Abstract: A database having fixed length records stored together in record number order and an index structure for the database. The index structure comprises a separate index for each searchable field of the records. For purposes of indexing, the records are logically divided into fine slices of 8,000 records each, and the fine slices are grouped into coarse slices of 4,000 fine slices each. The indexes include fine and coarse keys, each of which corresponds to a particular data value and a particular fine or coarse slice. Associated with each key is a link that is used to determine which records contain the data value. For the fine keys, the link includes a pointer to a bit vector that has a single bit for each of the records within the fine slice associated with the key. For the coarse keys, the link includes a pointer to a bit vector that has a single bit for each of the fine slices contained in the coarse slice.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the shape of a frame of spectacles is provided wherein the shape of a frame is measured with a measuring element which is held in contact with a groove in a rim of the frame while being moved along the groove. To accurately position the measuring element with respect to the groove of the frame before the start of measurement, positioning means is provided which moves the measuring element horizontally toward the frame, presses the measuring element against the frame with a biasing force, and which positions the measuring element at a measurement position. Further, to permit smooth vertical movement of the measuring element and to achieve accurate shape measurement, thrust means is provided which pushes the lower end face of a measuring element supporting shaft upward at a location displaced from the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: In a video conferencing system including stations at a plurality of different sites, and in which system first and second video channels are simultaneously displayed at each site station on a picture-in-picture video monitor, a site controller causes a video decoder at the site to decode either a video signal generated at the site or a video signal received from another site via the first video channel. The site controller also responds to a channel assignment signal generated by a system controller by assigning the first video channel to either a first predetermined broadcast frequency or to a second predetermined broadcast frequency and by assigning a second video channel carrying a video signal received from another site to the other of the first and second predetermined broadcast frequencies.

Abstract: A signal acquisition system rapidly acquires carrier phase and symbol timing of a received PSK-modulated communication signal having a 110-symbol pattern through joint estimation of carrier-phase adjustment and symbol-timing adjustment by processing a common set of sampled data. A reference signal at a local oscillator frequency is mixed with a received communication signal to provide the communication signal at an intermediate frequency. The intermediate-frequency communication signal is converted into a digital communication signal, which is formatted into in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) components.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the shape of a frame of spectacles is provided wherein the shape of a frame is measured with a measuring element which is held in contact with a groove in a rim of the frame while being moved along the groove. To accurately position the measuring element with respect to the groove of the frame before the start of measurement, a positioning device is provided which moves the measuring element horizontally toward the frame, presses the measuring element against the frame with a biasing force, and positions the measuring element at a measurement position. Further, to permit smooth vertical movement of the measuring element and to achieve accurate shape measurement, a thrust device is provided which pushes the lower end face of a measuring element supporting shaft upward at a location displaced from the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A data acquisition and transmission system for surveying a plurality of remotely location jukeboxes via telephone lines. A data collector, operatively associated with each jukebox, includes a song identification arrangement and storage memory for determining the number of times a particular song is played over a given period of time. At regular intervals, a central station contacts each data collector via telephone and requests the stored information which is subsequently transmitted via telephone lines to a central computer which tabulates and stores the information. The collected data is then processed to provide a distribution scale useful in determining the proper allocation of royalty fees received from jukebox licensing fees.