Abstract: An integrated circuit package comprises a plurality of thin flat epoxy-glass layers which are arranged in a stack and are laminated together by prepreg layers that lie between the epoxy-glass layers. This stack has a cavity which is staircase-shaped and extends from an outer epoxy-glass layer to an internal epoxy-glass layer, goes parallel along the internal epoxy-glass layer and then penetrates through it. Patterned electrical conductors lie on the flat surface of the internal epoxy-glass layer, including wire bonding pads on its exposed flat surface portion.

Abstract: A peripheral-controller (called a Data Link Processor) optimizes the rate of data transfers between a host computer and magnetic tape peripherals by use of a block counter sensing system for monitoring the occupation-status of word-blocks in a buffer memory. The peripheral-controller provides Automatic Read/Write Logic for buffer-peripheral tape transfers and a burst mode routine for rapid host-buffer transfers of data words. The sensing system provides means to inform a microcode sequencer when certain action routines should be executed in order to maintain steady error-free data transfer operations which minimize the need for retries of data transfer cycles previously initiated.

Abstract: A parallel register-transfer mechanism and control section have been disclosed above for use in a reduction process for the evaluation of expressions of a variable-free applicative language stored as binary directed graphs. The expressions are reduced through a series of transformations until a result is obtained.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package for high density applications comprises spring contacts on one face thereof for its removable mounting onto a printed circuit board, the mounting being accomplished by means of a frame assembly and the package being automatically fabricable in a continuous flow process involving its assembly on a transport tape and its final cutting therefrom.

Abstract: In a stop-and-display station in document-handling equipment wherein a document in a track is stopped and viewed through a transparent first wall, whereagainst it is supported by a non-transparent second wall, a reflective photosensor assembly is angled relative to the back wall such that a light beam from a light-emitting diode cannot be specularly reflected onto a phototransistor either from a document or from the inner surface of the transparent first wall. The phototransistor intercepts a portion of the scatter-reflected light from the document. The light from the light-emitting diode is modulated with a predetermined frequency, and the output signal from the phototransistor is filtered by a band-pass filter before threshold detection to provide indication of the presence of a document. A turn-off delay circuit prevents loss of indication of the presence of a document unless signals from the phototransistor have been absent for longer than a predetermined period.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package is fabricated by assembling a stack which is comprised of a plurality of thin flat epoxy-glass layers, adhesive layers between the epoxy-glass layers, and a staircase-shaped cavity. This cavity extends from an outer epoxy-glass layer to an internal epoxy-glass layer, goes parallel along a portion of the flat surface of the internal epoxy-glass layer, and then penetrates through it. Conductors lie on the internal epoxy-glass layer including bonding pads on the flat surface portion. After the stack is assembled, the outer epoxy-glass layer and the cavity are covered with an elastic bladder. Subsequently, the stack is laminated by forcing a fluid into the bladder at a temperature and pressure which causes the bladder's membrane to stretch and push against all the surfaces of the cavity. This dams the adhesive from flowing onto the bonding pads.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting the propagation time delay of an electrical circuit, such as an integrated circuit chip. In a preferred embodiment, the method is employed to de-skew the clock outputs provided by a plurality of clock distribution chips having different signal propagation times. In a preferred implementation of the method, feedback circuitry including a multi-tapped delay line and an accurate constant delay are employed in conjunction with a phase comparator for automatically adjusting the propagation delay of each chip to provide substantially the same constant delay relative to a main system clock for the clock outputs provided by the clock distribution chips.

Abstract: A method of transmitting isochronous and nonisochronous data in a computer network in which multiple stations have respective input and output ports that are serially coupled together to form a loop includes the steps of: transmitting nonisochronous data from one station of the network and passing it through the remaining stations; periodically inserting into the nonisochronous data a lead control character followed by a trail control character and circulating the control characters twice around the network; increasing, in any station of the network that has isochronous data to send, the distance between the lead and trail control characters and sending isochronous data immediately before the trail control character as it passes through the station; subsequently decreasing the distance between the lead and trail control characters in each station of the network that performs the sending step by removing, from immediately behind the first lead control character to enter the station after the sending step begin

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 to provide a reliable power control system for selectively (or generally) instructing modules to turn on or to turn off the local power source.

Abstract: Means for coupling together two assemblies wherein the first assembly has an end wall formed by a first apertured plate, and the second assembly includes an end wall to which is secured a rotatable end plate. The rotatable end plate carries clamping means which can engage and clamp to apertures in the first apertured plate of the first assembly, whereby the two assemblies are coupled together. In using the apparatus, the two assemblies are positioned adjacent to each other with the rotatable plate and first apertured plate in alignment and the clamping means on the rotatable plate engaging apertures in the first apertured plate. Rotation of the rotatable plate then locks the assemblies together.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a connector system for making electrical connections between connectors disposed at opposite extremities of a logic board to conductors in a respective pair of parallel, spaced-apart backplanes. Movable pin headers containing respective pluralities of pins are disposed on the outer surfaces of the backplanes. The pin headers are capable of assuming either a retracted or an extended position. In the former, the pins offer no interference to the insertion or removal of the logic board between the backplanes. In the latter, the pins traverse both feed-through holes in the backplanes and feed-through socket affixed to the opposed interior surfaces of the respective backplanes to electrically engage the connectors of the logic board, thereby completing circuit paths between the respective backplanes and the logic board.

Abstract: A data transfer network uses an I/O subsystem to support a main host computer in managing data transfers to and from remote data terminals. The I/O subsystem may constitute one or more units called a Line Support Processor. The Line Support Processor uses internal processor means to control a plurality of line adapters each of which has a data-comm line to a data set or data terminal. Control operations by said internal processor permit selected line adapters to operate selected types of protocols using synchronous or asynchronous transmission. Data communication information and commands in high level language data are loaded into auxiliary memories in the internal processor means and into each line adapter where the internal processor means acts to convert this language data into usable protocols.

Abstract: A disk drive having a slot for receiving a disk and a knob for causing a leading head to engage the disk in which the knob includes means for holding the disk securely inserted in the disk drive.

Abstract: An I/O subsystem, controlled by a microprocessor, includes a plurality of line adapters, each of which provides data-comm lines to remote terminal units. Each line adapter has a USART control unit and a timer unit having internal registers which can be written-into or read-out from by said microprocessor which uses means to select a particular line adapter to access a particular register in the USART unit or the timer unit.

Abstract: A transport mechanism is disclosed for transporting a document around a track in a groove. A boundary wall in the form of a continuous wall or an array of guide cylinders is provided on the outside of a corner around which the track passes. A breaking cylinder which is rotated with the same surface velocity as the document constricts the document against the boundary and opens out any longitudinal folds therein to reduce the mechanical strength which they cause in the document. A drive mechanism then flattens the document against the boundary and renders the document flexible for the continuation of its transportation around the curved track. Dog-ears on the leading edge of a document are conditioned to prevent their causing impediment to further document transportation either by being folded back against the document or by being folded back into the plane of the document.

Abstract: A tamper proof pop rivet assembly comprises a base plate having base plate holes of a greater diameter than that of the barrel of a pop rivet and of a greater diameter than that of the flange of the pop rivet and further comprises a top plate having top plate holes of a greater diameter than that of the traction pin of the pop rivet and of a lesser diameter than that of the barrel of the pop rivet. The top plate is spot welded to the base plate to sandwich the flange of a pop rivet therebetween. The assembly can be used as a replacement for a conventional pop rivet assembly and shows visible signs of any attempt at drilling-out or replacing the pop rivet.

Abstract: A demountable reel for the winding thereon of a paper web comprises two identical sub-assemblies. Each sub-assembly comprises a pair of fingers disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the reel and held on an end cheek. When the two identical sub-assemblies are brought together with the fingers interleaved, the fingers each define one of four quadrants of the surface of the shaft of the reel. The fingers in each sub-assembly are provided with elastic clips for engaging the end cheek on the other sub-assembly. A bearing protrusion on each finger engages the cheek in the other sub-assembly to support the fingers against crushing by a roll of paper web. The fingers trap the web between them to allow winding of the reel in any direction. In a second preferred embodiment, each sub-assembly comprises a set of three fingers for interleaving with a corresponding set of three fingers from a second modified sub-assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for reducing the level of electromagnetic emission radiated by electrical discharge type printers. Such printers utilize one or more styluses which are scanned across the width of a roll of electrosensitive paper and are selectively energized to vaporize small areas on the paper's coating to thereby form characters. When the coating vaporizes, a spark is produced which generates a broad band of electromagnetic energy which is conducted into the environment due to the conductive coating of the previously printed paper acting as an antenna.In order to reduce the effective antenna length and/or propagation capability to thereby reduce the energy radiated, the present system creates isolation bands at preset intervals as the printing occurs. The isolation bands are produced by continuously energizing all styluses as they scan across the full width of the paper, thereby causing an entire band of the paper's conductive coating to be burned off across the entire width of the paper.

Abstract: A depressible shaft (14) mounted, switch (16) operating keyboard button (10) is stabilized against rotation about the shaft (14) and in a plane which includes the axis of the shaft (14) by means of a stabilizing arm (24) thereunder which engages a stabilizing surface (30) on the housing of the switch (16).

Abstract: A method and associated fixture for magnetically attracting and holding back-bar to respective magnetic core-leg portions of a typical magnetic slider assembly. A plurality of embodiments constructed in accordance with different fabrication techniques are described.