Abstract: A signal is coupled from the primary to the secondary of a transformer, to a signal receiver which has a supply voltage derived from the signal via a rectifier arrangement including a filter capacitor. A plurality of signal drivers on the primary side have their outputs enabled by output enable signals with different timing for different ones of the drivers. The different timing includes small delays to spread crowbar currents over a short period, enabling an increasing number of drivers with increasing initial charge of the capacitor, and disabling drivers while others remain enabled, in order to reduce peak currents and kick-back voltages.

Abstract: A power supply controller controls power supplies for power-up and/or shut-down in a desired sequence. An input voltage for the power supplies powers, and is monitored by, a first control unit having outputs for enabling the power supplies. A second control unit monitors output voltages of the power supplies, and an isolating signal coupler couples signals in both directions between the first and second control units. The second control unit is powered in an isolated manner from the input voltage, conveniently via a transformer constituting the signal coupler. The control units together respond to the monitored voltages for enabling the power supplies in accordance with the desired sequence, information for which can be stored in a non-volatile store. The second control unit can also include enable outputs isolated from the input voltage, and trim outputs for adjusting the monitored voltages.

Abstract: A power supply controller has two control units for coupling to primary and secondary sides of controlled power supplies, the units being coupled via a transformer which couples signals between the units, a power supply voltage for the secondary-side unit being derived from signals coupled from the primary-side unit. Initially signals are coupled from the primary unit with an increasing duty cycle to charge a secondary-side power supply capacitor. Subsequently signals are coupled in signal frames in alternating directions between the units, each signal frame from each unit indicating whether or not signal frames are correctly received from the other control unit. The signal frames also provide for downloading information for the control units, and other status signals and commands and acknowledgements.

Abstract: Power supplies are enabled and disabled in sequence by a controller in dependence upon output voltages of the power supplies monitored by the controller. The controller allows proper sequencing of the power supplies when one or more of them is provided on a daughter board, when this is not connected to a mother board on which the controller is provided, by storing information as to any power supply provided on the daughter board, detecting when the daughter board is not connected to the mother board, and in that case enabling the power supplies in sequence independently of any monitored output voltage of such a power supply on the daughter board.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a human hookworm strain is provided by infecting a non-human primate with a non-adapted or non-passaged human hookworm and maintaining the non-human primate. Methods of obtaining human hookworm materials and compositions, such as for use as a vaccine, are also provided, along with a model for maintaining and investigating human hookworm.

Abstract: An isolating coupling arrangement couples signals in both directions via a transformer between first and second (or more) units each having differential signal transmit buffers and receivers. A diode bridge and capacitor produce an isolated power supply voltage for the second unit from signals coupled from the first unit via the transformer. The diode bridge can use intrinsic diodes of CMOS output circuits of the transmit buffers, which can be controlled synchronously using a phase locked loop responsive to signals coupled from the first unit via the transformer. A supply voltage for the first unit can be increased to compensate for voltage drops of the diode bridge on start-up prior to the synchronous operation. A resistor in parallel with a diode of the bridge provides an asymmetrical load to create a DC component of transformer magnetizing current to eliminate oscillations during signal gaps.

Abstract: Power supplies are enabled and disabled in sequence in dependence upon monitored output voltages of, and an input voltage for, the power supplies. Bits stored in registers for each power supply represent the predetermined sequences in which the power supplies are enabled and disabled, and fault dependencies for the power supplies. The sequences can include independent, linear, divergent, and convergent paths. The registers are loaded from a non-volatile memory on power-up of a power supply controller also powered from the input voltage.

Abstract: A method for forming a multi-layer semiconductor device (1) having a lower silicon layer (4), an intermediate silicon layer (5) within which micro-mirrors (10) are formed and an upper spacer layer (6) of silicon for spacing another component from the micro-mirrors (10). First and second etch stop layers (8,9) of oxide act as insulation between the respective layers (4,5,6). In order to minimize damage to the micro-mirrors (10), the formation of the micro-mirrors (10) is left to the end of the forming process. An assembly of the lower layer (4) and the intermediate layer (5) with the first etch stop layer (8) is formed, and the second etch stop layer (9) is then grown and patterned on the intermediate layer (5) for subsequent formation of the micro-mirrors (10). The upper layer (5) is then bonded by an annealing process to the patterned second etch stop layer (9).

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer (1) having a matrix array of micro-mirrors (2) comprises a component substrate (4) carried on a base substrate (5). The component substrate (4) comprises a membrane layer (8) in which the micro-mirrors (2) are formed and a supporting handle layer (9). The base substrate (5) comprises a base layer (15) from which a plurality of pedestals (18) extend upwardly therefrom into cavities (14) in the handle layer (9) corresponding to the micro-mirrors (2). Each pedestal (18) carries electrodes (25) for co-operating with the micro-mirrors (2) for tilting thereof. Conductors (28) through vias (27) in the pedestals (18) connect the electrodes (25) to electrically conductive tracks (29) on a bottom surface (16), and in turn through conductors (36) through vias (35) to addressing terminals (33) for addressing the electrodes (25).

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having a matrix array of micro-mirrors comprises a component substrate carried on a base substrate. The component substrate comprises a membrane layer in which the micro-mirrors are formed and a supporting handle layer. The base substrate comprises a base layer from which a plurality of pedestals extend upwardly therefrom into cavities in the handle layer corresponding to the micro-mirrors. Each pedestal carries electrodes for co-operating with the micro-mirrors for tilting thereof. Conductors through vias in the pedestals connect the electrodes to electrically conductive tracks on a bottom surface, and in turn through conductors through vias to addressing terminals for addressing the electrodes.

Abstract: One of the several driver topologies provided by the present invention combines a charge pump, a DC/DC converter and a current source. The charge pump is unregulated and, as a result, has a high efficiency. The efficiency of the DC/DC converter is also high and the combination yields an overall efficiency of potentially more than 92%. A second topology combines a voltage regulator and a current source. The voltage regulator is connected to monitor the forward voltage of a driven LED and uses the forward voltage as a reference to produce an adaptive regulated voltage. This allows the voltage regulator to react to changes in the LED forward voltage by setting the regulated voltage to the lowest appropriate level. This second topology may also be configured to disable the voltage regulator when battery voltage exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer (1) having a matrix array of micro-mirrors (2) comprises a component substrate (4) carried on a base substrate (5). The component substrate (4) comprises a membrane layer (8) in which the micro-mirrors (2) are formed and a supporting handle layer (9). The base substrate (5) comprises a base layer (15) from which a plurality of pedestals (18) extend upwardly therefrom into cavities (14) in the handle layer (9) corresponding to the micro-mirrors (2). Each pedestal (18) carries electrodes (25) for co-operating with the micro-mirrors (2) for tilting thereof.

Abstract: A single wire serial interface for power ICs and other devices is provided. To use the interface, a device is configured to include an EN/SET input pin. A counter within the device counts clock pulses sent to the EN/SET input pin. The output of the counter is passed to a ROM or other decoder circuit. The ROM selects an operational state for the device that corresponds to the value of the counter. In this way, control states may be selected for the device by sending corresponding clock pulses to the EN/SET pin. Holding the EN/SET pin high causes the device to maintain its operational state. Holding the EN/SET pin low for a predetermined timeout period resets the counter and causes the device to adopt a predetermined configuration (such as off) until new clock pulses are received at the EN/SET pin.

Abstract: Antibodies are described, which are suitable for identification of &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), said antibodies having an ability of identifying Gla residues in proteins and/or peptides, while not reacting with glutamic (Glu) residues in corresponding proteins and/or peptides. Methods for the preparation and identification of said antibodies as well as methods for detection of Gla in biological fluids, tissue extracts, tissue specimens, in which methods said antibodies are used, are also described. There is also described the use of said antibodies for immunopurification of Gla-containing proteins or peptides by, for instance, immunoprecipitation or immunoaffinity chromatography.

Abstract: An exercise or physical therapy apparatus provides both tonic and phasic exercise to selected muscle groups of a user, such as the muscles of the arms or legs. The phasic exercise may be accomplished by a cycle. The tonic exercise is accomplished by subjecting the muscle group to a constant load, such as a user- or therapist-selected portion of the user's body weight, by springs, or by weights. A measurement device measures the degree of displacement of the user's torso, it being an objective of the user to keep the torso stationary.

Abstract: A system for distributing digital content including a computer Content Distribution Device (CDD) peripheral that provides a hardware/software solution to deliver digital rights protection in a consumer environment. The content may be received via a personal computer and may be viewed on any television in the home. The system of security mechanisms allows for the distribution of any encrypted content (e.g., video, music, games, and the like) to a local cache. The content producer can then control the viewing/listening of its content through a secured feedback process. There are no points in the process where digitized data is available in the clear. Keys are released to individual consumers providing a reliable accounting process.

Abstract: A baseband signal modulator provides a phase and amplitude modulated carrier signal. First and second phase modulators each receive a common reference signal and derive therefrom a carrier signal frequency. The phase modulators each receive a respective pair of phase-encoded data signals so as to provide respective first and second phase-encoded carrier. The modulator outputs are summed to provide the phase and amplitude modulated carrier signal. Each phase modulator includes a respective phase locked loop incorporating an oscillator locked via the common reference signal to the carrier signal frequency, and a phase adder having a first input for receiving the carrier frequency signal and having second and third inputs for receiving the respective pair of data encoded signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite flexible hose, preferably for use in automotive air conditioning systems, with improved thermal resistance. The hose consists of an innermost core layer, a friction rubber layer, an intermediate reinforcement layer, and an external cover layer. The innermost layer is a non-plasticized polyamide mixed with a minor portion of polyolefin corresponding to the main rubber constituent of the friction coat layer. The friction coating is formed of a rubber composite of two EPDM rubbers at a weight ratio of 50/50 and 75 parts by weight of carbon black. The intermediate fibrous reinforcement layer is formed of aramid. The external layer is an acrylate rubber comprising a blend of two ethylene acrylates at a weight ratio of 50/50 and 80 parts by weight of carbon black.

Abstract: A window paint scraper for scraping paint from a window while protecting the window frame from the blade. The window paint scraper includes a head portion, a distal end, a proximal end, and a pair of sides. The distal end has a slot therein adapted for removably receiving a blade. A sharp edge of the blade extends away from the distal end. The sharp edge has a width generally equal to a width of the distal end. A handle portion is elongate and is integrally coupled to the proximal end of the head portion. A pair of spacing members places a distance between the sides of the head portion and a window frame. Each of the spacing members is integrally coupled to one of the sides of the head portion. Each of the spacing members is abutted against a junction of the sides and the distal end of the head portion. A bumper protects the widow frame from the sharp edge of the blade. The bumper is integrally coupled to and extends away from the distal end of the head portion.

Abstract: Novel methods of making elastomer compositions irclude the use of certain modifying agents and mechanical working prior to incorporation of a vulcanization system in a first or other early stage of a multi-stage process particulate filler, such as carbon black, and sulfur cross-linking agent are substantially dispersed into sulfur crosslinkable hydrocarbon elastomer. The particulate filler and sulfur crosslinking agent can be pre-mixed together as a pre-blend prior to being added to the elastomer. A substantially unvulcanized, processable elastomer is produced by the multi-stage process, involving further mechanical working of the initial masterbatch. A curative additive comprising accelerator, and optionally additional sulfur crosslinking agent, can be added and dispersed in the elastomer to produce a vulcanizable composition.