Abstract: A system and method for asserting compound data words on a display pixel according to a field sequential driving scheme is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a display driver circuit includes an output controller for generating control signals to sequentially assert a first portion of a first compound data word on the display pixel, assert a first portion of a second compound data word on the display pixel, assert a second portion of the first compound data on the display pixel, and assert a second portion of the second compound data word on the display pixel. A particular display driver circuit includes a compound data generator which generates the compound data words from data words of a first type. The first portions of the compound data words are generated from the first type data words according to one predefined mapping scheme, and the second portions are generated according to another predefined mapping scheme.

Abstract: An LCD assembly (10) having an LCD device mounted on a substrate (12) with a flex cable and connector assembly (14) electrically and mechanically attached thereto. A mounting border (16) has a plurality of border screw holes (40) isolated from a main body (30) of the mounting border (16) by a plurality of stress relief slots (34) such that the main body (39) connects to the border screw holes (40) only through a plurality of land areas (44). An aperture mask 18 is interposed between a LCD subassembly (28) and a frame (20). The frame (20) has a lens receptor (42) for accepting a field lens (22) secured in a lens mount. Mounting screws (26) secure the mounting border (16) to the frame (20).

Abstract: An adapter card for managing connections between clients and a network server off-loads the connection management burden from the server. The adapter card includes a memory with an embedded proxy application and a communication protocol stack, a processing unit for executing the application code, a network controller for interfacing with an internetwork, and a bus protocol bridge for interfacing with the internal bus of the network server. The proxy application receives client requests on behalf of the server over relatively slow and unreliable network connections, and submits the requests to the server over fast, reliable bus connections. Buffers are allocated to a particular client connection only after it is determined that data will be exchanged between the server and the client.

Abstract: An intelligent network security device (“INSD”) (10) operates in a local area network (“LAN”) (12) according to an intelligent network security method (30). The LAN (12) has a plurality of computers (14) and connects to the internet (16) through a firewall (18). The INSD (10) resides within the LAN (12) such that data traversing between the LAN (12) and the internet (16) is accessible thereto. The INSD (10) looks for code and patterns of behavior and assigns a value to perceived attempted security breaches. The INSD (10) then directs the firewall (16) to take any of a prescribed plurality of actions, based upon such value.

Abstract: This invention is a family table game, which has the function to become portable. It develops ones ability to identify detailed play pieces 24 by the sense of touch, exciting a players mental ability toward learning about these objects, challenging players sensory perceptions and mental imaging skills while improving finger dexterity. The game uses miniature or larger than life renditions of well known objects, man or nature created, as game pieces 24 played with three dimensional embossed knowledge cards 26. Game pieces sit in a circular, dome shaped container FIG. 1 out of view of player. Player spins card housing 30 (holding the interchangeable game cards 26) which stops randomly under view window 32. Player views or feels raised relief images on card 26 or reads corresponding descriptive text, starts timer 14 and begins searching through container (FIG. 4), using the sense of touch to find matching play pieces 24, earning points for each piece found in time.

Abstract: A display driver circuit for reducing system interface band width requirements and peak current requirements includes a select line sequencer, for providing a series of select line addresses on an address terminal set, and a select line decoder coupled to the address terminal set, for decoding each of the select line addresses and asserting an update signal on a corresponding one of a plurality of output terminals. Optionally, the select line sequencer generates a series of select sub-line addresses, and the select line decoder is a select sub-line decoder. An optional select address register receives initial select addresses from a system and provides the initial select addresses to the select line sequencer. An alternate display driver circuit including a select line sequencer and a select sub-line sequencer is also described.

Abstract: An improved video display driver circuit (300) having an improved pixel array (302). The pixel array has a plurality of row enable lines (138) which extend from both sides thereof such that the row enable lines (138) are connected at one end to a row decoder (104) and at the other end to a redundant row decoder (304). Upon the occurrence of a circuit discontinuity (450), there will still be a complete circuit from either the row decoder (104) or the redundant row decoder (304) to each of a plurality of pixel cells (200) such that a video image produced by the improved pixel array (302) will not be impaired by the circuit discontinuity (450).

Abstract: An electropolishing system for uniformly polishing the inner surface of a pipe includes an electrode for placement within the pipe, a plurality of electrical leads for coupling the pipe to a common voltage source, and a power supply. The power supply includes a first voltage supply terminal, for coupling to the electrode, and second voltage supply terminal, for coupling to the common voltage source. A disclosed method for electropolishing the inner surface of a pipe includes the steps of placing an electrode within the pipe, electrically coupling the pipe to a common voltage source with a plurality of electrical leads, coupling the electrode to a first voltage supply terminal of a power supply, coupling the common voltage source to a second voltage supply terminal of the power supply, and drawing the electrode through the pipe.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a planar reflective light valve backplane includes the steps of providing a substrate (e.g., a reflective backplane) including a plurality of surface projections (e.g., pixel mirrors) defining gaps therebetween, forming an etch-resistant layer on the substrate, forming a fill layer on the etch resistant layer, and etching the fill layer to expose portions of the etch resistant layer overlying the projections, leaving a portion of the fill layer in the gaps. A particular method includes an optional step of forming a protective layer over the exposed portions of the etch-resistant layer and the fill layer. In another particular method, the etch resistant layer includes an optical thin film layer and an etch-resistant cap layer.

Abstract: A row decoder (10) for a video display system (12) wherein row output lines (28) of a row predecoder (20) are physically arranged such that adjacent iterations of the output lines (28) will generally not be switching simultaneously where addressing of the output lines (28) is sequential according to numbering and application. A ground trace (32) is provided between iterations of the output lines (28) which will be switching simultaneously. The output lines (28) provide input to a decoding circuit (34) within the row decoder (10). A plurality iterations of predecoder subcircuits (21) each having a compliment of the output lines (28) is to provided such that all of the rows of a pixel array (14) can be addressed.

Abstract: A trailer landing gear lifting apparatus (100) for raising and lowering landing gear (10) of a trailer (30) has a motor (136) fitted to a motor plate (134) which is affixed to a modified conventional gear housing cover (130) of a trailer landing gear assembly (10). The motor (136) has a motor gear (154) affixed to a motor shaft (156) by a roll pin (158). The motor gear (154) engages a drive low gear (142) of a generally conventional gear system (136). A spacer on a drive shaft 138 locks the gear system (136) such that the drive low gear (142) engages a driven low gear (146). A key switch (172) controls a pair of solenoids (170) to selectively provide power to the motor (136) for raising and lowering the legs (14) of the landing gear assembly (10).

Abstract: A planar wafer based device (e.g., a reflective light valve backplane) includes a substrate having a plurality of surface projections (e.g., pixel mirrors) defining gaps therebetween, an etch-resistant layer formed on the substrate, and a fill layer formed on a portion of the etch-resistant layer in the gaps. In a particular embodiment, the fill layer is a spin-on coating. An optional protective layer formed on the exposed portions of the etch-resistant layer and the fill layer protects the underlying layers during subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: The tube inner surface electropolishing device includes an electrolyte delivery system to cause electrolyte to flow through the tube whose inner surface must be electropolished. An electrical cable having an electrode engaged to its distal end is slowly moved through the tube while an electrical current from a power supply passes through the electrode and the tube wall and the electrolyte flowing therebetween. Several electrode embodiments are disclosed including electrodes that include a chain of elements having alternating insulator and electrode elements, an electrode including a quantity of metallic wool enclosed in a permeable insulating member, and a flexible insulating member formed from a cylindrical tubular section which is axially compressible to produce a series of projecting flexible arms, so that many one section can be compressed to enter a smaller opening than the tube to be polished. An electrolyte dam is coupled to the electrode and controls the flow rate of electrolyte through the tube.

Abstract: A floating mount for attaching a device to a chassis, and for facilitating alignment of the device with respect to another structure fixed relative to the chassis. The floating mount includes a biasing member fixed to the chassis and a carrier adapted to mount to the device. The carrier includes an engaging portion for engaging the biasing member and receiving a retaining force exerted by the biasing member. The carrier also includes an aligning surface for abutting the other structure and for receiving an aligning force sufficient to overcome the retaining force and displace the carrier and the device into proper alignment with the other structure.

Abstract: A display driver circuit includes a word line sequencer for providing a series of row addresses, and a row decoder for decoding each of the row addresses and asserting write signals on corresponding ones of a plurality of output terminals. An optional data path sequencer provides a series of path addresses which are used by an optional data router to route data to particular sub-rows of a display. Additionally, an optional sub-row sequencer provides a series of sub-row addresses to an optional sub-row decoder, which decodes each of the sub-row addresses and asserts write signals on corresponding ones of a second plurality of output terminals. In various embodiments, the row sequencer, the sub-row sequencer, and/or the data path sequencer is/are responsive to data load instructions from a system, such that no Array Write commands are required to write data to a display.

Abstract: An orbital welder includes a weld tip, a rotational controller, and a translational controller. The rotational controller causes the weld tip to rotate about an axis passing through the tube to be welded. As the weld tip rotates about the axis, the translational controller causes the weld tip to move longitudinally with respect to the axis, forming non-planar orbital welds. In one embodiment, the translational controller includes a rotor disposed to rotate about the axis. The translational controller further includes a carrier that is slidably attached to the rotor, and the weld tip is fixed to the carrier. As the rotor rotates about the axis, the carrier moves longitudinally with respect to the axis, such that the weld tip follows a non-planar orbital weld pattern. In a particular embodiment, a portion of the carrier is biased against a surface a cam block.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the phase difference between adjacent gray scale values employ compound data words. The compound data words include a first group of data bits and a second group of data bits. A display driver circuit is configured to provide display control signals causing each bit of the first group of data bits to be asserted on the display pixel for a coequal time period, and causing each bit of the second group of data bits to be asserted on the display pixel for a time period dependent on an associated significance of each bit. Optionally, the display driver circuit further includes a compound data generator configured to provide the compound data words. A method for asserting a compound data word on a display pixel includes the steps of asserting each bit of the first group of bits on the display pixel for a coequal time period, and asserting each bit of the second group of bits on the display pixel for a time period dependent on an associated significance of each bit.

Abstract: A carriage assembly provides for holding a pressurizable vessel used in delivering fluid to a processing system, the pressurizable vessel having an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. The carriage assembly includes: a support structure for holding the vessel such that the axis is non-vertical, the support structure being substantially isolated from mechanical vibration caused by the processing system; and a sensor coupled with the vessel and operative to generate a signal indicative of the amount of fluid stored in the vessel. The support structure provides a fulcrum proximate the first end of the vessel, and the sensor includes a load sensor mechanically coupled with a portion of the vessel which is located proximate its second end. The sensor is operable to generate the signal in response to force exerted on the load sensor by the weight of the vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for planarizing n-bit display data into m-bit data. The system includes a plurality of input terminals, a plurality of output terminals, and a first storage bank having a bit-depth less than m. In one embodiment, the first storage bank is a bi-directional shift register including a clock input terminal, for receiving a data shift signal, and a direction terminal for receiving a direction control signal. In a particular embodiment, the bi-directional shift register includes a plurality of flip-flops and a plurality of multiplexers, both arranged in a rectangular array of columns and rows. Optionally, the system includes a second storage bank, and data is shifted into one storage bank while data is being shifted out of the other storage bank.

Abstract: A structure capable of generating a virtual polyhedral space includes a plurality of walls, each having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a reflective surface. The walls are disposed adjacent one another, with the first side edge of each wall adjacent the second side edge of an adjacent wall, each wall lying in an associated one of a plurality of planes intersecting at a common apex, thus forming a pyramid shaped structure. So disposed, the walls define an interior space of the structure, with the reflective surfaces of the walls facing the interior space. Each wall further includes a base edge. Together, the base edges of the reflective walls define a base opening of the structure, which provides access to the interior space. The images of optional base coverings form coherent images of a virtual polyhedron in the reflective surfaces of the walls. Three-sided, four-sided, and five-sided embodiments are described.