Abstract: The present invention relates to a cordless telephone unit having a handset and a base unit. The signal strength of a handset which is received by the base unit is examined to determine whether or not the handset is beyond a predetermined range from the base unit. If such determination of out-of-range is made, a warning signal is transmitted from the base unit to the handset and if the handset is not brought within range within a predetermined number of warning signals, a hang up is initiated wherein the handset is placed in an "on" hook condition and the captured telephone line is released.

Abstract: An expander circuit for decoding audio signals which were encoded in accordance with the BTSC multichannel sound system standard including DBX companding is presented. A wideband expander circuit is utilized and a DBX expander can be accommodated. The wideband expander circuit is provided with a signal path having an input LPF (low pass filter), a stereo difference signal (L-R) demodulator, a second LPF, and a voltage controlled amplifier (VCA), the gain of which is controlled by a control signal derived from the demodulated difference signal which has been operated on by a bandpass filter (BPF) and an integrating peak detector. The output of the VCA is provided to a deemphasis network before being fed to a decoder matrix for combining with the sum stereo signal (L+R) for reconstructing the original L and R signals.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation apparatus including a solenoidal antenna, monitoring electrodes, and a coupling network at a distal end of a catheter transmission line, and another coupling network at the proximal end of the catheter transmission line to connect the catheter to the source of radiofrequency (RF) power and to an intracardiac electrogram monitor. Solenoidal antenna design includes single and multiple windings with varying geometrical features. Plated plastic tri-axial design of a transmission line offers unitary fabrication. A catheter with variable impedance electrode and gap coatings has features useful for both ablation and for hyperthermia applications.

Abstract: A diagnostic testing apparatus for testing an electrical component normally controlled by pulse signals from the electronic control module (ECM) of an automotive electrical system, which apparatus is coupled between the ECM and the component to be tested and provides first circuits establishing a normal signalling communication therebetween, and second circuits comprising parallel test circuits including indicators and switches constructed and arranged for indicating faults in the component.

Abstract: An auxiliary video data decoder provides for correcting synchronization error between a sync signal and a video signal that may contain auxiliary video data. Cycles of a reference waveform included in the auxiliary video data are counted during a timing window to determine if synchronization is correct. An incorrect count indicates a synchronization error exists. The window timing is adjusted with respect to the sync signal. The timing test is repeated. Repeated failure of the test indicates that auxiliary video data does not exist in the video signal.

Abstract: A television receiver is controlled as to the degree of vertical zoom via a deflection current ramp that varies in slope and which may be delayed to achieve panning. Due to the increased slope when zoomed, the deflection current and the electron beam complete a trace in less time than the normal vertical interval. The deflection current is maintained at one extreme or the other outside the trace interval, and the beam is blanked. A retrace signal generator coupled in a feedback loop with the power supply for the deflection circuit determines the midpoint of the blanking period and generates a fast retrace at or near the midpoint. The feedback loop is arranged to minimize the DC average current in the deflection winding by having a current source responsive to the DC average current for charging a timing ramp that triggers retrace upon reaching a threshold. The slope of the timing ramp varies with DC loading, thus advancing or retarding retrace to center retrace in the blanking interval.

Abstract: A video input signal is applied to a delay circuit having a plurality of taps which are coupled to maximum and minimum value selection circuits. In the absence of a video signal transient, the center tap of the delay circuit is coupled to an output terminal via an output switch. When a "white going" transient occurs, the output switch sequentially selects the outputs of the minimum and maximum value selectors for application to the output terminal. When a "black going" transient occurs, the output switch sequentially selects the outputs of the maximum and minimum value selectors for application to the output terminal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a monitoring apparatus for a multiphase electrical system of very simple and reliable circuit design capable of monitoring such a system and producing fault signals to operate protective relays and for visual indication. A main component of the apparatus is a multiphase, full-wave bridge rectifier circuit having matched voltage dropping input resistors so that the output of the bridge is a low voltage fluctuating DC signal such that neither the semiconductor diode rectifiers of the full-wave bridge or other internal components of the monitoring apparatus are exposed to high power line voltages. Phase unbalance in the apparatus is detected by evaluating the ratio of the peak to trough voltage of the fluctuating DC signal produced by the full-wave bridge.

Abstract: A simulcast system for broadcasting the same signal for a number of spaced-apart broadcast sites is disclosed. The system (20) of this invention includes a hub (28) adapted to receive the signal to be simulcast and a number of stations (30) that actually broadcast the signal. The hub places the digital signal packets referred to as PDBs (36). As pan of the signal packetization process, the hub evaluates the rate at which the signals should be broadcast and assigns a start time at which the signals should be broadcast; this information is attached to the PDBs. After a PDB is created it is forwarded to the stations over a link channel. Each station includes a station controller (32) and a station transmitter (34). The station controller, upon receiving a PDB, forwards the signal therein to the transmitter at the start time indicated and at the appropriate broadcast rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making copper foil from copper-bearing material comprising:(A) contacting said copper-bearing material with an effective amount of at least one aqueous leaching solution to dissolve copper ions into said leaching solution and form a copper-rich aqueous leaching solution;(B) contacting said copper-rich aqueous leaching solution with an effective amount of at least one water-insoluble extractant to transfer copper ions from said copper-rich aqueous leaching solution to said extractant to form a copper-rich extractant and a copper-depleted aqueous leaching solution;(C) separating said copper-rich extractant from said copper-depleted aqueous leaching solution;(D) contacting said copper-rich extractant with an effective amount of at least one aqueous stripping solution to transfer copper ions from said extractant to said stripping solution to form a copper-rich stripping solution and a copper-depleted extractant;(E) separating said copper-rich stripping solution from

Abstract: An FDDI loopback connector or optical network is suitable for testing in fiber-to-fiber applications and designed to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector. The loopback tester is afforded a desired level of attenuation by providing a fiber loop having a controlled air gap. Adjustment of the air gap will afford a desired attenuation level.

Abstract: A two-axis tilt sensor, or inclinometer (10), uses a spherical reference element (18) floating in an inert fluid (20) and including a magnet (42) to produce an asymmetrical weight distribution. The asymmetrical weight distribution maintains the spherical reference element at a constant orientation with respect to gravity, while the position of the magnet on the spherical reference element with respect to a housing (12) is detected by opposing pairs of Hall effect sensors (22) mounted on the housing. The outputs from opposing pairs of sensors are processed by differential amplifier circuits (80) to determine signals corresponding to the tilt of the inclinometer about the axes.

Abstract: A direct sequence digital spread spectrum receiver acquires and maintains synchronization in a reliable, yet simple manner, even under severe multipath and interference conditions. A sliding correlator and a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) cooperate to acquire initial synchronization, and once synchronization is acquired, the VCXO is linearly frequency modulated (FM) for accurate tracking. The difficult problem of keeping the receiver code clock synchronized to that of the transmitter under severe multipath and interference conditions is solved by virtue of a dual switched bandwidth low pass filter section of the tracking circuit, allowing a wide bandwidth for initial acquisition and tracking but once the clocks are aligned, a narrow loop takes over that follows the transmitter closely. A commercially available intermediate frequency (IF) integrated circuit (IC) is used as an amplitude modulated (AM) detector to achieve the large dynamic range required.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an appliance, such as an indoor ceiling fan, including a controller operatively connected to the appliance motor for controlling its speed and direction of rotation in response to command signals, a control switch adapted to be located remote from the appliance such as a on a wall to provide command signals in response to manual inputs, and a communication link such as the existing a.c. power line, for transmitting command signals from the control switch to the appliance controller. The control switch is characterized by a plurality of operator members such as a keypad each providing no more than one distinct primary function command when manually operated and a processor for converting function commands provided by the operator members into speed and direction command signals for use by the appliance controller. The appliance controller comprises a processor for converting command signals received by the controller into signals for controlling the supply of motor current.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air flow controllable register unit for controlling flow of air through the register from an air circulating system having a register air flow supply duct. The air flow is controlled in response to an externally provided control signal that commands the register flow control unit to provide differing air flow rates through the register. The register unit includes a register flow control apparatus which has a power generating device that includes a rotary mounted air turbine positioned within the register air flow supply duct. The air turbine is coupled to a generator to drive the same upon air flow against blades of the turbine. The air driven turbine initially restricts air flow of the register at system start-up.

Abstract: A wide screen television apparatus comprises a video display having a first vertical display height and a first format display ratio. A first video processor combines video signals representative of at least two pictures for side by side display of the pictures on the video display, each of the pictures having a second format display ratio smaller than approximately 4:3. A vertical height control decreases the vertical display height smaller than the first vertical display height during the side by side display of said pictures, each of the side by side pictures thereby having a third format display between the .first and second format display ratios. The first, or a second, video processor horizontally compresses each of the pictures to correct for any image aspect ratio distortion due to decreasing the vertical deflection height. In an illustrated embodiment, the first format display ratio is about 16:9, the second format display ratio is about 8:9 and the third format display ratio is about 8:7.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte cell and method for producing it in which the cell components are assembled within a ceramic frame which is closed on the top by a first terminal of the cell using a solder seal and closed on the bottom by a second terminal of the cell using a solder seal and said second terminal having the opposite polarity to that of the first terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus utilizing change in pressure condition in an area to be protected to indicate intrusion or change in conditions of the area by using a pressure detection device to detect pressure waves at low and infrasonic frequencies which includes a pressure transducer sensitive to change in pressure to provide an output signal. In some instances an amplifier is provided to amplify the output signal, a signal conditioning circuit is provided to delay a portion of the signal, and a detector device is provided to detect the signal with a comparator provided to compare the signal with the delayed signal and actuate an alarm..Iadd.Additionally, a device producing signals responsive to pressure waves and selected sonic frequencies is taught. If the signals are coincidently received at a coincidence detector, an alarm is activated. Further, the signals can be stretched and/or delayed before receipt at the coincidence detector. .Iaddend.