Abstract: An optical scanning system including a resonant oscillating device having a first magnetic field and a mirrored surface. The system includes first and second light sources for directing first and second beams of light to the mirrored surface of the resonant oscillating device to provide first and second reflected scan beams. The second reflected scan beam is offset a first distance from the first reflected scan beam. A second magnetic field is included for interacting with the first magnetic field to provide torque to the resonant oscillating device for scanning the first and second reflected scan beams across a surface to provide first and second scan lines on the surface substantially simultaneously as the resonant oscillating device oscillates under the influence of the first and second magnetic fields. The optical scanning system is effective to increase scan efficiency of the resonant oscillating device over that of a system using a single light source.

Abstract: A method and device for managing and controlling a scanning system that incorporates multiple oscillating scanners is provided by the present invention. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, a resonant frequency is determined for each of the scanners. A drive signal for driving the oscillating scanners is generated based upon the determined resonant frequencies. An amplitude adjustment circuit determines the difference between the drive signal frequency and the resonant frequency of each oscillating scanner and adjusts the amplitude of the drive signal provided to that particular oscillating scanner such that scan amplitude of each oscillating scanner is approximately equal. The offset from the resonant frequency is also used to calculate a phase adjustment for the drive signal to insure that the oscillating scanners are operating in tandem.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and a torsion oscillator are capable of operating across a dynamic range of possible operating frequencies. The image scanning apparatus uses a light source to produce a light beam, and the oscillator scans the light beam through a scanning pattern. The oscillator includes a plate member having a non-rectangular shape. At least one magnet is disposed on the plate. A surface of the plate member includes a reflective surface for reflecting a light beam. A frame is disposed in a spaced apart relation to a lower surface of the plate member. The frame includes at least one coil configured to induce an electromagnetic force on the at least one magnet to thereby oscillate the reflective surface to a rotational angle of oscillation at an oscillation frequency. The system also includes an imaging surface disposed in the path of the scanning pattern so that the light beam scans across the imaging surface, and a mechanical drive to move the imaging surface.

Abstract: Data describing an image to be printed on a print medium is transferred to an ink jet print head. The print head has n number of nozzles in a vertical array for sequentially ejecting vertical columns of ink droplets onto the print medium as the print head scans horizontally across the print medium. The vertical columns of ink droplets ejected during a single pass of the print head collectively comprise a swath of the image. As the data is received from a data source, a required memory space is determined which would accommodate a portion of the data describing a swath of the image to be printed using all n of the nozzles. A current available capacity of a memory device is determined and the amount of image data received from the host is determined. A portion of the data that describes a swath of the image to be printed using a number m of the nozzles is transferred to the memory device.

Abstract: A system identifies faulty ink jet nozzles among a plurality of ink jet nozzles in an ink jet print head based on evaluation of a test pattern printed by the print head. The printed test pattern consists of test images, where each of the test images is printed by a corresponding one of the plurality of ink jet nozzles. The test images occupy locations within the test pattern indicated by location coordinates. The test pattern is visually inspected to identify empty locations within the test pattern, where an empty location is a location in the test pattern not occupied by a test image. The empty locations are designated according to the location coordinates of the empty locations. The location coordinates of the empty locations are then correlated to ink jet nozzles that, if functioning properly, would have printed test images at the empty locations. The ink jet nozzles that, if functioning properly, would have printed test images at the empty locations are designated as faulty.

Abstract: An ink jet print head identification system for providing print head identifying information to the electronics of an ink jet printer includes one or more parallel load, serial out, dynamic shift registers integrated into a print head chip having a plurality of address lines interconnecting the printer electronics and the print head electronics. The memory input of each shift register is electrically connected to a memory matrix that supplies digital bits of information to the shift register in response to receiving a decode signal function from the printer electronics. In a preferred embodiment, two of the address lines provide each of the registers with successive sequential clock signals to serially shift the bit of information received from the shift register's corresponding memory matrix to an output line where the print head identifying information is read by the printer electronics.

Abstract: A circuit for selecting a base memory to be accessed by a microcontroller in response to a command from the microcontroller. An input receives the command from the microcontroller. The command selectively instructs the circuit to reset the microcontroller and signal the microcontroller to access an internal memory as the base memory. Also, the command selectively instructs the circuit to reset the microcontroller and signal the microcontroller to access an external memory as the base memory. A reset output is used to send the reset signal to the microcontroller, and a memory select output is used to send a memory select signal to the microcontroller.

Abstract: A resonant, snubber-based, soft switching, inverter circuit achieves lossless switching during dc-to-ac power conversion and power conditioning with minimum component count and size. Current is supplied to the resonant snubber branches solely by the main inverter switches. Component count and size are reduced by use of a single semiconductor switch in the resonant snubber branches. Component count is also reduced by maximizing the use of stray capacitances of the main switches as parallel resonant capacitors. Resonance charging and discharging of the parallel capacitances allows lossless, zero voltage switching. In one embodiment, circuit component size and count are minimized while achieving lossless, zero voltage switching within a three-phase inverter.

Abstract: A process for treating a halogen-containing waste material. The process provides a bath of molten glass containing a sacrificial metal oxide capable of reacting with a halogen in the waste material. The sacrificial metal oxide is present in the molten glass in at least a stoichiometric amount with respect to the halogen in the waste material. The waste material is introduced into the bath of molten glass to cause a reaction between the halogen in the waste material and the sacrificial metal oxide to yield a metal halide. The metal halide is a gas at the temperature of the molten glass. The gaseous metal halide is separated from the molten glass and contacted with an aqueous scrubber solution of an alkali metal hydroxide to yield a metal hydroxide or metal oxide-containing precipitate and a soluble alkali metal halide. The precipitate is then separated from the aqueous scrubber solution. The molten glass containing the treated waste material is removed from the bath as a waste glass.

Abstract: A dosimeter and probe for measuring exposure to chemical and biological compounds is disclosed. The dosimeter or probe includes a collector which may be analyzed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The collector comprises a surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active material having a coating applied thereto to improve the adsorption properties of the collector. The collector may also be used in automated sequential devises, in probe array devices.

Abstract: A glass composition and method of preparation utilizes a mixture consisting of phosphorus oxide within the range of about 40 to 49 molar percent, lead oxide within the range of about 10 to 25 molar percent, iron oxide within the range of about 10 to 17 molar percent and an alkali oxide within the range of about 23 to 30 molar percent. The glass resulting from the melting and subsequent solidifying of the mixture possesses a high degree of durability and a coefficient of thermal expansion as high as that of any of a number of metals. Such features render this glass highly desirable in glass-to-metal seal applications.

Abstract: The specification discloses a nestable transport table 10 having a table top 14. Front legs 20 and 22 extend downwardly from the under side of the table top 14 and are spaced inwardly from the lateral edges thereof. Rear legs 34 and 36 extend outwardly and then downwardly from the rear end of the table top 14 so that the rear legs 34 and 36 are spaced outwardly from the lateral edges of the table top 14. Telescoping members 38 and 40 extend downwardly from the lower ends of the rear legs 34 and 36 and are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the telescoping members 38 and 40 may be locked to place the transport table 10 in a tilted nesting position. Wheels 26, 28, 42, and 44 are mounted at the lower ends of legs 20 and 22 and the lower ends of the telescoping members 38 and 40.

Abstract: The specification discloses a vice jaw 22 mounted in a vice housing 28. The jaw 22 includes a slidearm 44 for sliding within a slideway 46 in the vice housing. A plurality of jaw teeth are formed on the underside of the slidearm 44 and engage one or more housing teeth 50 to operate in a ratchet action. A spring 54 continuously urges the jaw 22 towards a closed or retracted position. When an object is placed in the jaw 22, the jaw teeth 48 and the housing teeth 50 are engaged and will prevent the jaw 22 from moving toward the extended position, but will allow the jaw 22 to move toward the retracted position.

Abstract: A Harmonic Conversion Wheel is disclosed comprising a circular disk, a faceplate and attaching means joined together along a common axis which is the centerpoint of said elements. By rotation of the disk about said axis and proper registration of said disk with the windows positioned in the faceplate, an artist, composer, student of music, performer or arranger has at their disposal a multitude of information regarding the law of intervals and similar musical relationships concerning tonics, chords, scales and notes within a scale. Thus, a person without analogous skills can perform, rearrange, transpose or learn music to the best of his ability while developing his own caliber of musical knowledge and expertise.

Abstract: A toy airplane is constructed from a straw and wing components taken from a food container. The main wing is formed from the container and mounted on the forward end of the straw. A V-shaped midregion is formed in the main wing with a living hinge forming the bottom of the V-shaped midregion. A brace is inserted through slits at the top of the V-shaped midregion to form a triangular wing structure that resists deformation during loading on the wing. A rudder and an elevator wing are formed from the container and mounted on the rear end of the straw, and a weight is mounted in the forward end of the straw to complete the construction of the airplane.

Abstract: The specification discloses a swab holding tool (10) in which a handle (12) includes a passageway (14) with a tube (16) mounted in the passageway (14). The end of the tube (16) away from the handle (12) includes a flaired portion (20) for receiving and holding a swab (22). Indents (18) are formed in the tube (16) for engaging and holding an elongate rod (24) of the swab (22). The swab (22) may be moved in a telescoping action within the tube (16) to a desired fixed position. The handle (12) includes a female recess (15) in the rearward end for inserting of a ramrod into the passageway (14) to eject a broken rod or contaminated swab. Bends (32 and 36) are formed in the tube (16) to provide different angles of attack for cleaning operations.

Abstract: A newspaper dispenser (10) includes a dispensing mechanism (44) in which a carriage (92) is mounted for rolling forwardly and rearwardly on tracks (84) and (86). A transverse bar (126) is rotatably mounted on the carriage (92), and a cocking lever (104) is fixedly mounted on one end of the transverse bar. A pair of pins (134) are mounted in the transverse bar (126). In an engagement position, the pins extend downwardly and towards the front of the dispenser (10) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. In a disengagement position, the pins extend towards the front of the dispenser (10) in a horizontal orientation. When the carriage (92) is moved along the tracks (84) and (86) towards the rear of the dispenser (10), the cocking lever (104) engages a cocking stop (108) and rotates the pins (134) into an engagement position causing them to pierce a newspaper disposed below the carriage.