Abstract: A method for producing elongated strip, wire or cable, a portion or all of which is defined by electrically metallic superconducting material. In one form, a substrate in the form of a strip, wire or cable, is formed by extrusion, rolling, drawing, casting or a combination of two or more of such processes, of a metal, combination of metals, metal compound, non-metallic material or a combination of such materials, and is controllably driven through a reaction chamber while the material thereof, or of the surface stratum thereof, is chemically converted, as it is driven, to a superconducting material. In a second form, such elongated wire, strip or cable is controllably coated with one or more materials which define a superconducting layer thereon or a plurality of such superconducting layers which bond or solidify on the substrate.

Abstract: A plurality of water- and oil-porous sacks are partially filled with a number of generally toroidal bodies of a polymer material that entraps oil and including mesh fragments scattered throughout the bodies. Each sack is sewn with a perimeter stiffening ring, to retain a flat profile, and has a netting that closes to help inhibit outflow of the oil when the sack is retrieved. When deployed from ship or by air onto a spill, the sacks spread into a pancake shape and the polymer matter forms a single layer that retains the oil. The inventive sacks will float indefinitely without releasing the oil or allowing it to emulsify, so the oil can remain in place until collection efforts are feasible. The sacks can be burned in situ, or standard fishing boats or specialized collection boats can be used to retrieve the sacks, and the collected material can be burned to capture the energy content of the oil or processed to separate the oil from the polymer.

Abstract: A computer-aided design tool and associated methods address the problem of high-level behavioral synthesis, useful in the design of semiconductor integrated circuit for minimum power consumption. The tool makes a plurality of types of power reducing changes, and evaluates the results using iterative improvement. In a particular embodiment, "moves" corresponding to alterations of scheduling of operations or resource sharing are iteratively proposed and evaluated with a power "cost function" defined by summing estimates of the switched capacitance of each resource element. In an extension of that embodiment, moves corresponding to alterations of module selection and clock selection are also evaluated.

Abstract: The epoxidation of alkyds containing anhydrides or diacids with cycloaliphatic unsaturation results in epoxy resins which cure rapidly in UV light to produce uniform films without the use of flow modifiers. The fatty acid portion of the alkyd functions as an internal plasticizer. Crosslinking occurs through oxirane rings in both the anhydride and fatty acid moieties of the alkyd to produce hard, but not brittle films. Excellent water resistance is obtained without thermal post curing.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of three-dimensional hollow novelty items and their manufacture, particularly items such as artificial pumpkins that the consumer desires to carve or alter after purchase. Disclosed is a carvable novelty article, such as an artificial Halloween pumpkin, comprising a polyurethane shell substantially surrounding an interior volume and having a thin coating, such as an acrylic elastomer, on the exterior surface of the shell. The carvable article can be formed by an inventive process in which polyurethane foam material, such as material having a nominal density of about 2.5-3.0 pounds per cubic foot, is sprayed from a nozzle rotating with respect to the inside of a mold. After the polyurethane foam article and the mold are separated, the article is coated with an elastomeric coating, such as an acrylic material that is applied as a liquid.

Abstract: A compact retractable protective covering apparatus, preferably enclosed in a housing, is designed for attachment to a motorcycle or other vehicle. A spring-actuated spool is mounted in the housing surrounding the spring, which in turn surrounds a support rod. One end of the spring is fixed in place, while the other end is structured to rotate in a fixed proportion to the rotation of the spool by a system of gears. The proportion should be less than one to one, so that the spring rotates less than the number of rotations of the spool. A protective cover is wound around the spool and can be withdrawn from the housing and extended over the entire motorcycle. An automatic locking mechanism is provided that prevents the cover from retracting when it is extended. The locking mechanism includes a pawl that engages and prevents one of the gears from rotating in at least one direction.

Abstract: A device and method for sampling and testing the breath of human beings to detect maladies in the esophagus, stomach or gastrointestinal tract by the automatic analysis of the chemical contents of the sampled breath includes a container and a microprocessor-controlled valve for allowing a select portion of the breath to enter and be stored in the container upon exhaling through an inlet to the container so as to avoid storing air which is first exhaled. A normally open pressure switch or sensor activated by the pressure of the initial flow of the breath into an inlet tube from the mouth provides a start signal for controlling an electronic timer or microprocessor, which thereafter controls the sampling operation. The apparatus also includes passageways to several collection chambers, to permit multiple samples of the same or different body fluids to be collected and analyzed with a self-contained sensor or a remote analysis system.

Abstract: Less-expensive, faster graphics display can be achieved by an in-parallel scan-line rendering system using a content-searchable memory based on a modified DRAM requiring periodic refresh that includes logical operation circuitry within the refresh circuitry. Data at individual storage locations of the DRAM are periodically read by a refresh amplifier, then a logical operation is performed on the refresh data before application to the write amplifier, allowing searching by data compare and mathematical operations. The data words of the content-searchable memory are loaded with data defining the multi-axis location of each of the vertices of a polygonal facet of an object in the scene and display information concerning the facet, such as color or texture. Data representing out-of-view objects can be culled, and the remaining objects projected onto a viewport, all through in-parallel manipulations in the content-searchable memory.

Abstract: A dynamic storage device requires periodic refresh and includes logical operation circuitry within the refresh circuitry. The individual storage positions of the storage device are periodically read by a refresh amplifier, and then a logical operation is performed on the refresh data before the data re applied to the write amplifier. That operation allows implementation of associative database searching by cyclically executing "data compare" and other logical operations within the refresh circuitry. A system of content searching may be implemented in any storage device, dynamic or not, in which a comparand may be matched with any of a plurality of subunits of a word, and a storage bit is used to identify any words in which a mismatch occurs.

Abstract: A continuously active artificial light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), is supported in a housing that also contains a photocell, and is directed at the operating detection surface of the photocell. A light-transmitting diffuser, such as made of translucent plastic, covers the detection surface of the photocell and allows ambient light to pass to the surface, which thereby detect a combination of external ambient light and light from the artificial source. The light source thereby biases the photocell, so that, in normal operation, the photocell produces an output voltage that does not exceed a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set at a level approximating the output voltage measured during total darkness outside the photocell housing. If an open-circuit condition occurs, the voltage of the photocell will exceed that predetermined value, thus permitting the checking circuit to recognize a faulty photocell.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for communicating between a person, object, and/or vehicle carried transceiver and a monitor station to locate and track the movement of the same for security or anti-crime purposes. A portable computing and communication device carried by a person or located (hidden) in an object generates and transmits via radio signals a plurality of codes when remotely activated. One (or more) code(s), identifying or descriptive of the person, object or vehicle to be tracked, is (are) generated and transmitted to a monitor station to display character and/or video picture information describing and/or physically displaying a picture of a select person and/or vehicle and license plate information to permit police or security personnel to recognize the same. Such coded information may be immediately transmitted or retransmitted from the monitor station to a radio receiver carried by a policeman or in one or more police vehicles.

Abstract: A drink holder is designed for placement on the passenger's seat of an automobile, within easy reach of the driver. A flat, elongated member with a sinuously cross-sectioned end holds the drink between the seat back and the seat bench. The flat member supports a cylindrical holder, in which the drink is placed a distance away from the seat back. The member is sized to locate the drink in approximately the middle of the seat, within easy reach of the driver. The member contains a flex area, which permits it to conform to the shape of the seat.

Abstract: A hand-held device contains a paging receiver and a microphone to accept dictation of messages. A common digital data store holds received transmissions and dictated messages.

Abstract: A non-foil composite structure is provided having a substantial barrier to the loss of moisture, oxygen, and organic vapor and which is easily sealable with a shelf-life to at least one year for food and non-food products during dry shelf storage, and which is environmentally friendly. The laminate may have, from the outer atmosphere exposed surface to the inner surface contacting the contents of the container; a first exterior layer of a low density polyethylene polymer; a paperboard substrate; a first interior layer laminate coating of nylon with a tie layer; a second interior layer of low density polyethylene polymer; a third interior layer of high density polyethylene polymer; and an innermost and product contacting layer of low density polyethylene polymer.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for interconnecting integrated circuits, particularly prepackaged ones, are disclosed. A multi-level electrical assembly--composed of a pin carrier, a set of pads, such as for receiving a surface-mounted integrated circuit, and a set of conductive pathways coupling the pads and the pins--can connect one or more integrated circuits to the socket or other attachment area of a circuit board. The pathways pass through a multi-layered interconnect board, which can be configured to permit any translation of pads to pins for different purposes, or to permit the coupling of additional circuit elements, such as a coprocessor or passive circuits, to the pathways. Inventive methods for forming the assemblies, and inventive systems in which the embodiment of the assembly can be used to increase circuit board density, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A parallel associative processor is formed from a DRAM circuit whose storage positions are organized into words, which are further subdivided into columns. Each column is associated with a sense amplifier, which is used to perform data refreshing. Comparators are coupled to the sense amplifiers to permit logical operations, including comparisions with external data placed on a bus, to be performed on data addressed and read from the storage positions, including during refresh operations. A latch or flip-flop with control inputs is associated with each word, to hold a match or mismatch signal identifying, in parallel for each word, the results of the logical operations.

Abstract: A pet watering apparatus and method for automatically supplying pets with an ample quantity of safe, fresh drinking water is disclosed. Water is maintained in and flows between two connected vessels. A commercially available, plastic or glass water bottle is placed in an inverted position on top of one vessel, that acts as a water storage vessel. Drinking water for the animal in the second vessel is automatically kept at the same level at the bottom of the inverted water bottle's neck. When the level drops below the neck of the water bottle, the laws of physics will allow the pet's drinking water to automatically fill to the original position, thus creating a readily available supply of drinking water for the pet. A one-way water value separates the stored water in the first vessel from the available drinking water in the second vessel so that the stored water supply will not become contaminated with bacterial agents or other contaminates from the drinking vessel.

Abstract: An automatic, controlled manipulator includes a power supply controlling motion of a tool head and providing power to a removeable powered tool supported at the end of the arm. The manipulator may be moveable in multiple or all directions. A storage for remotely generated control signals can be accessed to control motors causing 3D motion of the tool head, attachment of the tool, and (if applicable) motion of the manipulator, and also to control power to operate the tool.

Abstract: An improved mixture of water-absorbent polymers, including a quantity of small-grained particles, may be injected below-ground where plants are growing or are to be planted, such as by using air-blown, plowblade applicators. In a preferred mixture, 10-20% of the particles are powdery, fine material (such as less than 0.5 mm), and the remainder are larger granules (such as 1-2 mm). The mixture creates a "blanket" of moisture-retaining particles that can surround plant roots. The mixture may be injected by drawing a plowblade through the soil at an appropriate shallow angle and speed to establish a wave in the soil, together with the use of a deflector and control over the air pressure, all of which maximizes underground diffusion and distribution of the injected particles.