Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a planarized multilevel ship wiring structure. Starting from a substrate having thereon at least a metal stud serving as vertical wiring between two levels of metallization, a quartz layer is deposited, obtaining a non-planar structure. A thick planarizing photoactive photoresist is applied. The photoresist is converted by silylation process into a silicate having substantially the same etch rate as that of quartz. Silylation is accomplished by, for example, subjecting the resist to a bath of hexamethyldisilazane, hexamethylcyclotrisilazene, octamethylcyclotetrasilazane, N,N,dimethylaminotrimethylsilane or N,N,diethylaminotrimethylsilane, for a period of time determined by the thickness of the resist. Unwanted portions of the silylated resist and quartz are etched back at 1:1 etch rate ratio to the level of the stud.

Abstract: A method of operating a photographic camera to provide exposure information in association with a latent image picture frame includes the step of automatically providing a nominal exposure for the picture frame. An operator-selected exposure is provided for the picture frame which differs from the nominal exposure by a known under- or over-exposure. The picture frame is exposed in accordance with the operator-selected exposure, and data is recorded in association with the picture frame indicating the difference between the nominal and operator-selected exposures. A method of operating a photographic printing system is provided, responsive to the recorded data, for marking a photographic print to indicate to an observer the under- or over-exposure of the negative. A method of operating a transparency processing system is provided wherein, responsive to the recorded data, the slide mount is marked with the under- or over-exposure.

Abstract: An image recording system is provided including a conventional photographic film camera, an electronic video camera, and an electronic flash. Synchronizing apparatus is provided such that, responsive to the actuation of the film camera shutter by a human operator, the flash is substantially immediately triggered to illuminate a subject. Responsive to the single flash illumination, the synchronizing apparatus synchronizes the operation of the video camera to the film camera such that the film camera captures a photographic image of the subject, and the electronic video camera captures a full frame image of a substantially identical view of the subject as two consecutive video fields. The video camera is further synchronized such that the flash illumination is substantially entirely and equally distributed between the two fields of video information. The video camera normally operates in a movie format according to NTSC standards.

Abstract: A photographic film processor having a controller and a drive motor for conveying exposed film from a spool and along a film path through a series of process stations is disclosed. The photographic processor includes: a main power supply and an auxiliary power supply for the processor; a selector switch normally operable to apply main power to the processor and alternatively operable to apply auxiliary power to the processor in the event of an interruption in main power; and a film cutter mechanism including a guillotine blade reciprocable relative to a stationary shear block in the film path, a latch to hold the blade in a ready position, a trip lever responsive to an unwound film spool being pulled against it to release the latch and blade, and a spring to drive the blade through a cutting stroke for cutting the spool from the film, whereby the processor is powered, in the event of an interruption of main power, to finish processing any film which is already in process.

Abstract: A photographic printer for exposing a photographic transparency onto a photosensitive medium, the photographic printer including a source of illumination for projecting light through the photographic transparency, a light sensor for sensing selected characteristics of the light projected through the photographic transparency, and a combination filter and shutter apparatus. The combination filter and shutter apparatus includes a rotatable wheel defining an exposure aperture, a calibration region for use in calibrating the light sensor, at least one opaque region of suitable size for blocking the light output of the source of illumination, and a neutral density filter region. Control means are provided for rotating the wheel to selectively position the calibration region between the source of illumination and the light sensor to enable the calibration of the light sensor.

Abstract: A photographic printer is provided wherein the density of a negative is measured on the same axis on which and using common optical components with which the negative is subsequently printed. The printer includes apparatus for measuring both the scanned and large area transmissive density of the negative.

Abstract: A photographic printer is provided including reflection densitometry apparatus for measuring the reflective density of a reflective patch or print. The apparatus includes a carrier separable from the printer for supporting a plurality of reflective patches. A light sensor is disposed on the printer, and means are disposed on the printer for supporting the carrier with a selected one of the reflective patches opposing the light sensor. Means are provided for illuminating the reflective patch, and means are provided for focusing the light reflected off of the reflective patch onto the light sensor. Further provided are means for selectively positioning at least one transmissive filter between the selected reflective patch and the light sensor.

Abstract: A film handling mechanism for a photographic printer which has only one surface-to-surface movement, thereby minimizing the number of tolerances to be controlled, and which nevertheless provides for film movement at the gate in all directions in the film plane including rotation, so as to provide unlimited flexibility in positioning a film frame for printing. The mechanism includes a reader for data on the film and four edge clamping of the frame selected for printing, regardless of film orientation and the location of the frame on a filmstrip.

Abstract: A video display system for displaying still frame images which emulate photographic images by being bordered with a mask of selected dimensions; the mask being selected from several masks so as to display the image with a desired aspect ratio. The video image is stored in a frame store. A memory having two arrays which map the video screen in x and y coordinates, respectively, provides storage for a plurality of sets of x and y coordinate data each of which sets define a different one of the masks. The memory may be addressed by a computer and supplied with data to change any one or more of the available masks. The memory is scanned while the frame store is read out in synchronism with the scanning of the memory. Registers are provided for storing digitized video information representing a border of a selected color. The memory is read out to provide mask signals which control the multiplexing of data from the mask registers or the frame store to a digital output bus.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes integral densitometry apparatus for performing scanned transmissive, large area transmissive, and reflective density measurements using a single light sensor. The densitometry apparatus includes a rotatable filter wheel supporting both scanning and large area transmissive filters used in making all of the density measurements. The scanning and large area density measuring apparatus use the same light projector as and share common optical hardware with that used to print pictorial negatives. The reflection densitometry apparatus includes a detachable holder for supporting reflective patches, and a second light source activated responsive to the introduction of the holder into the printer for illuminating the reflective patch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of processing fluids in photographic processors. A tank of developing fluid includes a dedicated temperature sensor, heating element, and control circuit for controlling the heating element responsive to the temperature sensor. A tail portion of the processor, including at least two additional tanks of processing fluids, includes a single temperature sensor disposed in a selected one of the fluids. Each tank includes a heating element, each heating element being sized in proportion to the corresponding volume of processing fluid to be heated thereby. A single control circuit is provided, responsive to the single temperature sensor, for controlling both of the heating elements.

Abstract: A transparency projector includes a support for supporting a transparency generally in a plane, the transparency typically exhibiting a warpage such that its center is displaced from the plane by a pop distance. Means are provided for measuring the pop distance. Means are further provided for projecting light through the transparency, and for focusing the light projected through the transparency onto a viewing plane. These last recited means include a lens having a preselected f-number. A variable aperture is provided, responsive to the pop distance, for increasing the f-number of the lens when the transparency exhibits warpage.

Abstract: Apparatus for using an a.c. power supply to bidirectionally drive a d.c. motor includes a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) having a cathode connected to a terminal of the motor and an anode connected to a circuit common junction. A second SCR has an anode connected to the motor terminal and a cathode connected to the common junction. An amplifier circuit including a PNP transistor connected in a common base configuration is connected between the gate of the first SCR and the common junction for selectively enabling or disabling the first SCR. Separate means are provided for selectively applying a signal to the amplifier circuit or to the gate of the second SCR for enabling the rotation of the motor in a first or second direction.

Abstract: An exothermically assisted electric fuse, having at least one exothermic body disposed in heat transfer relationship with at least a portion of each fusible element of the fuse, a triggering circuit for initiating an exothermic reaction in response to an overcurrent through the fuse, and a containment body partially enclosing the exothermic body for directing the heat energy released by the exothermic reaction. The containment body is disposed so as to confine and direct the heat energy in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the portion of the fusible element which is in heat transfer relationship with the exothermic body. In a preferred embodiment of such a fuse, the fusible element is wound around a support so that the fuse windings form the general shape of a cylinder, and the containment body is disposed so that the heat energy is directed in a radial direction with respect to the cylinder formed by the fuse windings.

Abstract: Power semiconductor devices are manufactured using a flexible metal tape carrier to facilitate automation of the manufacturing process. Control leads are fashioned from portions of the tape carrier, with a main portion of the tape carrier serving as a main current lead. The manufacturing process permits thorough electrical testing of a power semiconductor chip prior to incorporation into a relatively expensive power device package. In particular, the power chip can be tested at full-rated current, at least where the current is pulsed at a low duty cycle.

Abstract: A plastic end shield for use in a dynamoelectric machine of the type having a rotor assembly rotatably disposed in a housing includes an end plate for attachment to the housing, so as to provide structural support for one end of the rotor assembly, and a thermal barrier adjacent to the end plate for thermally insulating the end plate from heat generated inside the housing. In a preferred embodiment, radial and circumferential support members and axial and circumferential reinforcing ribs are employed in order to efficiently utilize the plastic material. The thermal barrier may be provided with a plurality of vent openings through which heat generated inside the housing can escape from the housing and the end plate. Means employed to attach the end plate and thermal barrier to the housing may include a thermally insulative material which prevents heat from being conducted from the housing to the end plate.

Abstract: A method of making a rotor for a dynamoelectric machine comprises the steps of forming a plurality of flux ring segments of flux conducting material. Segments of magnetizable material are then secured to each of the flux ring segments to form a ring-segment magnetizable material subassembly. A plurality of subassemblies are situated in a cylindrically shaped molding ring, with the magnetizable material adjacent to the inside walls of the molding ring. A shaft is situated in the molding ring along the axis of the cylindrical molding ring. A plastic material is molded around the shaft and inside the ring-segment-magnetizable material subassemblies whereby the outermost surfaces of the magnet material define a cylinder.

Abstract: A synchronously operable, piezoelectrically actuated electrical current switching apparatus is provided which has increased separation between the switching contacts when they are in the open position, and increased contact closing force when they are in the closed position. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart, opposing multimorph piezoelectric benders and at least one pair of electrical current switching contacts mounted on the opposing surfaces of the pair of benders, with one contact being mounted on each of the surfaces. The benders are disposed so that they bend toward each other in response to a first electrical signal, moving the contacts to a closed position. In response to a second electrical signal, the benders bend away from each other and move the contacts to an open position. In this manner, the distance achievable between the contacts in the open position is greater than the displacement available from either of the benders alone.

Abstract: A synchronously operable electrical current switching apparatus which may be used to switch multiple circuits, or to lower the contact resistance in one or more circuits, or both, includes a plurality of piezoelectric benders of the type having at least two electrically conductive layers separated by a piezoelectric material, and which exhibit bending motion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the benders lie in response to an applied electrical signal. The apparatus also includes at least one pair of switching contacts, with one contact being movable and mechanically linked to at least one bender so that the bending motion causes corresponding movement of the contact and produces a change in the relative position of the contacts between open and closed positions. One of the electrically conductive layers of each bender is connected to the electrical signal by a common electrical conductor.

Abstract: A synchronously operable electrical current switching apparatus includes a controllable piezoelectric relay having movable electrical contacts, and means for controlling the relay so as to move the contacts and effect a change of state of the electrical connectivity between them. The apparatus also includes means for operating the controlling mechanism so as to substantially reduce arcing between the contacts. A relay which is especially useful in the apparatus utilizes a piezoelectric bender and a flexible member disposed adjacent to one of the flat surfaces of the bender. The flexible member is fixed to the bender so that bending motion of the bender causes corresponding movement of the flexible member. At least one first electrical contact is disposed on the flexible member, and an electrical conductor having at least one second electrical contact is disposed adjacent the flexible member on the side thereof opposite the side which is adjacent to the bender.