Abstract: A bridge device is provided for a stringed musical instrument having a body, a neck extending from the body, and a set of tensioned strings extending along the neck and over at least a portion of the body. The bridge device comprises a bridge plate mounted adjacent a front surface of the body, a plurality of saddles secured to the bridge plate, and a plurality of armatures pivotably secured to the bridge plate. The saddles are individually adjustable to vary the effective length of each of the strings and to vary the distance between each of the strings and the bridge plate. Each of the armatures individually engage the strings and are selectively manipulable to change the tension of each of the strings between one of three predetermined tension levels.

Abstract: A modular multi-pin package for an integrated circuit die is formed of simple standardized parts and a readily redesigned, integrated circuit specific circuit substrate possessing a design pattern for providing electrical connection between die pads and output pins. The substrate includes a pattern of electrically conductive traces each terminating in a die pattern at an interior portion of the substrate and terminating in a pattern of pin connecting pads at a peripheral portion of the substrate. A pin holding frame is formed with a plurality of holes in which are inserted a selected number and pattern of package terminal pins, each having a shank protruding outwardly from the pin holder for connection to external circuits or components and each having an inner head pressed against one of the pin connecting pads of the substrate circuit traces.

Abstract: A carpet pool game and method of playing the same employing three different sets of game balls, mallets and a detachably interconnected assembly of side boards and goal boards including an integrally formed ramp structure preventing game balls from coming to rest too close to the outer boundary of the game.

Abstract: A rectifying device comprising of a SRMOS, an inductor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The SRMOS has a gate, a drain, and a source. The gate of the SRMOS is connected to the output of the control circuit. The inductor is connected to the drain of the SRMOS. The control circuit uses two sense traces for determining the voltage (or current) passing between the inductor (that is connected to the drain) and the source of the SRMOS. Upon sensing a forward characteristic (voltage or current), the SRMOS forward biases to allow current to flow through the SRMOS. Upon sensing a reverse characteristic (voltage or current), the SRMOS reverse biases to cut off any current flow. Hysteresis is used in setting the forward biasing threshold voltage and the reverse biasing threshold voltage for the SRMOS. In reverse biasing and forward biasing the SRMOS, V.sub.gs is stepped (or curved) controlled to avoid false turn ON/OFF of the SRMOS.

Abstract: A microprocessor (42) is coupled to sense the current and voltage in an AC line (11) at a high sampling rate and to determine the power factor. In one embodiment the primary (83) of a transformer (84) is coupled across the power lines, and at least two capacitors (86, 88), forming separate switching paths, are coupled to the secondary (85) of the transformer. High speed switching circuitry under the control of the microprocessor alternately charges and discharges the capacitors (86, 88) at varying frequencies, to alternately store energy from the power lines (11) when the variable load (32) is returning energy to the power lines, and to supply the stored energy back to the power lines when the variable load (32) is absorbing energy from the power lines (11). This corrects the power factor since the frequency of the high speed switching circuitry is varied with the varying reactance of the load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of depositing a platinum thin-film on a silicon wafer. The method includes the steps of depositing a platinum layer on an insulating oxide layer under an oxidation atmosphere to form a mixture film consisted of platinum grains, platinum oxide grains and oxygen adhered to those grains (hereinafter, "the mixture film" to be referred as "oxygen containing platinum thin-film"); depositing an additional platinum thin-film to a desired thickness on the oxygen containing platinum thin-film under a complete inert atmosphere; and annealing the silicon substrate at a temperature of 400.degree. to 1,300.degree. C. in order to remove oxygen present in the independent form or in platinum oxide form within the oxygen containing platinum thin-film and to stablize the entire platinum thin-film.

Abstract: A joypad circuit for playing PC games includes a switching circuit connected between a PC and a keyboard, a microprocessor connected to the switching circuit for blocking signals from the keyboard and controlling the operation of the PC, a memory connected to the microprocessor for storing data from the keyboard during a setting mode, a plurality of switches for a user to select a desired function, a button processing circuit connected to the microprocessor for selecting a plurality of data stored in the memory in response to the user's selection to the switches, a special control circuit for performing special control of the PC when the number of the switches is not enough to control the PC, and a mode selecting circuit connecting with the microprocessor for selecting a desired operation mode.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is integrally formed on a microelectronic integrated circuit chip for testing a plurality of memories including parallel outputs having a total of a first number of bits. The apparatus includes an input unit for writing test data into the memories, a parallel output bus having a second number of bits which is smaller than the first number of bits, and an output unit for selectively connecting outputs of the memories to the output bus such that a total number of bits of the selected outputs is not greater than the second number of bits. The outputs of the memories are connected to the output unit in groups, and the output unit is configured to selectively connect the groups of outputs to the output bus in response to respective control signals to read test data out of the memories. Data is applied from the memories to the output unit in bytes.

Abstract: A composition for protecting an exposed surface from the formation and growth of mildew and from other environmental soiling and from defacement by graffiti marking is provided in the form of an aqueous latex rubber solution which may also contain a bleaching agent. The composition is applied to the surface to be protected as an aqueous solution which, following application, dries and cures to form a transparent protective barrier. The barrier can be removed when desired simply by washing with soap and water.

Abstract: A resistor-printed board built in a flyback transformer for a video display appliance with a reduced size as well as the resistance error of the printed resistors. A focus volume and a screen volume are printed on one surface of the resistor-printed board, and a bleeder resistor is printed on the other surface thereof, so that the size of the resistor-printed board is reduced, and a focus voltage and a screen voltage to be supplied to the appliance are stably adjusted, not affected by the printed error of the bleeder resistor.

Abstract: High quality thin films of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide useful in the production of solar cells are prepared by electrodepositing at least one of the constituent metals onto a glass/Mo substrate, followed by physical vapor deposition of copper and selenium or indium and selenium to adjust the final stoichiometry of the thin film to approximately Cu(In,Ga)Se.sub.2. Using an AC voltage of 1-100 KHz in combination with a DC voltage for electrodeposition improves the morphology and growth rate of the deposited thin film. An electrodeposition solution comprising at least in part an organic solvent may be used in conjunction with an increased cathodic potential to increase the gallium content of the electrodeposited thin film.

Abstract: An active load is connected to a power supply terminal of an electronic device such as an integrated circuit. The active load receives a reference voltage that is equal to a normal power supply voltage for application to the terminal, and a source current that is equal to a maximum quiescent power supply current that the device should sink through the terminal. A vector generator applies test signals to the device that cause it to switch between respective operating states. During each operating state, a voltage source that generates the normal power supply voltage is connected to the terminal for a length of time sufficient for the device to attain the respective operating state, and is then removed such that the device is powered only by the active load. After a sufficient length of time has elapsed for the device to achieve a quiescent state, the voltage at the terminal is sensed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer capable of transmitting and receiving video and audio signals over an RF bandwidth. The RF bandwidth is allocated among the audio and video signals to allow the audio and video signals to be fitted within the RF bandwidth. The allocation is performed by varying the rates of compression of the audio and video signals. The video is displayed by using fast digital-to-analog converters and a dither technique. An existing computer can be configured for wireless communications by inserting into its backplate a board including a transceiver for transmitting and receiving compressed audio and video signals. The computer's microprocessor is programmed to perform the bandwidth allocation, and can even be programmed to compress and decompress the audio and video signals.

Abstract: An automatic basting roaster including a main roasting pan, a basting pan disposed in the roasting pan, and a rack holding a roast removably mounted on the basting pan. A drip pan is supported above the rack and the area in the roasting pan between the basting pan and the bottom of the roasting pan acts as a valve controlled basting fluid supply chamber sealed off from the atmosphere except for tubing extending into the liquid therein opening a short distance above the bottom of the roasting pan and opening above and onto the top of the drip pan.

Abstract: A form assembly for forming vertical concrete walls for prefabricated apartment and office modules. The form assembly has a wall form having a plurality of internal wall forms and corresponding external wall forms. The wall form is connected to a support structure, and a plurality of hydraulic lifting cylinders connect to the support structure to raise and lower the wall form. The form assembly may also have hydraulic open and close mechanisms, hydraulic form ties and a control console for the hydraulic system. External corner mechanisms may be provided for locking the external form corners in place prior to concrete pouring. An efficient method of manufacturing the modules includes several steps. Slab reinforcement bars and conduits are layed on a slab deck. Concrete is poured over the slab reinforcement bars and conduits to form a slab. Wall reinforcement bars and conduits are erected on the slab for vertical walls.

Abstract: To manufacture a tappet in an internal combustion engine, a tappet rough body which comprises a cylindrical portion with an upper wall and an annular side wall is moulded by press processing of metal powder, such that the upper wall, the cylindrical portion and the annular side wall become larger than the tappet to be manufactured in the axial size. After sintering the tappet rough body, it is re-compressed to form the final tappet.