Abstract: An optical hole seeking apparatus for webs (17) advanced in their longitudinal direction has two laser scanning devices (12, 15) which are arranged spaced apart along the web with a respective light receiving arrangement (11, 14) operating in reflection being associated with each laser scanning device. The two light receiving arrangements (11, 14) are connected to an electronic processing circuit (18) in which the two received photoelectric signals detected at the same position of the web (17) are correlated and then investigated to see whether they are the same or not.

Abstract: A method is provided for modifying calculation of a predefined procedure in a spread of financial data in a financial information system operative on a digital computer wherein data is manually input into a cell as a value, the value is prioritized above other values dependent thereon by setting a lock flag to indicate that the data is to be secured against change by subsequent recalculation on the cell and thereafter the data of all other cells which is not locked is recalculated on the basis of the priority values stored in cells designated as locked. In each case, the steps of inputting, locking, recalculating and storing are repeated for each manually entered data value. The value is recalculated upon unlocking a cell, thereby deprioritizing the data.

Abstract: Bit-mapped and compressed image data are converted one another through an intermediate image data or code form wherein each image is represented by a list of sublists, each sublist being itself a list of numerical values representing run lengths transistions from one type of picture element (pel) to a second and opposite type of picture element (pel) (e.g., a black pel and a white pel). Hence the intermediate code data structure according to the invention is termed a transition list or TL code or data structure. The data structure and coding rules are defined by rules relating to code type, code word length and code word interdependence. A specific conversion process specifies that the transition list be composed of sublists wherein each represents a scan line.

Abstract: A novel array processor is provided with a plurality of local memories in each data processing element and allows these local memories to be accessed simultaneously, so that a plurality of local memories provided for each data processing element can simultaneously be accessed. The array processor is also has one local memory which is provided with a plurality of output ports for each data processing element, so that all the output ports can simultaneously be accessed, permitting the local memory unit to be accessed simultaneously through a plurality of output ports. The array processor of the present invention decreases the number of memory accesses in each data processing element, with the cumulative effect of achieving a faster speed for the entire data processing system.

Abstract: A liquid tight connector for affixing, in a liquid tight manner, to a conduit having a ridge located adjacent to its end, wherein the conduit extends into a bore (5) and abuts against a sealing surface (6) and is held in liquid tight engagement therewith. A locking member (9) projects into the bore (5) and locks on to the ridge of the conduit.

Abstract: A scatter shield attenuates off-axis illumination emanating from a light beam projector. The scatter shield comprises an elongate housing, usually cylindrical, having at least two baffles therein. The dimensions of the scatter shield are selected to assure that off-axis illumination exceeding a preselected angle of divergence is internally reflected within the shield at least three times. Such multiple reflections provide for highly efficient attenuation.

Abstract: A composition able to absorb mercury vapor and to disinfect a surface. The composition hasa source of halogen; anda non-aqueous solvent of low vapor pressure for the source of halogen. The composition is of low vapor pressure.

Abstract: An improved double capstan drive allows mechanical amplification for increased power output from stepper motors, servo motors, and other control devices. Tensile members are attached to loads, wrapped around two continuously driven capstan drums, and attach to the stepper motors. The stepper motors, when energized, supply tailing forces to the tensile members which then engage frictionally on the capstan drums. Amplification of forces is achieved. Each wrap provides for slightly less than 2 times amplification of the tailing force with no upper limit to the number of wraps. Elastic bands attach to each wrap of the tensile members approximately midway between the two drums to provide for immediate and responsive release when stepper motors deenergize or reverse direction. Grooves or rings on the periphery of the drums provide tracks for wrapping the tensile member.

Abstract: Hot-carrier suppression in a sub-micron MISFET structure is achieved by providing a drain region which includes a steeply profiled N+ (or P+) doped region in the surface of a semiconductor body with a first epitaxial layer formed thereover having N- (or P-) dopant concentration. A second N+ (or P+) epitaxial layer is formed over the first epitaxial layer and functions as a low ohmic contact to the drain region. In a preferred embodiment both the source and drain regions have dopant concentrations provided by N+ (or P+) doped regions in the surface of a substrate with epitaxial layers thereover. The dopant profile reduces the voltage drop across the more highly doped region of the drain and thereby reduces the electric field therein. Further, the reduction in dopant concentration reduces the electric field due to energy band bending associate with the change in doping level from the N+ (P+) region to the N- (P-) epitaxial layer. The resulting sub-micron device has better long-term reliability.

Abstract: Eyeglass frames are fitted to an individual's face by placing individual moldable pads at the region of contact between the eyeglass frame and the face. The moldable contact pads include a moldable layer which is formed from a material which is initially in a malleable state and which may be subsequently cured to a non-malleable but resilient state. The contact pads are first conformed to the individual wearer's features by gently pressing the eyeglass frame against the wearer's face. The pads are then cured to retain the imparted shape by exposure to radiation which cures the malleable material initially present in the contact pads.

Abstract: A voltage step-up circuit for a non-volatile semiconductor memory which includes a first series of an odd number of inverters (20), a second series of an even number of inverters (21), and a transmission gate (203) provided in the pre-stage inverter of each inverter series to control the potentials inputted to the p-channel and n-channel transistors of the final-stage inverter so that both the transistors are not simultaneously turned on.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved branch prediction cache (BPC) structure that combines various separate structures into one integrated structure. In conjunction with doing this, the present invention is able to share significant portions of hardware cost and design complexity overhead. As a result, the cost-performance trade-off for implementing dynamic branch prediction for target address, branch direction, and target instructions aspects of branches shifts to where "full" branch prediction is now more practical.

Abstract: A monitoring system continuously monitors fibre optic cables for faults and then enables automatic location of the fault in the cable. In the system an optical monitoring signal is generated and connected as an output signal to a first end of the fiber optic cable for transmission to the second end. The signal is then returned through the fiber optic cable to provide a return signal at the first end of the cable. A comparator at the first end compares the output signal and the return signal and provides corresponding difference data. An optical time domain reflectometer detects the location of a signal loss along the fiber optic cable and a data processing system determines the location of the signal loss from the corresponding difference data. A single optical time domain reflectometer can be used for monitoring a plurality of fiber optic cables.

Abstract: A compressor (2) uses lower pressure compressed air from a compressed air supply (4, 6) to automatically create higher pressure compressed air. This compressor includes a pressure intensifier (8) having a piston assembly (16) sized for reciprocal movement between forward and retracted positions. The first cylinder (20) has an inlet (10) coupled to the air supply. The second cylinder (22) has an outlet (14) and a supplemental inlet (38). A first check valve (40) couples the supplemental inlet to the ambient atmosphere to permit fluid to flow through the first check valve and into the second cylinder through the supplemental inlet, but not the reverse. A second check valve (42) is coupled to the outlet and permits fluid to flow from the second cylinder, through the outlet and through the second check valve. The compressor also includes means for venting (48) the first cylinder to atmosphere when the piston assembly is in the forward position to permit the piston assembly to return to the retracted position.

Abstract: Novel compounds and methods for the formation of disulfide linkages are presented. The novel compounds employed are substituted 2-iminothiolane hydrohalide linking agents of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, X is halogen;R.sub.1 is COOR.sub.5 ; halogen; nitro; unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.1-8 alkyl; unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.1-8 alkoxy; unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.2-8 alkenyl; unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.2-8 alkynyl; unsubstituted C.sub.3-8 cycloalkyl; unsubstituted aryl; aryl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halogen, amino, unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.1-8 alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.1-8 alkoxy; unsubstituted heterocycle; or heterocycle substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from amino, halogen, unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.1-8 alkyl, or unsubstituted or halogenated C.sub.1-8 alkoxy;each of R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently hydrogen or selected from the values of R.sub.1 ; orR.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A walker brace for temporary tightening from a close fit position during the support surface contact phase of gait when the patient's weight is applied to the sole to stabilize the leg, ankle and foot from undesirable movement. In a preferred embodiment, a leg support assembly (2) of the brace has multiple straps (15, 16) connected to an arm (4) for nesting the leg. A foot support assembly (3) has multiple straps (31, 32) connected to a foot support shell (28) for nesting the foot. An arm (5) is connected to the foot support shell (28) and articulates relative to the arm (4) at a controlled motion ankle hinge (6). A leg strap tightening mechanism (18) includes a tightening rod (20) and a cable (22) for progressive and differential tightening of the straps (15, 16) to stabilize the leg. A foot strap tightening mechanism (44) includes a buckle loop (34) and a cable (41) for tightening of the instep strap (32) to stabilize the foot.

Abstract: According to a channel assigning method for use in a mobile communication system, a base station selects, in response to a communication connection request, a communication radio channel having an interference wave reception level which is obtained by a measuring unit and satisfies a quality conditions of a communication channel from a plurality of communication radio channels, and transmits information of the communication radio channel to a mobile station as an object of the communication connection request. The mobile station selects the communication radio channel transmitted by the base station, measures an interference wave reception level, and transmits the measurement result to the base station. The base station checks whether the measurement result satisfies the quality conditions of a communication path, and assigns the communication radio channel to the requested communication when the measurement result satisfies the quality conditions of a communication path.

Abstract: This invention relates to an STN liquid crystal display device and a retardation means, in which coloring caused by wavelength dependency of a birefringent effect is compensated for and decolored by using a novel combination of retardation films. At least a pair of retardation films manufactured by stretching a polymeric film and having positive and negative intrinsic birefringence values are arranged such that their main stretching directions cross each other. Coloring is decolored and at the same time viewing angle dependency of display is minimized by this arrangement. Decolored black-and-white display having small viewing angle dependency can be obtained, bright display with less light absorption is realized, and the thickness of the display device can be decreased.

Abstract: A vascular catheter includes a flexible catheter body having proximal and distal ends and an elongate housing secured to the distal end of the catheter body. An interactional device is disposed on one side of the housing, and at least two spaced-apart inflatable chambers are located on the other side of the housing generally at its proximal and distal ends, respectively. The inflatable chambers may be expanded simutaneously or separately, and the spaced-apart positioning of the chambers provides for stable positioning of the housing during atherectomy procedures imaging procedures, and the like.

Abstract: A computing system, having a cache-memory management system, provides selectable access modes for addressable memory, providing cacheable and noncacheable access modes, definable on a fixed page boundary basis. The various access modes can be intermixed on a page by page basis within the translation logic of the cache-memory management system. The cache-memory management system provides high speed virtual to real address translation along with associated system tag data defining access priorities and access modes associated with each respective address translation. The selectable access modes provides software definable features, such as cacheable data or non-cacheable data, write-through or copyback main memory update strategies for cacheable data, and real memory address space selection as main memory real address space, versus Boot ROM real address space versus input/output real address space. Page tables are loaded into main memory which contain address translation data and associated system tags.