Abstract: A high dielectric constant film comprised of at least a first dual-film layer, which includes a first tantalum oxide film, and a first metal oxide film which is made of a metal oxide whose valence is smaller than that of tantalum, and whose dielectric constant is equal to or greater than that of tantalum oxide. The first metal oxide film preferably has a thickness of less than approximately 50 angstroms, in order to thereby avoid the formation of a columnar structure, which has been identified as a principal cause of the high leakage current problem which has plagued presently available high dielectric constant capacitors. The first tantalum oxide film preferably has a thickness in the range of between approximately 5 angstroms to approximately 200 angstroms, with the ratio of the thickness of the first tantalum oxide film to the thickness of the first metal oxide film being in the range of 1:10 to 100:1.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a display panel, e.g., of the type used in active matrix liquid crystal display devices, includes the steps of forming a transparent, electrically conductive layer, e.g., an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer on an electrically insulating substrate, e.g., a glass substrate; forming an anodizable metal layer, e.g., an aluminjum (Al) layer, on the ITO layer; performing a first anodization step to thereby form an oxidized insulating layer, e.g., an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer, on the Al layer; forming a patterned mask on the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer to provide coverage only over selected regions of the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer; and, performing a second anodization step to anodize all portions of the Al layer except portions thereof disposed beneath the selected regions, which portions remain intact to serve as the gate electrodes/wiring structure of the display panel.

Abstract: A common mode rejection coupler in a power switching system having a variable common mode voltage includes a first optical isolator circuit for receiving an input signal and generating in response thereto a first signal which is normally isolated with respect to the common mode voltage. A second optical isolator circuit receives the complement of the input signal and generates a second signal which is also normally isolated with respect to the common mode voltage. The first and second signals are the complement of one another. A comparator receives the first and second signals and generates an output signal which changes state only when the first and second signals complement states. Feedback control circuitry for the comparator is provided for limiting transient changes in one of the first and second signals to prevent the comparator from changing output states when a transient change occurs in one of the first and second signals resulting from a change in the common mode voltage.

Abstract: A common mode rejection coupler having a pair of optical isolator circuits for receiving input signals which are the complement of one another. The optical isolator circuits generate output signals which are the complement of one another and which are normally isolated from a common mode voltage existing between the input and output of the isolators. The complementary outputs of the optical isolator circuits are shaped and one output is inverted so that both signals are in-phase with one another. The signals are coupled to a voltage divider circuit the output of which is coupled to a Schmitt Trigger. The output of the Schmitt Trigger is in a first state when both signals are high and in a second state when both signals are low. Should a spurious voltage spike be generated at the output of one of the isolator circuits due to a changing common mode voltage, the resulting input signal to the Schmitt Trigger will not change a sufficient amount to cause a change in state of the output of the Schmitt Trigger.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating machines having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating cycle clock pulses in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the cycle clock pulses provide an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A COM/MOS running storage means stores the relative times during each cycle of machine operation when each of the plurality of machine components are to be enabled and/or inhibited. When the time elapsed in a cycle corresponds to a component actuating time stored in the running storage, an actuating signal is generated by a comparator. This signal is coupled to a machine component addressing arrangement which provides a component enable or inhibit command signal to the addressed component whose actuating time compared to the cycle time lapsed.