Abstract: A length stabilized, dispersion compensated synchronously pumped mode locked dye laser is disclosed. The output of the dye laser is actively stabilized by monitoring the output power thereof and generating an error signal for actively adjusting the cavity length. The operation is enhanced by actively controlling the power of the pump pulses exciting the dye laser so that the power fluctuations in the dye laser are due primarily to fluctuations in cavity length. Stability is also enhanced by operating the cavity with a negative group velocity disperison. The resultant lengthening of the output pulses is compensated by a pulse compressor, located outside of the cavity, which adds a positive group velocity disperison to upchirp and shorten the pulses.

Abstract: In the present invention a method for generating tests for a combinational logic circuit of the PLA type is disclosed. The method is suited to generate tests to determine the input signals, the mid-term output signals of the AND gates, and the output signals, for stuck-at-0 and stuck-at-1 conditions.

Abstract: In the present invention an input device for use with a digital computer having a video display for displaying the position of an indicator thereon is disclosed. The input device has means for converting rotational motion signals into conventional cursor key signals and also has a plurality of keys which include a numeric keypad and a plurality of control keys. A program controls the input device such that in the event the key signals are supplied, then said key signals are supplied to the computer. However, if no key signal is supplied, then the motion signals are converted into key signals and are then supplied to the digital computer. The input device also can receive the input signal and reprogram the function of the keys in response to that one input signal. Still, the input signal caused by activation of one of the plurality keys can cause the suspension and resumption of the tranfer of the motion signals to the computer.

Abstract: Connectors are provided for securing soil reinforcing elements to the face panels of a retaining wall for an earthen formation. The connectors comprise rigid eyes fixed to the panels and extensions formed on the elements for extension through the eyes. The eyes and extensions are selectively locked together and serve to orient the reinforcing elements in a horizontal disposition within the soil embankment being reinforced.

Abstract: An image transducing apparatus is disclosed. An object to be imaged is located in a fixed object plane. A lens focuses the image of the object upon an imaging plane. A photoelectric transducing array having a plurality of congruent, discrete, spaced-apart transducing elements arranged in an array is located in the imaging plane and provides an electrical signal representative of the light intensity thereon. The photoelectric array is movable on a microstage which is movable in two axis. The microstage is mechanically displaced in a direction parallel to the imaging plane from a first position to a plurality of subsequent positions. The distance from each position to a subsequent position is less than the dimension of a transducing element along the direction of the displacement. The photoelectric array is moved and is stopped at each of the displaced positions where an electrical signal from the photoelectric array is taken.

Abstract: A method of adhering a relatively heavy sheet or three-dimensional object to a support surface using an electrostatically chargeable intermediate sheet, including providing a sheet which is capable of carrying a charge sufficient to support at least three ounces per square foot of intermediate sheet surface for at least one month and charging the sheet using a contaminant free buffer material selected from the group consisting of wool, natural fiber, artificial fiber and chamois. A decorative hanging including such an intermediate sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lifting attachment for use with a retaining wall panel for earthen formations. The attachment comprises intersecting plates adapted to complementally engage the top and side surfaces of the panel. A fixed pin on one plate is receivable in an opening provided in the side surface of the panel. A removable pin is extensible through the other plate into an opening formed in the top surface of the panel.

Abstract: An adjustable side view mirror for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The side view mirror comprises a mirror having a periphery with a flexible member having a first end and a second end with the flexible member being in contact with a portion of the periphery of the mirror. A frame having an opening receives the mirror together with the flexible member in contact with a portion of the periphery of the mirror. An adjusting means is positioned on the frame for adjusting the distance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible member to thereby increase the distance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible member thereby decreasing the tension of the flexible member on the mirror to enable the mirror to be moved to a desired position and to thereby decrease the distance separating the first and the second ends of the flexible member to thereby increasing the tension of the flexible member on the mirror to stabilize the mirror against further movement.

Abstract: A heatable sheet assembly comprises a sheet to be electrically heated, electrically conductive metal foils applied to both surfaces of the sheet and an electrical terminal attached to each of the metal foils.

Abstract: An in-line leaf trap (100) is disclosed having a housing defined by a main body (112) and a separable lid (114). A filter (116, 118) is provided in the leaf trap for gathering debris. A locking ring (124) is provided having an inner threaded region (126) engagable with threads provided on the main body of the housing to seal the housing. The locking ring (124) includes a plurality of spokes (128) extending between the ring and central cylindrical yoke (130). The spokes are provided to facilitate rotation of the locking ring with one hand. In the preferred embodiment, a handle (190) is provided on the main body.

Abstract: A broadband YIG-tuned oscillator is disclosed that has both series and parallel feedback provided by a YIG sphere. The oscillator includes a transistor capable of driving a load coupled to a first port of the transistor, a reactive feedback element coupled to a second port of the transistor, a YIG resonator, and coupling means for coupling the YIG resonator to both a third port of the transistor and to the first port of the transistor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for updating the coefficients a(n) of an adaptive filter impulse response A(n), whereA'(n)=(a.sub.o (n) a.sub.l (n) . . . a.sub.m (n))is the adaptive filter impulse response at time n. The impulse response is utilized for tracking the output y(n) of a communications channel, where ##EQU1## where H is an unknown impulse response of the channel,H'=(h.sub.o h.sub.l . . . h.sub.m),the ' character denoting transposition. The channel is driven with a known input signal s(n), whereS'(n)=(s(n) s(n-l) . . . s(n-m)).According to the techinque, the output x(n) of an adaptive filter, wherex(n)=S'(n)A(n)is compared with the channel output y(n) according to the Least Mean Squares (LMS) algorithm to develop an LMS error prediction signal. At the same time, the adaptive filter output x(n) is compared with the channel output y(n) according to the Sign Algorithm (SA) to develop an SA error prediction signal.

Abstract: An automobile mat for the floor position of the driver of an automobile which comprises a mat configured to be received on the floor area used by the feet of the driver of the automobile. A footrest having a top and a bottom with the top receives thereon during use the driver's foot positioned opposite the accelerator of the automobile such that the foot is supported above the floor of the automobile at a height and angle proximating the height and angle of the foot of the driver when manipulating the accelerator. A fixing means detachably and simultaneously secures during use the footrest to the mat and to the floor of the automobile to aid in preventing the mat from sliding along the surface of the floor of the automobile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing the cascaded, multi-channel transmission of a plurality of data characters is provided. Each sequence of data characters preceded by a start delimiter. Each transmission channel provides transmitted data frames to an associated elasticity buffer. As each channel detects a start delimiter, it asserts a begin-request signal that acknowledges detection of the start delimiter. When all channels have detected a start delimiter, a read-start signal is asserted to simultaneously advance the read pointer of each elasticity buffer. In this manner, each elasticity buffer initiates a sunchronized read for local use or retransmission of the multi-channel data.

Abstract: A device and method for cooling the edge of a top plate which partially surrounds an evaporant pocket in an electron beam gun. The invention involves the passage of coolant through a channel in the top plate. The channel is substantially parallel to and close enough to the edge of the top plate so that re-evaporation of evaporant condensed on the edge of the top plate is substantially prevented.

Abstract: A system (100, 50, 300) for recovering a clock signal from a serial data signal (102) having rising (204) and falling (206) transitions. The transistions (204, 206) are detected by a transition detector (11, 12, 108, 110) which generates a transition signal (13a, 13b, 109, 111) having a first logic state when a rising (204) or falling (206) transition is detected. The system (100, 50, 300) includes a delay device (22, 120, 122) which delays the transition signal (13a, 13b, 109, 111) by a preselected time period and a gating device (24, 124, 126) responsive to the transition signal (13a, 13b, 109, 111). The gating device (24, 124, 126) is enabled by the transition signal (13a, 13b, 109, 111) when the signal is the first logic state, thereby permitting a system generated clock signal (148) to propagate to a phase comparison system (132, 134, 176, 178, G 1, G4) for comparison with the delayed transition signal (23, 128, 130).

Abstract: A towel rack mounting means including a triangular bracket which has three contacts with the interior of a circular base. The bracket has three flanges oriented in a triangular array. The round base is locked onto the bracket by screwing a threaded member through the wall of the base to contact one of the bracket flanges, causing the other two bracket flanges to engage a groove on the inner side of the base wall.

Abstract: Metallized via-holes and a wraparound metal plating are simultaneously formed on semiconductor chips by patterning a photoresist mask on the front surface of the wafer to open windows over metal pads as well as the grid areas where wraparound plating is desired; etching off the exposed metal if necessary and forming via-holes and grooves in the wafer by reactive ion etching to a depth which is less than the total thickness of the wafer; depositing a thin conductive film along the walls of the grooves and via-holes by electroless methods; plating the walls of the grooves and the via-holes with conductive metal by electrolytic methods; removing the back surface of the wafer ("backlapping") along with the floors of both the grooves and the via-holes, to expose the metal on the wall of the via-holes and separate the individual chips; and, depositing conductive metal on the back surface of the individual chips to complete the grounding path.

Abstract: An automatic laser trimming apparatus (30) for semiconductor integrated chip packages removes dambars (16) and performs deflashing and degating operations. The apparatus combines a laser machining subsystem (32, 36) with a machine vision subsystem (38, 40) to accurately locate the treat and dambars on an integrated circuit package. A defocusing lens (54) is used to attenuate the intensity of the laser beam (34) to permit a single laser to perform both the dambar removal and deflashing operations. In addition, an improved fixture (46) is provided to enhance the removal of smoke and debris from the processing station and to provide improved backlighting thereby enhancing resolution.

Abstract: In a dilatation catheter and constant pressure syringe, a pressurized compressible medium is used to maintain pressure on a non-compressible medium. Pressure is applied to a compressible medium in a first chamber, in turn applying pressure to a non-compressible medium in a second chamber. The use of appropriate quantities of each medium produces a nearly constant pressure as the incompressible medium is ejected from the syringe.