Abstract: A roller assembly for use, for example, in agricultural machines where the roller assembly has an exterior surface portion adapted to contact a conveyor element supporting the agricultural products and a bearing sub-assembly positioned about an axle in the center of the roller assembly. The bearing sub-assembly has at least one bearing, at least one sealing element having an elastomeric sealing portion positioned outboard of the bearing and at least one standoff also positioned outboard of the bearing. The standoffs have grooves in their outer dimension adapted to receive the elastomeric sealing portion. The diameter of the standoffs are about the same as the diameter of the elastomeric sealing portion. The horizontal length of the standoffs may also be chosen so as to offset the exterior surface portion of the assembly a predetermined distance with respect to the conveyor element.

Abstract: A method for estimating a thickness profile of a substrate sample that has undergone a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process includes obtaining initial and terminating resistance and reactance measurements from the sample. Initial eddy current measurement values are obtained while an eddy current probe is positioned at an initial distance relative to the substrate sample, and terminating values are obtained while the eddy current probe is positioned at a modified distance relative to the sample. An intersecting line can be calculated using the initial and terminating resistance and reactance measurements. An intersecting point between a previously defined natural intercepting curve and the intersecting line may also be determined. A reactance voltage of the intersecting point may be located along a digital calibration curve to identify a closest-two of a plurality of calibration samples.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device generally comprising an improved nozzle that is adaptable, connectable, threadable or integrally formed with a standard trigger spray head. The improved nozzle is also swivelable or rotatable and directional to spray in any direction, up or down, left or right, straight ahead, or any variation thereof. It also has a cap that can be turned to produce a stream, a spray or a foam, or any variation thereof. The nozzle may be manufactured either as an attachment to an existing trigger spray unit or as a pre-manufactured integral assembly.

Abstract: An electric power steering system remaining stable when subjected to forces from the road surface, the engine or motor, or from other sources. The electric power steering system has a torque sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the value of the steering torque, a derivative component for outputting a signal obtained by differentiating the output signal of the torque sensor, a driver for electrically driving an assist apparatus which assists a steering force, an assist current determining component for determining current flowing to the driver in accordance with the output signal of the torque sensor and the output signal of the derivative, and a gain control for setting a gain of the derivative component to zero or reducing the gain when the output signal of the torque sensor is smaller than a predetermined value. Methods to provide a stable steering system are also part of the subject matter.

Abstract: A digital signature scheme for a “smart” card utilizes a set of prestored signing elements and combines pairs of the elements to produce a new session pair. The combination of the elements is performed partly on the card and partly on the associated transaction device so that the exchange of information between card and device does not disclose the identity of the signing elements. The signing elements are selected in a deterministic but unpredictable manner so that each pair of elements is used once. Further signing pairs are generated by implementing the signing over an anomalous elliptic curve encryption scheme and applying a Frobenius Operator to the normal basis representation of one of the elements.

Abstract: A process to control a subscriber identity module (SIM) in mobile phone systems. The process consists of the mobile phone network sending one or more specific control values to the subscriber identity module that initiate specific actions or procedures within the subscriber identity module. Certain random values sent by the mobile phone network to the subscriber identity module for regular authentication purposes are used as control values (Control RANDs).

Abstract: A floor controller for real-time control of signal processors, synthesizers, musical instruments, MIDI processors, lighting, video, and special effects in performance, recording, and composition enviroments. Various combinations of physical controllers may be utilized (including foot switches, rocking foot pedals, null/contact touch-pads, pressure sensor arrays, etc.), as well as visual displays and internal control processing. Each physical controller may include a separate visual display of assigned name, status, and/or value. Rocking foot pedals may be used to simultaneously control multiple parameters by inclusion of aditional sensors. Each physical controller may be assigned specific control message functions, values, names, temporal event sequences, and invocation rules dicated by assignable state-machines. Assignments may be selected from organized structures via the physical controller elements.

Abstract: A relatively compact, program-controlled, universal combined milling and boring machine having a horizontal base as a support for a work table, a machine frame and a supporting system for at least one spindle head. The spindle head contains a dimensionally stable central tube, a spindle head support mounted on the lower end thereof, three telescopic bars arranged at a solid angle displacement of about 120° and coupled to the spindle head support in universal bearings, and an upper support member having universal bearings for the central tube and for each telescopic bar. The machine frame is preferably provided together with the base as an integrated, dimensionally stable, support structure and has two side walls, a top, front traverse and a lower rear wall. The supporting member of the supporting system is inclined between the top side of rear wall and the traverse.

Abstract: A bag storage and holding apparatus for a recyclable or disposable handle bag. On each end of the receptacle is a rotatably mounted side arm, which can swing up or down through approximately 90 degrees. When the arms are in an approximately horizontal position, the apparatus is positioned for receiving a handle bag and maintaining it in an open position. Securing means, in the form of a locking tab, are provided to secure the side arms in an upward position. Each side arm has handle engaging means for retaining the bag in an open position for receipt of refuse. The apparatus has a receptacle for storing handle bags for future use.

Abstract: A potentiometer to be utilized in an electric power steering system of a vehicle for generation of assist torque. The power steering system includes a torsion bar spring which receives steering torque and is twisted by the torque. The potentiometer comprises a magnet device having two magnetic polar faces, which create a magnetic field and a magneto-sensitive device placed in the magnetic field. The magnet device is rotatable relative to the magneto-sensitive device in proportion to the twist of the torsion bar spring and changes the relative angle between the magneto-sensitive device and the magnetic field causing the potentiometer to generate voltage for use in generating assist torque.

Abstract: Assistance for breathing is provided for both humans and animals by providing for a member to adhere along only one or separately both sides of a nose and having a shape so that a part of the member can adhere over a bone of the nose and then in cantilever fashion adhere to and thereby support soft flesh forming an outer side of a nasal passage so as to keep this open even with heavy breathing.

Abstract: Fractional Fourier transform properties of lenses or other elements or optical environments are used to introduce one or more positive-definite optical transfer functions outside the Fourier plane so as to realize or closely approximate arbitrary non-positive-definite transfer functions. Designs can be straightforwardly obtained by methods of approximation. The invention provides for single and multiple channel controllable optical processors which may be used for image or other types of computation, including computation with complex-valued arithmetic, visual color, and wide-spectrum optical signals. The invention also provides for synthesis of Fractional Fourier transforms, extensions to non-Hermite basis functions, phase-shifting filter elements and non-quadratic graded-index materials (which do not naturally invoke the Fractional Fourier transform operation).

Abstract: A field orientation control method for an AC motor, which includes assuming an arbitrary axis as an estimated control axis in the synchronously rotating reference frame; injecting a high-frequency fluctuating signal to the estimated control axis; determining the position of a control axis using current, voltage or impedance on the estimated control axis in the synchronously rotating reference frame, generated by the injected high-frequency signal; and determining the position and speed of the rotor based on the control axis thus located. Since this method uses the variation of impedance caused by the induction machine's generation of field and by various shapes, the control performance is more stable than other conventional control methods. This AC motor's control method may be applied to control of torque, speed and position at a low speed where it is difficult to affix a detector and where a highly efficient operation is required.

Abstract: A thermal dispersion switch/transmitter for determining flow rate and liquid level in a non-contacting apparatus. A special preparation of one or more small spots in the outside surface of the wall of the conduit, standpipe or container enables one or more thermally sensitive elements to reside very close to the fluid on the opposite side of the wall. A temperature sensor is formed of a raster pattern electrical conductor deposited on a thin, electrically insulative, thermally conductive flat chip. One temperature sensor is time-shared and is periodically self heated and functions as the reference as well as the active or heated sensor of the invention. One alternative is to employ two temperature sensors, one being a reference sensor and the other being the active sensor. An alternative embodiment employs the same construction of one or more small, very thin membrane surfaces to which multiple detectors are mounted inside a probe inserted into the conduit.

Abstract: This patent describes an invention providing electronically-induced drive environments for one or more mechanically-vibrating physical elements, including those environments applicable to musical instrument application. One aspect of the invention provides for visual indication of one or more drive levels in very general electronically-driven vibrating-elements environments. Other aspects of the invention provide for loop signal processing and the use of external drive sources applicable to a variety of types of sense transducers, drive transducers, and vibrating elements in isolated or grouped configurations. Additional aspects of the invention provide for pluralities of drive transducers and drive signals as applied to individual or groups of vibrating elements within the invention's environments.

Abstract: An immunochromatographic assay employing superparamagnetic particles to lable the target analytes. An opaque cover prevents misinterpretive readings in field situations and provides a protective surface on the porous membrane. Additional features include separability of the test strip from any backing or housing which is configured to support the strip, and that quantitative measurements of the target analytes are easily and accurately made by means of an electromagnetic reader device.

Abstract: A radio repeater wherein a reflective negative resistance amplifier, using the negative resistance of a Gunn diode, is applied at one side of a dielectric waveguide, enabling signals to be inputted through the input terminal dielectric waveguide, circulated in the circulator and enter the Gunn diode. Reflected waves amplified in the Gu diode exit the output terminal dielectric waveguide. A radio repeater is provided on the non-radiative dielectric waveguides using the multi-space non-radiative dielectric waveguides, which receives a frequency, amplifies it, and retransmits the amplified signals to any direction. With a dielectric band inserted in the radio repeater, directions for reception and transmission can be freely changed. Using the radio repeater, a small size radio repeater of low power consumption may be made.

Abstract: A process for integrating cordless telephone networks into cellular mobile phone networks by using dual-system terminals which support communication over both a cordless telephone network and a mobile phone network. In the process, the mobile phone network assigns each cordless telephone network usable by a specific subscriber an own Location Area, to which a subscriber specific call number is allocated. A continuous check is made whether the subscriber is in the Location Area of the cordless telephone network available to him, and if so, then any call incoming via the mobile phone network is completed optionally or automatically by a mobile phone switching center using the call number assigned to the Location Area.

Abstract: A machine tool for metal cutting having a collecting system for chips and liquids. Disposed below the work area is a pan having a transverse groove, a chip conveyor disposed in the transverse groove, a spiral-shaped conveyor element, a liquid collector on one side wall of the pan and a chip outlet disposed on the other side wall of the pan on the outlet end of the chip conveyor. To enhance the separation of liquids even when a large amount of chips is produced, an elongated screen element is disposed in the inner cavity of the spiral-shaped conveyor element, the screen element extending over at least part of the length of the conveyor element and terminating at the liquid collector.

Abstract: A device and method for mounting structures to masonry. The device has a cover plate with a plurality of extendable and retractable straps and is used to cover a hole in a masonry wall, while providing temporary support to various structural items to be attached to the masonry wall. Each strap also engages the inner surface of the masonry wall. The straps preferably have a series of ridges that engage the cover plate such that sufficient resistance is provided to temporarily affix various objects to be embedded in the masonry wall. The straps position the plate on the front surface of the masonry wall such that it is generally concentric with the masonry hole. Grout is then poured into the hollow cavity behind the masonry wall, thus securing the embedded material permanently. The cover plate is preferably transparent to allow the user to determine that the wall and hole are property grouted.