Abstract: A method for oscillating ultrasonic waves and a microcomputer's built-in ultrasonic wave oscillator circuitry being capable of tracking and regulating ultrasonic wave vibrations automatically to be oscillated stably at a resonant frequency of a vibrator. An amplified excitation signal, having a necessary oscillating frequency regulated and amplified in accordance with an input adjusting voltage value signal, is output from an operating unit section. A high-frequency wave current value signal, flowing through a vibrator, after the amplified excitation signal is introduced, is issued from a vibration system to a conversion-transmission section. The adjusting voltage value signal and the high-frequency wave current value signal are converted and then transmitted to the operating unit section, and a microcomputer, respectively.

Abstract: An electronic balance having a strain gauge transducer. The analog output signal of the transducer is processed digitally so that the displayed weight is based on several successive digitized analog signal samples. Various operating parameters (e.g., conversion factors for several different units of weight) are stored in a non-volatile memory so that the scale can perform various weighing functions. The scale has a parts counter mode of operation requiring re-taring of the parts container whenever the scale is recalibrated for a different individual part weight.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing the output signal of a gas chromatograph. An interface device receives the analog output signal and digitizes it, reducing the effects of noise and preparing the signal for processing by a digital microprocessor. The microprocessor detects and measures peaks in the signal and determines the desired identification (in order of ascending molecular weight) and concentration (peak amplitude) data. A logarithmic output signal is produced for displaying output signals with wide dynamic ranges on a strip chart recorder.

Abstract: A time interval measuring system, which is proposed for measuring in a digital memory, etc. a time interval between two time points meeting with measurement conditions indicative of two kinds of optionally presettable threshold levels, polarities and the numbers of slopes in a digital value train converted from an analog signal.

Abstract: An interval-expanding timer compensated for drift and nonlinearity in which a time interval .DELTA.T+nT.sub.0 of the sum of a time interval .DELTA.T to be measured and a constant time interval nT.sub.0 and time intervals (n+1)T.sub.0 and nT.sub.0 are respectively measured after being expanded and the expression ##EQU1## is calculated based on the measured results, thereby to measure the time interval .DELTA.T. The expansion of the time intervals is carried out in the following manner: A fixed voltage is integrated by a first integrator for a given period of time, and the fixed voltage is integrated by a second integrator at an integration rate smaller than that of the first integrator. Coincidence is detected between the integrated outputs from the first and second integrators, and the time interval from the start of integration by the second integrator to the detection of coincidence is provided as the interval-expanded output. The time intervals .DELTA.T+nT.sub.0, (n+1)T.sub.0 and nT.sub.

Abstract: A signal filter method and apparatus for removing portions of a signal indicative of erroneous data, an exemplary apparatus including means for receiving the signal, means for adjusting a threshold by increasing the threshold a first predetermined amount when the signal is in a predetermined relationship with the threshold and for decreasing the threshold a second predetermined amount when the signal is in a second predetermined relationship with the threshold, and means for comparing the signal with the adjusted threshold and for transmitting the signal if the signal bears a first predetermined relationship to the threshold. Disclosed herein are digital and analog implementations of the signal filter method and apparatus, particularly suited for use with catheter-type oximeter apparatus.

Abstract: Elongated members such as nuclear fuel end plugs are provided to a robot by a vibratory feeder. The robot singly inserts the members into a character stamper or marker and then removes them and drops them down a chute to an inspection site. The member is inserted into a character reader and inspected. Unacceptably stamped members are rejected and for each accepted member the stamper is advanced to a next character. Thus, a next member is stamped with the next character, or permutation of characters, the robot already having provided a new member to the stamper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for checking the operation of a combinatorial weighing or measuring apparatus to determine whether the weighing machines and the microcomputer which determines the optimum combination of objects are operating properly. The apparatus includes visual numerical displays, means for arranging and storing the numerical results of the combinatorial computations in the order of closest approximation to the desired set value, means for selectively visually displaying the numerical results, and means for indicating the respective rank of the displayed quantity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying portions of either a stationary plane image or a movable plane image on a video display. The image formed being composed of image element character blocks, each character block being represented in an addressable character memory. The character block in said movable plane being movable continuously in an upward/downward motion and in a sideways motion in combination and with a move resolution of one pixel or one line.

Abstract: A power failure detector for an off-line switcher provides an indication of power failure to a microprocessor load to permit an orderly shutdown without loss of data. The failure detector includes a voltage storage device shunting a secondary winding of a converter power transformer prior to the isolating diode. When its voltage drops below a preset threshold, the microprocessor load is notified that a shutdown action is to be taken.

Abstract: A data communications network is provided in which communications equipment at separated locations are provided with auxiliary processing equipment. The communications equipment is interfaced with the auxiliary processing equipment by means of an analog interface, digital interface and a high speed data bus. The auxiliary processing equipment permits the non-interfering monitoring of the status of the entire network including the communications equipment, data terminal connected to the communications equipment and communications media interconnecting the communications equipment.

Abstract: A postage metering system including a scale and having the capacity to check the weight of items to be mailed and including apparatus for printing postage indicia on items falling outside a preselected range is disclosed. The system includes a postage metering subsystem, having the capability to print indicia corresponding to a particular postage value, a scale for determining if the weight is within the preselected range, apparatus to set the particular postage value to be printed and apparatus for determining the preselected range as a predetermined function of the particular postage value. The determining apparatus may also determine the particular postage value from input data using a conventional weight-to-postage routine and may use such a weight-to-postage routine to determine the preselected weight range. In one embodiment, the printing apparatus is enabled only when the weight of the item to be mailed is within the preselected range.

Abstract: The position of the operator's finger or an actuating device on a transducing surface is used for controlling the level of utilization devices including theater lights controlled by an automated theater light control system. The transducing surface, which may be either an analog or a digital device, is elongated in shape and is immediately adjacent to an elongated display having individual light emitting devices to indicate the level of the utilization device being controlled. Circuitry connected to the tansducing surface produces a first signal to indicate when an operator's finger or an actuating device is present on the transducing surface, and it produces a second signal to indicate the position of the operator's finger or the actuating device on the transducing surface. The second signal is supplied to the display, and the first and second signals are supplied to the utilization device.

Abstract: A load management terminal for an electric utility automated distribution system includes a receiver for receiving central commands sent from an electric utility central station by power line carrier signals. A control unit is connected to the receiver for executing the commands such as load shedding and remote metering. The terminal includes means for generating data at the remote site representative of the results of the executed commands and for storing the status data in a memory device. A video signal generator converts the status data into a composite video signal which is supplied to a modulator to produce a standard RF television signal. The terminal is selectively connected to the television receiver of an electric utility customer, whereby the metering and load shed status data is displayed on the customer television receiver.

Abstract: A device for determining a load operating parameter signal, such as the flux of a rotary field machine, has an integrating circuit added at the input of the instrument transformer with a transfer function k/(1+s.multidot.k/.omega..sub.N) that amplifies reduced low frequency load voltage inputs to the transformer to avoid calculation inaccuracies due to the transformer transfer error. Circuitry having the inverse transfer function located at the output of the transformer compensates for the amplification distortion.

Abstract: A height control for use in connection with punch marking a metallic plate and wherein the distance between the punch marking tool and the plate surface undesirably varies at random due to warping of the metal sheet or deviations from desired tolerance. A microprocessor counter measures the time interval during which the punch marker is in contact with the metal plate. This time interval is compared with a predetermined time range that is indicative of an "in position" condition for the punch marking tool. Detection of time intervals that do not fall within the predetermined "in position" time range results in a pulsed correction signal that activates an electric motor which in turn varies the height of the punch marking tool via a rack and pinion assembly mounted on the tool assembly.

Abstract: A protective relaying system which detects a fault in an electric power system having a circuit breaker by using a current and a voltage of the electric power system. The protective relaying system includes input conversion unit adapted for connecting the electric power system to receive a first and a second input signals corresponding to the current and the voltage and for converting the magnitude and/or the phase of the first and second input signals to produce a first, a second and a third electrical quantities. The protective relaying system also includes comparing unit connected to receive the first, second and third electrical quantities, for comparing the first and second electrical quantities to produce a first logical state signal, and comparing the third and a fourth electrical quantities to produce a second logical state signal cyclically, and for producing a logical state signal including the first and second logical state signals cyclically.

Abstract: A central system for operating presses utilizing one or plural microcomputers is disclosed in which the rotational angle of, for example, the crankshaft of the press is monitored and used to initiate the operation of programmed movements of the press. When utilizing plural microcomputers, they are operated synchronously, a pulse is developed in accordance with the outputs of each, and this pulse is utilized to control the press.

Abstract: A signature analyzer for testing digital circuits. The analyzer includes a memory which is initially programmed with a set of signatures characterizing the digital signals on the nodes of a correctly operating circuit. The nodes of a test circuit are then sequentially applied to a signature generator formed by a multi-stage shift register having the outputs of selected stages fed back to a gate to which the digital signal is applied. The signature generated by the shift register is compared to each of the signatures stored in memory until a signature match is found, thus indicating that the digital circuit, at least as far as the test node is concerned, is operating correctly. The signature generated by the shift register consists of twenty-four bits to provide a probability of error which is comparable to the probability of error in comparing a sixteen-bit signature with the signature from a specifically identified node.

Abstract: A micro graphic representation such as a hologram is formed by directing from a computer to a display surface signals to form a very small portion of the graphic representation of the display surface, focusing a micro image of the display on a recording element, mechanically moving the recording element to a new position, optically measuring the new position and signalling the computer the precise new position and then sending to the display surface next signals to form on the display surface a next very small portion of the graphic representation with the position of the next portion modified to compensate for the difference between the measured position and the required position. The piece-by-piece display is repeated a large number of times to record an entire graphic representation. One embodiment of the invention is a hologram writer.