Abstract: A dispensing device (1) for supplying a gaseous fluid (3) to a space (2) and abruptly emptying said space (2) to deliver its contents to an apparatus (4) once the supply has been cut off. The device (1) is characterized in that to reduce the fluid pressure in a supply chamber of the device and cause a sealing member to open abruptly once the supply of pressurized fluid (3) to the device (1) has been cut off, rather than discharging the pressurized fluid (3) in the supply chamber (5) to the atmosphere and that part of the supply circuit between said chamber (5) and the cut-off assembly, the pressurized fluid (3) which previously held the sealing member against a seal seat (10) is released into a discharge duct in the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information presentation device which includes a sheet of material rolled onto a drum, with the drum being contained in case. The case includes an area for housing at least one element of a pole, and the housing area also has an opening for loading and unloading the pole elements, which opening has a profile substantially greater than that of a pole element in a longitudinal plane, so as to allow the passage of such an element, and the housing area is disposed relative to the case in such a way that its opening adjoins a slot for the passage of the sheet and such that the slender rigid piece connected to the upper edge of said sheet, in the rolled position of said sheet, at least partially closes the opening of the housing area, thus preventing any unloading of the elements of the pole contained therein.

Abstract: A video terminal architecture and an associated management circuit for managing the display of the video terminal are dislcosed. The terminal architecture includes a microprocessor (81) connected to the management circuit (85) via a first data bus (8549) and a first address bus (8558). The management circuit (85) manages the video display and accesses to a video memory VRAM (83). The VRAM includes the system memory and the display memory. The management circuit (85) is memory and the display memory. The management circuit (85) is also connected to a read-write character generator memory (82) via a second address data bus (8529), a second data bus (8529), and by five output lines to the video monitor.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (CMM), including three spherical base joints, a device for maintaining the base joints in a fixed spaced relation, and six actuator assemblies each having a variable length. Each of the base joints has a first end of two of the six actuator assemblies connected therewith, respectively. A center pole is provided having a first spherical joint connected to a first end thereof and a second spherical joint connected to a second end thereof. A second end of a first one of each of the two actuator assemblies connected to each of the base joints is connected to the first spherical joint of the center pole, and a second end of a second one of each of the two actuator assemblies connected to each of the base joints is connected to the second spherical joint of the center pole, in a manner which forms a hexahedron.

Abstract: A method of decomposition into one component {f.sub.1 }, called the total absorption component, and one component {f.sub.k } called the diffused component of energy spectra {t.sub.i } for N image elements i of a scintigraphic image. The method of decomposition includes the steps of:a) sampling the energy in the form of P samples j;b) recording the values t.sub.i (j) of each spectrum {t.sub.i };c) constructing the table Y of the t.sub.i' (j) values;d) determining the base of specific vectors {v.sub.q } (q=0, 1, 2, . . . , P-1) that are specific orthogonal vectors of the matrix Y, classified by order of decreasing values;e) determining the K fundamental spectra {f.sub.k } in the space generated by the Q (Q.ltoreq.P) first specific vectors {v.sub.q } by applying appropriate constraints to the coefficients b.sub.kq defined by: ##EQU1## f) projecting the image element spectra {t.sub.i } onto the base of the fundamental spectra {f.sub.k } to obtain the decomposition sought.

Abstract: Inter-related devices and methods to increase sort productivity, provide for the ready integration of shipment data into a central computer system, permit centralized management and control over multiple autonomous sort operations, and integrate materials handling of the sorted shipments into the sort process. The devices and methods provide the foundation for an integrated shipment and information processing system without the complexity of automated equipment or the limitations of manual operations. The semi-automated integrated sort system has an array of chutes that flow shipments into containers or bins. The entrance to each chute is blocked by a computer-controlled gate. Detectors are placed in the chutes to detect shipments and monitor container/bin status. The chute gates, sensors, and other sort-related apparatus are connected to a computer. Automated or semi-automated data entry equipment connected to the computer provides the necessary data input.

Abstract: An application integration architecture (MO) for a data processing platform (PL) constituted by a network (RE) of machines running a plurality of heterogeneous applications (APA), the codes of which are not modifiable and each of which includes a plurality of external interfaces (IE), characterized in that, for the purpose of modifying the basic characteristics of these applications in a way that is transparent to the user, it comprises:a) an ergonomic integration module (MIG) for the centralized control of the applications with a graphical interface (GI),b) an operational continuity module (MCF) which executes actions to prevent them from operating abnormally,c) a module (MSC) for intercepting the dialogues between the components in order to ensure their logical security and the accounting of the resources consumed by the user.

Abstract: A system (SCI1) for communicating with a network (RE, etc.) which implements a communication code (CC) belonging to a plurality of interconnection models (OSI, IPS), including a package (C4, C3, C2) for administering the communication code (CC) which includes communication modules belong to various models, and wherein the package includes a configuration manager (CONFD) operable during the initialization of the system to establish the stacking of the various layers of the code, an administration module (IMD) which allows access to all the administrative information within each of the layers, a first administration interface (LMAI1, LMI1) disposed between the configuration manager (CONFD) on the one hand, and various administration entities and the administration module (IMD) on the other hand, and a second administration interface (LMAI12, LMI2) disposed between the administration module (IMD) and the administration entities (LME11, LME12).

Abstract: An article of headwear is provided which includes a substantially forwardly projecting peak or visor, an adjustable head engaging band and a length or sheet of material, the head engaging band being attached or attachable to the peak or visor at or near a rear edge thereof, the length or sheet of material being attached or attachable to the peak or visor and extending rearwardly thereof, whereby the peak or visor may be positioned on a wearer's head such that the material covers the wearer's head and hangs therefrom about the shoulders and neck of the wearer, wherein the head engaging band is positioned about a rear of the wearer's head such that the peak or visor is held in position thereon, and the material has a plurality of fasteners to adjust and fasten the material into a plurality of positions to protect a wearer's neck, head, and/or face.

Abstract: A novel asymmetrical cryptographic schema which can be used for enciphering, signature and authentication. The schema is based on low degree public polynomial equations with value in a finite ring K.The mechanism is not necessarily bijective. The secret key makes it possible to hide polynomial equations with value in extensions of the ring K. The solving of these equations makes it possible, if one has the secret key, to execute operations which are not executable with the public key alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a static analyzer of the risks of blocking the operation of a system. The analyzer produces lists of lock applications associated with allocations of the resources of the system which conform to Coffman conditions. The analyzer also produces the names of the source programs from which the lists are extracted. This allows the constructor of the system to modify his source programs in order to eliminate the risks of deadlocking between different processes in the system. The constructor of the system will thus be assured that no allocation of resources will have a blocking effect, no matter what the synchronizations of the various processes being executed in the system may be.

Abstract: A catheter uses a steerable outer catheter with an inner catheter rotatable and extendable with respect to the outer catheter. The outer catheter may be positioned within a patient's heart and a portion of the outer catheter may provide movement like that of a windshield wiper by manipulation of a spring. By combining the windshield wiper type movement with the extension and rotation of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter, a large area within a patient's heart may be readily mapped for conduction tissue and be subjected to laser ablation if appropriate. Various configurations provide flexibility in relatively positioning of windows used to apply laser energy and ring electrodes used to sense conduction tissue. Various anchoring techniques are described.

Abstract: An improved thermionic electric converter uses a wire grid cathode to provide a larger surface area for electrons to boil off. Alternately or additionally, the larger electron emission surface area can be achieved by using a curved electron emission surface. A laser provides quantum interference to electrons just before they reach the anode, thereby lowering their energy levels such that they more readily are captured by the anode. The arrangement provides improved conversion efficiency and reduced electron scatter.

Abstract: A controller (CTMI) for multiple transfer of data organized by a microprocessor (MPU) between a plurality of memories (SRAM, VRAM) and a computer bus (PSB), including a plurality of registers (REGI, REGO) programmed by the microprocessor for writing into them of information enabling the organization of the transfer over a first and a second channel. The controller includes a central bus (BC, BC1) connected to each of the registers; a first and a second channel controller, associated with the first and second channel, respectively; and an arbitration device connected on the one hand to the second interface and on the other to each of the channel controllers. The arbitration device allocates a given channel to the data routes going to the memories or the microprocessor. The channel controllers control, for each channel, the writing access of the microprocessor to the registers associated with that channel and the transfer of data to each of the memories.

Abstract: A crystal water globe comprising a housing assembly having a lower housing and a transmission having a motor-driven shaft extending through the lower housing. Movable decorations or figures of the crystal water globe and a motor are disposed at opposite sides of the lower housing. Plugs sealingly connected to the lower housing and heavy oil contained between the plugs and the lower housing are utilized to seal the interface between the motor-driven shaft and the plugs.

Abstract: A rock bolt (1) adapted to be anchored in a hole in a rock formation by means of a cement or a chemical resin anchor is disanchored. The rock bolt (1) comprises a core (5) on which is formed a profile for optimising the load transfer and the stiffiess properties of the rock bolt (1), the profile comprising opposed sides (6), with one or both sides (6) comprising at least two sections (9, 11), with a first section (9) being steeper than a second section (11).

Abstract: An athletic base system is provided having a ground support structure that releaseably secures an athletic base thereto, the ground support structure having an upper base-mounting surface, and a member for securing the structure in position relative to the ground, the base mounting surface having a fastening element in the form of a nipple having at least one relief zone within the volume occupied by the nipple to facilitate inward deflection of radially extending parts of the nipple when the nipple is joined with a nipple receiving recess on the bottom of the base as the base is being mounted on the ground support structure.

Abstract: A single preformed catheter configuration for a dual-chamber pacemaker system is provided. The catheter is formed of a heat-settable biocompatible material such as, for example, polyether polyurethane, and is formed in a predetermined shape to enhance and stabilize atrial electrode contact on the inner wall of the atrium, while also providing stress relief to absorb stresses occasioned by cardiac depolarization and respiration and modulation of the bulk cardiac complex. To this end, the catheter of the present invention includes a first section disposed in the superior vena cava to provide substantially stable support to the catheter, a second section disposed in the atrium and being preformed to substantially conform to the inner wall of the atrium, and a third section having a pliancy greater than that of the first two sections and being disposed distally of the second section.

Abstract: A metal electrode disposed on a surface of an oxide superconductor and forming electric contact with the oxide superconductor wherein at least a portion of the metal electrode is in contact with a side surface of the oxide superconductor which is perpendicular to the surface on which the metal electrode is disposed.

Abstract: A device for managing cyclic pollings for the supervision of computer resources in a network, wherein in order to execute requests for requesting information requests from the various resources in the network using a single operation and a single clock, so that each request is emitted with the proper frequency, the device includes a data table (DT), which is indexed and which contains the data for each request to be emitted having its own index (idx) as well as its own theoretical emission period (pr), a cyclic poll table (PT) which contains the indexes (idx) of the requests with the emission dates thereof, which table (PT) is sorted in ascending order by the dates, with the first line containing the nearest date, and a wait table (WT), indexed by the indexes (idx) of the emitted requests waiting for responses, which contains the dates (d+pr) of the next emissions. The device further implements a process for managing cyclic pollings.