Abstract: A low voltage indicator circuit including a self-biased driver circuit. A voltage at the output terminal is used to create a bias voltage to operate the driver when less than a threshold voltage is present on at least one voltage supply line. A transistor for supplying base drive current to the driver has a base coupled to the at least one voltage supply line in one embodiment and to the bias circuit in other embodiments. The transistor in the one embodiment provides base drive current to the driver when voltage on the at least one voltage supply line is less than the voltage on the output terminal by at least a predetermined amount. In other embodiments, the bias circuit may include a FET or resistor coupled between the output terminal and the base of a bias circuit transistor. The bias circuit transistor has a terminal connected to a bias resistor for providing current through the bias resistor when the bias circuit transistor is turned on.

Abstract: An omnidirectional antenna with minimal gain variation over the 360.degree. azimuth. A plurality of biconical antennas are stacked vertically. A radome covering the antenna and cylindrically encasing the antenna supports the stack of biconical antennas. A bundle of transmission lines is helically wound about the cylindrical periphery of the biconical antennas, preferably at an angle between 37.degree. and 41.degree.. Each biconical antenna is formed by two truncated flared apart reflecting surfaces that are connected by a nonconductive spacing collar between their truncated portions.

Abstract: A fluid administration set with an infusion pump tube having indentations near its ends within its inner cylindrical wall. The indentations are preferably V-shaped annular grooves. Each groove engages an annular barb on a hollow fitting. The hollow fittings have base members for engaging retaining walls in the pump set apart from one another at a precise predetermined distance. The outer circumference of the infusion pump tube is enlarged in the area of the indentation. Tabs are provided on the hollow fitting assembly for securing the administration set against the infusion pump. The set may include a pressure dome for occlusion sensing on one of the hollow fitting assemblies.

Abstract: A load cell formed with a single crystal beam and strain gages deposited thereon. The single crystal beam may be advantageously formed from sapphire. The beam is arranged in the load cell with a fixed portion and a free portion to which weight forces may be applied. At least one strain gage is deposited on the beam to provide signals responsive to the applied weight forces. The method for making the load cell includes growing the crystal, depositing a strain sensitive layer on the crystal substrate, foxing the strain sensitive layer into at least one strain sensitive element and attaching a plurality of electrical leads to the strain sensitive elements to form strain gages. A weighing device is formed of a base upon which a plurality of the load beams are arranged for supporting a weigh platform.

Abstract: A transistor overcurrent protection circuit using an error amplifier to make a voltage comparison between a threshold voltage and the collector voltage of a current sensing transistor. The current sensing transistor is arranged in a circuit such that the collector current of the current sensing transistor is a measure of the collector current of an output transistor. A driver transistor has its emitter connected to the base of the output transistor. A source of control current to the drive transistor is coupled to the output of the error amplifier. When the collector voltage of the current sense transistor falls below the threshold voltage, the error amplifier causes the control current to the drive transistor to be reduced so as to reduce the collector current of the output transistor.

Abstract: An error detection circuit having an output transistor of one conductivity type and a sense transistor and error detector transistor of an opposite conductivity type. An input voltage is provided at the collector of the output transistor and an output voltage is taken from the emitter of the output transistor. An emitter of the sense transistor is connected to the input voltage and the collector of the sense transistor is connected to the base of the output transistor. An emitter of the error detector transistor is connected to the collector of the sense transistor and a base of the error detector transistor is connected to the base of the sense transistor. The error detector transistor conducts when the sense transistor saturates indicating that the input voltage and output voltage have come within a predetermined voltage of one another.

Abstract: A method for generating context vectors for use in a document storage and retrieval system. A context vector is a fixed length list of component values generated to approximate conceptual relationships. A context vector is generated for each word stem. The component values may be manually determined on the basis of conceptual relationships to word-based features for a core group of word stems The core group of context vectors are used to generate the remaining context vectors based on the proximity of a word stem to words and the context vectors assigned to those words. The core group may also be generated by initially assigning each core word stem a row vector from an identity matrix and then performing the proximity based algorithm. Context vectors may be revised as new records are added to the system, based on the proximity relationships between word stems in the new records.

Abstract: A method for storing and searching documents also useful in disambiguating word senses and a method for generating a dictionary of context vectors. The dictionary of context vectors provides a context vector for each word stem in the dictionary. A context vector is a fixed length list of component values corresponding to a list of word-based features, the component values being an approximate measure of the conceptual relationship between the word stem and the word-based feature. Documents are stored by combining the context vectors of the words remaining in the document after uninteresting words are removed. The summary vector obtained by adding all of the context vectors of the remaining words is normalized. The normalized summary vector is stored for each document. The data base of normalized summary vectors is searched using a query vector and identifying the document whose vector is closest to that query vector.

Abstract: A feed apparatus including two feedscrews for supporting flat articles as they are moved along a conveyor. The two feedscrews are mounted in parallel and are spaced apart so that each feedscrew supports the flat articles along a different edge of the articles. The flat articles are maintained in a substantially vertical alignment throughout the conveyance. A suction pickoff station removes the flat articles one at a time from the downstream end of the feed apparatus. The two feedscrews turn at equal speeds and have equal pitches which separate the flat articles into groups between consecutive projections of the helical threads of the feedscrews.

Abstract: A urination station with a pair of foot mats straddling a urinal basin. Each mat accommodates a foot at a height from the floor which discourages the user from stepping partially on a mat and partially on the floor. Each mat has an adhesive layer which fixes it in position on the floor.

Abstract: A finite field parallel multiplier in GF(q.sup.m) including a router for directing 2m-1 components in m groups of m single-component signal lines towards m computing circuits for performing multiply and add modulo-q. The router guides m components from a first finite field element along with an additional m-1 components generated from linear combinations of the m components of the first finite field element. Each of the computing circuits receives all of the components from the second finite field element and m components provided by one set of signal lines through the router. Each computing circuit generates a single component for the resultant finite field element. These resulting components may be input through a basis change circuit to obtain a result in the desired basis.

Abstract: A threshold controlled circuit in which hysteresis precedence is ensured by greatly enhancing the gain of the hysteresis loop with respect to the regulator control loop. The number of gain stages in the hysteresis loop exceeds the number of gain stages in the control loop. In order to ensure hysteresis precedence, the gain of the hysteresis loop times the regulator control shutdown current must exceed the gain of the control loop multiplied by the hysteresis current.

Abstract: A shopping display system for organizing a shopping list in accordance with the locations of products in a store and for displaying promotions in response to a product being scanned by a product scanner. The shopping list may be generated with the assistance of a cash register tape bearing the product bar codes associated with the purchased products. The product scanner is mounted on a shopping cart so that promotions are issued in response to the products while the shopper is in the middle of the shopping visit. This system includes a display mounted on the shopping cart and a product code scanner. The system may also be provided with a disk drive, keypad and wireless communications.

Abstract: In the transistor power output stages disclosed herein, short-circuit protection is provided with respect to output terminals through which a reversible motor or other load is to be energized. An output stage connected between the load and one of the supply leads provides current gain for energizing the load at a current level which is a function of the level of drive current provided to the output stage. Drive current is provided only at a first level independently of the voltage at the output terminal and a sensing means provides drive current at an increased level when the voltage at the output terminal is in a normal range, e.g. close to the voltage at the respective supply lead.

Abstract: A paper feeding device comprising a tray storing case attachable to and removable from a device housing; a rotatable tray, provided in the tray storing case, which rotates copy paper to a longitudinal and lateral feed position; and a mechanism for lifting up a paper-feed end of a paper holding plate provided in the tray when paper is to be fed. The mechanism is composed of a guide member provided in the device housing; a lift-up guide provided on a side face located on a paper-feed end of the tray; a first rotary bar provided in the tray storing case and driven by the guide member when the tray is attached thereon; and a second rotary bar, a spring and a lift plate driven by the lift-up guide when the tray is in the paper-feed position. The first and second bars are driven simultaneously, thus lifting up the paper-feed end of the paper holding plate.

Abstract: A suction catheter provided with three conduits to provide th functions of suctioning, lavaging and oxygenating. The suction conduit is connected to a suction control member. The second conduit for the irrigating fluid is connected to a source of said fluid. The third conduit is connected to a source of gas under pressure. The gas conduit terminates within the irrigation conduit to form a common chamber at the distal end of the irrigation conduit from which fluid is propelled out by the pressurized gas. The gas may preferably contain oxygen.

Abstract: A developing unit for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, which includes a rotation shaft rotatably supported through the wall of the developer tank in such a manner that the gap between the rotation shaft and the supporting wall is sealed with a main sealing member mounted on a bushing holding member, and that the gap between the rotation shaft and the bushing is sealed with a sub-sealing member.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus is provided for crisply reading a dark portion on an original. The image data processing apparatus includes a light source for applying a light ray to an original, a CCD sensor for receiving a light reflected by the original, converting the light into an electric signal and storing the electric signal, an analog processing circuit for receiving the electric signal from the CCD sensor and correcting the DC level of the electric signal, an analog-to-digital converter for receiving a corrected electric signal from the analog processing circuit and converting the corrected electric signal into a digital signal, a digital processing circuit for reading the digital signal from the analog-to-digital converter two or more times and adding the digital signal into one output signal, and a control section for controlling the CCD sensor, the analog processing circuit, the analog-to-digital converter and the digital processing circuit.