Abstract: A meter measures a voltage across a quasi-diode, the voltage caused by a current flowing through a resistance which changes substantially exponentially with changes in a medium being sensed. The meter comprises a logarithmic current measuring circuit coupled to the resistance to provide a measurement output that is a logarithmic function of the current flowing through the sensing resistance. A switchable current source is controlled by a switching circuit to repetitively output first and second current values. A reference logarithmic circuit is connected to the switchable current source and is physically coupled to the logarithmic measuring circuit so as to be maintained at a substantially equal temperature value. The logarithmic reference circuit manifests a first voltage in response to the first current value and a second voltage in response to the second current value, both voltage values dependent upon the temperature of the logarithmic reference circuit.

Abstract: An automatic fixture loading apparatus which provides for the rapid loading of probes into the bottom plate of a test fixture comprising a replenish station, an elevator storage station having means for storage of at least four (4) cassettes and a fixture loading station having a means for gimballing a mated cassette and fixture. All stations are connected via a trolley which automatically moves cassettes between the stations. The loading station provides for a means for providing a gimbal movement to a fixture having a cassette mated thereon to provide for the loading of probes into fixtures in angles of up to 12.degree. and in a non-grid-dependent manner. The cassette having cavities of at least 0.50 inch by 0.50 inch capable of holding of up to one hundred (100) probes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for photographically recording digital audio signals, and a medium having digital audio signals photographically recorded thereon. In a preferred embodiment, a motion picture film recorded in accordance with the invention has multiple digital audio soundtracks and an analog audio soundtrack photographically recorded thereon. Two or more channels of digital audio information can be recorded in each digital soundtrack, along with additional digital information for clocking, tracking, and error detection and correction. Each digital soundtrack is recorded in an array of bit areas arranged in row and column order. In a class of preferred embodiments, each row of digital audio bits is recorded simultaneously by exposing the film to radiation that has been modulated by a linear shutter array. The radiation transmitted by each shutter array is projected onto a row of spots. Each spot covers the full width of one of the bit areas in a row, but only part of the length of the bit area.

Abstract: A driver for a cathode ray tube includes a black level compensation circuit which generates an offset voltage which tracks the current flowing to the output of the driver and therefore the average picture level (APL). The offset voltage is added as a component of the output voltage so as to increasingly shift the output voltage toward black as the APL increases. This compensates for CRT gamma non-linearities and for light scattering effects which might otherwise cause the loss of perceived detail and sharpness in dark areas of a high APL image. In the disclosed embodiment, the driver comprises a cascode amplifier and the offset voltage generating element includes a capacitively bypassed resistor connected in a reference voltage network connected to the emitter circuit of the lower (common emitter configured) transistor of the cascode amplilfier.

Abstract: A horizontal line counter (110,115,120) provides a signal (LINE #21) identifying the beginning of video data in a particular horizontal video line. The counter is clocked by multiple clock signals. A first clock signal (HOR PLS) clocks the counter until the line count value equals a known value that is less than the line number of the horizontal line that is to be identified. When the count value equals the known value, clocking by a second clock signal (COMP SYNC) is enabled. Although, the first clock source provides a regular pulse waveform suitable for clocking the counter reliably, transitions on the first clock signal may not accurately indicate the beginning of information within a horizontal line interval. Transitions on the second clock signal accurately indicate the beginning of the desired information.

Abstract: A method for determining which of similar video fields may be excised to enhance video signal compression evaluates parameters of four successive fields denoted 0, 1, 2, and 3. Accumulated differences d(0, 2) and d(1,3) of corresponding pixels in successive frames are generated. In addition a determination is made whether fields 1 and 2 exhibit interlace characteristics. If they do not exhibit interlaced characteristics, a comparison is made of d(0, 2) and d(1, 3). If d(0, 2) is less than d(1, 3) by a predetermined amount, field 2 is excised from the signal stream and a code is generated to condition a receiver to display two of the remaining four fields in a three field interval. Subsequently the latter two fields of the set of 0, 1, 2 and 3 fields, and the next two occurring fields are similarly analyzed.

Abstract: A bridge rectifier assembly includes: a self aligning cloverleaf shaped diode header which sandwiches each diode chip; a semi-circular heat and electrically conductive plate accommodated with receptacles to position the cloverleaf diodes; a heat and non-electrical conductive insulator; a finned heat and electrical conductive extrusion with similar receptacles to position the cloverleaf diodes; an articulated terminal to provide thermal and mechanical stress relief executing an electrode function adhered to the cloverleaf diode header; and a molded insulated integument with embedded electrical conductors of a cantilevered configuration to further alleviate thermodynamic and mechanical stresses. A second embodiment repeats the first embodiment, and includes a heat and electrical conductive plate that is larger in area and with the extrusion succeeded by a second plate of identical outline as the first.

Abstract: In a preprogrammed remote control unit, a controller is coupled to first and second pluralities of keys for determining which of the keys is depressed at any given time. The first and second pluralities of keys are coupled to the controller in an arrangement in which a key pressed in the first plurality of keys does not interfere with the reading of a key pressed concurrently in the second plurality of keys. A key identifying the device to be programmed is located in the first plurality of keys, and the numbered keys are located in the second plurality of keys. A selection of preprogrammed device control codes for a particular device to be controlled is made by holding down a key corresponding to the device to be controlled while concurrently entering the number of the desired selection via the numbered keys. In one embodiment of the invention no drive or sense line is shared between the number keys and the device selection keys.

Abstract: A digital color correction system and method for correcting a color video signal representing a portion of a colored optical image by modifying the entire color space of each of the complementary colors which make up the color signal so that all objects which contain each color are modified at once. A correction means produces an output video signal having a plurality of complementary color components, each of which is related to a corresponding color component of the color video signal by a transfer function, and a modification means for independently modifying each of the transfer functions is provided. The entire color space for each color may be modified, or only selected portions of it. Thus, only objects falling within a desired range of the color space may be selectively modified.

Abstract: In a video display system including a cathode ray tube (CRT) as a display device and video output amplifiers for amplifying relatively low level red, green an blue video input voltages to produce respective relatively high level video output voltages suitable for application to the CRT, a "black tracking" circuit is coupled to the inputs of video output amplifiers. Voltage to current converters are utilized as preamplifiers for the video output amplifiers. The "black tracking" circuit includes terminating resistors connected at one end to respective outputs of the voltage to current converters for converting output currents of the converters to respective ones of the low level video input voltages, and a common resistor connected between the other ends of the terminating resistors and a signal ground point. A filter capacitor is connected in parallel with the common resistor.

Abstract: A disk cartridge engagement system having a carriage disposed within a sleeve for movement in the longitudinal direction, gripper arms pivotally mounted to the carriage for engaging a disk cartridge positioned distally of the sleeve, and a pair of biasing springs movable between first and second biasing conditions which correspond to gripping and releasing of the cartridge, respectively.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including VCR PLUS+.TM. videocassette recorder programming system capability and used in conjunction with a cable box and also having direct access to the cable, the channel-mapping procedure may be greatly simplified deleting all premium channels from the channel guidelist, and by automatically substituting the cable box output channel for all decoded VCR PLUS+.TM. video cassette recorder programming system channel guide channel numbers not appearing in the channel guide list, instead of causing the user to remap all of the premium channels to one of channels 2, 3, or 4.

Abstract: A VCR controls a cable box, and monitors television signals received from the cable box in a "closed loop" manner. By monitoring an appropriate signal the controller of the VCR can detect perturbations of signal level which indicate that the cable box has changed channels. That is, the output signal of the cable box remodulated on, for example, the RF carrier frequency of channel 3, will be momentarily lost during the period in which the cable box changes channels. Thus, the subject apparatus can automatically determine the proper control code format for the cable box by issuing a channel change command and observing if the cable box responds to the channel change command. In one embodiment of the invention the VCR causes an on-screen display of an error message if it determines that it is unable to control the cable box.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a receiving/transmitting horn in a satellite dish includes a casing for supporting the horn and for shielding the coaxial cable connectors and a low noise block from rain, snow, wind and the sun. The casing includes a recessed portion arranged at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing. The recessed portion slides into a feed-arm in a weatherproof manner. The longitudinal axis of the feed-arm is offset from the axis of the satellite dish. The casing, feed-arm, angle and horn support are dimensioned to optimally position the horn at the focal point of the parabolic dish.

Abstract: A material working system that includes a material conveyance connected to a support structure. The material conveyance extends adjacent the peripheral boundary of the support structure in a vertically downward direction. A plurality of sources of material and workstations are located at different vertical elevations adjacent the material conveyance.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for formatting executable codes and data, defining interactive applications, with video and audio program material, for reliable and convenient access includes compressing (18, 21) audio and video programs according to a protocol such as MPEG. The compressed audio and video (A/V) programs are formed (19, 22) into transport packets. Interactive application programs associated with A/V programs are compiled (10) into functional modules, condensed and formed into transport packets. A module may be executable software or data. Further modules designated "Signal modules", are generated to condition respective receivers to suspend or resume execution of an interactive application. Video packets, audio packets and application packets are time division multiplexed (16) for transmission. Signal modules are multiplexed in the packet stream to appropriately reprogram respective receivers on the occurrence of such changes in received signal components.