Abstract: The present apparatus integrates a user interactive display with multiple functional telecommunications capabilities such as scanning, facsimile and telephonic capabilities. The display includes a touch sensitive screen overlay on an electrophoretic display and a handwriting controller for recognizing handwritten impressions on the touch sensitive screen overlay. The scanning, facsimile and telephonic capabilities are manipulated by the user through the interactive display. The apparatus also includes additional interface capabilities to compatible printers and remote computers as well as networking capabilities to remote faxes, cellular communications and pagers. Operations through the additional capabilities are also manipulated by the user interactive display.

Abstract: A method for substantially improving the photo luminescent performance of a porous semiconductor, involving the steps of providing a bulk semiconductor substrate wafer of a given conductivity, wherein the substrate wafer has a porous semiconductor layer of the same conductivity as the bulk semiconductor substrate wafer, and the porous semiconductor layer is made up of a plurality of pores interspersed within a plurality of nanocrystallites, wherein each of the pores its defined by a pore wall and each of the nanocrystallites has a given thickness. Next, in the method, at least one monolayer layer of passivating material is generated on the pore wall of each of the pores, to passivate the porous semiconductor layer. The one layer of passivating material substantially eliminates dangling bonds and surface states which are associated with the porous semiconductor layer. The resulting passivated porous semiconductor layer exhibits a quantum efficiency of approximately 5 percent.

Abstract: A self-warming battery for use in tactical electronics systems, having a housing containing one or more commercially available alkaline manganese dioxide battery cells, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the battery cells for monitoring the temperature thereof, load resistors disposed adjacent to the battery cells for cell warming, and a battery self-warming circuit disposed in the housing. The battery self-warming circuit is coupled to the battery cells and the temperature sensor, and selectively causes current flow through the battery cells in an initializing mode when the temperature sensor detects that the battery cells are below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A multi-level network security system is disclosed for a computer host device coupled to at least one computer network. The system including a secure network interface Unit (SNIU) contained within a communications stack of the computer device that operates at a user layer communications protocol. The SNIU communicates with other like SNIU devices on the network by establishing an association, thereby creating a global security perimeter for end-to-end communications and wherein the network may be individually secure or non-secure without compromising security of communications within the global security perimeter. The SNIU includes a host/network interface for receiving messages sent between the computer device and network. The interface operative to convert the received messages to and from a format utilized by the network. A message parser for determining whether the association already exists with another SNIU device.

Abstract: The present weight scale performs automated self calibration by periodically initiating a measurement operation to determine the zero offset from a true weight reading due the weight scale's intrinsic weight. The weight scale's intrinsic weight will vary due to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, which impact the behavior of the internal electronics that perform the weight measurement operations. The automated self calibration is provided by a counter circuit, clocked by a low power oscillator, that periodically initiates the weight scale's electronics to undertake a weight measurement of the tare weight value of the scale. The tare weight value is stored in memory until replaced by a subsequent tare weight value calculation. During a weight measurement operation the gross weight measurement is deducted by the tare weight value stored in memory to arrive at a net weight representing a user's true weight.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mixed enclave operation of a computer network with users employing a multi-level network security interface and users without any network security interface. Either the network security user selects or the network security interface automatically selects whether communications are permissible with other unsecured users. Where a mixed enclave operation is selected, the network security user identifies when communications are being undertaken with another secured user or a non-secured user. Communications with a non-secured user at a lower security level entail securing the data residing with the secured user from transmission back to the non-secured user.

Abstract: A method for separating elements associated within a body includes creating a separation region within the body, between the elements, leaving a region of the body which is to be thinned. The method then requires depositing a delay layer on the body, with an opening around the separation region. The delay layer has a predetermined removal rate relative to the removal rate of the body. Lastly, the method requires removing a predetermined amount of the delay layer, the separation region, and the region of the body to be thinned. Preferably, the removing is accomplished by etching, such as plasma etching, and the etch rate of the delay layer is lower than the etch rate for the separation region. In a preferred method, the predetermined removal rate and the positions of the openings in the delay layer are selected so that upon after etching, the elements remaining have a predetermined locus dependent thickness.

Abstract: A method for determining the line of sight of an electro-optical device mounted in a spacecraft such as a satellite. The electro-optical device includes an electo-optical element that detects impinging light energy and produces electrical pulses corresponding to the light energy detected. The method involves providing the electro-optical device with a scan mirror which is rotated to scan space to detect the light produced by a suitably bright star. Once detected, the scan mirror selectively directs the light produced by the detected star toward the electro-optical element which produces electrical pulses in response to the light. A computer on-board the spacecraft then compares the electrical pulses outpputed by the electro-optical device to a predetermined output expected for the star, to determine the line of sight of the electro-optical device.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic based control method adjusts the pump speed of a cleaning apparatus in which tubes or other article are located in a tank of cleaning solution. The tank has a circulation system with a discharge header for directing the cleaning solution at the tubes and a suction header for pulling fluid from the tank. The circulation system has a variable speed pump for circulating the fluid. A funnel directs the flow from the tubes towards the suction header. A fuzzy logic controller is used to determine when the pump speed may be stablized at a cleaning speed creating the proper flow of a cleaning solution through the tubes. The fuzzy logic controller utilizes a novel algorithm to determine the proper pump speed which uses fuzzy input variables for the input flow, the output flow, and the amplitude of the difference.

Abstract: A range finder for a cap for determining the distance to a golf flag. The range finder has a cap coupling portion having a thin shell portion adapted to conform with the cap and a pair of "u" shaped portions for hooking around an edge of the cap. A base is carried by the cap coupling portion. A first support is pivotally mounted to the base at a first pivot point. A lens is carried by the first support. A second support is pivotally mounted to the base at a second pivot point. An index for viewing through the lens is pivotally carried by the second support. The range finder has a linkage bar pivotally mounted at a third pivot point to the first support and pivotally mounted at a fourth pivot point to the second support. Moving the lens from a retracted position to a flipped down, in use position moves the index in unison.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for modifying a first signal and a second signal from a signal source providing at least two signals. The circuit including devices for forming signal components from the first and second signals. The signal components are then combined into a modified first signal and a modified second signal by means of a first combining device and a second combining device, respectively.

Abstract: Power supply is accomplished via two rails, which are arranged in one plane and which in each case have lugs, which can be bent out from the rail plane. In this case, contact arm of at least one lug is run away over a rail. In this way, a system which is quick to install and which, moveover, is quickly extended in the axial direction is produced.

Abstract: An expert system apparatus employs a rule base and a knowledge base to perform media searching. The rule base is specified by means of a series of selected keywords and phrases which are entered in by a user. The phrases are further selected in conjunction with a General Information display enabling the user to select various phrases concerning a series of newspaper articles or media articles which are placed in the knowledge base of the system. By selecting topics such as article type, individual age level, focus of the article and topics of the article a user can then develop a rule base to enable the inference engine implemented by a computer to search the knowledge base and select those articles which are associated with the particular phrases which are indicated and selected by the user. Each phrase or keyword detected will cause tag words to be provided to further provide categories for the processed article.

Abstract: A modulator device is disclosed for a spread spectrum communication system which generates a modulated signal from incoming data. The device includes a QPSK portion for separating the incoming data into two data channels and for further spreading the two channels over a wide bandwidth according to a predetermined spreading code. A phase mapping element coupled to the QPSK portion for processing both channels in order to minimize spectral regrowth of the modulated signal by preventing the RF envelope deviation from going close to zero. Pulse shaping elements coupled to the phase mapping element for further processing each channel in order to improve the modulator spectral efficiency and minimize adjacent channel interference. A quad-mixer coupled to the pulse shaping elements for combining both channels into a recombined signal and for further modulating the recombined signal according to a predetermined carrier frequency.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate and an epitaxial layer deposited thereon which supports a patterned insulating layer on which a metal layer is provided. To achieve a lower capacitance of the semiconductor device with unchanged forward voltage, the epitaxial layer consists of first and second epitaxial layers, the first epitaxial layer which adjoins the semiconductor substrate having a higher dopant concentration than and being of the same conductivity type as the second epitaxial layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a plurality of shoes each of which contain a deck of playing cards. The apparatus includes a housing and a carousel rotatively mounted within the housing. The carousel has a plurality of shoe holding receptacles for holding the shoes. The shoe holding receptacles each include a shoe ejecting mechanism for ejecting the shoe contained in the receptacle after the carousel is rotated. Accordingly, a card dealer can deal the deck of cards contained in the ejected shoe without the need for shuffling the cards of the deck.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for reducing the power consumption of a battery powered cassette player typically including a motor. The technique includes sequentially operating the motor during a first interval (T1) and turning the motor off during a second interval (T2). In the first interval (T1) the motor is driven at a high speed rate. The first interval (T1) and the second interval (T2) are chosen so that the motor is turned off for a longer time period than it is operated to thereby conserve battery power. The technique further includes storing the information from the cassette tape player during the high speed first interval (T1). The stored information is then accessed during the intervals (T1,T2) in order to transfer the information to an output device which causes playback at a lower conventional rate. The technique is preferably implemented by utilizing a controller to perform these functions and an electronic memory device.

Abstract: A microtip cathode for flat panel display screens has a constant access resistance and includes a substrate (10), a resistive layer (19), at least one cathode conductor (13), an insulating layer (16), and a control gate (3). The microtip cathode further includes an auxiliary insulating layer (18) disposed between the cathode conductor (13) and the insulating layer (16) to suppress needle hole effects in the insulating layer (16).