Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of source decoding variable-length codeword sequences, said decoding being based on an associated state diagram comprising a plurality of states (S) and on a code (C). It is characterized in that it comprises a step of reducing the states (S) in the state diagram in such a way that, at a bit time (Bj), only a number N of states in a group (G) of states is saved on the basis of a criterion derived from a partial metric computation and otherwise independently of an alphabet of said code (C), a group (G) being associated with a bit time (Bj). A group (G) corresponds to all the states (S) calculated at each bit time (Bj).

Abstract: A queue monitoring system is disclosed. A detection system (10) provides at least one coverage zone (15) covering at least a part of a queuing area (30). A handset (12) is issued to a user, the detection system (10) being arranged to detect the handset (12) when it is within the coverage zone (15) and to record the user of the handset as being in the queue. Queue load is subsequently used to provide recommended itineraries to visitors via the handsets (12).

Abstract: A system and method for managing memory in display processing circuit for use with a color sequential display. The system comprises: a shared memory; and a storage queue coupled to the shared memory, wherein the storage queue includes: a system for receiving and storing alternating packets of color-specific video data in the storage queue; and a system for separately reading contiguous sets color-specific packets from the storage queue to the shared memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a semiconductor device (10) which is suitable for surface mounting of a semiconductor body (1) provided with connection regions (2) for, for example, a diode. In a method, a flexible foil (6) comprises a conductor pattern (4) and an insulating layer (3), and is detachably secured, on the side of the conductor pattern (4), to a substrate (7).

Abstract: A layered filtering structure (10) comprises at least a first layer (12) and a second layer (13). Each layer comprises a web of metal fibers which has been sintered. The two layers (12, 13) are in contact with each other. The first layer, most close to the filter inlet side has a porosity below 55%, and the second layer, closer to the filter outlet side has a porosity which is at least 20% greater than the porosity of the first layer. The first layer is compacted in a separate manufacturing step. The layered filtering structure combines the advantage of a small filter rating with a low pressure drop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rendering of a volume data set on a two dimensional display. According to the method of the invention gradient vectors of voxel values are computed and are replaced by an index into a gradient look up table, thereby reducing the amount of required memory as well as the number of memory accesses during rendering. For each point on a two-dimensional view plane a ray is cast into the volume. Then the volume data is sampled at discrete sample points along each individual ray. During rendering eight gradient vectors of the neighboring voxels at each sample location are retrieved from the look up table. The invention proposes to apply dithering to the gradients before selecting the appropriate index. Recovery of the true gradient value is achieved because of the interpolation. Thus image artifacts, such as intensity bands caused by the discretization of the gradients, are avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a spliced yarn includes a yarn conduction member with an intermingling jet disposed forwardly thereof. The yarn conduction member has respective yarn conduction channels through which the first and second yarns are conveyed to the intermingling jet. The yarn conduction member has a first and second knife blade disposed adjacent to one of the yarn conduction channels. The first and second knives are insertable into and retractable from the channel to which they are adjacent. In the inserted position the passage in the knife aligns with the channel into which it is inserted, while in the retracted position the solid portion of the blade interdicts the passage to prevent movement of a yarn therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracking picture tube of the type in which comb-shaped electrodes or optical detecting means (12, 13) are used for generating a signal related to the position of an electron beam with respect to the strips (5). The tube is characterized in that the deflection unit is arranged to deflect the beams (21r, 21g, 21b) onto selected strips (22r, 22g, 22b) having coincident sides which neighbour finger portions (14, 15) of the same electrode (12, 13), and the selected strips (22r, 22g, 22b), excited by the electron beams, are separated by at least one unexcited strip, respectively.

Abstract: A plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with the thumb of the same hand that is holding the cup.

Abstract: A system and method to allow a paving machine to form tight radii in continuous extrusions such as curbs and gutters is disclosed. A shift cylinder is used with the steering mechanism of a typical paving machine to allow sharp radius turns. The steering cylinder is used to pivot the track of the paving machine about its leg and the steering cylinder is used to pivot the leg relative to the frame of the paving machine. A hydraulic circuit is operator activated to allow fluid flow through a flow divider to ensure each cylinder operates in concert.

Abstract: A center dispenser cap assembly for mounting on a container includes a clear outer shell, a colored inner sleeve which is closely received by the clear outer shell, and a plug structure which is fitted into an opening in a neck of the container. The outer shell and inner sleeve cooperate with the plug structure to selectively allow the contents of the container to be dispensed centrally through the cap assembly when the cap is rotated a quarter turn on the container.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device (1) has a relief pattern (17) comprising overhanging sections (13) for patterning an electrode layer (11) of the device (1). In order to prevent the take up and transport of fluid, from which a functional layer (7, 9) is obtainable, along the capillary channels (23) formed by the overhanging sections (13), the relief pattern (17) comprises accompanying sections (15) which are positioned at distance of the overhanging sections (13) and between the sections (13) and the electroluminescent areas (21) comprising the functional layers (7, 9). A method of manufacturing the EL device (1) comprises depositing the functional layer or layers (7, 9) by means of a wet deposition method such as inkjet printing.

Abstract: Magnetic device cells such as MRAM cells are described which can be used in sub-micron cell sizes. The present invention describes a method of stabilising magnetic device cells by creating a storage state where the two magnetisation directions of the spin valve are anti-parallel when no readout is performed. This avoids the problem at such small dimensions, that the parallel state of magnetisation directions in a spin valve or a spin tunnel junction become unstable. A high coercivity memory layer is combined with a low coercivity keeper layer. The read out process has also been simplified: only one pulse over the bit line and measurement of the resistance in the word line is sufficient to determine the data stored in a magnetic device cell according to the present invention.

Abstract: A DNA sequence encoding a glucocorticoid-induced leucine-zipper family related protein (GILR), isoforms, fragments or analogs thereof, said GILR, isoforms, fragments or analogs thereof capable of inhibiting apoptosis and stimulating lymphocyte activity, GILR proteins, isoforms, analogs, fragments and derivatives thereof encoded by the aforesaid DNA sequence, their preparation and uses.

Abstract: Four novel Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the BCCM-LMG under accession nos. LMG P-12592, LMG P-12593, LMG P-12594, and LMG P-13493, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Lepidoptera, more particularly against Noctuidae such as Spodoptera spp. and Agrotis ipsilon, against Pyralidae such as Ostrinta nubilalis, and against Yponomeutidae such as Plutella xylostella, and that are encoded by a novel gene. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield a toxin as trypsin-digestion product. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Lepidoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Lepidoptera.

Abstract: A vacuum ion trap includes a gastight processing enclosure and a permanent magnet defining a cavity and creating a directed magnetic field in the cavity, the enclosure being disposed inside the cavity and containing a confinement cell having at least two mutually parallel trapping electrodes perpendicular to the directed magnetic field, the trapping electrodes being connectable to a voltage generator. The trap includes at least one permanent magnet in the form of a hollow cylinder and structured with a Halbach cylinder type structure so as to generate the permanent magnetic field directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cavity of the magnet. The trap is applicable in particular to Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTICR).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling tint of component video signals. The system includes a first input for receiving a first component video signal; a second input for receiving a second component video signal; circuitry including a first differential amplifier and a second differential amplifier for receiving the first and second component video signals from the first and second inputs, respectively; a first output connected to the circuitry for outputting a first tint control adjustment signal for the first component video signal; and a second output connected to the circuitry for outputting a second tint control adjustment signal for the second component video signal. The first outputted signal is represented as V+kU?2ckU and the second outputted signal is represented as U?kV+2ckV, where V represents the first component video signal, U represents the second component video signal, k is a constant, and c is a value greater than or equal to zero and less than or equal to one.

Abstract: This invention relates to manufacturing of integrated circuits (ICs) and especially conductive layers suitable for use in an IC. According to the preferred method a metal oxide thin film is deposited on a substrate surface and reduced thereafter essentially into a metallic form with an organic reducing agent. The metal oxide is preferably deposited according to the principles of atomic layer deposition (ALD) using a metal source chemical and an oxygen source chemical. The reduction step is preferably carried out in an ALD reactor using one or more vaporized organic compounds that contain at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of —OH, —CHO and —COOH.

Abstract: Various methods for performing rounding operations in a computer processor are described. A machine instruction sets the rounding mode, which is automatically applied to subsequent machine instructions. Using machine instructions to round results according to the selected rounding mode has several advantages over software-implemented rounding techniques, such as faster execution and concise code. A variety of rounding modes can be specified. Depending in part on the specified rounding mode and on the sign of the value to be rounded, a rounding term is added to the value to be rounded. Adding this rounding term ensures that the desired result is obtained. The value thus obtained is then right-shifted.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a composition comprising a pentasil-type zeolite, which process comprises the following steps: a) hydrothermally treating an aqueous slurry comprising an aluminium source, a silicon source, a seeding material, and optionally a divalent metal source, thereby forming a pentasil-type zeolite and at least one other compound, and b) shaping the product of step a). Examples of the at least one other compound are anionic clay, cationic clay, Si—Al cogel, and (pseudo)boehmite.