Abstract: A method of recording visual information such as words of a song in an audio recording medium and reproducing the same is provided. Picture information obtained through a TV camera is quantized into pulse signals. Using these pulse signals, a sine wave signal having an audio frequency band is modulated. Further, synchronizing signals are added to the modulated signal at predetermined intervals to form a character signal. Said character signal is recorded in one of the two channels of an audio recording medium where as a musical accompaniment is recorded in another channel. When played, such character signal is reproduced on a display screen such that a user can read the words to sing the song to the simultaneously reproduced accompaniment.

Abstract: A computer generally includes a program storage device for storage in memory of program or other information. The software or program may be expensive to produce yet can be copied without undue difficulty from the storage device.This invention provides a program storage device which does not output an address, as part of an instruction, if it is an address within the device. The data output from a programmable read only memory (PROM) is output to a data modifier where in response to a controller it is changed to a dummy address for output. Information to reconstitute the address is held in a stack then when the dummy address returns the controller causes an offset adder to return the original address. Steps can be taken to deal appropriately with conditional instructions and relative instructions.

Abstract: In a line network communication system coded data signals are transmitted on a base band carrier signal and are recovered in a receiver. The receiver includes an exclusive OR gate and a shift register which operate in conjunction to compare, during successive time intervals, a series of coded reference signals and a succession of received signals shifted in phase relative to one another by respective amounts to generate respective comparison signals forming a set. A control unit causes a change in the relative phases of compared signals until the value of a comparison signal in a set indicates a degree of correlation exceeding a threshold value. Then, in a tracking mode, the control unit monitors the values of comparison signals generated in successive sets to verify that a degree of correlation exceeding the threshold value persists. If the verification is successful the control unit, in a locking mode, adjusts the relative phases of the compared signals to maintain a desired degree of correlation.

Abstract: A computerized tomographic scanner which includes detectors that do not rotate around the patient's body includes means for combining the outputs of adjacent detectors in groups of different sizes (e.g. groups of 2, 4 or 8), or for utilizing the outputs individually, in dependence upon the resolution and speed requirements of the scan.

Abstract: Proximity responsive apparatus capable of being used, for example, as a fuzing device for a bomb includes means for generating and emitting pulses of energy which conform to a predetermined time varying waveform. Reflected energy is sampled at two or more spaced instants in time, and the sampling instants are chosen in accordance with the required range of operation of the apparatus and also the shape of said waveform. The samples are compared and the result of the comparison is a signal used to control the fuzing of the bomb.

Abstract: Apparatus for investigating a part of a body intermediate the extremities thereof by means of X- or .gamma.-radiation is disclosed. The body part is surrounded by a liquid medium; the liquid medium being retained in an enclosure having a tubular inner wall formed of flexible material, and the body part is located within the inner wall. The liquid medium can be pressurized to cause the flexible inner wall to fit intimately the periphery of the body part.

Abstract: A flame detector arranged to detect flames includes a non-microphonic infra-red sensor having a broad band frequency response. To maximize the sensitivity to radiation from flames in the 4.3 .mu.m solar absorption band a narrow band optical interference filer, transmissive in the band 4.54 .mu.m to 4.38 .mu.m is chosen such that the integrated solar energy transmitted thereby is less than an alarm threshold.A further filter prevents re-radiated heat from the filter reaching the sensor. Another filter prevents radiation of wavelengths less than 4.38 .mu.m from reaching the other filters to reduce heating thereof and also to provide a series of filters to stop direct broad band transmission to the sensor through pin holes in the filters. A signal processor detects flames by virtue of the flame flicker frequencies and includes provision for compensating for the effects of low frequency components on the amplitude of radiation produced by flames.

Abstract: A device sensitive to pressure waves including first and second sheets of polyvinylidene fluoride supported in spaced apart relationship. The major faces of each sheet are provided with respective inner and outer foils of copper and an electrically insulating sheet of PTFE is sandwiched between, and bonded to, the inner foils. The first and second sheets are poled in a direction normal to their respective major surfaces so as to be more sensitive to pressures waves incident thereon, along said normal direction, than to pressure waves incident thereon along other directions. The inner electrically conductive sheets are electrically connected together and a voltage sensor is used to detect voltages, developed across the major surfaces of the first and second sheets and indicative of pressure waves incident thereon.

Abstract: An automatically focussed optical system in which two arrays of photosensitive detectors have different optical spacings respectively in front of and behind the image plane of the system, and sense different portions of the image. Differences in electrical signals generated by adjacent detectors (C,D and E,F) in each set, and indicative of differences in intensity of the corresponding portions, are processed to generate a focus drive signal (Fd) of a value related to an error in the focus of the image. This signal is used to adjust the focus. Two discrete arrays of detectors (FIG. 2B) can be used or alternatively a single array (FIG. 2D) tilted relative to the image plane can be used. In another example (FIG. 2C) a transparent block is inserted adjacent to a part only of a single detector array to thereby lengthen the optical path length of that part relative to the remainder of the array.

Abstract: A spool mounting apparatus, particularly suitable for automatic, unbuffered tape transport systems, permits a reduction in the handling of spools during loading sequences.A spool inserted through an opening into a cavity within a housing, is guided into a preliminary position by a detent pin. The opening possesses a spring biassed closure member, which is mechanically linked to a free running disc member within the cavity situated opposite a shaped cylindrical hub over which the spool may locate.Motion of the spring biassed closure member towards a closed position effects displacement of the free running disc member towards the hub, thereby clamping the spool disposed therebetween. Subsequent rotation applied to the hub is therefore transferred to the clamped spool and the free running member.

Abstract: When a display incorporating electroluminescent (EL) device is switched on, the electrical resistance across electrodes and which indicates the moisture content of the EL layer is measured by electrical resistance measuring device. If the resistance is below a preset value corresponding to an unacceptable moisture content a current pulse source is activated to heat the EL layer and evaporate the moisture. The resistance is also measured periodically during continued use of the display.

Abstract: A phosphor for use in fluorescent lamps which comprises calcium sulphate and, optionally, up to 50% of strontium sulphate together with cerium (0.5-10%), manganese (up to 10%), an alkali metal (0.001 to 3%) and boron and/or aluminium (0.001 to 8%). The phosphor may be produced by blending and then firing the individual components. Tubes for use in the lamps may be electrostatically coated with the phosphor.

Abstract: An electroplating arrangement having particular use in the manufacture of stamper plates for disc record production comprises a rectangular plating bath, one side being non-vertical with respect to the bath base. A filter screen divides the bath into an anode region and a cathode region, the region including anode and cathode electrode arrangements respectively.A stamper plate to be plated is mounted on the cathode electrode arrangement which is connected to a motor capable of rotating the arrangement about an axis perpendicular to the plate. The anode arrangement comprises an elongate porous bag containing anode material and is disposed parallel to the cathode arrangement and non-vertical wall. An electrolyte input pipe extends through the bag and screen to lie opposite the mounted stamper plate directing inflowing electrolyte thereat. An output exit is disposed within the anode region on the bath base such that the anode arrangement lies within the flowpath from said entrance to said exit.

Abstract: In a radiographic apparatus, a source of radiation is arranged to scan a planar spread of radiation in a plane about the body of a patient being examined. A plurality of detector devices is arranged to provide data representing the absorption of the radiation along a plurality of paths within the spread, for different orientations in the plane, for processing to determine a distribution of absorption coefficients for a planar slice of the body. The arrangement is such that a predetermined number of the detector devices are irradiated by the spread of radiation at any time and the actual devices irradiated change progressively as the scan progresses.

Abstract: A method of examining a patient with x-rays is described in which x-ray measurements are taken of the attenuation suffered by x-radiation when projected across a cross-sectional slice of a patient's body along each of many substantially linear beam paths and are subjected to compensated back-projective processing to produce an x-ray picture representing the variation of attenuation of the radiation with position over the slice. Beam paths which are next to each other in space are arranged to overlap each other.

Abstract: A CT scanner is disclosed in which sets of X-radiation measurements, each set being for a fan-shaped distribution of beam paths, are used by a convolving circuit as though they were for sets of parallel beam paths. The inaccuracies due to this are countered by using correction factors, one for each pixel of the final picture of the patient slice, which correction factors are derived by the use of a phantom of known X-ray response. In addition, a special interpolation technique is disclosed to facilitate accurate back projection.

Abstract: Synthetic willemite phosphor for use in fluorescent lamps in the form of particles coated with from 0.001% to 0.5% of an oxide of scandium, yttrium, lanthanum or a rare earth element. Fluorescent lamps comprising the phosphor which have improved aging qualities are also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement which displays an indication of the amplitude level of digital audio signals. The arrangement includes an acquisition means which receives digital audio signals and determines the peak amplitude value of the signals received between successive interrogations by a control means, and at least this value is indicated by a display means. If the currently indicated value exceeds the last determined value, then the indicated value is caused to decay at a predetermined rate.