Abstract: A television receiver having picture-in-picture capability and having multiple electronically selectable auxiliary baseband signal inputs provides automatic selection of the proper audio signal by use of bilevel digital switching circuitry.

Abstract: A stray magnetic field control system compensates for the generation of stray magnetic flux by the magnetic structure (body) of a load support shaker apparatus. The circuit includes a Hall effect magnetic field sensor for measuring the stray magnetic field, an amplifier/filter connected to the sensor output, and an A/D converter connected to the output of the amplifier filter. A degauss coil for compensating for the stray flux is energized by an SCR phase controlled power supply which is in turn controlled as to its triggering time by a microprocessor.

Abstract: A system for preventing crosstalk in a stereo television receiver includes a signal selection switch for selecting between signals produced by a demodulator and signals received at an auxiliary input, a controller for generating a switching control signal and circuitry for muting the audio demodulator during channel change and when said auxiliary input is selected in response to said switching control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is here an apparatus for automatically adjusting a length of the antenna of the radio receiver in which the antenna is disposed to be integral with a high-frequency circuit section and a tuning circuit is configured to be in a variable capacity system. The apparatus includes a unit for detecting a condition that an intensity of an antenna input electric field is at least an optimal range so as to generate a first signal, a unit for detecting a condition that the intensity of the antenna input electric field is at most an optimal range so as to generate a second signal, a unit for detecting a condition that an interference signal is at least at a predetermined level so as to generate the second signal, a device for elongating the antenna based on the first signal, and a device for shortening the antenna based on the second signal.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter includes a sampled data sigma-delta modulator to resample and coarsely quantize the digital samples to be converted. The coarsely quantized samples are converted to sequences of pulses which are applied to a pulse sensitive analog integrator to develop analog representations of the digital signal.

Abstract: A resistive element consisting of a metal film, or metal film substitute, comprised of nickel and chromium and which may include aluminum. To this element is added a member of the group consisting essentially of a rare earth element and a transitional element.

Abstract: A thermosensitive recording label includes a thermosensitive color-forming layer disposed on one side of a substrate for creating a display of images when the temperature of selected portions of the thermosensitive color-forming layer are heated above an activated temperature. A remoistenable type adhesive is disposed in viscous form on an opposite side of the substrate and dried thereon without heating the thermosensitive color-forming layer above its activation temperature. The remoistenable adhesive does not include any organic solvents or substances which may cause bleed-through to the substrate and into the color-forming layer. Therefore, a barrier layer is not necessary therebetween. In addition, a protective, or barrier layer, may be disposed on top of the thermosensitive color-forming layer to prevent fading or discoloration by exterior contaminants.

Abstract: A remote control system for a television receiver includes provisions for delaying a predetermined time duration before responding to a new remote control comman after a previous remote control command to prevent undesired toggling of toggle control functions (e.g., power application and muting) due to momentary interruptions of remote control transmissions which may occur when a user unintentionally points the transmitter away from the television receiver. It also includes provisions for sampling the envelope of the remote control transmission to determine if an interruption corresponds to an intended termination of transmission to provide rapid repeated response (i.e., "machine-gunning") to commands such as "channel up" or "channel down".

Abstract: A rotary liquid metering and transfer valve assembly for a diluting system which includes a pair of stationary valve disc elements sandwiching a central, rotatable valve disc element, said disc elements being coaxially aligned and mounted on a spindle. One of the outer stationary elements has a first external loop secured thereto, said loop having a precise interior volume. An aspirator probe is secured to the other of said stationary elements. The central element has formed therein an axial segmenting passageway having a precise interior volume. A second external loop is secured to the center element. The second loop extends outwardly, preferably radially, of said element and has a precise interior volume. Appropriate interior passageways are provided in the outer elements for directing a liquid sample in a continuous path through the valve assembly, the path including the one segmenting passageway and the first and the second external loops.

Abstract: The operation of a tuner of a television receiver for tuning nonstandard, as well as standard, frequency RF television signals, requiring a relatively long time for completion, is partitioned into a number of shorter duration sections or "slices" which are individually time-multiplexed with other control operations under the control of a microprocessor. This allows the microprocessor to more frequently respond to new user initiated commands than otherwise possible. An interrupt subroutine of the stored program under which the microprocessor operates establishes time delays, required for the tuning system to settle before new operations are performed, outside the main control loop including the user command processing and tuner control subroutines so as not to slow the response of the microprocessor to user commands.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting capacitance between an electronic component and external circuitry. The electronic component is unitarily provided with a plurality of conductive leads for connection to external circuitry with at least one of the leads being configured to provide integral means for adjustment of capacitance. The configured lead is bent for a turnabout of about 180 degree change of direction such that when the component is mounted on a printed circuit board the portion of the lead distal of the component extends above the board and is positionally adjustable providing adjustable capactive coupling to other circuit components.

Abstract: An interactive game includes a housing with a first part and a second part. The first part is moveable with respect to the second part and carries a liquid crystal display. Switches provide electrical signals indicating the position of the first part with respect to the second part. A microcomputer connected to both the display and the switches is programmed to generate electrical signals to produce a moving image on the display. Movement of the first part of the housing with respect to the second part moves the display and the images thereon in a consistent fashion. A manually operable switch is provided to generate hit indicating events under operator control. When the images enter a target region they may be obliterated from the display by a manually generated hit indicating event.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a control mechanism in an input buffer for a gate array so that the input buffer may be directly enabled or disabled by a control signal. Hence, no power will be wasted by the unnecessary operation of gates internal to the input buffer or subsequent stages. The method of control is to couple a common control signal to one input port of each of a plurality of two-input AND gates and couple an incoming data signal to the other input port of each of the two-input AND gates. The AND gates function as input buffers and the outputs of the AND gates are applied to the subsequent stage (e.g., a gate array). Thus, a LOW control signal disables the AND gate input buffers and subsequent stages coupled to the outputs of the AND gates, regardless of whether the incoming data signals are of a HIGH or LOW state.

Abstract: An improved circuit board material having a support layer, an electrical resistance layer and a conductive layer. The circuit board material has a resistance of at least about 500 ohms/square. The circuit board material is formed by electro-plating the electrical resistance layer on the conductive layer. The conductive layer is desirably activated prior to electro-deposition of the electrical resistance layer thereon. The conductive layer is activated by contacting with an activating agent such as benzotriazole electrolytic chromate and the like. A preferred electro-plating bath for electro-deposition of the electrical resistance layer comprises about 0.5 mole per liters nickel hypophosphite. The disclosed electro-plating bath functions at ambient temperatures and is effectively temperature independent. Circuit boards can be formed from the circuit board material through a process involving only two etching steps.

Abstract: A digital image exchange system comprises a data transmission line, at least one video RAM, at least one video signal generator for accessing data from the video RAM and for developing at least two video signals corresponding respectively to the accessed data, and at least one modulator for modulating the video signals to form transmitted signals in at least two different frequency bands to be transmitted on the data transmission line. At least one demodulator is coupled to the transmission line at a location remote from the modulator for demodulating the transmitted signals in each of the at least two frequency bands to form at least two corresponding video signals; and at least one video display device is operatively coupled with the demodulator for displaying visual images corresponding to the respective video signals.

Abstract: A video game or the like including a real-time interactive video disk game-play background generation system. The disk player incorporates track skipping capability which is under the direct control of the game processor, on a frame-by-frame basis, whereby substantially instantaneous jumps to alternative video scenes can be effected in response to changing game play. Video scene data is stored on the disk in horizontally compressed format. A video expander/scroller effectively stretches the compressed video from the disk by a factor of two and selects, under game processor control, one frame width, or one-half the expanded background scene, for display. A color programmable read-only-memory (PROM) having at least two pre-programmed color pallets is provided to redefine color relationships of game symbols stored in read-only-memory (ROM) thereby reducing the storage of redundant game symbol data in this ROM.

Abstract: A battery-operated standby power supply includes a circuit for the detection of failures in A.C. power line voltage provides immediate detection of power failure even if such failure occurs during the times of line voltage axis crossings. This is accomplished by providing and monitoring the amplitude of a synthesized waveform representing a full-wave rectified replica of the line voltage, combined with a 90.degree. phase-shifted full-wave rectified replica of the line voltage waveform. The composite waveform has a peak-to-peak excursion of approximately 20% about a DC average without nulls. The phase-shifted waveform replicas are produced by a phase shift network configured to provide a strong differentiating function, thereby causing the phase-shifted replicas to reflect virtually instantaneously failure of the power line voltage, and in particular failure in the vicinity of an axis crossing, by an immediate change in amplitude. Transient overvoltages and undervoltages are similarly reflected.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for the protection of electrical devices connected thereto provides immediate detection of power failure even if such failure occurs during the times of line voltage axis crossings. This is accomplished by providing and monitoring the amplitude of a synthesized waveform representing a full-wave rectified replica of the line voltage, combined with a 90.degree. phase-shifted full-wave rectified replica of the line voltage waveform. The composite waveform has a peak-to-peak excursion of approximately 20% about a DC average without nulls. The phase-shifted waveform replicas are produced by a phase shift network configured to provide a strong differentiating function, thereby causing the phase-shifted replicas to reflect virtually instantaneously failure of the power line voltage, and in particular failure in the vicinity of an axis crossing, by an immediate change in amplitude. Transient overvoltages and undervoltages are similarly reflected.

Abstract: A liquid heater for use as a facial sauna or the like includes a conductive heating bowl, an electric heating element for heating the bowl and a terminal board as part of a circuit for control of the heating element. An integral, one-piece bracket is attached to the underside of the bowl, the bracket defining a plurality of arms having free ends extending outwardly from the bowl. The terminal board is carried by the arm in spaced relation from the bowl, typically at the edges of the board, to provide an air gap for thermal insulation of the board from the heat generated. The bracket also defines a tunnel positioned against the underside of the bowl, with the heating element occupying the tunnel.

Abstract: A multi-channel remote control transmitter is disclosed for control of apparatus such as vehicle security systems, garage door openers, and the like. The transmitter provides the capability of selecting one of many different channels or codes to be transmitted with a minimum number of control switches. The transmitter includes at least one channel select switch and a transmit switch. The user actuates the channel select switch to select a desired channel, and then actuates the transmit switch to actually transmit the selected channel code. The transmitter includes an audible or visual indicator for confirming to the user the particular channel selected. The transmitter provides an audible "battery low" signal when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined level.