Abstract: A system for determining the delay between first and second signals includes apparatus for characterizing each signal and apparatus responsive to corresponding portions of the first and second characterizations for providing an estimate of the delay of the second signal relative to the first. In a preferred embodiment the characterizer dissects the signal into a plurality of separate components each having a different frequency. A cross-characterizer determines the time delay between corresponding components of the two characterizations and derives a weight for each determined delay. A cross-characterization combiner forms a weighted sum of the determined component delays which becomes the discriminated delay between the two signals.

Abstract: Performance data is comprised of a successive serial arrangement of note data formed with paired pitch data and note duration data and of rest data formed with only rest duration data and having no pitch data. A performance data processing apparatus judges whether a rest datum following a note datum is shorter than a predetermined duration, and in case the result of this judgment if YES, the apparatus integrates the rest datum and the note datum preceding the rest datum into an integrated note datum having a note pitch of the note datum and a note duration which is equal to the sum of the duration of the note datum and the duration of the rest datum, whereby, in case a music score is displayed or printed out based on the performance data, rests having a duration shorter than the predetermined duration are eliminated to prolong the duration of the respective preceding notes each by an amount of the duration of the eliminated rest.

Abstract: A method for selecting the proper clamping force to be applied by a rotatable chuck against a workpiece of known rigidity comprises the steps of inserting a transducer of known rigidity into a chuck of known rigidity, measuring the clamping force under conditions of a stand-still and rotation to obtain a change in clamping force induced by rotation, and multiplying the change of force by a correction factor involving the foregoing rigidities to obtain a predicted change of clamping force which would be experienced upon insertion of the workpiece in the chuck. The predicted change in clamping force enables an operator to select a sufficient amount of clamping force for safely retaining a workpiece in the chuck during rotation.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled cooking apparatus and method including a plurality of presettable time and temperature circuits which allow for the programming into a cooking device of ideal cook time and temperature data. A microcomputer continuously monitors actual cooking conditions and automatically adjusts the cooking time of a food item in accordance with variations in temperature. These adjustments are computed in reference to an optimum temperature/time curve.

Abstract: A method for digitally constructing variable width cartographic lines, the invention provides an algorithm for generating symbolized lines using multiply-stroked centerline data. The algorithm allows generation of software which utilizes trigonometric functions and which can be implemented in applications using vector data with vector or raster plotters. The algorithm further accounts for basic cartographic principles, existing algorithm characteristics and hardware constraints imposed by specific output devices.

Abstract: A system for surveying the contour of land and for automatically determining the most efficient movement of dirt in order to obtain a desired grade utilizes a stationary transmitter which generates a rotating laser beam plane across the field to be surveyed. A receiver and a control circuit are mounted on a vehicle which is adapted to drive across the field. After providing the control circuit with certain initialization data, an operator drives the vehicle over the field in a predetermined manner to enable the control circuit to take elevational readings at selected points. After the survey has been completed, the operator can use the control circuit to display graphical information relating to the surveyed field. The operator can also utilize the control to calculate the amount of dirt which must be moved in order to obtain a desired grade on the field.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control system for an arm assembly of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,540 utilizes an electric computer (microprocessor) which receives a nonlinear or harmonic signal from the rotary hydraulic motor of the arm of this assembly and converts the harmonic signal into a linear signal which is applied to a comparator as the value signal for comparison with a command signal from the computer. Similar comparators are provided for each of the hydraulic operators and the sensors thereof can provide direct actual value inputs to these comparators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the non-destructive testing of the internal structure of objects.The system comprises an object support, an X-ray generator and means for the detection of the attenuated X-ray beam from the object. The system also comprises means for controlling the successive displacements of the support relative to a fixed reference mark in such a way that the incident beam scans a sectional plane of the object, and means for processing the signals from the detection means for the purpose of displaying a section of the object in the sectional plane, the generator and detection means being fixed with respect to the reference mark.Application to the inspection and testing of objects by X-rays.

Abstract: A digital system for controlling the attitude of a spacecraft (14), e.g., a satellite, with respect to three orthogonal axes. The system can control satellites (14) in parking orbit, transfer orbit, or final operational orbit, whether or not the satellite (14) employs one or more momentum wheels. A processor (2) converts weighted data from spacecraft sensors (12), representing angular orientation and angular velocities about each of the three axes, into thruster pulsetrain signatures to command the firing of each of six thrusters positioned about spacecraft (14), a positive and a negative thruster being positioned to impart both directions of angular momentum about each of the three axes. Each thruster pulsetrain signature is created once every processed error cycle period T1, and contains a varying number of pulses of varying widths. A negative feedback PWPF loop (2, 16, 20, 22, 24) is actuated for each of the three axes, preferably several times each T1 in order to achieve better thruster on/off resolution.

Abstract: A time measuring circuit for meters of the pulse reflection type includes a gate signal generator for producing a gate pulse signal the duration of which is proportional to a value of an object to be measured, an oscillator for producing clock pulses at a predetermined frequency, a complementary-output element responsive to the gate pulse signal for producing first and second clock pulses which are the same at their phase and relatively inverted, a pair of gates for passing therethrough the first and second clock pulses during appearance of the gate pulse signal, a flip-flop for applying the first clock pulses to a counter and for applying the first and second clock pulses to a pair of integration circuits. The counter counts the first clock pulses to produce an output signal indicative of the counted value, and the integration circuits selectively integrate the first and second clock pulses in response to the gate pulse signal.

Abstract: A charge control system for a vehicle is provided with a microcomputer which calculates the most suitable battery charging value or voltage regulator set value on the basis of detected engine and charging system parameters. The microcomputer uses parameters such as the charging condition and service life condition of the battery, along with the instantaneous generated voltage, etc., and outputs the calculated set value to the voltage regulator of the charging system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a solid material flow meter which utilizes a friction pad thermally connected through a thermal path of known thermal characteristics to a heat sink. Temperature sensors are positioned along the thermal path to sense the flow of heat from the friction pad to the heat sink when solid material, such as soil, is flowing in contact with the pad. An electrical signal output proportional to relative soil volume flow rate is derived from heat sensor output multiplied by depth and width of cut. The output (1) indicates when and if soil is flowing along the friction path into a bowl, and (2) indicates the optimum and unique peak rate at which it is possible for the pan scraper bowl to be loaded.

Abstract: A system and technique is disclosed which enables the measurement and display of aircraft groundspeed using a modified FMCW radar altimeter. The system is constructed to have a conventional FMCW altimeter transmitter and receiver for transmitting and receiving vertical return signals, and a narrowbeam forward-looking antenna and associated receiver for detecting return signals from the forward angle. The transmitted signal is triangularly modulated to produce returns on both the upsweep and downsweep of the modulation and the difference between the frequencies of those returns, as detected by the forward looking antenna, is proportional to aircraft slant velocity. The system also detects slant range and altitude and combines them with slant velocity to produce an output representing the aircraft groundspeed.

Abstract: A graphics drum plotter in which wide strip paper is divided into virtual columns. An operator interface is provided whereby an operator can define the size and number of columns across the strip paper. Instead of producing a series of small plots along one edge of the wide strip, the system includes logic to place the series of plots sequentially across the columns of the strip paper before advancing the strip paper to a next writing area. A paper slitter is also provided to slit the paper on the column lines after the printing thereon.

Abstract: A high speed hidden surface processor capable of operating in real time and suitable for interaction with a computer-generated imagery or computer graphics system, whereby a realistic three-dimensional scene can be projected on a two-dimensional video display. The scene is formed by one or more polygons that are visible from an arbitrary viewpoint. The present hidden surface processor employs a hidden surface algorithm, such that certain polygons or portions of polygons, which polygons are obscured by other polygons lying closer to the viewpoint, are removed or truncated. Ordered linked lists of scan line data corresponding to the surfaces of the visible polygons are assembled and stored, so that the complete scene may be subsequently displayed with increased speed and minimized hardware implementation costs.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a can testing machine which provides a visual display on a cathode ray tube identifying potential can production process problems and can testing machine problems. The visual dislay provides a summary of can test data as well as analysis messages. A microcomputer is utilized in conjunction with the can testing machine and logic hardware to perform the summary and analysis functions of the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: Digital values representing trial bias voltages that are to be applied to the control grid of an x-ray tube are stored at respective locations in a battery energized RAM. The addresses of the locations correspond to the nominal x-ray tube currents that relate to the bias voltages. A model of the actual bias voltages for selected tube currents is made and supplants the trial voltages. A trial digital bias value is converted to an analog signal used to control the output level of a generator that applies the bias voltage to the grid. An x-ray exposure is made. The x-ray dosage in terms of actual milliampere-seconds (mAS) is measured and compared with a reference desired mAS value. A computer calculates to a first approximation the bias voltage that should have been applied to obtain the desired mAS and returns the new digital bias voltage value to the same location.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled apparatus monitors a plurality of flow meters for computing and displaying the flow rates detected by each flow meter, the total volumes accumulated through each flow meter, the sum of the current flow rates for the flow meters, and the sum of the total volumes for the flow meters. The information from which the computations are made and the system operating parameters are transferred to a non-volatile memory in response to electronic means for detecting when a power outage or interruption occurs.

Abstract: In direction identification for a close-in fault when the voltage becomes very small, direction of the fault is determined from the discriminant D given by:D=V.sub.k1 i.sub.k2 -V.sub.k3 i.sub.k4where V.sub.k1, V.sub.k3 represent sample values of the voltage at time points k1, k3, and i.sub.k2, i.sub.k4 represent either sample values of the current at time points k2, k4 or such sample values minimum current component values corresponding to pre-fault power flow. Here, k1=n-m-M; k2=n; k3=n-m; k4=n-M, where m represents the number of sampling operations over an interval equal to a multiple of half cycle of the system frequency, M represents an integer, and n represents a sampling time point. A signal for use, e.g., as a condition for tripping a circuit breaker is produced when the fault is found to be in the direction of the protection zone.

Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer having a store of plural temperature prediction functions in which elapsed measurement time is a variable, each function prescribing a temperature change up to a final, stable temperature. Temperature at a specific point in time is predicted in accordance with a selected temperature prediction function based on a temperature at a specific sampling instant and elapsed measurement time up to the past sampling instant. The predicted value and a value actually measured at the specific point in time are compared to obtain a difference between them. When the difference falls outside prescribed limits, another temperature prediction function is selected, a subsequent predicted value is obtained based thereon, and the foregoing process is repeated until a difference is found which lies within the prescribed limits. When this occurs, a predicted value of the final, stable temperature corresponding to the prediction function is obtained and delivered as an output.