Abstract: A process of fabricating the storage capacitor of a DRAM memory IC device having increased electrode surface area is disclosed. The hemispherical-grain silicon layer used to effect the area increase does not suffer stripping-off during the process of removal of its native oxide. The prevention of the stripping-off is achieved by the employment of a amorphous silicon layer underlying the hemispherical-grain silicon layer. The amorphous silicon layer improves the adhesiveness of the hemispherical-grain silicon layer, thereby preventing its stripping-off.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated antenna and phase shifter which has frequency-independent performance. In its preferred form, the antenna phase shifter of the present invention comprises first and second conductive spirals which are identical to and aligned with each other and which are separated from each other by a thin sheet of dielectric material. The first spiral has arms which are connected in a central region of the spiral to a first line of a balun or a balanced transmission line via electronic or optoelectronic switches. The second spiral has arms which are connected in the central region of the second spiral to a second line of the balun or balanced transmission line via electronic or optoelectronic switches. A switching circuit is used to turn them on and off. When any one of the RF switches is turned on, an RF link is established between the arm connected to the switch and the line of the balun connected to the switch.

Abstract: The frame based modulus interleaver is used in a digital communications system. The interleaver uses an algorithm which insures that all of the data blocks which are present in the each input frame are output in a single output frame. This is accomplished, in accordance with the invention, by using a modulus operation to determine the location of each block which is input into the interleaver.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for enhancing the charging of a battery by exposing the battery to acoustic excitation while the battery is being charged. By adding acoustic excitation to the charging process, the present invention reduces the time needed to charge the battery, reduces the energy needed for charging, and increases the battery's cycle life. The present invention may be used to charge new and used batteries and to rejuvenate dead batteries.

Abstract: A pliable, thermally insulative container is provided for maintaining the temperature of the contents inside the container which facilitates the use of ice as a cooling medium. The pliable, thermally insulative container comprises a substantially cylindrical body formed of an exterior shell, an interior liner and flexible insulative material. The body has a top end and a bottom end. The exterior shell and interior liner are attached at the top end creating an interior insulative space between the exterior shell and the interior liner and a storage space lined by the interior liner. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a waterproof base is attached to the exterior shell at the bottom end of the body sealing the interior insulative space. The flexible, insulative material is disposed within the interior insulative space. The container preferably includes a band at the top end with a quick-release coupling attached thereto for closing the opening at the top end of the container.

Abstract: An expandable self-locking frame useful in the construction of temporary to permanent walls. The frame comprises a plurality of longitudinally extensible studs mounted along the length of a pair of elongated tracks. Each of the longitudinally extensible studs is provided with a longitudinal extension mechanism incorporating a locking mechanism with which a length of the frame can be adjusted. In a preferred embodiment, the outer longitudinally extensible struts of the frame are further provided with lateral extension mechanisms with which the width of the frame can be adjusted.

Abstract: A cooperative feedback system is provided for a compensation system associated with, for example, a transmitter or codes, for enabling the compensation system to improve the accuracy of digital signals transmitted to a digital network. The cooperative feedback system is particularly suited for providing feedback to a compensation system for correcting distortion resulting from rob bit signaling (RBS), digital loss, or other types of digital signal degradation. The cooperative feedback system includes a compensation selector in a transmitter (e.g., digital modem, analog modem, codec, etc.) that combines compensations with frames of digital data by way of an addition mechanism to produce modified digital data frames. The transmitter is configured to transmit the modified digital data frames into the digital network. A receiver (e.g., digital modem, analog modem, etc.

Abstract: A retaining wall secured to a portion of earth, comprising a plurality of blocks stacked in longitudinally extending, vertically spaced tiers to define a retaining wall, each of the blocks defining a laterally oriented passageway extending between a pair of opposing sides thereof and having an exterior face orientated outwardly of the portion of the earth, the passageways being substantially aligned in each tier to define a channel within the tier of the retaining wall at least one tieback rod for being embedded at one end in a portion of earth to be covered by the retaining wall and having a protruding end extending therefrom towards the retaining wall at least one elongate member disposed within a portion of one of the channels in the tiers of blocks, the elongate member defining a slot through which the protruding end of the tieback rod extends and a mechanism for connecting the tieback rod to the elongate member to secure the retaining wall to the portion of earth.

Abstract: A cellular modem pool provides a "transparent call progress" feature where each modem pair of the cellular modem pool is coupled to a cross-connect switch, which communicates call progress information between the cellular-side and the PSTN-side during data call setup. The modem pair of the cellular modem pool monitors the call progress information for a data signal provided by a DCE of the calling party, e.g., a predefined fax calling tone. Once the fax calling tone is detected, the modem pair prohibits the opening of the connection provided by the cross-connect switch. This enables the transparent call progress feature for the duration of the fax call thereby routing the fax call around the modem pair.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for reducing the voltage necessary to produce a glow discharge in a gas. This is done by fabricating the cathode in a gas discharge device out of a conductive material that is permeable to the subject gas rather than out of a solid material, as in the prior art. Fabricating the cathode with a permeable material rather than a solid material increases the surface area of the cathode and provides the gas with greater access to the cathode's surface. Increasing the surface area of the cathode increases the total discharge current which can be extracted from the cathode without increasing the extraction voltage. This allows the gas discharge device to be operated at a lower voltage than is possible using a cathode fabricated of a solid material.

Abstract: A method and composition are shown for capping exposed land areas, such as landfills, toxic waste sites, and mineral waste sites areas. A formulation is prepared by making a hydrated solution of a particular sodium Bentonite clay and mixing the solution with a specific proportion of sand material. The mixture is distributed over a prepared subgrade by means of a slurry pumping technique. A multilayer cap is created by overlaying additional layers having different clay formulations. The clay mixtures are optimized to be effective water and oxygen barriers while eliminating the problem of desiccation cracking. An anisotropic barrier is achieved as a result of interlayer hydraulic conductivity differences. This barrier together with the establishment of a 1-6% slope of the layer interface encourages lateral movement of water while inhibiting its downward penetration. The overall hydraulic conductivity of the composite cap is extremely low.

Abstract: A planar fully integrated variable reluctance micromotor (10) is microfabricated on a substrate base (18). The micromotor includes a pin (19), rotor (12) with radially extending poles (16), and a stator (20) having a plurality of poles (21) configured in pairs (22) circumferentially spaced about the rotor. The rotor is microfabricated in place, or in situ, contiguous to the substrate base. The pairs of stator poles include a multilevel core (26) wrapped around a meander conductor (27) which is connected to bonding pads (32). The variable reluctance micromotor is particularly adapted to operating as a micropump (45) for conductive fluids.

Abstract: A method of the invention for inspecting a defect on a translucid film is provided. The method includes an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer over the translucid film. The anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer prevents inspecting light from penetrating through the ARC layer and reduces the amount of inspecting light refracting through the translucid film. The inspection is performed by generating an inspecting light with a predetermined angle radiating on the ARC layer. The reflecting light message from different regions of the anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer are separately collected. The reflecting light messages are compared die to die to calculate an inspecting result.

Abstract: A rob bit compensation system improves the accuracy of digital signals transmitted to a digital network, such as a telephone network, that employs rob bit signaling (RBS) wherein the network periodically robs a bit for its own use. The rob bit compensation system can be employed within the transmit subsystem of a digital modem connected with the digital network that periodically robs a bit every nth frame, where n is, for example, 6, 12, or 24. The system may also be employed in association with the communications path within a coder/decoder (codec) that transmits data to the digital network. A feedback system advises the rob bit compensation system as to which frames of outgoing digital data are to have a bit robbed therefrom by the digital network. The feedback system causes a quantity to be mathematically combined with the digital data corresponding with each RBS frame in order to enhance accuracy of the RBS frames.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf swing training device which allows the angular relationship of the leading and trailing forearms with respect to each other to change during the golf swing while substantially maintaining the distance between the forearms at the points at which the training device is attached to the forearms. The device comprises a first strap which attaches to the leading forearm below the elbow and above the wrist, a substantially rigid spacing member that is attached to the leading forearm strap by means of an articulating joint, and a second strap attached to the other end of the spacing member which attaches to the trailing forearm below the elbow and above the wrist. The spacing member preferably is adjustable in length to accommodate different distances between the forearms.

Abstract: An adaptive voice and data bandwidth management system is implemented in a subscriber loop to permit higher data rates and adaptive allocation of this increased capacity between multiple applications. The management system communicates digital data across multiple-lines when these lines are not in use by other communication equipment. However, when a request for use of a line by another device is detected, a modem clears down a subscriber line and connects the subscriber line to the appropriate communication device. As a result, simultaneous use of a modem and other communication devices is allowed. Once the other communication device ends its communication session, the system adapts to once again communicate digital data over multiple lines in order to increase the speed and efficiency of the data communication.

Abstract: A lift box and system simulates the lifting of a crate or box having cutout handles disposed therein. The lift box includes the normal hand hole cutouts, a structural frame adapted to hold a variable amount of disc-type weights and an outer shell which covers the frame and creates an inside cavity which contains the weights. A top surface of each hand hole cutout (the handle) is formed from a separate piece which is isolated from the shell and coupled to the frame through load cells. That arrangement prevents the user from applying any lifting force to the side walls of the lift box, which would reduce the overall force recognized by the load cells.