Abstract: A trenched device, such as a DMOS transistor, provides for higher breakdown voltages than possible using trenched devices of the prior art. The trench extends only into the epitaxial layer, thereby minimizing breakdown problems associated with prior art trench devices in which the trench extends into the more highly doped substrate. However, in order to achieve higher breakdown voltages, the dopant concentration is increased in that portion of the epitaxial layer surrounding the bottom of the trench. Thus, a novel trenched device is taught which achieves higher breakdown voltages by causing the trench to be surrounded by relatively highly doped material, while not requiring the trench to extend into the more highly doped substrate itself.

Abstract: A circuit which provides additional drive current during substantially the entire transition of an output signal from a logical one to a logical zero state, thereby causing the pulldown transistor in the TTL output stage to rapidly turn on, providing increased switching speed between logical one and logical zero output state for a given power consumption. Alternatively, for a given switching speed, power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of this invention, a novel PLA row driver circuit is provided which utilizes a minimum number of components, thereby minimizing integrated circuit surface area, and thus reducing cost, and minimizing stray capacitance, thereby increasing speed of operation. Furthermore, in accordance with the teachings of this invention, a circuit is provided which, while utilizing a minimum number of components, provides a first VOL level to the row line during normal operation of the device, and a second, higher VOL level to the row line during programming.

Abstract: A novel process and structure is taught which provides discrete semiconductor islands located in a semiconductor substrate, the islands being electrically isolated from each other. Certain of these islands, in addition to being electrically isolated from other islands, are also electrically isolated from the substrate. Yet other ones of these islands are electrically isolated from other islands, but are electrically connected to the substrate. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, a substrate is used and a layer of electrical insulation is formed over only a portion of the surface of the substrate. Grooves are then formed to serve as vertical isolation regions. The grooves are filled with a non-conductive material, or covered with a layer of insulation on their sides and bottom, and filled with any convenient material, such as polycrystalline silicon. A second semiconductor substrate is then bonded to the first, and serves as the ultimate substrate of the finished device.

Abstract: According to the teachings of this invention, a novel sense amplifier is provided which includes a current steering transistor having its emitter connected to the collector of a current mirror transistor, its collector connected to the base of an output transistor, and its base driven by the input signal. With a low input signal, the emitter of the current steering transistor is pulled low, thereby pulling the base of the output transistor low. Conversely, when the input signal is high, and the current steering transistor ceases to operate in the active saturation mode and begins to operate in the inverse active saturation mode, thereby providing current from its base to its collector in order to turn on the output transistor.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of this invention, resistors are fabricated in semiconductor devices utilizing a layer of semiconductor material having a preselected resistivity. Means are provided for electrically isolating the semiconductor region from the regions located beneath, and isolation to adjacent regions is provided by forming a groove. Resistance value of a particular resistor fabricated in accordance with the teachings of this invention is dependent, in a coarse fashion, on the length and width of the resistor, as well as the resistivity of the semiconductor material used to fabricate the resistor. However, the final resistance value is determined by the diffusion of high concentration isolation dopants which serve to accurately control the effective cross-sectional area of the resistor.

Abstract: A novel closed loop feedback circuit is provided which senses the shoot-through current of a power switching device driving an inductive load. If excessive shoot-through current is sensed, the closed loop causes a reduction of the gate drive to the Power MOSFET contained in the power switching circuit, thereby slowing its turn on time, and in turn reducing the shoot-through current.

Abstract: A method of determining the outline of a character in a character recognition system, the character being included in a segment comprising a plurality of pixels which are either white corresponding to the absence of information or black corresponding to the presence of information, the method including the steps of: searching the segment of pixels to detect the location of the first black pixel nearest one edge of the segment; storing the location in the segment of the first detected black pixel; scanning those pixels in the segment within a predetermined distance from the first detected black pixel to detect a second black pixel; storing the location in the segment of the second detected black pixel; and continuing the scanning to successively detect black pixels surrounding the last detected black pixel.

Abstract: A beverage container lid is disclosed whereby the contents of the container may be accessed via a foldable tear strip flap defined by two score lines directed radially on the lid surface, a lift tab at the peripheral sealing skirt which mates with the rim of the container, and a multi-grooved hinge that allows for easy folding of the flap into a recess in the lid surface. Each of the two side walls of the recess has a retaining lug whereby when the user desires access to the container the flap is torn free of the peripheral sealing skirt by means of the lift tab, folded back, and inserted into the recess so as to wedge the flap below the retaining lugs which secure the flap by its opposite edges.

Abstract: A method of analyzing selected regions of semiconductor systems to determine the uniformity of distribution of trapped charges or electric dipoles at the surface of the semiconductor or in a dielectric or insulating material associated therewith, the method including the steps of applying an adjustable bias potential to the semiconductor system to produce an electric field within the system; directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a selected region of the semiconductor system in which the electric field exists to induce a photocurrent output from the system, the beam including photons of energy greater than the band gap energy of the semiconductor; adjusting the bias potential to vary the direction and/or the magnitude of the electric field; measuring the photocurrent output induced by the beam as a function of the bias potential; and determining the uniformity of distribution of trapped charges or electric dipoles in the selected region of the semiconductor system from the measured photocurrent ou

Abstract: A sheath is provided which prevents the dental camera itself from coming into contact with the patient, while allowing the dental camera to function properly. Such sheaths are dispensed on a perforated role, either end to end, or side to side. Alternatively, each sheath is individually packaged in a tear away casing, allowing the sheath to remain sterile, yet being readily accessible for use.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object within a set of object candidates includes the steps of:calculating the probability of occurrence of each member of a set of string candidates, wherein each string candidate contains one member of the set of object candidates, the calculating employing formulae using a method of groups and projections; andidentifying one of the objects based on the calculated probability.

Abstract: An FES method for partially restoring the motor function of a person having paralyzed muscles, the method comprising implanting a force sensor comprising a nerve electrode for sensing electrical signals primarily from mechanoreceptors associated with a peripheral sensory nerve that supplies glabrous skin of the person having the paralyzed muscles; producing an electrical control signal for activating a muscle stimulator in response to the electrical signals sensed by the nerve electrode; and stimulating the paralyzed muscles in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A combination of fixed frequency audio tones and conventional dual tones (as generated by a DTMF telephone set), are used in the autoline control circuit of the invention. All tones are generated by the DTMF telephone set to systematically provide functions available to the subscriber without need for quad conductors in the in-house telephone line and mechanical disconnects. Low cost integration of the present invention into existing FCC tarriffed DTMF equipment and systems without adverse effects is a paramount requirement as the above-mentioned functions are carried out. Conventional jacks and plugs are used to place the parallel autoline circuit of the invention in parallel with the DTMF telephones and the conventional in-premises line connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a characteristic of a signal modulating component related to an analyte of interest at an assay site by measuring light modulated by the component. A light source uniformly illuminates the assay site and a reference site. The light is directed from the sites onto a group of memory cells on the surface of a random access memory. The memory cells will decay from a logical 1 to a logical 0 due to the light over a period of time which is a function of the intensity of the light and the reference voltage of the memory cells marking the difference between a 1 and a 0. The digital state of each of the memory cells in the group is measured a predetermined exposure time. The measured states of a group of memory cells corresponding to the assay site are compared to the memory cell states for a reference group. The measured states are then analyzed to determine a characteristic of the analyte.

Abstract: An electronic video dental camera is provided having a general shape of prior art dental mirrors, thereby being readily manipulated by dentists who are universally familiar with the manipulation of prior art dental mirrors. Such an electronic video dental camera includes a handle to be held the user, and a camera head located at the distal end of the handle, with the camera head being formed at an angle to the handle. One embodiment also includes a mirror so that the dental camera can be used simultaneously as both a video dental camera and a dental mirror. Another embodiment includes means to cause, as desired, the flow of a selected fluid over the camera lens in order to defog and/or clean the camera lens, thereby allowing proper viewing. In one embodiment, the camera head also includes light sources for properly illuminating the area to be viewed.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming feature vectors representing the pixels contained in a pattern desired to be recognized, and reference patterns. One part of the feature vector is representative of the pixels contained in the pattern itself, while not requiring a very large feature vector which exactly defines each pixel of the pattern. One embodiment of this invention provides that another part of the feature vector, consisting of one or more bytes of the feature vector, defines the aspect ratio of the pattern. In one embodiment, each byte of the feature vector representing the pixels contained in the character represents the relative ratio of black pixels to total pixels in a specific area of the character; other functions relating input matrix and output feature vector information can be used.

Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a fluid container filler line having an empty container in-feed conveyor (11), a multivalve fill station (14), a multihead scanner station (17), a discharge conveyor (20) and a fill height detector (25), the system comprising a sensing module (22) having a first sensor (44) to indicate the first of a sequence of numbered valves with means to reset a valve counter, a second sensor (45) to count each valve of the sequence and controller means (50) responsive to said sensors to spacially track each container (12) through the system and to identify the particular fill valve for each particular container. A detector (54) is responsive to the controller and signals from the height detector to detect an improperly filled faulty container and identify the particular number valve which did the faulty filling.

Abstract: A speed responsive clutch assembly includes a generally disc-shaped clutch plate fixedly mounted on a rotating shaft on the driven side of the clutch assembly and a reaction ring supported by the clutch plate so as to be rotatable relative to the clutch plate over a predetermined angle. The clutch assembly also includes a plurality of shoe assemblies which are mounted on the reaction ring so as to be movable radially outward until they come into frictional contact with a casing, which is connected to a driving source, thereby establishing a coupled condition as the centrifugal force acting on the shoe assemblies increases. The assembly also includes a plurality of damper members interposed between the clutch plate and the reaction ring so that the rotational force can be transmitted between the clutch plate and the reaction ring through the damper members. Those shoe assemblies and damper members are arranged substantially along the same circumference.

Abstract: An output circuit (50) is provided for a programmable logic array (PLA) integrated circuit. The output circuit (50) includes a flip flop (52) which stores a given output term from the array. The flip flop (52) contains a set input lead (S) and a reset input lead (R). The signals present at the set input, reset input, the clock leads are generated by programmable logic within the PLA. A multiplexer (54) is provided which receives the output data of the flip flop (52) and the signal constituting the input data for the flip flop. The multiplexer provides the data input signal on the multiplexer output lead (60) when both the set and reset input signals are true. However, if either or both the set and reset input signals are false, then the multiplexer (54) provides the Q output signal from the flip flop (52) on the multiplexer output lead (60). The multiplexer output signal is presented to a three-state buffer (62) which in turn drives an output pin.