Abstract: A disk array subsystem for use in a data processing system. In one embodiment, the disk array subsystem comprises a generally rectangular chassis having a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, an open front end and an open rear end. Disposed within the chassis are three power supplies, a pair of controller boards, a backplane, and a set of twenty disk drive modules. A mounting structure comprising four first disk drive module guide plates and a pair of second disk drive module guides is fixedly mounted within the chassis for removably mounting the disk drive modules in the chassis through the open front end and for placing the disk drive modules in approximate alignment with the backplane for electrical connection therewith. Each first guide plate is shaped to include five parallel slotted channels, and each second disk drive module guide plate is shaped to include ten parallel grooves.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined detection region. The system comprises a light source for producing a beam of light in the direction of the object to be detected and a pair of light detector units. The light detector units are angularly oriented so that their fields of view intersect to form a detection zone, the portion of the detection zone illuminated by the light beam defining a detection region. The outputs from said light detector units are coupled to an AND gate which, upon simultaneous receipt of output signals from both light detector units, emits a detection signal. If the object is disposed within the detection region and is illuminated by the light source, both light detector units will simultaneously emit an output signal, thereby causing the AND gate to emit a detection signal.

Abstract: A data processing system is disclosed in which a plurality of high performance, intelligent, mass storage input-output devices are linked to a host controller by an input-output interface bus which is divided into three sections. Each section is completely independent of the other two sections and used for a different and specific purpose. One section is used to transfer commands and retrieve status information. A second section is used to handle device requests for data transfer and device signals for operation complete. The third section is used to transfer data to and from a device. Since the three sections are completely independent, simultaneous transfer of command control and data to different input-output devices or to a single input-output device can be performed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a 3-dimensional image of semi-transparent object or of a opaque object in a semi-transparent media includes a picosecond or a femtosecond laser, a streak camera, a coherent fiber bundle, a video camera and a computer. The apparatus provides a unique nondestructive and non-invasive diagnostic way for detecting, for example, objects hidden in semi-opaque media. The laser is used to produce an ultrashort light pulse. The coherent fiber bundle is used to convert the 2-dim spatial image that is produced (i.e. scattered or fluorescence light from a 3-dim object illuminated with the ultrashort laser pulse) into a 1-dim line image which is fed into the input slit of the streak camera and then time resolved by the streak camera. The video camera is used to record the 2-dim output (1-dim from input image and 1-dim of the streak time) from the streak camera. The output of the video camera is fed into the computer.

Abstract: A container assembly for holding a supply of drinking liquid includes a watertight container. A removable filter device extends into the container through an opening at the top. The filter device comprises an elongated cylindrical member having an inner wall divides the area inside of an upper chamber and a lower chamber and forms a sipping tube for accessing the lower chamber through the upper chamber water filter is disposed in the lower chamber. In using the container, air is drawn in through the upper chamber and drinking liquid is drawn out through the sipping straw by suction.

Abstract: A bound document is made by placing one or more sheets of paper to be bound inside a binder having a hot-melt adhesive and then exposing the binder to microwave energy for a sufficient period of time to cause the hot-melt adhesive to melt bond onto an edge of the sheets of paper. In one embodiment of the invention, the hot-melt adhesive is microwave activatable. In another embodiment of the invention, the hot-melt adhesive is not necessarily microwave activatable and the binder includes a strip of susceptor material which converts incident microwave radiation to heat. In still another embodiment of the invention, the hot-melt adhesive is not necessarily microwave activatable and a quantity of microwave responsive material is incorporated into the hot-melt adhesive. In still yet another embodiment, the hot-melt adhesive is not necessarily microwave activatable, and a microwave susceptor is incorporated into a stand on which the binder may be placed during exposure to the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board having a top side, a bottom side and a hole. A heat spreader which comprises a plate made of a material having high thermal conductivity is mounted on the bottom side of the printed circuit board. The plate includes a pedestal which extends up into the hole. A high density TAB IC chip is mounted on top of the pedestal and is electrically connected to pads on the top side of the printed circuit board. A heat pipe is mounted underneath the plate of the heat spreader through a mounting pad which is fixed to the heat pipe and which is made of a material having good thermal conductivity. In operation, heat generated by the chip during use is spread out by the heat spreader and then removed by the heat pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for making ac surface photovoltage (SPV) measurements of a specimen of semiconductor material under dc bias voltage conditions includes a light source whose output beam is intensity modulated, an adjustable dc bias voltage source, a conductive base for supporting the specimen and a novel capacitance type reference electrode assembly for sensing the SPV signals. The reference electrode assembly includes in one embodiment a button made of insulating elastomeric material and attached to a rigid plate made of insulating material. A film made of insulating material and having a conductive coating on one side which serves as a reference electrode is attached to the button. When SPV measurements are being taken, the film is pressed against the specimen with pressure sufficient to hold the reference electrode in close compliance with the specimen, with pressure being applied to the plate from an external source and being transmitted from the rigid plate to the film through the elastomeric button.

Abstract: A soft body brace which may be used for providing support for non-structural deformities caused by muscle imbalance and weakness comprises an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material and an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material, the inner layer being bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material. The inner and outer layers together define a shell sized and configured to circumscribe the truck of a person and having a top edge and a bottom edge, a posterior portion and a vertically split anterior portion. A plurality of transversely spaced vertically disposed reinforcing stays are fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers for maintaining the shell in the desired shape. Curved pads are also sandwiched between the inner and outer layers for engaging the iliac crests of the wearer. Releasable fasteners are attached to the open anterior ends of the shell to aid in seccuring the shell on the wearer.

Abstract: A soft body brace for providing support for certain types of patients includes an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material being bonded to the inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and along with the inner layer defining a shell configured to circumscribe the torso of the wearer and having a split portion. A plurality of sleeves of flexible material are sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and a reinforcing stay is fixedly disposed in each sleeve for maintaining the brace in its intended shape. Releasable fasteners are attached to the split portion for maintaining the brace in place on the wearer. In making the soft body brace the shell is first fabricated and then shaped as necessary to conform to the shape of the intended wearer.

Abstract: The sperm count of a specimen of sperm is measured by exciting the specimen with a beam of substantially monochromatic light, then measuring the intensity of the intrinsic native fluorescence emitted or the scattered light from the specimen, and then determining the sperm count using the intensity measurements. The motitily of a specimen of sperm is determined by exciting the specimen with a beam of substantially monochromatic polarized light, then measuring the intensity of the parallel and perpendicular components of the intrinsic native fluorescene emitted or the intensity of the scattered light from the specimen at a predetermined wavelength; and then determining the motitily using the two intensity measurements with parallel and perpendicular polarizations.

Abstract: A board type recreational and sporting device for use in riding down an inclined surface includes an elongated platform for supporting a rider in a generally upright position. The platform has a front portion, a central portion and a rear portion. A front wheel is mounted on the front portion of the platform and pair of back wheels are mounted on the central portion of the platform. The rear wheels are mounted on the platform through a pair of leaf springs which are constructed and oriented on the platform so as to enable steering of the board by changing the position of one of the feet of the rider on the platform and the distribution of the weight of the rider on the platform. A brake plate is fixedly mounted on the back portion of the platform for use in slowing down the device when necessary as it traverses the surface and a rope is attached to the front portion of the platform for to assist providing balance, turning and slowing down of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of cancerous tissue using native visible luminescence. The tissue to be examined is excited with a beam of monochromatic light that causes the tissue to fluoresce over a spectrum of wavelengths. The intensity at which the excited tissue fluoresces can be measured either over a spectrum or at a predetermined number of preselected wavelengths. By determining the wavelength(s) at which maximum intensity(ies) are attained for the tissue in question and by comparing these peak wavelengths, either visually or electronically, to the peak wavelength(s) derived from a known non-cancerous tissue, or by comparing the luminescence spectrum of the excited tissue with the luminescence spectrum of a known noncancerous tissue and/or known cancerous tissue or the excitation spectra of the excited tissue with the excitation spectra of known cancerous and/or known non-cancerous tissue one can determine the carcinomatoid status of the tissue in question.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and displaying the time evolution profile of electron carriers present within a submicron or micron device comprises a laser for generating a beam of ultrafast pulses of ultraviolet light. A first beam splitter splits each pulse into a transmitted beam and a reflected beam. The transmitted beam travels through a time delay circuit, and is then converted into a train of ultrafast electrical pulses which are transmitted to the device. The reflected beam is focused on the device. An electron detector, also focused on the device, collects the ejected electrons resulting from the interaction of the light pulse and electrical pulse to produce an electrical signal. The signal is then magnified in intensity by an amplifier and directed at a cathode ray tube to cause an image to appear thereon. A SIT vidicon camera converts the image into an electrical signal and transmits the signal to a computer.

Abstract: The devices are comprised of the figure of a male pig and a female pig with a written message at the base of the dolls.The dolls are attached to a refrigerator by magnetic strips on their backside. When a person presses the nose of the pig doll, a portion of the doll is inflated to a greater size. This expansion of the pig doll is to visually remind people that their own bodys will expand in size when they continually over-eat.

Abstract: An article handling/supporting apparatus having a frame, a resolvable base attached to the frame, a turntable assembly mounted to the base, a main boom pivotally connected to the turntable assembly and a main article supporting arm pivotally connected to the main boom. Upon the release of a plurality of locking mechanisms, the turntable assembly is free to rotate while the main boom and the article support arm are free to move up and down. Once an operator has positioned the article handling/supporting apparatus in the desired location, the operator, by the release of a single button, can lock all of the movable components of the apparatus. In addition, fine adjustment of the components can be made from a single location by an operator even after the components have been locked in place.

Abstract: A trigger circuit for use in providing a trigger pulse to a sweep drive circuit in a streak camera. The trigger circuit comprises a low voltage DC power supply, a resistor, a charge line and a photodetector switch all connected in series. The photodetector switch includes a slab of a semi-insulating semiconductor material which becomes photoconductive when actuated by optical radiation. In use, the trigger circuit is coupled to the sweep drive circuit of the streak camera. In the absence of optical radiation, the switch is nonconducting and a voltage from the DC power supply builds up in the charge line. When the switch is actuated by optical radiation it becomes closed causing the voltage to be discharged to the sweep drive circuit. The switch returns to a nonconducting state (i.e. an open state) after about 1.5 nanoseconds.

Abstract: A data processing system having a local memory bus, a main memory coupled to the local memory bus and a host central processing unit coupled to the local memory bus includes a single input/output controller for interfacing a plurality of input/output devices to the local memory bus. The input/output controller includes a plurality of input/output device controllers, each input/output device controller being adapted to be connected to at least one input/output device, a single microprocessor for managing the overall operations of the input/output controller, a single buffer memory for storing a program of instructions for the microprocessor and temporarily storing data received from the input/output devices and a gate array for interfacing all of the input/output device controllers to the local memory bus.

Abstract: A knee brace having an anterior tibial shell and an anterior femoral shell which are closely configured to the shape of the lower leg and thigh respectively and which are joined by a frame in the form of a pair of polycentric hinge joints. Each one of the joints includes an upper bar and a lower bar, the two bars being pivotally interconnected. The anterior tibial shell and the anterior femural shell are both pivotally mounted on the upper bars of the polycentric hinge joints, the anterior femoral shell being mounted above the anterior tibial shell. Because the anterior tibial shell is mounted on the upper bars of the two joints when the knee brace is mounted on the leg of a person and the knee is bent the anterior tibial shell will move downward and inward against the tibia so as to counteract forward directed forces applied to the tibia and thereby provide additional support for the knee.

Abstract: A laser-medium in the form of a dielectric crystal or glass doped with tetravalent chromium. The dielectric crystals are of olivine-like structure such as germanates of formula (A) (RE)GeO.sub.4 where (A=Na or Li, RE=Y, Lu or Gd), crystals of willemite structure Zn.sub.2 (Si or Ge)O.sub.4 tetrahedral sites, or any other single-crystal or polycrystalline compound containing the (Si.Ge)O.sub.4 tetrahedra in its crystal lattice, such as Ca.sub.3 La.sub.2 (SiO.sub.4).sub.6 and crystals such as YAG (Y.sub.3 Al.sub.5 O.sub.12).