Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photoghic reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling and recording operations relating to machines such as computers. In particular, the invention involves electronic means for sensing or scanning one or more physical characteristics of a person or persons about to enter and/or receive data from a computer and generating signals indicative of such physical characteristic(s), which signals are automatically analyzed and compared with signals stored in a memory to generate enabling signals for enabling the operation of the machine. In a particular form of the invention, both the presence of a person at a computer terminal and an identifying characteristic of such person are sensed and used to enable the operation of the machine and the entry and retrieval of data.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the reception of video signals in accordance with the program content of the signals is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, a digital program code is simultaneously transmitted along with the audio and video information in an unused portion of the composite video signal, such as the so-called back porch region of the blanking interval. Circuitry is interposed between the video signal and the display generating circuitry of a television receiver which extracts such program code and either passes or blocks the reception and display of the video signal in accordance with a comparison between the extracted program code and a stored program code. The stored program code indicates those types of programs which are desired to be blocked from reception and display by the television receiver, such as programs containing violence, nudity, or strong language.

Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photographic reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding permits a fluent molding material to be flowed into a mold cavity for shaping into a configuration defined by the mold walls. A master controller controls the transfer of heat with respect to the molding material, to control the temperature of the molding material in a predetermined way. A sensor measures the temperature of the molding material flowed into the cavity and produces feedback signals, which are compared to reference signals indicative of a desired molding material temperature. The apparatus generates a further control signal, which is applied to control the variables of the molding operation, including the temperature of the molding material and the flow rate.

Abstract: Improvements in the construction of skis, sleigh runners and the like having extended and improved wear characteristics. In one form a ski is fabricated with lower left and right edging thereof which is subject to wear and dulling during use by frictional attrition defined by a hard synthetic material having the hardness in the range of natural diamond or higher. The hard material may comprise a coating of synthetic diamond formed in situ on a flexible strip of metal or ceramic material by chemical vapor deposition, radiation beam deposition or other means such as lamination sintering.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for automatically inspecting two- or three-dimensional objects or subjects. A detector and the object are moved relative to each other. In one form, a detector, such as a camera or radiation receiver, moves around an object, which is supported to be rotatable such that the detector may receive electromagnetic energy signals from the object from a variety of angles. The energy may be directed as a beam at and reflected from the object, as for visible light, or passed through the object, as for x-ray radiation. Alternatively, the detector passively receives energy from the object, as in an infrared detector. The detector generates analog image signals resulting from the detected radiation, and an electronic computer process and analyzes the analog signals and generates digital codes, which may be stored or employed to control a display.

Abstract: Structures in electrodes such as filaments for electric lamps and the like are subject to heat corrosion and/or erosion or evaporation during use. The electrodes are coated with synthetic diamond which serves to protect the operating or exposed portion or portions of the electrodes from corrosion and/or erosion. Where the electrode is a filament employed to generate and emit radiation including light energy for illumination, the coating is thin enough to be transmissive of the light energy generated when the electrode is electrically energized. Similarly if the electrode is used in the generation of an arc or electron beam, the synthetic diamond coating serves to protect the core material of the electrode from erosion and/or corrosion while permitting the radiant energy to be transmitted therethrough. If the electrode is a filament in a light bulb, the side wall and end wall thereof heated to incandescense are coated with such protective light transmitting material.

Abstract: A measuring device, such as a micrometer or other form of dimensional measuring instrument, is provided which is operable to indicate dimensional measurements made thereby in numerical form on a display, such as an electronic digital display. The measuring device or micrometer is controlled to generate digital electrical signals which are indicative of a measurement, which signals of each measurement are recorded in an electronic memory which may be supported by the device or connected thereto. The memory is employed to both indicate each measurement as it is made and to record all or selected measurements made for future reference. Other information generated, for example, by a suitable input means such as a keyboard, and defining such variables as part number, part lot, time and date of measurement, etc. may be recorded in such memory along with the recording or recordings of data defining the measurements made.

Abstract: Fastening devices such as washers, seals and drive pins subject to corrosive deterioration of all or select portions thereof wherein all or such select portions are protected from such corrosion and failure by a thin coating or coatings of hard surface material or materials. In a preferred form, the fastening device is coated with a synthetic diamond material formed as a thin layer in situ thereon. In addition to preventing moisture and other corrosive material from penetrating to the base metal, such synthetic diamond material serves to preserve the surface integrity of the fastening device preventing the formation or spread of surface flaws produced during use or during the fabrication of the fastening device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively treating the surface of a substrate with a material. The method comprises supporting a workpiece at a work station and providing a source of fluent material for treating a preselected portion of a surface of the workpiece. A stream of the fluent material is directed toward the surface of the workpiece while effecting controllable relative movement between the stream of fluent material and the workpiece to impinge a select amount of the fluent material along a preselected path on the preselected portion of the surface of the workpiece. The fluent material is bonded with the preselected portion of the surface of the workpiece to produce a predetermined physical change on the preselected portion. The apparatus of the invention includes a mechanism to effect the specific steps of the novel method.

Abstract: High density recording systems and methods are disclosed which employ a radiation beam to form spot-like recordings in record members such as discs, tapes and cards. The angle, offset or cross-sectional shape of the recording beam can be varied so as to vary the angle, offset or shape of the corresponding recordings in the record member. The recorded information can be electro-optically or magnetically detected and discriminated from each other to provide high density recordings of alphanumeric characters or digital data. Enhanced detection scanning is effected by ultrasonically vibrating the laser or an optical element, such as a prism or mirror receiving the reading light beam, in a manner to cause it to scan back and forth laterally to the record track as a longitudinal scanning movement is effected parallel to the longitudinal axis or centerline of the track. The reflected light is detected, computer processed and analyzed to effect proper detection of the recordings to generate correct data therefrom.

Abstract: Improvements in gears and gear teeth structures for use in driving assemblies, such as machines, vehicles and the like, wherein the teeth portions of the gears and, in certain instances, other portions thereof, are coated with a hard synthetic diamond material deposited thereagainst as carbon atoms derived from a fluid, such as methane gas, when high energy radiation, such as microwave radiation, is beamed through the gas against the surfaces of the gears and gear teeth thereof. In certain instances, the hard diamond material coating the gear teeth and the spaces therebetween, is overcoated with a thin layer of chromium which serves to protect the diamond surfaces of the teeth during use so as to prevent destruction of the diamond layer by physical attrition caused by stress and abrasive particles engaging the teeth during use of the gears.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for automatically inspecting three-dimensional objects or subjects. A detector and the object are moved relative to each other. In one form, a detector, such as a camera or radiation receiver, moves around an object, which is supported to be rotatable such that the detector may receive electromagnetic energy signals from the object from a variety of angles. The energy may be directed as a beam at and reflected from the object, as for visible light, or passed through the object, as for x-ray radiation. Alternatively, the detector passively receives energy from the object, as in an infrared detector. The detector generates analog image signals resulting from the detected radiation, and an electronic computing means process and analyzes the analog signals and generates digital codes, which may be stored or employed to control a display.

Abstract: An automatic, moveable manipulator includes an arm supported on a carriage and holding at least one tool. Both the arm and the carriage can be moved under the control of signals transmitted from a remote location, such as a central controller, which signal is stored in a storage device. The manipulator further supports a reservoir for holding materials that can be used by the tool, for example to apply to the workpieces, such as fluids, fasteners, expendable materials, and the like. An automatic resupply system permits the manipulator to re-fill the reservoir, such as when it is emptied.

Abstract: A method for molding is disclosed in which a fluent molding material is flowed into a cavity of a mold, which is then shaped into a configuration defined by the mold. Control signals which are applied by operating a master controller to control the transfer of heat with respect to the molding material, in order to predeterminately control the temperature of the molding material as it flows into and is retained within the mold. The temperature of the molding material flowed into the cavity is sensed, and feedback signals are generated relating to the sensed temperature. The feedback signals are compared to reference signals indicative of a desired molding material temperature and a further control signal is generated which is applied to control the variables of the molding operation, including the temperature of the molding material.

Abstract: A portable camera and recording device capable of recording motion picture and still image signals on an erasable magnetic tape and, in an embodiment thereof, still images on hard copy as photographic images. A single assembly supports a television camera at one end, a videocassette recorder behind the television camera and an instant photographic camera below or to the side of the television camera. Still and motion picture images of image phenomena recorded as full-frame video picture signals on the magnetic tape and are displayable on a miniature electronic display screen within the housing. Controls on the housing permit select still images of frames of recorded picture information to be selectively displayed on the screen, viewed though an eyepiece and passed through an aperture of an instant photographic camera for photoghica reproduction. Methods for effectively operating the camera and producing magnetic recordings and hard copy recordings are also provided.

Abstract: Medical materials for use in treating maladies in living beings, such as ulcers and other conditions of the digestive tract. In one form, a container is provided for a medication which container also contains an adhesive material which is operatively released from the container or exposed at the surface thereof upon biodegradation or dissolution of a protective coating or wall portion of the container under the effects of fluid in the digestive tract in which the container is exposed, such as by swallowing, to permit such adhesive to temporarily bond and retain the container at a select location in the digestive tract so that it may slowly release its contents thereafter to a select portion of the digestive tract. In another form, a multitude of microcapsules, each containing a small quantity of medication, is mixed with an adhesive material, such as a sucralfate other material which may be swallowed as a tablet or dissolved in a liquid such as water.

Abstract: Improvements in ice skates, particularly ice skate blades which are protected against wear and dulling during use. In one form, a thin film of hard synthetic diamond or diamond-like material is formed in situ against the lower portion of an ice skate blade including the bottom surface thereof and portions of the side walls of the blade so as to define the left and right edges of the blade of a hard material which is resistant to erosion and wear. In another form, the entire blade of an ice skate is coated with such hard diamond material formed from atoms of carbon deposited from a fluid containing hydrocarbon molecules, such as methane gas through which high energy radiation, such as microwave radiation, is beamed against the blade. In a third form, the entire blade runner and the metal support for the blade are coated with a hard synthetic diamond or diamond-like material.

Abstract: An automatic scanning apparatus and method for detecting the presence of one or more objects in an image field under investigation or inspection. Electro-optical scanning means, such as a television camera, is employed to scan an image field and generate output electrical signals which vary in accordancd with variations in the optical characteristics of the matter and objects in the image field scanned. Such signals are computer processed and analyzed to generate coded electrical signals which define optical characteristics of portion of the image field scanned, such as objects or the images of objects scanned, their shape, color of a combination of color and shape.