Abstract: A scheduling mechanism is provided for controlling when the arbitration circuit of a node sharing a CSMA communication medium is to start CSMA arbitration for access to the communication medium once the node has a message ready for transmission, the scheduling mechanism delaying the arbitration circuit from seeking access if total transmission activity on the communication medium exceeds a total use threshold value and transmission activity of the node exceeds a local use threshold value, and otherwise permitting the arbitration circuit to seek access to the communication medium by arbitration in accordance with a priority value assigned to the node.

Abstract: A scheduling mechanism is provided for controlling when the arbitration circuit of a node sharing a CSMA communication medium is to start CSMA arbitration for access to the communication medium once the node has a message ready for transmission, the scheduling mechanism delaying the arbitration circuit from seeking access if total transmission activity on the communication medium exceeds a total use threshold value and transmission activity of the node exceeds a local use threshold value, and otherwise permitting the arbitration circuit to seek access to the communication medium by arbitration in accordance with a priority value assigned to the node.

Abstract: A programmable element sequence selection circuit which selects a repeatable sequence of elements from a plurality of elements is provided. The sequence selection circuit includes a sequence storage circuit into which a sequence of element identifiers is loaded and accessed.

Abstract: An audio/video system for encoding and decoding a video signal and a plurality of corresponding audio signals includes an encoder for receiving an input video signal, a first audio signal, and a plurality of second audio signals which correspond to the input video signal. The encoder combines the input video signal and the plurality of second audio signals to produce an encoded video signal but leaves the first audio signal substantially unchanged and then outputs the first audio signal and the encoded video signal. An audio/video signal communication device is connected to the encoder. The audio/video signal communication device accepts the encoded video signal and the first audio signal and transmits them to a decoder. The decoder separates the plurality of second audio signals from the encoded video signal leaving an unencoded video signal.

Abstract: A disposable right angle dental handpiece comprises a disposable plastic outer housing having an elongated opening therein for receiving a drive shaft mechanism which is preferably made of metal. The drive shaft mechanism is connected to the disposable outer plastic housing by means of a quick connect-quick disconnect mechanism. The outer housing also contains a gear which is engaged with a gear at the end of the drive shaft mechanism, a working member being connected to the gear for being driven by the drive shaft member. The drive shaft member is connectable to the dental tool for being driven thereby. Also disclosed are embodiments wherein the drive shaft mechanism is connected to the dental drive tool, and wherein the outer housing is independently connected to the dental drive tool by means of a quick connect-quick disconnect mechanism, which locks the outer housing relative to the dental drive tool in both the longitudinal and circumferential directions.

Abstract: An audio/video system for encoding and decoding a video signal and a plurality of corresponding audio signals. The system includes an encoder means for receiving an input video signal, a first audio signal, and a plurality of second audio signals which correspond to the input video signal. The encoder means combines the input video signal and the plurality of second audio signals to produce an encoded video signal but leaves the first audio signal substantially unchanged and then outputs the first audio signal and the encoded video signal. An audio/video signal communication means is connected to the encoder. The audio/video signal communication means accepts the encoded video signal and the first audio signal and transmits them to a decoder. The decoder means separates the plurality of second audio signals from the encoded video signal leaving an unencoded video signal.

Abstract: A disposable right angle dental handpiece comprises a disposable plastic outer housing having an elongated opening therein for receiving a drive shaft mechanism which is preferably made of metal. The drive shaft mechanism is connected to the disposable outer plastic housing by means of a quick connect-quick disconnect mechanism. The outer housing also contains a gear which is engaged with a gear at the end of the drive shaft mechanism, a working member being connected to the gear for being driven by the drive shaft member. The drive shaft member is connectable to the dental tool for being driven thereby.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically deriving and using a black level control signal for use in long term target integrating camera systems is disclosed. The method employs the steps of, sequentially, first operating the camera in a long term target integration manner at a pre-selected exposure time and detecting and holding the inverse peak level of the television video signal derived from this scan taken from the central portion of the target, generating a corrective signal from the held inverse peak level and applying that corrective signal to the camera while operating the camera for long term target integration periods in essentially the same manner and exposure time to produce a corrected television scan signal, and using that corrected signal to reproduce an image.

Abstract: A continuous mixing device is disclosed, as well as a process for mixing. At least two different materials can be mixed together with substantially uniform product mixing and heat distribution by introducing the materials into the top of a substantially cylindrical, vertical mixing device. A shaft which enters the vessel through the base extends coaxially therein, and carries a number of mixing blades thereon. The upper end of the shaft is surrounded by the lower end of the product feed line. Product introduced into the device is passed downward in the vessel, with product mixing near the center of the vessel, and then moves in an upward direction near the vessel periphery. Upon reaching the top of the vessel, the mixed product encounters a deflector, which splits the mixed product into two portions, one of which is discharged as finished mixed product, and the other portion of which is fed back to a funnel which surrounds the lower end of the product feed line.

Abstract: A machine and method for subdividing into individual substrates a wafer which is prescored with a pattern of intersecting score lines defining the substrates. The wafer is progressively directed over a first wafer-engaging surface substantially paralleling one set of score lines, and this surface operates during a breaking operation to impart a localized force at a score line in the set. The wafer is halted for the breaking operation, after which the broken-off portion is directed over a second wafer-engaging surface substantially paralleling the other set of score lines. This second surface operates, during a substrate breaking operation, to apply a localized force adjacent a score line of the other set. The broken-off portion is also halted for this second breaking operation, in which an individual substrate is separated from the previously broken-off portion of the wafer. An inclined track transports the material from the first to the second breaking operation.

Abstract: A machine and method for subdividing into individual substrates a wafer which is prescored with a pattern of intersecting score lines defining the substrates. The wafer is progressively directed over a first wafer-engaging surface substantially paralleling one set of score lines, and this surface cooperates during a breaking operation to impart a localized force at a score line in the set. The wafer is halted during the breaking operation, after which the broken-off portion is directed over a second wafer-engaging surface substantially paralleling the other set of score lines. This second surface cooperates, during a substrate breaking operation, to apply a localized force adjacent a score line of the other set. The broken-off portion is halted during this latter breaking operation at which a substrate is separated from the broken-off portion of the wafer.