Abstract: A method of indicating the threat level of an incoming shock to an electronically secured vehicle and eliminating spurious signals developed from the interaction of EMF and RF energy fields with the shock sensor including the steps of sensing a shock delivered to the vehicle indicative of an attempted intrusion, generating an electric signal the strength of which is proportional to the intensity of the shock, analyzing the signal to determine if it is of a low, generally non-threatening intensity or a higher, generally security-threatening intensity, ignoring the first 5 milliseconds of the signal produced by the shock sensor, ignoring all signals that do not disappear and later reappear, and producing either a first pulse representing a low intensity signal, or separate first and second pulses representing a signal containing both low intensity and higher intensity components.

Abstract: In order to prevent stacks of containers from shifting under the influence of vibration produced by an automated product handling system and assuming positions wherein jamming/mishandling is apt to occur, a container saddle ad stopper arrangement is provided on one or more of the platforms on which the container stacks are received and arranged to engage in recesses formed in the underside of the containers in a manner which ensures that the lowermost trays assume the required orientation and position on the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting an input data character stream into a variable length encoded data stream in a data compression system. A sliding window data compression algorithm is combined with Huffman encoding on the strings and raw bytes. The Huffman table, in a compressed form, is prepended to the encoded output data. The Huffman codes representing the shortest strings encode both the string length and part of the string offset. Assigning Huffman codes to represent the combined length and offset allows the use of a smaller sliding window size without sacrificing compression ratio. The smaller window size allows implementations in software and hardware to minimize memory usage, thus reducing cost.

Abstract: A multi-channel analyzer has a pulse conditioner coupled to a detector signal, a trigger circuit coupled to the detector signal, a signal processor coupled to the pulse conditioner, and the trigger circuit, a control circuit coupled to the signal processor, to the trigger circuit, and to the pulse conditioner, and a clock circuit coupled to the control circuit. The pulse conditioner filters, shapes and digitizes the detector signal, and generates a pulse data signal; and the trigger circuit detects pulses in the detector signal and generates a trigger signal. The signal processor performs pulse height analysis on the pulse data signal, and the trigger signal is used to determine a gross number of pulses detected by the trigger circuit. The signal processor also uses the trigger signal to detect pulse pileup. The control circuit is used to control the filtering, shaping and digitizing within the pulse conditioner, and is used to control timing within the pulse conditioner and within the signal processor.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including VCR PLUS.TM. capability and autoprogramming capability, the channel-mapping procedure may be greatly simplified by using the autoprogramming feature to locate and program all active channels, and then by mapping only those channels which are active, instead of requiring the user to select all 125 possible channel-programming positions. It is herein recognized that it is desirable that the autoprogramming scan list and the channel guide list be independently modifiable. In one embodiment, the performance of an autoprogramming function resets the lists to a state in which both lists contain identical data.

Abstract: An active pull up arrangement coupled to a high voltage source generates an operating voltage. An amplifier for a dynamic focus modulating signal is energized by the operating voltage and has a plurality of transistors, for example low voltage transistors, coupled as Darlington pairs in a differential configuration. One of the low voltage transistors is coupled in series between a resistor in the pull up arrangement and a return supply, for example ground, in a push pull configuration. A fault condition in the push pull configuration can destroy the resistor and cause an open circuit condition. A switch, for example a diode or a Zener diode, is coupled between the one transistor of the amplifier and the supply return. The switch prevents reverse breakdown of the transistors in the event of the fault condition, until the resistor is destroyed. The resistor may be a fusible resistor.

Abstract: A cable converter includes a first signal path from an RF input terminal to an RF output terminal including a tuner portion, a decoder portion, and a remodulator portion for remodulating a selected channel to an unused cable channel in the upper UHF band of cable channels in the range of cable channels 84 through 125. The subject cable converter also includes a direct parallel, second signal path from the RF input terminal to the RF output terminal. The second signal path passing all of the cable channels received at the RF input terminal to the RF output terminal substantially unimpeded.

Abstract: A lightweight composite lid for a package containing a semiconductor device formed of a porous ceramic body filled with a material having a thermal conductivity greater than air.

Abstract: Disclosed is an audio follow video mixer apparatus having a circuit which indicates the position of an adjustable depth of fade control member. When the depth of fade control member is adjusted to a position which does not permit full attenuation of an audio signal according to a FADE control signal, a depth of fade LED indicator is illuminated. According to one embodiment, the LED is driven by a Schmidt inverter directly coupled to the FADE control signal line. According to an alternative embodiment, the depth of fade control member is a dual element fader having a first element in the FADE signal path and a second element biased to drive the depth of fade LED indicator according to the position of the depth of fade control member.

Abstract: An improved heating time control apparatus and a method for a microwave oven capable of detecting food temperature using an infrared ray coming from food being heated, whereby better heating time control can be possible, which includes a key input circuit for inputting a cooking menu and a food kinds; an infrared sensor circuit for detecting a surface temperature of food in accordance with the amount of infrared rays coming from food being cooked and for converting the detected temperature into a predetermined electric signal; a microprocessor for outputting a first heating time previously set in accordance with a selected menu and a second heating time previously set in accordance with a food kinds and for monitoring an output signal outputted from the infrared sensor and for outputting a result obtained by multiplying an output signal difference between points of a first heating time completion and a second heating time completion by a predetermined coefficient as a third heating time; and an output control

Abstract: A connector is provided particularly for use as an automobile airbag squib connector wherein locking members are provided in a resting position allowing for a low insertion force of the connector into a receptacle or airbag inflation canister. The locking members are rotated into a mated orientation upon sliding engagement of deflector pins to deflect the locking members into a locked position providing for securement of the connector within a receptacle having a retaining force of greater than thirty pounds.

Abstract: A method of constructing an automotive airbag squib connector housing by injecting plastic into a single mold. The single mold provides for the formation of a bottom section, a top cover section, and a lock section. During the molding process, a pair of molding runners connect the bottom section to the top cover section. Likewise, the top cover section is connected to the lock section and where the two sections connect together a notch is formed. Once the sections are molded, they are used to construct an automotive airbag squib connector housing.

Abstract: A spincup having a wafer backside deposition reduction apparatus is used to reduce wafer backside particle deposition of materials on a wafer during processing. The spincup includes an opening for accommodating a wafer supporting chuck and a particle guard which circumscribes the chuck. The particle guard contacts the base of the spincup and circumscribes the chuck. When the chuck supports a wafer, a wafer backside region is defined between the chuck and the particle guard. The spincup further includes an exhaust channel coupled to the wafer backside region to independently exhaust the wafer backside region. In one embodiment, the exhaust channel includes an exhaust port for connecting a vacuum generator to the exhaust channel and a shroud contacting a base of the spincup and the particle guard. In another embodiment, the exhaust channel includes exhaust tubes which replace the exhaust manifold shroud and exhaust port.

Abstract: A consist power monitor provides information to the engineer of a multiple unit consist on the ability of each locomotive to provide traction power and dynamic braking. The consist power monitor is a microprocessor based device which communicates with other locomotive consist power monitors, either through the MU cable or over a wireless link, to display consist status to the engineer. Where the communication is through the MU cable, the communications link is provided by a high frequency carrier superimposed on an existing MU cable wire. No modification is required to the MU cable allowing for easy retrofit of existing locomotives. The alternative wireless communication is accomplished by means of a low power, spread spectrum data link now being incorporated into new locomotives. Information exchanged among the consist power monitors pertains to loading and dynamic brake conditions of the locomotives in the consist. Locomotive consist information is presented continuously.

Abstract: An optoelectronic transceiver having a small footprint and including a laser diode package contained within a subassembly mounted within a housing of the transceiver. The housing includes latches for retaining subassemblies therein. Subassemblies include first apertures for receiving mounting pins to lock the subassemblies within the housing. Plug latch members are mounted onto the subassemblies. Optical transmitter and receiver circuits and one row of nine contacts are mounted to a printed circuit board mounted within the housing of the transceiver.

Abstract: To accomplish automatic error correction in an electronics instrument, the instrument includes a controller, coupled to at least one peripheral unit via a communications bus for bidirectional communication with the peripheral unit, coupled to a memory circuit for storing data indicative of the operational status of the peripheral unit, and coupled to a power supply which supplies power to the peripheral unit. The controller reads the operational status data from the peripheral unit and upon detection of an error condition, writes data indicative of status to the memory circuit and causes a removal of power, for a predetermined time, from said peripheral unit, followed by the reapplication of the power. The power supplies themselves are also monitored and, in the event of a detected error in power supply output, the power supply is turned off and turned on in an attempt to clear the problem.