Abstract: An apparatus and method of processing a data file, by determining a range of values assumed by parameters in a hierarchy of nodes. The processing includes calculating a quantization parameter, based on an acceptable distortion level, indicating a desired number of bits, to represent the value range of each parameter for each node. Each node is examined to determine if a change in quantization parameter for a node parameter is desired, and if so a quantization parameter is inserted into the node. Then the hierarchy is reviewed, examining the quantization parameter at each node of the hierarchy and determining if one or more quantization parameters at a child node of the node being examined can be subsumed under the examined node quantization parameter. Quantization parameters are also used to encode animation data. The animation data, or frames, may be encoded into a sequence of Intra frames and Predictive frames. An Intra frame establishes quantization parameters used for subsequent predictive frames.

Abstract: A high DC voltage to low DC voltage circuit has a first NMOS transistor with the first terminal connected to the source of the high DC voltage and the second terminal connected to supply the low DC voltage. The gate is connected to a middle node of a resistor divider circuit having one end connected to the source of the high DC voltage and the other end to a common node. A plurality of serially connected NMOS transistors has a first end connected to the common node and a second end connected to ground. Each of the NMOS transistors in the plurality of serially connected NMOS transistors has its gate connected to its first terminal and to the second terminal of the immediate adjacent NMOS transistor.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit is provided which includes a plurality of successively coupled charge pump stages. Each of these successively coupled charge pump stages receives at least one input signals and at least one clock input signals, and in accordance therewith, conveys at least one output signal. Significantly, at least one output signal of a prior charge pump stage is substantially equal to at least one input signal of a next adjacent charge pump stage, so that the prior adjacent charge pump stage will be effectively shut off, so that reverse current flow can be prevented through the charge pump circuit.

Abstract: Particles in a fluid are counted as the fluid flows through an examination area of a particle analyzer. Parameters based upon the particle count are calculated. It is determined whether the at least one calculated parameter is within an allowable range for the parameter. Based on this determination, an indication is provided of uniformity of the fluid sample in the examination area.

Abstract: A high-voltage sensing circuit is provided that inhibits or prevents a low-voltage from being inadvertently sensed as a high-voltage during power-up and power-down and triggering a high-voltage operation such as a chip erase. The high-voltage sensing circuit comprises a low-power supply sensing circuit for generating a control signal in response to the detection of a power supply level and a switch, controlled by the control signal, that receives the input voltage and passes an output voltage if the input voltage is greater than a reference voltage. Until the power supply exceeds a certain amount, a switching transistor will be OFF and VIN (the output of the charge pump) will not be high enough. Thus, a low-voltage is prevented from being inadvertently sensed by the high-voltage sensing circuit as a high-voltage and triggering a high-voltage operation such as a chip erase.

Abstract: A low noise amplifier circuit is operable in two gain modes: high gain (approximately 15 dB) and low gain or attenuation (approximately −5 dB), with a number of gain paths. In the low gain or attenuation path, the frequency response is improved by adding a diode-connected transistor and a capacitor connected in series and operating as a filter, which effectively puts a pole (p=−1/RL Ct) in the peak of the high frequency response.

Abstract: A battery container is of a size to accommodate two "AA" batteries situated side by side, or one "transistor" size battery. The container has two independent electrical contacts located at one end to make electrical contacts with the terminals of the "transistor" battery or with one of the ends of both "AA" size batteries. A retainer is located at another end of the container. The retainer provides electrical contact with the other ends of both "AA" size batteries. In addition, the retainer exerts pressure in the length direction to accommodate the smaller length of the "AA" or the "transistor" battery and exerts pressure in the width direction to accommodate the smaller width of the two "AA" or the "transistor" battery.

Abstract: In the present invention, an improved synchronous PLA circuit is disclosed. The PLA circuit is responsive to a single clock cycle. The PLA circuit has no internal or output glitches. Further, the PLA circuit uses less power since there are no internal or output glitches. The PLA circuit requires less area since metal lines do not have to carry as much power and do not have to be as wide as the prior art PLA circuits. Since less power is used, long term reliability is improved due to reduced heating stress and reduced current density stress (metal electromigration, etc.). The PLA circuit consists of two logic arrays and four dummy signal delay lines. When a clock signal gates the input signals into the logic array, it also simultaneously generates a dummy signal. The dummy signal propagates through adjacent dummy signal delay lines that parallel each logic array dimension and match the longest or worst case, delay through the logic array.

Abstract: An improved gas laser is disclosed. The laser has a support tube to support and to maintain the alignment of the optical resonator structure. The gas lasing medium is used within the support tube to maintain the tube at a substantially constant temperature above the ambient. Furthermore, an active temperature controller is disclosed. The temperature controller maintains the gas lasing medium in the support tube at a substantially constant temperature. An active pressure controller is also disclosed. The active pressure controller uses a pressure sensor, an electronic processor, and a motor-driven needle valve to maintain the pressure of the gas lasing medium in the laser within the desired operating pressure range. The laser can also be switched in operation from a continuous mode to a pulsing mode. An active power control system is disclosed wherein the power output of the laser, through an active feedback loop is maintained at the desired level.

Abstract: In a recovery boiler having a plurality of air inputs, with the primary air input closest to the bed of the boiler, a fuel input, a smelt output, and an exhaust output, a method of controlling the combustion of fuel in the boiler to operate at the maximum reduction efficiency. The method includes the steps of measuring the amount of sulphur dioxide at the exhaust output; and varying the amount of air entering into the boiler through the primary air input until the minimum amount of sulphur dioxide is measured at the exhaust output.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure select properties such as color, brightness or gloss, of a moving sheet, is insensitive to flutter in the sheet. The apparatus comprises a housing to one side of said sheet. A source is located in the housing; the source is capable of emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is aligned to impinge the sheet. The radiation is selected such that it is capable of being absorbed and being reflected by the select properties of the sheet. A collector is also located in the housing; the collector is capable of receiving a portion of the beam reflected from the sheet. A detector capable of measuring the select properties of the sheet based upon the radiation received by the collector is also provided. The housing is held at a constant distance from the sheet by a stream of fluid from the housing directed to impinge the sheet in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A standardization member is to the other side of the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for standardizing a gas measuring device has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation aligned to impinge a detector and gas particles. A hollow, open-ended tube is used as a standardization means and is placed adjacent to the beam. The tube can be moved to enclose the beam, to prevent the gas from intercepting the beam, and to transmit substantially all of the radiation from the source to the detector.

Abstract: Density of products produced from a foam extrusion process is controlled by measuring the thickness and the basis weight. The density is calculated and is compared to a target, or desired value, to produce an error signal. The error signal is used to control the density.

Abstract: An extruding system for the production of continuously extruded elastomer, such as tread stock for the manufacture of vehicle tires, has an extruder, a first take-away conveyor belt for conveying the extrusion as it exits the extruder, a second conveyor belt for varying the thickness or weight of the extrusion after leaving the first conveyor belt, a sensor to measure the running-weigh-scale value and a targeted running-weigh-scale value. The weight or thickness of the continuously extruded elastomer is controlled by measuring the weight of the continuous extrusion at the running-weigh-scale. The measured value is compared to the target value to obtain a control signal. The control signal is used to adjust the difference in speed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for standardizing a gas measuring device has a source capable of emitting a beam of radiation aligned to impinge a detector. A housing means encloses the beam. The housing means has a plurality of apertures permitting the gas to enter the housing means, to intercept the beam, and to exit from the housing means. The device further comprises means for closing the apertures and a means for purging said gas from the housing means.

Abstract: A feed forward system coupled with a feed back system is used to control the efficiency of combustion of fuel in a furnace. The feed forward system has sensors to measure the fuel flow rate and the quality of the fuel. The measurement of the sensors is used to calculate the theoretical oxygen flow rate needed to combust the fuel. The theoretical oxygen flow rate and an excess oxygen level are used to determine the actual air flow rate, which is used to control the air input to the furnace. The feedback system has a sensor to detect combustibles near the exhaust of the furnace. The measurement of the combustible sensor is used to control the excess oxygen level. In a preferred embodiment, another sensor, an oxygen sensor, is placed near the exhaust of the furnace. The oxygen sensor provides a dynamic check on the actual amount of excess oxygen level within the furnace. Finally, the oxygen sensor is also used as a safety device in providing redundancy to the combustible sensor.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a sheet material moving from the anterior to the posterior of the gauge. The gauge has two matched heads, one to either side of the sheet. Each head has a base, a skid and a bellow. The skid is hinged to the anterior of the base and is between the base and the sheet. The other end of the skid is attached to a bellow. The bellow is also attached to the posterior of the base and is substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A cap is attached to the bellow. The cap has a surface parallel to the sheet near the posterior and rounded near the anterior. The two heads are positioned with the bellow of one in line with the bellow of the other. In a preferred embodiment, the gauge further comprises means for permitting the skid of each head to rotate about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the hinge near the anterior of the base.

Abstract: A contacting caliper gauge measures the thickness of a sheet material moving from the anterior to the posterior of the gauge. The gauge has two matched heads, one to either side of the sheet. Each head has a base, a skid and a bellow. The skid is hinged to the anterior of the base and is between the base and the sheet. The other end of the skid is attached to a bellow. The bellow is also attached to the posterior of the base and is substantially perpendicular to the sheet. A cap is attached to the bellow. The cap has a surface parallel to the sheet near the posterior and beveled near the anterior. The two heads are positioned with the bellow of one in line with the bellow of the other.

Abstract: A caliper gauge for measuring the thickness of a sheet has a transmitter generating a magnetic field on one side of the sheet and a receiver detecting the amplitude of the magnetic field on the other side of the sheet. Both the transmitter and receiver are maintained at a constant distance from the sheet. The transmitter comprises an electrical wire wound a plurality of times about a cylindrically shaped body of a magnetically susceptible material. The receiver also comprises a cylindrically shaped body with an electrical wire wound a plurality of times about it. The transmitter is positioned such that the axis of the cylindrical body is substantially perpendicular to the sheet. The receiver is positioned such that the axis of the cylindrical body is substantially aligned with the axis of the transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the weight per unit length of a cigarette rod has a radioactive source to one side of the rod and a detector to the other side of the rod. The source emits a beam of radiation through the rod to the detector. Guide tubes, having air ducts, are located on both sides of the beam. Pressurized air is introduced into the tubes via the air ducts to maintain the rod centrally within the tubes.