Abstract: The allophonic text-to-speech generator (ATTG) 10 includes a CPU 100. The CPU has a random access memory 102 and a read only memory 104 for holding the operating system, application programs, and data for the CPU 100. A keyboard 110 provides a user with control over the CPU 100. A database 130 holds phonetic transcritps of words. Such databases are well-known in the field of telephone directory assistance. A second database 140 maps allophonic text to parse and pre-recorded allophones. The CPU 100 converts a phonetic transcript of a word into an allophonic text string in accordance with a rules program 120. Then the CPU 100 extracts the audio allophone files of the allophonic string and concatenates the audio files to form the new word in the same voice as the other words fromed from the allophones in database 140.

Abstract: A hand-held foaming apparatus includes a pressure vessel for containing a foamable liquid and an air space overlying the liquid. A hand pump is mounted within the vessel and sealably connected to a sealable opening at the top of the vessel. The pump comprises an external handle connected to a piston that extends substantially to the bottom of the vessel. Actuating the pump by operating the handle causes formation of foam from the foamable liquid in the overlying air space and discharge of the foam from a foam discharge outlet that comprises foam discharge control means and is located on the vessel above the air space.

Abstract: An improved low-voltage MOS device having high ruggedness, low on-resistance, and improved body diode reverse recovery characteristics comprises a semiconductor substrate on which is disposed a doped upper layer of a first conduction type. The upper layer includes at its upper surface a blanket implant of the first conduction type, a heavily doped source region of the first conduction type, and a heavily doped body region of a second and opposite conduction type. The upper layer further includes a doped first well region of the first conduction type and a doped well region of the second conduction type underlying the source and body regions. The first well region underlies the second well region and merges with the blanket implant to form a heavily doped neck region that abuts the second well region at the upper surface of the upper layer. A gate comprising a conductive material separated from the upper layer by an insulating layer is disposed on the upper layer overlying the heavily doped neck region.

Abstract: A EEPROM 140 has a storage transistor 160 with a gate insulating layer 104 of BPSG and a polysilicon gate 112.2 of the same layer as the polysilicon gate 112.1 of the FET transistor 150. The BPSG layer 104 has POHC traps that capture holes injected into N well 103.2. A positive voltage applied to N well 103.2 programs the storage transistor 160 off. Applying a positive voltage to the gate 112.2 neutralizes the holes stored in layer 104 and erases the memory of transistor 160.

Abstract: A heating apparatus and method of making such apparatus has a deposited heating element of oxidized metal powder. The metal powder is oxidized more than forty percent and preferably between sixty and ninety-five percent. The oxidation is the deposited metal powder is increased by either modifying the powder or the modifying the deposition process. The powder is modified by preoxidation, reducing the size of particles, removing oxidation inhibitors, adding oxidation catalysts and enhancers and increasing the surface area of the particles. The process of deposition is modified by using more oxygen and using a high velocity oxy-fuel plasma deposition process.

Abstract: The present invention is an ADSI download system. The system comprises at least one ADSI device, like a screen-display terminal, and one or more remote sites, like computer network site locations, wherein at least one of the remote sites contains ADSI feature files. The ADSI device stores ADSI download feature files in a storage location, receives and stores a downloaded ADSI feature file from the remote site, and uses the ADSI feature. The telephony network connects the ADSI device to the remote site. A network application server connects the remote site comprising of at least one ADSI feature file with the ADSI device. The user of the ADSI device selects the ADSI feature file on the remote site and the ADSI feature file is then retrieved from the remote site and is downloaded into the storage location.

Abstract: A class D modulator 100 is self oscillating. It includes an input stage 110, an operational amplifier 120, an integrator 130 and a pulse width modulator 140. A start-up generator 22 generates signals ENABLE and MUTE. The MUTE signal is connected to the input stage 110 to prevent any unwanted, initial sound. The ENABLE signal connects a start-up voltage source to the integrator 130 to set the initial voltage for integration. The ENABLE signal is coupled to a dead time control circuit 16 which controls the operation of the output power transistors 42, 44 to assure that the low side power transistor 44 is turned on before the high side transistor 42.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices 340 are formed in semiconductor wafer 300. Contact pads 332 are formed in each die 330. An interconnect connects the contact pads 332 to die surface contact regions 210, 212. Scribe trenches 348 are formed in device wafer 300; corresponding trenches 358 are formed in cover wafer 360. The cover wafer 360 is thinned to open scribe trenches 348. Conductive vias 310-313 connect the contact pads 210, 212 to external surface bump contacts 333.

Abstract: A hand-held compressed air duster apparatus comprises a pressurizable vessel for containing a fine particulate dusting material. The vessel has an upper shoulder provided with a sealable top opening, in which a hand pump is mounted and sealably connected to the top opening. The pump comprises an external handle connected to a piston extending into the vessel. A dust discharge outlet is disposed on the shoulder of the vessel. Located within the vessel are two concentric tubes. A rotatable outer tube having a closed lower end that is provided with a pivot foot in contact with the bottom of the vessel extends upwards to an open upper end that is in fluid communication with the interior of the vessel. The rotatable outer tube comprises a dust feed agitator pin extending outwardly from the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: A solid pharmaceutical composition for the oral administration of chelating agents to an individual consists essentially of: at least 100 milligrams of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or a molar equivalent amount of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrated salts of EDTA, at least 75 milligrams of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and an appropriate amount of at least one pharmaceutical formulating agent.

Abstract: A bonded wafer has a first handle wafer 12, a device layer 10', an interconnect layer 14, and a number of vias filled with conductive material that extends between the surfaces 6, 8 of the device layer 10'. the interconnect layer 14 has conductors that connect internal device contacts to the conductive vias. A second handle wafer 40 of glass is bonded to the interconnect layer 14 and the first handle wafer is removed. Bottom, external contacts 36 are formed on surface 6 of device layer 10'.

Abstract: The present invention is an ADSI download system. The system 10 has one or more ADSI telephones 12, a telephone network 14, a network application server 16, a download request database file 9, and one or more remote sites 18 located on the WWW or on a proprietary network, such as America On Line or Prodigy. The computer network site location 18 contains an ADSI mergable file 19 that includes information such as local weather, stock quotes, news, announcements or advertisements. In response to a caller initiated or a server initiated download, the server 14 accesses the site 18 and transfers the file 19 to the server 16, where it is merged with an ADSI download template, then the resulting file is transferred to a storage location 22 in the telephone 12.

Abstract: A class D amplifier 100 has an integrator 10, a comparator 12, and a frequency compensation and gain control (FCGC) circuit 40. The FCGC circuit 40 senses the output and reduces the gain in order to keep the sampling frequency high enough to avoid audio artifacts.

Abstract: A sensing circuit 100 includes two resistors 11 and 12, two pnp transistors 13 and 14, and a current mirror 15 and 16. Resistors 11 and 12 convert the high voltages present in the bridge into a proportional current. The current mirror, mosfets 15 and 16, compares I.sub.1 and I.sub.2. If I.sub.2 is greater than I.sub.1 the voltage at point A is high. Otherwise this voltage is low. Resistor 12 is chosen smaller than 11 so that under normal operation, when FET 22 turns on, I.sub.2 is greater than I.sub.1 and the voltage at point A is high. During an overcurrent event, the drop across the FET 22, Von, is so great that I.sub.2 is less than I.sub.1 and the voltage a point A stays low.

Abstract: A holder for securing a pail provided with a handle to a wall of a stable includes a channel bracket adapted for fastening to the support and including a vertical member, at least two substantially parallel lateral members spaced from each other and extending laterally continuously from the vertical member, at least the uppermost lateral member being provided with an aperture. The holder also includes a locking rod that, when passed from the top through the aperture in the uppermost lateral member, confines the handle of a pail supported by the channel bracket. At least one of the channel bracket and the locking rod further includes an elongate portion closely spaced to the inner side wall of the pail and sufficiently long to extend within the pail substantially to its bottom. An assembly for use in feeding or watering an animal includes a pail and the described holder.

Abstract: The ADSI system 100 has a file stored in RAM 202 or ROM 204. The file plays a CAS tone. The CAS tone is disguised by playing one or more introductory tones as frequencies lower than the CAS tone. The user is conditioned to receive a CAS tone by ramping the CAS tone amplitude or increasing the amplitude in discrete steps.

Abstract: Ordered information data 22 is combined with prior geocoded data 21 to improve geocoding. The combined records are sorted by precision 33. The two highest precision groups are interpolated to further geocode the records and provide enhanced street address products 42.

Abstract: In combination with a transistor designed to drive an inductive load, there is included a network connected between the output electrode (e.g., drain) and the control electrode (e.g., gate) of the transistor for limiting the overshoot and controlling the waveshape of the signal produced at the output electrode of the transistor, when the transistor is being turned-off. The network includes a series string of zener diodes with one or more by-pass capacitors connected across the zener diodes closest to the control electrode of the transistor for shaping the output signal produced at the output electrode of the transistor and for reducing electromagnetic radiation. The network also includes unidirectional conducting elements for discharging each bypass capacitor each time the transistor is turned-on. The zener diodes and the "discharging" unidirectional conducting elements of the network may be formed as integral parts of the same integrated circuit (IC).

Abstract: A storage device provides for the secure storage of a gun in a vehicle, includes a rectangular base plate and a box-like cover having a rectangular top and sidewalls that form a chamber for storing a gun. The sidewalls enclose a rectangular area that corresponds substantially to the area of the base plate so that the cover forms a close fit around the base plate, which has a planar central portion joined to and surrounded by upwardly bent elongated edge portions. The base plate and cover each include an aperture, each slightly offset from a center point of the base plate central portion and top cover, respectively, but in vertical alignment with each other and with an aperture formed by the trigger guard of a gun stored in the device. The storage device also includes a rotatable pin that is sized to pass through the apertures in the base plate and cover and through the trigger guard of a gun stored in the device.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a trench is etched into a surface of a semiconductor body comprising, from the surface down, a highly doped first (source) region; a moderately doped second (body) region; and a lightly doped third (drain) region. The trench walls are then oxidized. For reducing the effects of etching rate and oxide growing rate variations which occur at the junctions between regions of differing concentrations, the trench is first formed by etching and the trench walls then oxidized prior to the formation of the first region. Trenches having straighter walls and more uniformly thick oxides are thus formed.