Abstract: A speech synthesis circuit is provided with a variable frame length data converter and the speech synthesizer is preferably integrated on an integrated circuit chips. The variable frame length data converter reduces the amount of data required to synthesizer human speech at a given quality level. Preferably, a full frame of data includes, a pitch parameter, an energy parameter, a repeat bit and a plurality of speech coefficients. Each parameter or coefficient has a preselected length, but each frame has a variable number of parameters or coefficients associated therewith. The parameters and coefficients are encoded and a particular code of the pitch parameter indicates that the speech is to be unvoiced. An unvoiced frame includes fewer coefficients that a voiced frame and the converter detects this particular pitch parameter and automatically sets the unsent coefficients to zero.

Abstract: Data converter for a speech synthesizer system wherein encoded formant parameters as stored in a memory are decoded and transformed or converted to reflection coefficients in real time by means of a circuit implementing a Taylor series type approximation. The reflection coefficients are then quantized and input to a speech synthesizer which utilizes quantized reflection coefficients to synthesize speech. The use of the coded formant frequency speech data which inherently contains more speech intelligence than reflection coefficient speech data enables a speech synthesizer system which utilizes quantized reflection coefficients to operate at a significantly lower bit rate than would otherwise be possible where reflection coefficients are employed as the speech data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A single charge injector, floating gate memory cell wherein the injector diode is defined by an ion implanted region of opposite conductivity type from that of the semiconductor substrate and by a diffused region having the same conductivity type as but higher conductivity than the substrate. Equal hole and electron injection efficiencies can be obtained from this single charge injector. A three terminal access cell having a compact structure is obtained by use of a thick oxide read transistor located between the injector diode and the bootstrap capacitor. The read transistor together with a single address transistor for the cell are connected to the injector diode.

Abstract: An improved technique for the manufacture of capacitive touch switch panel assemblies, utilized to control appliances and the like, provides simplified construction and manufacture. The technique involves the formation of conductive touch pads on one major surface of a dielectric panel and the formation of pairs of spaced-apart conductive pads and conductive lead members to the conductive pads on a separate flexible synthetic resin sheet. The synthetic resin is bonded to the opposite major surface of the dielectric panel with each pair of conductive pads on the synthetic resin sheet in registry with a corresponding touch pad on the one major surface of the dielectric panel. The synthetic resin sheet includes a portion having a conductive lead pattern formed thereon which is not bonded to the dielectric panel; this portion serves as a flexible connector for connection of the touch panel to a circuit board or the like.

Abstract: Monocrystalline gadolinium gallium garnet is prepared by the Czochralski growth process from a melt composed of the oxides of gadolinium and gallium. In order for this process to produce uniform crystal growth, the growing crystal must support a meniscus of liquid above the level of the surrounding melt. This meniscus is held up by the surface tension between the liquid and the growing crystal. It has been established that impurities in the meniscus region lower the surface tension of the liquid phase causing the meniscus to lose contact with the solid phase resulting in nonuniform crystal growth. By the addition of approximately 100 ppm of calcium into the melt, a counteracting effect is produced causing the meniscus to remain in contact with the growing crystal.

Abstract: A micro-vector processor has an input and output section, a supervisor section, a vector unit section, and a memory common to all of the sections and accessible by each. The signals to be processed are supplied by the input section in digital form to the data memory unit. The supervisor section is programmable and acts as the overall micro vector processor control processor. The supervisor unit sets up, starts, and monitors the actual signal processor, the vector unit. The supervisor orders the vector unit to go to a reserve location in the data memory unit where it finds the beginning address of a command-parameter list (CPL) previously loaded into data memory by the supervisor unit, containing the name of, and the parameters for, the utility algorithm which the vector unit is to execute. The algorithms that the vector unit performs are contained in the form of micro instructions in a read-only memory (ROM) which controls the operation of the vector unit.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device of the electrically erasable type employs a floating gate which is programmed by application to high voltage across the source and drain so that hot electrons traverse the gate oxide. The floating gate is discharged by electron tunneling through an erase window which is separated from the control gate. Very small cell size is provided by a triple level polysilicon structure.

Abstract: A single-ended array of rows and columns of memory cells of the floating gate EPROM type employs a differential sense circuit for producing a data output voltage. The sense circuit allows the array to be biased independent of the sense operation. A reference voltage is provided for direct comparison to the operating point of the selected column line, producing a differential voltage whose polarity indicates the logic state of the selected cell.

Abstract: A matrix array of semiconductor bars is located on an X-Y table and the bars are successively brought into the field of view of a television camera for precise alignment with respect to a reference point. The video signals corresponding to an image of the bar and its peripheral area are digitized to produce digitized video signals predominantly of a first level corresponding to surface area of the bar and of a second level corresponding to the peripheral areas. The digitized video signals are analyzed in data window sets, there being one data window set associated with a single edge of the image of the object, for each of the X and Y directions, corresponding to separate regions of the video image having in the associated axial direction predetermined distances from each other and different distances from an associated edge of the image of the object.

Abstract: For a distance measuring system in which a light measuring arrangement responds to changes in light to establish distances, a processing circuit includes a quasi-compression device that receives the electrical signal from the light measuring arrangement and maintains the normal gain of an amplifier to amplify the electrical signal when the electrical signal is low. The compression device reduces the amplifier gain when the electrical signal is higher. This narrows the dynamic range necessary for the distance measuring system.

Abstract: An information storage system has a magnetic head transducer for reading and/or writing information on a flexible magnetic recording disc. The head has an upper recording/playback surface with a one inch radius of curvature along its major axis and a one half inch radius of curvature along its minor axis for providing optimum contact between the head and disc while at the same time minimizing wear. The head is affixed to a ramp member having an inclined surface sloping away from the upper recording/playback surface of the head for lifting the disc up and over the head as the head and ramp member are moved radially toward the center of the disc, thereby preventing the disc from being damaged by collision with the head and eliminating the need for a solenoid or the like to move the head vertically with respect to the disc.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for controlling the precise time of firing of each air gun in an array of air guns employed in marine seismic exploration. For each air gun in the array, the apparatus maintains a record of past measured gun delays, that is the time period expiring between the triggering of an air gun and the time that the gun actually fires. Upon the receipt of a fire command, the apparatus inserts appropriate delays before triggering the individual air guns. In this way the air guns are controlled to fire in a precise predetermined sequence. The air guns may be caused to fire either simultaneously or sequentially so as to exercise effective control over the spectral content and the directionality of the energy generated by the array.

Abstract: Method of fabricating a magnetic bubble memory device in which the magnetizable upper overlay pattern of magnetically soft material, e.g. permalloy, defining bubble propagation elements and bubble function-determining components as located above a bubble-supporting magnetic film is disposed in a wholly planar configuration to avoid bubble propagation anomalies encountered with typical non-planar overlay patterns of magnetically soft material. The fabrication method provides for the consecutive deposition onto a substrate having a magnetic film capable of supporting magnetic bubbles of a layer of non-magnetic electrically conductive material, a layer of insulating material, and a layer of magnetically soft material, such as permalloy.

Abstract: Disclosed for use in a line for manufacturing an article is a manufacturing work station which operates at subatmospheric conditions. The work station comprises a housing which includes a base plate having a recess at least as large as the article to be manufactured. The recess has a plurality of grooves formed in it. A spacer plate overlies the recess and has an aperture over each of the grooves in the base. A track insert plate generally of the same configuration as the spacer plate overlies said spacer plate and has a plurality of grooves therein which overlie each of said spacer apertures. A plurality of slanted holes are formed through the track insert plate and connect to the grooves in the track insert plate whereby when gas is applied through selected base plate grooves, the gas is transmitted through the slanted holes to move the article in the work station.

Abstract: A method of assembling a motor starting relay whereby a series of open-ended cases are advanced in sequence to an assembly station, a pair of contacts which are assembled by providing two lines of terminals and two lines of springs and having each head spring and head terminal become an integral unit, are placed into the case and after a resistor wafer is placed between the parallel placed contacts, lids are placed on each housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic calculator system having an input for receiving data and command signals, a memory for storing inputted data and data to be outputted, an arithmetic unit for performing arithmetic operations on the data stored in the memory, a first read-only-memory for storing groups of instruction words for controlling the data stored within the memory and for controlling the arithmetic operations performed by the arithmetic unit, a second read-only-memory for storing a set of program codes, each program code being effective for addressing a selected group of instruction words and control circuitry for reading out the groups of instruction words corresponding to an addressed set of program codes.

Abstract: An electronic digital programmable wall thermostat system for controlling heating and cooling systems supplying an indoor area or space. The thermostat includes a digital clock, a display for displaying desired parameters of time and temperature and a data entry keyboard for programming the thermostat to maintain desired temperatures during selected time intervals. The heart of the system is a digital processor with memory, which responds to signals from a temperature sensing means which includes an analog to digital converter for controlling the heating and cooling systems in accordance with the sequence programmed therein. The system provides for conservation of energy by automatic system shutdown or setback when the heated or cooled space is unoccupied or during periods when activity in the space is minimal such as during sleeping hours.

Abstract: Radio frequency plasma etching of conductive coatings on semiconductor slices is improved by the use of a curved electrode which is closer to the slice at the center than at the periphery. Preferably, the electrode is in a symmetrical chamber which contains only one slice, and reactant gases are admitted through apertures in the electrode. An r.f. power source is connected between the electrode and a holder for the slice.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for use with teletext display apparatus which is arranged to operate in a plurality of display modes, including a graphic display mode, in response to digital coded control signals, and to display in each mode digital coded data signals which provide the display information for the viewer. The digital coded control signals are interspersed among the digital coded data signals, with the result that no display information is normally available when a digital coded control signal is present, but the apparatus is so arranged that, in the graphics display mode, the digital coded, data signal which arrived immediately before the digital coded control signal is held over, and used to fill in the blank space that would correspond to the presence of the digital coded control signal. `Hold over` is effected by arranging that a current data signal is held in a data store, and that the stored data is pushed out only by a subsequent data signal.