Abstract: A multi-layer contact process is described for providing contact to a shallow semiconductor region forming a semiconductor PN junction and with a silicon semiconductor body. The multi-layer structure includes a layer of polycrystalline silicon doped with an impurity of the same conductivity type as that of the semiconductor region. A first layer of a refractory alloy is deposited over the polycrystalline silicon layer to provide electrically stable interface therewith. A second layer of another refractory metal or alloy is deposited over the first refractory metal alloy layer and serves to protect the shallow PN junction against current leakage failure. A third layer of interconnect metal is deposited over the multi-layer contact structure. The resulting structure provides a low resistance ohmic contact to a shallow semiconductor region with improved electrical characteristics.

Abstract: Roll release mechanism for pinch rolls are improved by providing capability for axial and radial disengagement of the pinch rolls and automatic roll re-engagement upon machine activation. One set of pinch rolls is mounted on a first shaft with a helical cam thereon. A spring latch and pawl are engaged to the first shaft and attached to a second multi-radius shaft parallel to the first shaft. A second set of pinch rolls are mounted on the second shaft so as to engage the first set of pinch rolls. Axial movement of the second shaft results in shaft areas of different radius being fitted within bearings thereby disengaging the pinch rolls. Disengagement is maintained against a spring force by the catching of the pawl on the cam. Machine activation then results in rotation of the first shaft until the pawl is released from the cam and the spring force moves the second shaft axially until the pinch rolls have re-engaged. In addition, the pinch rolls may be re-engaged manually.

Abstract: The performance of a multi-microprocessor implemented data processing system that emulates a mainframe system is enhanced and optimized in view of space and power constraints for purposes of address translation by providing RAM-based storage means of predetermined depth and width to function as a page address table. The storage means depth is set to at least provide bit space to represent the total number of fixed size pages possible in a given virtual memory space. The width of the storage means is set to at least provide bit space to represent the largest page number that might be encountered in the available real memory and to accommodate a predetermined number of bits that flag information pertinent to translation and system performance. Circuit means, including microcode, is provided for initializing and updating the contents of the storage means as required.

Abstract: A table driven print formatting system that accepts a text data stream including individual text commands and produces a printable data stream including individual print commands. The formatting system uses the text data in combination with printer status data to select subsection entries from a printer description table. The subsection entries include specific print command subsections each having print commands that can be placed immediately into the printable data stream upon selection. The table also includes general print command subsections which each have printer description data and a general print command shell. When a general print command subsection entry is selected, the printer description data is used in combination with the text data to calculate a parameter for inserting into the general shell thereby producing a print command for placing in the printable data stream. The printer description table also uses a unique entry indexing scheme that minimizes storage requirements for the table.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and compensating for changes in the flight time of the print hammers of impact printers is disclosed. The flight time of the respectively monitored hammer is calculated from the elapsed time between the moment of firing of a hammer and the moment of impact of the print type carrier against the impact platen. In order to ensure automatic self-adjustment of all print hammers in predetermined test cycles, without the actual printing process itself being affected, and without there being any test imprints on the record carrier, the print type carrier includes, in addition to the standard print types, an additional test type. The impact surface area of the test type is large enough such that no visible imprint is made upon its impact on the record carrier because of the low impact pressure.

Abstract: A communications interface for transferring data from a first binary logic circuit to a second binary logic circuit by using a trinary logic transmission channel. The first set of binary logic signals is converted into a first set of binary control signals which, in turn, control trinary drivers connected to the transmission channel. The trinary drivers drive the transmission channel to one of three discrete voltage levels as opposed to one of two levels in binary systems. Trinary receivers are located on the second binary logic circuit and are connected to the trinary transmission channel. The receivers produce a second set of binary control signals which are translated into a second set of binary logic signals for use by the second binary logic circuit.

Abstract: A instruction fetch look-aside buffer with a loop mode control provides for reduced storage contention by storing a program loop in a look-aside buffer during normal mode operations. When the loop is to be executed again loop mode is entered and the instructions are taken directly out of the look-aside buffer without any access of storage required. If the instructions in the look-aside buffer are invalidated during loop mode or if the program loop is exited normal mode operations are resumed.

Abstract: A digital All-Points Addressable (APA) Printer/Image Copier system is disclosed and claimed which provides both the image manipulation capability of an APA and the direct copying capability of an analog image copier in one device. The preferred embodiment of the present invention employs a dot-matrix electro-erosion printing apparatus.

Abstract: Memory access time, noise and costs are substantially reduced while reliability is increased by replacing fixed delay lines with a dynamic delay. This dynamic delay is placed on the same integrated circuit as the remainder of the memory access circuitry to eliminate tracking problems associated with off-chip delay lines. The dynamic delay element is activated after all of the row address strobe (RAS) bits have been generated. These RAS bits serve to strobe the row column address bits initially present on the address bus into the memory. After the delay time has elapsed an address multiplexor switches column address bits onto the address bus to replace the prior row address bits. As soon as this switch is completed column address strobe (CAS) bits are generated to strobe the column address bits into the memory.

Abstract: A high speed multiplier unit for multiplying both fixed point and floating point operands is disclosed and claimed. This multiplier unit is a system level functional unit which allows floating point and fixed point operations to be performed directly. In addition to multiplication, the multiplier unit performs exponent calculation, post-normalization, and error detection. The multiplier unit also provides for overlapped loading of operands.

Abstract: A forms feed tractor belt includes drive members molded around a thin, flexible band at longitudinal intervals. To make the belt, slots are first punched at longitudinal intervals in at least one side of the flexible band. Drive members are then molded around the band at the slots except for at least one drive memberless interval at each end of the band. The ends of the band are overlapped so that the slots of the drive memberless intervals coincide. Final drive members are then molded around the slots of each pair of coincided drive memberless intervals to complete the endless tractor belt.

Abstract: A document indexing method and apparatus facilitates access to sequentially stored documents in a word processing system. The invention uses random access memory in the word processor to build a page index when the sequential data stream is first processed. The page index is then available so that subsequent access to previously processed pages is faster than conventional sequential access. The page index has associated with it an offset index having pointers to the actual entries in the page index. If the page index proves too small to store a index entry for every single page of a document, the offset index is reorganized to point to every other entry in the page index. Reorganization effectively doubles the span of pages covered by the page index and may be repeated a plurality of times to allow a sequentially stored document of arbitrary length to be indexed by a fixed length page index.

Abstract: A system for providing sustain, write and erase operations in an AC plasma gas display panel in which selstain circuits are created by integrating the sustain and selection functions. Each selstain circuit is deposited on a single integrate circuit. This circuit is fabricated with low voltage integrated circuit technology. In addition, the sustain signal is floated on the write/erase signal.

Abstract: A reconfigurable parallel group of identical functional units and a method for reconfiguring this parallel grouping of identical functional units upon the occurrence of a failure by shifting the contents of the failed unit and the contents of all units between the failed unit and a spare unit one unit toward the spare unit is disclosed. A paired system of input and output busses allows control lines to activate and deactivate the appropriate busses so that a constant input output interface is maintained despite the failure provoked shift. This reconfigurable parallel group can also be stacked together to form larger configurations.

Abstract: A conductive film deposition rate monitoring method for measuring the real time deposition rate of a metallic deposition process particularly an electroless plating bath, including the steps of positioning an eddy current detector within a predetermined distance of a test surface where the deposition is to be deposited, and the step of monitoring the output of the detector. The apparatus comprises an eddy current sensor and a non-metallic housing for the sensor, having a non-conductive wall of predetermined thickness between the sensor and the surface of the wall distant from the sensor, the distant wall being immersed in the deposition environment, such as a plating bath, so that a deposit takes place on the distant surface, and measuring means connected to the output of the sensor for measuring the amplitude and rate of change of the output of the sensor.

Abstract: A programming aid device for aiding in the interpretation of collimated fields of data in a computer printout. The device includes an inscribed data record which is in a format which corresponds to the collimated fields of the computer printout. When the device is positioned in association with a single row of the computer printout and properly aligned, the data record identifies the data fields of the computer printout. Eyecatcher data is provided in the data record to match up with identical eyecatcher data in the selected row of the computer printout to aid in the alignment of the data record with the selected row of the computer printout. The device also includes an information section for interpreting data in the selected row of the computer printout in accordance with designator data associated with predetermined fields of the data record.

Abstract: A high-density printed circuit card electrical contact pad pattern that preserves card surface area while maintaining loose mechanical tolerance requirements and a high probability of contact. The invention exploits the elliptical shape of the area of high probability of contact between the contact pins of a mating connector and the card surface. The elliptical area is derived by an accumulation of mechanical tolerances associated with the card and with the pins of the mating connector. A plurality of rows of contacts are disposed along an edge of the card with each contact enclosing one elliptical area of high probability of contact. Each row is offset with respect, to, and slightly interleaved with adjacent rows.

Abstract: A transformer assembly suitable for use in very high frequency (VHF) switching power supplies that maintains a low leakage inductance between critical transformer windings while complying with the physical and electrical requirements imposed by standards for primary to secondary isolation. The transformer includes a telescopic bobbin assembly with an inner and an outer section that telescope together to form an interior clearance space or chamber between the two sections. The interior chamber has a narrow conduit exiting to the exterior of the bobbin assembly. Described are two embodiments for a transformer used in a forward-averaging type converter and a third embodiment for a transformer used in a frequency modulated converter.