Abstract: Digital video data is encoded by using the evolving states of cellular automata. The method involves performing a frame-by-frame encoding of a group of M frames. Each of the frames is transformed with transform basis functions derived from the evolving cellular automata. The ensuing transform coefficients are encoded using a sub-band-based embedded stream technique that places the most important coefficients at the top of a hierarchical storage/transmission. The embedded stream encoding of the ensuing transform coefficients achieves an automatic redundancy removal in the cellular automata frequency space. Compression of the M frames is achieved when the stream encoding/decoding is terminated after: 1) a stipulated maximum bit budget is reached, or 2) when a predefined maximum error rate is attained. An encoding method is provided for accelerating the transmission of video data through communications networks and storing the compressed data on digital storage media.

Abstract: An electric fuse is comprised of a tubular fuse casing formed of an electrically insulating material. A first conductive component is attached to a first end of the casing and a second conductive component is attached to a second end of the casing. A first conductive path is formed through the tube between the first and second conductive components. The conductive path includes a fusible element having a first resistance. A second conductive path is formed along the exterior of the tubular fuse casing. The second conductive path is in parallel to the first conductive path and has a second resistance greater than the first resistance. The second conductive path includes an indicator component. The indicator component is comprised of first layer comprised of a colored material, and a second layer comprised of an electrically conductive material deposited onto the first layer. The second layer has a region of increased resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating data transport through communication networks (e.g., the Internet) is taught. The data sources may include Internet web pages, electronic mails, computer files, digitized pictures, voice and video. The method combines smart content-based data compression schemes with intelligent routing to efficiently move information across a network. The apparatus works with existing communications protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, SMTP and POP3) and fits transparently with Internet browsing applications.

Abstract: A component for use in forming a printed circuit board comprised of a copper foil, a layer of chromium chemically deposited thereon, the layer of chromium having a thickness of less than about 0.10 &mgr;m; and a layer of electrodeposited copper on the layer of chromium, the layer of electrodeposited copper having a thickness of less than 35 &mgr;m. A nodular treatment layer is provided on the copper foil and the layer of electrodeposited copper.

Abstract: A voltage suppression device for suppressing voltage surges in an electrical circuit, comprised of a voltage sensitive element having a predetermined voltage rating, the voltage sensitive element increasing in temperature as voltage applied across the voltage sensitive element exceeds the voltage rating. Terminals are provided for electrically connecting the voltage sensitive element between a power line of an electrical circuit and a ground or neutral line of the electrical circuit. A normally closed, thermal switch is electrically connected in series with the voltage sensitive element between the power line and the voltage sensitive element, the thermal switch being thermally coupled to the voltage sensitive element wherein the thermal switch moves from a normally closed position to an open position to form a gap between the thermal switch and the voltage sensitive element when the temperature of the voltage sensitive element reaches a level indicating an over-voltage condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a plastic sorting method and apparatus, which, when plastic pieces comprising a plurality of types of resin plastics are agitated and frictionally charged, are able to impart the plastic pieces a necessary amount of charge or polarity for the thorough separation even if the difference in the amount of the different types of plastic pieces is large and to increase the recovery rate. If the amount of a specified type plastic pieces (1) to be recovered is small, the agitation and the electrostatic separation is carried out after adding the specified type plastic pieces (1) as auxiliary frictional charging material (21) into the frictional charging device (3), and the auxiliary frictional charging material (21) remains in the frictional charging device (3) and is used repeatedly.

Abstract: A continuous, friction-actuated extrusion apparatus, comprised of a cylindrical first member having a circumferential groove formed in its peripheral surface. A stationary second member projects into the groove and defines a passageway between the first member and the second member, the passageway having an entry end and an exit end. A metal feeding device for feeding metal into the passageway at the entry end as the cylindrical first member rotates toward the exit end. An abutment member extends across the passageway at the exit end and at least one die orifice is located at the exit end of the passageway. At least one restriction member is located in the passageway between the orifice and the entry end, the restriction member constricting the passage for a portion thereof.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a filing device which includes simplified binding elements for removably binding a plurality of folder bags of a synthetic resin, and allows for easy attachment of the binding elements to a file cover thereof. The filing device comprises: a file cover including a front cover portion, a back cover portion, and aspine provided between the front and back cover portions; and a binding member fixed onto an inner side of the spine of the file cover and including an elongated base plate, a plurality of binding elements provided parallel to each other at predetermined intervals along the length of the base plate on an inner side of the base plate as projecting perpendicularly to the base plate, and hooks extending outwardly from longitudinally opposite ends of the base plate and bent into a U-shape so as to be hooked onto longitudinally opposite ends of the spine of the file cover.

Abstract: When plastic pieces of plural different types of resins fed into a hopper are agitated to be triboelectrically charged, the plastic pieces are not imparted with sufficient amounts of charges or proper polarities which are required for separation of the plastic pieces if there are great differences in quantity between the different types of plastic pieces. This makes it impossible to properly separate the plastic pieces. Where the amount of pieces of a particular plastic to be separated is small, pieces of the particular plastic are additionally fed as a triboelectrification agent into a triboelectric charger (3) and agitated with the plastic pieces. Thus, different types of plastic pieces (1) (e.g., PVC and PE) are prevented from being imparted with the same polarity and are imparted with different amounts of charges, so that the separation can assuredly be carried out in an electrostatic separating section (G) for recovery of the particular plastic pieces.

Abstract: A pressure switch comprising a housing having a pressure chamber, a port communicating with the pressure chamber and a recessed throat located where the port communicates with the chamber. A flexible diaphragm is disposed within the housing adjacent the pressure chamber, and an electric switch is mounted to the housing. A pressure plate is disposed between the diaphragm and the port. The pressure plate has a first surface contoured to mate with a portion of the diaphragm and a second surface facing the port having a plurality of projections extending from the second surface. The projections are dimensioned to engage the throat portion and maintain the second surface therefrom. The projections define passageways where the port communicates with the chamber when the projections engage the throat.

Abstract: A method of making a cristobalite-free, mullite grain capable of withstanding reaction with molten aluminum, comprising the steps of: producing a clay slurry comprised of water and kaolin clay of a specific particle size; mixing a water insoluble barium or strontium containing compound into the clay slurry in an amount wherein the barium or strontium containing compound content of the slurry is equal to about 8% by weight of the kaolin clay in the slurry; removing sufficient water from the slurry to form a material having an pelletizable consistency; forming the material into pellets; heating the pellets by continuously moving them through a furnace having a zone, wherein the material is exposed to temperatures of at least 2,650° F. (1,455° C.) for at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: A Li-ion and/or Li-ion polymer cell, comprised of: a first cathode section and a second cathode section, each cathode section having a cathode current collector in contact therewith, the cathode current collector comprised of a sheet of metal mesh having a tab portion extending outwardly from the sheet beyond the cathode section to form a cathode section lead, the cathode section lead from the first cathode section being disposed adjacent to the cathode section lead from the second cathode section; an anode section disposed between the cathode sections, the anode section having an anode current collector having a tab portion extending therefrom beyond the anode section to form an anode section lead; a separator layer disposed between the anode section and each of the cathode sections; and an adhesive protective layer applied to the tab portion of each cathode current collector where the tab portion extends from the sheet, the protective layers disposed between the tab portions to prevent shorts when the tab

Abstract: Digital video data is encoded by using the evolving states of cellular automata. The video data is subdivided into groups of three-dimensional “video cubes”. The data is transformed via 3D filters derived from the cellular automata. The ensuing transform coefficients are encoded using a sub-band-based embedded stream technique that automatically transmits or stores the most important coefficients. Compression of the video cubes is achieved when the stream encoding/decoding is terminated after 1) a stipulated maximum bit budget is reached, or 2) when a predefined maximum error rate is attained. This invention teaches an encoding method for accelerating the transmission of video data through communications networks and storing the compressed data on digital storage media.

Abstract: An electrowinning cell, having a tank with an opened upper end defined by a tank edge, electrolyte within the tank and a plurality of flat, metallic electrode plates disposed within the tank in side-by-side, spaced-apart, parallel relationship. Adjacent electrode plates define an electrode gap therebetween. An injector manifold is disposed at the bottom of the tank for feeding electrolyte into the tank at locations below the electrode plates. A collector grid, comprised of a plurality of collectors having ports, define an upper level of electrolyte by collecting the electrolyte from the tank. The ports are disposed in spaced-apart relationship within the open upper end defined by the tank edge. The collector grid and the injector creating a flow of electrolyte upward between the plates as the electrolyte flows from the manifold locations below the plates to the ports.

Abstract: Digital images are transformed using a set of filters derived from the evolving states of cellular automata. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ensuing transform coefficients are encoded using a sub-band-based embedded stream technique that places the most important transform coefficients at the top of a hierarchical storage/transmission. Compression is achieved when the stream encoding/decoding is terminated after 1) a stipulated maximum bit budget is reached, or 2) when a predefined maximum error rate is attained. The present invention provides an encoding method for accelerating the transmission of image/video data through communications networks and storing the compressed data on digital storage media.

Abstract: A fusible and vaporizable substance (for example, a thin metal wire is used) 2 is fused and vaporized by supplying thereto a predetermined amount of electrical energy from a capacitor 14 of an electrical energy supply circuit 10 for a short period of time, and nitromethane 3 is detonated by a phenomenon in the process in which the fusible and vaporizable substance 2 fuses and vaporizes, so that an object to be blasted 4 is reliably blasted by this detonation force.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, comprising the steps of applying a layer of chromium having a thickness from about 30 grams per square meter to about 160 grams per square meter to each side of a steel substrate having a thickness from about 0.10 mm to about 0.20 mm. Applying a layer of copper having a thickness from about 2 &mgr;m to about 70 &mgr;m to each of the chromium layers. Positioning the steel substrate between two dielectric layers with adhesive disposed between the copper layers and the dielectric layers. Applying heat and pressure to the layers to bond the copper layers to the dielectric layers. Separating the steel substrate from the copper layers, and discarding the steel substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminate for use in the production of printed circuit boards, comprising the steps of: a) forming a component comprised of a sheet of copper foil and a sheet of metal, the sheet of copper foil having an essentially uncontaminated surface facing an essentially uncontaminated surface of the sheet of metal, the surfaces of the sheets being in unattached contact with each other in an area that defines a substantially uncontaminated zone; b) applying a preformed adhesive film formed of a substantially uncured polymeric material onto an exposed surface of the copper foil, the adhesive film having a first surface and a second surface, the film being attached to the component with the first surface in contact with an exposed surface of the copper foil; and c) curing the adhesive film, wherein the second surface of the adhesive film is at least partially uncured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a bag-forming and -filling packing apparatus for supplying unsealed packaged articles (45) to a rotary vacuum packaging machine at regular intervals, in which the rotary vacuum packing machine is subjected to significant variations in loads. A main controller (115) for receiving pulse signals calculates modulation of the pitch of pulses from a main motor (86) of the rotary vacuum packaging machine, and control elements (94, 95, 96, 97) each attached to a corresponding one of all servo motors (20, 30, 40, 76) of the bag-forming and -filling packaging machine individually and simultaneously control the rotation value of each servo motor. This configuration can avoid step-wise control of each servo motor and reduce impacts on a rotary section and a failure rate while maintaining a slow control operation.