Abstract: A calculator, particularly useful for medical personnel comprises function, numerical selection, and memory circuits with a read out display connected to provide conversion of quantitative values from one system to another, times and converts pulse rates and similar observations to a standard time element, and when used with a data, time, tone and circuitry reminds an attendant of various duty schedules and is also adapted to be utilized with a "print out" system.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a model of an underground geological formation is disclosed wherein a quantity of non-solid material of the type which solidifies at volumetric positions impinged upon by preselected incident energy as used. Memory means are provided which have uniquely addressable location for storing data indicative of the desired and actual material states at respective volumetric positions. Means are additionally for scanning the data and sequentially directing the energy at supported, non-blocking, volumetric positions in the medium volume.

Abstract: An optical processing system performs matrix-matrix, matrix-vector, and vector-vector multiplication. Element product formation is accomplished by the time integration of a detector array which converts light signals into electrical signals. Inner products are formed by the spatial integration of a cylindrical lens which focuses modulated light onto the detector array. Modulation of the light is accomplished by bit-serial modulation of the light sources with one element value in twos complement form, and by bit-serial modulation of an acousto-optic cell by the other element value in twos complement form. A multi-channel systolic embodiment permits a complete vector quantity formation without the need to enter modulation data separately for each inner product of the vector.

Abstract: In a system for compressing radiation image signals, code tables for use in entropy encoding for signal compression are created and classified in accordance with combinations of human body portions of radiation images with image recording conditions thereof. The optimal table is selected from the classified tables in accordance with the combination of the human body portion of the radiation image with the image recording conditions thereof which are inputted from a keyboard. Radiation image signals obtained by reading out the radiation image are compressed by use of the optimal table, thereby quickly achieving efficient signal compression.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling customer access to rental appliances located in the customer's home or other location away from the direct physical control of the renter. This is accomplished through use of a control module wired into the appliance with a card reader for programming such module.

Abstract: A method of selecting and reproducing language characters, preferably in languages having a multitude of pictorial characters, from phonetic or sound representation of the language, includes the steps of displaying the phonetic symbols which show all of the sounds of the language without intonations, selecting the desired sound for constructing a character, displaying all language characters having all intonations of the selected sound, and selecting the particular character having the unique phonetic sound and intonation combination, and the specific meaning intended.

Abstract: An electronic device provides a universal interface between sensors and an acquisition and processing system of the signals originating from the sensors, wherein the various sensors are connected to standardized terminals (1 . . . 6), appearing all identical to the user and comprising energization (M) and amplifying (A, A.sub.p) elements, capable of being adapted to said sensors, and identification means (R.sub.ECG, R.sub.PRE) for automatically recognizing the sensor present in the terminal, so as to allow programming the signal amplification, energization and processing elements.

Abstract: An analog parallel device for the local processing of a bidimensional signal comprises an input means, a processing means and an output means, the input means receiving the bidimensional signal and supplying, on a group of elementary input points organized in matrix-like manner, a group of parallel electrical input signals, the processing means receiving said input signals and supplying, on a group of elementary output points organized in matrix-like manner, a group of parallel electric output signals, each of which is obtained by a linear or non-linear combination of a plurality of input signals, the output means receiving said output signals, said means being realized in the form of thin films on a substrate.This device may be particularly applied to local image processing.

Abstract: A digital multiplication by analog convolusion algorithm is extended by a brid combination of both floating and fixed-point arithmetic. An acousto-optical time-integrating architecture uses a binary representation of the hybrid combination of floating and fixed-point arithmetic. An array of full adders in conjunction with a photodetector array avoids generating mixed binary outputs that normally result when the digital multiplication by analog convolution algorithm is applied so as to eliminate the need for analog-to-digital converters otherwise needed to convert mixed binary to pure binary.

Abstract: An electronic cash register having a plurality of keys arranged on a key board can provide optionally predetermined key functions to the plurality of keys. The cash register comprises an indicator for successively indicating designations of keys at least necessary for setting key positions. When the key designations are indicated on the indicator, optional keys on a key board are actuated, and then, key codes of the actuated keys are set as key codes corresponding to function codes of the indicated key designations, so that keys at least necessary for setting key positions are set. Thereafter, function codes corresponding to key codes of the respective keys are set by using the set keys.

Abstract: An electronic cash register includes a mask ROM for memorizing a fixed operation program. First through third RAM's are provided for storing information for partly modifying the operation program memorized in the mask ROM. The first RAM stores information which indicates an address of the mask ROM at which the program should be modified. The second RAM stores a modified program. The third RAM stores an address table which correlates the address of the mask ROM at which the address should be modified, and the addresses of the second RAM at which the modified program is stored. A control system performs an operation in accordance with the operation program memorized in the the mask ROM with reference to the first RAM. When the first RAM indicates the modification, the operation is conducted in accordance with the modified program information and associated address table stored in the second and third RAM's.

Abstract: Initialization data independent of logging curve data values (such as grid definitions and starting depths) are transmitted to a remote terminal where well log curve displays are desired. Data corresponding to magnitudes of successive adjacent points on the curves are then sequentially transmitted as delta values. Each delta value is the difference in magnitude between two adjacent sample points on a given curve. Transmission of redundant and unnecessary information such as integer values of curve samples is thereby eliminated. Large amounts of well log data may then be transferred quickly to remote locations at low data transmission rates associated with conventional telephonic communication links. Cumulative error resulting from reconstructing curve sample magnitudes from delta values is eliminated by a bi-directional transmission error checking scheme.

Abstract: Equipment and methods improving the quality of a tomograph are presented for rearranging divergent beam derived data into parallel data. The equipment and method perform uniform noise distribution interpolation either in the reordering phase or in the rebinning phase or in both phases. When the uniform noise distribution interpolation is employed noise streak artifacts, normally present in images, virtually disappear.

Abstract: There is an electronic cash register comprising a keyboard having numeral keys and first to fourth function keys, a first memory in which a plurality of character codes and a plurality of corresponding character patterns have been stored, and a data processing unit which generates sales data in response to the key operations in the keyboard and also reads out the character pattern from the first memory in accordance with the sales data and supplies it to a dot printer in the registration mode. In the program mode, the data processing unit stores the character code which is generated by operating the numeral keys and first function key into a second memory and stores the column address data which is generated by operating the numeral keys and second function key and the character pattern formed of the dot pattern which is generated by operating the numeral keys and third function key into the second memory.

Abstract: ECG signals are digitized and a template representative of an arrhythmia free interval for a particular patient is formed. Subsequent ECG signals which match the template are averaged to form averaged ECG signals to reduce noise. A fast Fourier transform (FET) is performed on the terminal 40 millisecond portion of the QRS complex and the ST segment. The 60 db area and 40 Hz intercept of the resultant spectral output are used as a figure of merit in predicting the liklihood of a particular patient experiencing ventricular tachycardia. Alternatively, the FET magnitude is squared to form energy spectra of the ECG signals and a measure of the energy in a first preselected portion such as the 20-50 Hz region is compared with a second preselected portion such as the entire spectra to form a figure of merit for predicting ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract: An amusement device and method of operation are disclosed wherein a plurality of payout schedules which govern the conduct of the game are retained in a memory. The actual payout rate of the apparatus is constantly determined and the actual payout is compared with predetermined limits. If the actual payout exceeds the limit, the apparatus automatically selects another payout schedule which alters the probability of a player's winning. The game is fair because the payout schedule governing conduct of the game is displayed to the player.

Abstract: An electronic method is used to determine the location of a football on a playing field using a radio transmitter which is positioned at the end of the football and energized to send signals to dispersed receiving rotating antennas which automatically become positioned to point toward the transmitter and then provide via triangulating methods, signals to a computer that determines and transmits the actual location of the football to selected receivers on or off the football field.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for overcoming one of the limiting factors in applying digital techniques to measuring analog signals over a wide dynamic range, namely, the uncertainty introduced into the measurement by noise and A/D conversion, particularly at low signal levels. A central feature of the technique is the filtering of the signal with a variable time constant digital filter, the time constant being a function of the measured signal in such way as to increase the effective resolution of small signals at the expense of an increased transient delay. For large signals, the time constant is reduced so that adequate transient response is provided when it is most needed and when there is already adequate resolution.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the distribution of product coupons from a plurality of remote terminals located at the point of sale is provided. The system includes video display terminals for displaying an array of coupons available for selection and means for monitoring and controlling the number of coupons distributed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing locating pulses supplied by a gamma camera and to a gamma camera utilizing this method. In accordance with the invention, locating pulses (X.sup.+,X.sup.-,Y.sup.+,Y.sup.-) are taken into account by a calculator circuit (12) which performs the standardization of an (X,Y) coordinate signal proportional to the difference of two locating pulses (X.sup.+ -X.sup.-) along an axis by the sum of these same two locating pulses (X.sup.+ +X.sup.-) along this axis.