Abstract: The present invention provides a recording system for recording operating parameter information on transportation equipment, such as large trucks and the like. The recording system includes at least one circuit line for operation thereof and is characterized by a sensor for sensing circuit line impedence changes indicative of unauthorized shut down of the system, as well as a recording member responsive to the sensor for visually recording any occurrences of these impedence changes on the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording on a recording paper characters and symbols as well as graphs based on pattern data stored in memories by actuating keys of a keyboard section. The recording of a character or symbol is effected by moving a writing instrument relative to the recording paper, and an upright position or a lying position may be selected as a recorded posture of the character or symbol. The recording apparatus includes a writing instrument restoring device which enables the writing instrument to be automatically restored, when the recorded posture is switched from the lying position back to the upright position from which it was previously switched to the lying position, to a position on the recording paper in which the writing instrument was disposed when the recorded posture was previously switched from the upright position to the lying position.

Abstract: A device for installation in a motor vehicle for recording distances traveled on business or non-business journeys comprises an input from the vehicle indicative of the distance traveled by the vehicle and manually operable keys for inputting into the device the purpose of the journey. The distance traveled and the purpose can be recorded for later printing on a paper supply contained within the device. A clock also records the time and data of the journey. Gas purchases can be recorded. A decimal keyboard can be used to require the introduction of an identification code before the device can be operated.

Abstract: Electronic equipment with a printer has a special graph print mode designation means, in which, when a special graph print mode is designated by the special graph print mode designation means in a graph data input operation, the print density of the corresponding graph data area in the graph is modified.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising a paper feed device for feeding a recording paper in forward and reverse directions; a carriage for supporting a writing tool and being movable perpendicularly to the feed direction of the paper; a carriage drive device for driving the carriage; a writing tool drive device for driving the writing tool towards the recording paper; a character pattern generator for generating character patterns; a control device for reading out corresponding character pattern data on basis of record data and driving the carriage drive device and the writing tool drive device to control the paper feed device, in response to the character pattern data; change means for changing lateral and longitudinal directions of recording; and means for mutually changing drive signals to be supplied from the control device to the paper feed device and the carriage drive device, respectively, on the basis of the change means, whereby direction of recording can be simply and readily changed.

Abstract: A printing system is provided which allows selected characters or symbols to be emphasized without increasing the density thereof. A video signal containing printing data for a character to be emphasized is delayed and logically added to an undelayed video signal to expand the "black" portion of the signal on the time axis.

Abstract: A multiple rate metering system suitable for use with an existing single rate, electromechanical electricity meter employing an Eddy current disc mounted in a casing, comprises a first unit mountable inside the casing of the electricity meter, and a second unit, which is portable so that it can be brought into close proximity with said first unit by a meter reader. The first unit comprises a sensor for generating pulses in response to rotation of the Eddy current disc, a first microprocessor, a first read-only-memory for storing a program to control the operation of said first microprocessor, a random-access-memory, the first microprocessor being programmed to store data in said random-access memory related to the pulse count in different predetermined periods during which different electricity rates apply, and a first coupling device for establishing communication through the casing with said second unit when said second unit is brought into proximity with said first unit.

Abstract: A measuring and recording apparatus for testing the operation of a home electrical appliance and the like comprises a multiscale electrical current recorder associated with a current probe for connection to a circuit in which the current value is to be monitored. A digital temperature meter associated with a digital display has memory means operable to store the temperature level responsive to a predetermined event, i.e. a maximum value of the temperature, and with an outside temperature probe. Electronic circuit means render the recorder operative to record the current value only responsive to detection of a current above a predetermined level by said current probe.

Abstract: A time keeping and recording device is provided, which is particularly suitable for use by lawyers and other professionals to record in an automated fashion the time spent on various activities, together with other information identifying such activities. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a stop clock, audio recording means, timer means, and circuit means including switch means, wherein the switch means is operable to reset and start the stop clock, and is operable to stop the stop clock, and wherein either of such operations causes the timer to enable the recorder to operate for a pre-specified time interval, during which a spoken message may be recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for conducting ground or near ground magnetic surveys in which the magnetic field measurements of the earth's total field, a component thereof, or a combination of components thereof, are made at continuous or near continuous (less than 20 feet intervals) measurement intervals. These measurements are recorded in analog or digital format by the apparatus which may include a corresponding chart recorder, recording on chart paper, magnetic tape or any appropriate recording device. The device includes manual switches for advancing the chart, making a recording, making a fiducial mark and for reversing the polarity of recording of the reading from the magnetometer.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing alpha-numeric characters for plotting an incoming signal at rates on the order of one page every seven seconds for rapidly verifying that the system producing the incoming signal is operating properly. Both printing and plotting are done by styli mounted on a moving carriage and individually electrified to produce marks on a specially prepared paper. The styli are moved back and forth across the paper, marking in both directions. The carriage is not stepped across the page, but instead is moved smoothly from one side to the other side under control of a velocity servo. A controller generates and applies velocity command inputs to the servo, based on the position of the carriage as sensed by an optical encoder, and based on certain characteristics of the incoming signal. A first buffer memory accumulates the incoming signal until a line has been stored for plotting, while a second buffer memory is applying its accumulated contents to the printhead.

Abstract: To overcome the tendency of the recording head of a dot printer to become inoperative in a range below a threshold level, a gray scale input signal is modulated with an oscillating signal so that the modulated signal oscillates above and below the threshold level to reproduce halftone values below the otherwise inoperative range.

Abstract: A system for transcribing a sequence of input analog signals having characteristic frequencies and durations into indicia which visibly reflect the frequencies and durations of the input analog signals. The system uses the principles that the frequency of an analog signal can be determined from the number of zero crossings the signal makes in a predetermined time period and that the durations of the input analog signals can be determined from the number of successive time periods that the determined frequencies remain the same.In the preferred embodiment, the system transcribes successive musical tones into corresponding musical notes. A microphone produces electrical signals corresponding to the musical tones and a frequency digitizer circuit produces a digital signal train comprising a digital pulse for each zero crossing of the electrical signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the stepping of a pen and chart of a recorder is described in which the data is buffered so as to free up the processor. The pen steps as fast as it can and no new data points are read until the pen-stepping data is used up. The chart stepping is keyed to the reading of data points so that while the pen is moving to a desired position, the chart stands still.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a novel digital multi-point recorder that is microprocessor-controlled and enables impact printing from in back of the recorder paper to provide a front visible flat print-out of pages of on-line running summary data suited for operator viewing in industrial and similar locations, and providing a record for direct use in reports and logs.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical controller for a fraction collector for a liquid chromatograph in which a conventional strip chart recorder pan holder guide rail is provided with a slider which is pulled along by a contact bar mounted on the pen holder or pushed by the pen holder depending on the direction of travel. The L-bar and pen holder are electrically interconnected to sense the travel of the pen holder and generate an output signal which triggers a timer, the output signal of which fires a one-shot integrated circuit the output signal of which in turn fires a free running timer and time delay circuit to permit time for the solution of the detected peak to travel from the detector to the fraction collector. The output signal from the free running timer and time delay triggers a one-shot IC the output signal of which is fed to an event marker and an integrated circuit inverter controlling the movement of the fraction collector device.

Abstract: A system for recording the magnitude of a time-varying electrical signal on a chart and for computing the integrals of various segments of the signal, includes operator actuated controls for providing the computer with the integration boundaries on the curve. As the signal is recorded on the chart, the value of its magnitude or its integral is also entered into a memory. To select a boundary the controls are actuated as a point on the recorded curve passes under a cursor. The computer is provided with the manually entered boundary signals and the related magnitude or integral signal at the same instant. To maintain synchronism between the stored signals provided to the computer and the boundary signals, the rate of motion of the chart is detected and used to control the rate of provision of the stored signals' values from the memory to the computer. This allows use of a low cost, variable speed chart drive.

Abstract: A pen recorder in which a memory storing data at its addresses necessary for constituting a character is scanned, and the signals for the addresses where the data are stored are converted from digital to analog signals before they are supplied to a recording pen for recording the character. A hold circuit is located forwardly or rearwardly of a digital-to-analog converter so as to hold a previous address signal until a stored next address of the data is scanned, so that a recorded character will be legible.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling rain which comprises a container receiving a saing vessel and provided with a cover having a drive which opens upon detection of a first rain phase and closes at a second rain phase whereby the sampling vessel remains free from contaminants from the atmosphere prior to the rain collection stage.

Abstract: An audio-frequency generator applies signals to a unit under test. The output of the tested unit is applied selectively through either an amplifier having a linear or a logarithmic characteristic to a push-pull output stage driving a rotary coil measuring instrument. The latter drives a recording stylus. An electronically controlled paper drive is coupled to the wiper arm of a potentiometer. The voltage picked up by the wiper arm is applied to the audio-frequency generator to control the frequency thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a perturbation signal recorder. An input circuit receives a series of signals to be monitored and samples them in order to supply in respect of each sample a digital word to a pre-memory circuit which preserves the n most recent digital words. In the presence of a perturbation, a central unit excites a main memory circuit in order that it records the n most recent digital words at the time of the perturbation, as well as the following digital words during and after the perturbation. The contents of the main memory are thus transferred at a slow rate to an output circuit, which re-transforms the signals to an analogue form and applies them to a graphic recorder.

Abstract: A chart recorder has six pens (26) which traverse respective paths spaced in the direction of chart advance. The input signal for each pen (26) except the first (26a) is sampled and fed into a shift register (50) which has a number of stages related to the spacing between its associated pen (26) and the first pen (26a), and which is clocked at a rate dependent on the speed of chart advance. The delayed signal emerging from the shift register (50) is fed to the pen (26), the effect of the delay being to cause simultaneous events in the different signals to be recorded at the same longitudinal position on the chart. A single shift register (150) can be operated in a multiplex mode to receive all the input signals to be delayed, or the signal samples can be cyclically stored in and extracted from the memory (278) of a microprocessor.

Abstract: A circuit and method for the display of a high frequency periodic signal on a display (21) having a maximum response frequency less than the periodic signal frequency includes a signal period counter (12) for counting the number of periods in the high frequency periodic signal, a sampling control counter (16) for counting at a frequency substantially greater than the frequency of the high frequency periodic signal, and a comparator (17) for comparing the counts in the signal period counter (12) and the sampling control counter (16) and indicating a match thereof. When a match count is indicated, some electrical parameter of the high frequency periodic signal is sampled and held by a sample and hold circuit (20) until the next match count is indicated, thereby accurately reproducing the high frequency periodic signal at another frequency in a range of frequencies from zero up to and including the maximum response frequencies of the display.

Abstract: A dynamometer for monitoring the tension in a pair of spaced, elongated members. A pen, actuated by a sensor means, measures the tension in the pair of spaced, elongated members, and places indicia upon a continuously moving chart. The indicia is related to the magnitude of the measured tension and is in the form of spaced-apart, individual curves or plots. Hence the pen contacts the chart for a first time interval; and thereafter, the pen is lifted from the chart for a second time interval so as to cyclically place the indicia upon the chart at successive intervals of time. More specifically, the dynamometer measures the tension in a rod string. The rod string is reciprocated by a pumpjack unit located above the ground and drives a downhole pump.

Abstract: A disc-like sheet of pressure-sensitive material rests on a turntable rotatably mounted on a housing. The sheet has spaced scale markings there on around its circumference indicating units of time. A stylus arm is movably mounted on the housing in proximity with the turntable and has a stylus affixed to, and extending from, its free end and abutting the sheet of material at its axial area. The housing has a clock motor and solenoid electrically connected between an electrical appliance and a source of electrical energy. The motor rotates the turntable one revolution in a predetermined period of time. The solenoid moves the stylus to the circumferential area of the sheet during the operation energization and of the appliance to record such operation in the circumferential area during the time of operation. The stylus is in the axial area of the sheet during deenergization of the appliance to record inoperativeness of the appliance in the axial area.

Abstract: In a device for graphically representing characters encoded in a digital nal, a writing element adapted to sweep across a recording medium at selected intervals is enabled by a timing means to selectively mark the recording medium during a selected series of sweeps, and a decoding means receives the digital signal and provides segment select signals, which specify a combination of segments from a group of segments which may graphically represent each of the characters in the digital signal. The outputs of the timing means and the decoding means are coupled to a network of logic elements to generate a signal which is coupled to the writing element, whereby the writing element selectively marks the recording medium during the series of sweeps to form the segments representing each of the characters.

Abstract: A lightweight, somewhat book-shaped control unit having displays, signal lights, data entry keys, and control keys disposed in a panel has one side edge of the case rounded to permit holding in the hand in a fashion that allows pressing of a data entry key with the thumb of the same hand, there being a hand strap to assist in holding with one hand, the strap having its upper end attached to the case parallel to the edge of the case and its lower end attached to the case perpendicular to the edge of the case.

Abstract: A number of values of a variable defining a program of operations are settable by means of three potentiometers, connected to a controlled apparatus, which control respectively the initial, final, and rate of change of the variable, each potentiometer having an associated plate one edge of which indicates the value set against a scale. The plate edges form a curve of a graph indicative of the program. In a modification a plurality of linear potentiometers are located at different positions along a scale showing stages in the program, the sliders of the potentiometers being used to set and also indicate the value of the variable at each stage.

Abstract: An instrument for recordation and time monitoring of pressure, as at a remote wellhead site. The instrument is battery powered, and means for conservation of battery power include powering the device intermittently under control of low power-drain CMOS clock timing circuits. Relatively higher power-drain calibration and display modes are continuously powered only on operator demand. In any operating mode, only those elements necessary to effect the mode are powered, either on an intermittent or continuous basis, as appropriate to realize the mode objective.

Abstract: Binary coded decimal continuously varying data is monitored by comparing the value of the least significant bit for each digit of each received digital word to the same bit value of the immediately preceding digital word and generating a pulse each time that that value changes and providing a composite pulse equal to the sum of the amplitudes of all coincident pulses to afford an easily readable visual display of the data.

Abstract: Data recording apparatus wherein the data is recorded on a sheet in a spatial arrangement or pattern corresponding to the spatial arrangement of a plurality of containers that constitute a part of a fraction collecting apparatus. The fraction collector operates by moving a nozzle carrying the discharge from a fractionating column along a path on which the containers are disposed. There is a data recording sheet and a pen supported for inscribing a graph on such sheet. The pen moves in unison with the nozzle and is displaced in a direction transverse to the path so that the spatial arrangement of the graph corresponds to the spatial arrangement of the containers.

Abstract: A normally open push button switch is mounted in each storage locker of a bank or lockers in a transportation terminal and connected in parallel to at least one camera for recording a visual image of a person opening the door of any one of the lockers. Upon opening the door, the switch closes to activate the camera.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the frequency analysis of a signal, including a plurality of band filter channels, to whose inputs there is transmitted in parallel the signal which is to be analyzed, and which possess band filters having different limiting or boundary frequencies and containing rectifiers and integrators for the integration of the rectified output signals of the band filters at predetermined integrating intervals; and having a scanning arrangement connected to the outputs thereof which interrogates the integration results pursuant to predetermined intervals.

Abstract: An arrangement is described for rapidly and accurately analyzing the movements of a barbell or other weight. The object is positioned in a suitable holder, which is connected by means of a pair of strands to the periphery of a first disc secured to a torsion-biased shaft. The strands extend, intermediate their ends, through opposed ends of the crosspiece of a T-shaped pendulum whose central arm is secured at its free end to a second disc, such second disc being in turn secured to a splined front end of the shaft. A pair of internally toothed racks are carried by the second disc for toothed engagement with the splined end of the shaft, with the racks being confined for movement in mutually perpendicular directions to resolve the motion of the holder and thereby of the object into orthogonal planes. Facilities are provided for recording the separate movements of the first and second racks along a common first coordinate of a recording medium as the medium is advanced along the other coordinate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of individual badges such as name badges and the like, each bearing indicial material common to all of such plurality of badges, and each bearing specific indicial material exclusive to the respective individual badges, in which the badge blanks are initially imprinted with the common indicial material and subsequently provided with the respective exclusive indicial material by an electrostatic or photocopying process.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph system includes a central processor (CPU) and a printer-plotter. The printer-plotter prints characters and plots data using a single 1 by 7 array of thermal resistors to perform both the printing and plotting operations in real time. The system provides continuous and uniform traces despite changes in the plotting rate.Data from the chromatograph is temporarily stored by the CPU, then forwarded upon programmed command through a print-plot controller to the printer-plotter. Data is plotted as it is received from the CPU. As peaks in the data are detected, plotting is suspended temporarily without loss of data, and characters are printed adjacent to the peaks, thus annotating the peaks with digital data.

Abstract: A method of detecting psychological stress by evaluating manifestations of physiological change in the human voice wherein the utterances of a subject under examination are transduced to electrical signals and processed to emphasize selected characteristics which have been found to change with psycho-physiological state changes. The processed signals are then displayed, as on a strip chart recorder, for observation, comparison and analysis. An especially useful characteristic is an infrasonic modulation in the voice. Apparatus for performing detection of this type includes a transducer, a magnetic recorder, a series diode, a plurality of integrating capacitors, an amplifier and a chart recorder. A second apparatus includes filter means, an FM discriminator and a detector, a waveform integrator, an amplifier and a recorder for producing a visible record.

Abstract: Self-contained portable recording instrument is particularly useful at field sites for recording the magnitude of both welding current and operating duration. A second embodiment is adapted to record the magnitude of welding current, voltage and operating duration. Strip chart records provide analysts with means for determining operator incentive pay when working on field assignments. Records enable determining the quality and duration of actual welds, as well as the occurrence of operator-simulated welding time.

Abstract: An automatic timekeeping and accounting unit is provided which has particular utility for use by professional persons such as lawyers, accountants, and the like. The unit of the invention keeps track of the person's working activities during the day, and it also serves to record the time and subject matter of interrupting telephone calls, if the user so desires, along with information relating to other work activities. The unit to be described also includes a simple switch which converts the unit into an electronic calculator for performing additions, divisions, subtractions, multiplications, and other calculations, similar to the commercially available solid state pocket calculators, without affecting its timing capabilities.