Abstract: The invention comprises a method for determining whether a negotiable instrument is counterfeit. The method includes the step of placing on the instrument an identifying tag, preferable an RF-ID tag, and also a magnetic strip capable of storing information. The method also includes the step of recording on the RF-ID tag at least one computer-generated, preferably random number and/or a number related to the date and time (e.g. the year, month, date, hour, minute, and second) of its being printed. Alternatively, or additionally, the information recorded on the instrument's magnetic strip is associated with the number of encounters since issuance into public use. This information thus recorded on the instrument is stored in a secure computer database record corresponding to the specific instrument. Each time a bank transaction of the instrument takes place, the instrument is scanned.

Abstract: An output voltage of a commercial power source 1 is rectified through a diode 2, and partially dropped at a voltage drop element 19. Electric power supply to a heater 8 is controlled by a heater controller 7, which is activated in response to an output of a heater control actuator 4. A timer 5 counts time. When a predetermined period of time has passed, heater control actuator 4 causes heater controller 7 to open the power supply circuit of heater 8 so as to forcibly stop the power supply to heater 8. An output terminal of voltage drop element 19 is connected in series with at least two of heater control actuator 4, timer 5 and sensor 20.

Abstract: A transparent LCD back-lit display has a transparent indium-tin oxide heater layer extending across the display and a resistive metal strip heater, supported in a frame of low thermal conductivity, extending around its edge. One temperature sensor is mounted at the center of the display and another is mounted at the edge. The sensors are connected to a heater control unit, which controls power supplied to the heater layer and the edge strip heater to maintain the temperatures at the center and edge of the display equal.

Abstract: Virus inactivating chemicals and/or detergents in an aqueous composition containing a water-soluble plasma protein are reduced by selecting a suitable combination of temperature and concentration above 0.5M of salt with a high salting out effect according to the Hofmeister series, thereby forming vesicles containing the virus inactivating chemical and/or detergent. These vesicles are removed from the aqueous phase, e.g. by phase separation or filtration, and the protein thereafter isolated from the aqueous phase. The water-soluble plasma protein can be e.g. antithrombin III, transferrin or albumin. When the aqueous phase comprises e.g. a salt of citrate or sulphate in a concentration above 1M at room temperature, the reduction of virus inactivating chemical or detergent can be as high as 2000 times or more, giving a final concentration below 5 ppm.

Abstract: A field shield element for isolating semiconductor devices formed on a common substrate. The field shield element comprises an electrode of a high melting point metal which may have a reduced thickness and which avoids punch through of a connection point through the field shield electrode during manufacture. By employing the shield gate electrode metal having a high melting point, the reduction in thickness of the shield gate electrode provides a corresponding reduction in thickness of the offset existing between the semiconductor device and the isolation structure formed with the field shield element. The shield gate electrode may be combined with metal silicon compounds, and metal nitrides to realize the foregoing benefits of avoiding punchthrough and reducing the offset.

Abstract: In a personal communications device having a touch sensitive display screen, text may be marked by a user to be used with different applications. In particular, to begin marking, a user has to maintain his touch at a location on the screen for a short predetermined period of time until the system detects that the position is held over the same character for a delayed period, at which time the system beeps to provide an indication that there has been a change of operation mode. The marking mode continues in operation until the user removes his contact from the touch screen. Thus, text over which the contact point passes after the initiation of the marking mode is marked, until the user removes his contact point from the touch screen. A second beep is sounded to alert the user of the termination of the marking mode, and the appearance of a menu of operations on the screen. The menu of operations echoes the marked text for user confirmation.

Abstract: Breathing equipment for use under water, or in a non-respiratory atmosphere, and including a breathing mask (1), a mouth-piece or the like, and a respiratory circuit (2) with a volumetrically variable gas accumulator (7). In addition, there is included a metering bottle (26) connected to the respiratory circuit via a valve device (12), which alternatingly connects the bottle to a source (9) of fresh respiratory gas for filling the bottle and to the circuit for emptying the bottle. The valve device (12) is adapted to regulate filling and emptying the bottle (26) in response to the respiratory cycle, such that fresh respiratory gas is supplied to the circuit (2) during each such cycle. The device (12) is suitably implemented so that the amount filling the metering bottle (26) is adjusted in response to respiratory volume.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a conductor film for inhibiting intrusion of moisture, mobile ions, etc. into a semiconductor chip from its peripheral edge, formed in a contact trench formed in an inter-layer insulating film. The conductor film divides the inter-layer insulating film into a peripheral edge side and an internal side and is moreover connected electrically to a semiconductor substrate. Therefore, any moisture or mobile ions entering the inter-layer insulating film from the peripheral edge of the semiconductor chip are electrically caught or expelled and cannot enter the semiconductor chip. Further, because the conductor film is formed inside the contact trench, the conductor film does not peel from the semiconductor chip even when any influences of the moisture or the mobile ions caught exist. An internal conductor can be insulated from outside by providing a protective film for covering the upper and said surfaces of the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a memory cell array and a filtering capacitor for suppressing noise in a power supply voltage to the device, both formed with one and the same semiconductor substrate. The memory cell array includes memory cells each having a transfer transistor and an information storage capacitor. The transistor of each memory cell has a pair of source/drain regions formed in an active region defined by first isolation regions in a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. Lead electrodes are formed on the source/drain regions. The information storage capacitor of each cell has a lower electrode formed in an electrical connection with a first one of the pair of source/drain regions, a dielectric film and an upper electrode formed on the dielectric film. The filtering capacitor is formed on a second isolation region also formed at the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and has a dielectric layer including an oxide film and a nitride film.

Abstract: A method for producing a bipolar semiconductor device having a first layer doped according to a first doping type, the first layer being adapted to have minority charge carriers injected thereinto from a second layer of the device of a doping type opposite to that of the first layer in a forward conducting state of the device, comprises the steps of a) epitaxially growing the first layer and b) providing at least one region of the first layer with the minority charge carriers having a lifetime lower than in other parts of the first layer, the lower lifetime region of the first layer being formed directly during the epitaxial growth of this region by changing composition of substances fed to the first layer for the growth thereof when the region is grown.

Abstract: An element for position retention of a boot on a ski. This element comprises a body (3) movable along a slide-rail (6) and a locking device (13) for immobilizing the body along the slide-rail in a defined position. The locking device is extended upward by a "T"-shaped control mechanism (14) which extends upward along the rear face of the body.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic package. The method includes the step providing a leadframe of a single layer of material. The leadframe includes a semiconductor chip support, a plurality of signal leads, and a common ground portion substantially surrounding the chip support portion. A semiconductor chip having a plurality of signal sites and a plurality of ground sites is positioned on the semiconductor chip support of the leadframe. Selected ones of the signal sites of the semiconductor chip are selectively electrically connected to respective ones of the signal leads of the lead frame and selective ones of the ground sites of the semiconductor chip are selectively electrically connected to the common ground portion of the leadframe. Each of the signal leads of the leadframe are electrically isolated from each other and from the common ground portion of the leadframe.

Abstract: The male section (3) is locked onto the female section (1) of the slide rail by means of a lock (21) comprising longitudinal locking means (25, 45), cooperating, in the locked position, with a toothing (17) provided on both flanges (7) of the channel section, constituting the female section, and side retaining means (47), which trap the edges of the flanges (7) so as to keep them from moving apart.Particular applicability: slide rails for motor vehicle seats.

Abstract: In a method for control of an installation for transmission of high-voltage direct current in dependence on at least one stress parameter for a valve in a converter included in the installation and controlled by control equipment (CE1, CE2), a value (PDR, PDI, UMAX, TRC, TTC) of the stress parameter is continuously calculated, based on predetermined relationships (f1, f2, g1R, g2R, g1I, g2I, h1, h2) and in dependence on measured values (UN, .alpha., .gamma., ID, TO, TI, RECT/INV) of the operating parameters of the installation. At least one influencing signal (HTH, HCC, HCR) is generated in dependence on a comparison between the calculated value and at least one comparison value for the parameter, and the influencing signal is supplied to the control equipment to influence this in a direction which limits the value of the stress parameter.The member (HAS) comprises a monitoring device (PD, UA, TR, TT) for calculating the value of the stress parameter.

Abstract: A magazine assembly for fastener driving tools includes a longitudinal track element having a J-shaped section for supporting the fasteners which are fed one by one towards a driver track of the nose of the fastener driving tool. There is provided a longitudinal guide plate having a lateral end mounted on the track element and a front end inserted into the nose. The guide plate is parallel to a slide groove of the track element which is for the sliding of the fastener tips and is located above the slide groove so as to restrict the upper edges and outer edges of the head portions of the fasteners. The height of the position of the guide plate to be mounted onto the track element may be adjusted to suit fasteners of various lengths.

Abstract: A clock generates clock pulses defining a plurality of clock cycles. A circuit is connected to receive the clock pulses and measure a primary time of occurrence of an event with respect to a clock cycle. Logic circuits are provided to generate a timing pulse representing a time interval between the event and a clock pulse of the subsequent clock cycle. The timing pulse begins at the time of the event and ends on the occurrence of a subsequent clock pulse. A filter circuit receives the timing pulse and generates in response thereto a signal having an amplitude representing the duration of the timing pulse. The amplitude is measured to determine the width of the timing pulse thereby identifying the occurrence of the event with respect to a subsequently occurring clock pulse.

Abstract: A control for a fan has a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor the outputs of which are supplied to a processor. The processor switches on the fan when certain temperature and humidity conditions are met. The processor turns on the fan in response to an increase in temperature and humidity, a larger increase in humidity being required for a smaller increase in temperature. The fan is also turned on when humidity rises above a certain threshold value, which is lower for higher temperatures.

Abstract: A part is kept on standby so that it can be reliably held by a feed rod. An auxiliary feed rod is provided with an arrangement for holding a part at a fixed position in advance. The part is stopped on the advance and retraction axis of a main feed rod by the advance movement of the auxiliary feed rod where the part transferred and is held on the main feed rod.