Abstract: A new voice tube assembly for post-auricle headsets is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, first and second curved, rigid tubular sections are employed to connect a flexible main voice tube section with the top of a post-auricle capsule containing a microphone and a receiver. The curved, rigid tubing sections are rotatable to maximize positional flexibility. In a second aspect of the invention, a shaping wire is included throughout a substantial portion of the length of the main voice tube section. The shaping wire is employed in order to permit the use of thinner and lighter material for the main voice tube section, and to facilitate shaping of the main voice tube section to the geometry of the wearer's face and locating of the open end of the main voice tube section adjacent the wearer's mouth.

Abstract: An autofocus system and method for automatically adjusting the focus of a lens system. The autofocus system selects video signals, having a frequency in a preselected range and drives the lens system until the voltage of the frequencies in the preselected range is maximized. The preselected frequency range has been found to be to 0.8 Mhz to 1 Mhz.

Abstract: An interface for use with telecommunications systems, at a customers premises, comprises a module for connection to the incoming telephone lines and having a modular jack for plugging in of the customers lines. Conveniently the module is a plug-in arrangement, and incorporates line protectors. Back-up protectors can also be provided. The module can also connect to, and also incorporate circuits for providing services such as automatic number identification and similar services.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a novel device for the production of a tone suitable for use in artificial speech aids. Artificial speech aids provide for a method of speech, for individuals who have either temporarily or permanently lost the use of their vocal cords, through the production and delivery of a substitute vocal tone to the user's oral cavity, thereby allowing such individuals to speak through articulation of the tone into words. The present invention concerns a novel device for the production of the substitute vocal tone. In the present device, the tone is produced by actuating a solenoid reed valve to a sufficient frequency that sound is produced, which sound is then amplified by the passage of pressurized air through the valve as it is actuated. The invention herein includes an electrical pulse generator for producing the pulsed electrical signal needed to operate the solenoid reed valve.

Abstract: The output signal from the CCD output register of a semiconductor imager having a floating-gate or floating-diffusion type of output stage is applied to a differentiation circuit. The response of the differentiator circuit to the introduction of charge under the floating element is synchronously detected at output register clock rate to obtain video samples with low reset noise. This is a single sampling process, which avoids the double sampling required in correlated double sampling to reduce reset noise, and which can provide for horizontal peaking.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a low-frequency driver and a high-frequency driver which are connected to a crossover network. The crossover network includes an inductor in series with the low-frequency driver for attenuating high-frequency signals at the crossover frequency and a capacitor in series with the high-frequency driver for attenuating low-frequency signals at the crossover frequency. An equalizer circuit connects between the high- and low-frequency drivers and operates to dampen resonant ringing which is otherwise produced. The equalizer circuit preferably comprises a series LRC circuit having a resonant frequency and a Q factor equal to the resonant frequency and Q factor of the circuit formed by the crossover network and drivers. The equalizer circuit is particularly suited for application in a disclosed loudspeaker system which utilizes a high inductance crossover inductor to enhance system bass response without sacrificing clarity.

Abstract: CCD imagers with pixels at least thirty microns long in the direction of charge transfer have their image registers forward clocked with at least five phases. The length of gate electrodes under which barrier are induced during image integration does not exceed the five to ten microns associated with acceptably low grain. Image integration takes place without applying voltages for inducing potential energy barrier to adjacent gate electrodes in the image register. These measures permit video signals with acceptably low grain to be obtained from these large-pixel images, solving a longstanding problem in the art.

Abstract: An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject by using a solid-state image pickup array having a number of photo-electric conversion cells arranged in a matrix is disclosed a selector for selecting a first mode in which signal charges of at least two of the photo-electric conversion cells are combinationally read and a second mode in which the signal charges are read separately for each of the photo-electric conversion cells is provided, and an amplification factor for the read signal is varied in accordance with the mode selected.

Abstract: A solid state imager wherein a pixel non-uniformity correction system compensates for photosite non-uniformities by providing a linear correction method and utilizing three modes: mode #1--dark current detection, mode #2--uniform illumination, and mode #3--data detection mode. In the first calibration cycle, the outputs of all the photocells on an imager 10, representing "dark current" are stored in an "offset" memory 14. In the second calibration cycle, a uniform illumination from a constant light level is applied to the imager 10. This uniform illumination signal is passed to an arithmetic unit 18 where the dark current signal is subtracted from it and the difference is then stored in gain memory 28. The gain memory passes this signal back to the arithmetic unit 18, so that in the third mode, the data detection mode, the arithmetic unit 18 can electronically correct the data signals that were non-uniformly affected by the internal characteristics of the imager.

Abstract: A video camera comprising an image-forming lens system having an optical axis and a light-beam splitting means capable of splitting an incident light-beam from the image-forming lens system into a primary optical path along the optical axis and leading into a view finder means, and a secondary optical path bent at an angle to the primary optical path and leading into an electrical image-receiving means. There is provided a camera tube in the bent optical path and a view finder in the straight optical path. An electrical circuit means comprising printed circuit boards is arranged in a U-shape manner to cover three sides of the light-beam splitting means other than the side facing the secondary optical path.

Abstract: A solid state photosensitive device according to the invention comprises at least one photonic and charges integration cell connected to a reading stage constituted by voltage reading means each connected to a cell through the intermediary of means allowing to read the potential corresponding to the quantity of charge in the integration zone of the said cell, at least one addressing means in order to address sequentially one of the reading means and means for return to zero of the previously read detection and integration cell.

Abstract: An automatic light level control system for a video camera is disclosed which uses a time-variable camera clock for determining and controlling the scanning rate of the camera. A control means responsive to the light level of the video output of the camera controls the rate of the camera clock, and thereby the scan rate of the camera so that the light level of the video output is maintained within desired limits.

Abstract: A television camera includes a solid-state imager which forms a signal representative of an image during an integration interval. The integration interval is followed by a pull-down interval during which the integrated signal is transferred out of the photo-responsive region of the solid state imager. A first shutter is provided which periodically prevents light from falling upon the photo-responsive region of the imager during the pull-down interval. A second shutter in combination with the first shutter is controllable for limiting the light passage during the integration interval. With this shutter arrangement, the dynamic resolution of the camera is increased at the expense of image sensitivity. By the present invention, means are provided for precisely controlling the second shutter such that image sensitivity can be restored when desired.

Abstract: This is a dual cone loudspeaker with a primary cone similar in function to a conventional dynamic loudspeaker. There is a secondary cone mounted to a sub-frame on the back of the magnet structure. A rigid coupling device connects to both cones and causes them to move in unison. Sound waves from the secondary cone travel through an orifice in the center pole piece of the magnet structure and through a hole in the center of the primary cone radiating in the same direction as sound waves from the primary cone. The net effect of this is to generate a louder sound by displacing a larger volume of air than a conventional speaker of equal diameter.

Abstract: When sound waves are intentionally attenuated by systems using destructive interference temporal changes sometimes cause less than optimum performance. In the present invention the transfer function of a signal processing system connected between a sound detector and a sound generator destructively interfering with an unwanted sound is modified at intervals as a result of sequential measurements of the transfer function between the sound detector and a further sound detector downstream from the generator. For this purpose a data processor calculates the required transfer function and causes a data processor to vary the coefficients of a digital filter comprising the signal processing system.

Abstract: An electronic transducer in which the detected sounds are frequency multiplied to place them in a more favorable position for hearing within the auditory range, and in which lateral modulation by means of electrocardiogram signals is achieved to give a perception of physical space to the detected sounds.

Abstract: A high resolution quadrilinear CCD imager array which incorporates a unique on-chip multiplexing technique. The multiplexing is accomplished in two consecutive steps. First the two video outputs on either side of the sensor array are multiplexed through a CCD channel. This multiplexed output is then sensed through a source follower circuit, one on either side of said sensor array. A non-overlapping clocking technique is used to sample and hold the signals on either side and simultaneously the second level of multiplexing is also accomplished, giving a 4:1 video multiplexed output. The final signal is sensed through a second stage source follower circuit. Bad pixel deletion is effected by overriding the sample and hold signal.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor is constituted so as to transfer signal charges produced in response to optical irradiation to readout means (22) provided at the end in the direction of alignment of the transfer electrodes with charge transfer channels (30) located below a plurality of transfer electrode array (27) arranged on a semiconductor wafer (20) through an insulating film (32) and to output them from the readout means. The solid state image sensor is provided with means for controlling applied voltage comprising voltage sources (37, 38) of low and high voltages, multi-phase clock source (36) and switch means (34). The applied voltage control means, at a time period of optical irradiation, is operative to apply a voltage to form a deep potential well in transfer channels located below either odd number of transfer electrodes or even number thereof, and form a potential barrier in the transfer channels located below the other electrodes, thereby to store signal charges in the potential well.

Abstract: A subminiature power amplifier for hearing aids configured to be completely self-contained and fit within the user's ear features a Class D amplifier stage. By configuring all signal elements as digital units, circuit balance is readily maintained. A substantial economy of battery drain is achieved while preserving a low value of distortion at low signal levels. Oscillator frequency is governed by a single resistance element. The amplifier and an optional efficiency-improving inductor can be accommodated entirely within the residual volume of the motor chamber of a state-of-the-art earphone housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise from a near-field noise source sent together with signals from a far-field source. The method uses an adaptive shaping filter and a summer, in conjunction with a directional reference sensor and a primary sensor which have at least a common sensing element therebetween. The directional reference sensor situated between the near-field noise source and the far-field signal source, rejects the broad-band signal but accepts the broad-band noise and feeds this noise into a reference channel of the adaptive filter. The primary sensor accepts both the far-field signal and near-field noise with equally sensitivity. The primary sensor feeds into the primary channel of the adaptive filter. The adaptive filter system subtracts the noise in the reference channel from the signal-plus-noise in the primary channel, thus producing an output having a greatly improved signal-to-noise ratio.