Abstract: A prosthetic implant for forming a support structure between adjoining vertebrae in a spinal column. The prosthetic implant includes a generally spherical or ellipsoidal body that at least partially engages a surface of adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A programmable routing module is disclosed for interconnecting field wiring with a control system. The routing module includes a field connection to connect field signals from a controlled process to the routing module, an I/O connection to connect I/O signals from the control system to the routing module, and a configurable interconnection system that selectively couples particular field and I/O signals with one another.

Abstract: A method for taking a handover decision in a cellular communications system, wherein a communications network detects a need for initiating a handover for at least one mobile device from a source cell to a selected target cell, and further calculates a virtual traffic load indicator for the source cell after a virtual handover execution of the mobile device from said source cell to said target cell, calculates a virtual traffic load indicator for the target cell after a virtual handover execution of the mobile device from said source cell to said target cell, compares the calculated virtual traffic load indicators, and takes a decision to execute or not to execute said handover according to said comparison.

Abstract: A polycarbonate generated from the polymerization of a protected hydroxylated bisphenolic compound, a bisphenol, a monophenolic endcapping agent, a bisphenol haloformate, and a curing compound, and thereafter subjecting the obtained polymer to a reaction with an acidic compound. A hydroxylated charge transport compound may also be included in the polycarbonate.

Abstract: A red-eye detection method includes receiving digital image data that defines an image. The digital image data are processed to identify all regions of the image that include a specular reflection. Image regions deemed to include a specular reflection are processed further, according to conventional techniques, to determine the presence or absence of red-eye. Specular reflections are identified according to luminace-chrominance characteristics, geometric (e.g., size/shape) characteristics, and/or luminance gradient characteristics.

Abstract: A ligament loading device (50) is used in conjunction with an MRI apparatus to image damaged ligaments in the knee. The leg of a patient is strapped into a thigh harness (70) and a lower leg harness (74) with the knee lying over a point (72) in the imaging region of the imager. The thigh harness (70) is fixed, but the lower leg harness (74) rotates about a central pivot point (72) to select an angle for the leg. Pressure devices (84a, 84b) such as sacs or bellows apply pressure to the thigh in one direction transverse to the thigh. Pressure devices (100a, 100b) apply pressure to the lower leg in an opposing direction transverse to the lower leg in order to move the bones of the knee apart to facilitate imaging of the ligaments. It is also possible to inspect and measure the movement of the bones using the device in conjunction with an MRI apparatus. A switch (108) selects between two pressure applying modes, both of which move the bones of the knee apart, but in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for singulating and delivering wire leads as part of an electrode welding process in lamp production. Leads in bulk form are transported by a feeder. The leads are dropped from the feeder and passively caught in a desired orientation within a rotational turret. The turret delivers the leads to an exit point. The leads are processed at the exit point by pick-and-place equipment.

Abstract: A shock tube connector system comprises a substantially cylindrical detonator having a longitudinal axis a block body receiving the detonator therein, and an end cap. The detonator includes an axisymmetric exterior shell including a cylindrical main section, a cylindrical explosive end portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the main section, and a transition portion connecting the main section and the explosive end portion of the shell. An explosive charge is contained within the explosive end portion of the shell and is distributed along the longitudinal length of the explosive end portion. The explosive charge preferable comprises two portions of lead azide or a first charge portion of lead azide and PETN and a second charge portion of PETN. An initiating shock tube is operatively connected to the explosive charge via a delay element. The block body includes a housing within which the main section of the detonator is received.

Abstract: An input command controller (A) provides logic function selection signals and proportional signals. The signals are generated by movement of a ball member (12) and socket member (14) relative to two orthogonal axes. When the joystick is implanted, a transmitter (50) transmits the signals to a patient carried unit (B). The patient carried unit includes an amplitude modulation algorithm such as a look-up table (124), a pulse width modulation algorithm (132), and an interpulse interval modulation algorithm (128). The algorithms derive corresponding stimulus pulse train parameters from the proportional signal which parameters are transmitted to an implanted unit (D). The implanted unit has a power supply (302) that is powered by the carrier frequency of the transmitted signal and stimulation pulse train parameter decoders (314, 316, 318). An output unit (320) assembles pulse trains with the decoded parameters for application to implanted electrodes (E).

Abstract: An image display apparatus capable of adjusting a display picture by an input unit through a computer body is disclosed. When the user inputs a control instruction for adjusting the display picture of the display unit by the input unit connected to the computer body, a control signal addition circuit prepares a control signal Sc corresponding to the control instruction and adds the control signal to a video signal R, G or B or a synchronizing signal Hs or Vs produced by a display control circuit during a vertical retrace period. A control signal separation circuit separates the added control signal Sc from the video signal R, G or B or the synchronizing signal Hs or Vs produced by the control signal addition circuit. A display control circuit produces adjustment signals Sa and Sb on the basis of the control signal from the control signal separation circuit to adjust a video circuit and a deflection circuit.

Abstract: In a sound multiplex broadcast system employing sound multiple signals having a plurality of sound multiplex modes and a display control method therefor, there are detected kinds of sound multiplex mode of sound multiple signals received by the receiver, a sound multiplex mode is set, a demodulated sound output signal of a mode determined according to the mode detection signals and the mode setting signal is selected from demodulated sound output signals attained by demodulating the received sound multiple signals so as to be supplied to a sound output unit, and a kind of sound multiplex mode of the demodulated sound output signal thus selected is displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connecting structure for electrically connecting an electronic part such as an LSI chip to a substrate, its production method and an electronic device using the former. The present invention is particularly useful for connecting electrically a plurality of chips, for which an absorption function of the difference of thermal expansion in a horizontal direction and capability of displacement in a vertical direction are requisite, to a substrate. Moreover, the connecting structure of the present invention can simplify the fabrication process, has high reliability and can be applied to high performance electronic appliances and apparatuses such as electronic computers.

Abstract: In a gravity rollerway conveyor having a plurality of resilient tired rollers with low frction bearings, the resilient tires are selected for various properties desired for the overall conveyor and are permanently preassembled on metallic cylindrical tubes for stockpiling, so that thereafter they may be selected for a particular job and mechanically force fit or cemented onto the outer race of a standard roller subassembly that has the bearing. In this manner, the secure assembly of the tire can be accomplished without contaminating or deteriorating the bearing or other parts of the roller subassembly.

Abstract: A system for increasing frequency of a laser beam utilizes focused Cherenkov radiation. The system utilizes reflective/refractive properties of contiguous optics to achieve increased frequency, which provides a mechanism for alloy for increased density in such applications as optical disk technology.

Abstract: A slurry pump (40) pumps a slurry of vulcanized rubber pellets and water from a slurry mixing region (30) to a mill (B). The slurry passes through a comminuting zone (80) defined between an abrasive stator (66) and an abrasive rotor (76). As the slurry is comminuted in the comminuting zone, heat is generated, which heat is absorbed by at least the water. The comminuted rubber particles and water pass from the mill to a separator (C) which separates the rubber particles from the heated water. The heated water is conveyed to a hot water reservoir (24) from which it is recirculated to the slurry mixing region. Additional pellets from a pellet supply (10) are fed to the mixing region to be mixed with the recirculated heated water. In this manner, the slurry is preheated above room temperature prior to comminution. It has been found that increasing the water temperature to about 130.degree. F. rather than using city water of about 55.degree. F., increases the production rate of the mill by about 20 to 25 percent.