Abstract: An automatic rear combination lamp removal system includes a base, a plurality of sliding blocks slidably mounted on the base for moving in four ways on the base, a plurality of fastener removers mounted on the sliding blocks for removing nuts fixing rear combination lamps to a vehicle, and a plurality of lamp holders pivotally mounted to the fastener removers for holding the rear combination lamps.

Abstract: A semiconductor radiation detector is provided to detect x-ray and light photons. The entrance electrode is segmented by using variable doping concentrations. Further, the entrance electrode is physically segmented by inserting n+ regions between p+ regions. The p+ regions and the n+ regions are individually biased. The detector elements can be used in an array, and the p+ regions and the n+ regions can be biased by applying potential at a single point. The back side of the semiconductor radiation detector has an n+ anode for collecting created charges and a number of p+ cathodes. Biased n+ inserts can be placed between the p+ cathodes, and an internal resistor divider can be used to bias the n+ inserts as well as the p+ cathodes. A polysilicon spiral guard can be implemented surrounding the active area of the entrance electrode or surrounding an array of entrance electrodes.

Abstract: A variable, free form shaped capacitor structure formed by casting tape on a belt casting machine, screen printing the tape with thick film metal ink, pressing and curing the printed tape stack, laminating the printed stack, and cutting a free form nonsymmetrical capacitor outline based on the shape of the item in which the capacitor will be stored. The free form capacitor can be cut using a variety of cutting devices, including, a routing machine, a razor blade, a water jet, or a laser. The outline can comprise any shape, including straight lines, angles, convex or concave geometry. Additionally, the various geometrical shapes can exist simultaneously within the same capacitor structure. Upon achievement of the desired shape, ceramic sintering is performed to form a single monolithic capacitor structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing local control of processing elements in a network of multiple context processing element are provided. A multiple context processing element is configured to store a number of configuration memory contexts. This multiple context processing element maintains data of a current configuration. State information is received from at least one other multiple context processing element. At least one configuration control signal is generated in response to the state information and the data of a current configuration. One of multiple configuration memory contexts is selected in response to the configuration control signal, the selected configuration memory context controlling the multiple context processing element. Each multiple context processing element in the networked array of multiple context processing elements has an assigned physical and virtual identification.

Abstract: A pull-out keyboard tray. The pull-out keyboard tray includes an adjustable keyboard platform, removable storage compartments, and keyboard wiring protrusions. The keyboard is slightly mounted on drawer slides having multiple position detents, and is adapted for mounting under a desk top surface and the like. The keyboard further includes a removable palmrest, as well as slide shrouds for shrouding the drawer slides.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) carbide composites of this invention have a microstructure comprising a plurality of granules formed from PCD, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or mixture thereof, that are distributed within a substantially continuous second matrix region that substantially surrounds the granules and that is formed from a cermet material. In an example embodiment, the granules are polycrystalline diamond and the cermet material is cemented tungsten carbide. PCD carbide composites of this invention display improved properties of fracture toughness and chipping resistance, without substantially compromising wear resistance, when compared to conventional pure PCD materials.

Abstract: An adjustable carrier for connecting a window pane to a window lift of a motor vehicle door, whereby the carrier is assigned to the motor vehicle door via guiding tracks. The carrier includes a base body and a holding body. The base body is guided on the guiding tracks of the window lift, and the window pane is clamped in the holding body. The holding body can horizontally sweep in relation to the base body, and a joint connection is provided between the base body and the holding body. An adjusting element which can be operated by a tool are provided for changing the position of the holding body provided for changing the position of the holding body relative to the base body. This position is directly or indirectly changed by an actuator in such a way that the position of the holding body relative to the base body remains unchanged when loosening or fastening the window pane.

Abstract: A blind fastener with an improved drive nut and assembly process. The blind fastener of the present invention includes a screw, a sleeve, a nut, and a drive nut. The new drive nut of this invention has protruding nibs that mate precisely with a driving recess located in the nut head. The protruding nibs of the new drive nut are not deformable and serve to replace the deformable annular ridge that was used in previous drive nut assemblies. The configuration of the protruding nibs and the recess in the nut head can be of many forms, so long as both parts are capable of being mated. Once the new assembly process for the blind fastener has been completed, the drive nut will have been mated with the nut head to prevent any rotation of the nut during installation of the blind fastener. The assembly process will now include placing the sleeve over the threads of the screw to a position adjacent the screw head.

Abstract: An improved television control system includes a tuner (15), a memory (13), a keyboard (14) and a controller (11). The tuner (15) selects one channel from a multi-channel television signal based upon a channel selection input. The multi-channel television signal carries the signals for a set of received television channels. The memory (13) contains a favorite channel list that includes a list of channel identifiers, each channel identifier corresponding to one of a subset of the set of channels received by the tuner (15). The keyboard (14) includes a favorite channel button (16) and a favorite program button (16) as well as a numeric keypad (30) and channel up/down keys (28).

Abstract: A storage container for storing optical discs, the storage container having a support ring that defines a disc storage area and a plurality of holding members that securely retain a disc in the disc storage area, each holding member having a base connected to the disc storage area and a disc supporting wall having a retaining lip that limits the movement of the disc when the disc is placed in the disc storage area. The holding member being flexible so as to facilitate the insertion and removal of a disc from the disc storage area. In another embodiment of the invention, the storage container further includes a pair of release buttons placed diametrically opposed to one another to facilitate the removal of a disc from the disc container.

Abstract: A local language is pre-stored in permanent memory. Equivalent data is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) to television receivers. Each equivalent data set comprises a unique language identifier and a foreign language translation of, or graphical representative of, the local language pre-stored in permanent memory. The viewer selects the language to be displayed from an on screen menu with a remote controller. The selected equivalent data is retrieved from the VBI and stored in a RAM for future display. When the microprocessor calls up the text of a command for display, the equivalent data is substituted for the local language data so the foreign language version of the command can be displayed in a seamless manner. If no equivalent data is in the RAM, the local language pre-stored in permanent memory is displayed on the television screen in accordance with the normal operation of the microprocessor.

Abstract: The fabrication of unipolar light emitting devices (ULEDs) based on III-nitride semiconductors is disclosed using an effective “p-n junction” between two n-type III-nitride semiconductor superlattices. Such a device works like a usual light emitting diode at forward bias but the radiation arises not due to recombination of electrons and holes but due to electron transitions from a shallow sub-band superlattice into a deep sub-band superlattice.

Abstract: A vacuum fluorescent display includes first and second substrates spaced apart from each other with a predetermined distance. Each substrate has lateral sides in horizontal and vertical directions. A plurality of anode electrodes are arranged on the second substrate in a predetermined pattern. The anode electrodes are coated with phosphors. A plurality of filaments are mounted above the anode electrodes to emit thermal electrons for exciting the phosphors. A plurality of leads are arranged on one of the opposite lateral sides of the second substrate in one of the horizontal and vertical directions to apply voltages to the anode electrodes. Supports are arranged on both of the opposite sides of the second substrate in the direction of arrangement of the leads to support the filaments.

Abstract: A dual action tongue scraper provides either a hard scrape or a soft scrape of the tongue, as desired. A hard scraping surface and a soft scraping surface are formed along at least one of the edges of a strip of flexible material. A user bends the strip of flexible material such that generally only one of the hard scraping surface and the soft scraping surface contacts the user's tongue at a given time during scraping.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for performing in-situ elemental analyses of surfaces. The invention comprises an atmospheric electron x-ray spectrometer with an electron column which generates, accelerates, and focuses electrons in a column which is isolated from ambient pressure by a:thin, electron transparent membrane. After passing through the membrane, the electrons impinge on the sample in atmosphere to generate characteristic x-rays. An x-ray detector, shaping amplifier, and multi-channel analyzer are used for x-ray detection and signal analysis. By comparing the resultant data to known x-ray spectral signatures, the elemental composition of the surface can be determined.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is covered by an inclined glass panel door. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls. Accessories include wire baskets a rotating stir fryer and a generally cylindrical container capable of being affixed to the spit rod to rotate with the spit rod. and a rotating stir fryer. Foods may be cooked on top of the embodiment as well using an included warming tray and an inserted steaming tray with cover. Grease-tight rotisserie/barbecue gloves make food handling easier and safer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites.

Abstract: A motion picture camera and cassette system is provided having at least one motion picture camera and several film cassettes containing an exposed and/or unexposed motion picture film. The film cassettes contain a storage device which stores at least the length of the exposed and/or unexposed motion picture film. The motion picture cameras have a device for exchanging data with the storage device of the film cassettes and sensing the exposed length of motion picture film. Changes in the exposed film length are transmitted by the data exchange device of the film camera to the storage device of the film cassettes.

Abstract: A new plant variety of chrysanthemum producing flowers with white ray florets and orange disc florets.