Abstract:
Sound is recorded on a motion picture filmstrip (20) by taking periodic samples (15) of an analog signal (13), digitizing each sample in the form of a sixteen-bit binary word (40), (41), (43), and representing each binary word on the filmstrip in the form of a group of bits (8) composed of black dots (26) and transparent spaces (28). Each dot represents a binary ZERO and each space a binary ONE. The groups of binary bits are disposed in a digitized soundtrack (8) on the filmstrip, between the visual frames (50) and the sprocket holes (54), either in lieu of or in addition to the regular analog "variable area" soundtrack (48). On the digitized soundtrack, the groups of bits are arranged in parallel rows (42) which are oriented orthogonally to the direction of elongation of the filmstrip. Each row consists of a group of starting bits (44), followed by three groups of binary bits, for the left (40), right (41) and center ( 43) audio tracks, respectively. Thus each row on the digitized soundtrack represents three samples of three analog audio signals. When the filmstrip is projected, the digitized soundtrack is illuminated with a lamp (102) and the shadow of the digital soundtrack is sensed by a plurality of photocells (100) which provide electrical output signals. These are conveyed to a digital-to-analog converter (110) which reconstitutes the original audio signals, which are then reproduced as audible sounds by loudspeakers (116, 112, etc.) The audio information may be represented by various other arrangements of the groups of binary bits.
Abstract:
The time of day is displayed on clock face (10) through the use of two, two-digit numerical stations (20) and (30) and a minutes scale comprised of marks (40). The left-hand station (20) indicates the actual hour of the day and the right-hand station (30) indicates the next hour of the day so that display (30) always indicates one hour past the time shown by display (20). A series of lamps (40) between the two stations are used to form a bar-graph display of the minutes of the hour. A number of display modalities are possible. Electronic and mechanical versions of the timepiece are shown.
Abstract:
In a receiver for pulsed ultrasonic beams, it is sometimes desirable to translate the received signal to a lower carrier frequency by a heterodyne process. It is also often desirable to vary the receiving channels' gain during the period when signals are being received from a single transmitted pulse, to compensate for the attenuation of later-arriving signals from a greater distance. To get both the heterodyne and the time-gain control functions in a prior-art receiver of N channels requires 2 mixers in each channel, or 2N mixers. According to the invention, the heterodyne and the time-gain control signals are combined in one master mixer and fed to all the channel mixers. The only N+1 mixers are required.
Abstract:
An ionographic copier based upon the fluid jet assisted ion projection electrographic marking process. A light sensitive ion modulation assembly is used for controlling the flow of ions in accordance with dark and light patterns of raster line optical information projected from an original to be copied.
Abstract:
An earring watch comprises an enclosure 4 with a friction clip or pierced-earlobe hook for attachment to the ear. The enclosure contains an energy cell 18, a timekeeping circuit 42-46-48 and an audio transducer 40 for announcing the time in a series of groups of tones, the number of tones in each group equal to a respective digit of the time. The time is announced when the wearer touches one part of the surface of the enclosure twice, another part 6 of the enclosure is electrically connected to the body via the ear, so that the touch completes a circuit between the two parts of the enclosure. Preferably, and to avoid false readouts due to an inadvertent touch, the watch contains circuitry for providing a time readout only if it is touched twice within a predetermined interval.
Abstract:
A multiple-character-word indication system employs a humanly sensible output in which plural associated characters which constitute a word representing time, temperature, or other information are indicated sequentially through the use of sensible (audible, palpable, visible) indicia in coded form. The words are generated in electronic form by known means. Individual characters are sequentially selected and then supplied to electronic circuitry which generates a code of sequential signals corresponding to the character. This code is then applied to one or more transducers which convert the signals to the sensible indicia. The output indication can be initiated either periodically or upon demand. The readout transducer preferably produces plural types of sensible sensations, such as tones of different pitch, to distinguish the respective characters of the word. In a preferred embodiment the system is a clock which indicates different digits of the time of day by sequential coded tones.
Abstract:
An hydraulic cylinder (100) driven by a reciprocating motive force operates in conjunction with two check valves (170) and (200) to pump liquid toner concentrate (150) around a loop from a reservoir bottle (180) and back into the bottle (180). A microprocessor circuit (230) analyzes commands and data bytes representative of the number and color of pixels transmitted from a computer (290) to an electrographic printer (280). When a predetermined pixel count has been reached, a microprocessor circuit (230), acting on positional information obtained from an optical sensor (240) and marks (250) and (260) on a wheel (160), causes a previously calculated volume of concentrate (150) to be added to a toner premix stream or reservoir in printer (280), thus replacing toner particles depleted from toner premix in the printer (280) during printing. The wheel (160) can run continuously to provide a stirring action for the concentrate (150).
Abstract:
An improved ion projection printing apparatus, for imaging on the front surface of a charge receptor sheet with an imagewise charging device and for depositing a counter-charge upon the rear surface of the charge receptor sheet with another charging device located downstream of the imagewise charging device.
Abstract:
Improvements are disclosed in an ultrasonic display and recording system of the type utilized in diagnostic medicine with particular applicability in cardiovascular diagnosis. The system includes a multi-element transducer for generating and receiving ultrasonic energy which is propagated into and reflected back from the cardiovascular region of the patient being examined, and also includes means for generating a two-dimensional real time display and/or image of the zone of examination. TM recording means are associated with the system and may be actuated to effect a TM recording corresponding to a preselected region of the real time image being observed. An ECG output signal is also displayed in real time with the two-dimensional image, and photographs of the displays may be produced at selected points in the ECG cycle in accordance with a setting made by the system operator. The system includes provision for generating video recordings; and means for imposing various identification and time data upon the displays.
Abstract:
A device in which a displaced member will automatically return to its rest position after a delay comprises a container partially filled with a viscous fluid. The container is mounted so that it can be moved between a first, stable (rest) position and a second, semistable position in which the fluid will flow slowly away from its rest position. When the fluid has moved away from its rest position sufficiently, it will cause the center of gravity of the container to shift to one side of a pivot, whereupon the container will make an automatically delayed return to its first position. The container is employed as a box lid which will close automatically a predetermined time after being opened so that it can be used as an interval timer and/or a scent release mechanism. The container is also mounted in a human novelty figure in such a manner that if it is tipped over it will return automatically to an upright position after a predetermined delay.