Abstract: A learning algorithm for the N-dimensional Coulomb network is disclosed which is applicable to multi-layer networks. The central concept is to define a potential energy of a collection of memory sites. Then each memory site is an attractor of other memory sites. With the proper definition of attractive and repulsive potentials between various memory sites, it is possible to minimize the energy of the collection of memories. By this method, internal representations may be "built-up" one layer at a time. Following the method of Bachmann et al. a system is considered in which memories of events have already been recorded in a layer of cells. A method is found for the consolidation of the number of memories required to correctly represent the pattern environment. This method is shown to be applicable to a supervised or unsupervised learning paradigm in which pairs of input and output patterns are presented sequentially to the network.

Abstract: Apparatus for the transmission of information by a laser beam and laser oscillators therefore are disclosed. This apparatus includes at least one laser oscillator for generating a laser beam and means associated with the laser oscillator for varying a characteristical quantity of the laser beam. The laser may take the form of a surface-emitting semiconductor laser, in which case the variable quantity is the spatial mode content of the laser beam. The laser may be provided with externally controllable means for extracting wave energy from a laser wave in the resonator of the laser, in which case the varying quantity is the spatial mode content or the frequency of the laser beam.

Abstract: A sleeve bearing comprises two sleeves which are mounted for relative rotation one inside the other and which contact one another at radially outwardly extending flanges. The outer sleeve consists of rubber and has a sealing lip on its flange. The sealing lip reaches around the profile of the projecting flange of the inner sleeve and its sealing edge is resiliently biased against the outer end face of the inner sleeve flange. In addition to the sealing edge, the sealing lip can also have a sealing surface which, in cooperation with secondary machine parts, constitutes an additional seal for protecting the sealing edge.

Abstract: A fragrance dispensing apparatus of the type which releases a fragrance from a solid polyamide resin body includes a volatile substance such as perfume oils, insecticides, odorants, bactericides and animal repellants. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one opening therein and disposed adjacent the composition for transferring fragrance therefrom to the other side of the housing. A heating resistor is provided in the housing for maintaining an elevated temperature. A heater plate formed of sheet metal is arranged in the housing in thermally conductive relationship with the heating resistor. The heater plate is configured to at least partially surround and contact the resin body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for making webs, mats and the like of reed-like plastic straws (H), by which straw chains (K) of parallel, adjacent straws of unequal length are applied like scales on a support sheet (13). To achieve a fully automated manufacturing process, straws (H1) of equal length are first produced and arranged side by side, in parallel, to form a row (R). They are then attached together along their aligned ends and preferably also, along at least one longitudinal line dividing the row of straws widthwise, with adhesive tape (8) extending in the lengthwise direction of the row. Thereafter, if desired, the straw row (R) is cut into partial rows (T) along the longitudinal lines covered by tape.

Abstract: Display means are disclosed for aesthetically storing a signal receiving means such as video cassette tapes, audio cassette tapes or compact discs. The display means include a jacket having substantially no printing matter on an end wall facing the user. On the end wall a receiving area receives an assigned code for the program of the tapes stored in the jacket and an index booklet of the same shape and style of the jacket is provided for identifying stored programs.

Abstract: In power MOSFETs the source zone (5) and the channel zone (4) must be contacted by a common contact (15). If the contact material is aluminum and if the channel zone (4) is n-conductive (p-channel MOSFET), a surface region (8) of the channel zone (4) is additionally n-doped through an opening (6) in the source zone (5) thereabove with a dose of .gtoreq.5.times.10.sup.14 atoms cm.sup.-2. The aluminum contact (15) contacts the channel zone (4) at this region (8) thereby forming a purely ohmic contact to the channel zone.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for separating and identifying classes of patterns or events which are not necessarily linearly separable. The patterns are represented by an input signal S. The system comprises (1) a plurality of classification units, connected in parallel to receive the input signal S, and (2) a class selection device, responsive to the output signals produced by the classification units, for producing a single output response R representing the class of each respective pattern. In a preferred embodiment each classification unit includes a pattern feature encoding device, responsive to the input signal S, for producing an intermediate signal F.sub.i representative of the features contained in the pattern, and a pattern classifier, responsive to the signal F.sub.i, for producing an output signal R.sub.i representative of the respective class of the pattern, as identified by the features encoded by the feature encoding device.

Abstract: Apparatus for the frontal introduction of marking strips (24), which are automatically formed, into a sheet stack (26) comprises a strip feeding device (18, 74-90) for supplying the marking strips (24) from a supply roll (20); a tongue (36) which is moved frontally into the sheet stack profile, lowered onto the stack (26), raised again and then retracted from the stack under the next deposited sheet (100); a guide channel (90) for the strip (22) supplied by the strip feeding device which opens into a gap under the lowered tongue (36); and a severing device (92) for severing the introduced marking strip (24) from the strip supply. The tongue (36) has downwardly bent flanks (40) that form a flat wedge, the guide channel (90) thereby opening into the channel (42) inside the tongue. The tongue is retracted in a loop-like movement while it is being slightly raised. It is then lifted upward before being moved in again while, for the most part, remaining outside the stack profile.

Abstract: Devices for controlling and guiding waves, such as electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, and the like are disclosed which include at least one wave-transmitting medium and a diffraction grating, associated with the transmitting medium, for scattering wave energy into or out of the guided waves. The device may take the form of a "sandwich"-type or thin film waveguide, in which case the transmitting medium has at least one curvi-planar boundary, or it may take the form of a "rod"-shaped or cylindrical waveguide, in which case the transmitting medium has a substantially cylindrical boundary. According to the invention, the diffraction grating comprises a large number of substantially closed loop grating lines consecutively enclosing each other from inner to outer, with all of the grating lines extending substantially parallel to the phase fronts of the guided waves.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for coupling electrical energy into and/or out of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device, such as a transponder. The SAW device has two input/output terminals electrically connected to at least one transducer for converting between electrical energy and SAW energy. Such transducer presents to the terminals a prescribed capacitance in the frequency range of operation. An inductive loop, formed by at least one turn of an electrical conductor, is connected to the two input/output terminals of the SAW device. The inductance of the loop is made substantially equal to the prescribed capacitance at the frequency range of operation, thus forming a resonant circuit with the SAW device. The loop also forms a protective DC short circuit across the two terminals, preventing build-up of static electricity. The inductive loop is inductively coupled to an antenna capable of receiving and/or transmitting radiation in the frequency range of operation.

Abstract: A "passive interrogator label system" (PILS) is disclosed with passive, SAW transponders which are capable of receiving an interrogation signal, processing this signal and transmitting a reply signal that is derived from the interrogation signal and contains encoded information. The SAW transducers employed in the transponders are operated at their third harmonic and comprise split fingers which reduce SAW reflections. These transducers are also shaped to increase their bandwidth and to reduce their capacitance. The bus bars connecting the transducers are formed of double thickness to reduce ohmic resistance losses and these bus bars as well as the transponder phase delay pads have two levels of serrations on their edges to substantially cancel reflections. SAW reflectors in the transponder are provided with shorts between successive fingers to reduce ohmic resistance losses and to render them less susceptible to fabrication errors.

Abstract: A passive interrogator label system is disclosed which transmits a first signal to, and receives a second signal from a remote, encoding transponder. In the preferred embodiment, the transponder is a passive, surface acoustic wave device which receives the first signal, processes this signal and transmits, in reply, the second signal which includes a unique identification code. The passive interrogator label system incorporates a means and method for compensating for variations in signal delays within the transponder due to changes in ambient temperature as well as manufacturing tolerances of the transponder. The method includes the steps of measuring the difference in delay times between two successive delay taps in the transponder and using this difference as a standard for determining the differences in delay times between other successive taps in the same transponder.

Abstract: A "passive interrogator label system" (PILS) comprises an interrogator for transmitting an interrogation signal, one or more "labels" or passive transponders which produce a reply signal containing coded information in response to the interrogation signal, and a receiver and decoder for receiving the reply signal and decoding the information contained in it. The frequency of the interrogation signal assumes a plurality of frequency values within a prescribed frequency range. The decoder includes a mixer (4 quadrant multiplexer) for mixing together the interrogation and reply signals (or signals derived therefrom) to produce a further signal containing frequencies which are the sum and difference of the interrogation and reply signals. A signal processor, responsive to this further signal produced by the mixer, detects at least some of the frequencies contained in this further signal and determines the informational code associted with the transponder.

Abstract: A patch-type antenna is disclosed for radiating electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band. The antenna comprises first and second electrically conductive plates which are supported in spaced-apart parallel relationship. The first plate serves as a ground plane, whereas the second plate forms a patch antenna element. A feed element supplies RF energy to the patch antenna without physically contacting it. This feed element is formed by an elongate, electrically conductive strip line arranged between the two plates and extending from one edge of the second plate to an interior point thereof. The length of this feed element, in its longitudinal direction, is approximately equal to one fourth of the wavelength of the EMR radiation by the antenna at the radio frequency applied thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for simultaneously feeding a machine with webs of material from a plurality of web supply rolls, the rolls being mounted in tandem with their winding axes parallel to one another between roll stands situated opposite one another in pairs, and a loading car for carrying new rolls which runs between the bilateral roll stands. To hasten the roll changing procedure, the loading car is capable of receiving simultaneously the entire number of mountable rolls with a spacing between them corresponding to the spacing of the successive roll mounting axes. For this purpose, there are provided automatically operating means for carrying away the roll cores released from the respective roll stands, and means for holding the ends of the indrawn webs of material which can be lowered automatically onto the circumferencial surfaces of the web rolls, and which are combined with means for severing the respective webs of material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for automatically splicing a web of material in a web feeding apparatus, in which the web of material is drawn from a supply roll and is stopped in order to change the roll. A severing knife, at least one suction member, a pressure-applying member and a pulley member which can travel on the beam, combined with an anvil for the severing knife, are disposed on an arm-like beam which can be swung toward the circumference of the supply roll. The swinging movement of the beam is limited such that it can approach the roll core only up to a certain minimum distance. However, up to that point the pressure-applying member can bear resiliently against the circumference of the supply roll.

Abstract: Interrogator/receiver apparatus is disclosed for transmitting a first signal to, and receiving a second signal from a remote transponder. In the preferred embodiment, the transponder is a passive, surface acoustic wave device which receives the first signal, processes this signal and transmits, in reply, the second signal which includes a unique identification code. The interrogator/receiver apparatus includes (1) a common RF unit for generating the first (interrogation) signal and (2) a plurality of transmitter/receiver heads, each remote from, and coupled to the common signal generator, for transmitting the first signal to, and receiving the second signal from a transponder or transponders in its vicinity.

Abstract: A game is disclosed which simulates for each player the operation of a trucking enterprise. The game includes a number of miniature truck-like playing pieces each having a truck body with a cargo bay for carrying a miniature load. The game also includes a number of miniature cargo pieces which may be placed in and carried by the truck-like playing pieces. The game is played on a playing board having a predetermined travel path represented by a road which traverses a map of the continental United States. Dice are used by each player to advance the players' truck-like pieces along the travel path to pick up, carry and discharge cargo pieces at positions on the board marked by selectively placeable miniature trucking terminals.