Abstract: A microprocessor which can execute a test and set instruction for an exclusive control by combination of a few simple instructions, and data flow microprocessor which realizes high operation performance mainly in vector operation by reading out of data to be operated, writing in operation result and executing memory access in short time period and in parallel, and whose running efficiency of program is high in multi-processor construction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of fundoplication of the stomach to the esophagus comprising introducing an esophageal manipulator (72) into the stomach lumen (10), maneuvering the manipulator within the lumen so as to create an intussusception (48) of the esophagus (14) into the stomach, introducing a stapler (68) to the lumen of the stomach, and stapling the intussuscepted esophagus to the stomach operation of the stapler is from within the lumen of the stomach. The invention also provides a medical or surgical stapler comprising an elongated body (80) having a passageway (70) which is adapted to receive a medical component such as a forceps (72) or fluid.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes a catheter body having a cylindrical housing at its distal end. The cylindrical housing includes an elongate cutting aperture on one side thereof and a mechanism for severing atheroma which enters within the opening. In a first embodiment, the cutting mechanism comprises a circular cutting blade which is advanced over an elongate guide member which defines a path for the blade. Use of the guide means helps assure that the cutting blade will not be lost from the housing during use. In a second embodiment, a rotatable helical cutting blade is mounted within the housing. In that particular embodiment, the helical cutting blade can serve as the guide member for the circular cutting blade.

Abstract: A method and a device for modifying the energy-applying surface of an ultrasonic welding horn to join two complex thermoplastic parts by applying a thin film to the surface of the horn is disclosed. The thin film is applied to insure that a proper weld occurs along a complex and intricate pattern of energy directors located between the parts.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the light output level of a dimmable fluorescent light ballast such as the Mark VII ballast manufactured by Advance Transformer, Inc. The circuit operates from power supplied by the Mark VII ballast through a 300 to 500 microamp DC current loop. The control circuit includes a photo sensor that detects the level of ambient light in a room, and in response to the detected light level, the circuit sets a voltage level from 2 and 10 volts between the two output leads for the current loop on the ballast. At 2 volts, the light is at its dimmest level, which is 20 percent of its maximum brightness, while at 10 volts, the light is at the 100 percent level. Between 2 and 10 volts, the light's brightness is set on a linear scale between 20 and 100 percent.

Abstract: A long train of spin echoes is produced using a RARE excitation pulse sequence, and during each spin echo an annular segment of a long k-space spiral as determined by read-out magnetic gradients is detected. At the end of the echo train the entire k-space spiral will have been covered. Each of the segments can be a unique annular portion of the k-space spiral. Alternatively, fewer annular segments of the spiral can be provided, with the fewer annular segments rotated in k-space and replayed to cover interleaved paths in k-space. The imaging gradients are refocused at the time of each spin-echo pulse in order to permit the long echo pulse trains of RARE imaging. Each spiral segment is surrounded by gradient lobes that move out from the k-space origin to the beginning of the segment, and move back to the origin from the end of the segment. Advantageously, the magnetic gradient lobes can be produced concurrently with parasitic echo crusher gradients at the beginning and end of each spin-echo pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for differentiating and extracting handwritten annotations and machine printed text in an image. The method provides for the use of morphological operations, preferably at reduced scale, to eliminate for example, the handwritten annotations from an image. A separation mask is produced that, for example, converts all the image pixels corresponding to machine printed text, and none of the image pixels corresponding to handwritten or handprinted annotations. The separation mask is used in conjunction with the original image to produce separate handwritten annotations and machine printed text images. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for identifying the location of specialized type styles such as bold and italic is disclosed. The method erodes a binary image utilizing structuring elements which provide a relatively large number of hits in regions containing the specialized type styles.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a target signal from a composite signal. The apparatus makes use of the composite signal to generate a DC power supply, whereupon no external power supply is needed for the apparatus to operate.

Abstract: A computer system for production of ink separations from an object-based print pre-process apparatus using a page description language. The print pre-process system facilitates creation of object spreads for any combination or configuration of objects on the rendered page. For each object on a rendered page, the computer system makes use of a spread table to determine spread incidences. For each spread incidence, the computer system generates set union, intersection and difference for spreading, receiving, and obstructing objects by use of a modified Weiler algorithm. The modified Weiler algorithm creates a simplified graph of contour histories providing a visible portion of the spread object, The visible object is strokable within a clipped window set to the receiving object. The stroke color and width, set by the spread table, can be knockout print or overprint.

Abstract: A precision component mounting and positioning apparatus comprises a frame member and a stage member suspended in the frame member. The frame member is adapted to be mounted on a support surface, and the stage member is adapted to receive a precision component, typically a precision optical component such as an optical fiber or waveguide. The stage member can be positionally adjusted relative to the frame member in five degrees of freedom. Three axially oriented actuators are grounded in the frame member to provide for selectively rotating the stage member about two orthogonally disposed transverse axes relative to the frame member as well as for axially translating the stage member relative to the frame member. A pair of orthogonally opposed transverse actuators are grounded in the frame member and oriented to provide for transverse translation of the stage member relative to the frame member.

Abstract: A roll assembly comprising a rotatable roll (1 in FIG. 2) and a second roll (2 in FIG. 2) cooperating therewith, in which a pressing element (17) to effect displacement between the rolls along a pressure plane of the roll assembly is located in one of the rolls (1,2) and in which both rolls are supported at either end by respective support members (5,6). Prior to operation of the roll assembly, dumbbell-like shaped connecting parts (7) installed in corresponding cut-outs (9) in the support members (5,6) are tensioned and thereby securely form-locked by actuating the pressing element (17). Locking action is released by subsequent deactivation of the pressing element (17) after which the connecting parts (7) can be withdrawn. Two principal advantages of this arrangement, are the compacter construction, enabled by the fact that the frame no longer bears the pressing forces of the roll assembly, and the ease and speed with which components such as rolls, roll jackets or felt belts can be changed.

Abstract: An integrated module with a heated reservoir to vaporize liquid for semiconductor processes with liquid sources is presented. Shut-off valves and a proportioning pressure valve for controlling the flow of the vapor from the reservoir are mounted on the module for simple conduction heating of the valves. A capacitance manometer also mounted to the module also has its own heating elements. Condensation of the vapor is avoided and consistence performance and reliability is obtained.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method to reduce the size of bipolar transistors and decrease the number of steps required to fabricate the bipolar transistor by using a unitary contiguous oxide sidewall to separate a collector contact from the base, emitter and emitter contact. The device and method may also be used during the fabrication of BiCMOS devices.

Abstract: A voting system allows voters to express and cast votes that are conditional on the votes of others of a voting group. Votes may be conditional on the votes of specific individuals, on the number or percent of the overall group who vote a certain way, external events or on any combination thereof. The system solves the "common goods, free rider" dilemma in which voters oppose proposals they recognize as worthwhile out of fear that a few supporters will be burdened with all of the costs. The system specifies and enforces terms under which conditional voting will take place, and may manage the voting process across a network. The system recognizes when either multiple solutions or no solutions to a set of votes exist. The system can determine which voters are responsible for these cases, and can invite them to change their votes, if they wish.

Abstract: An appendage interface assembly, such as a hand grip assembly (2) or a foot pedal assembly (120), is used with an exercise machine to reduce skeletal misalignment problems while increasing the muscle working benefits of the exercise. The assembly includes an assembly support (4, 122) securable to the exercise machine. A hand grip (22) or foot pedal (128) is pivotally mounted to the assembly support for movement about three orthogonal axes (26, 28, 30; 134, 174, 176). The foot pedal is mounted using a universal or ball joint (130). With the hand grip assembly, a yoke (12) is pivotally mounted to the assembly support, a hand grip support (16) is pivotally mounted to the yoke, and a hand grip (22) is pivotally mounted to the hand grip support by first, second and third pivots (14,18,24) for movement about the three axes. The hand grip or foot pedal can pivot freely or with a drag force hindering the pivotal motion or, if great enough, locking the hand grip or foot pedal to a fixed orientation.

Abstract: MRI signals detected by a phased array of multicoils are combined to provide phase contrast image signals with improved signal-to-noise ratio. Detected complex image signals are obtained for different magnetic gradients and are combined to obtain phase, magnitude, and magnitude weighted image signals for imaging.

Abstract: A dc power supply (1) for a dc arc torch (6) comprising: an input port (4, 8) for connection to a source of direct current and an output port for connection to the electrodes (5, 7) of an arc torch; a controlled switch (2) and an inductance (3) connected in series between the input port and the output port; a free-wheeling diode (9) connected such that, in use, it is reverse biased when the switch (2) is ON, and forward biased when the switch (2) is OFF to maintain direct current flow through the arc and the inductance (3); and a feedback circuit (10) having a current sensor (11) to sense the instantaneous value of current flowing through the arc, and a control terminal (26) connected to the switch (2), the feedback circuit, in use, operating to provide a control signal at the control terminal (26) to turn the switch (2) ON when the instantaneous value reaches a first level and OFF when the instantaneous value reaches a second level.

Abstract: Two message security methods and apparatus for the same for token ring local area networks. According to a first method, a port in a ring central controller examines the source and destination addresses of a received data packet and stores a received data packet and replaces the data portion with unrelated data bits only if the address does not match that of the attached user station. In another embodiment, the port scrambles the data portion of the received data packet if the addresses do not match.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fractures in extremities and regions of extremities which is in particular provided for the treatment of extremity fractures in the region of the lower leg, thigh, lower arm and upper arm has at least two shell parts which can be clamped relative to one another which enclose the extremity to be surrounded. Deformable and evacuatable vacuum-tight cushions having at least one valve and in which there are located a plurality of filling bodies, which are movable relative to one another, in particular small grained filling bodies, are provided between the shell parts and the extremity.