Abstract: A multi-finger door frame seal which results in reduced hinge bind and which creates a predetermined sound upon opening of the door is disclosed. The frame seal is mounted on the stop on the hinge jamb, while on the rabbett on the lock jamb thereby reducing hinge bind during closing of the door. Use of the multi-finger frame seal according to certain embodiments results in a generation of a predetermined sound upon opening of the door. Also disclosed is a security seal system for use adjacent the bottom of the door. The security seal includes a flap which may be either gravity-actuated or spring-actuated. In spring-actuated embodiments, a cam forces the security flap downward into the closed position as the door is closed. While in gravity-actuated embodiments, closing of the door results in gravity causing the security flap to move downward into the closed position where it is maintained while the door is closed.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being biaxial and defined by nx>ny>nz in certain embodiments where the “z” direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the “x” and “y” directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. By providing the positive and biaxial negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided. According to other embodiments, a positive and a negative (uniaxial or biaxial) retarder may be provided on only one side of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A multiple beam antenna system including a reflector that is at least partially parabolic in one dimension, a pair of dielectric lenses, and a pair of waveguides. Multiple received beams are received and reflected by the reflector into an orthogonal mode junction which separates signals of a first polarity from signals of a second orthogonal polarity. The signals of the first polarity are forwarded into a first waveguide and the orthogonal signals of the second polarity are forwarded into a second parallel waveguide. A plurality of satellites may be accessed simultaneously thus allowing the user to utilize both signals at the same time.

Abstract: A zero turning radius power lawn mower for operation by a standing occupant includes first and second independently driven and controlled rear drive wheels mounted on separate drive axles. A riding platform for supporting the standing occupant or operator is located between the first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both the forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for substantially zero radius turning of the mower about a central turning point. The riding platform is positioned near this turning point or axis so that the standing occupant remains substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower thereby allowing the mower to take such turns at higher speeds. The low center of gravity created by the position of the riding platform for the standing operator also results in the mower having improved traction and being less likely to pop "wheelies" upon acceleration.

Abstract: A multi-finger door frame seal which results in reduced hinge bind and which creates a predetermined sound upon opening of the door is disclosed. The frame seal is mounted on the stop on the hinge jamb, while on the rabbett on the lock jamb thereby reducing hinge bind during closing of the door. Use of the multi-finger frame seal according to certain embodiments results in a generation of a predetermined sound upon opening of the door. Also disclosed is a security seal system for use adjacent the bottom of the door. The security seal includes a flap which may be either gravity-actuated or spring-actuated. In spring-actuated embodiments, a cam forces the security flap downward into the closed position as the door is closed. While in gravity-actuated embodiments, closing of the door results in gravity causing the security flap to move downward into the closed position where it is maintained while the door is closed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display in which a negatively birefringent layer is used as both an orientation film and as a retarder in the display. An improved method of making such a display is also disclosed. In preferred embodiments, each of the orientation layers has a retardation value of from about -80 to -200 nm.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being defined by n.sub.x =n.sub.y >n.sub.z where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. According to certain embodiments, a pair of positive and a pair of negative retardation films are provided such that the two positive retarders sandwich both the liquid crystal layer and the negative retarders therebetween. By providing the positive and negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided.

Abstract: This invention is related to a radiation imager (e.g. X-ray imager) including a thin film transistor (TFT) array, and method of making same. A photo-imageable insulating material having a low dielectric constant is provided in areas of overlap between electrodes and underlying TFTs, diodes, and/or address lines in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the imager. The photo-imageable insulating layer acts as a negative resist in certain embodiments, so that vias are formed therein by exposing portions of the insulating layer with UV light which are to remain on the substrate, removing non-exposed areas of the insulating layer so as to form the vias or apertures in the insulating layer. In order to prevent non-uniformities from inadvertently being imaged into the photo-imageable insulating layer, an ultraviolet (UV) blocking/absorbing layer is provided.

Abstract: A land mine arming/disarming system is provided in which a satellite or other airborne vehicle may remotely arm and/or disarm land mines via signals transmitted through atmospheric free space. In such a manner, land mines are less of a health hazard when conflict situations are not present.

Abstract: This invention is related to an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) or an X-ray imaging device having a high aperture ratio. The imager or display has an increased aperture ratio because electrodes are formed over dual insulating layers so as to overlap portions of the array address lines and/or TFTs. Both the manufacturability and capacitive crosstalk of the device are improved due to the use of a photo-imageable organic insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and the address lines. An intermediate inorganic insulating layer is provided between the photo-imageable organic insulating layer and the overlapped TFTs in order to prevent the organic insulating layer from directly contacting semiconductor material in the TFTs thereby reducing potential voltage swings.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling human beings to communicate by way of their monitored brain activity. The brain activity of an individual is monitored and transmitted to a remote location (e.g. by satellite). At the remote location, the monitored brain activity is compared with pre-recorded normalized brain activity curves, waveforms, or patterns to determine if a match or substantial match is found. If such a match is found, then the computer at the remote location determines that the individual was attempting to communicate the word, phrase, or thought corresponding to the matched stored normalized signal.

Abstract: A backlit transmissive liquid crystal display including non-linear resistive thin film diodes (TFDs). Select address lines on the active substrate provide both conventional address line functionality, as well as acting as one of the electrodes for each thin film diode. Two such diodes are provided in each pixel in certain embodiments. Still further, black matrix material is provided between the aforesaid address line material and the substrate so as to form rows of stacks on the active substrate. The thin film diode semi-insulating material, the address line material, and the black matrix material are patterned together in a single step to form elongated rows (or columns) on the active substrate. In such a manner, the display has reduced ambient light reflections, and reduce photosensitivity.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for the transmission and reception of a composite radio-frequency (RF) signal including a supplemental signal, preferably representing encoded digital information, together with an analog signal which represents monophonic analog audio in the AM-band. The analog monophonic component of the composite signal may be received by conventional AM-band audio receivers. In certain embodiments, the analog signal is a single-sideband large-carrier or vestigial-sideband large-carrier signal, and the composite RF signal includes a digital signal whose spectrum is substantially confined in one inner sideband. In other embodiments, a baseband digital signal is combined with an analog monophonic audio signal and transmitted in upper inner and lower inner sidebands using nonlinear compatible quadrature amplitude modulation (NC-QAM). Additional digital signals' spectrum occupies the lower outer and upper outer sidebands.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stand-on sulky device to be attached to the rear of a self-propelled power mower or other self-propelled vehicle. The sulky includes first, second, and third pivots to provide improved maneuverability of the two-wheeled sulky platform during operation. The first and third pivots are arranged substantially parallel to the ground during sulky operation and are vertically spaced from one another thereby resulting in improved sulky performance. According to certain embodiments, the sulky includes a design allowing for a more compact storage position wherein the platform is hung from the mower handle bars with the upper or foot receiving surface of the platform facing away from the mower and the first arm being received in an optional recess defined in the bottom of the mower so as to restrict swinging movement of the platform while in storage.

Abstract: This invention is related to a radiation imager (e.g. X-ray imager) including a thin film transistor (TFT) array, and method of making same. A photo-imageable insulating material having a low dielectric constant is provided in areas of overlap between electrodes and underlying TFTs, diodes, and/or address lines in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the imager. The photo-imageable insulating layer acts as a negative resist in certain embodiments, so that vias are formed therein by exposing portions of the insulating layer with UV light which are to remain on the substrate, removing non-exposed areas of the insulating layer so as to form the vias or apertures in the insulating layer. In order to prevent non-uniformities from inadvertently being imaged into the photo-imageable insulating layer, an ultraviolet (UV) blocking/absorbing layer is provided.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) array structure, and corresponding method of making same are provided. Each OLED pixel includes a first electrode on a substrate, a second electrode on a substrate, and an organic emission layer disposed between the first and second electrodes so as to emit visible light when a suitable potential is applied thereto by the electrodes. In accordance with certain embodiments of this invention, a step covering or coverage layer is provided over step or edge areas of the first electrode in order to reduce the structures susceptibility to breakdown at pixel edges thereby improving yields.

Abstract: A high aperture active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) includes pixel electrodes in respective pixels which overlap adjacent address lines. The color filters are formed on the active substrate in a manner such that the filters also overlap the address lines and function as an insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and address lines in the areas of overlap. Accordingly, line-pixel capacitances are reduced and the resulting AMLCD is easier to manufacture. The total number of process step in manufacturing is reduced, and plate-to-plate (active to passive plate) alignment is much easier and less important.

Abstract: A normally white (NW) twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders located on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders may also be provided on opposite sides of the LC layer. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in different embodiments herein, the display exhibits improved contrast and/or reduced inversion, often in the same viewing areas.

Abstract: A modular articulated-lever clamping system having a base flange fittable to a pedestal fitted with a supporting element for supporting sheet metal parts; a control lever operated manually and/or by means of an actuator; a lock lever fittable with a gripping element for gripping the sheet metal parts and cooperating with the supporting element; and a connecting rod connecting the control lever to the lock lever.