Abstract: Interrupted-Fan-Beam imaging is a method of producing back-scatter x-ray images from conventional line scan systems, such as those used for luggage and cargo inspection. Since back-scatter and transmission images are formed from different physical principles, the use of both images provides a more thorough security inspection. A mathematical relation relates the signal-to-noise ratio to the spatial resolution in an Interrupted-Fan-Beam image. When used in conjunction with typical operating values of x-ray systems, such as flux level and number of pixels, this relation provides the performance level of the Interrupted-Fan-Beam technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of assigning fingers in a rake receiver for incorporation in a receiver of a CDMA communications system is disclosed herein. The method includes measuring the multipath profile of a received spread-spectrum radio-frequency (RF) signal to obtain a sequence of measurements, identifying the best candidate path of the RF signal to demodulate by determining which measurement within the sequence has the highest signal strength, deriving a timing offset for the best candidate path as a function of the measurement for the best candidate path and its adjacent measurements, and assigning a finger processing element to the best candidate path using the derived timing offset. The measurements are taken using a searcher having a predetermined timing resolution (e.g., ½ chip), and the resolution of the timing offset is higher (e.g., ⅛ chip). The best candidate path to demodulate is identified using the measurement having the highest amplitude or correlation function.

Abstract: A process for filling containers simultaneously with their sterilization, including also the evacuation of the aeriform content of the containers that is exhausted directly to the outside without flowing back in the general tank containing the filling process fluids.

Abstract: A foldable exercise bench is pivotally mounted on a stationary frame; for movement between a retracted, generally upright storage position and at least one deployed position for supporting a person during exercise. A support foot located adjacent one end of the bench is pivotally mounted for rotation between a first, storage position extending generally alongside the bench when the bench is in the upright, storage position, and a second, support position in which the support foot extends forwardly at an angle to the bench and engages the floor to support the bench in the deployed position. A pivotal linkage between the support foot and frame automatically pivots the support foot from the second position to the first, storage position when the bench is moved into the upright, storage position.

Abstract: A package for a microelectronic device, and a method for making the package, include a thermally conductive base containing a metal composite including a high conductivity metal and a ferrous alloy, the base having a surface with an iron oxide deposit disposed thereon. An insulating substrate is disposed on the surface of the base, the substrate having an aperture formed therein for exposing a portion of the surface of the base for mounting the device on the base. A conductive lead has a portion thereof embedded within the insulating substrate and is adapted to be electrically connected to the device. The insulating substrate is bonded to the iron oxide deposit disposed on the surface of the base, such as by heating.

Abstract: A nestable lumber cart has a wheeled base having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides, the sides of the base tapering outwardly from the front end to the rear end of the cart, an outer side wall extending along at least part of the length of each side from the rear end of the base, and a pair of spaced inner side walls extending along at least part of the base from the rear end of the cart and spaced inwardly from the respective outer side wall. The inner side walls define a central channel for supporting flat panels in an upright orientation, and each inner side wall and adjacent outer side wall defines a side channel on a respective side of the central channel for supporting beams. Each side wall has an outward taper matching that of the base sides from the front to the rear end of the cart. The base of the cart is designed to permit nesting so that the front end of one cart can nest into the rear end of another cart.

Abstract: A natural stone edging tile having a top portion and a generally perpendicular facing portion can be mounted on the forward edge of a countertop substrate and has a portion extending rearward of the forward edge that is approximately half as thick as the forward edge and the same thickness as conventional stone tiles that can be mounted rearward of the edging tile. The conventional tiles have a thickness that is approximately half as thick as a typical stone slab countertop, but to a person viewing the countertop, the entire appears to have the substantial thickness of a typical slab countertop because the forward edge of the edging tile has such a thickness.

Abstract: A controller module is releasably received in a cradle portion of a transceiver assembly to form a portable smart card communication device. The transceiver assembly includes a transceiver and a connector to electrically connect the controller module to the transceiver. The controller module establishes a communication link between itself and a smart card by sending and receiving signals and data through the connector. Information is read from the smart card and forwarded to the controller module. Information is transmitted through the transceiver assembly and stored on the smart card. The controller module can easily be removed and used with other transceiver assemblies.

Abstract: A method for applying a porous coating incorporating a tricomponent powder mixture deposited on a hard substrate (i.e. metallic or ceramic) by plasma spraying. The coating has high adhesion strength to the substrate, with outstanding thermo-mechanical characteristics and with good resistane to thermal or mechanical action. The mixure includes aluminum oxide and/or titanium oxide powder and glass powder as the coating's microstructure forming materials; aluminum and/or titanium power metal binder and aluminum hyroxide and/or titanium hydroxide powder as a material assuring the formation of coating's microstructure. Plasma spraying includes passing the powder through the plasma beam, simultaneously melting of the metal oxide, partially alloying components into separate plasma beam zones—the hydroxide to the colder zone, and the metal to the hotter zone. The aluminum particles reach the substrate first and develop the adhesion of the sprayed layer to the substrate.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering organic and inorganic matter from waste material wherein the waste material is sterilized and solid organic matter becomes soft when subjected to heat and pressure. The process may be carried out by first, feeding the waste material into a perforated container (10) mounted within a closed chamber (14). Next, the waste material is agitated and subjected to heat and pressure which sterilizes it and softens the organic matter contained therein. After heating under pressure, the pressure may be suddenly released from the chamber (10) which forces the softened organic matter outwardly through the perforations (12) of the container, thus separating the organic matter from the solid inorganic matter.

Abstract: A differentiated beaded chain is provided as an aid for rotating blind slats in a desired rotational direction. The differentiation is realized utilizing beads of differing sizes or textures along a first and second length of the beaded chain. An operator consistently achieves a desired rotational response by pulling one of the first and second lengths. The differentiated beads are identifiable by either touch or sight. Similarly, a differentiated cord is provided for opening and closing blinds or curtains along a vertical or horizontal plane. The cord consists mainly of a first texture and utilizes a second texture along a portion of a length of the cord to provide an operator with a means for identifying an expected result of tugging on either of the first or second textured lengths.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine includes a two-phase rotor having two non-rotating solenoid-wound rotor coil assemblies and two interleaved pole assemblies. Each pole assembly is magnetically coupled to its respective coil assembly and rotates together with the machine shaft. Each pole assembly has four or more elongated pole pieces, two of which couple with one pole of a coil assembly and two of which couple with the other pole of that coil assembly. An exciter circuit independently controls the power variables provided to the rotor with respect to the stator to provide a variable-speed, variable-frequency (VSVF) motor system or VSVF generator system. The exciter energizes the solenoid-wound rotor coils with biphase AC electrical excitation, to produce a radial, rotating magnetic field at the pole pieces.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for casting structures using form-work is disclosed applicable but no limited to on-site casting concrete construction panels for subsequent erection. Set back from form-work location are set-back buttresses (11) fixed to the work site surface. The set-back buttresses (11) support sliding risers (25-29) which can be secured in place relative to the set-back buttresses (11) and released and moved to and from the form-work location. The sliding risers (25-29) support form-work at the form-work location. A plurality of sliding risers (25-29) can be supported by the set-back buttresses (11) one above the other. In this way side-forms can be supported for structures of complex vertical profiles; for example, convex or concave walls, steps and stacks of construction panels may be moulded. Also disclosed are reusable side-forms which are supported by the sliding risers (25-29) and can be used as form work for construction panels.

Abstract: A flat, rectangular lid member is designed to releasably close the open upper end of a burial vault. The lid member has an upper face, a lower face, opposite first and second ends, and opposite sides. A headstone holder formed integrally with or separate from the lid member projects upwardly from the upper face of the first end of the lid member. The headstone holder has an upright, rectangular cavity with an open upper end for receiving the lower end of a headstone to support the headstone in an upright position.

Abstract: The location of a mobile unit is determined by evaluating the instantaneous distances between an apparatus traveling above the surface of the earth and the mobile unit. The instantaneous distances are determined by measuring the travel time of a plurality of signals and calculating the distance based on the speed of the signal. One of two possible location regions is identified as the region including the location of the mobile unit by observing the motion of the mobile unit resulting from the rotation of the Earth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating computer network transactions are disclosed herein. The computer network connects a host node and at least one user node. The host node has access to a database including records having predetermined contents, each record associated with a unique identification indicia. Each user node includes a display for displaying an icon and an input device for selecting the icon. The icon is typically an advertising banner having graphics related to an advertised product or service. The icon has embedded therein the network address of the host node, and the indicia for a record associated with the advertised product or service. The icon displayed on one user node is selected by actuating the respective input device (e.g., a mouse). The host network address embedded in the selected icon is used to contact the host node. Then, the record associated with the selected icon is retrieved by searching the database using the indicia embedded in the selected icon as a pointer.