Abstract: A manually operable touch pad for generating steering signals and enable signals for manipulating an image on a CRT display or for controlling the operation of plural motors whereby the image or object being driven can be positioned using appropriate hand/eye coordination. The touch pad comprises a box-like mounting base supporting a rectangular printed circuit board on which are mounted four opto-switches centered on the respective edges thereof. The printed circuit board also supports other circuit components and the necessary interconnecting conductors. Overlaying the base in covering relation with respect to the printed circuit board is a molded plastic top having a center post which depends downwardly from the underside thereof, passing through an apertrue in the printed circuit card and adaptive to be secured to the center of the base by a flexible coupling.

Abstract: A low-cost system for allowing manual or automatic aiming of a plurality of motor-driven devices distributed throughout an area from a common control center location. When in a manual mode, the operator may manipulate a four quadrant touch pad or a joy stick device to develop binary control signals indicative of rotational direction and the on/off state of a motor control chip associated with each of the motors. The control signals are distributed over a master bus and optionally over additional local buses to the appropriate motor control chips. In an automatic mode, the same control signals are generated to produce repetitive sweeping of the motor-driven devices through a predetermined arc.

Abstract: A system is described which comprises many quartz resonators, all formed on the same quartz substrate. The method of fabrication ensures that all the resonators are mechanically and electrically isolated from each other. The oscillation frequencies of the resonators may be individually adjusted to different desired values during fabrication. Since the deviation from the optimum angle of cut is the same for all the resonators because they are all on the same substrate, all the resonators have the same temperature coefficient (change of frequency per degree change in temperature). Mounting the electronic circuitry on the quartz substrate simplifies the interconnections between the resonators and the circuitry, and reduces the size of the resulting device.

Abstract: A system for directing a plurality of lighting instruments in accordance with an operator designed sequence. The system includes a control module and a plurality of satellite modules where each satellite module is, in turn, connected in a controlling relationship to a further plurality of drive motors which are mechanically connected to the light assemblies for directing the beams to move in accordance with a stored program of presets contained in the memory of a microprocessor in the control module.

Abstract: A method for preferentially etching a piezoelectric material is disclosed wherein a portion of the piezoelectric material is controllably subjected to a concentrated thermal energy source with a force sufficient to alter the crystalline orientation of the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material is then treated with a suitable echant for a controlled duration, wherein the portion of the piezoelectric material altered by the concentrated thermal energy source is etched at a different etching rate than the unaltered piezoelectric material, to preferentially etch a controlled anaglyphic planar configuration upon the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A chair specifically engineered for performing musicians is disclosed. Extensive research and design has produced a vocal or instrumental musician's chair which permits proper diaphragmatic breathing and on which a musician can sit comfortably for long periods of practice or performance. This result is achieved by contouring the seat both for correct performing posture and for comfort. The orientation of the back-rest of the chair to the seat also enhances the posture of the performer and this, in conjunction with the positioning of the body relative to the floor, contributes to the ability of the performer to breathe properly while seated comfortably, thus reducing fatigue and greatly enhancing the tonal quality of the performance.

Abstract: A crystal controlled square wave oscillator requiring a minimum number of components, exhibiting high frequency stability, and operating at substantially a 50% duty cycle. A quartz crystal dual monolithic resonator is provided having a pair of signal electrodes and a reference electrode. The resonator is capable of oscillating in symmetric and anti-symmetric modes, points of minimum attenuation, the symmetric mode exhibiting a 180.degree. phase shift, and the anti-symmetric mode exhibiting a phase shift of 0.degree.. An integrated circuit logic gate is connected between the signal electrodes, the logic gate being of the type having low input and output impedances so as not to degrade the Q of the resonator. The logic gate provides a phase shift of 180.degree. or 0.degree. causing the resonator to oscillate in its symmetric or anti-symmetric modes, respectively, the gate switching between its two logic levels to produce a square wave output at the frequency of the excited mode.