Abstract: An apparatus for storing and monitoring a plurality of articles, including at least one cabinet or carrier having a plurality of receptacles in which the articles are stored. In one application, the apparatus is utilized to maintain a library of magnetic tapes or other storage media associated with a data processing center. Each of the articles is identified by a respective code or volser number, and requests for the articles are received by the system in the form of requests for a particular volser number. In a preferred embodiment, the articles may be randomly stored in any of the receptacles in any of a plurality of carriers. The system includes a polling and searching system operable to identify the carrier in which a requested article is currently stored, and a display system operable to display the carrier's location. A host computer controls the operation of the system, but no central data base is maintained of the coded articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing respective electrical components in situ within a circuit having a plurality of the electrical components. A power bus is connected between a power source and switching devices operable for conducting test current to respective ones of the electrical components. A comparator circuit includes inputs connected to the power bus and to a reference potential. A processor is programmed to actuate respective switching devices for causing a test current to be conducted from the power bus through a respective component, while sensing any output signal from the comparator circuit corresponding to an increased potential on the power bus indicative of a reduced current flow caused by an open or failed component.

Abstract: A multicolor display system comprised of a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each display dot or pixel is comprised of one red LED and one green LED. The display data is stored in a selected one or more discrete locations of a random access memory as a bit map, depending upon the desired display color. Each memory location is associated with a particular primary color "field" (e.g., red or green). The bit map indicates which of the LEDs is ON and which is OFF in order to display selected data. The data associated with each field is displayed sequentially during a display cycle so that the relative mixture of red fields and green fields determines the resulting display color. The duty cycle of each LED is therefore controlled in software, which reduces the need for complex hardware such as voltage drivers and counters needed in prior art multicolor display systems.

Abstract: A multicolor display system comprised of a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each display dot or pixel is comprised of one red LED and one green LED. The display data is stored in a selected one or more discrete locations of a random access memory as a bit map, depending upon the desired display color. Each memory location is associated with a particular primary color "field" (e.g., red or green). The bit map indicates which of the LEDs is ON and which is OFF in order to display selected data. The data associated with each field is displayed sequentially during a display cycle so that the relative mixture of red fields and green fields determines the resulting display color. The duty cycle of each LED is therefore controlled in software, which reduces the need for complex hardware such as voltage drivers and counters needed in prior art multicolor display systems.

Abstract: A modular interactive connector unit is provided which has a base block with an array of male pins on one side and opposed female pins on the other side for interconnection between an electronic control assembly for an automotive engine and a wiring harness otherwise intended for direct connection to the electronic control assembly. The base block contains an array of contact points and adapter points which correspond with the control circuits in the electronic control assembly. Circuit completing electrical adapters from the adapter arrays on the base member support a board element having spaced apart arrays of adapter points for insertion of a circuit altering device in selected control circuits. A cap protects the board elements. The circuit altering devices alter the voltages read by the electronic control assembly to enhance performance of an engine.

Abstract: A remote control device for the joint or successive remote control of radio receivers, record players, tape recorders, television receivers and the like comprises a body having a plurality of control buttons for the items of equipment to be remotely controlled. The device further has a plurality of superimposed drop sheets each of which is associated with a specific item of equipment or function type. With the aid of a flap which is pivotally mounted on the body and a gripper provided on the flap, it is possible to raise the drop sheets, so that only that particular sheet required for the desired function type is present on the device. The drop sheets have openings through which the operating buttons can project. In the vicinity of these operating buttons a reference to a specific function is provided on each drop sheet.

Abstract: Variably delaying an audio signal by storing digital representions of the audio signal at sequential memory locations prescribed by an encoding pointer operating at one clock rate, and reading from the memory at sequential locations prescribed by a decoding pointer operating at the same or a different clock rate, with the difference in clock rates between the pointers prescribing the rate of change of delay. A memory addressing system in which a processor specifies the high-order portion of a memory address and a separate counter, clocked at a much higher rate than the processor, provides the low-order portion of the address.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for identifying specific medical conditions from detected stethoscopic sounds. More particularly, the invention relates to the processing of such sounds electronically and the display of the time-variations of the spectral composition of such sounds. The invention is embodied in an accessory package designed to enable a host computer to perform computerized stethoscopic analysis.

Abstract: Generating clock signals of slightly different frequencies without the signals locking up in synchrony, by providing a voltage-to-frequency converter driven by the output of an integrator, which is supplied with a signal representative of the sum of a frequency-difference command and the difference in frequency between the two clocks.

Abstract: Delta encoding circuitry of the type in which a digitally-encoded signal is determined by the difference between a present value of an input signal and a reconstructed signal representative of a past value of said input signal. The occurrence of a high or a low state in the digitally-encoded signal corresponds to an incremental change in the input signal of an amount dependent upon a reference signal determined from said digitally-encoded signal. The reference signal is increased by a positive-feedback circuit upon detection of one or more consecutive repetitions of the same digital state in the digitally-encoded signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting recorded natural ambience from two audio channels while eliminating the cave-like quality of the sound of a soloist or announcer. The two channels are combined such that signals common to the two channels in a midrange of audio frequencies are cancelled, and the combined signal is time delayed.

Abstract: An automatic tool changing apparatus incorporated in a drilling machine or the like comprises a plurality of collets, each for supporting and selectively grasping a tool holder mechanism. Each of the collets is slotted in its upper and central portions to divide the collet into a plurality of arcuate sections. The central portion of each collet is of generally truncated cone-shaped configuration, and rests in a generally truncated cone-shaped bore in a collet support block. A pneumatic piston arrangement is connected to the collets for selectively pulling the collets downwardly in their respective collet support blocks to move the generally arcuate sections of each collet radially inwardly to grasp a tool holder mechanism. Spring return means are provided for moving the collets into their normal positions wherein they will support, but will not grasp the tool holder mechanisms.

Abstract: In an electrical system of the type in which a digitally encoded signal is determined at least in part by the difference between a present value of an input signal and a reference signal representative of a past value of the input signal, improved circuitry for generating the reference signal. The improved circuitry comprises extraction means including a filter for extracting from the pattern of bits in the digitally encoded signal information relating to the time derivative of the present value of the input signal and an envelope detector for processing the output of the filter to provide a control signal, and integrating means responsive to the control signal to provide the reference signal.

Abstract: A modular interactive connector unit is provided which has a base block with an array of male pins on one side and opposed female pins on the other side for interconnection between an electronic control assembly for an automotive engine and a wiring harness otherwise intended for direct connection to the electronic control assembly. The base block contains an array of contact points and adapter points which correspond with the control circuits in the electronic control assembly. Circuit completing electrical adapters from the adapter arrays on the base member support a board element having spaced apart arrays of adapter points for insertion of a circuit altering device in selected control circuits. A cap protects the board elements. The circuit altering devices alter the voltages read by the electronic control assembly to enhance performance of an engine.