Abstract: A transducer for a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device comprises a plurality of interdigitized electrode fingers, which change in width along their length. Preferred forms include shapes similar to paired curled brackets { }, paired reversed curled brackets } {, paired rounded brackets ( ) trapezoids, bells, and rhombus <>. Simultaneously, weighting by shape of the interdigitized electrode fingers is determined using of at least one of the following inventive mechanisms: the SAW velocity dispersion effect along the finger's length and the dispersion of the SAW reflection coefficient along the finger's length. Electrode fingers shaped in form of either paired brackets, rhombus, cascaded brackets or cascaded rhombuses are also utilized for SAW beam diffraction control by focussing of the SAW due to the SAW velocity dispersion effect along the fingers' lengths.

Abstract: The gel method of printing variable information of the present invention involves applying inks onto a substrate that is part of or attached to a cylinder of the printing machine. Imaging is by means of an energy source in the UV, visible or infrared regions, modulated to represent a digital image pattern that has been composed on a computer. The consequence of imaging is to gel the ink and increase its adhesion to the substrate of the printing cylinder. The non-gelled background ink with lower adhesion is then removed by a squeegee action and returned to an ink reservoir. The remaining image is transferred to an offset blanket or directly to print stock by pressure. The process does not use a master, but produces an image that is erased after printing with each cylinder rotation so that the next rotation producing the next print can have fresh information written upon it.

Abstract: The multi-purpose modular infra-red ablatable graphic arts tool provided comprises solutions to economy of scale for infrared ablatable Graphics Arts products by a novel modular approach of using common ingredients and by combining functions to produce multipurpose materials with synergistic advantages over the component products from which they have been derived. This is done by combining the properties of a photomask film with those of a printing plate, so that the same material can be used as a film or a plate or can function as both to produce a plate with proofing functions.

Abstract: A method for the generation of volume spatially-resolved holographic data storage within a photosensitive glass sample that incurs changes of optical properties in response to two-photon absorption, the method including directing non-ultraviolet pulsed laser radiation at the photosensitive glass sample to induce changes of optical properties in the glass sample, splitting of the pulsed laser radiation, prior to reaching the glass sample, into an object beam having a direct optical path of a first predetermined length and a reference beam, changing the path of the reference beam to have an indirect optical path of a second pre-determined length, focusing each of the object beam and the reference beam along the respective optical paths, to intersect at a focal volume of the glass sample, and therein to cause the two-photon absorption, providing a variable time delay in the direct path of the object beam so that it reaches the chosen region within the focal volume of glass at the same time as the reference beam,

Abstract: Circuitry and methodology for transferring a representation of a data signal between clock domains. In particular, the disclosure teaches a method for creating representations of signals input from a slow clock domain into a fast clock domain and vice versa. The methods and apparatus use a RAM-free architecture which may be easily incorporated into integrated circuits to enhance efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving interfacial chemical reactions in electroless depositions of metals, in which the substrate to be plated is pre-heated prior to its immersion in the various processing solutions that require elevated temperatures, and especially before immersion in the electroless plating solution. The pre-heating is carried out to a temperature that is needed to bring about the desired chemical reaction at the substrate-solution interface, allowing the bath of that process step to operate significantly below the temperature that would have been needed if the panel had not been pre-heated, and below the solution temperature of current practice. According to another aspect of the present invention, the electroless plating apparatus for plating a workpiece operates in a vertical mode and it comprises a heating station, with the panel to be plated returning to the heating station as dictated by the temperature required for a given process step.

Abstract: An improved method for controlling a servomechanism, applicable to nearly all types of servomechanism control systems. The inventive method improves the performance of servomechanism control systems which utilize a digital feedback sensor by enabling the gain to be varied. The variable gain allowed by the inventive method enables tighter control, and better performance.

Abstract: An item of jewelry or decorative article of attractive and original appearance, formed from spheres of sinterable material using a low pressure sintering process such that the spheres retain their individual shapes. The spheres may have diameters in the range 0.1-2.0 mm and may be solid or hollow. Items may be produced using a combination of materials and sphere sizes and may combine elements produced by sintering and by casting. Items of jewelry produced by this method are lighter and more comfortable to wear than those produced by casting.

Abstract: A method for improving the electrical conductivity and appearance of copper films produced by reduction of copper ions using hypophosphite, comprising exposure of the as-deposited copper film to a solution of dimethylamino borane (DMAB) or equivalents thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating microalgae from water without rupturing cells. The method comprises the steps of flocculation, flotation and dehydration. Microalgae suspension from a reservoir is passed to a mixer unit where flocculation is carried out, using modified starch or other flocculating agents. The suspension is then directed to a flotation column. Dissolved gas in water is transferred to the flotation column through a disperser. A layer of foam containing microalgae is formed on the liquid layer in the column, which can be skimmed off through an overflow outlet. The flotation column is a telescopic column of adjustable height, which enables the position of the overflow outlet to be aligned with the level of the foam layer for efficient foam removal. Foam containing microalgae is then passed to a filtration unit for cloth filtration, followed by drying in a drying chamber.

Abstract: A method for constructing a composite bridge superstructure of simple precast elements. According to the method, the bridge superstucture is comprised of one or more prestressed beams aligned substantially parallel to the bridge longitudinal axis. On top of the prestressed beams, there is placed a plurality of full width, precast deck slabs forming the bridge deck, with the precast deck slabs being transversely disposed side by side, with adjacent slabs attached by joints to complete the bridge deck structure. The deck slabs are spaced from the beams by spacing devices, such that a gap is left between the beams and the deck slabs and the bridge deck structure is prestressed separately from the beams. Subsequent to the prestressing of the deck structure and the beams, the bridge deck structure is connected to the beams by a concrete layer cast in situ in the gap between the bottom face of the precast deck slabs and the top face of the prestressed beams.

Abstract: A multi-functional, modular PEMF biophysical stimulation field generator device and healing system using small coils and a PEMF technique to create a high magnetic flux penetration into hard and soft tissues for treatment of a variety of conditions, including fractures and osteoporosis, to achieve an anticipated shorter healing and rehabilitation time. The orthogonally-arranged coils are sequentially-activated to develop a rotating cylindrical energy field focussed on a target area so as to stimulate bone growth. An activation signal having a combined waveform is used to activate the coils, comprising a high frequency carrier wave, which is amplitude-modulated, by a low frequency treatment wave for optimal penetration of biological tissue. In a preferred embodiment, a pre-form wrap is provided as a cast, brace or splint, containing small magnetizing coils, with the wrap being placed circumferentially around the body part containing the treatment site.

Abstract: A wavelength-selectable laser system (10) is achieved by addressing the suitable mode-locked frequency of a multi-length laser cavity formed by multiple wavelength-selective mirrors (20) such as fiber gratings. This is useful for fiber optic communication and WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) networks where there is incorporated an information encoder/modulator (22) of the light in the sending side and a detector in the receiving side, which are matched to the laser system.

Abstract: An umbilical cord clamp and cutter assembly with an integral cutting blade. A housing is provided which incorporates a blade, and the housing has removably inserted therein a double clamp in which two clamps are connected by at least one connecting strip. Upon closure of the housing, the double clamp is closed and then the blade becomes engaged and severs the connection between the two clamps. Thus, in one simple one-handed motion, two clamps are closed, and only then the umbilical cord is severed and the clamps are separated in a safe, simple and quick fashion. The motion of closure is similar to other traditional clamps on the market, such that it is easily learned by the user. The two-piece construction simplifies the manufacturing, requiring only the insertion of the double clamp into the housing in a simple motion. The blade is positioned so as to leave minimal tissue after the clamp so as to minimize the opportunity for infection.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for providing electrical energy to one or more fluorescent lamps having electrical discharge filaments. The ballast includes a pre-heating circuit having a first resonant frequency, coupled to pre-heat the filaments. An ignition driver circuit having a second resonant frequency is coupled to ignite an electrical discharge through a gas between the filaments. Power controller circuitry provides power to the pre-heating and ignition driver circuits in succession, so as to ignite the one or more lamps. The power controller circuitry first provides power to the pre-heating circuit substantially at the first resonant frequency and subsequently provides power to the ignition driver circuit substantially at the second resonant frequency, by a smooth operating frequency transition from pre-heating to ignition. The ballast also features a voltage-controlled pre-heating circuit, and circuit configuration capable of igniting the lamps even in the case where one or both of the filaments are broken.

Abstract: An integrated ophthalmic illumination method and system having two integrated light sources, a lamp and an infra-red (IR) diode laser. The lamp light source may be used to produce either monochromatic or color images, as necessary, at high resolution. In a preferred embodiment, color images are provided using an RGBT (red-green-blue-transparent) filter wheel. The filter wheel is divided into four sections or arc sections around the periphery of the wheel. Three of the four partitioned sections are larger and equal sections that comprise the three optical R, G and B filter sections. The fourth section is a transparent, or empty, narrow section that is used for transferring the full original content of the white beam when a monochromatic or chromatic image is desired. The RGBT wheel rotates at a speed of one third of the frame rate of a CCD camera, producing a sequence of definite R, G and B spectral light bursts.

Abstract: A method for providing secure transactions with credit cards by adding a fingerprint scanner at the point-of-sale to obtain fingerprint data, so that a credit card company database can verify the fingerprint data against stored fingerprint information and verify the transaction accordingly. The method is integrated into the existing negotiation protocol between a point-of-sale system and a credit card company database, and uses a human fingerprint and a secure algorithm. The credit card company has the customer fingerprint for comparison on its existing database, and the existing credit card operation will be usual, with the fingerprint data added to it to authenticate and secure the operation via the communication media while making a point-of-sale purchase.

Abstract: An eyelid speculum for separation of the eyelids with an automatic system for irrigation and aspiration. In one embodiment, the speculum is provided as a truncated cone-shaped main body with lid retractors extending out of it in the form of a ring, forming an angle appropriate to the curvature of the eye. Hollow rings are provided in the body of the cone with perforated channels for delivering irrigation fluid and for aspiration. Two syringes are provided, each connected by tubing to one of the hollow rings so as to either deliver irrigation or aspirate excess fluid. The irrigation and aspiration rates are controlled by an electronic processor which controls the rates of both activities independently. In another embodiment, the device is further provided with an illumination unit for trans-illumination via the sclera of the interior of the eyeball.

Abstract: A cylinder lock has a plug deployed within a bore in a cylinder housing. The plug defines a keyway which communicates with a number of pin channels. Disposed within the channels are a number of pins which are displaceable along, and rotatable about, their axis. Each pin has an engagement end, proximal to the keyway, formed with at least two engagement features projecting parallel to, but displaced from, the pin's axis, and separated by at least one depression. Each pin is free to rotate through 360° about it axis. The cylinder lock preferably also includes a key for insertion into the keyway. The key has a seat located to come into alignment with a pin, the seat being formed with at least two depressions separated by an intermediate ridge. The configuration of the seat is such that the pin is rotated by contact with the seat to an angularly aligned position in which its engagement features are aligned with the depressions of the seat.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for temporal comparison of skin surface images which is fully automatic and based on robust parameters, using a CCD camera provided with telecentric optics to enabling the capture of images with constant magnification independent of the camera-object distance. The camera is linked to a PC with a frame grabber for storing the image and processing means for calibrating light and for calculating statistics of the image. The illumination source provides a homogeneous illumination of the skin, and the light is calibrated by transforming an acquired image into the model image which would have resulted if illumination of the object were solely by the reference (white) light. Three monochromatic images are produced, one for each of three color channels. The three images are grabbed and processed, and a combination of these three images gives the true color (red, green and blue or RGB) image.