Abstract: An apparatus and a method for variable speed searching of recorded pictures on a storage medium is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a recording-playback device which records pictures and an information value signal, and plays back the recorded pictures. A speed controller responsive to the information value signal adjusts the speed of the recording-playback device during a fast-scan search (i.e., fast-forward or fast-backward search). The fast-scan search speed is adjusted so that the recorded pictures with high information values are played back at a slower fast-scan speed and the recorded pictures with low information values are played back at a faster fast-scan speed. The information value signal is generated during recording or during playback. The information value signal has a low value when a correlation between temporally successive recorded pictures is high, and a high value when the correlation is low, the correlation depends upon temporal redundancy between the successive video pictures.

Abstract: A memory reflection scheme is disclosed including a snarfing agent provided with efficient memory reflection circuitry for snarfing data. The memory reflection circuitry is for snarfing particular data written back from a write back agent to a memory subsystem agent. In response to unsuccessfully snarfing the particular data written back from the write back agent to the memory subsystem agent, the memory reflection circuitry issues a command to read the particular data from the memory subsystem agent. However, the memory reflection circuitry only issues such a command if the write back agent successfully writes back the particular data to the memory subsystem agent.

Abstract: A G.sub.m -C filter is formed using transconductor elements having first and second degeneration FETs to which first and second control signals are applied. A phase-locked-loop is used to generate the control signals. The control range of the transconductor elements is increased so that the frequency response of the filter can be maintained over increased ranges of various parameters (e.g., supply voltage variations, temperature variations, etc.

Abstract: A carrying strap for carrying a load greatly minimizes a bouncing action due to the load and better distributes the stress on a shoulder or a neck supporting the strap. The strap has stretchable segments separated by a gap and connected by less stretchable or non-stretchable joints. The relatively short segments and joints prevent the strap from expanding too far or tearing when heavy loads are carried. The gaps separating the segments reduce a weight bearing surface contacting a user's shoulder and distributes the stress at the point of contact throughout the strap. In response to the load, the segments expand. This enlarges the gap which further decreases the point of contact between the segments and the shoulder. The strap also has a pad underlying the segments for cushioning the shoulder. A sleeve may be fixedly or removably attached to the segments and the pad.

Abstract: Polymers containing lignin and organic compounds are produced by polymerizing the lignin with organic compounds containing at least 3 carbon atoms as well as oxygen, nitrogen and/or multiple-linkage functions in the presence of radically oxidizing enzymes and of oxidation products constituting their substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat resistant hot formable austenitic nickel alloy consisting of (in % by weight)______________________________________ carbon 0.05 to 0.15 silicon 2.5 to 3.0 manganese 0.2 to 0.5 phosphorus max 0.015 sulphur max 0.005 chromium 25 to 30 iron 20 to 27 aluminium 0.05 to 0.15 calcium 0.001 to 0.005 rare earths 0.05 to 0.15 nitrogen 0.05 to 0.20 ______________________________________residue nickel and the usual impurities due to melting.

Abstract: A contact metallization process which includes a Ti glue layer has been disclosed. The Ti glue layer is formed between a barrier metal layer and an Al-based layer. The Ti glue layer prevents formation of etch resistant precipitants in or on the Al-based layer. The Ti glue layer reacts with the aluminum based layer to form TiAl.sub.3 which dissolves the precipitates. The inventive process allows proper etching of the Al-based layer and eliminates bridging.

Abstract: A process for braking a vehicle and braking system for carrying out that process are disclosed. As braking begins, a start-braking signal is produced. A signal indicating a vehicle deceleration requirement and a signal indicating the actual vehicle deceleration are also produced. At the time the start-braking signal is produced, a control unit sets an initial vehicle declaration signal equal to the signal indicating the actual vehicle deceleration. Thereafter, the control unit actuates at least one brake of the vehicle when the value of the signal indicating the actual vehicle deceleration is different from the sum of the signal indicating the vehicle deceleration requirement and the initial vehicle deceleration signal.

Abstract: An improved healing abutment includes a deformable cap which rotationally contacts a surface connected to an implant fixture. The deformable cap maybe selectively positioned at a desired angle with respect to the implant fixture. An overcap is positioned over the deformable cap. The overcap has an inner surface which contacts and compresses the deformable cap into secure contact with the surface connected to the implant fixture at the desired angle. This secures the overcap in position at the desired angle, which allows the soft tissue to heal except where the dental prosthesis will be located.

Abstract: A method for eliminating the peeling of polycide at the edge of a wafer used to fabricate semi-conductors and integrated circuits. A global rough surface is formed on the wafer. The rough surface on the substrate wafer releases most of the thermal stress between the silicide and polysilicon layers which are found in conventional devices. A "peel free" surface results and the particle problem is lessened.

Abstract: An automatic firing arrangement (1) has an apparatus for actuating a fan which is driven by a controllable-speed asynchronous motor (2). The apparatus includes a frequency converter (3) with which the speed of rotation of the asynchronous motor (2) is controllable, switching devices (6.1; 6.2; 6.3) by which the asynchronous motor (2) can be temporarily separated from the power supply for a predetermined period of time, and a measuring means (5) with which the speed of rotation and the direction of rotation of the asynchronous motor (2) can be detected by way of the generator action thereof in said period of time.

Abstract: A vibration control apparatus that can impart self-induced vibration by stabilizing the vibrator at a frequency in near agreement with its mechanical resonance frequency vibration f.sub.s is provided. A vibrator has a pair of piezo-electric elements on the side surface of vibration member having a resonance point. A drive apparatus has signal output terminal that outputs the drive signal of vibrator. First and second feedback amplifiers each have feedback input terminals. A third feedback amplifier has a feedback input terminal and a signal input terminal. The feedback input terminals of the first and second feedback amplifiers are connected to one electrode of each of the piezo-electric elements. The feedback input terminal of the third feedback amplifier is connected to the other electrodes of the pair of piezo-electric elements. The signal input terminal is connected to signal output terminal of drive apparatus.

Abstract: A digital FIR filter for producing an L phase interpolation of a input sample ##STR1## based on L filter banks and n tap coefficients P.sub.1 (i) in each 1.sup.th one of the filter banks is disclosed, where 1.ltoreq.1.ltoreq.L and where 0.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.(n-1). The digital filter includes a first circuit for producing, for each time t, bank filter terms of a merged bank filter having an output value which changes between a previous time t-1 and the time t. The produced bank filter terms include at least one combination of two cross-symmetric bank filter terms:for the in phase condition: ##STR2## and for the out of phase condition: the same as the in phase condition except that the parameter i in the product terms, ##STR3## are replaced by i-1, of the L filter banks on which the digital filter is based, where 1.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.L and for any non-negative integer w=0,1,2, . . . , t=w.multidot.L+k.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for optical data transmission has a plug element which is form-fitted into an associated socket element. The plug element contains guide channels for aligning and securing a group of individual optical waveguides within a single oversheath, so that the waveguide ends are flush with the mating face of the plug element. The socket element contains matching guide channels which are flush with the socket face, for receiving the optical signals from the corresponding plug channels. The socket element also contains circuitry for the detection, amplification, and re-transmission of the received optical signals.

Abstract: A division technique unified quantizer-dequantizer circuit is disclosed. The unified quantizer-dequantizer includes a division circuit receiving a half step size q and an input signal x. The division circuit outputs a quantized coefficient signal y and a remainder R, where ##EQU1## The unified quantizer-dequantizer also includes a circuit receiving the quantized coefficient signal y, the remainder R, the half step size q and the input signal x.

Abstract: A drive unit for an electric motor car comprises an electric motor attached to a transmission unit, a housing for the electric motor, a control housing within which are electronic controls for the electric motor, and a cooling circuit having a cooling liquid flowing therethrough. The control housing has a bottom which is located on top of the motor housing. The cooling circuit has a first portion which cools the bottom of the control housing, and a second portion which cools the motor housing. The first and second portions of the cooling circuit are connected in series so that the cooling liquid can first cool the bottom of the control housing and then the motor housing.

Abstract: A method for operating a disk storage system, comprising a disk and forming part of a communications network, simultaneously maintains the continuity of a plurality of data streams. Typically, each stream transfers video data to or from the disk storage system. Illustratively, each of the data streams is produced in the network at a rate of W.sub.base bits/sec and consumed by the disk storage system or produced by said disk storage system and consumed in the network at a rate of W.sub.base bits/sec. One I/O transaction is performed for each stream in each of a plurality of I/O cycles of duration S/W.sub.base, wherein in each I/O transaction a segment of S bits is retrieved from or stored in the disk. The number of streams whose continuity can be maintained in this manner is limited by the number of I/O's which can be performed in a cycle of duration S/W.sub.base. More generally, when a stream has a bit rate (A/B)W.sub.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the surface treatment of material to be treated by means of a treatment liquid, in particular a band pickling plant, with a vessel (1) receiving the treatment liquid (F), through which the material (S) to be treated can be conveyed, with a lid (2) with which the vessel (1) can be tightly sealed, with an inlet and outlet opening (4, 5) through which the material (S) to be treated enters into and exits from the vessel (1), and with suction openings (9a, 11a) through which the evaporated treatment liquid (F) can be sucked off from the vessel (1), the quantity of the gas to be discharged is reduced in accordance with the invention and, simultaneously, the danger of damaging the material (S) to be treated is reduced without impairing the performance of the apparatus in such a way that in the zone of the inlet and outlet opening (4, 5) of the vessel (1) one inlet chamber and one outlet chamber (9, 11) are separated from the inner space (8) of the vessel (1) by at least one shut-off partition (7,

Abstract: A method is disclosed which eliminates standing waves in the photoresist layer of VLSI devices. A layer of anti-reflecting material is deposited between the photoresist and its underlying poly layer. This anti-reflecting layer is formed with an appropriate thickness and index of refraction so that none of the lithographic light incident on the photoresist is reflected back from the underlying layer. This eliminates the interference between incident and reflected light in the photoresist, thus preventing the occurrence of standing waves.

Abstract: A motor vehicle dashboard has a cutaway portion on the passenger's side, into which a hinged flap is inserted. Connected to the underside of the dashboard is a reinforcing half-shell with a discharge channel for an air bag. The characterizing feature of the invention is that the discharge channel forms an integral structural component with the reinforcing half-shell.