Abstract: Apparatus and process for the continuous production of carbon black or carbon containing compounds. The process is performed by converting a carbon containing feedstock, including generating a plasma gas with electrical energy, accelerating the plasma gas through a nozzle, whose diameter is narrowing in the direction of the plasma gas, guiding the plasma gas into a reaction area where feedstock is injected under conditions generated by aerodynamic and electromagnetic forces, including intense rapid mixing between the plasma gas and feedstock occurs. There is no significant recirculation of feedstock into the plasma chamber, and the reaction zone does not immediately come into contact with any contact surfaces. The products of reaction are cooled, and the carbon black or carbon containing compounds are separated from the other reaction products.

Abstract: A high temperature heat integration method of making carbon black. A method of making carbon black is described, including reacting a carbon black forming feedstock with hydrogen gas in a plasma reactor to produce effluent gas containing carbon black and unused hydrogen, cooling the effluent gas for further processing, and recycling the unused hydrogen back into the carbon black forming process, where the unused hydrogen gas is pre-heated in a heat exchanger to a temperature up to the reaction temperature in the reactor before being recycled into the carbon black forming process. The heat exchanger for use in such process is also described.

Abstract: A computer pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, includes a reverse cantilever button assembly to match strength-related variations in user hand size. In one embodiment a button assembly is built with two cantilever beams, the fulcrums for each beam being at opposite ends of the button assembly. The stiffness of the two beams can be selected to obtain an increasing, decreasing, or constant force profile necessary to activate the associated electronic switch as one moves along the external surface of the button assembly from the palm end toward the fingertip end. An increasing force profile provides lower actuating force for operators with smaller hands, while providing greater tactile feedback for operators with larger hands.

Abstract: A computer pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, includes a reverse cantilever button assembly to match strength-related variations in user hand size. In one embodiment a button assembly is built with two cantilever beams, the fulcrums for each beam being at opposite ends of the button assembly. The stiffness of the two beams can be selected to obtain an increasing, decreasing, or constant force profile necessary to activate the associated electronic switch as one moves along the external surface of the button assembly from the palm end toward the fingertip end. An increasing force profile provides lower actuating force for operators with smaller hands, while providing greater tactile feedback for operators with larger hands.

Abstract: A method of classification of a device by recognizing distorted signals, generally a RF antenna pattern, emanating therefrom wherein a trainable recognition system, preferably a neural network, is provided. Known distorted signals are applied to the trainable recognition system to train the recognition system to recognize individually each of a plurality of different signals having distortion therein. Unknown distorted signals are then provided emanating from a remote device and the unknown distorted signals are then used to classify the remote device by analyzing the received unknown distorted signals in the trained recognition system. The steps of training and classifying each include the step of converting the signals from the time domain to the frequency domain. The steps of training and classifying also can each include the step of down sampling the frequency domain signals to compress the signature content.

Abstract: A method of producing an article comprises applying a non-ferrous metal layer on a substrate and protecting metal layer by applying thereto a compound having a nitrogen atom which is linked to the remainder of the compound by three single bonds and which has an accessible electron lone pair, such that the electron lone pair bonds to the metal to form a complex which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in water and which protects the metal layer. The compound is preferably 1,4-Diazobicyclo (2,2,2) octane. The method is of particular use in the production of mirrors comprising a transparent substrate on which is deposited a silver layer followed by a copper layer, the compound being bonded to the copper layer by formation of the complex. The invention also provides an article made according to the method described above.

Abstract: A method for identifying a bounded area of a graphic display. The method uses the division of the display screen into nine areas then the central square is the correlation window. This window can be small, two or three pel width, or large if the application is seeking to identify a larger area. The point indicated by the operator is in the center of the correlation window. An object (bounded area) which intersects this square will register a bit. It can be seen that a bounded area will intersect the correlation window if either: (a) any part of the boundary actually passes through the window, or (b) any arbitrary point within the window is inside the area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically changing the display in overlapping rectangular viewport areas of a display screen of a digital display apparatus and in which each viewport area is assigned a different priority level. The method includes the steps of (a) storing in a random access store indications of the position and size of each viewport area, together with an indication of the priority level of the viewport area and (b) constructing a first matrix of (2n+1).sup.2 elements, where n is equal to the number of viewport areas, by assigning a vertical component to each vertical coordinate of each viewport area and a horizontal component to each horizontal coordinate of each viewport area, and for each element so formed storing an indication of the highest priority level of the viewports falling within the boundary formed by the coordinates defining the element.

Abstract: A digital data display system in which the display device includes a plurality of random access stores into which character cell definitions are loaded from a remote central processing unit. A character cell may be a 9.times.16 picture element matrix and each is defined in the CPU according to the requirements of a display request received from a users application program. The system control services include a graphics manager and graphics routines which construct a character buffer and character cell definition table according to the picture to be displayed. A character cell definition that is required more than once in a picture is only included once in the definition table, the character buffer having the required number of pointers to the one definition. When the character buffer and character definition table have been constructed, they are transmitted to the display device using a data communication system. The system can be used for color or monochrome displays.

Abstract: A driver assembly for reliably driving relatively small-diameter washered and nonwashered fasteners from an indirect-acting powder-actuated tool comprises an adapter, carried on the muzzle end of the tool barrel and having a bore wherein is operatively disposed an adapter piston adapted for cooperation with the tool piston. The adapter bore comprises two portions: a first portion, of a size to slidingly admit the shank of the tool piston, and a second portion, having a diameter of a size to guide and support the fastener during driving thereof. The adapter piston includes a head slidingly fitted in the first adapter bore portion and a shank so fitted in the second bore portion. The adapter piston is preferably spaced apart from the tool piston when both are in the driving position, whereby tool recoil is reduced.