Abstract: A drape for an input control console of an elongate device may comprise a main drape section configured to fit over the input control console via a main opening at one end of the main drape section. The drape may also comprise a plurality of pockets. Each of the plurality of pockets may include a pocket opening that is attached to a respective secondary opening in the main drape section. Each of the plurality of pockets may be configured to be anchored, at the pocket opening, to a side surface of a respective raised ring or bezel on the input control console using a respective tightening element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein that improve control of a shapeable or steerable instrument using shape data. Additional methods include preparing a robotic medical system for use with a shapeable instrument and controlling advancement of a shapeable medical device within an anatomic path. Also described herein are methods for altering a data model of an anatomical region.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition. satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A hydraulic ride control system is disclosed and adapted to control the ride of a machine having a load. The ride control includes an accumulator arrangement that is selectively connected with the actuator that is carrying the load to provide a cushion ride during traveling and to enable the pressure in the accumulator arrangement to be maintained substantially the same as the pressure in the actuator when raising the load and to permit the pressure in the accumulator arrangement to be lowered to that of the pressure in the actuator in the event the load is lessened. The ride control system also provides an arrangement that permits the accumulator arrangement to be bled down whenever the machine becomes disabled or when the machine is shut off.

Abstract: A television (TV) receiving system includes a first TV receiver for receiving TV signals in a first range of frequencies, such as are used for cable, VHF and UHF broadcasting including a frequency synthesizer type local oscillator. The frequency synthesizer uses a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) controlled by a tuning voltage responsive to a first frequency feedback signal. The receiver includes a coupling arrangement for adapting the receiving system for use with an external plug-in unit including a second TV receiver for receiving TV signals in a second range of frequencies, such as are used for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) signals. The second TV receiver provides a second frequency feedback signal. The receiving system includes a multiplexer for selectively coupling one of the first and second frequency feedback signals to the frequency synthesizer for controlling the VCO.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which presents a high impedance to unwanted RF signals which may be otherwise coupled to jumper wires which traverse the boundary between RF shielded areas. Specifically, a conductor for connecting two circuits separated by a shield wall is surrounded by a ferrite material which is positioned to extend through an aperture of the RF shield.

Abstract: A quasi-parallel IF television receiver derives the AFT voltage from a video carrier in the sound IF channel. Since the signals in the sound IF channel do not pass through the VSB filter, asymmetries in the AFT loop response are avoided. This results in better operation of the AFT control loop.

Abstract: In a double conversion tuner for a television receiver including a first local oscillator and a first mixer for converting the RF signal corresponding to a selected channel to a first IF signal and a second local oscillator and a second mixer for converting the first IF signal to a second IF signal, control apparatus is coupled to one of the local oscillators for offsetting its frequency and correspondingly the carriers of the first IF signal relative to the passband of a first IF filter coupled between the two mixers. In this manner the amplitude or phase of the carriers of the first IF signal can be controlled. An AFT signal is coupled to the other one of the local oscillators to compensate for the frequency offset of the carriers of the first IF signal in order to tune the carriers of the second IF signal to their nominal frequencies.

Abstract: A double conversion tuner stabilized against drift includes a first local oscillator included in a phase locked loop (PLL) and a second local oscillator included in an automatic fine tuning (AFT) loop. A switching arrangement selectively allows the AFT signal to control the second local oscillator only when the operation of the PLL has been completed and if the picture carrier of the IF signal produced at the output of the tuner is within the AFT control range to prevent the second local oscillator from being tuned incorrectly.

Abstract: A double conversion television tuner has first and second mixers and uses both the sum and difference frequency signals from the second mixer. The picture component of the difference frequency is separated from the output of the second mixer using a first filter and then demodulated. A second filter passes the sum frequency signal and the second harmonic of the nominally fixed frequency local oscillator signal applied to the second mixer. A third mixer is coupled to the second filter and mixes the converted sum frequency signal with the second harmonic signal. The audio component of the resulting sound signal is demodulated. Because the sum and difference signals at the output of the second mixer are far apart in frequency, the first and second filters can be easily designed so as not to interact.

Abstract: Selection elements such as diodes or filters are provided for selectively grounding either one of the two unbalanced terminals of a balun. This allows either a signal, such as the R.F. signals from a VHF or a UHF antenna, applied to the other unbalanced terminal of the balun to be selectively coupled to the balanced terminals of the balun in a diplexer arrangement. In a tuner, the balun may be used as part of a doubly balanced mixer. In another embodiment, the balanced terminals are used as inputs and the unbalanced terminals are used as outputs with the selection elements coupled to the outputs to form an R.F. multiplexer.

Abstract: A tunable oscillator develops a signal having a frequency variable over a range of frequencies in response to a control signal. A frequency determining resonant circuit includes two voltage-variable capacitance diodes in an arrangement for adjusting at least one endpoint of the frequency range. As a result, the relationship between the magnitude of the control signal and the frequency of the oscillator signal can be adjusted while avoiding mechanically adjustable reactive elements. The disclosed arrangement is suitably employed with resonant circuits other than those in oscillators.

Abstract: A remote control system utilizing a portion of a television receiver system to control appliances external to the television receiver. A specific embodiment is shown for controlling a telephone through the television remote control unit. The viewer answers or originates telephone calls by operating the television remote control unit. In an alternate embodiment, the signal carrier from the control unit to the television is modulated in order to transmit voice signals. Further appliances may be controlled through the telephone line or by other connections to the television receiver.

Abstract: In a phase locked loop tuning system including a prescaler for dividing the frequency of the local oscillator signal by a factor selected to make the resultant frequency divided signal compatible with digital processing portions of the tuning system, a frequency selective network is coupled to the prescaler to tune the self-oscillation frequency of the prescaler to a frequency not corresponding to the local oscillator frequency of any legitimate channel. In this manner, when a new channel is selected and the amplitude of the local oscillator signal is below the threshold at which the prescaler will respond to it, the phase locked loop will properly control the local oscillator, rather than respond to a self-oscillation signal which may otherwise correspond to the local oscillator frequency for the selected channel.

Abstract: An antenna coupling network for supplying VHF television carriers to a VHF tuner of a television receiver and weather band carriers to a tuner of a weatherband radio incorporated in the television receiver from a single monopole antenna without adverse interaction simply comprises a first wire connected between the monopole antenna and the VHF tuner and a second wire wrapped around the first wire a predetermined number of times and connected at one end to tuner of the weatherband radio. The number of turns are selected to form a series resonance at a midpoint of the weather band. Desirably the other end of the second wire is left unconnected.

Abstract: A coaxial RF connector adapted for mounting on a wall of a utilization device, such as a video disc player, employs a capacitor for providing DC and low frequency blocking between the wall of the device and the outer conductor of the connector. The capacitor is formed in the shape of a washer to provide a uniformly distributed capacitance around the outer conductor.