Abstract:
Frames on a film may contain multiple choice questions which can be answered by selecting one of a number of answer buttons but each frame includes only a single next address code. The latter has only a small number of bits but is ambiguous in the sense that the present address on a number of frames is equal to this next address. The ambiguity is resolved by counting the frames having this common present address until the one called for by the selected answer button is reached. A second feature of the machine useful in playing games is the production of a random number in response to a user actuated button for comparison with the count of frames having a particular common present address.
Abstract:
In an astable multivibrator circuit, a diode operates in conjunction with a voltage supply derived from the multivibrator output signal to insure the initiation of oscillations by limiting base drive current to the multivibrator transistors when power is first applied. This prevents saturation of both transistors and ensures sufficient loop gain to initiate oscillations in response to an unbalance in the system. As power is first applied, the diode is non-conductive and a relatively low voltage is applied to bias the multivibrator transistors. During normal operation, the voltage derived from the multivibrator output signal causes the diode to conduct, thereby coupling the base circuits to the operating potential supply. While conductive, the diode forward voltage drop compensates for changes in the Vbe of the transistors due to temperature variations and tends to maintain a constant charging current for the base circuits.
Abstract:
An oscillator circuit employs first and second emitter coupled transistors in a switch configuration. First and second trip voltages are developed by a voltage divider network in conjunction with a third transistor and are applied to the base of the second transistor. The third transistor regeneratively aids in switching conduction states of the second transistor and changes the trip voltage applied to the base of the second transistor as well as in the input signal to an integration network coupled to the base of the first transistor to sustain oscillations. Frequency control is effected by coupling the collector-to-emitter current path of a fourth transistor in parallel with the collector-to-emitter current path of the second transistor. An automatic frequency control (AFC) voltage is applied to the base of the fourth transistor to cause the second and third transistors to switch in response to the AFC control signal instead of the fixed lower trip voltage, thereby varying the frequency oscillation of the circuit.