Abstract: A digital synthesizer for record circuitry of, e.g., a VCR, is supplied with digital samples representing a video signal. A calculator stage, responsive to the digital samples calculates a sequence of pulse periods defining a pulse duration modulated signal that represents FM modulation of a carrier by the video signal. An output sample generating stage operates on the sequence of pulse periods for generating a sequence of digital output samples which is converted in a digital-to-analog converter to the FM modulated video signal for subsequent recording on tape.

Abstract: An improved driver system and method therefor for the accelerated life testing of semiconductor devices is described in which a universal burn-in driver system which can be reconfigured by computer control is used to accomplish the efficient signal conditioning, testing and data collection for a wide variety of semiconductor devices with a minimum of system setups and change-overs. The ability of the driver system to be reconfigured by computer control allows at least one group of electronic devices of the same type and at least another group of electronic devices of a different type to be tested by the same burn-in driver without the necessity for mechanical change-over or the use of separate different driver board designs.

Abstract: A high voltage switching apparatus 10 is described containing an arc-quenching gas containing sulphurhexafluoride in a vessel 12 that is monitored by a gas monitoring device 20. A temperature transducer 34 is attached to the exterior of the vessel 12 to sense the temperature of the gas. A gas line 24 leads from a control panel 18 to an enclosure 22 of the device 20. The device 20 has a front display panel with a digital communication terminal 42 for connecting to a computer to load and download data to and from the device 20 relating to the density of the gas within the vessel 12. The device 20 includes a data input module 44, a control module 46, a relay module 48, a display module 50 and a DC power supply module 52 mounted in an enclosure 22. The enclosure 22 has an internal heater 56 for maintaining the temperature within the enclosure above 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A electronic module socket for interconnecting an electronic module to a circuit board includes an insulative housing having an elongated central cavity having multiple formed tuning fork contacts to provide electrical connection and retain an electronic module within the central cavity. The contacts include a contact end which extends transversely from the socket and engages conductive members of a circuit board for surface mounting of the socket thereon. The socket includes a latch to provide a locking and an ejector mechanism for an electronic module.

Abstract: A VLSI integrated circuit, which comprises a single IIR input and global section and identically-structured cascadable filter sections, each of which filter sections includes a pair of time-multiplexed, real-coefficient, input-weighted FIR filter units and additional delay means, can be selectively programmed to operate in any one of a number of different filter configurations that can define real FIR or IIR filters, complex FIR or IIR filters, or filters which are various combinations thereof. One or more of such integrated circuits are useful for implementing a digital deghosting and/or equalization filter.

Abstract: A connector for an integrated circuit (IC) chip to secure the IC chip during testing. The connector includes a unique latching system with a pivotal contact pad carried beneath a latch plate for self-adjusting alignment prior to engaging the leads of the IC chip. The latching system also includes an actuator and hook member pivotally connected to the latch plate in an over center movement fashion to increase the clamping force uniformly across IC leads.

Abstract: A camera which has an electrochromic neutral density filter. The neutral density filter is placed in the optical path of the camera. The filter changes the amount of light which may pass through it when a voltage is applied thereby regulating the amount of light which may enter the camera. By controlling the amount of light which passes through the electrochromic filter, the camera operator can control incoming light to maintain desired density (depth of field). In another embodiment, a color video camera has a color separator which separates the light into red, green and blue components. Electrochromic filters are placed between the color separator and red and blue light sensors of the camera to control the amount of light reaching the red and blue sensors. By controlling the amount of light which passes through the electrochromic filters, the camera operator can control incoming light to correct color.

Abstract: An on-screen display generator for use in an image display system is disclosed. The on-screen display generator includes a main image signal source, and an auxiliary image signal source which includes a controller for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the auxiliary image signal in response to a first control signal. A video signal processor, coupled to the main image signal source and the auxiliary image signal source, includes circuitry for combining the main and auxiliary image signals to produce a combined image signal. The video signal processor further includes a controller for varying the perceived brightness of the image represented by the combined image signal in response to a second control signal. A control signal generator generates the first and the second control signals in such a manner that the perceived brightness of the auxiliary image signal remains substantially constant when the perceived brightness of the main image is varied.

Abstract: In a video signal processing system, a single adaptive passband equalizer is used to process a composite Quadrature Amplitude Modulated (QAM) signal encoded with high priority (HP) and standard priority (SP) components. The equalizer output is phase corrected by a de-rotator, and filtered to separate the HP and SP components. Error signals respectively representing HP and SP phase errors are developed. One of the error signals controls the operation of the de-rotator. Both error signals are used to generate updated coefficients for the adaptive equalizer. Afterwards the HP and SP components are decoded and combined.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic telecommunications device is provided with a grip and protective casing made of elastomeric material for covering the back face and side walls of the device. The casing is provided with finger recesses on its exterior surface to permit the operator to reliably hold and even operate the device with one hand. The casing is constructed so as to be readily applied and even removed, as desired, by the operator himself. The manner by which the casing is supported on the device enables the casing material to avoid having to cover over any area of the front, operational face of the device, where such features as the ear piece, mouthpiece and push buttons are located.

Abstract: A member has two (2) spring arms each movable between first and second positions. Each spring arm is normally biased to a first position and is movable to a second position. Each spring arm has at its free end an insulator and a conductor disposed on the insulator. The insulator isolates the conductor electrically from the associated spring arm. An electrical lead is connected between the conductors. In the first position of the spring arms, the electrical conductors engage individual ones of a pair of probes and establish common probe potentials. Each probe is disposed coaxially in an insulator in an individual one of a pair of electrical connectors and the insulator is disposed coaxially in a casing in the connector. The probe extends axially beyond the insulator and the casing in each connector so that the associated electrical conductor is able to engage the probe in that connector in the first position of the spring arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for developing synchronization of an intermediate layer of signal such as the transport or multiplex layer of a multi-layered compressed video signal, includes at the encoding end of the system a modulo K counter which is clocked responsive to a system clock, and the count valued is embedded in the signal at the transport layer according to a predetermined schedule. At the receiving end of the system a similar counter is responsive to a controlled receiver clock signal and the count value of this counter is sampled at the arrival of the count values embedded in the transport layer. The differences of successive sampled count values of the receiver counter are compared with the differences of corresponding successive values of the embedded count values in the transport layer to provide a signal to control the receiver clock signal.

Abstract: In a 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 plurality of keys is coupled between a group of drive lines and a group of sense lines. The second plurality of keys is coupled between the sense lines and to an interrupt input port of the controller. A key pressed in the first plurality of keys causes a first kind of interrupt, and a key pressed in the second plurality of keys causes a second kind of interrupt. In response to one of the first and second interrupts, the controller interrogates the keyboard to determine which key is pressed.

Abstract: A battery drain limitation circuit, for use in engine-powered vehicles and equipment that rely on a battery for starting the engine and for operating accessories, disconnects the battery from all loads when the battery voltage falls to a level below which the battery charge may be insufficient to start the engine. The circuit is rendered inoperable, when the engine is running, by means of a microphone that detects engine noise. The circuit includes a reset mechanism that reconnects the battery to all loads. The reset mechanism may be automatic or manually actuated. A timing circuit delays the disconnection for a period of time sufficient to start the engine. The drain limitation circuit employs a latching relay that, in its preferred embodiment, includes front and rear coils in tandem, axially separated by a collar with an internal detent. A front plunger and a rear plunger are disposed for axial movement within the coils and the collar.

Abstract: A low cost electronic device package having greatly improved heat dissipation capability. The package includes a heat slug, preferably formed from oxygen-free high-conductivity copper, that has a surface exposed outside the package. A simplified and inexpensive manufacturing method is described using a "drop in" technique. Using this technique, the size and shape of the heat slug is dependent only on the size and shape of the mold cavity; the package may have any number of leads and any size die. The heat slug is preferably formed with fins around its circumference so that the slug is self-aligning when it is dropped into the mold cavity. Preferably, slots are formed through the heat slug to provide improved encapsulant flow during the encapsulation process and interlocking between slug and encapsulant in the finished package.

Abstract: A whole body plethysmograph for pulmonary measurements of unrestrained small animals includes a cylindrical animal chamber and an integral reference chamber. The animal chamber and the reference chamber each include ports for receiving transducer nipples. The animal chamber and the reference chambers also include ports for selectively venting each of the chambers. A port is mounted in a bulkhead which separates the animal chamber and the reference chamber, and a length of tubing extends from the valve into the reference chamber for providing a high resistance bleed path between the animal chamber and the reference chamber. The plethysmograph further includes an aerosol manifold in the top of the animal chamber. The aerosol manifold includes a plurality of radially extending apertures for uniformly distributing the aerosol in the animal chamber. The plethysmograph still further includes two pneumotachographs in the top of the animal chamber.

Abstract: Improvements relating to railroad telemetry and control system address problems in compatibility between HOT and EOT units, implement an automatic UDE location procedure, and automate calibration of EOT units. An improved two way protocol that allows EOT units having different code formats to be used with a HOT unit. A method is implemented by a HOT unit, cooperating with an EOT unit, for locating a fault which causes a UDE brake operation. An automatic calibration procedure for the EOT unit that does not require the operator to have access to the electronic circuitry.