Abstract: Packaging of "image-lift" components wherein a unitary mount is used for integrating optical/thermal components, mounting them under a working platform of an operating structure to be simply, removably coupled to this platform, and arranged to thereby thermally-optically isolate these components from interference with, or by, this operating structure.

Abstract: Recording media for recording information "bits" in response to activation of a laser beam, the media including a recording layer adjacent a "soft pad" layer above and/or below (e.g., a vacuum-evaporated reconstituted fluoropolymer), especially as a "soft pad overcoat". A "hard cap" is overlaid on such a "soft pad" overcoat (e.g., a radiation-cured acrylic) as an outer protective sealing coat. The soft pad may be rendered under the recording layer as a spacer layer.

Abstract: An optical memory system is disclosed employing laser beams for reading and writing data in an optical disk. The system incorporates a specially designed spatial combining and separating device which functions to combine a writing laser beam with a plurality of reading laser beams in a manner so as to permit the combined beams to be precisely focused on the disk. The spatial combining and separating device also functions to separate the reading laser beams from the writing laser beam after they are reflected from the disk in a manner so as to prevent the higher intensity writing beam from interfering with the proper detection of the lower intensity reading beams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data processing system which is comprised of a plurality of devices that carry on conversations with each other over a time-shared bus. These conversions can consist of a message from a device A to a device B which is immediately followed by a message from device B back to device A, or a message from device A to device B which is immediately followed by a message from device B to another device C, or a single message from device A to device B. In each case, the last device to receive a message assumes control of the bus; and it relinquishes this control by either sending a message to another device or by broadcasting a poll code to all devices on the bus.

Abstract: A program scanner for a processor having multiple internal streams of instruction and data flow scans a sequence of incoming codes, and employs a plurality of rams to detect various types of syllables in that code. The contents of these rams are signals indicating the various types of codes possible with the output of the rams then being multiplexed to provide an output indicating which syllables can be grouped together for transmission to various units of the processor.

Abstract: A flexible thin film provides interior miniature conducting contact pads which mesh with the extension pins of a pin grid array to establish a tensioned reliable electrical contact. These contacts each connect to an exterior point which is available for probing even while the pin grid array is inserted in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An address environment storage unit for a stack-oriented data processor for operating in data sets arranged as structured blocks, or nested pushdown stacks. The address environment storage employs a plurality of sets of display registers such that the current set of display registers does not have to be updated each time the processor moves to a different area of data in memory. The programmer only needs to provide a designation of a lexical level in a particular stack and the offset value from the base of the particular activation record in that stack for addition to obtain actual memory address. When the processor executes a procedure enter operator that calls for a new section of memory in which to operate, a display pointer is changed to point to the set of display registers provided for accessing that new area of memory.

Abstract: A multi-purpose register formed of various cells of a customized integrated circuit gate array chip having input gate cells, multiplexor cells, flip-flop cells and output gate cells. The flip-flop cells may be segmented into registers of different widths or may be employed as individual flip-flop cells depending upon the mode in which the register array is to be employed.

Abstract: A system which enables a protected program to run only a selected plurality of computers includes a respective unique key Ki for each computer of the plurality, the key being triple encrypted in the form E.sub.FK [E.sub.Ki [E.sub.FK [Ki]]]. A respective module is coupled to each computer of the plurality. A checker program in each computer responds to a request to use the protected program by performing a single decryption procedure E.sub.FK.sup.-1 on the triple encrypted key and sends the result to the module as a message. The module performs a single decryption procedure E.sub.Ki.sup.-1 on the message and sends that result back to the computer. The checker program receives the module's result and performs another single decryption procedure E.sub.FK.sup.-1 on it to obtain key Ki. Then the checker program uses key Ki to decrypt an identifier, and proceeds with the execution of the protected program only if it is identified by the decrypted identifier.

Abstract: A data display terminal comprises a flat display panel assembly pivotably secured to a base by means of a friction sleeve and a torsion spring so that the display panel assembly can be pivoted with respect to said base and can be held at any selected angular position.

Abstract: A segmented heat sink device is provided for application to integrated circuit packages for heat dissipation purposes. The segmented heat sink device involves four duplicate sectors, each of which has a patterned set of radial fin elements through which cooling air flow may run. The reduction of the base length of each segment provides for reduction in expansion/contraction stress due to the heating and cooling cycles involved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus whereby each time a tape is wound upon a prescribed reel, the winding pattern may be assumed to leave the array of tape edges in a unique "edge profile" represented by the position of each winding edge as viewed from one side of the reel along a radial direction--this "profile" being interpreted as a "winding signature"; the signature may be detected photo-electrically and recorded in a convenient encoded fashion for possible use in uniquely identifying and documenting each unspooling/rewind sequence to thereby monitor tape use.

Abstract: A power network control system has a plurality of digital modules interconnected. A master logic unit in the network communicates with a specialized protocol to slave logic units in each module. The slave logic unit can instruct a power control circuit to turn-off or turn-on various power supply modules in addition to adjusting a power module in steps of plus or minus fixed percentage amounts.

Abstract: A flexible thin film plastic access unit for placement under a pin grid array installed on a printed circuit board. The access unit provides extending exterior flaps having probe-accessible contact pads which connect electrically to each one of the underside pins of the pin grid array and permit identification of each pin that is probed.

Abstract: An optical storage system employing a laser beam which is directed and focused onto an optical disk for reading and/or writing data in a track of the disk. Positioning control is achieved by providing for track following and track seeking using a plurality of interactive servo-loops. Proper focusing is maintained using focusing control circuitry which produces a focus error signal that is applied to a focus motor. This focusing control circuitry is able to return the objective lens assembly to its in-focus position so long as the objective lens assembly remains within a predetermined capture range. In the event that the objective lens assembly is outside of this capture range, a waveform generator is enabled which produces a correction signal that causes the focus motor to move the objective lens assembly back within the capture range with a velocity and for a time period sufficient to permit the focusing control circuitry to regain control and return the objective lens assembly to its in-focus position.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an air cooling system which has the ability to maintain acceptable temperature levels in present day high density electronic equipment. More specifically, the system provides an arrangement whereby each printed circuit card has its own ducting structure affixed thereto to form an integral unit. Cooling air streams are directed simultaneously from individual apertures in the ducting structure upon a respective plurality of integrated circuit package assemblies mounted on the card.

Abstract: Disclosed is an equipment enclosure allowing service personnel easy access to equipment housed within the enclosure. The enclosure employs two case portions, each provided with a respective plurality of mating catch mechanisms for holding the two case portions together. The catch mechanisms allow the case portions to be joined and locked together by a simple, one movement action. The enclosure is opened by the cocking of each of the one or more individual catch mechanisms which then remain cocked, thereby allowing the removal of the case portions.

Abstract: Improved disk pack media for data storage is illustrated as comprising a pack of flexible magnetic recording disks which may be partitioned "end-wise".In one embodiment the disks are perforated for partitioning and also stacked in a different respective rotational orientation to facilitate end-wise partitioning. The disks are hole-encoded and either cut in different hole patterns, or else cut in a common hole pattern and stacked to dispose each in a unique rotational "misregistration" relative to all others--the result being to generate sets of "partition bores" permitting associated automatic apparatus to selectively partition the pack and expose any desired disk-side for operation thereon.In another embodiment the disks are stacked between apertured spacers about a hollow spindle, the spacers and disks being partition-apertured and stacked to generate a set of partition bores.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a housing module characterized in that it may be readily slid onto a counter-like unit which provides support therefor. The module finds particular application in the housing of electrical components, wherein the latter may be located either in a tray-like section disposed on the surface of the counter-like unit or in a box-like enclosure, below the unit. The components are electrically connected and communicate with one another via cables which are routed within the module and which may be pre-wired, thereby eliminating cable through-holes in the unit.