Abstract: Phase I (25) and Phase II (20) and III (24) AFRS (Automatic Fault Reporting System) signal processing implementations (FIG. 3) of fault related data permits utilization in steps, viz. Phase I and Phases II and III on board operational aircraft of AFRS, thereby permitting gradual phase in and substitution of AFRS for present state of the art flight crew FRM (Fault Reporting Manual) and ground personnel FIM (Fault Isolation Manual).

Abstract: An angular rate sensor system is disclosed, consisting of a balanced resonant sensor. The sensor consists of a tuning fork of a piezoelectric material, preferably of quartz. The tines of the tuning fork are caused to vibrate electromechanically, for example, by impressing an alternating voltage on a pair of electrodes on each tine. This will cause the tines to vibrate. Any component of angular motion around the axis of the sensor causes a cyclic deflection of the tines at right angles to the normal driven vibration of the tines. If the rotational input to the handle of the sensor is applied through a torsion element, the resulting tine deflection is directed to cyclically rotate the entire sensor along the input/output axis. This deflection can be used for changing the capacitance of a capacitance bridge, or for generating an electric signal, due to the piezoelectric effect resulting from the deflection. Finally, the output signal may consist of a frequency-modulated signal or an optical pick-up may be used.

Abstract: A programmable calculator is disclosed which has a plurality of keys each having a unique definition as an input key for introduction of instruction statements and constants through associated definition instructions. In the calculator, instruction definable keys each allow a definition instruction distinguishable from the first named definition instructions to be programmed. Each keys specific definition is defined by input keys which introduce different pieces of information as by depression of a conventional shift key. The information is introduced by the user to define the definable keys to perform desired instructions.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder system comprising a rotary disk formed thereon with a succession of discrete magnetic encoding units each of which consists of a pair of opposed magnetic poles (N, S) and extends in alignment with a radial direction of the rotary disk. These magnetic encoding units are formed successively adjacent to the periphery of the disk and have alternating magnetic polarities. A magnetic sensing head is disposed substantially coplanar with the rotary disk and juxtaposed with the periphery of the disk across a small magnetic gap spacing.

Abstract: An inductively coupled position sensing system wherein voltages induced in plural stationary sensor coils are combined and synchronously detected. Variation in the induced voltages results from movement of a drive coil mechanically coupled to a member the position or orientation of which is of interest.

Abstract: An improved communications device for use by handicapped persons utilizes a list of elements such as the alphabet. The list is sequentially scanned in a forward direction at a speed faster than the response time of the individual. Upon a first operation of a switch, the scan reverses direction and presents the elements at a slower speed. A second switch operation by the user indicates the selection of the desired element. Display and interpretation of the selected element is made in whatever manner desired, and the scanning process is repeated to enable selection of the next element.

Abstract: Numerous signal conditioning circuits on a plurality of printed circuit boards are calibrated remotely by a signal processing unit which sends coded signals to each board, either sequentially or in parallel, to connect either on-board or off-board test signals to one of the conditioning circuits in place of its field generated input. The processing unit utilizes the actual and expected responses of each conditioning circuit to low and high test signals to generate a gain and an offset which are applied to the conditioned field signal to provide a calibrated signal. The time constant for each conditioning circuit is also measured periodically, or upon a selected temperature change, for use in generating a minimum waiting period for obtaining valid data following transfers between the field generated signals and the test signals.

Abstract: A motor vehicle antitheft alarm provides complex sounds, is disabled in normal use of the vehicle, and is resistant to "hotwiring" of the ignition notwithstanding. Unauthorized motion of the vehicle causes a disturbance sensor to activate the alarm circuit. Qualitatively different alarm sounds are provided in response to repeated disturbances as compared with isolated ones. When the ignition is turned on in normal use, a first voltage condition is provided to disable the alarm apparatus. After the ignition is turned off a short time of disabling is provided to permit the user to leave the vehicle before the alarm can be activated. An anti-hotwiring turn-on circuit associated with the ignition switch provides a second voltage condition, or allows same, blocking the first voltage condition from occurring during hotwiring. A voltage-sensitive circuit sets off the alarm when the second voltage condition occurs, deterring hotwiring.

Abstract: In a display terminal coupled to a computer and including a plurality of user interrupt devices for interactive communication with the computer, an apparatus for signalling to the user when the computer responds to a user interrupt comprises a counter arranged to measure a specified period of time by counting down to zero from an initial count value loaded from a register, a sensor triggered by the generation of an interrupt to cause the counter to begin measurement of the said specified period of time, and a further sensr coupled to an alarm via a logic gate to provide an audible signal only when the period of time between the generation of the interrupt and the computer response exceeds the specified period of time measured by the counter.

Abstract: A self contained hot stick mounted radio transmitting module may be temporarily pushed against the power conductor of an electrical transmission line. The module is capable of measuring the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. It may also measure the electrical potential of the conductor. An alternative module is also capable of measuring current, potential, frequency and power factor (or the Fourier components thereof). The modules transmit these parameters to a local receiver where the data may be displayed. The receiver also may be connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center.The modules are donut shaped and open like a pair of jaws. One or more spring loaded temperature probes are located such that they may be pushed against a power line when a "donut" is mounted to a hot stick with the jaws open.Power to an open module is supplied by a battery.

Abstract: There is disclosed a programmable keyboard apparatus for allowing a user to select any one of a predetermined number of different keyboard arrangements such as the Qwerty or the Dvorak arrangements. The keyboard contains a plurality of fixed input keys arranged in rows and columns and according to a standard typewriter keyboard format. Each key has positioned above the key an indicating area whereby the designation or symbol for the key is automatically changed by the apparatus each time a different format is selected. In this manner, the user can experiment with keyboard formats which enable more rapid typing with fewer errors. The construction is extremely economical, and therefore, in utilizing the apparatus a user will have access to different keyboard arrangements which will increase the users ability to type or enter data.

Abstract: A telemetry system in which a plurality of transmitters are frequency shift keying modulated. A receiver including an overlapping detector retains the transmitted data when there is no overlap in data transmitted and discards the transmitted data when there is an overlap in data transmitted.

Abstract: A mechanical dial indicating gauge or meter that, without mechanical loading, optoelectronically detects and encodes the pointer position as a digital signal by use of a technique of distributed point position latching. Counter means drives a circuit which cylically sequentially lights LED's along a scale and the count is latched that corresponds to current counter position when a detector on the scale pointer is activated during the sequential lighting. This latched count provides the digital signal of pointer position. This digital signal may then by transmitted to remote indicators, controllers, computers, and/or may be compared to preset values yielding set point outputs. An electrical lead for the detector includes a spiral loosely surrounding the pointer stem.

Abstract: A digital fader or like device having slidably operable means, such as a touch-sensitive strip, which is manually operable to different settings that are represented by a digital signal. Manual changes in the relative operating position of the slidably operable means produce corresponding adjustments in the digital signal. Display elements are selectively energized by the digital signal to indicate the relative setting of the slidably operable means.

Abstract: A current location indicating apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle wherein a current location of the automotive vehicle in terms of two-dimensional coordinates may be obtained arithmetically by a signal processing unit on the basis of a signal to detect a current travel distance of the vehicle and a signal to detect a current direction of travel taken by the vehicle, so that the current location of the vehicle may be indicated visually on a display screen on the basis of the thus-obtained locational data which varies from time to time. The apparatus comprises a microfilm including a plurality of fractioned area maps with a part of the areas thereof overlapped with each other, an access unit adapted to access each of the plurality of area maps, and an image pick-up unit adapted to photographically pick-up the images of the area maps accessed.

Abstract: A service-interval display for motor vehicles, which generates a signal when a limiting parameter value is reached. Total fuel consumption serves as the basic parameter instead of the distance travelled, previously employed. Other parameters may serve to modify the generation of the signal to cause an earlier or later warning to be displayed.

Abstract: A circuit and method to compensate for thermal effects on potentionmeter based sensors by presenting two input signals at different times to a comparator; the first utilizing one leg of the potentiometer and the second utilizing both legs. The comparator output will change states after receiving each input signal. The time periods between the receipt of the input signal and the outputs' change of state are stored.The quotient of the time periods cancels out most of the thermal effects on the potentiometer and is still a representative of the original potentiometer signal.

Abstract: A method of scheduling a meeting among terminal users who are provided with calendaring applications for storing and retrieving timed and dated events. Included is presentation to a meeting scheduler of a prompting screen with blanks for keying in desired times and dates, and prospective attendees. Based on keying to this screen, there is a comparison with the prospective attendees' calendars of events. The result of the comparison is an option list which is presented to the scheduler for selecting an available meeting time. Based on a selection from the option list, a meeting notification screen is built for transmitting to the attendees.

Abstract: A detection system for use in a movable large haulage vehicle operating in a controlled ground environment to prevent collision with other objects in the environment wherein such objects each have a source for omnidirectionally radiating an optical pulsed signal having a selected pulse repetition rate which identifies the object. The vehicle uses detectors mounted at selected locations on the vehicle, which detectors respond to pulsed signals from objects in close proximity to the vehicle. Appropriate circuitry is used to detect the presence of the objects, the ground direction of the objects relative to the vehicle, and the type of objects so detected.

Abstract: A system for the detection and recognition of a particular sound pattern including an initial frequency discrimination circuit comprising either band pass filters of pre-selected frequency or IC phase-locked loop tone decoders. A sequence detection circuit is responsive to the frequency discrimination circuit to successively enable paired timers upon detection of audio tones in the proper sequence and frequency. Out-of-sequence tones disable the circuit. A trigger pulse is then sent to a counter chain and successive pulse must be received by the counter chain in a predetermined time period to actuate a traffic signal control relay. The system used for a traffic signal control further includes a direction differentiation circuit to cause red lights in one direction and green lights in another as determined by the direction of the source of the sound pattern.