Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for automatically measuring a distance from a reference point to a subject of interest, such as a subject to be photographed, is provided. The present apparatus includes a position sensitive detector having a photoelectric surface defined between two extreme points. Thus, when a light pulse emitted from the apparatus is reflected by the subject and impinges upon the photoelectric surrface, there is produced a pair of current signals, which are then processed to obtain a distance signal indicating the distance to be measured. Thus, the present apparatus can provide a highly accurate measurement.

Abstract: Parts of a composite video signal, such as segments of each horizontal scan line, are stored in analog storage devices and retrieved therefrom in a cyclic manner to rearrange them and thereby encode the signal. The cyclic retrieval of the information from the storage devices is carried out on a selective basis in accordance with the binary state of a pseudo-random signal that is generated independently at each of the encoding and decoding stations. Synchronization of the two independently generated signals is provided by a control word and an initialization word that are transmitted with the encoded video signal, one of which is encrypted. Decryption of the word is carried out with a master key at each of the encoding and decoding stations.

Abstract: The laser source energy and the target source energy goes through a common ptical path to a beam splitter. The energy from the target source is filtered, allowing only the laser information to pass through to the laser quadrant detector. The second path from the beam splitter has a blocking filter to block the laser energy, and the remaining energy, that of the target source, is measured by the target quadrant detector. The geometric translator is a computer controlled azimuth and elevation gymbal device which tracks (drivers to null) the target source. The target source is a strobe lamp. The angular information from the dual quadrant detectors and the geometic translator are fed into an compact mini-computer.

Abstract: A scrambling system for an audio frequency signal in which an audio signal is divided into blocks, each block being formed of a plurality of frames, the plurality of frames are rearranged on a timebase in a predetermined order at every block so as to be encoded and the encoded signal is re-arranged on the timebase in an original order so as to be decoded, in which there are provided a first signal processing circuit for inserting a redundant portion into a portion between adjoining frames and timebase-compressing the frames in response to the redundant portions upon encoding, a control signal generating circuit for inserting a control signal other than an audio information into the redundant portions, a control signal detecting circuit for detecting the control signal upon decoding and a second signal processing circuit for removing the redundant portions in synchronism with the detected control signal and timebase-expanding the frames in response to the redundant portions.

Abstract: An optical instrument (10), such as a stability monitor or a target range finder, uses an unstabilized laser (12) to project a composite optical signal of coherent light having two naturally occurring longitudinal mode components. A beamsplitter (24) divides the signal into a reference beam (26) which is directed toward one photodetector (28) and a transmitted beam (42) which illuminates and is reflected from a distant target (44) onto a second photodetector (52) optically isolated from the first photodetector. Both photodetectors are operated on the square law principle to provide electrical signals modulated at a frequency equal to the separation between the frequencies of the two longitudinal mode components of the optical signal projected by the laser (12).

Abstract: An interface permits bi-directional data signal transfer between the microcomputer of the receiver and an addressable controller-decoder designed for use in conjunction therewith. The data transfer permits expansion of the receiver functions and future adaptability to a variety of satellite services. The interface transfers messages from the microcomputer representing keystrokes received from the receiver keyboard and the status of the various receiver components and receives commands from the decoder for regulating the operation of the receiver components and for the transfer of specific information. The data transfer is achieved through a serial communication protocol which facilitates the interaction between units.

Abstract: A video signal transmission system wherein a television video signal is subjected to a waveform conversion in a video processing unit on a transmission side, then sent to a receiving side and restored in a restoring processing unit on the receiving side. The video processing unit comprises partly polarity inverts a composite video signal containing a horizontal synchronizing signal in accordance with a pseudo-random code utilizing a horizontal scanning frequency as a clock pulse such that the while level of an inverted video signal portion will not be smaller than a peak level of a non-inverted horizontal synchronizing signal portion. The restoring processing unit on the receiving side inverts again the polarity of the polarity inverted composite video signal portion in accordance with the pseudo-random code to obtain a restored composite video signal portion having the same polarity as the original composite video signal.

Abstract: A head-end apparatus for a CATV system is provided for facilitating identification of unauthorized or defective converter/decoder boxes in the system. According to the invention, an IF audio signal, representing the aural portion of the program source to be transmitted, is applied to a scrambler which generates a scrambled IF audio signal having a scramble signal component. The scrambler has a synchronization rate set by a program source having a sync rate different than the sync rate of the program source to be transmitted. The scrambled IF audio signal is then combined with an IF video signal, representing the video portion of the program source to be transmitted, to produce a composite signal. The composite signal is then modulated to the desired CATV channel output frequency and transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A secure cable television distribution system is disclosed for controlling subscriber access to preferred channel information in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention. Premium channel information to be selectively provided to a subscriber is tapped from the transmission medium, modulated, inverted and separated into discrete channel signals. The discrete channel signals are then selectively reintroduced to the transmission medium to effect cancellation of premium channel information which is not to be provided to a predetermined subscriber.

Abstract: Simplification in manufacture and use of an optical triangulation probe is achieved by providing it with a T-shaped optical path. The cross-bar of the T-shape extends between a light source comprising a laser diode and a light detector comprising a photodiode array, while the stem of the T-shape contains a rod-shaped lens and prism arrangement. The cross-bar of the T-shape is occupied by a solid optical bar-shaped assembly comprising a number of blocks cemented together and providing reflective surfaces for directing outgoing and return light through the T-shape. The lens and prism arrangement focusses outgoing light from laser diode onto the surface of an object whose distance is to be measured and focusses reflected return light onto the photodiode array as a light spot. Position of the light spot as monitored by the output signal of a photodiode array is a measure of distance D between the object and the probe.

Abstract: An information signal (INF) which is transmitted in coded form (CINF) from a signal source (RC) to a signal receiver (4, 5) is decoded at the receiver and at the same time marked (MINF) by the introduction of an identification information (ID) which is characteristic of the receiver or its possessor. The signal from a video disc (RC) carrying a coded programme is decoded and marked before it is supplied to a television set (6). Via said identification information of so-called pirate copy is directly traceable to its originator. Thereby a protection against such copying is obtained. A device for the playback of a video disc of this type comprises a decoding and modification unit to which the necessary decoding information and identification information may be supplied from a personal data carrier (ID).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrambling a composite television signal and method and apparatus for unscrambling of the scrambled television signal are disclosed in the present application. The method of scrambling shifts at least some lines of video information relative to adjacent (preceding or subsequent) lines of video information according to a predetermined scheme, and deletes at least some portions of the signal which comprise synchronization or control information of a known or predetermined repetitive form from between at least some of the adjacent shifted lines of video information. The method of unscrambling applies a complementary shift to return the video information into proper time spacing and includes the insertion of any necessary synchronization information eliminated from the signal during scrambling. Timing information allows the unscrambler to reverse the scrambling operation and thereafter insert any necessary synchronization information.

Abstract: A package for wire-bonded semiconductor integrated circuit chips is disclosed. The chip is covered by a protective layer of material such as room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber. The thickness of the layer is such that it covers a portion of the arched wires, thereby concentrating the stresses away from the wire-ball bond interfaces. The chip is encapsulated in a plastic material while providing an air gap between the plastic and protective layer.

Abstract: An instructional polariscope which is easily disassembled, reassembled, cbrated and operated in the classroom by individual students for the purposes of teaching and demonstrating the interoperation of components of a polariscope and the principles of photoelasticity. This polariscope can be assembled for use as either a plane or a circular polariscope and employs a reflector which allows use of an external light source.

Abstract: A low loss optical waveguide is provided by taking a silicon substrate with a silicon dioxide waveguide thereon and depositing lead on the air interface surface of the silicon dioxide. The lead is then oxidized and diffused into the silicon dioxide creating a high optical quality, high index region at the air interface of the waveguide. This allows transmitted waveguide light energy directed into the silicon dioxide to be transmitted in the lead oxide diffused portion of the waveguide, keeping the energy away from the lossy silicon substrate, and thereby providing a low loss planar waveguide.

Abstract: An improved shock tube generates a reflected wave of an adjustable magnit which arrives at a test object located within the shock tube at the same time that a rarefaction wave arrives so as to cancel the rarefaction wave thereat and counteract the undesirable effects of the rarefaction wave, thereby achieving a reliable free-field simulation.

Abstract: A stitch-bonded fabric having two split-film layers as a weft component and one split-film layer as a warp component held together by a stitching yarn is improved significantly in its performance as a primary backing for a tufted pile carpet by having a nonwoven sheet of continuous organic filaments attached to the warp component. In tufting, the nonwoven sheet becomes the back side of the backing.

Abstract: An adaptive N-pulse MTI processor for obtaining optimum clutter cancellation with a minimum of hardware, comprising a first input pulse line; first delay means for providing an interpulse delay T to pulses on this first input line; a first adaptive canceller with its auxiliary input connected directly to take pulses from the first input line, and with its main input connected to take delayed pulses from the first delay means; and N-2 series-connected canceller circuits, with each canceller circuit associated with a different level of pulses. The nth canceller circuit, where 1.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring elongational viscosity of a test fl comprises extruding the test fluid through a capillary downwardly into a host fluid having a lower density than the test fluid and being immiscible with the test fluid. This formed a spherical drop at the lower open end of the capillary tube which grew until it fell away from the tube forming an elongated ligament. The elongated ligament eventually breaks. The test fluid drop and ligament are photographed using a movie or video camera and the results are analyzed to determine the kinetics of the drop and ligament as it is formed, grows and falls through the host fluid.

Abstract: A fiber optic interferometer-type magnetic field sensor which uses an automatic feedback system to limit the range of the magnetic field experienced by the sensor element. A high frequency bias field is mixed with the external magnetic field to be measured and the resulting interferometer output signal is converted to an electric output signal. The electric output signal is mixed with a reference signal having the same frequency as the bias signal to form a baseband negative feedback signal which is converted to a magnetic field and mixed with the bias and external fields to provide automatic feedback.