Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and the like for measuring, encoding and displaying of object color for digital imaging, to control the apparent color of an item under different lighting or display conditions. The present invention helps provide accurate color for such items, both on the internet and in other situations, and can, if desired, determine whether a display screen is accurately displaying the color and also correct the image on the screen if it is not accurate. Also, probes suitable for taking accurate measurements of the intrinsic color characteristics, or intrinsic wavelength-dependent response, of an object, and software or databases that provide information for a variety of lighting situations and light sources.

Abstract: A fractional-type phase-locked loop circuit, for synthesizing an output signal multiplying a frequency of a reference signal by a selected fractional conversion factor, includes a frequency divider for generating a feedback signal dividing the frequency of the output signal by a frequency division factor selectable among at least two different integer-value division factors, and frequency divider control means for causing the frequency division factor to vary between the at least two integer-value division factors in a pre-defined number of cycles, thereby an average frequency division factor over said pre-defined number of cycles has a fractional value. Means are provided for compensating a phase error introduced by the frequency divider on the basis of a value indicative of the phase error obtained from said frequency divider control means.

Abstract: A high-density plasma process is proposed for depositing a layer of Silicon Nitride on a substrate in a plasma reactor. The process includes the steps of: providing a gas including precursor components of the Silicon Nitride, generating a plasma applying a radio-frequency power to the gas, and the plasma reacting with the substrate to deposit the layer of Silicon Nitride. The power applied to the gas is in the range from 2.5 kW to 4 kW.

Abstract: A diffraction grating generates even-order, odd-order, and 0th-order exit-pupil images. The even-order exit-pupil images have brightness levels within a first range and the odd-order exit-pupil images have brightness levels within a second range that is different from the first range. In one example, the even-order exit-pupil images are virtually invisible, i.e., missing, the odd-order exit-pupil images have the same or approximately the same intensities, and the 0th-order exit-pupil image has an intensity greater than the respective intensities of the odd-order exit-pupil images.

Abstract: The gripping collet (10) for grasping a thread during the preparation of a woven seam is arranged at the end of a draw-through gripper and has a first and a second clamping element, the first and the second clamping element (20, 24) being able to be clamped against each other for grasping the thread using a pneumatic cylinder. The first clamping element has two cylinder surfaces (20) at a distance from each other and the second clamping element has one cylinder surface (24). The arrangement of the cylinder surfaces (20, 24) is such that the axes of the cylinder surfaces lie parallel to each other and essentially at right-angles to the axis of the pneumatic cylinder and, in the extended state of the pneumatic cylinder, the cylinder surface (24) of the second clamping element lies between the two cylinder surfaces (20) of the first clamping element.

Abstract: Methods for forming a single crystal semiconductor thin film layer from a non-single crystal layer includes directing a light source having a homogenized intensity distribution and a modulated amplitude towards the non-single crystal layer, and relatively moving the light with respect to the layer wherein the amplitude of the conditioned light is preferably increased in the direction of relative motion of the light to the layer. Preferred methods also include multiple light exposures in overlapping series to form ribbon-shaped single crystal regions, and providing a low temperature point in the semiconductor layer to generate a starting location for single crystalization.

Abstract: A device for the correction of the power factor in power supply units with forced switching operating in transition mode is described. The device comprises a converter and a control device coupled to said converter so as to obtain from an alternating network input voltage a regulated output voltage on the output terminal. The converter comprises a power transistor and the control device comprises a pilot circuit suitable for determining the period of switched-on time and the period of switched-off time of said power transistor and control means coupled to said pilot circuits and with said converter and which are capable of prolonging said period of switched-on time of the power transistor at the instants of time in which the alternating network voltage substantially assumes the value zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particular single cell erasing method for recovering memory cells under reading or programming disturbs in non volatile semiconductor memory electronic devices comprising cell matrix split in sectors and organized in rows, or word lines, and columns, or bit lines. This kind of memory devices generally provides the application of a sector erasing algorithm with subsequent testing phase (erase-verify); but the method according to the present invention provides a bit by bit erasing by applying to each single word line a negative voltage used during the erasing of a whole sector and on the drain terminal of each single cell a programming voltage. With this kind of selective bias it is possible to perform a single cell, or bit by bit, erasing, allowing all the cells in case under a reading or programming disturb increasing the original threshold value thereof to be recovered.

Abstract: The facing machine for hard-fired ceramic tiles comprises: a structure for supporting, and setting the cutting depth of, at least one pair or rotary rollers at a grooving station, the axis of the rollers lying transverse to the infeed path of the tiles as carried on a belt transport; the rollers comprising a plurality of disks formed with diamond-tipped cutting teeth and a facing station comprising a plurality of vertical-axis grinding wheels with abrasive diamond-tipped tooling; the rollers are carried on a common supporting structure, being adjustable in height to set the tool cutting depth in the tile; the structure being pivotable about a parallel shaft to the work surface in a transverse direction to the feed direction of the surface, and being associated with a device for adjusting and inhibiting the pivotal movement of the structure in order to accommodate varying cutting diameters of the rollers at the station.

Abstract: A switching power supply circuit is provided for capacitor charging, wherein a power device is coupled to a terminal node of a capacitor to be charged and has a control terminal coupled to the output of an associated drive circuit. This circuit includes a second power element being associated with the first power device, coupled to said terminal node, and provided with a control terminal which is connected directly to the output of respective drive logic. The second power element is driven to turn on when a voltage below a predetermined minimum is present at the capacitor, thereby pulling the voltage at the terminal node to ground and further charging the capacitor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a secondary power tool system, components thereof and methods for using the same. It is preferably for use with an automatic tool change CNC machine having a rotating tool receiving element. The system includes a power source delivery interface component having an interlock and a high-speed rotating spindle accessory component. The delivery interface provides an autonomous connection point for delivering any one of several modes of power, e.g., compressed air. The rotating spindle accessory includes a housing adapted to be received by the rotating tool receiving element and a motor. A connector arm operably coupled to the housing defines at least one conduit for delivering the power, such as compressed air, to the motor. It also includes a delivery probe adapted to actuate the power delivery interface interlock so that when presented to the power delivery interface, power is autonomously delivered to the motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microenergy device for generating highly precise microenergy required for future high performance complex information appliances. The microenergy device of the present invention comprises a microenergy generating unit and a micromechanical modulating unit. The microenergy generating unit includes at least one digital microenergy generator which operates in response to a digital signal to be inputted into the generator. The micromechanical modulating unit performs mechanical modulation of an output of the microenergy generating unit and finally outputs the modulated microenergy.

Abstract: A method for tuning a PID controller includes the steps of inducing equivalent relationships between PID gains of the PID controller and parameters of time delay control (TDC), selecting a natural frequency vector and a damping ratio vector so as to acquire a desired error dynamics of the closed PID control loop system, selecting a sampling time of the closed PID control loop system, determining the parameters of TDC on the basis of the natural frequency vector, the damping ratio vector and a closed loop stability condition for TDC, and selecting PID gains of the PID controller on the basis of the equivalent relationships.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a machining tool bar in which mechanical machining properties are improved by using high stiffness composite material. According to the present invention, the tool bar includes an adaptor constructed to be coupled to a driving device, a body constructed to be mounted with cutting tools and a tip constructed to be supported by a workpiece, said body is constructed to be mounted with one or more cutting tools, wherein the adaptor and tip are made of metal material, the body is made of composite material having high stiffness, the composite material constructing the body is formed to surround at least a portion of the adaptor and at least a portion of the tip, and the metal material constructing the adaptor and tip and the composite material constructing the body are securely joined to each other in an interface therebetween.

Abstract: An improved orifice assembly for use with an ultra high pressure fluid jet cutting apparatus is disclosed. The improved orifice assembly generally includes an orifice body defining a central bore, a high pressure inlet cavity located at an upstream portion of the body, a mixing cavity located at a downstream portion of the body, and an abrasive material inlet bore that is in direct communication with the mixing cavity. The inlet or high pressure cavity preferably has a cylindrical cross section at the side wall portion and a generally flat bottom wall, with a constant radius transition portion between the side and bottom walls. A jeweled orifice is preferably located at the bottom wall and forms a portion thereof. A chamfer at the downstream portion of the mixing chamber permits appropriate coaxial alignment of a mixing tube with the jeweled orifice so as to preserve proper fluid flow characteristics.

Abstract: A method for management of the programming controls in a multilevel device is provided. During the control step cells are not controlled all together but they are conveniently selected in order to reduce the source resistance and consumption effect, but without penalizing change times.

Abstract: A line selector for a matrix of memory elements, for example a word line selector, comprises a plurality of line group selection circuits, each one allowing the selection of a respective group of matrix lines according to an address; each matrix line group includes at least one matrix line. Flag means are associated with each line group, that can be set to declare a pending status of a prescribed operation, for example an erase operation, for the respective matrix line group. Means are provided for entrusting the flag means with the selection of the respective line group during the execution of the prescribed operation, in alternative to the respective line group selection circuit. The flag means enable, when set, the execution of the prescribed operation on the respective matrix line group.

Abstract: A ferroelectric semiconductor memory includes an arrangement of memory units comprising at least one row of memory units. The memory units of the at least one row are associated with a respective word line of the arrangement. The arrangement of memory unit includes a plurality of local word lines branching off from the word line associated with the at least one row, each local word line being connected to a respective group of memory units of the line. Selective connection means allow to selectively connect one of the local word lines to the respective word line. The arrangement of memory units further includes a plurality of local plate biasing lines, each one associated with the memory units of a respective group of memory units, for selectively driving the memory units of the respective groups.

Abstract: A micromachined device made of semiconductor material is formed by: a semiconductor body; an intermediate layer set on top of the semiconductor body; and a substrate, set on top of the intermediate layer. A cavity extends in the intermediate layer and is delimited laterally by bottom fixed regions, at the top by the substrate, and at the bottom by the semiconductor body. The bottom fixed regions form fixed electrodes, which extend in the intermediate layer towards the inside of the cavity. An oscillating element is formed in the substrate above the cavity and is separated from top fixed regions through trenches, which extend throughout the thickness of the substrate. The oscillating element is formed by an oscillating platform set above the cavity, and by mobile electrodes, which extend towards the top fixed regions in a staggered way with respect to the fixed electrodes. The fixed electrodes and mobile electrodes are thus comb-fingered in plan view but formed on different levels.