Abstract: A flat panel display includes a faceplate and an opposing backplate. The two are sealed together and a sealed envelope is created that includes an active area of length L.sub.1. The active layer includes addressable pixels on the faceplate. Spacers are perpendicular to the faceplate and backplate. The length of a spacer is in a direction parallel to the plane of the faceplate. At least one spacer is positioned in the envelope and provides rigidity to the display. This is required because of the high vacuum which is maintained within the envelope. One or more electrodes are formed on an exterior surface of the spacer. The electrodes extend a length of L.sub.2 along a side of the spacer that is at least equal to L.sub.1. Voltages applied to the electrodes are controlled to achieve a desired voltage distribution between the backplate and the faceplate. The electrode is made of a material with a sheet resistance of less than about 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 .OMEGA./.quadrature..

Abstract: A circuit is provided for supplying a negative high voltage to an integrated circuit from a high positive voltage source V.sub.PP. The negative voltage is applied to a plurality of FLASH electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) cells. The circuit includes an oscillator coupled to a voltage converter which provides a periodic signal. The periodic signal is coupled to a charge pump including three P-channel type transistors to produce the negative voltage. The source and drain of the first transistor is coupled to the periodic signal. The second transistor's gate and drain is coupled to a reference ground potential with the source coupled to the first transistor's gate. Finally, the third transistor's drain and gate is coupled to the first transistor's gate and the third transistor's source outputs negative voltage to floating gates of the plurality of FLASH EPROM cells during an erase operation. Further, the negative voltage generated is relatively precise, so no regulation is required.

Abstract: Indication and interrupt signals generated by a network adapter representing asynchronous events are managed by a host system. The network adapter includes a first mask logic for selectively disabling the indication signals from being stored in a first memory location by the host writing to a first mask register. A second mask logic which is coupled to the first memory location also selectively disables the indication signals from being stored in a second memory location creating two levels of status information. The indication signals may also be disabled from being stored in the second memory location responsive to the host writing to a second mask register. The first memory location may be read from the host in order to determine whether a network event occurred during an interrupt service routine, while interrupt means generates an interrupt signal to the host responsive to the value in the second memory location.

Abstract: Unneeded broadcast and multicast packets are blocked by a remote access server from pass through on a private or switched circuit communication link to a remote node of an corporate LAN, if they relate to protocols not in use by the remote node, or involve information which the remote node does not need. The remote access server includes logic which automatically learns the protocols which the remote node is relying upon, and configures filtering logic for the multi-destination packets in response to the learned protocols.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing an add-on device to be inserted onto an active bus and configurable within one bus cycle is provided. The apparatus includes passive circuits used with a sequential multi-length pin arrangement on an I/O module. The apparatus also decouples the source of power to the I/O module from other devices on the bus which limits the disruption of power during the insertion. The I/O module limits current drawn from a backplane containing the bus which may disrupt signals during the insertion of the add-on device. And finally, the I/O module also limits bus signal disruption during insertion by precharging signal pins, increasing the resistance between the add-on I/O module pins and the backplane and adding capacitance to the bus.

Abstract: For non-volatile memory devices, such as flash EPROM integrated circuits, which have memory cells and reference cells, and sense circuitry responsive to addressed memory cells and the reference cells, and in which a read potential is supplied to the gate of the selected memory cells and a reference potential is supplied to the gate of a reference memory cell during a read mode, the state of the programmable memory cells is verified by (1) supplying a first verify potential to the gate of an address programmable memory cell; and (2) supplying a second verify potential to the gate of the reference cell which is different from the first verify potential. Because cell current is a very strong function of the gate voltage, applying different gate voltages to the memory and reference cells is equivalent to adjusting the sense ratio.

Abstract: Contactless flash EPROM cell and array designs, and methods for fabricating the same result in a dense, segmentable flash EPROM chip. The flash EPROM cell is based on a drain-source-drain configuration, in which the single source diffusion is shared by two columns of transistors. The module includes a memory array having at least M rows and 2N columns of flash EPROM cells. M word lines, each coupled to the flash EPROM cells in one of the M rows of the flash EPROM cells, and N global bit lines are included. Data in and out circuitry is coupled to the N global bit lines which provide for reading and writing data in the memory array. Selector circuitry, coupled to the 2N columns of flash EPROM cells, and to the N global bit lines, provides for selective connection of two columns of the 2N columns to each of the N global bit lines so that access to the 2N columns of flash EPROM cells by the data in and out circuitry is provided across N global bit lines.

Abstract: A reverse address resolution protocol for use in a communication network which allows resolution logic to provide a higher level protocol information (such as an IP address) to a source of a request for such information, independent of the physical network address of such source. The protocol is used in a processor having a plurality of ports, at least one of such ports connected by a point-to-point channel to a remote network device. Reverse address resolution protocol is responsive to a resolution request from the remote network device across the point-to-point channel to supply the higher level protocol information based upon the port through which the resolution request is received, rather than the physical network address of the requesting device. Thus, a remote device may be coupled to a network, and connected to a central management site across a point-to-point communication link, in a "plug and play" mode.

Abstract: A servo controlled laser system is provided which provides a laser output beam having reduced optical noise. The laser system may be any type of laser system and preferably is an ion laser system. The servo controlled laser system includes a laser head providing a laser output beam and a power driver coupled to the laser head which supplies input power to the laser head. The laser system also includes a light detector in the path of the output beam which generates an alternating current signal in response to the amount of optical noise detected in the laser output beam. A signal amplifier is coupled to the light detector for receiving and amplifying the alternating current signal. A wire couples the signal amplifier to power driver compensator circuitry which receives the amplified alternating current signal from the wire and, in response, adjusts the input power to reduce optical noise.

Abstract: A tongue activated communications controller for use by disabled or other persons to control a wide variety of devices, and which includes a dental appliance fitted to the user's palate, and a keyboard with a plurality of tongue activatable switches for generating a signal depending upon which switch has been selected, and upon the status of a battery voltage level. The communications controller includes a radio frequency transmitter which uses magnetic flux linkage for transmitting the signal. The communications controller further includes a receiver for converting the transmitted signal into digital form, and also includes a micro-processor based controller unit for processing the received data, and for communicating with the attached devices which the user wishes to control. Data is sent from the transmitter using a fixed transmission time, digital pulse code modulation technique to achieve ultra low power consumption in the transmitter.

Abstract: A data aligner transfers data from an input having N+1 byte lanes to an output having N+1 byte lanes. The data aligner includes a write data aligner and a read data aligner. The write data aligner includes a write shifter coupled to the N input byte lanes and a stage having N selector/registers S1(i). The N selector/registers each have a queuing register R(i) and bypass multiplexer M(i). The N selector/registers are coupled to the N output byte lanes. The write shifter and N selector/registers S1(i) are coupled to a control circuit. The read data aligner includes a stage having N selector/registers S2(i) and a read shifter. The S2(i) selector/registers are coupled to N+1 byte input lanes with the S2(i) outputs coupled to the N read shifter inputs. The read shifter outputs are then coupled to the N+1 output byte lanes. Finally, a control circuit is coupled to the selector/registers S2(i) and read shifter.

Abstract: A method of medical ablation of tissue accessible thorough the mouth or nose is disclosed having the steps of: a) inserting a probe through the mouth into the oral cavity, wherein said probe has a disposable electrode enclosed within an insulating sleeve bendable therewith; b) steering said probe through the oral cavity into close proximity to the tissue; c) extending the disposable electrode and the insulating sleeve out of the probe and penetrating the tissue; and d) applying RF energy to the tissue surrounding the electrode to effect ablation of said tissue.

Abstract: An RF ablation apparatus has a delivery catheter with a delivery catheter lumen and a delivery catheter distal end. A first RF electrode is positioned in the delivery catheter lumen. The first RF electrode has a distal end, RF conductive surface, and a lumen. A second RF electrode has a distal end. The second RF electrode is at least partially positioned in the lumen of the first catheter, with its distal end positioned at the exterior of the first RF electrode distal end. Additionally, the second RF electrode distal end has a geometry that permits it to be substantially a groundpad. The distal end of the first RF electrode is moved in a direction away from the second RF electrode distal end to create a painting effect of an ablation band or line between the two distal ends. Alternatively, the distal end of the second RF electrode can be moved in a direction away from the distal end of the first RF electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing an add-on device to be inserted onto an active bus and configurable within one bus cycle is provided. The apparatus includes passive circuits used with a sequential multi-length pin arrangement on an I/O module. The apparatus also decouples the source of power to the I/O module from other devices on the bus which limits the disruption of power during the insertion. The I/O module limits current drawn from a backplane containing the bus which may disrupt signals during the insertion of the add-on device. And finally, the I/O module also limits bus signal disruption during insertion by precharging signal pins, increasing the resistance between the add-on I/O module pins and the backplane and adding capacitance to the bus.

Abstract: An RF treatment apparatus provides multi-modality treatment for tumors and other desired tissue masses, and includes an RF indifferent electrode and an RF active electrode. The RF indifferent electrode has a compacted, non-deployed state, and an expanded deployed state. In the deployed state, the RF indifferent electrode forms a helical structure with four or less coils that surround an exterior of the tumor. The indifferent electrode becomes a microwave antenna when it is coupled to a microwave source. RF ablation energy is delivered to the tumor by the RF active electrode after it has been introduced into the tumor. Both electrodes are coupled to an RF energy source. The indifferent electrode is coupled to a microwave source. Either or both of the electrodes is hollow and include fluid distribution ports for the purpose of providing a chemotherapeutic agent to the tumor site. Ablation energy is supplied to the tumor by the active electrode.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus has a balloon that is inserted into an organ of a body and ablates all or a selected portion of the inner layer of the organ. Electrolytic solution fills the balloon, and the balloon includes a plurality of apertures from which electrolytic solution flows from the balloon. The flow rate of electrolytic solution is dependent on the pressure applied to the balloon by the electrolytic solution. A conforming member, with a conductive surface and a back side, is made of a material that substantially conforms to a shape of the inner layer of the organ and delivers the electrolytic solution and RF energy through the conductive surface to the inner layer. Advantageously, difficult to access areas are reached with the inclusion of the conforming member. Optionally positioned between the conforming member and the balloon is a porous membrane. A printed circuit is printed in or on the conforming member and delivers RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer.

Abstract: A light expanding system for converting a light beam generated from a point-like light source into a collimated linear or planar light beam is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a linear light beam includes a beam collector and a light pipe adjacent to which a multiplicity of specially configured microprisms are located. The light expanding system according to this embodiment is suitable for use in devices utilizing a linear light beam, such as a scanner. According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes, in addition to the beam collector and light pipe described above, an additional light pipe with adjacent microprisms. The light expanding system according to this embodiment of the invention can be used, for example, in displays, road signs, medical research equipment, instrument meters or jewelry; to light pictures or art work; or as part of a see-through lighting system for use in dentistry and surgery.

Abstract: A diode pumped laser system includes a laser cavity with an active laser medium. A laser diode, with an emitter region having an output facet that produces light at a frequency .lambda..sub.1, is the pump source for the laser medium. A coupling optics is positioned on an emission path of radiation from the emitter region and is optically coupled and spaced from the diode. The coupling optics produces stray radiation. An optical fiber, with a first end and a second end, is included. The first end of the fiber is oriented with respect to the coupling optics such that radiation from the emitter region is optically coupled into the optical fiber. The second end of the fiber is coupled to the laser cavity. A detector is positioned in a spaced, adjacent relationship to the coupling optics along an emission path of the stray radiation. The detector detects at least a portion of the stray radiation and produces a detected output in response to the stray radiation.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows the user to create, modify, or delete a configurator using templates. Once the configurator is constructed, the present invention allows the user to generate specific configurations using the constructed configurator. Templates are objects that are created by the configurator generator and recognized and used by the configurator to create configurations. Templates are stored in a persistent storage area of the configurator generator and are recalled when a change or deletion to the resulting configurator is desired. The configurator generator provides the user with a simple, intuitive, and computer assisted way of producing or modifying templates. A user defines a specific domain that describes an end product through a graphical interface of the system thereby creating a set of templates. The system then takes the user-defined templates to create configurations of the end product.

Abstract: An optical delivery device includes an optical fiber that receives an output beam of light from a light source such as a laser. The optical fiber includes a linear section, defining a longitudinal axis, and a curved distal end, with a curvature sufficient so that total internal reflection of the light around a bend is maintained and bending losses within the curved distal end are minimized. The curved distal end has a distal output tip that delivers substantially all of the output beam in a defined lateral direction from the longitudinal axis. The numerical aperture of the curved distal end is larger than the numerical aperture of the light in the linear section. The numerical aperture of the curved distal end can be increased by removing the fiber cladding and replacing it with a lower index material.