Abstract: An apparatus and method including a capsular shield for use in cataract surgery for protection of a posterior lens capsule during removal of a capsule nucleus. The shield includes a flexible, deformable soft shield having an outer configuration of a size and shape to fit within the lens capsule at a position between the nucleus and the posterior capsule to protect the posterior capsule during removal of the capsule nucleus.

Abstract: A pet housing expansible to hold a pet and collapsible to suitcase size for manual transport includes a pair of platforms and first and second pairs of spaced walls. The walls in the first pair (e.g. front and rear walls) are pivotably attached at opposite ends to the platforms and are hinged at intermediate positions for collapse and expansion. The walls in the second pair (e.g. side walls) are pivotable toward an individual one of the platforms with the platform as a fulcrum to collapse the housing and toward the other platform to expand the housing. In the collapsed housing disposition, detents on opposite sides of the hinge on the first pair of walls releasably engage to maintain the housing collapsed. A manually grippable handle on one of the platforms provides for a transport of the collapsed housing. With the walls in the first pair expanded, detents on the walls in the first and second pairs of housings releasably engage to maintain the expanded housing enclosure.

Abstract: In a barricade warning light, a first casing formed from two (2) mated halves provides a detachable enclosure, inaccessible (except by a special key) before detachment of a second casing holding batteries replaceable with the casings detached. A mounting rod assembly extends from the first casing for attachment to a barricade. An electronic module holds a photocell, an LED and circuitry energizing the LED when the photocell detects darkness. The first casing has a (a) first opening for coupling the key to a switch controlling the warning light operation, (b) second opening for key insertion to couple (decouple) the first casing to (from) the mounting rod assembly and (c) third opening for key insertion to couple (decouple) the casings. With the casings decoupled, (a) the electronic module may be assembled (disassembled) to (from) the first casing and (b) a base plate is attachable (separable) to (from) the bottom of the first casing.

Abstract: A peripheral portion in a hub is hollow, flat and defined by a pair of spaced and parallel surfaces. An annular periphery in this portion holds a tape in a wound configuration. An additional portion integral with the inner periphery of the peripheral portion has undulations each disposed radially. The undulations extend progressively in an annular direction. Preferably the undulations are in the form of corrugations each having oppositely disposed segments. Preferably each corrugation segment has the same angle as the other segment in such corrugation, this angle preferably being approximately 47.degree. C. Preferably the additional portion has first and second surfaces shaped to define the corrugations. Preferably the first surface of the additional portion is alternately substantially flush with one flat surface of the peripheral portion and then is spaced outwardly in a first axial direction from the other flat surface of the peripheral portion.

Abstract: Binary bits of least binary significance are converted to a corresponding analog output. Binary bits of increased binary significance are converted to a first plurality of thermometer outputs. A plurality of switching assemblies, each preferably recursive and preferably formed from a plurality of switches (e.g. transistors), process individual pairs of successive ones of such thermometer outputs. Each stage respectively produces first or second outputs or the analog output for first, second and third relationships between the thermometer outputs in such pair. The analog output has a variable value between the first and second outputs depending upon the value of the least significant binary bits. When the binary value is represented only by the binary bits of least and increased binary significance, the first, second and analog outputs are combined to produce an analog output representative of such binary bits.

Abstract: A direct broadcast satellite sends subscribers signals received from an earth-station transmitter and typically having a 10 MHz bandwidth, 6 MHz for an analog video station and 4 MHz for up to 24 digital audio stations. When a subscriber selects one of the audio stations, an FM demodulator recovers the 10 MHz signal; a variable gain amplifier amplifies the received signal; and an A/D converter digitizes the amplified signal at (e.g.) 24.576 MHz. A digital synthesizer produces trigonometric functions (sine, cosine) at (e.g.) 24.576 MHz, and mixers downconvert the signals to baseband. The sampling frequency is then reduced to 256 KHz, twice the digital audio signal baud rate. In response to the 256 KHz signals, a first servo varies a VCO frequency to obtain a regulation by the A/D converter of the digitizing frequency at 24.576 MHz and another servo regulates the frequency of the trigonometric functions.

Abstract: Words of different types of digital information, including standard interframe video (SIF), graphics, television and audio are transferred preferably in packets between a controller, storage memory and shift registers (e.g. FIFO's) individually associated with the different information types. For a VRAM memory, information is transferred in parallel, controlled by tag bus information, from the controller to the memory and then serially to the FIFO's, all at a frequency higher than a clock frequency in a monitor raster scan. The tag bus information is decoded and introduced to an additional FIFO. A state machine processes such additional FIFO information and transfers the digital information to the different FIFO's at times controlled in each line by such additional FIFO--e.g. particular times in each line for the SIF and graphics and, thereafter, for television and audio, at times unrelated to any times in such line.

Abstract: Successive pixels representing video data in successive lines in a raster scan are buffered. Each of the lines has a sync pulse defining the line beginning. A phase adjustment is determined between the sync pulse, preferably at a particular level in the sync pulse, and an adjacent one of system adjacent clock signals at a particular frequency. The actual or expected phase adjustment between the pixels at the end of each line is also determined. The difference between the phase adjustments at the beginning and end of each line is then determined. Progressive adjustments are made in the phase of each successive pixel in the line relative to the system clock signals in accordance with the number of system clock signals in the line and the determined difference in the phase adjustment between the line beginning and end. In this way, the pixels of video data are synchronized with the system clock signals.

Abstract: A source wire is in the path of a neutral particle beam formed from positively and negatively charged particles (ions) and neutral particles (atoms). The source wire strips electrons from the negatively charged particles to neutralize these particles and strips electrons from the neutral particles to create positively charged particles. A magnetic field is perpendicular to the path of the particle movement. A detector wire downstream from the source wire detects the total particle flux. A magnetic field is perpendicular to the path of the particle movement. A variation, preferably cyclical, may be provided in at least one of (a) the characteristics of the magnetic field and (b) the positioning of the detector wire relative to the source wire in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field and the particle movement.

Abstract: A plurality of binary signals each having first and second logic levels respectively representing a binary "1" and a binary "0" and each indicating a binary digit of an individual binary significance cumulatively represent an adjustable delay to be provided by a plurality of delay elements. A first particular number of the binary signals of greatest binary significance are decoded to provide, in a thermometer code, a plurality of signals each having first and second amplitudes. The signals in the thermometer code control the operation of individual switches each having first and second operative relationships to provide respectively for a maximum delay or a minimum delay in an associated one of the delay elements. The binary signals of least binary significance are decoded to produce an analog signal variable between the first and second amplitudes.

Abstract: Analog signals representing individual digital values (.+-.1, .+-.3) pass through a telephone line to a receiver. These signals may be first provided in a pseudo random sequence. A linear echo canceller and a first adder eliminate, to an extent, echo signals resulting from second analog signals transmitted on the same telephone line by the receiver. A non-linear echo canceller and a second adder further reduce the echo signals and specifically reduce non-linear components in the echo signals. Adjustable signal delays achieve optimal performance of the linear and non-linear echo cancellers. An equalizer containing four (4) different modules then compensates for signal distortions introduced by the telephone line and minimizes the effect of noise in the telephone line. The equalizer modules are a digital gain control element, a feed forward digital filter and two (2) feedback digital filters. A detector module produces in one of several different ways at the receiver an estimate of the digital data (.+-.1, .+-.

Abstract: A bridging member extending across a cavity in a semiconductor substrate (e.g. signal crystal silicon) has successive layers--a masking layer, an electrically conductive layer (e.g. polysilicon) and an insulating layer (e.g. SiO.sub.2). A first electrical contact (e.g. gold coated with ruthenium) extends on the insulating layer in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the bridging member across the cavity. A pair of bumps (e.g. gold) are on the insulating layer each between the contact and one of the cavity ends. Initially the bridging member and then the contact and the bumps are formed on the substrate and then the cavity is etched in the substrate through holes in the bridging member. A pair of second electrical contacts (e.g. gold coated with ruthenium) are on the surface of an insulating substrate (e.g. pyrex glass) adjacent the semiconductor substrate. The two substrates are bonded after the contacts are cleaned.

Abstract: A pancake-configured housing holds first and second printed circuit boards. The first board includes electronic circuitry providing an adjustable timing delay and a first switch manually operated from a position external to the housing. The second board includes a pyrotechnic device and electronic circuitry for firing the device after the adjustable time delay. The second board also includes second switches with arms actuatable to convert such switches from first to second operative states. In the first state, the second switches short circuit the device and an energy storage member (e.g. a capacitor) on the second board and provide an open circuit to the circuitry on the first board. In the second state, the second switches provide a charging of the capacitor, the initiation of the timing through the circuitry in the first board with the first switch closed and the device firing by the capacitor energy after the adjustable delay.

Abstract: A bridging member extending across a cavity in a semiconductor substrate (e.g. single crystal silicon) has successive layers--a masking layer, an electrically conductive layer (e.g. polysilicon) and an insulating layer (e.g. SiO.sub.2). A first electrical contact (e.g. gold coated with ruthenium) extends on the insulating layer in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the bridging member across the cavity. A pair of bumps (e.g. gold) are on the insulating layer each between the contact and one of the cavity ends. Initially the bridging member and then the contact and the bumps are formed on the substrate and then the cavity is etched in the substrate through holes in the bridging member. A pair of second electrical contacts (e.g. gold coated with ruthenium) are on the surface of an insulating substrate (e.g. pyrex glass) adjacent the semiconductor substrate. The two substrates are bonded after the contacts are cleaned.

Abstract: An electron beam is generated in a packetized form defined by pulses having a duty cycle of less than 1:1000. Each pulse may have a width of approximately one microsecond (1 .mu.sec.) and may be separated by approximately one (1) second from the next pulse. The electrical beam may be accelerated, preferably linearly. The electrical beam may be modulated at a particular frequency (e.g. 3 gigahertz) by bunching the electrons during the beam acceleration. The electrons may be converted to photons (e.g. X-rays) by directing the electron beam to a target made from a suitable material (e.g. tungsten). The photons are then interacted with the electrical circuitry to produce photoelectrons. The photoelectrons impair the operation of the electronic circuitry by generating an electrical current in the electrical circuitry, generating capacitive charges in the circuitry and generating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the circuitry.

Abstract: Four (4) unshielded twisted pairs of wires connect a hub and a computer in an Ethernet system: one (1) pair for transmission only, another for reception only and the other two (2) for transmission and reception. The signals in the wires are in packets each having timing signals defining a preamble and thereafter having digital signals representing information as by individual ones of three (3) amplitude levels. The signals received at the computer are provided with an automatic gain control (AGC) and then with digital conversions at a particular rate. A control loop operative upon the digital conversions regulates the AGC gain at a particular value. An equalizer operative only during the occurrence of the digital signals in each packet selects an individual one of the three (3) amplitude levels closest to the amplitude of each digital conversion at the time assumed to constitute the conversion peak.

Abstract: A thermoplastic thermoformable composite material for shaping and stretching into a desired form without voids and holes, including a core formed by at least one layer of chopped fibers enveloped and impregnated by thermoplastic material to form a fabric layer. Layers of thermoplastic material respectively positioned on opposite sides of the fabric layer core, and the layers of thermoplastic material provided with a sufficient thickness to flow into and heal any voids or holes formed in the core as the composite material is shaped and stretched into a desired form.

Abstract: An inverter receives an energizing voltage with a particular magnitude (e.g. 1.5 V) at a first terminal and produces the voltage at a second terminal. The received and produced voltages are differentially introduced to a stage which produces a single-ended bias voltage (e.g. 3 V) related to the second terminal voltage. The bias voltage is servoed to regulate the second terminal voltage (e.g. 1.5 V) and the bias voltage (e.g. 3 V) regardless of energizing voltage variations. In response to the bias voltage and a variable input voltage, a pass transistor in a buffer produces a first control voltage different from the bias voltage by the pass transistor threshold voltage for input voltages greater than the bias voltage less the pass transistor threshold. The first control voltage corresponds to the input voltage for input voltages less than the bias voltage less the pass transistor threshold.