Abstract: A motorized cart for the transportation of at least one mail bag includes a box-like frame having a plurality of hooks spaced along its top surface to which may be attached one or more mail bags. A pair of wheels are fixedly mounted to an axle disposed along the bottom surface of the frame. A third wheel is attached to the bottom surface of the frame to provide additional locomotive stability. To obviate manual transportation of the cart, the frame houses a motor which drives the rotation of the pair of wheels, a battery which supplies an initial electrical current to the motor, and a starter/generator which re-circulates electrical current to the motor. The revolution speed of the motor is controlled with a throttle actuated by twisting the handle mounted to the frame. A centrifugal clutch engages the motor and the axle once the motor attains a certain threshold revolution speed.

Abstract: A data processing system in which the interface for connecting a host controller to a burst multiplexor channel comprises two sections one to handle the transfer of data and the other to handle the transfer of command and status information. The interface also includes logic to monitor the division of any transfer into bursts and logic to arbitrate for the two sections for any given burst.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the nondestructive readout of a latent electrostatic image formed on a sheet or layer of insulating material. A sheet or layer of semiconductor material is disposed in relatively close proximity to the insulating material. A latent electrostatic image formed on the insulating material (by any known means) causes a surface depletion layer to be produced by induction at the surface of the semiconductor material. The location and distribution of the accumulated charges on the semiconductor material are read out as analog electrical signals corresponding to the AC surface photovoltage induced on the semiconductor material as the semiconductor material is scanned with a low intensity modulated light beam of appropriate wavelength, the magnitude of the analog signals depending on the local charge density. The analog electrical signals so obtained are then digitized, processed and stored and/or displayed.

Abstract: A multipurpose boot for use with a jacketed round-to-flat multiconductor electrical cable comprises in one embodiment a sheet of adhesive coated non-conductive flexible plastic material appropriately cut and scored to define a center panel, a pair of fold-over flaps and a tab. In use, the boot is placed about the cable with the tab end disposed at the end of the cable and the end opposite the tab end secured to the cable jacket. When the end of the cable is inserted into a connector for mass termination the tab is inserted along with it. When the connector is subsequently crimped closed the boot effectively connects the connector to the cable jacket so as to physically protect the cable in the area where it is neither flat nor round and to provide strain relief. In another embodiment of the invention the boot is attached at one end to the cable jacket and at the other end to a strip of carrier tape located at the end of the cable for holding the conductors in side by side alignment at that location.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube which may be used in time resolving a luminiscence profile emitted from a sample with picosecond resolution using short (picosecond) electrical pulses as a probe and in time resolving an electrical pulse profile produced by fast electronic or optoelectronic devices with femtosecond resolution, using short (femtosecond) laser pulses as the probe is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the nondestructive readout of a latent electrostatic image formed on a sheet or layer of insulating material. A sheet or layer of semiconductor material is disposed in relatively close proximity to the insulating material. A latent electrostatic image formed on the insulating material (by any known means) causes a surface depletion layer to be produced by induction at the surface of the semiconductor material. The location and distribution of the accumulated charges on the semiconductor material are read out as analog electrical signals corresponding to the AC surface photovoltage induced on the semiconductor material as the semiconductor material is scanned with a low intensity modulated light beam of appropriate wavelength, the magnitude of the analog signals depending on the local charge density. The analog electrical signals so obtained are then digitized, processed and stored and/or displayed.

Abstract: A multiband audio frequency signal limiting apparatus suitable for use in a wide range of applications is disclosed. An input signal is divided into discrete frequency bands (any practical number is suitable) which are each passed through a separate limited and subsequently summed to obtain an output signal. The summed output signal is fed into an automatic limit threshold circuit which generates a third signal, the Automatic Limit Threshold (ALT) signal, which modifies a common limiting threshold reference for the bands. This causes the bands to limit at a higher or lower threshold level and the band output levels to increase or decrease in direct proportion to the threshold level of limiting. The ALT signal cause the bands to limit at a lower threshold when the energy content of the various bands would combine toward higher values, which could thus generate a larger than desired output signal level.

Abstract: A fan which can be mounted in a window opening without using any tools, mounting hardware or special brackets or used as a floor fan includes a pair of panel sections which are interconnected by a pair of hinge joints for pivotal movement relative to each other from a fully open position to a folded position. One of the hinge joints includes a mechanism for automatically snap-locking the two panel sections when they are at the fully open position at an angle of about 120 degrees. A pair of adjustable and lockable side extensions are provided, one attached to and extending out from each panel section. A fan unit which includes a motor driven fan is pivotally attached to the panel sections for rotational movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the nondestructive readout of a latent electrostatic image formed on a sheet or layer of insulating material. A sheet or layer of semiconductor material is disposed in relatively close proximity to the insulating material. A latent electrostatic image formed on the insulating material (by any known means) causes a surface depletion layer to be produced by induction at the surface of the semiconductor material. The location and distribution of the accumulated charges on the semiconductor material are read out as analog electrical signals corresponding to the AC surface photovoltage induced on the semiconductor material as the semiconductor material is scanned with a low intensity modulated light beam of appropriate wavelength, the magitude of the analog signals depending on the local charge density. The analog electrical signals so obtained are then digitized, processed and stored and/or displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for characterizing a semiconductor using the surface photovoltage (SPV) effect. A region of the surface of the semiconductor is illuminated with an intensity modulated beam of light, the wavelength of the light being shorter than that corresponding to the energy gap of the semiconductor. The surface photovoltage (SPV) induced in the semiconductor is measured under bias voltage conditions. The intensity of the light beam and the frequency of modulation are selected such that the surface photovoltage (SPV) is directly proportional to the intensity and reciprocally proportional to the frequency of modulation. Using the surface photovoltage (SPV) and the bias voltage (V.sub.g) measurements, the charge induced in the semiconductor space charge region (Q.sub.sc) and the charge induced in the semiconductor (Q.sub.ind) are determined. This information is used to determine various parameters of the semiconductor including surface state density and oxide/insulator charge.

Abstract: A device for use in assisting a person in unwinding or re-winding coil wire includes a base adapted to rest on a horizontal surface and a coil holder rotatably mounted on the base and sized to accommodate the coil wire. The coil holder has a disc having a top surface and a bottom surface. A wire guide projects upward from the top surface of the coil holder and an axle having a circular flange projects downward from a boss on the bottom surface. The base includes a mounting hole into which the axle of the disc is inserted until the boss rests upon the base. The base also includes a barrier which is generally cylindrically shape and which is situated so as to prevent the wire from becoming caught between the disc and the base as it is being unwound or rewound. To unwind coil wire, a user places the coil on the top surface of the coil holder in such a way as to encircle the wire guide.

Abstract: A device for inserting a cork plug into a hole to a pre-determined depth, the hole having a diameter d and having been made in the concrete foundation of a building for termite control purposes, the device including in one embodiment a rod for partial insertion into the hole having a bottom end and a cross-sectional diameter less than d. A pin is mounted on the bottom end of the rod so that a cork plug may be mounted thereto. Depth-setting means having a length greater than d is mounted to said rod for varying the extent to which the rod may be inserted into the hole. In one variation of this embodiment, the rod has a plurality of transverse holes uniformly spaced along its longitudinal axis and the depth-setting means includes a depth-setting pin for removable insertion into one of the transverse holes and a depth-setting cap removably mounted to the depth-setting pin for use in securing the depth-setting pin in the selected transverse hole.

Abstract: A game for use in alleviating stress includes a stand. The stand, which is in the shape of a rectangular parallelipiped, has a groove, also rectangular in shape, extending longitudinally across its entire length. A plate, made up of transparent plastic, is disposed in said groove. Said plate has a smooth surface upon which figures or letters may be drawn and later erased. Said plate is rectangular in shape and comprises a plurality of separate interlocking pieces. Said game also includes a bean bag for impacting against said plate and for dissociating said plate into said separate interlocking pieces.

Abstract: A portable electric fan having a base in the form of a large clip, a yoke assembly which is mounted on said base for tilting movement back and forth about a horizontal axis and rotational movement about a vertical axis and a fan unit mounted on the yoke assembly, the fan unit including a motor actuating switch mounted outside of a motor housing is disclosed. The clip type base enables the fan to be easily attached to the side edge of a desk or table top or arm of a chair or the like while the location and mounting arrangement for the motor actuating switch enables the fan unit to be easily assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting the presence of particles on the surface of an object such as the front side of a patterned semiconductor wafer. A vertically expanded, horizontally scanning, beam of light is directed onto an area on the surface of the object at a grazing angle of incidence. A video camera positioned above the surface detects light scattered from any particles which may be present on the surface, but not specularly reflected light. The surface is angularly prepositioned (rotated) relative to the incident light beam so that the diffracted light from the surface and the pattern of lines on the surface is at a minimum. The object is then moved translationally to expose another area to the incident light beam so that the entire surface of the object or selected portions thereof can be examined, an area at a time.

Abstract: A holder for a pita bread sandwich or other similar article of food is disclosed. The holder is constructed from a cardboard blank which is cut and scored to define a pair of bottom panels, a pair of side panels hingedly connected to the bottom panels, a pair of outer panels hingedly connected on either side of the side panels, each outer panel having a finger receiving slot thereon, a pair of locking tabs hingedly connected to one of the outer panels, and a pair of locking slits on the outer panel. When assembled in one orientation, the two bottom panels extend down and the two side panels define a pocket open at the top for receiving and holding a pita bread sandwich, the two outer panels serving as supports for standing the holder upright on a table top or other surface. However, by pivoting the two outer panels upward, the outer panels become a combination handle and cover for use in transporting a pita bread sandwich which may be contained in the pocket from one location to another.

Abstract: A data processing system which includes a central processing unit (CPU) to which is connected an I/O bus and a memory bus is disclosed. The data processing system further includes an I/O controller and a video control section. The I/O controller includes a terminal control section which is connected to the CPU through an RS232 Cable, an I/O control section which is connected to the I/O bus over a single line and a single processor for managing both the terminal control section and the I/O control section. The I/O control section includes a plurality of interface and control subsystems each for use with a separate peripheral device and an I/O bus interface and control subsystem. The terminal control section includes a video control section interface through which data is sent directly to the video control section over a separate line, and a keyboard interface for interfacing the terminal control section to a keyboard.

Abstract: A portable computer is sized to fit into a businessman's attache case and may be seated on a surface for use in either a normal position or a tilted forward position. The portable computer includes a housing having a base, a front top cover, a rear top cover and a foot door. The front top cover is pivotally attached to the front of the rear top cover and the rear top cover is fixedly attached to the base. Computer electronics (i.e. printed circuit boards), and two floppy disk drives are mounted inside the housing on the base at the rear and a full size keyboard is mounted inside the housing on the base at the front. A battery pack is disposed in the rear top cover of the housing. A full size liquid crystal display monitor is mounted on the front top cover. The foot door is movably mounted on the back of the base. When the front top cover is pivoted open the display screen is viewable and the keyboard is accessible.