Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a method of funding an intellectual property licensing program that includes: selling an intellectual property asset to an entity in exchange for funds paid to a seller; licensing a right in an intellectual property asset from the entity to the seller; and funding the intellectual property licensing program with a portion of the funds form selling the intellectual property asset. Another embodiment of the invention includes an intellectual property investment entity that includes an intellectual property asset purchased from a seller in exchange for funds, where an intellectual property investment entity licenses back a right in the intellectual property asset to fund an intellectual property licensing program.

Abstract: Adaptable flexible protective leggings for protecting motorcycle and bicycle riders from the deleterious effects of rain storms and wet roads is disclosed. The leggings includes a molded flexible leg material that conforms generally to the shape of a rider's leg having an open area in back where at least one strap with Velcro type fasteners connects the leg material to the rider's leg. The leg material can run from just above the knee cap to the ankle of the rider where it is connected to a molded flexible shoe material that conforms to at least the front portion of the rider's shoes. The shoe material can be sized to fit over boots, shoes, sneakers, moccasins and the like. The shoe material is generally designed to leave the heel and rear of the shoe exposed.

Abstract: A programmable channel emulator is disclosed which exercises a control unit to which it is attached to detect timing problems or error conditions in the control unit. A plurality of channel emulators can be concurrently operated in order to exercise the control unit in a multiple channel environment. The operation of the plurality of channel emulators is synchronized and controlled by a shared processor in order to emulate possible multiple channel situations that the channel control unit could encounter. Included in this system is a programmable delay circuit that operates under software control to provide a precisely controlled delay between receipt and transmission of signals between each emulator and a connected channel.

Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon resistors are formed by reducing the initial thickness of a poly layer to a magnitude such that the etch end point of the lightly doped resistors is equal to the etch end point of the heavily doped interconnection.

Abstract: Apparatus for correcting the mismatch which occurs in condition responsive detector pairs in a detector array so that the outputs of the detectors in the pairs are substantially the same when they are subjected to substantially the same condition.

Abstract: The invented technique permits the gate length to equal the channel length: source/drain regions are self-aligned and non-overlapping with respect to their gate electrode. The non-overlapping feature, along with other optimized device characteristics, are generally provided by defining a gate electrode over a substrate, forming an implant mask of dielectric, for example, on the sides of the gate electrode, and implanting a source/drain region such that the implant mask shields a portion of the substrate from implantation to provide a gap between a side edge of the gate electrode and the implanted regions. The source/drain region is then heat driven until its side edge is substantially aligned with the edge of the gate electrode. Self-aligned source/drain contacts are also provided using the implant mask to isolate the gate electrode from the contacts and interconnects.

Abstract: A method is described for fabricating MOS devices of the type found in very large scale integrated circuits. According to the method described herein, various gate oxides and insulating layers are fabricated independently of each other in order to independently tailor their thicknesses and thereby provide improved isolation between gate electrodes and interconnects, and independently controllable operating characteristics for multiple gate electrode structures. The fabrication of a dynamic RAM memory cell, an overlapping gate CCD device and a self-aligned MNOS transistor cell are described using the disclosed method.

Abstract: An external light integrating circuitry connectable over two-wires to a flash control circuitry, for causing automatic disabling of an internal light integrating circuitry connected within the control circuitry. The external integrating circuitry receives power over the two wires and transmits light integrating information back to flash termination circuitry within the control circuitry. Camera shutter contacts are connectable with the external integrating circuitry for transmitting a flash initiating signal via the two wires for initiating the photographic flash.

Abstract: A control/calculator device for an associated camera photoflash system, wherein a plurality of photographic variables are manually entered into the device for responsively controlling automatic flash termination and visual display of photographic information including calculated distance information.

Abstract: An improved trigger circuit for triggering an electronic flash apparatus and for energizing a remote sensor is disclosed.

Abstract: Electronic flash apparatus includes a flash storage capacitor, a flash tube for selectively discharging the flash storage capacitor to produce light flashes, and terminating means for terminating the light flash. Separate charging means supplies charging current to the flash storage capacitor. Control means causes the charging means to supply the charging current to the flash storage capacitor each time the terminating means terminates a light flash.

Abstract: A plurality of linkage seals are provided in an air distribution vent having a plurality of movable louvers for directing an air stream. A common linkage connects the louvers together for simultaneous adjustment. The linkage seals prevent foreign matter inclusion from adversely effecting the smooth operation of the louvered linkage.

Abstract: An electronic flash apparatus terminates the light flash when light received from the subject has reached a predetermined level. The light terminating means includes a terminating capacitor which is discharged during the termination of the flash. Annunciator control signal generating means senses when the terminating capacitor is being recharged, and produces an annunciator control signal. An annunciator receives the annunciator control signal and provides an indication that the light terminating means has terminated the flash.

Abstract: False triggering of the flash termination switch in a series termination electronic flash unit as a result of contact bounce is eliminated. Gating means inhibits the contacts from triggering the flash termination switch unless a voltage at a selected point in the circuit has attained a predetermined value. False triggering of the flash ignition as a result of noise present on the synchronization switch line is also inhibited.

Abstract: A medium duty earth anchor of the type having one or two single turn helixes near the lower end of a rod is driven into the earth by means of a hand-held drive tool having a vertical quarter horsepower split phase motor, a step-down gear train which reduces the drive speed to 6 r.p.m., and a vertical socket which drivingly engages the head of the rod.