Abstract: A particle counter, of the type utilizing a Coulter(R) type aperature and a suction flow path downstream from the aperture, has a pair of electrodes on both sides of the aperture. A current is provided from the downstream electrode to the upstream electrode and pulses in the resulting voltage across the aperture are monitored to detect the passage of blood cells through the aperture. A grounded electrode is placed in the downstream flow path at a position near the package panel to isolate the cell counter from external electrical noise signals. An isolated high input inpedance amplifier is coupled to provide the monitored voltage to an inserted electrode positioned between the downstream aperture electrode and the grounded panel electrode. Because the inserted electrode and downstream electrode are then at the same voltage, no current flows through that portion of the flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for indicating the angular position of an object relative to a reference position in which a plurality of different tracks of indicia are positioned on indicia-supporting media that is adapted for movement with the object. High resolution position words are assembled by merging position information resolved from a plurality of different tracks of indica. The position information is resolved by way of sine wave synthesis in which position information from a pair of tracks having different resolutions is used to generate position information of an intermediate resolution. This intermediate position information is merged with position information from the higher resolution track of the two tracks.

Abstract: An automatic flotation device is disclosed which uses an electric circuit to fire a detonator or allow a spring loaded arm to open a CO.sub.2 cartridge which then in turn inflates a bladder which lifts a swimmer to the surface. The circuitry utilizes a pressure sensor to determine the depth of the swimmer under the surface. The circuitry is such that if the swimmer has been below a first depth for a given period of time the bladder is inflated or if the swimmer has been below a second, greater depth for any interval the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: An induction wire preheater for heating electrical wire includes left and right inductors, each having a longitudinal passageway through which the wire being heated is passed. Both inductors are fixedly mounted on a mounting plate and/are tilted relative to each. A lower wheel is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate below the inductors, and an upper wheel is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate above the inductors. First, second and third auxiliary wheels are also provided. In use, wire enters the preheater from the right, passes under the first auxiliary wheel, over the upper wheel, through the left inductor, under the lower wheel, through the right inductor, over the second auxiliary wheel, over the upper wheel a second time, under the third auxiliary wheel and then exits from the left.

Abstract: A toy animal having a body, at least two disproportionately long, supple legs extending downwardly from the body and at least one additional appendage extending downwardly therefrom. Each leg has a pad-like foot, which is weighted by a mass of polyethylene beads so as to cause such leg to dangle downwardly when the toy animal is held above an underlying surface. Although the legs lend a lanky appearance to the toy animal, the legs and the additional appendage or appendages extending downwardly from the body have sufficient columnar strength to support the toy animal and to resist collapsing when the toy animal is rested on a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A stand-by power supply for preventing interruption of power to a communication unit, has a first connector for electrically connecting to the unit, a second connector for electrically connecting to and disconnecting from a main battery, an auxiliary battery, and a circuit electrically connected to the first and second connectors and the auxiliary battery for applying the main battery across the load, and responsive to the disconnecting of the main battery from the second connector to apply the auxiliary battery across the first connector.

Abstract: A digitizer pad apparatus includes at least one digitizer ply where each digitizer ply has a first and a second resistor strip, each with a resistance gradient along its length, oriented in spaced apart relationship. A plurality of conductor traces are interconnected along the length of each resistor strip to extend toward and be interleaved between each other to define a sensor pad region. Each sensor pad region defines a dimensional direction. A shunt ply is positioned to face the sensor pad region in normally non-conducting relationship so that when a selected area is pressed into contact with the conductor traces, conduction between adjacent conductor traces via the shunt ply will occur in the selected contact area. The selected contact area has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge along the defined dimensional direction.

Abstract: Microcomputers or microprocessors are required to be reset after supply of a power source voltage to the microcomputers or microprocessors is interrupted due to the replacement of the microcomputers. A time constant circuit generates a reset signal from a capacitor of the time constant circuit after a predetermined time has passed since the source voltage was applied to the microcomputers. A discharging circuit is connected to the time constant circuit, and rapidly discharges the charge stored in the capacitor of the time constant circuit after the supply of the source voltage is interrupted.

Abstract: An isotonic multipurpose blood diluent, and a method for use of this diluent with a weak lysing reagent system which is especially suitable for routine enumeration of traditional hemogram values, and also the determination of lymphoid-myeloid populations of leukocytes, particularly in automatic particle counting systems.This blood diluent is capable of affording accurate, reproducible test results. It is an osmotically balanced aqueous solution of preselected pH containing Procaine hydrochloride for maintaining erythrocyte morphology during operation, N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid (ADA) as a blood cell stabilizing agent, and bacteriostatic agents including sodium 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thione, and dimethylolurea which, together with the ADA, allow preferential determination of myeloid-lymphoid leukocytes, and other hematological values.The lysing agent is a mixture of an aqueous solution of at least one quaternary ammonium salt having surface active properties, and an alkali metal cyanide.

Abstract: A radio receiver having a theft prevention system using an anti-theft code, wherein a region code, corresponding to various regions in the world, is inputted by a user to set the receiver to the proper receiving standards of the selected region, and wherein an anti-theft code is inputted by the user. If the anti-theft code inputted by the user corresponds with a previously stored anti-theft code, the receiving standards are set within the receiver and the receiver is enabled.

Abstract: The universal remote control system comprises data processor, input device including a keyboard and a keyboard circuit connected to the data processor, signal output device including circuitry for generating infrared light codes connected to the data processor means, a memory including a battery backed, non-volatile RAM only and no ROM for storing (a) a set of instructions and (b) a library of code data for enabling the infrared light generating circuitry to generate specific infrared codes, the RAM being coupled to the data processor, and a data coupling device including terminals coupled to the CPU for enabling new code data to be supplied from outside the system to, or retrieved from, the RAM through the terminals and the CPU.

Abstract: An optical operating device is provided on an operation panel of an audio system or the like, including a recess formed on the operation panel; several light receiving portions are formed on a first inside surface of the recess and arranged in a longitudinl direction of the recess; several light emitting portions are formed on a second inside surface of the recess opposed to the first inside surface, with each light emitting portion corresponding to a light receiving portion. Several light paths thus pass from the light emitting portions across the recess to the light receiving portions, and the light paths are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the recess. A light source supplies the light to each light emitting portion, and a photo detector is connected to the light receiving portions for generating a predetermined signal according to the light emitted from the light emitting portions and received by the light receiving portions.

Abstract: A liquid sampling, metering and transfer valve assembly for providing plural dilutions of a single liquid sample comprising a pair of outer stationary elements sandwiching a rotatable element, the rotatable element carrying precise volume segmenting passageways, the outer elements carrying counterpart passageways for communicating to the exterior of the valve assembly, one outer element carrying loops each for storing a precise volume of diluent and the other valve elements carrying through passageways for communicating to and from said respective loops. A continuous body of sample is introduced into the valve assembly along a path through a pair of the segmenting passageays and a pair of aliquot portions isolated from said parth. The rotatable element is operated to direct one aliquot along with the content of one loop to an exterior location for mixing. The other sample aliquot is retained.

Abstract: A battery operated standby inverter power supply uses an electromechanical relay switching network to connect and disconnect line power between input and output terminals. An overcurrent relay pulser rapidly opens the switching system relay contacts upon transition to battery mode, and a breakover diode network accelerates field collapse in the relay coil attendant to reversion of the relay to its normally closed condition attendant to each battery to line transition. A fault detector establishes acceptable line voltage thresholds, the exceeding of either of which triggers operation from line to battery mode. These triggering thresholds are automatically pulled closer together during initial system startup. An overload detector senses the load current in line mode and prevents actuation to battery mode if the load connected to the power supply output exceeds the rated current value of the inverter.

Abstract: A strobe trigger pulse generator includes a power supply, an energy storage capacitor coupled to the power supply and a trigger pulse generator which intermittently energizes a trigger pulse transformer to ionize the gaseous interior of a strobe flash lamp. The trigger pulse generator includes a trigger capacitor coupled to the trigger pulse transformer. A trigger capacitor charging device is coupled between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to selectively direct a charging current to the trigger capacitor. The trigger capacitor discharge circuit is coupled to the trigger capacitor to periodically discharge the capacitor through the trigger pulse transformer to generate a high voltage trigger pulse. A charge path disabling circuit is coupled to the current flow path between the power supply and the trigger capacitor to control the charging current directed to the trigger capacitor.

Abstract: A compact terminator for interconnecting computer devices with each other and with peripheral equipment having contact ends to be interconnected with connectors. The contacts are interconnected on a circuit board employing thick film circuitry mounted thereon. The contacts are press fitted in plated through holes on the circuit board and form male or female connectors at one end. The device may be differential or single ended type.

Abstract: The DC to DC converter includes a coupled inductor having a primary winding and a feedback winding. A drive current regulator circuit receives a variable input voltage from the feedback winding but transmits a constant base drive current to the base terminal of the converter switching transistor. The base drive regulator circuit thereby enables the DC to DC converter to operate at high levels of efficiency over wide ranges of DC input voltages such as twelve to forty-eight volts DC.

Abstract: A light fixture includes a parabolic reflector, a light source positioned at the focal point of the parabolic reflector and a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a front lens for transmitting the primary beam reflected from the parabolic reflector. The lens assembly also includes a first lens section including one, two or more lateral focussing elements positioned between the front lens and the edge of the parabolic reflector to intercept omnidirectionally radiated light rays from the light source and to redirect the intercepted light rays into collimated lateral beams to illuminate selected areas at the side of the light fixture.