Abstract: Reinforced structural elements are produced by taking two or more sheets of the same or different malleable metal and applying a pattern of thermally decomposable stop-off material on an interfacial surface, solid phase green bonding the sheets one to another by squeezing them through squeezing rollers and sintering the sheets to improve the metallurgical bond therebetween.The composite can be formed into complex configurations having compound reentrant surfaces and then raised above a predetermined temperature to decompose the stop-off material to generate gas and inflate the sheets contiguous to the pattern.The stop-off material can be chosen to decompose essentially completely at a temperature above the predetermined temperature which facilitates forming prior to inflation or the material can include a portion which decomposes at the sintering temperature of the metallic sheets employed giving a two stage inflation.

Abstract: A electronic digital processor system input/output circuitry including several input/output data ports where each port contains receiving circuitry to receive bit data from bit data pads and transmitting circuitry to transmit bit data to the data bit pads and control circuitry that provides for a configuration where one input/output port may respond to the address of another input/output port, allowing the second input/output port to perform other functions. This capability would allow a user to execute a program that emulates one configuration while the actual, physical connection of devices is, in fact, another configurations. The input/output circuitry also include control circuitry that determines whether the port is to receive bit data or to transmit bit data. This circuitry is connected to a data bus that couples the input/output data ports to the remaining electronic digital processor system.

Abstract: Fiber optic coupler for coupling two mutually isolated optical fibers to a third union fiber rapidly and easily. Two mechanical elements are used, the first one being a hollow cylinder with an inside diameter equal to twice the fiber outside diameter, and the second being a second hollow cylinder with an inside diameter equal to one fiber diameter and an outside diameter equal to twice the fiber diameter. The union fiber is inserted into the smaller cylinder, the two mutually isolated fibers are inserted into the larger cylinder, the empty space in the larger cylinder is filled with an index-matching cement, and the two cylinders are then pushed together. This provides a simple and economical assembly of a coupler which will work for plastic fibers, and does not require any expensive manufacturing steps. Preferably stainless steel is used for the two cylinders.

Abstract: A microcomputer device is disclosed containing a read-only memory for programs, a read/write memory usually containing data, and a CPU, all in a single integrated circuit. The CPU is microprogrammed in that each instruction word fetched from the program memory initiates a sequence of microinstructions to perform the operation defined by the instruction word. The sequence is determined by addresses for a control ROM, and the addresses are selected by a method referred to as dispatching. The control ROM output includes a jump address by which the next address may be any location in the entire control ROM address range. Alternatively, the jump address may be modified by any one of several dispatches. A group dispatch selects one of the modes of accessing source and/or destination operands, based on one field of the instruction word. A subsequent function dispatch selects one of the set of available arithmetic/logic operations to be performed in the CPU based on another field of the instruction word.

Abstract: A single optical fiber is placed at or near the nadir of the curvilinear section of the optical surface of a light emitting device. The LED element illuminates the bar code characters on the surface of the object being read, and the reflected light is transmitted up the optical fiber to a sensory means or the like. The elements are encased in an optical plastic medium for strength and durability, and resistance to environmental extremes.

Abstract: A single-chip microprocessor device of the MOS/LSI type contains an ALU, internal busses, address/data registers, an instruction register, and control decode or microcontrol generator circuitry. The device communicates with external memory and peripherals by control lines and a bidirectional multiplexed address/data bus. In addition to the main off-chip memory, a smaller on-chip memory (including both ROM and RAM not in the main off-chip memory map) is provided which allows execution of instruction sequences to emulate complex instructions or interpretors (macro-instructions). The macro-instructions are indistinguishable from "native" instructions since all memory fetches and the like are generated exactly the same way, and long instruction sequences are interruptable. Also, off-chip access of another memory separate from the main memory allows emulator functions or special instructions.

Abstract: Protection from corrosive effects of water in hot water tanks is provided by an electrochemically active noble metal type anode disposed in the hot water tank and supplied by a selected level of current passing from the anode through the water to the tank. The anode is configured in such manner as to cause the current to be distributed throughout the entire tank according to a selected profile and takes the form of a long thin element. One portion of the anode includes a layer of noble metal clad or plated onto an electrically conductive and, under anodic conditions, chemically inert layer of metal supported on a suitable electrically insulative member.

Abstract: An apparatus for encoding and decoding musical signals in digital form employs conversion to the frequency domain. Discrete Fourier transform coefficients are calculated from time domain digital data at selected frequencies which are organized in sets of octavely related frequencies. Selecting frequencies in this manner greatly reduces the data rate by eliminating coefficients for many higher frequencies without a great loss of fidelity because the provision of a predetermined number of frequencies in each octave approximates the tonal response of the human ear. A further refinement is selection of frequencies to correspond to the frequencies of musical notes where the greatest energy can be expected.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for use with a radiant energy receiver which provides high cold shield efficiency and is compact; further the optical system is temperature tolerant to maintain focus with changes in temperature and wavelength without operator intervention. The optical system has primary utility in the infrared region of the spectrum and where a two dimensional array of detectors senses the infrared radiant energy or flux from the scene of interest. The optical system is comprised of a window for environmental protection and two objective mirrors for folding and focusing the scene of interest on a first focal plane.

Abstract: A microcomputer device is disclosed containing a read-only memory for programs, a read/write memory usually containing data, and a CPU, all in a single integrated circuit. The CPU is microprogrammed in that each instruction word fetched from the program memory initiates a sequence of microinstructions to perform the operation defined by the instruction word. The sequence is determined by addresses for a control ROM, and the addresses are selected by a method referred to as dispatching. The control ROM output includes a jump address by which the next address may be any location in the entire control ROM address range. Alternatively, the jump address may be modified by any one of several dispatches. A group dispatch selects one of the modes of accessing source and/or destination operands, based on one field of the instruction word. A subsequent function dispatch selects one of the set of available arithmetic/logic operations to be performed in the CPU based on another field of the instruction word.

Abstract: A memory interface system employs a communications protocol to distinguish between command signals, address signals and data signals appearing on the same bus lines. Each memory coupled to the bus lines detects the change between a default state on the bus lines and a command signal. A detector within each memory determines from the received command signal the type of memory operation to be performed and prepares the memory for that operation. These operations may include reading or writing data within specified locations in the memory or reading or writing within the program counter associated with the memory. The detector is only responsive to received command signals when a predetermined state follows the default state.

Abstract: An oven controller having a microprocessor for a microwave oven has a first dial for entering time cook data in one embodiment and time or temperature cook data in other embodiments and a second dial for entering duty cycle power data. Analog signals are derived from the dials which are converted into digital signals for entering into the processor using either discrete components, separate integrated circuits or the microprocessor itself. A servo mechanism is shown in one embodiment to rotate the dials in a prescribed manner to display cook data in either time remaining or actual temperature. In other embodiments a digital display is used to provide this information.

Abstract: A memory mapped I/O scheme treats each I/O buffer as a memory element which can be addressed, written into or read from. Each I/O buffer has its own memory address decoder which eliminates the need for special select/control lines for each buffer and enables the use of a single address/data bus. Thus redesign and reconfiguration of the I/O buffers is more easily accomplished because it does not require new select/control lines to be laid out when buffer locations are changed.

Abstract: Polycrystalline semiconductor material is treated to form a skin of a thermally stable substance and melted with the molten material retained by the film. Upon cooling, the material solidifies as single crystal and the skin is removed.

Abstract: An infrared random access imager system is disclosed which includes a scanning mechanism, a random access imager detector matrix, and a video signal processor. The scanning mechanism scans the infrared energy emanating from a scene in the field-of-view. The random access imager detector matrix stores charges as charge packets representative of the infrared energy impinging thereon and the video signal processor processes the charge packets into video signals. Each random access imager detector matrix element comprises a modified charge injection device, which has two electrodes per unit cell, and horizontal and vertical metal-lead address lines, to which is added a third electrode. The third electrode is a transfer gate which transfers the charge of the detector element into a read line and keeps the charge from one detector from spilling into the detector well of an adjoining unit cell. Thus, charge carriers are created by photoabsorption and collected in the detector well (storage well).

Abstract: An electronic chart system in which charts of the earth are stored in digital representation and communicated to the operator by a visual display. Through the use of a Loran-C receiver or the like, the system additionally plots the carrier's position on the visual representation of the chart. The visual display is a cathode ray tube on which the visual representation is compressed or expanded to meet the demands of the operator so that the appropriate resolution is thereby obtained. To minimize memory size an encoding format is used which provides a data word for indicating the first physical element of the run line, a data word for the number of runs per line and data words for the lengths of N-1 runs of up to two variables for each line of the chart.

Abstract: A microcomputer device is disclosed containing a read-only memory for programs, a read/write memory usually containing data, and a CPU, all in a single integrated circuit. The CPU is microprogammed in that each instruction word fetched from the program memory initiates a sequence of microinstructions to perform the operation defined by the instruction word. The sequence is determined by addresses for a control ROM, and the addresses are selected by a method referred to as dispatching. The control ROM output includes a jump address by which the next address may be any location in the entire control ROM address range. Alternatively, the jump address may be modified by any one of several dispatches. A group dispatch selects one of the modes of accessing source and/or destination operands, based on one field of the instruction word. A subsequent function dispatch selects one of the set of available arithmetic/logic operations to be performed in the CPU based on another field of the instruction word.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic temperature control system for automobiles and improved components thereof. The control system operates on the proportional stroke principle and comprises an in-car air sensing tube biased with ambient air; a sensor in an aspirator at the end of the tube; a moving pivot operated directly by the output of the sensor; and a feedback valve operated by the moving pivot for driving a vacuum-assist motor, the output stroke of which operates the various electrical and vacuum functions of the heater-air conditioning system.

Abstract: A navigational aid and autopilot in which informational data pertaining to the physical operating conditions of the craft, the external characteristics relevant to the operation of the craft, and a chart mapping a selected portion of the surface of the earth in which the craft is operating are combined into a single communication correlating such data in a manner assisting an operator of the craft in the performance of his duties. The navigational aid measures external physical conditions such as radio transmissions, radar soundings, sonar soundings, and the like, as well as the physical state of the craft such as fuel flow, list of the craft, and speed of the motor. By monitoring these characteristics in association with an electronic chart, the system correlates and combines the total informational content in a comprehensive form so as to relieve the operator pilot of the necessity of integrating and correlating data from a plurality of different sources.

Abstract: Transportation apparatus comprising two parallel chains extending in the transport direction. Workpiece carriers are disposed between the chains and extend parallel to each other. Each workpiece carrier includes two support elements extending parallel to each other and are rigidly connected together. On each workpiece carrier, a plurality of workpiece clamps are disposed. Each workpiece clamp comprises two clamp members, respectively connected to the support elements. At least one clamp member of each workpiece clamp is pivotal about the support element with which it is connected, between a closed position and an open position. The chains are fed between a charging station, at which the workpiece clamps are changed with workpieces, and a discharge station at which the workpieces are released from the clamps.