device filter which is coupled to receive input signals consisting of a plurality of frequency bands lying respectively within a plurality of non-overlapping frequency channels. The filter simultaneously receives clocking signals, and has a plurality of spaced apart passbands which shift in frequency dependent upon the frequency of the clocking signals. Clocking means generate the clocking signals with an incrementally adjustable frequency. The increments are smaller than the width of the channels thereby permitting a selected one of the filter passbands to be precisely aligned about a fixed reference frequency.

Abstract: A radio system includes a charge transfer device transversal filter for receiving electronic input signals comprised of at least one frequency band. The charge transfer device simultaneously receives a clocking signal, and filters and frequency shifts its input signals in response to the frequency of the clocking signal. Clocking means are provided for generating the clocking signal at frequencies as indicated in digital micro commands. A digital processor has outputs coupled to the clocking means for sending the micro commands to the clocking means.

Abstract: An electronic phase detector circuit includes a variable period sawtooth generator. The sawtooth generator receives digital reference clock signals and in response thereto generates sawtooth-shaped signals having the same period as said reference clock signals. A sample and hold circuit samples the sawtooth-shaped signals in response to one logical state of a sampling clock. A voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to the output of the sample and hold circuit and oscillates at a frequency proportional to the magnitude of the held sample.