Abstract: A computer-based method and system for digital 3-dimensional imaging of an object which allows for viewing images of the object from arbitrary vantage points. The system, referred to as the Lumigraph system, collects a complete appearance of either a synthetic or real object (or a scene), stores a representation of the appearance, and uses the representation to render images of the object from any vantage point. The appearance of an object is a collection of light rays that emanate from the object in all directions. The system stores the representation of the appearance as a set of coefficients of a 4-dimensional function, referred to as the Lumigraph function. From the Lumigraph function with these coefficients, the Lumigraph system can generate 2-dimensional images of the object from any vantage point. The Lumigraph system generates an image by evaluating the Lumigraph function to identify the intensity values of light rays that would emanate from the object to form the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulation system for an amusement arcade, which generates a dynamic model relating to the amusement arcade and can inspect an operating condition of play machines, a flow of players and the like. This system comprises a parameter setting unit (12) having a play machine information setting unit for setting a parameter, which defines a construction of play machines constituting the amusement arcade, and a player information setting unit for setting a parameter, which defines properties of players who use play machines, a simulation executing unit (16) for executing simulation for each unit time of the amusement arcade on the basis of parameters set by the parameter setting unit (12), a result analyzing unit (21) for generating data indicative of a result of simulation on the basis of data obtained by simulation executed for a predetermined unit time, and a display unit (20) for indicating a picture corresponding to data obtained by the result analyzing unit (21).

Abstract: A solar cell assembly for focusing incident radiation on a solar cell. The assembly comprises a reflective member having first and second opposite surfaces. The first surface is transparent to allow incident radiation to pass into the reflective member. The second surface has a plurality of reflective portions positioned to receive the radiation and reflect and focus the radiation toward the first surface. The radiation strikes the first surface at an angle greater than a critical angle of the first surface and is reflected and focused back toward the second surface. The assembly further comprises a solar cell positioned at least proximate to the reflective member to receive the radiation reflected and focused from the first surface of the reflective member and generate electric current from the radiation.

Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array, control circuits, and a voltage regulation system. The voltage regulation system includes an array power bus distributing an array supply voltage to the array, and a control circuit power bus distributing a control circuit supply voltage to the control circuits. Regulator circuits are coupled to the array power bus at spaced-apart locations along the bus which allow each regulator circuit to respond independently to a localized variation in the array supply voltage. Other regulator circuits are similarly coupled to the control circuit power bus. The regulator circuits which are unneeded for a particular operating mode of the memory device can be turned off during active memory cycles, and all the regulator circuits can be turned off during stand-by memory cycles.

Abstract: A computer system with a memory device having plural memory banks and a method of accessing a selected one of the memory banks, the memory device including local control signal generators that control timing of operations in each respective block of a memory array. Overall timing of the device is controlled by first and second global control signals generated in a command sequencer and decoder. The second global control signal is derived from a delayed version of the first signal, and both signals are applied to local control signal generators along with address bits indicating a selected block. The timing of the global signal generators is determined by row charge and discharge models. Local timing is determined by the global control signals and by local circuitry within the local control signal generators. The second global control signal drives a first portion of a sense amplifier and a delayed version of the second global signal drives a second portion of the sense amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reversibly and controllably flowing a first and second fluid adjacent to one or more discrete sensing surfaces of a biosensor are disclosed herein. The systems utilize a flow-cell conduit adapted to flow the first and second fluids in either a first or second flow direction and in a manner such that the first and second fluids separately contact the one or more discrete sensing surfaces of the biosensor. The flow-cell conduit is operatively connected to both a two-fluid conduit and a single-fluid conduit via a valveless juncture. The system also comprises a selector valve for reversing the flow direction of the fluid within the flow-cell conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for substituted metal chelating compounds in which at least two of the chelating atoms are nitrogen which are directly attached to aromatic rings and one or more of those nitrogen atoms has attached thereto a substituent other than hydrogen, and methods for making and using these compounds.

Abstract: In a packetized memory device, pipelined row and column address paths receive row and column addresses from an address capture circuit. Each of the row and column address paths includes a respective address latch that latches the row or column address from the address capture circuitry, thereby freeing the address capture circuitry to capture a subsequent address. The column path also includes a set of bank address latches so that bank addresses can be pipelined synchronously with column addresses. The latched row and column addresses are then provided to a combining circuit. Additionally, redundant row and column circuits receive these latched addresses and indicate to the combining circuit whether or not to substitute a redundant row. The combining circuit, responsive to a strobe then transfers the redundant row address or latched row address to a decoder to activate the array. The bank address latches also activate a selected bank responsive to the strobe.

Abstract: A sense amplifier that amplifies data signals in either a normal mode or an altered mode. In the normal mode, the data signals must be complementary of each other while in the altered mode, the data signals may, but need not be, complementary of each other. The sense amplifier includes two sense amplifier stages, the first of which drives the second, and each sense amplifier stage includes two identical sense amplifier circuits. A first input of each sense amplifier in the first stage receives a respective data signal, and a first input of each sense amplifier in the second stage receives an output signal from a respective sense amplifier in the first stage. In the normal mode, a mode control circuit couples each of the other data signals to a respective second input of each sense amplifier in the first stage so that the sense amplifiers receive both of the complimentary data signals at their differential inputs.

Abstract: An adjustable coupler has a group of magnet rotors with permanent magnets separated by air gaps from non-ferrous conductor elements presented by a group of conductor rotors. The air gaps are adjusted by axial movement of one of the groups relative to the other to vary the slip of the coupler and control the load speed under varying load conditions.

Abstract: A pad refurbisher that provides in situ, real-time conditioning and/or cleaning of a polishing surface on a polishing pad used in chemical-mechanical polishing of a semiconductor wafer and other microelectronic substrates. The pad refurbisher has a body adapted for attachment to a wafer carrier of a chemical-mechanical polishing machine, and a refurbishing element connected to the body. The body has a distal face positioned proximate to a perimeter portion of the wafer carrier and facing generally toward the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The body travels with the wafer carrier as the wafer carrier moves over the polishing pad. The refurbishing element is connected to the distal face of the body so that the refurbishing element can operatively engage the polishing surface substantially adjacent to the perimeter of the wafer carrier.

Abstract: A slot machine comprising display means (110) having a display screen provided on a plane opposed to a player, display control means (401) for controlling the display means (110) so as to display a still condition and a game play condition for each display window, start instruction means (108) for accepting a game play start instruction and instructing the display control means to start operation, stop instruction means (109) for accepting an instruction for stopping symbol change for each display window and instructing the display control means to stop operation, and game control means (403) for controlling game progress, wherein the improvement comprises storage means (904) for storing a plurality of symbol patterns and outputting the stored data to the display means based on read address specification, and background storage means (905) for storing backgrounds to be displayed on the display means, the display control (401) means issuing an output instruction to the storage means and the background storage

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling the use of a computer system resource using a resource planner and a resource provider is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a resource is scheduled for use by a plurality of consumer entities. Each consumer entity may request the commitment of a share of the resource. The method and system utilizes representations of resource usage policy, present commitments of shares of the resource, and present commitments of specified amounts of the resource over specified period of time. The method and system first receives a request from a consumer entity for the commitment of a specified share of the resource. In response, the method and system determines whether the specified share of the resource should be committed to the requesting consumer entity. This determination is based on the representations of resource usage policy and present commitments of shares of the resource.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a screw drive apparatus. The apparatus may include a threaded rod having a helical thread, a nut disposed about the threaded rod and having a load-bearing channel aligned with and radially outward from the helical thread, and a plurality of balls between the helical thread and the load-bearing channel. The apparatus may further include a housing with at least one support bearing having an inner race coupled to the nut and an outer race coupled to the housing and rotatable relative to the inner race. A retaining member is removably and adjustably coupled to the nut to apply an adjustable force against the support bearing in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the threaded rod.

Abstract: A computer system having a motherboard that is adapted to receive a daughterboard containing a CPU coupled to a PCI bus and a memory device through a system controller. The PCI bus is, in turn, coupled to a storage device, such as a programmable array logic device, containing CPU data identifying the type of CPU or other hardware installed on the daughterboard. The motherboard includes a memory device storing a BIOS program as well as a startup program. The startup program is executed by the CPU at power up or reset to cause the CPU to compare the CPU data identifying the CPU to BIOS data identifying the CPU adapted to execute the BIOS program. In the event that the CPU data and the BIOS data match, the CPU executes the BIOS program in a normal manner. In the event the CPU data does not match the BIOS data, the CPU executes a crisis recovery routine which may involve writing the proper BIOS program from a floppy disk to a programmable memory device containing the BIOS program on the motherboard.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accumulating specified weights of objects, such as apples, and delivering them to a plurality of off-load conveyors, the off-load conveyors delivering the apples to chutes which can then guide the apples into a single bagging apparatus. The flow of the apples on the chutes is controlled by a gate overlying all the chutes and a speed control brush that rotates at a desired speed to control the flow rate of the apples down the chute into the bagger. The apparatus and method are controlled by the interaction of a computer and a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A method and system for opportunistically downloading data from a server computer system to client computer systems. The server computer system has a point-to-point transmission mechanism for receiving data from each client computer system and has a broadcast transmission mechanism for broadcasting data to the client computer systems. Each client computer system has a broadcast receiver for receiving data broadcast by the broadcast transmission mechanism when the client computer system is in a receiving state. In a preferred embodiment, the server computer system selects data to be downloaded from the server computer system to the client computer systems, and broadcasts the selected data using the broadcast transmission mechanism. Each client computer system that is in the receiving state receives the broadcasted data and sends a confirmation that the client computer system has received the broadcasted data to the server computer system using the point-to-point transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A building having a plurality of floors, a plurality of detectors, such as smoke detectors, located on the floors, and an elevator system usable for moving building occupants between floors during an emergency condition, such as a building fire. The elevator system includes a control unit that controls movement of an elevator car between selected floors within an emergency evacuation zone for evacuation of building occupants to a designated evacuation assistance floor. The vertical movement of the elevator car is controlled relative to the detection of smoke within the building to increase the efficiency of emergency evacuation. The elevator and smoke detection systems are equipped with an emergency power source for operation in the event of a power outage. A signal control system receives status information from the building systems, including the elevator system, an air handling system, and a fire suppression system.

Abstract: A process for forming, on a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure between two zones of an integrated circuit wherein active regions of electronic components integrated thereto have already been defined, comprises the steps of:defining an isolation region on a layer of silicon oxide overlying a silicon layer;selectively etching the silicon to provide the isolation region;growing thermal oxide over the interior surfaces of the isolation structure;depositing dielectric conformingly; andoxidizing the deposited dielectric.

Abstract: An option select circuit for a dialer includes an internal address generator (20) for generating an address pattern, which, in a set up mode, is output from a multiplexer (14) to I/O pins (10). The pins (10) are selectively hardwired through an interface circuit (24) back to address input pins (50) and (52) for input to a decorder (28). The decoder (28) decodes the selected address for input to a PLA (30). This allows selection of various functions in a function generator (12) for operation in the normal dialer mode. The interface circuit (24) comprises hardwire connections (54) and (56).