Abstract: A pointer system provides multiple display pointers that can be created and identified by a computer user such that each pointer is associated with a particular application and location within an application. A user can recall respective pointers and pointer locations by selecting a pointer identifier. One or more of the pointers can be defined as anchored pointers, which are associated with one or more user actions. The user actions can comprise a variety of functions, including mouse button clicks. In this way, a user can define anchored pointers and carry out a string of user actions by selecting the identifying character of an anchored pointer.

Abstract: A pointing system for controlling a cursor on a computer display device includes a single control actuator that ordinarily controls movement of the cursor on the display device and also detects if an applied cursor force matches a predetermined tap signature. If the applied force substantially matches the predetermined tap signature, then the system responds to the applied force by initiating one or more display actions rather than by moving the display cursor. The system detects tap signature forces applied along the x, y, and z axes of the control actuator and responds by retrieving a cursor context comprising a window display and corresponding cursor location from a queue and opening the associated window. That is, the system changes the active window from among windows of a graphical user interface, preserving the cursor position within each window. Other tap signature responses can correspond to functions initiated by programmable function keys or to user-defined functions.

Abstract: An orthogonal spin valve read head is provided wherein a spin valve sensor is asymmetrically located between first and second shield layers so that image currents in the first and second shield layers produce a resultant image field which partially or completely counterbalances a stiffening field from antiferromagnetic, pinned and spacer layers in the MR sensor when sense current is conducted therethrough. Accordingly, the spin valve sensor may be located a greater distance from the second shield layer by providing a mid-gap layer between the spin valve sensor and a second gap layer. In one example, the total thickness of the mid-gap and second gap layer is four times as thick as the first gap layer which results in the image fields from the first and second shield layers completely counterbalancing the field from the antiferromagnetic, pinned and spacer layers due to the sense current.

Abstract: An integrated manual control input device is provided for use in a computer system having a graphical user interface. The device comprises a keyboard unit having a plurality of keys, a pointing actuator mounted to the keyboard between preselected ones of the keys for engagement by a user's index finger, at least one click button assembly pivotably mounted to the keyboard unit adjacent the keys and a normally open momentary switch beneath the click button assembly. The click button assembly has a button moveable downwardly by a user's thumb to select an ON state and subsequently releasable to select an OFF state. The button is also moveable downwardly and slidable laterally in a rearward direction to select a locked ON state to facilitate a drag operation.

Abstract: A quick release needle holder, comprises a tubular barrel having a needle receiving socket on one end, the needle receiving socket having a segmented wall defining a plurality of annular jaws having internal threads, a device for normally biasing the jaws into an inner position for threadably receiving a needle hub, and a device having finger tabs slideably mounted on the holder for releaseably biasing the jaws to a needle hub releasing position.

Abstract: Temperature of an airflow for an inflatable thermal blanket is measured near where the temperature is delivered to the blanket through an air hose by a device that simulates the frictional airflow resistance of the blanket. The device is receivable on that end of an air hose that connects to an inflatable thermal blanket. The device includes an airflow resistor having defined airflow resistance, and also includes a temperature sensor for measuring temperature at a point between the end of the air hose to which the device is connected and the airflow resistance.

Abstract: A low profile transformer comprises a support member for supporting a coil winding, a first elongated conductive tape forming at least one conductor having lead terminals formed integral therewith formed into a first coil of multiple turns, a second elongated conductive tape having lead terminals formed integral therewith forming at least one conductor formed into a second coil of at least one turn interleaved with the first coil, and each terminal lead of each of the tapes extending from the support member and having a portion disposed at a base of the transformer for engagement and surface bonding to a PC board.

Abstract: A holographic optical system includes volume hologram configurations providing a waveplate for, e.g. an optical storage device, and an aliasing suppression filter. The waveplate has diffraction characteristics adapted to impart a propagation delay for selected polarization directions. By controlling the propagation delay and the angle of an incident light beam, an output beam having altered polarization characteristics can be produced. Quarter waveplates for reflective optical storage systems and half waveplates for magneto-optical storage systems are disclosed. The holographic aliasing suppression filter divides an input optical beam into spatially separated components and may be configured to be polarization insensitive or color selective.

Abstract: The box is easily assembled by hand, is suitable for construction out of plastic materials, and can be produced at relatively low cost. The box includes an elongated wrap panel with a plurality of flat surfaces formed by folding at lateral creases. The flat surfaces include a bottom surface and two flat surfaces forming a top wherein the two flat surfaces are adjacent to the lateral edges of the wrap panel. Each of the two sides of the box are formed from a plurality of flat surfaces. The box also includes two end panels, each with a plurality of tabs which engage with the box sides and each end panel having a horizontal slit extending there through. The bottom surface of the box includes a locking tab at each end. The locking tab includes a pair of hinged portions permitting the locking tab to fold inward wherein a portion of the bottom surface between the pair of hinged portions forms a flat support tab that is formed by a slit in the locking tab.

Abstract: A composite friction unit includes a three dimensional composite body formed of a substantially uniform array of predominately glass strands of primary reinforcing fibers in matrix of phenolic resin material, the reinforcing fibers distributed throughout the body in a predetermined uniform distribution and orientation, and a substantially uniform array and distribution of secondary fibers extending transverse to the primary fibers thereby forming a friction unit having a predetermined size and configuration and uniform distribution and alignment of fibers throughout.

Abstract: Crater shaped bumps are made on a calibration disk which can be used for calibrating a PZT slider, the PZT slider in turn being used for detecting predetermined asperities on a production run magnetic disk. The crater shaped bumps emulate predetermined asperities of production run magnetic disks and especially asperities which are undesirable and would cause the production run disk to be discarded after testing by the PZT slider. Crater shaped bumps which emulate undesirable asperities on current production runs of magnetic disks have a diameter in the range of 10 to 25 .mu.m and a peripheral ridge with a height h.sub.r above a nominal surface of the calibration disk in the range of 75 to 120 nm. Close tolerance crater shaped bumps with this configuration can be made by impinging two or more pulses of laser energy on the same location of a calibration disk. By increasing the number of pulses the height of the peripheral ridge progressively increases.

Abstract: A track following servo system is disclosed for use with magnetic tape systems in which magnetic servo track patterns contain transitions recorded at more than one azimuthal orientation across the width of the servo track. The timing of a signal derived from reading at any point across the width of such a pattern varies continuously as the read head is moved across the servo track. The pattern is read by a servo read head whose width is small compared to the servo track pattern. The combination of a wide servo pattern and a narrow servo read head offers excellent position sensing linearity and dynamic range. In the preferred embodiment, the servo read head is also narrow with respect to the data tracks, which provides the additional advantages of superior immunity to position sensing errors caused by defects or temporal variations in the servo read head, defects in the servo pattern on the tape, wear of the head or tape, or debris collection on the head or tape.

Abstract: A method of transdermal molecular delivery comprising molecules to be delivered mixed with particles, contacting a selected area of a skin surface with the particles and molecules, applying a pulsed electric field of sufficient amplitude and duration to induce dielectric breakdown of the stratum corneum, and applying a pressure to the molecules to force transport of the molecules through the pores in the stratum corneum into the underlying skin.

Abstract: For an synchronous dynamic access memory ("S-DRAM") system including a memory assembly with multiple memory units, data access commands are placed on a command bus at specific times to facilitate gapless data bus operation. After receipt of a first memory access request, a first memory access command is issued on the command bus to exchange a first data string having a first length with a first one of the memory units. Subsequently, receipt occurs of a second memory access request is to exchange a second data string, of a second length, with a second one of the memory units. A determination is made of an earliest possible time for placement of a second memory access command upon the command bus; this considers various factors, such as the first length, data bus availability, command bus availability, and any predetermined delay in placement of the first data string onto the data bus. Accordingly, the second memory access command is placed upon the command bus at the determined time.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a large, rectangular, multilayer ceramic capacitor formed of alternating ceramic and electrode layers. Capacitors so formed have a high dielectric constant, extremely low leakage current and an extremely low dissipation factor. Exemplary capacitors can be made with a lead magnesium niobate dielectric composition powder to which is added several organic constituents, including a surfactant and a plasticizer, plus small amounts of several dopants, such as lithium niobate, copper oxide, magnesium titanate, manganese niobate and zirconium oxide. That total mixture is ball milled to form a slip with very small grain size. The slip is cast as a thin tape on a Mylar backing, cut into a plurality of blanks, and alternating layers of the green tape ceramic and electrode layers are laminated on a polyvinyl alcohol coated foundation plate. Firing and sintering steps are followed by application of electrical terminations to complete the capacitor.

Abstract: An elongated anchor and an attached surgical tie are secured to a bone region for use in suturing ligaments, tendons, and the like to the bone. First, an entry hole of predetermined size is drilled in the bone, extending through the cortical layer into the cancellous layer. The hollow shaft of a disposable installation tool is inserted into the entry hole. The shaft has a distal end attached to an apertured deflecting nose, which preferably includes an rounded formation of resilient fingers. The tool houses an elongated anchor with a pair of sides closely interconnected by a bridge, where the sides together define an anchor body having a relatively small cross-section and a pair of opposing ends. The tool also houses a continuous tie that passes around the bridge. A plunger is slidably advanced down the tool's hollow shaft, advancing the anchor lengthwise through the tool shaft and nose into the cancellous layer of bone.

Abstract: A lifting platform for motor vehicles. The platform has easily adjustable support elements mounted on the ends of a beam. The support elements are applied to the pre-designated lifting points on the vehicle for safe lifting thereof.

Abstract: An automated data storage library of unique design includes a plurality of storage cell magazines containing storage cells for holding storage media cartridges therein. A picker mechanism having multiple direction capability is positioned for accessing and transporting the storage media cartridges between at least three adjacent storage cell magazines. The picker mechanism includes a pair of gripper pickers configured for releasably gripping and supporting the storage media cartridges during transport between the storage cells. The picker mechanism is rotatable so that one of the grippers can be utilized to access two of the adjacent storage cell magazines while the second gripper accesses the third storage cell magazine. For increased efficiency, the picker mechanism can be positioned between opposing columns of storage cell magazines together with a single storage cell column at one end.

Abstract: A flow through apparatus for implanting molecules into living blood cells of a patient, comprises a housing including an elongated flow through chamber having an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof, a pair of elongated spaced apart parallel electrodes disposed between the inlet and the outlet for fluid to flow therebetween, a continuous flow shunt including a pump for withdrawing blood from a patient, passing it through the flow through chamber between the electrodes and returning it to the patient, apparatus for injecting a predetermined quantity of fluid medium carrying preselected molecules into the blood after it has been drawn from the patient and before it passes through said chamber, and an electrical source for applying a predetermined electric signal of a predetermined amplitude and duration to the electrodes for generating and repeatedly applying electric fields of a predetermined amplitude and duration to the flow of the mixture of blood and fluid medium in order to make the walls of prese