Abstract: A memory element that includes a stored charge element coupled to a bi-directional voltage dropping element that exhibits substantially definite voltage drops when conducting in each direction is the basis for a family of memory cells and circuits. An extremely compact dynamic memory cell (200) capable of being stacked includes a capacitor (204) or any other suitable stored charge device, and a voltage dropping element such as a Zener diode (208), a pair of parallel, reverse-connected diodes (910, 920), or any other suitable voltage dropping device having substantially definite voltage drop thresholds when conducting in each direction. Another type of dynamic memory (1000) is read through a transistor (1020) to provide non-destructive reads. Another type of dynamic memory (1200) has column bit lines (1212) that are shared by adjacent cells having memory elements (1230, 1240). An SRAM cell (1300, 1400) is made of a latch (1310) that is accessed through a memory element (1320, 1420).

Abstract: An extremely compact dynamic memory cell (200) includes a capacitor (204) or any other suitable stored charge device, and a diode (208) such as a Zener diode, a pair of parallel, reverse-connected diodes, or any other suitable voltage dropping device having substantially definite voltage drops when conducting in each direction. The capacitor and Zener diode are connected in series between a Row Select line (202) and a Column Bit line (210). These structures are suitable for fabrication by any of a variety of processes used to fabricate conventional semiconductor DRAMs. The memory cell is replicated millions of times and arrayed in rows and columns as in conventional one-transistor MOSFET DRAM memories to form a memory integrated circuit. Rows of cells are accessed by asserting the corresponding Row Select line, and columns are accessed by asserting the Column Bit line.

Abstract: A memory (1) operative in an erase mode, a program mode, or a read mode includes a memory cell array, word lines (30, 40, 50, 60), a row decoder (9) connected to the word lines, bit lines (2, 4, 6, 8), a precharge circuit (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80) connected to the bit lines, a load circuit (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) connected to the bit lines, and a sense circuit (12, 14, 16, 18) connected to the bit lines. The memory array includes both floating gate MOSFET transistors and switch MOSFET transistors arranged in groups associated with respective subsets of word lines and bit lines.

Abstract: A design layout sequence for an application specific integrated circuit such as a gate array includes a schematic capture step, which results in a logic netlist file, and a placement and routing step which results in a number of various files defining, for example, bias drivers, I/O macros, and relationships between chip pads and I/O signals. The design layout sequence culminates in a physical data base file. The connectivity of this physical data base file is checked by first generating a circuit level netlist file for the entire option, and then comparing the circuit level netlist with the physical data base file. In generating the circuit level netlist file, information is obtained from the logic netlist file, as well as from some of the other files created in the design-layout sequence. In addition, basic information from which the circuit level netlist is constructed is obtained from a skeleton file library and a subcircuit library.

Abstract: A number of dielectrically isolated single crystal islands are formed by implanting neon or other group Zero ions into a semiconductor substrate, preferably silicon, at a sufficiently high energy to created an amorphized region in the interior of the substrate, without excessively damaging the substrate surface through which the ions pass. The amorphized regions are highly resistive, and are suitable for isolation in some applications. Where better isolation is desired, a dielectric isolation structure is formed as follows. Trenches are formed down into the amorphized regions, and the substrate is heavily oxidized to convert the amorphized regions into buried oxide regions and the island sidewalls into oxide. The islands are made thicker by removing the oxide from the islands' top surfaces and sidewalls, and growing epitaxial silicon over the substrate. Second trenches are formed down to the buried oxide regions, and the substrate is again oxidized to convert the islands' sidewalls to oxide.

Abstract: Circuit configurations are described for use with split lead leadframes and relatively isolated quiet and noisy power rails to reduce power rail noise and circuit noise. An octal register transceiver circuit incorporates a latch (300) coupled to relatively quiet power rails (42,44) and an output buffer circuit (400) having an input circuit coupled to the latch (300) and relatively quiet power rails (42,44). The output driver transistors (Q433,Q434) of the output buffer circuit (400) are coupled to the relatively noisy output power rails (52,54) to isolate the latch circuit from power rail noise and minimize erroneous operation of the latch. A DC Miller Killer circuit (450) is constructed with delay control components (D456,D457,R460) and an alternative discharge path (R458,D459) to reduce aggravation of power rail noise during operation of DCMK.

Abstract: A cartridge loading device for a disk player which can supply, when a disk tray on which a disk is placed is accommodated in position into a device body of the disk player, the disk readily to a disk driving unit located laterally of an area of advancing and retracting movement of the disk tray.

Abstract: A switch device comprising a first sliding switch operated by a first knob, a second sliding switch operated by a second knob, a connecting member for connecting the slider of the first sliding switch and the slider of the second sliding switch and a mechanism prohibiting operation of the second sliding switch when the first sliding switch is operated and conversely prohibiting operation of the first sliding switch when the second sliding switch is operated. With such an arrangement, the capacity of the electro-conductive network for power source which is shared by the two sliding switches in such a switch device can be significantly reduced and consequently the size and weight as well as the manufacturing cost of such a device can be considerably reduced. Such a switch device can be conveniently used for a power operated automobile seat.

Abstract: An optical reader which has a light emitting element, a photodetector, a light emitting side lens for converging a light emitted from the light emitting element to a surface to be detected, and a photodetecting side lens for converging a light reflected on the surface to be detected to the photodetector, wherein the light emitting side focus point focused at the light emitting element by the light emitting side lens is set at a position separated from the lens farther than the photodetecting side focus point focused at the photodetector by the photodetecting side lens. Thus, the adverse influence of a regular reflection light can be prevented in a small-sized structure and a detecting accuracy can be enhanced without decreasing the light detecting efficiency of the optical reader.

Abstract: An improved lead for surface-mounted electronic components is described. The improved lead includes an opening through the portion of the lead to be placed in contact with the printed circuit board for soldering. The opening, having a diameter approximately equal to the thickness of the lead, enables the detection of correctly-soldered joints using automated inspection equipment. When the lead is correctly soldered, solder is drawn by capillary action into the opening where it forms a meniscus. By automatically detecting the curvature of the meniscus, the quality of the solder joint may be determined.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for a magnetic encoder which has an alumite magnetic film that magnetic metal is precipitated in pores of porous aluminum oxide film so that the diameter of the pore is 80 to 200 Angstroms and the depth thereof is 3 to 100 microns. Thus, the magnetic recording medium can magnetically record in a high density and can be fabricated inexpensively.

Abstract: A magnetic rotary encoder device wherein fluctuation of a magnetic gap arising from a change in temperature is minimized, a printed circuit board on which an electric circuit electrically connected to a magnetic sensor is carried can be assembled readily, and a magnetic gap can be adjusted readily. The magnetic encoder device comprises a magnetic scale having thereon a magnetic code which can be detected by a magnetic sensor, a retaining member for securely retaining the magnetic sensor on a sensor mounting element with a magnetic gap left between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor, and a supporting member to which the retaining member is secured. A first bonding agent and a second, softer bonding agent secure the supporting member and portions of the sensor mounting element adjacent and remote from the supporting member to each other, respectively.

Abstract: An optical operating device is provided on an operation panel of an audio system or the like, including a recess formed on the operation panel; several light receiving portions are formed on a first inside surface of the recess and arranged in a longitudinl direction of the recess; several light emitting portions are formed on a second inside surface of the recess opposed to the first inside surface, with each light emitting portion corresponding to a light receiving portion. Several light paths thus pass from the light emitting portions across the recess to the light receiving portions, and the light paths are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the recess. A light source supplies the light to each light emitting portion, and a photo detector is connected to the light receiving portions for generating a predetermined signal according to the light emitted from the light emitting portions and received by the light receiving portions.

Abstract: A process which stores a representation of a polygon forming a portion of a three-dimensional object and compares the polygon to pixels from a scan line as they are passed by. The processor stores a representation of a polygon and compares each pixel passed by the processor to the polygon to determine whether the pixel is within the polygon. If the pixel is within the polygon, its Z position (depth) is compared to the Z position of a corresponding position in the polygon. If the Z position of the polygon position is in front of the Z position of the pixel so that the polygon would obscure the previous pixel description, the Z position and an associates material value (e.g., color) of the polygon is substituted for the Z position of the pixel. The three-dimensional object is preferably represented with triangles and each polygon processor is preferably a triangle processor, with a series of triangle processors arranged in a pipeline. Two pipelines may be provided in parallel.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus for supporting and orienting the test head (11) of an automatic test equipment. A column assembly (14) has a sheath (26) which moves vertically and which is connected via a cable to a manually adjustable counterbalancing device (41) for supporting the weight of the test head (11). A ring (54) is mounted for rotation on the sheath (26) with a side portion (63) slidably receiving an arm (64). A block (81) is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis (theta-z) at the end of arm (64). Orienting means (16) are mounted in block (81) to rotate about a horizontal axis (theta-x), the test head having a radially extending arm (12) mounted for rotation about an additional axis (theta-y). Adjustment means are disposed between block (81) and orienting means (16) to prevent the head (11) from tilting about horizontal axis (theta-x).

Abstract: A custom bus for a visual signal (image) processing system which can interface with a standard high speed industrial standard computer bus and requires minimal interface circuitry. Eight lines are dedicated to eight data/address bits which are supplied to a bidirectional I/O buffer on each VSP circuit card. A separate board select signal is supplied to each circuit card to enable the I/O buffer. Six bits on six lines provided to each VSP circuit card provide a signal selecting a particular device on each circuit card. Each circuit card contains a decoding circuit for decoding the device select signal and enabling an individual device on the card in response to the device select signal.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for classifying triangles. A description of a triangle in the form of the coordinates of its vertices is supplied to calculation logic. The calculation logic calculates a plurality or parameters of the triangle from these coordinates. These parameters are then provided to a look-up table. The look-up table has previously been programmed to include at each address the proper triangle classification for that address, with each address being a different combination of the parameters. The addresses for the look-up table cover all possible combinations of the parameters, and thus all possible triangles.

Abstract: A method for directly measuring the area of a topological surface with an arbitrary boundary shape lying in a fixed elevation different from a fixed surrounding surface elevation relies upon binocular stereo vision. Three stereo correlation measurements are made, one over a window entirely within the surface of interest, a second over a window outside the surface of interest and within the surrounding area, and a third over a window fully containing the surface of interest as well as some of the surrounding area. The correlation measured in the third case is the linear sum of the correlation value over each of the first two cases weighted by the proportion of the window that the two surfaces occupy.

Abstract: A magnetic rotary encoder which is reduced in overall size and production cost and wherein little torsional force around an axis of a rotary shaft is applied to a bearing for the rotary shaft from a force from an object member for detection and the detection sensitivity does not fluctuate even if the rotary shaft is yielded. The rotary shaft includes a fixed shaft fixedly supported at least at one portion thereof and having an inner race of the bearing secured to an outer periphery thereof, a cylindrical member having an outer race of the bearing secured to an inner periphery thereof, and a magnetic member provided on an outer periphery of the cylindrical member and having magnetic poles formed thereon. A magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic flux from the magnetic member is supported on the fixed shaft by means of a mounting plate, and a detecting member is mounted in sliding contact with the cylindrical member and rotates, when it is rotated, the magnetic member around the axis of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A system is provided for application of a lighting model to a rasterized stream of pixels. The system typically includes a series of circuits, each for applying a lighting model to a single pixel. Each chip typically includes some memory sources for storing the lighting model, an input section connected to receive data indicative of the normal vector, Z depth, and material characteristics of the object represented by the pixel to be colored. A special purpose processor connected to the input then applies the lighting model to the pixel and supplies color value of the pixel as an output signal.