Abstract: A general-purpose management system displays a single general format on a display unit so that items redundant in plural types of management to be performed independently, as well as items peculiar to each type of management, can be inputted successively, and includes a first file for collectively storing data relating to each of the items inputted in accordance with the display, a plurality of second files for storing data necessary for each type of management on a type-by-type basis, a data extractor which, in dependence upon the type of management to be performed independently, is adapted to extract data necessary for this management from the first file and transfer the data to a corresponding second file, and a data preparer for preparing data necessary for a specific type of management and outputting these data in accordance with a predetermined format on the basis of the data in the first file and the data transferred to the corresponding second file.

Abstract: A signal processing method in autoradiography for determination of the base sequence of DNA or a DNA fragment, employing groups of radioactively labeled base specific cleavage products or mixtures thereof obtained by specifically cleaving the DNA or DNA fragment labeled with a radioactive element and resolved one-dimensionally in parallel relation to each other to form resolved rows on a support medium. An autograph is obtained having locational information on groups of radioactively labeled cleavage products contained in the rows on the support medium. An electrical digital signal corresponding to the autoradiograph is then generated by recording and reproducing from a stimulable phosphor sheet the radiation energy stored therein. Sampling points in each resolved row of the digital signal are next detected. Reference sampling points are then determined in a plurality of reference rows which are either directly provided on the support medium and/or synthesized from certain resolved rows.

Abstract: Disclosed are two modifications of the Tank-Hopfield circuit, each of which enables the deconvolution of a signal in the presence of noise. In each embodiment, the Tank-Hopfield circuit is modified so that the equation for total circuit energy reduces to one term representing convolution and another information theoretic (or Shannon) entropy. Thus, in finding its global minimum energy state, each modified circuit inherently identifies an optimal estimate of a deconvoluted input signal without noise.

Abstract: A differential phase shift keying convolver having a plurality of tracks includes at least one track where an opposite phase convolution output is produced. Each track includes two output gates spaced at the center for differential phase shift keying demodulation. Among these output gates, some gates selected in accordance with the phase relationship between convolution outputs are connected to provide sum and/or difference outputs of the convolution signals. The opposite phase convolution outputs can be produced by arranging at least one of the input transducers in a step-like configuration, by using multistrip couplers, or by providing a metal film in a selected position of the traveling path of surface acoustic waves for application of a control voltage.

Abstract: A POS system is made up of a central computer and a plurality of POS terminals. The central computer includes a price look-up (PLU) table and informs the POS terminals of the article data in response to a PLU table inquiry demand from a POS terminal. The content of the PLU table is capable of being updated by an update demand from the POS terminals.

Abstract: An expert system uses internal rules for sound software development and in the end automatically produces a correct running system, without the need for the designer to work out the solution first or to enter any more than the facts (data types and procedure types) of the organization. To operate the user merely inputs data about the organization in response to prompts in the form of conversational language questions. The rest of the development of the software for that organization is actually done by the expert system itself.

Abstract: Dual control of image level and window of a display is accomplished by rotation of a single trackball. Rotation of the trackball within a first band including the X axis controls one parameter, and rotation of the trackball in a second band including the Y axis controls a second parameter. No changes are made in the parameters in response to rotation of the trackball in a third deadband laying between the first band and second band. The operator of a tomography system can readily change display parameters by rotation of the trackball while viewing the display.

Abstract: A programmable multi-membership function circuit comprises at least one or preferably two Z function circuits, at least one or preferably two S function circuits, and a fuzzy logic circuit for calculating fuzzy logic from the output of the Z function circuits and the output of the S function circuits. The fuzzy logic circuit comprises a MIN (intersection) circuit and a MAX (union) circuit, or the combination of these circuits.

Abstract: A method for analyzing autoradiography by subjecting digital signals corresponding to an autoradiograph having information on two-dimensional location of radioactively labeled substances resolved on a support medium to signal processing, to obtain the locational information on the radioactively labeled substances in the form of visual indicia, which includes the steps of:(1) electrically displaying the autoradiograph in the form of an image on the basis of the digital signals;(2) extracting signals in a given area along resolved rows of the radioactively labeled substances on the basis of input information on the rows determined from the display image; and(3) subjecting the extracted signals to one-dimensional signal processing to detect resolved portions.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for utilizing image pixel value information generated by a digital radiographic system for quantifying the amount of calcium in a particular object of interest within a subject, wherein the subject also contains additional quantities of calcium located at positions such that the additional calcium interfers with the acquisition of data describing the object of interest. A cursor configured as a parallelogram is described and pixel values are summed along lines parallel to the sides of the parallelogram. A profile is generated from these summations. A portion of the profile corresponding to pixel lines not intersecting the object of interest is used to estimate the contribution of background and other calcium to the profile as a whole, and this estimated value is subtracted from the total profile. Integration of the remainder of the profile provides a scalar value corresponding to the amount of calcium in the object of interest.

Abstract: A signal processing method in autoradiography for obtaining information on the one dimensional location of radioactively labeled substances in a sample where the substances of the sample are distributed in at least one row on a support medium where the information is in the form of symbols, numerals or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A correlator, such as may be used in a phase detecting device of an automatic focusing circuit for a camera , has a simple arrangement that attains improved accuracy and high speed. A pair of charge storing elements is provided to which input signals are applied. When predetermined charges are supplied into potential wells formed in the charge storing elements, charge remaining in the potential wells depending on their depth can be detected as the absolute value of the difference between the two input signals. Therefore, the input signals can be subjected to correlation directly as they are, that is, in analog form, without conversion to digital form.

Abstract: Acousto-optic multi-channel space integrating correlators and methods of using the same are disclosed. The correlators consist of a single channel acousto-optic cell illuminated by a light source, with the light from the cell imaged onto a second acousto-optic cell, typically a multi-channel cell, with the light between the two cells being single sideband filtered so as to pass only the desired components. The light from each channel of the second acousto-optic cell is directed to a respective light detector, or utilizing a segmented lens system, is split so that different portions of the light from each channel are directed to a different respective light detector.

Abstract: A programmable voltage offset circuit (PVOC) (1) comprises a temporary latch memory (7); a latch disable circuit (5) which selects that PVOC (1) among several such circuits which may be simultaneously present on the same semiconductor chip; a resistor array (3); and a programmable nonvolatile memory (37). The desired voltage offsets V(OFFSET)s are temporarily produced in an iterative manner using the latch memory (7). Quasi-permanent voltage offsets V(OFFSET)s are then programmed using the nonvolatile memories (37), each of which typically comprises an EPROM (39). Application of an avalanche voltage V(STORE) to a PFET (43) portion of the EPROM (39) causes the PFET (43) to avalanche, thereby selectively programming the nonvolatile memory (37), depending upon the status of a signal supplied from the latch memory (7).

Abstract: A detecting instrument for detecting time difference between input times of two signals through the use of correlation function is disclosed. The instrument includes a digital circuit for repetitive computing of the correlation function between the two input signals and an analog circuit for detecting the phase of the fundamental frequency component of the repeated correlation function provided by the digital circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the phase of an output signal relative to the phase of a reference signal are described. A function generator receives a phase control input signal and generates a predetermined periodic waveform having a selected phase displacement with respect to the phase control input signal. A desired phase displacement of the generated waveform is provided in a digital manner by selecting and storing a set of digital values representing samples of the phase displaced waveform. The phase displaced waveform is generated from the set of stored digital sample values.

Abstract: The computerized time clock system includes a personal computer via which employee, job and schedule records may be assembled and maintained. A computerized time clock communicates with the personal computer and received employee and scheduling data therefrom, in order to validate and record time-in and time-out transactions executed by employees. Current time records are maintained in the memory of the time clock and at the end of each day are transmitted to the personal computer for addition to permanent disk records including a record of each time-in and time-out transaction for an extended period. Sales records may also be maintained in personal computer 20, for example the quantity of liquor or food served by a particular employee or in a particular department, which sales information may be correlated with labor costs found in the permanent time records.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use with a cathode ray oscilloscope for displaying from any desired perspective a multi-dimensional surface evolving in time multi electrical signal are introduced to attachment to related electrical signal-carrying means, a multiplicity of two-dimensional rotators. For the number N of signals and therefore of N dimensions there areN!/2 (N-2)!two dimensional rotators. Each rotator is connected to a different pair of these signals and provide two-dimensional rotation of the paired signals. The rotators are connected together to produce signal outputs corresponding to the number of signals introduced, each signal passing through two rotators as each signal makes its way to its respective signal output. The outputs are connected to a cathode ray oscilloscope, at least two at a time.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for characterizing the unknown state of a physical system having a variant signature, the characterization being made with reference to a known state of like physical systems. A response signature representative of the unknown system state is compared to a standard signature representative of the known system state. The standard signature comprises a multi-dimensional region within a pre-defined, transformed coordinate system having an inner and outer boundary. If the response signature lies wholly within the bounded region, the system being characterized is deemed to be in the known state. Conversely, if the response signature does not lie wholly within the bounded region, the system being characterized is deemed to be in a state other than the known state.

Abstract: A two-track convolver has input transducer assemblies at each end of integrated electrodes. Each of the input transducer assemblies is formed of two individual transducers which are connected in series. One of the transducer input assemblies connects to an input signal and the other of the input assemblies connects to a reference signal. Transducers which are diagonally arranged with respect to the two integration electrodes connect to reference potential. For a given input impedance, the system permits a greatest possible chirp duration corresponding to a large length of the individual transducers.