Abstract: A footwear includes an upper portion connected to a sole and a highback connected to the upper portion. An adjusting mechanism is operably associated with the highback. The adjusting mechanism includes at least one flexible member connectively associated with the highback and a locking member operably associated with the flexible member. The adjusting mechanism is operable to lock the footwear in one or more substantially rigid positions and can be used to set a forward leaning position of the footwear.

Abstract: A non-mechanical switch for actuating a light beam scanning device disposed within a device housing. The device housing has a first area for emitting a scanning light beam from the device. The switch is formed of a light source and a light detector disposed within the device housing, the light source emits light through a second area on the device housing. The light detector is adapted to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected back through the second area toward the light detector by an object disposed outside of the device housing. The light detector has an output signal that is coupled by electronic circuitry to a light beam scanner within the light beam scanning device. The electronic circuitry is adapted to selectively actuate the light beam scanning device in response to the output signal from the light detector. The first area on the device housing for emitting the scanning light beam from the device is separate from the second area on the device housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a hemispherical grain silicon structure on an integrated circuit semiconductor substrate in a processing reactor. The method includes the steps of forming a doped silicon layer upon the semiconductor substrate and forming an amorphous silicon layer upon the doped silicon layer. A hemispherical grain silicon layer is formed upon the amorphous silicon layer. The doped silicon layer is formed at a first deposition temperature and the amorphous silicon layer is formed at a second deposition temperature wherein the second deposition temperature is lower than the first deposition temperature. The first deposition temperature is, for example, in excess of approximately 590.degree. C. and is preferably approximately 625.degree. C. The second deposition temperature is less than approximately 560.degree. C. and is preferably approximately 555.degree. C. The various layers are deposited without removing the semiconductor substrate from the processing reactor.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a structural foam panel with a stiffener is described, and a continuous assembly line for the process is described. The continuous assembly line includes decoilers for decoiling top and bottom skins, uncoilers for releasing top and bottom stiffeners, straighteners for threading and attaching the stiffeners to the skins, respectively, roll formers for shaping both skins and stiffeners into a structural shape, a foam injector for injecting foam between the skins to form an integrated continuous panel, a foam conveyor for pressing the integrated continuous panel, an oven for curing the integrated continuous panel, a clamp and cut-off saw for cutting the continuous panel, and a computer to control the saw to cut the continuous panel into selected kits of discrete panels to assemble selected buildings.

Abstract: A utility transmission and distribution system includes a guideway for a magnetic levitation transportation system, and supports for supporting the guideway above the ground. The guideway includes a base connected to a structure defining an enclosed channel. At least one conduit defining an enclosed space is disposed within the channel, and is rigidly connected to the channel such that movement over the guideway remains unimpeded. At least one cable is disposed within the conduit for transmitting and distributing utilities.

Abstract: Improved methodology and apparatus for the clinical study and treatment of sleep apnea which incorporates one or more of the following features: (1) application of mono-level, alternating high and low level, or variable positive airway pressure generally within the airway of the patient with the mono-level, high and low level, or variable airway pressure generally being coordinated with and/or responsive to the spontaneous respiration of the patient, (2) usage of adjustably programmable pressure ramp circuitry capable of producing multiple pressure ramp cycles of predetermined duration and pattern whereby the ramp cycles may be customized to accommodate the specific needs of an individual sleep apnea patient so as to ease the patient's transition from wakefulness to sleep, (3) remote control or patient-sensed operation of the apparatus, (4) employment of safety circuitry, reset circuitry and minimum system leak assurance circuitry, controls and methods, and (5) utilization of clinical control circuitry whereb

Abstract: A chemical delivery and on-site blending system for producing multiple products is provided. Generally, chemical subcomponents are fed to a chemical blending system for making a multitude of products at the facility where the products are to be used. Also, a water line is connected to the system for blending with the subcomponents and for rinsing the system equipment. A microprocessor controls a series of inlet valves, a feed pump, and a mixer for formulating the products in a mixing tank. A flow meter monitored by the microprocessor measures the amounts of ingredients entering the tank. Once formulated, a product is discharged from the tank by a discharge pump also controlled by the microprocessor. Included with the system is a timed rinse cycle which rinses the tank after the product has been discharged.

Abstract: A system for parsing information representative of a sequence of words having parts of speech. The sequence of words forms a sentence or sentence fragment. A hidden Markov model is provided for determining the most likely part of speech of a selected word of the sequence of words. The hidden Markov model has an initial transition matrix and a subsequent transition matrix for storing probabilities of occurrence of the parts of speech. The initial transition matrix of the hidden Markov model is removed to provide a modified hidden Markov model. The modified hidden Markov model is applied to the sequence of words to determine the most likely part of speech of a selected word within a sentence fragment with increased accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and storing a co-marketer identification symbol representing an identity of an entity that has referred a user on a user station to a computer service, wherein the user station is coupled to the computer service by a communications path. A database is provided for storing a plurality of user records. Each of the user records includes a user identification field for storing information uniquely associating each of the user records with a user, and a co-marketer identification field for storing identity information representing the identity of an entity that directed the user to the computer service. An enrollment means is coupled to the communications path and the database, and is provided for enrolling a user on the computer service. The enrollment means includes means for determining a co-marketer that directed the user to the computer service, and means for assigning a unique user identification number to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting a user from a first location on the WWW to a second location on the WWW, wherein relative URL addressing is used during the redirecting process. A signal is received from the first location indicating that the user wishes to move from the first location on the WWW to the second location on said WWW. In response to the signal, a current URL representing an address of the first location on the WWW and a destination URL portion representative of an address of the second location on the WWW are passed to a redirecting means. The current URL includes first and second portions. A destination URL is formed with redirecting means by substituting the destination URL portion in place of the second portion in the current URL, wherein the destination URL represents a relative address of the second location on the WWW. The user is then moved from the first location on the WWW to the second location on the WWW in accordance with the destination URL formed by the redirecting means.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a press feed apparatus for use in feeding stock material to a high speed automatic press. The feed roller is driven by a servo motor integral with the shaft of the roller, the feed roller release mechanism is infinitely adjustable, and a feedback system is used to accurately determine the position of various shafts. The apparatus is controlled electronically, by a microprocessor or the like, which permits the press feed to be electronically geared to the press and accurately operate at high speeds.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit on a semiconductor substrate is provided including the steps of forming a tungsten silicide conductor structure having a nitride encapsulating layer on the substrate and disposing a doped nonconducting layer over the conductor structure. A self-aligned contact etch is performed wherein the etch is a selective etch of the conductor structure and the nonconducting layer. The selective etch preferentially removes material forming the nonconducting layer rather than material forming the conductor structure. The semiconductor layer is preferably doped with germanium but may also be doped with phosphorous or other known dopants. A germanium concentration of 5% to 25% provides the preferred increased selectivity of the etch. The nonconducting layer can be formed of SG, BPSG, BSG, PSG and TEOS.

Abstract: A system including methods and apparatus for treatment of Congestive Heart Failure. The system involves applying separate and independent gains to flow rates of pressurized gas delivered to a patient during inspiratory and expiratory phases of a respiratory cycle to deliver the pressurized gas in proportion to the respective gains during inspiration and expiration. A base pressure may be applied in addition to the gain-modified pressures and an elevated pressure profile may be employed to assist or control inspiration. The system may be fully automated responsive to feedback provided by a flow sensor that determines the estimated patient flow rate. A leak computer can be included to instantaneously calculate gas leakage from the system. The system may be utilized in connection with conventional continuous positive airway pressure (bi-level PAP) equipment to effect various beneficial treatment applications.

Abstract: An electromuscular stimulator that effects a beneficial medical purpose selected from the group consisting of mitigating snoring, mitigating obstructive sleep apnea, mitigating hypertension, dental analgesia, general analgesia, monitoring physiological conditions and facilitating the intraoral delivery of medication is disclosed. The electromuscular stimulator includes a first electrode for making electrical contact with a first anatomical structure selected from the group consisting of a hard palate, a soft palate and a pharynx; a second electrode for making electrical contact with a second anatomical structure; a control unit operably connected to the first and second electrodes; and a means for positioning the first and second electrodes relative to the first and second anatomical structures, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a predicted distance that a golf ball will travel when struck by a putter club head during a putting swing. A first optical sensor is located in a first position for sensing when the putter club head travels over the first position during the putting swing. A second optical sensor is located in a second position for sensing when the putter club head travels over the second position during the putting swing. The second position is a predetermined distance away from the first position. A timer, coupled to the first and second optical sensors, is provided for generating a time difference value representing a difference between a first time when the putter club head travels over the first position during the putting swing and a second time when the putter club head travels over the second position during the putting swing. A microprocessor is provided for determining the predicted distance in accordance with the time difference value and the predetermined distance.

Abstract: This invention provides for the recovery of lignin and other by-products from the pulping of fibrous plant material. In accordance with this invention, solvents and filtrates are recovered and recycled for reuse. This results in significant solvent and energy savings. Filtrates from the bleaching and delignification of the pulp are recycled for reuse in pulping, separation, and recovery of lignin and other by-products which results in significant energy savings and mitigation if not the elimination of pollution typically associated with bleaching. This invention also relates to products derived from the process and apparatus for carrying out the process. Lignins of various molecular weights and by-products of the pulping process are also recovered. The lignins are precipitated in high yields and at a high rate from a black liquor produced by pulping wood at high temperature and pressures. As a by-product of this process a purified furfural product is recovered.