Abstract: An R-C relaxation oscillator having two comparators and a silicon controlled rectifier dissipates very low average power without resulting in frequency instabilities due to circuit propagation delays. A timing capacitor C.sub.T is charged through a timing resistor R.sub.T. The first comparator compares the voltage across the timing capacitor with an upper threshold voltage V.sub.TH. When the voltage across the timing capacitor crosses the upper threshold voltage, the comparator turns on the silicon controlled rectifier, which causes the capacitor to discharge the voltage that it has stored. The second comparator turns off the silicon controlled rectifier when the voltage across the timing capacitor falls below a lower threshold voltage V.sub.TL.

Abstract: A broad range cooling system is provided which can operate to cool a product load to a predetermined temperature in the range of -25.degree. F. to +75.degree. F. over an ambient temperature range of -60.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. The system includes two compressor systems which are configurable to operate independently as single compressor cooling systems each having a unique cooling range, or together as a cascade system, depending upon the desired temperature requirements of the load and the ambient. In the event of a failure of one or the other compressor, the system is configured to continue operation with the other compressor as a single compressor system until a repair can be affected.

Abstract: A stand-alone electronic measuring instrument for measuring AC (alternate current) power parameters on a utility distribution system wherein the measurement results are communicated telephonically to a facsimile device. Well-known techniques are used to acquire and accumulate analog signals representative of voltages and currents on an AC power system and digital signals. If the signals exceed a programmed threshold, or if an interval of time elapses, or if some other triggering even occurs, the instrument prepares a bit-mapped digital report on its accumulated input signals which may contain text, graphics, or both. The instrument then employs well-known techniques to telephonically transmit this report directly to a facsimile receiver without employing an intervening computer system.

Abstract: A CMOS circuit formed in a semiconductor substrate having improved immunity to radiation induced latch-up and improved immunity to a single event upset. The circuit architecture of the present invention can be utilized with N-Well, P-Well and dual Well processes. For example, the circuit is described relative to an N-Well process. An N-Well is formed in a p-type substrate. A network of p-channel transistors are formed in the N-Well and a network of n-channel transistors are formed in the p-type substrate. A continuous P+guard ring is formed surrounding the n-channel transistors and between the n-channel transistors and the N-Well. Similarly, a continuous N+guard ring is formed surrounding the p-channel transistors and between the p-channel transistors and the p-type substrate. In the event of a radiation hit, the guard rings operate to reduce the parasitic impedance in the collector circuits of the parasitic bipolars forming a parasitic SCR and also act as additional collectors of radiation induced current.

Abstract: A process for removing especially starch-containing impurities from crockery in dishwashers makes it possible effectively to remove the impurities if a concentrated aqueous tenside solution is used which contains 0.08 to 2.0 % wt, N-C.sub.8 to C.sub.12 alkyl pyrrolidone, 0.005 to 0.125 Artson units of one or more proteases and/or 0.1 to 6 kilo-novo units or one or more amylases per liter of solution, buffer substances active in the pH range from 5 to 9 and conventional solvent agents and possibly conventional additives like foam suppressors, perfumes, colorants, thickening agents, preserving agents and hardness dispersants.

Abstract: The present invention is for a Error Correction Unit (ECU) that uses a single stack architecture for the generation, reduction and evaluation of the polynomials involved in the correction of a Reed-Solomon code. The circuit uses the same hardware to generate the syndromes, reduce the .OMEGA.(x) and .LAMBDA.(x) polynomials and evaluate the .OMEGA.(x) and .LAMBDA.(x) polynomials. Some of the specifics involved in calculating and reducing the polynomials mentioned above are novel as well. First, the implementation of the general Galois field multiplier is new and faster than previous implementations. Second, the circuit for implementing the Galois field inverse function has not appeared in prior art designs. Third, a novel method of generating the .OMEGA.(x) and .LAMBDA.(x) polynomials (including alignment of these polynomials prior to evaluation) is utilized. Fourth, corrections are performed in the same order as they are received using a premultiplication step prior to evaluation.

Abstract: A robotic assembly is provided that simulates the size, appearance and movement of a human torso. The torso includes a unique combination of high speed rotary and linear actuators arranged in a geometry that enables anatomically correct human-like movement, and which provides sufficient internal room and mounting surfaces for the actuators and related equipment such as hydraulic or pneumatic lines, electronic control circuits, valves, and audio playback devices. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides up to nine degrees of freedom. The upper torso includes a pair of rotary arm actuators ("rotacs") for rotating arms up to 200 degrees. The rotacs are pivotally attached to a centrally located mounting structure for up-and-down motion (shoulder shrugging) and for forward-and-back motion (shoulder forward).

Abstract: An innovative communication device and learning tool that enables marine mammals, such as dolphins, to communicate with humans and with each other. The communication device includes a keyboard having a plurality of hollow keys. Each key includes a switch which can be activated by the dolphin, and a two- or three-dimensional object which can be distinguished by dolphins from other objects in other keys both visually and through echolocation. A microprocessor based controller can be used to associate audible feedback, such as unique words or phrases, with each key and to generate that word or phrase when the proper key is selected. Thus, a dolphin can select a word or phrase by locating the associated key and by activating the switch for that key to communicate with humans or with another dolphin. Likewise, a human can activate the switch to generate a spoken word or phrase to communicate with a dolphin.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lance includes a retractable blade and a sheath, the retractable blade can only be exposed when a button is pressed down. The blade is attached to a spring loaded stem so that when the button is released, the blade is automatically retracted back into the sheath. Pressure on the button at the end of the stem or on the locking pin causes the blade to be exposed. As soon as that pressure is released the blade is automatically retracted back up into the sheath. The sheath has an H-shaped cutout in which a locking pin fits in and can slide about. The locking pin is coupled to the stem. The H-shaped cutout has a short-leg, a long-leg and a cross-bar so that when the locking pin is inside of the short-leg, the blade is in the locked position and when the locking pin is inside of the long-leg, the stem can be depressed and the blade exposed.

Abstract: A semiconductor mass storage system and architecture can be substituted for a rotating hard disk. The system and architecture avoid an erase cycle each time information stored in the mass storage is changed. (The erase cycle is understood to include, fully programming the block to be erased, and then erasing the block.) Erase cycles are avoided by programming an altered data file into an empty mass storage block rather than over itself as hard disk would. Periodically, the mass storage will need to be cleaned up. Secondly, all blocks in the mass storage are used evenly. These advantages are achieved through the use of several flags, a map to correlate a logical address of a block to a physical address of that block and a count register for each block. In particular, flags are provided for defective blocks, used blocks, old version of a block, a count to determine the number of times a block has been erased and written and erase inhibit flag.

Abstract: A diffuse infrared communication link provides for communication directly between nodes each having a transceiver. A repeater may be present to facilitate communication. Each node is automatically reconfigurable between operation with or without a repeater. When a repeater is present each node automatically ignores any transmission by another node.

Abstract: A half-bridge arrangement for switching electrical powers, wherein at least two semiconductor switches (14, 21; 15, 20; 16, 19; 17, 18) forming a half-bridge (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d) are connected in series; each semiconductor switch (14, 21; 15, 20; 16, 19; 17, 18) is provided with a control input (G) which is connected to a driving circuit (23, 24); each first semiconductor switch (14; 15; 16; 17) is at a high voltage potential (V.sub.ss) with its source terminal (S); each second semiconductor switch (18; 19; 20; 21) is at a low voltage potential (V.sub.DD) with its drain terminal (D); the drain terminal (D) of each first semiconductor switch (14; 5; 16; 17) is connected with the source terminal (S) of each respective second semiconductor switch (18; 19; 20; 21) for providing an output terminal (A); and at least one capacitor assembly (30) is arranged between the high and the low voltage potential (V.sub.SS, V.sub.

Abstract: A novel carpet seaming tape and method for use in glue down carpet installations is provided. A carpet seaming tape having a paper carrier with a hot melt adhesive on its top surface and a pressure sensitive adhesive on its bottom surface is aligned beneath the abutting edges of two pieces of carpeting to be seamed, with the hot melt adhesive on top. The tape is attached to the floor using the pressure sensitive adhesive, the carpet pieces are removed and the floor is coated with general purpose adhesive everywhere except in those areas where the seaming tape has been attached. The carpet is replaced and realigned, and seaming is completed by using a seaming iron to melt the hot melt adhesive and pushing the edges of the carpeting pieces into the molten adhesive atop the carpet seaming tape so that the edges of the carpet closely abut each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to differential carbon source metabolism in the genus Listeria, metabolic, biochemical, immunological and genetic procedures to measure said differential carbon source metabolism and the use of these products to detect, isolate and/or distinguish species of the genus Listeria as well as detect, isolate and/or distinguish strains of species of Listeria. The present invention also contemplates test kits and enrichment media to facilitate these procedures.

Abstract: A router dust hood has a sub base which attaches to the base plate of a router. A dust hood slides over the motor and is coupled to the sub base. The handles of the router are taken off and mounted on to the hood. A top rubber casing slides over the motor and is coupled to the top of the dust hood. A vacuum is coupled to the dust hood for the removal of chips and dust from the work area. The sub base raises the router off the work surface allowing more air volume around the router bit to aid in the quickened removal of dust and chips from the work area into the vacuum. The sub base is circularly designed, with an outer lip, allowing an operator to guide the router on a template.

Abstract: A telephone headset uses extruded thermoplastic with a pair of embedded steel wires to make the headband and microphone boom. The extrusion is formed by feeding the two wires through the extruding die along with the hot plastic. The two wires serve to stiffen the extrusion and also as electrical conductors. The material is cut to length and joined to earphones, microphones and telephone cable to make the headset; the two wires conduct the sound signals to the earphone distal the telephone cable attachment. The extrusion material retains a twist, which allows for angular adjustment of the earphones. A hinge and spring cant the headphone inward at the bottom for greater comfort, and to adjust the angle to the user's head. In a second embodiment, one of the wires is removed after extrusion to leave a tunnel through the extruded material. Small electrical leads can be passed through the tunnel, and the remaining wire remains as a stiffener.

Abstract: An integrated application controlled call processing and messaging system for use with a telephone system. The preferred embodiment comprises a PBX or central office system (Centrex) coupled to a voice messaging system to which an applications processor is coupled. The PBX and voice messaging system supply information related to the incoming telephone call to the applications processor. The applications thereafter begins execution of a call processing flow program designed to handle the processing of the incoming call and associated messages.

Abstract: A slidably attachable, automated means for opening and closing the die halves of a casting machine. Cylinders are provided having integral vertical side grooves for mounting on said casting machines and the like. The preferred hydraulic cylinder has a hollow piston rod connected to the piston and projecting from one end of the cylinder. A fluid flow line movable within the cylinder projects from the other end of the cylinder and slidably passes through the piston into the piston rod. Separate elements contact the piston at opposite ends of its stroke to move the fluid flow line and switch the fluid flow in the cylinder.