Abstract: A Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video/audio data bitstream comprises frames of encoded audio data, each of which includes a plurality of integrally encoded subframes, which are decoded by an audio decoder for presentation. A synchronization unit controls the decoder to skip a subframe if a predetermined decoding time for the subframe is earlier than a current time, and to repeat the subframe if the predetermined decoding time is later than the current time. A typical MPEG audio frame includes 12 subframes, such that skipping or repeating a subframe is 1/12 as noticeable as skipping or repeating an entire frame. A buffer memory stores one or more subframes prior to decoding, such that the subframes can be skipped or repeated by manipulation of a read pointer for the memory.

Abstract: Improved bio-electronic devices in which a layer of a polyhydroxy oligomer is provided between the surface of a semiconductor material and an electronically active biochemical molecule which is designed to be bound to the semiconductor surface to provide an electronic device. The layer of polyhydroxy oligomer functions as a biochemical stabilization layer to prevent denaturization of the electronically active biochemical molecule.

Abstract: A reusable presentation frame for overhead transparencies that has a view window through which a transparency may be revealed. The presentation frame has a "track" through which an opaque sliding concealment (slider) means may slide and thus conceal a variable portion of the transparency. The presentation frame may be constructed by bonding together multiple levels each having a plurality of borders which define the view window. Starting at the bottom level, the levels may include at least one raiser level, a transparency entrance level through which an overhead transparency may be inserted, a first ledge level, a first track level, and a top frame. The opaque slider may be inserted through the first track level at a side without a border and movably positioned within the presentation frame. Alternate embodiments of the presentation frame may include additional sliders and additional tracks.

Abstract: The operating status of a plurality of laundry appliances including washing machines and/or driers is sensed, and a controller generates and transmits corresponding status signals to remote transceivers which include visual or audio indicators for indicating the information. Each transceiver can interrogate the controller to determine the status of the appliances, with the status being transmitted only to the interrogating transmitter. Each transceiver can also transmit a reservation signal to the controller to reserve a selected appliance for a predetermined period of time. The controller also transmits status signals for the selected appliance only to the transceiver of the user who reserved the appliance when the operating cycle is finished, or at a predetermined period of time prior to the end of the operating cycle. The transceivers can communicate with the controller over a telephone line, or over A.C. power lines.

Abstract: A method of measurement of abnormal wear debris and particulate contamination in machine components by oil analysis comprising the steps of:passing oil through a filter of selected pore size such that the filter entraps most larger abnormal wear particles and excludes most smaller normal wear particles;placing the filter in an x-ray spectrometer; andconverting the measured x-ray intensities of the particles trapped in the filter to a quantitative value indicating the species and concentration of abnormal wear particles and contamination particles in the oil.

Abstract: A compact and rugged sighting laser adapted to be mounted on the trigger guard of a firearm such as a handgun. The sighting laser includes a mounting block having a slot adapted to engage the trigger guard, and a housing configured to engage the mounting block. The mounting block includes a hardened retention pin disposed at one end of the block adjacent the slot, and the housing includes a rearward extending plate with a groove configured to receive this pin. The housing further defines first and second bores generally parallel to one another and oriented toward a forward end of the housing. A laser module is disposed in an ellipsoidally shaped casing that fits within the first housing bore, while a battery for the laser fits within the second bore. Threaded screws disposed at a forward end of the housing at right angles to one another press against one end of the ellipsoidal casing in order to provide orientation of the laser with respect to a target point of the firearm.

Abstract: A chair primarily for use by persons with spinal chord injury, comprises a universally positioned chair back and a universally positioned front support. Users sit upright and are held between the chair back and front support. Both the chair back and front support have sides to prevent users from falling to their sides. A tray also may be attached to the front support. The seating surface also adjusts vertically to the base and floor. Articulating arms attach the chair back and front support to other chair parts. The arms allow easy vertical, horizontal and angular movement of the chair back and front support, and the arms can be locked to secure the back and support.

Abstract: A children's book has a number of slidable pages. Each slidable page has a inner page assembly bound between a pair of cover by a binding and linked to an outer page assembly by a linking member. A handle is secured to each outer page assembly and extends beyond the covers. The page assemblies and the linking member have text and/or illustrations printed thereon. The linking member is slidably received within each page assembly and retained therein by a retention member. As a child pulls outwardly on the handle, the page assemblies separate and expose the linking member and illustrations printed thereon. The handles may, alternatively, actuated other movable structural features mounted in or on the pages.

Abstract: A computer mouse assembly for preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome includes a computer mouse and a palm support having a curved upper surface. The palm surface has a substantially flat lower surface that is adjustably mounted on the upper surface of the computer mouse. The palm support serves to prevent the user's wrist from significantly bending, thereby preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome despite extended use of the computer mouse. A first piece of hook or loop type material is attached to the computer mouse. A second piece of hook or loop type material is attached to the lower surface of the palm support. The palm support is mounted on the upper surface of the computer mouse by interconnecting the first piece of hook or loop type material to the second piece of hook or loop type material. The palm support may be moved to various positions on the surface of the computer mouse in order to adapt to the differing hand sizes of a variety of different users.

Abstract: A removable orthodontic appliance repositions misaligned anterior teeth with a plurality of springs and a labial wire each secured to an acrylic palatal fitting. Each spring has a head portion in the shape of an eyelet which is positioned on the lingual side of an anterior tooth and a foot portion secured to the fitting. The springs provide lingual-to-labial force to the teeth, and the labial wire provides labial-to-lingual force to the teeth. A spring may engage the lingual surface of a tooth to provide active force to urge the tooth labially into a proper position, or may be spaced away from a tooth at a desired position to engage the tooth as it move lingually. The springs may be positioned on a mesial or a distal surface of a tooth to induce rotation. Further, the springs may provide passive resistance to maintain a properly positioned tooth in place. Each spring is made of a single strand of wire which has one end terminating at the head portion and the other end terminating at the foot portion.

Abstract: A photomultiplier includes a cascade of microchannel plates which are physically and electrically connected to provide an electron multiplication through the microchannel cascade. One of the microchannel plates is a high-output microchannel plate providing a high level of electron multiplication. This high output microchannel plate is thermally conducted to ambient by a heat transfer path including outwardly disposed microchannel plates in the cascade. A unitary ceramic housing defines a vacuum envelope for the photomultiplier.

Abstract: A dry particle analyzer includes a vibrating sieve cup drizzling particles downwardly with first, second, and third sheath air flows being provided to separate the particles from boundary walls and to form the drizzling particles into a columnated flow for optical analysis. The particles drop vertically as a drizzle with gravitational assistance from a bulk sample to an analysis chamber. Along the way to the analysis chamber, the particles are subjected to an interval of high air flow shear, and to high turbulence of the air flow to break up agglomerations of particles.

Abstract: A method of measuring temperature by the use of an infrared sensor is capable of measuring temperature with high accuracy without being influenced by thermal drifts due to conditions of the atmosphere and environment before the start of measurement. An infrared sensor is associated with a normally closed shutter. The shutter includes a plurality of openings, such that one starting signal provided to the shutter produces a plurality of output signals from the infrared sensor 6 by a single reciprocating motion of the shutter. The first signal is excluded or averaged with the subsequent signals in calculating temperature.

Abstract: Electrical conductors for interconnecting terminals of microelectronic cells of an integrated circuit extend in three directions that are angularly displaced from each other by 60.degree.. The conductors pass through points defined by centers of closely packed hexagons superimposed on the circuit such that the conductors extend perpendicular to edges of the hexagons. The conductors that extend in the three directions can be formed in three different layers, or alternatively the conductors that extend in two or three of the directions can be formed in a single layer as long as they do not cross. The conductors can be formed in layers that are electrically insulated from the cells and extend over the cells, or can extend through hexagons between cells. Cells are defined by clusters of two or more hexagons, enabling a variety of cell shapes to be accommodated.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a housing which has at least two connector holes defined therein which communicate to a hollow space in which a plug is rotatably disposed, the plug has at least two recesses defined therein and each of the recesses has a sealing element disposed therein for covering the corresponding connector hole when rotating the plug to a closed position, the plug has a hole defined therein which is in alignment with the connector holes of the housing when the valve is in an open state, the plug is actuated by a lever which is connected to a selector shaft extending from the plug by disposing a nut to the selector shaft.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed manufactured in seven or so components for packing in three or so separate smaller boxes for easy transport. These components can be snap-fit together for easy assembly (and disassembly). The bed includes a bed frame, a power module or carriage and a bedding foundation. The foundation in turn includes a head portion and a body portion both of which are snap-fit securable in position to the power carriage. Pins releasably hold the roller assemblies of the power carriage to side rails of the frame for rolling moving of the carriage on the frame. A motor of the power carriage controllably moves the foundation head portion with respect to the frame and body portion. A drag link pivotally connects the head portion to the head rail of the frame. The drag link can be releasably connected at either end thereof or in the middle, snapping the two parts of the drag link together.

Abstract: A digital controller produces control data signals for application to each of three fiber optic rotation sensors in a triaxial rotation sensing system. The digital controller also produces strobe signals corresponding to each fiber optic rotation sensor. The digital controller sequentially provides first, second and third strobe signals that activate the analog converters sequentially to apply modulating signals to the three fiber optic rotation sensors. The system further includes apparatus for providing modulation cycles to keep all three fiber optic rotation sensors active simultaneously. Sampling apparatus samples each sensor sequentially during a .tau. period and feedback modulation control data signals are applied sequentially to the three sensors during the .tau. period for each sensor when the sensor was sampled. Feedback modulation control data signals are isolated from each fiber optic rotation sensor except for the .tau. periods in which it is sampled.

Abstract: An electronic system such as a Single-Chip-Module (SCM), a Multi-Chip-Module (MCM), or a Board-Level-Product (BLP) includes a plurality of units which are interconnected by a terminated transmission bus line. Each unit includes a CMOS circuit, a terminated bus line for signal transmission, and a driver/receiver circuit which is spaced from the CMOS circuit on a substrate. A guard ring is formed around at least a part of the CMOS circuit which faces the driver/receiver circuit. The driver/receiver circuit includes a driver for receiving an input logic signal from the CMOS circuit and inducing a corresponding signal onto the bus line, and a receiver for receiving an output signal from the bus line and providing a corresponding output logic signal to the CMOS circuit.

Abstract: A glass refrigerator door structure constructed with two or more glass panels and having a peripheral door frame extending around the sides of the door structure and at the inside of the door without covering the outside glass surface of the door. Sealant is used to bond the glass panels to peripheral spacers separating the panels and to pipe-like structures which extend peripherally around the sides of the door structure. The door frame is connected to the pipe-like structures by a peripheral extension from the frame which engages elongated slots in the pipe-like structures. As such, mechanical fasteners such as nuts, bolts or screws are not needed for the purpose of holding the refrigerator door structure together.