Abstract: A discrete repeater having a predetermined number of ports includes an expansion port permitting connection of one or more of similar devices to produce a single repeater unit having an increased number of ports. The expansion port includes two bidirectional channels, an output channel and two input channels. An arbiter function connects to each discrete repeater to assert appropriate signals to permit the discrete repeaters making up a repeater unit to exchange data and collision information. This exchange of data is used in a state machine of the discrete repeaters to provide a repeater unit with distributed repeater and relay functions.

Abstract: A system for prestaging data into a cache to increase the speed data is received from a direct access storage drive (DASD) is utilized within a data processing system. This system utilizes multi-track read operations to prestage tracks into the cache. In so doing, the overhead associated with proceeding from one track to the next is reduced. The system allows for the prestaging of up to a cylinder of tracks per prestage. The prestaging system will also allow internally scheduled operations requiring a physical device to interrupt the prestaging if conditions require this action to maintain subsystem performance.

Abstract: A lateral vision controlling device is disclosed which decreases or eliminates visual stimuli entering one of the hemispheres of the brain. The device includes a pair of lenses, with each lens having a transparent portion and a masked portion. The masked portion reduces visual stimuli entering the side of the person's eyes that corresponds to the hemisphere of the brain in which the visual stimuli is to be reduced. With a person having a dominant hemisphere of the brain, it is advantageous to reduce or eliminate visual stimuli entering the other hemisphere of the brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to An apparatus for converting cathode ray tube (CRT) to a dual panel data stream to be utilized. The present invention includes a frame buffer system for displaying data on a dual panel display, which comprises an upper and lower panel. The frame buffer system receives CRT data and displays panel refresh data in which one CRT frame generates one panel refresh frame. Through the use of this system, An increased number of gray level patterns can be provided, thereby increasing image resolution and quality.

Abstract: A PVC adhesive for joining PVC pipes comprises: (a) about 10 to 22 wt % PVC resin and about 2 to 25 wt % acrylic resin, the total of the PVC resin and acrylic resin ranging from about 18 to 35 wt % of said adhesive; (b) a high vapor pressure solvent comprising about 10 to 50 wt % tetrahydrofuran and 0 to about 40 wt % methyl ethyl ketone, with the total high vapor pressure solvent concentration not exceeding a maximum concentration of about 55 wt % of the total adhesive composition; and a low vapor pressure solvent comprising about 10 to 35 wt % cyclohexanone and 0 to about 35 wt % N-methyl pyrrolidone, with the total low vapor pressure solvent concentration at least about 19 wt % of the total adhesive composition. The VOC (volatile organic compound) level of the PVC adhesive composition of the invention is at or below the allowed maximum value of 450 g/l, yet the adhesive meets or exceeds required performance standards, such as lap shear strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a transition detector and pulse width qualifying circuit for a differential receiver. The circuit generates pulses at every transition of a differential input signal and asserts a time-out signal upon detection of an end-of-transmission delimiter pulse. The circuit also detects true or inverted linkpulses.

Abstract: Novel apparatuses for readout of multiplexed volume holographic optical elements, based on parallel incoherent/coherent double angularly multiplexed holographic recording and readout principles, provide for hologram readout with high optical throughput efficiency and minimal crosstalk. Such holographic element readout apparatuses have applications in photonic interconnections for neural networks, telecommunications switching and digital computing; optical information processors and optical memories; and optical display systems. Embodiments are included that allow incoherent superposition of reconstructed images and simplified parallel readout of the volume holographic optical elements. The apparatuses can read out holographic elements that are either optically or computer generated and that are based on continuous-volume or stratified-volume holographic media.

Abstract: A system is provided for use in a network to provide authentication of packets of data, provide security to ensure the prevention of unauthorized receipt of data, to provide improved monitoring of the packets of data transmitted and received over such a network, and to detect changes in the network topology. Repeaters utilized in the network are provided with the capability to detect and interpret packet data and the source address (SA) and destination address (DA) fields to provide the improved features.

Abstract: A system for reducing co-channel interference includes a power spectrum analyzer which provides a spectral signal representative of an intermediate frequency signal from the receiver of a direction finding system. The system further includes threshold/window logic that, responsive to the comparison of threshold levels and spectral windows to the interfering signals, will provide stop and continue signals to an integrator. The integrator receives signals from the direction finding system and stops and starts integration of the output signal responsive to the threshold logic. In so doing, co-channel interference is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A high efficiency solar cell comprises: (a) a germanium substrate having a front surface and a back surface; (b) a back-metal contact on the back surface of the germanium substrate; (c) a first semiconductor cell comprising (1) a GaAs p-n junction formed from an n-GaAs and a p-GaAs layer, the n-GaAs layer formed on the front surface of the n-germanium substrate, and (2) a p-(Al,Ga)As window layer, the p-(Al,Ga)As window layer formed on the p-GaAs layer; (d) a tunnel diode comprising a GaAs p.sup.+ -n.sup.+ junction formed from a p.sup.+ -GaAs layer and an n.sup.+ -GaAs layer, the p.sup.+ -GaAs layer formed on the p-(Al,Ga)As window layer; and (e) a second semiconductor cell comprising (1) a (Ga,In)P p-n junction formed from an n-(Ga,In)P layer and a p-(Ga,In)P layer, the n(Ga,In)P layer formed on the n.sup.

Abstract: A less expensive apparatus and associated method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of body tissues are disclosed. A physician uses an ultrasonic detector in combination with a weak magnetic field and pulsed, low frequency R.F. generator. The patient lies partially within the field of a magnet and receives low frequency radio pulses. As is shown below, ultrasonic waves are produced within the patient's body by the ordinary occurrence of nuclear magnetic resonance. For this reason, ultrasonic acoustic detection replaces the usual radio detection of the magnetic resonance induced spin echoes. The physician manipulates a hand-held ultrasonic detector with real time image feedback in much the same way that an ultrasonic transducer is used to provide the usual ultrasonic images. In the present case, however, no ultrasonic waves are emitted by the transducer; instead, the waves emitted by the "slice" selected by the radio frequency resonance with tissue protons are the source of the ultrasonic image produced.

Abstract: Improved system for destaging data from a nonvolatile memory. The system is operative after a failure of an associated first cache memory for which the nonvolatile memory stores backup data. The invention is adapted to scan the nonvolatile memory to identify control data stored therein. Next a directory structure is built from control information in the nonvolatile memory which is used to provide rapid access to data stored therein. In a particular implementation, the directory structure is stored as a plurality of pointers in data storage space allocated in a second cache. Data may then be destaged from the nonvolatile memory in a more efficient manner by which records from a particular track are grouped together.

Abstract: Apparatus for the interference and manipulation of vortex formation and control of fluid flow to reduce noise and increase flow stability is provided. A specific embodiment is directed to a flexible jet noise suppressor for aircraft, particularly supersonic transport. The jet noise suppressor comprises at least one flexible filament having a length that is about 3 to 10 nozzle diameters. The filament(s) trail behind the nozzle and may be let out for take-off and climb and reeled in while the aircraft is in flight or on the ground. Surprisingly, the use of a single flexible filament eliminates the well-known "screech noise" at about 3,000 Hz and reduces the screech noise by about 50 dB while further reducing the broad band noise up to 15 dB over the entire sound spectrum.

Abstract: A gate array architecture is disclosed that utilizes significantly less silicon area than the prior art. The core cell includes a four transistor arrangement in which a substrate tap is located adjacent to the transistor pair. This provides for a more "symmetric" cell array than those in the prior art. Through the placement of the taps outside of the transistors the power line connections can be routed in a simple and efficient manner. In addition the gate array architecture mirrors pairs of transistor columns to allow for the sharing of substrate taps between pairs of columns. This mirroring feature further reduces routing complexity.

Abstract: An etch stop layer (22) for permitting distinguishing between two similar layers (20, 24), such as two oxide layers, during etching is provided. The etch stop layer comprises a silicon-oxyhalide polymer, preferably a silicon-oxyfluoride polymer. Use of the polymer as an etch stop layer permits closer placement of metal conductor surfaces (12, 12') and contacts (14').

Abstract: A counter for attribute stored in an Ethernet system is partitioned such that the storage section is separated from the incrementors section. In so doing, counters are implemented in a significantly less space than if the counters were implemented as individual counters. The counter utilizes random access memory as the storage section and a 32 bit incrementor. As the incrementor section along with a pair of latches to implement the counter.

Abstract: A system for assisting the scanning of a keyboard associated with a personal computer. The system comprises a logic circuit which interacts with the microcontroller and the keyboard to reduce power consumption by the personal computer as well as freeing the microcontroller to do other tasks. The logic circuit "interrupts" the microcontroller whenever keyboard activity is detected. An image RAM stores a pattern of current key closures to be compared in subsequent keyboard scans. A subsequent miscompare between the keyboard and the Image RAM indicates that keyboard activity has occurred. When no keys are pressed, scanning may be stopped. Any key closure will then generate an interrupt, and the microcontroller will restart scanning.

Abstract: A gate array architecture is disclosed that utilizes significantly less silicon area than the prior art. The core cell includes a four transistor arrangement in which a substrate tap is located adjacent to the transistor pair. This provides for a more "symmetric" cell array than those in the prior art. Through the placement of the taps outside of the transistors the power line connections can be routed in a simple and efficient manner. The architecture includes an extension portion in the contact region of the cell to further reduce wiring complexity. In addition the gate array architecture mirrors pairs of transistor columns to allow for the sharing of substrate taps between pairs of columns. This mirroring feature further reduces routing complexity.

Abstract: A thermally stable solenoid including a heater coil and an inductive coil wound around the same axis. The current in the heater coil is controlled by the current in the inductive coil through a control circuit. The heater coil is energized in such a way as to ensure that the heat generated by both coils is constant throughout the required range of operation.