Abstract: An OFF-state voltage generating circuit regulates an OFF-state voltage level, for thin film transistors (TFT) in a liquid crystal display (LCD). A voltage generator receives a common voltage signal and an inverted common voltage signal and generates an OFF-state voltage to turn off the TFT of an LCD. A voltage regulator adjusts the level of the voltage from the voltage generator by varying the resistance of a variable resistor. A timing circuit keeps the voltage regulator from operating for a time during the initial ON-state of the power supply.

Abstract: A adjustable mold box assembly for forming molded concrete products includes a pair of opposed substantially parallel end plates joined at both ends by a pair of opposed substantially parallel mounting brackets. A selected plurality of partition plates extend between the end plates to define a plurality of cavities for forming molded products in accordance with the number and dimension of molded products desired. A slot is formed along the inside of each end plate substantially along the length thereof. Tabs which extend from opposing ends of each partition plate include a stud transversely mounted on the end plate using ring nuts. The opposing tabs and studs of each end plate are received in opposing end plate slots. End liners are bolted to the inside surface of each end plate over the studs on each side of each partition plate with the ring nuts bearing against the surface of the end liner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locally delivering an active agent to a selected site in a body lumen using a liquid core laser catheter having a flexible tube for insertion into the lumen, a conduit housed within the tube for coupling a flow of light transmissive liquid from an external source to the site, and an optical fiber housed within the tube for coupling laser energy from an external source to the site. In one embodiment, the conduit has a sidewall capable of internally reflecting light into the liquid in the conduit so that the liquid waveguides the laser energy through the conduit to the site.

Abstract: A mixer includes a doubly-balanced mixer core, an RF input section coupled to the mixer core, and a biasing circuit coupled to the RF input section. The RF input section includes a first transistor coupled to a first input of the mixer core for supplying a first current thereto. The base of the first transistor is driven by an RF input current, as a result, the first current is responsive to the RF input current. The RF input section also includes a current mirror coupled to the first transistor, which mirrors the sum of the first current and the RF input current to produce a second current that is complementary to the first current for small variations of the RF input current. The current mirror is coupled to a second input of the mixer core to supply the second current thereto. A biasing circuit is coupled to the RF input section to establish a quiescent value of the first current. Padding resistor can also be used in the RF input section to provide a predetermined input impedance to the RF input current.

Abstract: A control circuit controls a battery charger so as to prevent damage to NiCAD or NiMH batteries resulting from overheating due to overcharging. During charging, the battery voltage is monitored through a filter, buffer, amplifier and sample and hold circuit. The sampled voltage is time differentiated to determine its rate of change, and a control signal is generated for switching the battery charger from a rapid charge mode to a trickle charge mode when the negative rate of change of the battery voltage exceeds a pretermined reference voltage, thereby identifying that the battery voltage has started to decay from its peak voltage.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands.

Abstract: A one-piece frame corner joining apparatus for joining two picture frame members at a predetermined angle to form a frame corner. The frame members are preferably standard aluminum frames having a longitudinal channel for receiving corner hardware. The joining apparatus includes first and second legs disposed at the predetermined angle relative to each other, each leg receivable in a corresponding frame member channel. Each leg includes a top side and a bottom side, a bore, a screw received in the bore, and a tab portion connected to the bottom side of the leg. The tab portion is formed of a strip of the leg that is bent back over the bore and spaced apart from the leg such that the screw, when tightened, deflects the tab downward to frictionally engage the leg with the corresponding frame member channel.

Abstract: A close contact type image sensor having an improved structure and manufacturing process utilizes a body having integral reflective surfaces to eliminate assembly steps. The body and reflective surfaces are formed using different plastic materials in a single injection molding process. A material having highly reflective characteristics is used for the reflective surfaces. A light source is aligned with the reflective surface by pins in the sensor body which are inserted into holes in the light source. Alternatively, the light source can be mounted on a printed circuit board which has holes that are aligned with the pins. A self focusing lens is mounted in the body to focus reflected light onto a light detector which is mounted on a printed circuit board. A transparent cover piece is mounted in an opening in the body. Flat spring clips secure the printed circuit board to the body of the sensor.

Abstract: A resonant convertor control system regulates a resonant AC current based on the amount of input power consumed by the system. The switching frequency and resonant AC current are limited by a phase difference assurance circuit that compares the phase of a drive signal with the phase of the resonant AC current. By detecting the phase of the resonant current instead of the resonant voltage, it eliminates the need for the costly components required to detect the resonant voltage. The system includes a main power supply for supplying a DC power signal and an inverter that converts the DC power signal to a resonating AC current signal responsive to a drive signal from a drive stage. An input current controller receives a first sense signal that indicates the power consumed by the main power supply and generates a first control signal that regulates the power consumed by the load.

Abstract: A charge-pumping circuit of a semiconductor memory device for generating a voltage higher than an applied supply voltage, including a first MOS transistor having gate and drain terminals through which the supply voltage is received and a source terminal through which an initial voltage is provided to a first node; a first capacitor with predetermined capacitance having one plate connected to the first node and the other plate through which an applied first oscillating signal is received; a third MOS transistor having gate and source terminals connected to the first node to introduce the electric current of the first node into its drain terminal; a second capacitor with capacitance lower than that of the first capacitor, having one plate connected to the second node that is the drain terminal of the third MOS transistor and the other plate through which an applied second oscillating signal is received; and a second MOS transistor having drain and gate terminals connected to the first node and the second node e

Abstract: A machine for counting discrete articles, such as tablets, pills, or capsules, comprising a feeder including a hopper for receiving and dispersing a plurality of tablets to be counted into separate streams, a plurality of detectors associated with each stream for detecting each tablet in that stream, a counter coupled to said plurality of counters for counting the total number of tablets in all of the streams and a switching device coupled to each of said plurality of detectors for preventing detector saturation and delay, thereby improving counter accuracy and speed.

Abstract: An initialization circuit for a semiconductor memory device includes an initialization signal generator that generates an initialization signal in response to a specific sequence of reset control signals. A transfer unit activates a reset signal for resetting various circuits on the device in response to either the initialization signal or a conventional power-up initialization signal. Thus, the initialization signal generator provides reliable initialization even if the power-up detection circuit fails. External row and column address strobe signals serve as two reset control signals, while a mode selection signal serves as another reset control signal. The initialization signal is activated when the three reset control signals are activated in the proper sequence, then deactivated when one of the control signals is deactivated.

Abstract: A power supply circuit interrupts power to a load in response to a short-circuit or an open-circuit condition and automatically restores power after a momentary short-circuit. A short-circuit detector monitors the current flowing through the load and generates a short-circuit signal if the current exceeds a predetermined level. An open-circuit detector monitors the load voltage and generates an open-circuit signal if the voltage exceeds a predetermined level. A latch converts the short-circuit signal to a latch signal. A logic unit combines the latch signal with the open-circuit signal and a pulse signal from a pulse generator to generate a drive signal. A driver uses the drive signal to control a switch which is connected between the power source and the load to interrupt power to the load. During a short-circuit, a timer generates a periodic pulse signal that toggles the latch signal and intermittently restarts the power to the load. If the short-circuit was of short duration, power is restored to the load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feedback control system and method for controlling an electronic ballast for driving a lamp where the lamp requires preheating of a cathode of the lamp in order for the electronic ballast to successfully discharge into the lamp and initiate arcing operation in the lamp. The system detects the power consumption level of the lamp and, when the power consumption level indicates that the lamp is not arcing, performs a restart of the lamp wherein the restart function includes preheating the cathode with a preheating current. The present invention reduces production cost and increases safety by detecting operation in the lamp without using external elements.

Abstract: A dimming control system includes dimmer modules which receive dimming level information from a control module. Each dimmer modules includes a microprocessor which provides internal intelligence for controlling power to a load in response to the dimming level information. The control module receives industry standard protocol dimming information from various sources, converts it to dimming level information, and communicates the dimming level information to the dimmer modules through serial communication lines. The dimmer modules and control module are mounted in a rack which includes a backplane having nonvolatile memory device that retains configuration data even if the control module is removed from the rack. The dimmer modules implement a zero cross prediction method which includes detecting an actual zero cross, calculating an error, and adding the error to the period of a line power signal.

Abstract: A frequency modulator controls the center frequency and modulation factor at the same time with one control signal. The frequency modulator includes a voltage-to-current converter that receives an input voltage signal to be modulated, a reference voltage signal, and a control voltage signal, and generates an output current signal by combining the input voltage signal and the control voltage signal. The input voltage signal is amplified by a transconductance amplifier. The control voltage signal is converted into a gain signal which is used to vary the transconductance of the amplifier. A voltage controlled oscillator generates a frequency modulated signal responsive to the output current signal. The center frequency and modulation factor can be controlled by adjusting the value of a resistor in the current-to-voltage converter, a capacitor in the voltage control oscillator, or the control voltage signal.

Abstract: The system for creating a custom golf scorecard comprises a computer interface for receiving a user selection of one of a predetermined plurality of scorecard designs and user input textual data. The design selection, the textual data and a file name to identify the user together form a preliminary digital scorecard specification. The system includes a memory or storage device having a set of image placeholders and associated representative images which can be assigned to certain panels of the user's custom designed golf scorecard. Exemplary representative images include a digital image of a selected portion of a generic golf course, a generic graphical logo, a generic photograph, or a generic computer generated map of a golf course. A complete digital scorecard specification is generated via a computer which integrates together image placeholders and associated representative images selected from the storage device, the design selected by the user, and the textual data input by the user.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit for a boost-type voltage converter determines the input voltage by sensing the rate at which the current through an inductor changes when a switching transistor is turned on. The circuit includes a current sense circuit which generates a control signal in response to the current flowing in the inductor. The control signal is compared with a sawtooth signal to control the input current waveform. An output detecting circuit generates a comparison reference signal for regulating the output voltage of the converter. The comparison reference signal is summed with the control signal to provide a comparison signal. A comparison circuit compares the comparison signal with the sawtooth signal and generates a pulse width modulated signal for controlling the switch. A compensation signal generator generates a compensated comparison signal in response to a ripple component in the output signal of the converter.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge structure of a semiconductor device is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate doped with P-type impurities; an N-type well formed in a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate; a P-type pocket well formed in a predetermined region of the N-type well; an N-type active guardline formed in the surface of the N-type well and doped to a concentration higher than that of the N-type well; a P-type active guardline formed in the surface of the P-type pocket well and doped to a concentration higher than that of the P-type pocket well; and an NMOS transistor formed in a surface of the P-type pocket well. Accordingly, even though a negative voltage due to electrostatic charge is temporarily applied to the drain region of the NMOS transistor, a malfunction of an internal circuitry formed in a P-type semiconductor substrate can be prevented.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device uses three different power supply voltage levels including an internal IVcc, ground Vss and a boosted level Vpp more positive than the internal Vcc. A precharge control circuit in the memory device includes at least one NMOS transistor, at least one PMOS transistor and an output node having voltage values ranging from the IVcc either to Vss or to Vpp. The NMOS transistor acts as a loading transistor to the PMOS transistor and prevents latch-up in the PMOS transistor by maintaining IVcc below Vpp during the initial power set-up period of the memory device.