Abstract: One or more queue structures in a data processing system may include a threaded list of frames which are enqueued or dequeued from the list in accordance with four instructions wherein each list is tied to a so-called lock or control frame with synchronization for multiple processing units. Multiple lock frames and accordingly multiple lists of frames may be coupled in the system for the purpose of accomplishing the various tasks necessary.

Abstract: Electronic switching circuit is provided for controlling transfer of electrical power from an alternating polarity electrical power supply to a load means through use of a field-effect transistor device as the controlling element. A circuit arrangement is provided for switching into the "on" condition primary power control field-effect transistor device only when the voltage thereacross is at a relatively low value and for switching into the "off" condition this device in a gradual manner, relatively slowly reducing currents flowing therethrough. A circuit arrangement for a command source directing operation of the primary power transfer control field-effect transistor device provides command source isolation.

Abstract: A memory subsystem couples to a single word bus in common with a central processing unit for processing memory requests received therefrom. The subsystem includes at least a pair of independently addressable dynamic memory module units. Each memory unit includes a number of rows of random access memory (RAM) chips. The subsystem receives as part of each memory request an address, the least significant portion of which specifies the row of chips to be accessed within a first one of the pair of memory units. The subsystem further includes control circuits, common timing circuits and common addressing circuits. The addressing circuits which couple to both module units provide the required address signals to both modules for enabling the simultaneous access of a pair of words therefrom.

Abstract: An automatic purge control for a banknote dispensing system including an operator panel having a keyboard for initiating transaction requests, a dispensing chamber adjacent to the panel for receiving banknotes dispensed in response to an operator request, a lockable access door to enable the operator to gain access to the chamber to remove dispensed notes, and a tiltable platform positioned within the chamber for discharging dispensed notes from the chamber under predetermined purge conditions detected by a microprocessor within the system. The microprocessor calls for a purge operation when it has been determined that the operator has either failed to remove dispensed notes or has left notes within the chamber. Interlocks are provided on the purge apparatus for inhibiting continued operation of the dispensing system if a purge cycle is improperly executed.

Abstract: A programmable digital memory circuit uses a programmable read only memory (PROM) to correct code errors and permit expansion to additional PROM chips. Each code correction or expansion is made via enabling a portion of an overlay patch programmable read only memory (PROM) for a similar portion of the memory circuit at an address code burned into the overlay trap (PROM). Initially the overlay trap PROM is unprogrammed, and each bit location therein can act as an enable/disable selection to a 32 byte block in the overlay patch PROM. When a bit in the overlay trap PROM is programmed and when the memory address selects that location, the main memory is unselected and the patch PROM location is selected, i.e., substituted. The 256 bit locations in the overlay trap PROM can select 256 32 byte patches in the patch PROM for substitution in the main memory.

Abstract: An active auto focus system in which a beam of modulated energy is projected towards a subject to be focussed upon with the energy reflected therefrom directed towards a detector array. The detector array comprises a number of radiation responsive elements arranged in parallel rows and in a pattern which permits the reflected energy to impinge upon at least one detector in each of the rows simultaneously. The arrangement allows a digital type output indicative of the position of the reflected energy on the array and thus the position of the subject from the camera.

Abstract: A passive and low cost object detector utilizing a focus module used in auto focus cameras to determine the presence of objects within the field of view of the module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a deadlock condition where two or more processes are waiting for events which cannot happen. Firmware is provided to examine the request of a first process of a group of processes for assignment of a first resource of a group of resources, and to determine whether said first resource is or is not currently assigned to a second process of said group of processes which said second process is already waiting directly or indirectly for a second resource of said group of resources which said second resource is currently assigned to the said first process.

Abstract: Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te is an important semiconductor for use in photovoltaic and photoconductive infrared photon detectors. Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te can be grown by liquid phase epitaxy at atmospheric pressure from a Te-rich solution in which case the Hg vapor pressure is below 0.1 atm at 500.degree. C. This low vapor pressure makes possible the use of open-tube, slider growth techniques. The present invention describes a covered graphite slider system which provides an additional source of Hg, minimizes loss of Hg from the source wafer and virtually prevents loss of Hg from the (Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x).sub.1-y Te.sub.y growth solution.

Abstract: An evaporator coil defrost control system for a refrigeration system comprising refrigerant compression means, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, and an electric motor operated fan positioned adjacent to said evaporator coil and adapted, when energized, to blow air through said evaporator coil, said defrost control system comprising: strain sensing means connected to said fan blades and adapted to measure force applied to said fan and to produce a signal indicative of said measured force; controller means connected to said strain sensing means to receive the signal therefrom and having operative connections to said system, said controller being adapted to place said system in a defrost mode of operation upon said signal of said strain sensing means having a characteristic indicative of a significant frost build-up on said evaporator coil.

Abstract: An amplitude range classifier for classifying the amplitude of an analog signal into one or more subranges of a larger range is provided.

Abstract: An energy saving thermostat adapted to be connected to a remote temperature conditioning apparatus for controlling the temperature of air in a space maintains a first temperature during a first time period and a second energy saving temperature during other time periods of the day. The thermostat has a visual indicating means so that when a manually settable switch is pushed, a time interval counter means is energized for indicating and storing a series of pulses each indicative of an hour of setback time into a storage means. The thermostat also has a review button for reviewing the stored time by pulsing the visual indicating means for the number of hours of the time period energy saving temperature.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes a central processing unit and one or more main memory units for storing program software instructions and program data, logic is provided within the CPU to signal the main memory units, comprised of semiconductor random access memory chips, that a memory refresh operation can be performed. The logic is organized such that the memory refresh operation signal may be given to the main memory units in parallel with and without detracting from other CPU operations. Further, logic is provided within the CPU to interrupt the CPU normal processing and perform a memory refresh operation if one has not been performed with a predetermined time period. Logic is provided within each main memory unit to accept the memory refresh signals from the CPU and to discard those memory refresh signals that would refresh the memory more frequently than required to retain the memory contents thus reducing main memory power consumption.

Abstract: In a control circuit to prevent the overheating of a conductively backed recording medium, a closed loop control circuit is provided wherein heat is provided to the heating electrodes of the circuit by one subcircuit under the control of a speed responsive control subcircuit. A feedback loop to a summing junction in the latter subcircuits is monitored to determine a deviation from virtual zero at that junction. A deviation from such virtual zero at that junction is used to control a shutdown safety circuit.

Abstract: A RAM assembly, or card, includes a random access memory portion for the data bits, as well as a random access memory portion for corresponding check bits. The card includes a parity generator and a parity comparator to determine the presence of an error. There is also included a decoder to decode the output of the comparator to determine the nature and position of the error. The error is not only corrected in the transmission to the central processor but is also fed back to correct the error in the RAM itself. Thus the errors that would appear in the RAM do not accumulate.

Abstract: A computer interface console includes a cathode ray tube display, an operators keyboard, and an engineers keyboard. The engineers keyboard is so mounted that it may be moved to a position in front of the console in substantial alignment with the cathode ray tube and the operators keyboard when it is desired to make changes in the computer data base. At other times, the engineers keyboard is moved to a retracted position below the work space of the console, under the operators keyboard. In that retracted position, the work space is clear and uncluttered by the engineers keyboard. Additionally, with the engineers keyboard in the retracted position, it is unobstrusive and unavailable to unauthorized operators. Thus the probability of inadvertent or unauthorized manipulation of the engineers keyboard is greatly reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the composition of mercury-cadmium-telluride or other alloy semiconductors by using a four-photon mixing phenomenon. Means are provided for a pair of colinear laser beams of different optical frequencies such that the colinear beams passed through a sample of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te or other alloy semiconductors to produce emissions beams of the original incident optical frequencies and two or more additional optical frequencies formed by an electron spin-flip interaction. A magnetic field means is employed for varying a magnetic field across the sample during passage of the colinear beam from the points substantially below to substantially above the resonant field of the sample to produce a spin-flip signal which has a peak amplitude. Detector means are adapted to receive the emission beams to identify the spin-flip signal peak from which the spin-level splitting factor can be measured. Upon measurement of the spin-level splitting factor, the value for x can be calculated in Hg.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for electroplating radioactive sources on a member or substrate for use in an ionization type smoke detector device. The substrate is clamped between two members with a chamber adjacent a portion of the substrate. The chamber contains a hollow electrode which is positioned closely to the substrate so that when an electrolyte solution of radioactive material is placed in the chamber and current is passed from the electrode through the electrolyte into a grounded substrate, a deposit of radioactive material is left on the dimple in the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus in a data processing system to initialize a semaphore held in a memory field of the data processing system or, alternatively, to restore the semaphore to a previous predetermined state. A count field, or tally field, provided in the semaphore is initialized by a particular instruction. The semaphore can be either a non-message semaphore or a message semaphore. The instruction initializes the semaphore count field of a non message semaphore to zero or a preloaded positive value. For a message semaphore, this instruction initializes the count field to zero. If the message semaphore previously had a positive count, the messages tied to the semaphore are released and the message links holding the messages are transferred to a free message link queue tied to the free link semaphore in the same semaphore descriptor segment.