Abstract: The present invention involves a tamper-resistant guard for a coin-collection machine that receives coins and directs the coins toward a coin-collection machine, while the guard also protects the coin machine from pilfering. The tamper-resistant anti-theft guard has a cover which encloses the inlet opening of the coin-collection machine, and the cover has dual anti-theft coin guards, namely, a limited-access openings on its surface and baffles housed within it. The limited-access openings and the baffles prohibit or restrict the insertion of human hands, human fingers, or foreign objects into the cover or into the coin machine being protected.

Abstract: A speech controlled verification system for verifying the identity of a person using a telephone calling card, bank card or other credit card. The systems connects the user of the card to a telephone network, wherein the user enters the card number. The card number is used to access a central data base through the telephone network, wherein a voice verification template is retrieved corresponding to the entered card number. The voice verification contains various samples of the authorized user's voice stating selected words, phrases and/or numbers. Once the proper voice verification template is retrieved, the system prompts the user to state one of the words, phrases and/or numbers contained within the voice verification template. The word, phrase and/or numbers stated in response to the prompt is compared with the voice verification template. If the stated words match the template, the user is considered to be the authorized user and the card is validated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digitally adjustable crystal oscillator having a quartz crystal and a monolithic integrated oscillator circuit including a series combination of a first frequency-adjusting capacitor C1 and a second frequency-adjusting capacitor C2 connected in parallel with the quartz crystal and comprising parallel-connected first capacitance stages and parallel-connected second capacitance stages, respectively, and an inverter circuit connected in parallel with the quartz crystal and comprising a feedback resistor R.sub.K, the output of the innverter circuit being connected to a load resistor. The inverter circuit comprises parallel-connected inverter stages, and switching elements are provided within the inverter stages and cqapacitor stages in such a way that a respective one of the inverter stages as well as a first capacitance stage C.sub.1i and a second capacitance stage C.sub.2i are switchable into or out of circuit by means of a control signal I.sub.i.

Abstract: A monolithic inductor device is disclosed which typically includes a substrate. The improvement includes a layer of dielectric material disposed over the substrate. A first inductor pattern disposed on the substrate and a second inductor pattern disposed on the dielectric layer. The inductor patterns are coupled together to form a single inductive element, which has reduced dissipation losses and an improved frequency response due to the dielectric material.

Abstract: A portable signal beacon adapted to be worn on the body so as to provide a discernable signal to a remote observer during low light conditions. The signal beacon includes a lightweight housing containing a light source, such as a bank of infrared LEDs. A signal generating device is also contained within the housing, wherein the signal generating device controls the activation of the light source and provides the light source with one of a plurality of different flashing sequences. At least one selection switch is provided that enables the user of the beacon to select which of the plurality of flashing sequences will be transmitted by the light sources.

Abstract: A method for recognizing spoken utterances of a speaker is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of providing a database of labeled speech data; providing a prototype of a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) definition to define the characteristics of the HMM; and parameterizing speech utterances according to one of linear prediction parameters or Mel-scale filter bank parameters. The method further includes selecting a frame period for accommodating the parameters and generating HMMs and decoding to specified speech utterances by causing the user to utter predefined training speech utterances for each HMM. The method then statistically computes the generated HMMs with the prototype HMM to provide a set of fully trained HMMs for each utterance indicative of the speaker.

Abstract: A multi-level security device is disclosed for providing security between a user and at least one computer network, wherein the user is selected from the group consisting of a host computer and at least a second network. A secure network interface Unit (SNIU) that operates at a user layer communications protocol, which communicates with other like SNIU devices by establishing an association at a session layer of a communication stack in order to create a global security perimeter for end-to-end communications. The SNIU includes a host/network interface for receiving messages sent between the user and the at least one network, which is operative to convert the received messages to and from a format utilized by the at least one network. A message parser for determining whether the association already exists with another SNIU device. A session manager coupled to the interface for identifying and verifying the user requesting access to the network.

Abstract: A portable device for performing coagulation tests on a patient's blood. Blood is first drawn from a patient using a lancet. The blood is then supplied to a disposable cuvette placed within the testing device. The blood is drawn into multiple conduits within the cuvette. Each of the conduits contains a dried or lyophilized activation reagent that is rehydrated by the blood. The blood in each of the conduits is then reciprocally moved across a restricted region until a predetermined degree of coagulation occurs. Since the coagulation time is being monitored in multiple conduits, a representation coagulation time for a given sample can be determined. In at least one of the conduits a normalizing control agent is present. The normalizing control agent counteracts any effects of anticoagulants present in the blood sample, thereby allowing the blood sample to have generally normal coagulation characteristics.

Abstract: A method for circumcising a penis having a foreskin encircling the glans penis using an apparatus having a cap, a guide clamp, and a blade holder mechanism. The cap defines an interior space and has an outer surface. The glans penis of the penis is placed in the interior space defined by the cap. The foreskin of the penis is positioned around an outer surface of the cap. The clamp is positioned over the foreskin such that a portion of the foreskin is interposed between the clamp and specific features on the outer surface of the cap. The guide clamp is secured in a position over the foreskin of the penis crushing the skin to prevent bleeding. The blade holder mechanism is placed on the guide clamp and rotated around the guide clamp so that a blade carried by the blade holder mechanism cuts the foreskin. The blade is mounted on a flexible finger within the blade holder and as such is exposed for cutting only during use. At all other times the blade is safely contained within the blade holder body.

Abstract: A device for making an adjustably sized incision in skin. The device comprises a housing having a slotted opening; a blade disposed within the housing for making an incision in skin; a blade triggering mechanism disposed within the housing, for propelling the blade through the slotted opening of the housing a given distance to make an incision of a predetermined size in the skin; and incision size adjusting mechanism associated with the housing for selectively adjusting the size of the incision. The incision size adjusting mechanism includes a cam disposed within the housing, the cam being manually movable relative to the housing for allowing the size of the incision to be adjusted by variably limiting the given distance the blade is propelled through the slotted opening of the housing according to the cam's position relative to the housing.

Abstract: A flat display screen includes two electrodes separated by an inner space. At least one first electrode is supported by a thin substrate and by a thick rigidifying plate, the inner space being defined by a peripheral frame placed between the electrodes, outside their useful surface.

Abstract: A video signal clamping circuit for adapting the DC level of a composite video signal to the processing range of a digital video signal processing device, includes an isolating capacitor in the analog video signal path and a controlled current source which is connected to a floating isolating-capacitor terminal and charges or discharges the isolating capacitor solely by means of a positive or negative clamping current, with the value and sign of the clamping pulses being digitally controlled by a comparator circuit which compares predetermined reference values of the composite video signal with mode-dependent comparison values.

Abstract: A combined collimator/diopter cell subassembly for use in a monocular optical device. The subassembly has its own housing, wherein the subassembly housing is a two part structure that joins together in a clam shell like fashion. The subassembly housing defines a plurality of reliefs that engage and retain the various lens elements that comprise the collimator and the diopter cell. The subassembly housing also defines slots that retain mirrors, creating a folded optical path whereby light enters the collimator and exists the diopter cell. Since the subassembly housing is shaped to hold the various lenses and mirrors in a predetermined relationship, the amount of labor required to both produce the collimator and diopter and position them within the optical deice is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method of separating electronic devices contained in a carrier which are provided at the surface of the carrier and are covered by a protective layer. Openings are provided above separation regions between adjacent electronic devices. The material of the carrier is removed in the separation regions starting from the openings, and the electronic devices are, at least during the material-removing process, confined in the carrier by respective regions with a material removal property different from that of the carrier.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprising fabricating a sacrificial wafer having a substrate wafer which includes a diffused layer and one or two epi layers. The sacrificial wafer is fusion bonded to a separately fabricated carrier/handle wafer having a layer of oxide on its surface, to form a composite wafer. Selective regions of the composite wafer are anodized and oxidized to form a plurality of wells separated from each other by a dielectric insulating layer. Next, N- epi regions above P+ epi regions are removed or alternatively, P+ diffused layers are removed from above an N- epi layer in selected regions. Finally, P- or N- single crystal silicon is grown back to the removed regions, depending on how the regions were removed. If N- single crystal is grown back to the removed regions, a high temperature drive-in is employed to finish the processing. The final structure contains N and P regions which are dielectrically isolated from each other and from the substrate.

Abstract: A programmable switching threshold sensor including a sensing element having its measurement output terminals connected to a comparator, a current-signal generator, for generating a reference current signal changing in steps. An encoding unit has a code assignable corresponding to the values of the reference current signal. A memory unit is connected to the encoding unit for transferring and storing the code. The reference current signal is coupled to the comparator for comparison with measurement output signals from the sensing element. The output of the comparator is coupled to the memory unit for applying an enable signal permitting the transfer of the code, and a control unit for controlling the signal generator and the encoding unit. The reference signal is a current signal or a voltage signal, depending on the corresponding sensing element and the evaluating circuit used.

Abstract: A photocathode device for use in an image intensifier, fabricated with a photoemissive semiconductor wafer having an active cathode layer which includes a central region of a first predetermined height surrounded by a peripheral region of a second predetermined height. The first predetermined height of the central region is configured to be greater than the second predetermined height of the peripheral region in order to create a recessed contact structure which is less likely to have unwanted emission points. A layer of conductive material covers the peripheral region to provide an electrical contact to the photocathode device. A layer of insulating material covers the layer of conductive material in order to protect the contact layer from being damage during handling operations.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an anode of a flat display screen that includes at least three series of alternated parallel strips of anode conductors is available. For each series of anode conductor strips, there is a single electrically connection pad, each pad being accessible through conductive paths from a same surface level of the anode.

Abstract: A flat display screen has a cathode including microtips for electronic bombardment associated with a gate, an anode including phosphor elements, and an inter-electrode gap. The screen includes an apertured insulating plate defining the inter-electrode gap associated with means for maintaining the plate apart from the anode.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and method for controlling which regions of the earth are image sensed by a satellite imaging system having location determination processing and command and control for pointing a satellite to a specific location about the earth for imaging. The invention utilizes exclusion zones, which define the regions of the earth restricted from image sensing. The exclusion zones are either defined by hard wired logic circuitry, or stored onto read only memory in association with a processor, or stored onto random access memory in association with a processor. The stored exclusion zones are tied to the satellite imaging systems location determination processing system and command and control system. The random access memory is set with the exclusion zone regions of the earth by encrypted signals transmitted from a ground station.