Abstract: A digital device for visually displaying the value of a generally continuously varying function, such as car speed. The device displays subranges of a full scale, putting them individually in a viewing area. The displayed subranges in the viewing area will be replaced as required to permit representation of the input function over the full scale. The device allows selection of a new subrange with the property that the input function value initially will be at an interior position in the new subrange, thereby preventing repeated rapid switching between subranges. The subrange display can be defined using scale markers in just a few fixed positions in the viewing area.

Abstract: A transmission band assembly including a circular band member 12 with connector members 14 and 16 disposed on the exterior of the ends of the band member, a friction lining 22 that is bonded to the interior surface of the band member 12, a first pair of spaced slot 24 that extend from one end of the band member 12 over approximately one half the length of the band member, and a second pair of slots 26 that are aligned with the first pair of slots 24 and that extend over the remaining length of the band member. A hole 28 extends therefor through the band member 12 and the lining 22 between the slots 24 and 26.

Abstract: Apparatus in a transceiver for broadcasting priority rated messages on a channel shared by a multiplicity of similar transceivers, converts an analog audio frequency message to compressed digitalized format which is stored, encrypted, and encoded with a priority rating and recipient identity code. A central data processor prevents broadcast of the message while any other message of higher priority rating is being broadcast, or interrupts broadcast of the message when broadcast of another message of higher priority is detected, or interrupts broadcast of any other message of lower priority than that of a message waiting to be broadcast. Received messages bearing the recipient's identity code are stored and played back in order of their priority rating.

Abstract: A self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type is disclosed. In the disc brake rotatable friction discs provided on opposite sides with linings are adapted to be brought into engagement with radial braking surfaces in a housing by an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly comprises pressure plates located between the discs and centered by pilot lugs, and balls located in oppositely inclined recesses in the adjacent faces of the pressure plates. At least the linings which engage with the pressure plates are separated into annular rings by an annular groove, and the groove is substantially coincident with a pitch circle of constant diameter upon which the recesses lie in an angularly spaced relationship. The groove increases the degree of cooling in the regions of the base of the recesses, thereby reducing the likelihood of hot spotting occurring in such regions.

Abstract: A remote control device for operating vehicle locks having a transmitter for transmitting a remote control signal. The transmitter converts keyword information into pulses of corresponding pulse widths and then pulse modulates these converted pulses prior to transmission as a remote control signal. A receiver is provided for demodulating and decoding the signal and comparing it to a preset code. If the signal corresponds to the preset code an execution signal is generated to produce the locking and locking function.

Abstract: This invention is an input device that enables the user to take symbol sequences such as whole words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or other multi-symbol sequences from a computer's memory and have these symbol sequences printed out or displayed by some other means such as a computer monitor. This invention uses a grid of points of switch closure, where each point is identified by an alphanumeric or other code; and where each point of switch closure can be individually activated by the user. Printed sheets of material are accurately positioned over this grid of switch closure points. Printed on these sheets of material are: 1, symbol sequences; and 2, response areas adjacent to each symbol sequence. Each response area lies over one of the switch closure points.

Abstract: A control panel having a display for displaying selected statements from a plurality of stored statements containing one or more separate elements of alterable information; four selectively operable push-button switches; and a computer for storing the stored messages and controlling the display. The switches include left and right scroll switches and up and down-increment switches. The computer controls a cursor on the display movable left and right between one or more pre-programmed positions in each displayed statement in response to operation of the scroll switches. Each of the pre-programmed positions corresponds to one of the segments of alterable information. The scroll switches cause the computer to scroll left or right for sequentially displaying the next left or right statement. Scrolling to the next stored statement is in response to the scroll switch indicating an attempt to move the cursor left or right beyond the leftmost or rightmost pre-programmed position for the displayed statement.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for converting a serial bit stream representative of a composite color video signal to RGB control signals is described. A sliding window is used to determine the video color for each new bit in the stream after the bits are rearranged to their proper order. As soon as a change in color is detected, the prior color is used until a predetermined condition occurs such as the passage of a predetermined number of bits. This prevents displaying of transitional colors which appear as shadows on the display.

Abstract: A static monitoring system for use with an electronic manufacturing work area, typically a conventional work bench having an electrical conducting strap for connecting the operator's wrist to earth ground, and including a circuit for indicating when there is an earth ground connection and circuitry for indicating when an electrostatically charged object, such as another human, approaches the work station. An antenna is positioned at the work station spaced from the working surface and from the operator, with the antenna connected as an input to an amplifier circuit which measures the change in electrostatic field strength and hence the approach of a charged object, with an indicator providing a visual or audible alarm or both. An oscillator provides an ac signal to each input of a differential amplifier, with one input connected to circuit ground through a capacitor and the other input connected to a wrist strap or the like on the operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a slip-controlled brake system wherein the wheel rotational behavior is ascertained and wherein, on detection of a tendency to lock, the braking pressure in the wheel brakes is kept constant or varied temporarily. The slip control of the front wheels is deactivated on the occurrence of a malfunction of the slip control unit which would result in locking or an inadmissible strong tendency to lock of a first rear wheel and deactivating or maintaining the slip control of the front wheels as a function of the wheel rotational behavior of the second rear wheel.

Abstract: A quasi-steno keyboard permits text entry into a computer either by standard letter-by-letter typing or by stenotyping. The keys of the keyboard are arranged in three parallel rows with the tops of the keys in the first and second rows being substantially coplanar and the tops of at least four keys in the third row being coplanar and lower than those in the first and second rows. The four keys in the third row are laterally centered in the keyboard and are positioned, with respect to the keys of the first and second rows, such that a thumb can rest comfortably on each of these keys when an index or other finger of the same hand rests on a crack between adjacent keys in the first and second rows.

Abstract: A radio paging system for transmitting address signals and messages, as well as information common to a plurality of receivers, and a receiver applicable to such a system. The radio paging system includes: an encoder which produces a first code, followed by a string of address codes each of which is followed by message codes, and a second code followed by a string of information codes, a transmitter for transmitting a string of codes produced by the encoder; and a receiver which upon detection of the first code produces an alert signal and displays the message codes when the address code agrees with an address code stored in memory, and which, upon detection of the second code, displays the information codes which follow.

Abstract: A two wire transmitter controls loop current as a function of a sensed parameter such as pressure or temperature using analog sensing and signal processing circuitry. Corrections, such as for zero, span, and linearity are provided in the form of analog correction signals by a digital circuit which includes nonvolatile memory, a microcomputer, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. The microprocessor controls the D/A converter as a function of stored digital correction values to produce the analog correction signals used by the analog signal processing circuitry to control the magnitude of the loop current flowing through the two wire transmitter.

Abstract: In a multiwindow system in which a plurality of windows are set on a display screen at positions such that these windows partially overlap and the display priority and position of each window can be arbitrarily changed, when the operator instructs to change the display priority of the window, a check is automatically made to see if there exists the window which will be completely covered by the other windows having priorities higher than that of this window and will fully disappear from the screen if the display priority is changed or not. If such a window is found out, the display priority of this window is changed in the state in which this window is automatically shifted to the position where a part of this window can be seen on the screen, thereafter the window is displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A computer control includes a control member movably mounted for movement in two dimensions wherein orthogonally related gratings are moved to the corresponding directions to generate pairs of quadrature related signals. Circuitry produces binary signals defining four states for each cycle of quadrature signals to change a corresponding count indicating position of the control member. In another variation patterns each having a plurality of spots with a unique combination of gray levels are sensed by a rectangular array of photosensers to determine the position of the movable member.

Abstract: A convenient predetermined rectangular passive area is converted into a touch screen suitable for feeding X and Y cartesian coordinate data into a computer by employing ambient light as the medium to sense positioning of a pointer brought near to any desired coordinate location of the touch screen. Such "pointer" can be a stylus, rod, dowel, finger, pencil, or similar relatively long, slim element readily movable by hand and capable of reflecting a significant proportion of incident ambient light or of creating sharp shadows. The passive area can be any selected rectangular area of suitable size in space or in the air, or on or near an inert panel of plywood, hardboard, sheetrock, or flat wall, etc., or in a region located before a video or tracking screen, selection chart or informational items, for example, a passive custom keyboard.

Abstract: An electrical signalling apparatus including a transmitter and receiver connected to the same electrical power distribution network wherein a signal generated by the transmitter is used to control apparatus connected to the receiver. The system uses a pair of amplitude-modulated low frequency signals as the control signals that react with the receiver to control apparatus connected thereto. The transmitter has an oscillator modulated by twin tuning forks and provides a signal for a period of, for example 10 seconds, determined by a time-delay relay. The receiver has a demodulator followed by two filters connected to integrators. As soon as the integrated signals reach a predetermined value, a control signal is transmitted to the output. This apparatus provides a communication system which is virtually insensitive to interferences on the distribution network and operates perfectly with weak signals.

Abstract: A utility data gathering system is disclosed as comprising a register including a series of index members coupled to a meter mechanism. Each index member includes a plurality of contacts and a switch arm moveable with its index member. The meter mechanism is responsive to utility consumption for moving the index members to positions indicative of the utility consumed, whereby each switch arm completes in normal operation a circuit with just one of its plurality of contacts dependent upon the position of its index member. A digital computer is programmed for performing first and second scans of each contact of each index member to obtain corresponding first and second sets of data indicative of a completed circuit through the switch arm and contacts of each index member. The completed circuit data obtained from each of the first and second scans are compared and if the circuit data of the first and second scans are different, an alarm manifestation is generated.

Abstract: A signal analyzer outputs polar coordinate data to be displayed on an image display unit employing a raster scan scheme. First and second image memories having memory formats corresponding to the screen of the image display unit are provided. A memory switching circuit switches the first and second image memories at each measurement scan so that either one of the first and second memories is set at a write side and a remaining one is set at a deletion side. The polar coordinate data is sequentially written in one of the first and second image memories, data of a previous scan written in the other of the memories is sequentially deleted, and data of both memories are read out simultaneously, so that the polar coordinate data is displayed on the image display unit of the raster scan scheme without discontinuity and in a real time manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a display device for displaying graphical information, in the form of point patterns forming symbols of an arbitrary size and shape, each symbol being allocated a unique symbol code, as well as in the form of non-symbolic information, on a display unit (8) of a raster-scan type and comprising a symbol memory (13) including information on the point pattern of the available symbols, a pixel oriented image memory (2) including all graphical information to be displayed on the display unit, and a processor (1), by which the symbols incorporated in the image are read into the image memory by processing the information that is stored in the symbol memory. What is characteristic of the invention is a pixel oriented auxiliary memory (3) with the same pixel division as the image memory, each symbol in the image memory (2) corresponding to a pixel in the auxiliary memory, which pixel defines the symbol position in the image.