Abstract: The wafer scale integrated circuit comprises an array of undiced chips or modules, each of which includes a data storing or processing circuit, e.g. a dynamic RAM, and configuration logic. Channels for data and control signals exist between each module and its (N, S, E and W) neighbors and a target module in the array may be addressed by setting up a path through the array from an entry module to the target module. The addressing is effected by sending a stream of link commands, each of which tells a module to link on to its (N, S, E or W) neighbor. Each module responds to the first command of the stream and then sends on the stream stripped of this first command. In an alternative embodiment the link commands are transmitted from module to module in parallel, each module responds to the command at the least significant end and strips it off by a shift of the commands in the least significant direction before the commands pass to the next module.

Abstract: A radiating element comprises a groundplane, a dielectric layer and a conductive pattern comprising a folded dipole (20, 21), a feed line (18, 19) for the dipole and a plurality of closely spaced directors (22), all lying in a common plane parallel to the ground plane. An array of such elements with a suitable feed network provides a flat antenna with a squinted beam. The squint angle can be adjusted by adjusting the phase delay between columns of elements. The beam can be steered by selection of the appropriate squint angle and by rotationally adjusting the antenna in its own plane. The antenna is suitable as a less obtrusive alternative to a dish antenna.

Abstract: A filter system for achieving continuous filtering by the provision of three filter chambers disposed about a common vertical axis, each containing a filter bed comprised of buoyant particles through which the fluid to be filtered is passed in an upward direction and wherein provision is made for rehabbing the beds of particulate material as they become filled with solids, preferably in succession to enable continuous operation.

Abstract: An enhanced definition PAL signal (HD-PAL) may be received by a MAC receiver by decoding the signal received with a simple PAL decoder (10), time compressing the luminance and chrominance components of the decoded signal and encoding them in a MAC format (12). The MAC signal is then decoded using an HD-MAC decoder (14) and the signals are expanded by a post processor (16) prior to display.

Abstract: A rotary head type magnetic recording/reproducing device includes a stationary drum, and a rotary drum disposed coaxially with the stationary drum and secured to the rotary shaft of the motor. The rotary drum has a cylindrical portion which is slightly greater in diameter than the stationary drum, a first truncated cone portion integrally connected to the cylindrical portion at a bottom thereof and decreasing in diameter in a direction toward the stationary drum at a first taper angle, and a second truncated cone portion integrally connected to a top surface of the first truncated cone portion at a bottom thereof and decreasing in diameter in the direction toward the stationary drum at a second taper angle which is greater than the first taper angle.

Abstract: A method for suppressing dark current in multi-phase CCD pixels of a CCD imaging device by transferring a charge packet at a first phase thereof at which surface depletion has occurred to a second phase thereof, while providing an inversion at the surface of the first phase. The transfer and inversion operations are performed before a dark current begins to be generated at the first phase. The charge packet at the second phase is then re-transferred back to the first phase and a surface inversion is produced at the second phase before a dark current begins to be generated at the second phase. Such transfer and inversion operations are repeated a number of times during the integration period of the imaging device so as to prevent dark current from being generated at any phase of the pixel.

Abstract: An optical signal channel selection device which includes a plurality of first fixed optical signal channels for transmitting optical signals along a plurality of first parallel optical axes and a second fixed optical signal channel for transmitting optical signals along a second optical channel axis parallel to the first axes. A pair of reflective surfaces are fixed so as to be parallel to each other, the reflective surfaces being movable between the first optical channels and the second optical channel so that a first one of the reflective surfaces can be selectively positioned opposite selected ones of the first signal channels and the second reflective surface is positioned opposite the second signal channel. An input optical signal from a selected one of the first channels is incident on the first reflective surface and is directed toward the second reflective surfaces so as to be reflected therefrom in parallel with the input optical signal.

Abstract: A plastics clip for performing sexual sterilization comprises two jaws each having a lining of silicone rubber, hinged to move from an open position to a closed position, in which a Fallopian tube is occluded. A catch mechanism biasses the jaws apart when the clip is open, by means of pressure from a resilient finger on a cam profile attached to the upper jaw. The finger and underside of the cam profile engage when the jaws reach their closed position, and lock the jaws closed. During closure, a resilient tongue formed on the upper jaw and a projection forming a hook on the lower jaw prevent the tube from escaping. Due to the biassing, the clip will spring back open during application if not sufficiently closed to engage the catch mechanism. In conjunction with the biassing, two moulded recesses and the shaping of the clip in a region adjacent the hinge end the clip to be located firmly in an applicator before closure.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to materials and processes for making materials and, more particularly, to high performance boride dispersion strengthened materials, including alloy-modified, boride dispersion strengthened materials and techniques for making such materials.

Abstract: A gangway system for providing access, particularly for handicapped persons, between structures having surfaces which are relatively movable with respect to each other over a range of motion. The gangway includes a plurality of alternating ramp and platform members hingedly coupled to one another, the ends of the gangway being in contact with the surfaces of the structures. The platform members are supported by support members fixed in position relative to one of the structures and, over the range of motion, as the surfaces move vertically relative to one another the ramps and platforms come to rest in sequence adjacent the surface of the other structure. The lengths of the ramps are selected to be less than a preselected value and their slopes are selected so as not to exceed a preselected value during use so that handicapped access is facilitated.

Abstract: A timer comprising a time body which has an operating shaft capable of angularly rotating around an axis thereof from an original position, and outputs a continuous electrical signal only for a period of time during which the operating shaft returns from a desired angular position to the original position after the operating shaft has been rotated from the original position to the desired angular position, a knob provided at one end of the operating shaft, a push button capable of being pressed to a predetermined distance, and driving device for rotating the operating shaft from the original position by an angle corresonding to a distance to which the push button is pressed.

Abstract: Control apparatus is provided having a microprocessor-based control unit which includes EPROM stored programs for controlling two input stations, loudspeaking telephones, and a plurality of switching devices included on a serial link with the input stations. Each station has a television type monitor on the screen of which, when an input switching device, which is operable by a disabled person, is actuated, a main menu is presented in the form of a list of those of the devices and the telephones which can be controlled from that station. By use of the input switching device and the menu display, a device or the telephone can be selected for control. If control involves more than power on or off, a new menu appears listing the various functions to be chosen, e.g. television channel, volume control. The menus are presented in color determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: A system for use in a floating point computation unit for providing a sign/magniture subtraction operation, which system uses propagate/generate logic responsive to the subtraction operands to produce intermediate and final propagate and generate outputs. First carry computation logic is responsive to the final propagate and generate outputs and to a carry-in bit to produce final carry outputs and a carry-out bit. The latter outputs are used to produce a first subtraction result. Second carry computation logic responds to the intermediate propagate and generate outputs to produce second final carry outputs. The latter outputs and selected intermediate propagate outputs are used to produce a second subtraction result. The carry-out bit then selects one of the two subtraction results as the final subtraction result.

Abstract: A system for filling a spatial volume below the earth's surfaces with a dry fill material by supplying the dry fill to a borehole at the surfaces, the fill falling generally vertically through the borehole so as to exit vertically at an exit thereof into the spatial volume. An ejector is positioned below the exit and provides a high velocity air stream which intercepts the dry fill as it exits from the borehole so as to direct the fill in a generally horizontal direction away from the borehole into the spatial volume.

Abstract: An electrical resistance device which comprises a resistance element and a superconducting gate element electrically connected in series therewith. The normal state resistance of the superconducting gate element is substantially greater than the resistance of the resistance element. A plurality of such devices can be used with the windings of a superconducting magnet, for example, to protect the windings thereof if the temperature of a particular winding region rises rapidly (the winding region quenches) due to operational instabilities, for example. At a quench the voltage at the winding region being quenched is applied to all the other devices at the other windings to generate heat at such devices in response to a relatively small voltage increase at the initially quenched region. Each of the other winding regions is thereby quenched and the gate elements thereof are triggered into their normal resistive states so that the current in the devices is reduced to a safe level.

Abstract: A glass fracture detection system includes a circuit having a sensor for providing an output signal when a glass fracture occurs. The sensor is positioned within a housing so that, when the housing is mounted on the surface of the glass adjacent the frame in which the glass is encased, the sensor is automatically positioned in communication with the glass surface at a specified distance from the frame, which distance is selected so as to reduce damping of the output signal due to the presence of the frame and to reduce signals reflected from the frame to the sensor.

Abstract: The ink jet printer nozzle clogging-preventive device of the present invention is characterized in that the device prevents air from entering the nozzle part and prevents the ink in said nozzle from drying and solidifying when an ink jet printer is transported, when the printer power is turned off, or when the printer is stopped to perform no printing for a long time while the power remains turned on.That is, the device is characterized in that only one cap adhering device is provided as a means to cover the nozzle surface of a printer and said cap adhering device is allowed to perform an appropriate nozzle clogging-preventive action according to said printer conditions (such as non-printing condition with said printer power on, power-off condition, said printer transportation or long-period storage condition, and nozzle recovery operation condition).