Abstract: An approximate square root Ya of a given value X is derived by referring to a relation Y=X.sup.1/2 at an accuracy at which an error between the approximate square root Ya and an infinitely precise square root Y is smaller than a weight of a digit in a digit place which is lower by two digit places than a least significant digit place for a final square root. The approximate square root Ya is rounded to an interim square root Yr equal to one of possible interim square roots which is closest to the approximate square root Ya. A value Xr is derived from the interim square root Yr using a relation Xr=Yr2. A sticky digit S is set to 0, 1, or -1 in response to a relation between the values X and Xr. The sticky digit S is added to a digit place having an order immediately lower than a lowest order digit place of the interim square root Yr, and a result of the addition is rounded in a designated rounding mode to obtain the final square root.

Abstract: A moisture content measuring apparatus and method wherein a sensor station produces calibration data corresponding to measurements of light at two different wavelengths reflected from a material, and the calibration data is then transferred to a hand held computer. The moisture content of a sample of the material is measured and input to the hand held computer. The process is repeated after changing the wetness of the material, and the hand held computer creates a table correlating reflection data to moisture content. The table is transferred to the sensor station which then continuously generates signals representing moisture content in response to real time reflection data and the table. The cost effectiveness of the sensor stations readily facilitates the use of a dedicated sensor station at each of a plurality of conveyors carrying different materials to be combined into a composite of predetermined proportions by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recording on a rewritable recording medium using a laser beam capable of producing at least three discreet levels of power. The three levels of power used for writing to the recording medium is greater than the power required for reading. The present method is unique in that the power level of the laser beam is modulated between high, intermediate, and low levels over a time period so that at least three discreet power levels are radiated to the recording medium during recording. The increment of the radiation energy of the upward pulse from the intermediate level toward the high level is within the range of 0.8 to 1.2 times the decrement of the radiation energy of the downward pulse from the intermediate level to the low level. The present invention provides high density recording capability with minimum non-erasure areas even when the recording medium is formed from a high velocity crystallization (high speed erasure).

Abstract: An erroneous-operation preventive apparatus operable with an operation medium has a unit for receiving the operation medium. The unit includes first and second data modifiers and the operation medium stores first data, second data equal to the first data modified by the first data modifier, and third data equal to the first data modified by the second data modifier. When the operation medium is set in the unit, the first and second modifiers modify the first data from the operation medium. The modified first data is compared with the second and third data from the operation medium to decide the correctness of operation when the comparison results indicate a predetermined relationship between the modified first data with the respective second and third data.

Abstract: A method for melting thermosplastic material is disclosed. A protective liner for the interior of the furnace protects the refractory walls of the furnace from corrosion caused by the molten thermoplastic material. The improvement comprises confining a thermoplastic material between the liner and the refractory walls which is a viscous material such that its characteristics closely match those of a refractory composition.