Abstract: A light pen input system includes a light sensing device (10) having a row and column array of light sensing elements (14) over which a light pen (12) is moved to write in information, e.g. for display on a display screen, the light beam emitted by the pen producing a light spot (20) on the array which covers, and is sensed by, adjacent elements and which, with the beam directed perpendicularly to the array, is substantially non-circular in shape, having dimensions in two directions over the array which differ from one another. Rotation of the pen around its axis is then detectable, providing additional functionality. An elongated light spot, e.g. elliptical, rectangular or triangular, provides further capabilities in enabling the width of a written stroke to be varied by twisting the pen.

Abstract: An image sensor comprises an image capturing device 10 and a lens arrangement 20, 30, 40, positioned between an area to be imaged and the image capturing device 10. The lens arrangement includes at least one array 40 of spaced lens elements 42 for transmitting light from a portion of the area to be imaged to a portion of the device 10. Light emitting apparatus 46, for example electroluminescent strips, are disposed in or over the spacing between the lens elements 42. This provides a compact optical focusing and illumination system. A color imaging system may be provided using discrete colored light sources.

Abstract: A charge measurement circuit 20 includes a charge sensitive amplifier 40 which holds the input 42 at a constant voltage. A compensation circuit 72, 74, 76, 80 enables a current to be supplied to or drained from a charge supplying circuit 32. This current is selected such that any voltage mismatch between the output of the supplying circuit 32 and the input 42 of the measurement circuit 20 does not result in a charge flow which causes errors in the measured signal.

Abstract: An array of electrical elements is arranged in rows and columns, signals being read out from the column conductors. Each column has a multiplexer switch so that signals from a number of columns may be switched to a common output. Each multiplexer switch comprises a diode bridge (36-39) having an input (60) and an output (34). Current is supplied to the diode bridge through a supply diode (52) and drained from the bridge through a drain diode (54), for controlling the switching of the bridge. The all-diode switch may be integrated on the substrate of the array and has a substantially linear switching response.

Abstract: A large-area electronic device comprises an array (1) of device elements (2,3) coupled to row and column conductors (A and B). The column conductors (B) are arranged in groups, (e.g M, M+1, M+2), and a column multiplexer circuit (C) couples the column conductors (B) of a respective group to a respective common terminal (5). The present invention provides a compatible multiplexer circuit (C) for the array (1), the operation of the circuit (C) using electrical switching rather than optical switching. This multiplexer circuit (C) for each column conductor comprises a diode bridge (SD3 to SD6) and may include a clamping switch (SD1, SD2). A signal is transmitted between the column conductor (B) and a common output terminal (5) in a first state of the diode bridge (SD3 to SD6). The potential of the column conductor (B) is clamped by the clamping switch (SD1, SD2) in a second state of the diode bridge.

Abstract: A compressed hay bale cutting and stacking system includes a compressed bale cutter and a stacker arranged to stack half-cut or quarter-cut bales in multi-tier stacks while maintaining slices of the bales in substantial alignment. The bale cutter is oriented to discharge the half-cut or quarter-cut bales as a unit at a predetermined elevation. The stacker has a table assembly and a pushoff assembly positioned to receive each bale as a unit from the bale cutter and automatically form a stack of at least 2 bale by 2 bale tiers. The table assembly has an elongate first platform movable vertically on the stacker frame between a raised position aligned with the bale cutter discharge to form a first row of bales and a lowered position for receiving a second row of bales, to accumulate a tier of stacked bales while maintaining the bales substantially aligned along their vertical sides.

Abstract: A component carrier tape used for storing and transporting components, wherein the carrier tape comprises a single layer elongated flexible strip portion having properties suitable for storing and transporting a plurality of components. The single layer strip portion comprises a layer of thermoplastic polymeric foam and has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of openings spaced along the strip portion and extending through the strip portion between the first and second surfaces for receiving the plurality of components. The carrier tape further includes a bottom strip bonded to the second surface of the strip portion, extending along the strip portion, and covering at least a portion of the plurality of spaced openings. The carrier tape may further include a top cover tape realeasably secured to the first surface of the strip portion, extending along the strip portion, and covering at least a portion of the plurality of spaced openings.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing tape comprises a permanent backing and a layer of a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the permanent backing. Optionally, the adhesive may include an adhesion modifier such as a tackifying resin, a liquid rubber or a photocrosslinking agent. The tapes are useful for both wafer grinding and wafer dicing applications. A method of processing semiconductor wafers is disclosed.

Abstract: Audio signal reproduction apparatus, for example, an in-car entertainment system, includes a number of audio signal sources (I--I to I-N) which are selected by means of a selector (2) and fed to an AGC circuit (4) before being applied to an amplifier (6) and loudspeaker (7). The AGC circuit (4) includes an amplitude analyzer (42) and a low-pass filter (43) to produce an output signal (44) which controls the gain of an amplifier (41). The arrangement is such that the AGC circuit only causes a gain change when the audio signal lies outside a predetermined amplitude band for a given minimum time period. Thus only long "too loud" or "too soft" passages cause a gain change and transients pass through the arrangement without causing a gain change.

Abstract: A flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of components by an advancement mechanism, comprises a strip portion, a plurality of aligned pockets spaced along the strip portion for carrying the components, wherein each pocket includes a bottom wall, and a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the bottom wall of the pocket for retaining a component in the pocket.

Abstract: A flat panel display, image sensor memory device, or other type of large area electronic device, particularly but not exclusively with thin-film circuitry, includes an array of device elements (8) which are arranged in rows (N . . . ) and columns (M . . . ) with the device elements (8) in each pair of neighbouring columns (M, M+1) sharing a column conductor (11). The device elements (8) are coupled to their associated row conductor (21) via a first switching element (S1). In each pair (M, M+1) of neighbouring columns, the device elements (8) share a column conductor (11). Each device element of a row (n) in one column (M) of each pair is coupled via a respective second switching element (S2) to one reference conductor (1), while each device element (8) of the same row (N) in the other column (M+1) of the pair is coupled via a respective second switching element (S2) to another reference conductor (2).

Abstract: A flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of components by an advancement mechanism, comprises a strip portion, a plurality of aligned pockets spaced along the strip portion for carrying the components, wherein each pocket includes a bottom wall, and a non-pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer on the bottom wall of the pocket for retaining a component in the pocket.

Abstract: Each imaging element (2a) of an array (2) includes a photosensitive element (3) for sensing light incident on the imaging element (2a) and for storing charge representing the incident light and a rectifying element (D1). The imaging elements (2a) are arranged in rows and columns with each photosensitive element (3) and the associated rectifying element (D1) being coupled in series between an associated first conductor (4) and an associated second conductor (5, 6) for allowing charge stored at a selected imaging element (2a) to be read out by applying voltages to the second conductors (5, 6) to forward bias the rectifying element (D1) of the selected imaging element to cause a current representing the charge stored at the photosensitive element (3) of the selected imaging (2a) element to flow through the associated first conductor (4).

Abstract: The charge storage elements (3) of an array (2) are arranged in columns and rows and each column is coupled to an associated column conductor (4). Each storage element (3) in a row is coupled to an associated second conductor by a first rectifying element (D1) and to an associated third conductor by a second rectifying element (D2). Each row shares its second and third conductors (5a, 5b, 6a, 6b) with any adjacent rows. One of the two conductors of each row forms a row conductor (5a, 5b) and the other (6a, 6b) one of first and second reference conductors (6a and 6b). Adjacent row conductors (5a, 5b) are separated by a reference conductor (6a or 6b). Each first reference conductor (6a) is separated from any other first reference conductor (6a) by two row conductors (5a, 5b) and a second reference conductor (6b).

Abstract: The storage elements (3) of an array (2) are arranged in rows and columns with the storage elements (3) in a column being coupled to a first conductor (4) and the storage elements (3) in a row being coupled to a second (5) and to a third (6) conductor. Each storage element (3) in a row is coupled to the associated second conductor (5) by a first rectifying element (D1) and to the associated third conductor (6) by a second rectifying element (D2) with the first and second rectifying elements (D1 and D2) allowing the passage of current when forward-biased by applied voltages. The third conductors (6) also form the second conductors (5) of any adjacent rows. The first and second rectifying elements (D1' and D2') of alternate rows (N, N+2, N+4, . . . ) are oppositely oriented to those (D1" and D2") in the remaining rows (N+1, N+3, . . . ).

Abstract: The invention concerns ether derivatives of the formula IQ.sup.1 -X-Ar-Q.sup.2 Iwherein Q.sup.1 is an optionally substituted 9-, 10- or 11-membered bicyclic heterocyclic moiety containing one or two nitrogen heteroatoms and optionally containing a further heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur; X is oxy, thio, sulphinyl or sulphonyl; Ar is optionally substituted phenylene, pyridinediyl, pyrimidinediyl, thiophenediyl, furandiyl, thiazolediyl, oxazolediyl, thiadiazolediyl or oxadiazolediyl; and Q.sup.2 is selected from the groups of the formulae II and III: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, (2-5C)alkanoyl or optionally substituted benzoyl; R.sup.2 is (1-4C)alkyl; and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or (1-4C)alkyl; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are linked to form a methylene, vinylene, ethylene or trimethylene group; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof; processes for their preparation; pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heterocyclene derivative of the formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sup.1 is optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl or a 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heterocyclic moiety;A.sup.1 is a direct link to X.sup.1 or (1-3C)alkylene;X.sup.1 is oxy, thio, sulphinyl, sulphonyl or imino;Ar.sup.2 is optionally substituted 5-membered heterocyclene moiety;R.sup.1 is (1-4C)alkyl, (3-4C)alkenyl or (3-4C)alkynyl; andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form a group of the formula --A.sup.2 --X.sub.2 --A.sup.3 -- which, together with the carbon atom to which A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are attached, defines a ring having 5 to 7 ring atoms, wherein each of A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 is (1-3C)alkylene and X.sup.2 is oxy, thio, sulphinyl or sulphonyl;or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase.

Abstract: A first substrate (2) carries an electro-optic display (3) having a first array (4) of display elements (5) and conductors (12,13) for addressing individual display elements (5) to enable the display to display an image. A second substrate (6) carries a second array (7) of elements (8) addressable by conductors (9,10). Photosensitive elements (11) are associated with the conductors (9,10) for supplying, when illuminated, signals along the conductors (9,10) for accessing the elements (8) of the second array (7), the second substrate (6) being provided over the first substrate (2) so that the photosensitive elements (11) are associated with selected ones (5') of the display elements (5) for enabling the selected display elements (5a) to illuminate the photosensitive elements (11) allowing access of the elements (8) of the second array (7) to be controlled by the display (3) so that it is not necessary to provide separate drive circuitry for the second array.

Abstract: The invention concerns oxime derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.4 includes hydrogen, carboxy, carbamoyl, amino, cyano, trifluoromethyl, (1-4C)alkylamino, di-(1-4C)alkylamino and (1-4C)alkyl;R.sup.5 includes hydrogen, (1-4C)alkyl, (3-4C)alkenyl, (3-4C)alkynyl, (2-5C)alkanoyl, halogeno-(2-4C)alkyl and hydroxy-(2-4C)alkyl;Ar.sup.1 is phenylene or a heteroaryl diradical;A.sup.1 is a direct link to X.sup.1, or A.sup.1 is (1-4C)alkylene;X.sup.1 is oxy, thio, sulphinyl or sulphonyl;Ar.sup.2 is phenylene or a heteroaryl diradical;R.sup.1 is (1-4C)alkyl, (3-4C)alkenyl or (3-4C)alkynyl; andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form a group of the formula --A.sup.2 --X.sup.2 --A.sup.3 -- which together with the carbon atom to which A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are attached define a ring having 5 or 6 ring atoms, wherein each of A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 is (1-3C)alkylene and X.sup.

Abstract: The invention concerns a thiazole derivative of the formula I ##STR1## wherein Q is 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-6-yl or 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin-6-yl which bears on the nitrogen atom at the 1-position a (1-4C)alkyl substituent;X.sup.1 is thio, sulphinyl or sulphonyl;Ar is thiazolediyl;R.sup.1 is (1-4C)alkyl, (3-4C)alkenyl or (3-4C)alkynyl; andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together form a group of the formula --A.sup.2 --X.sup.2 --A.sup.3 -- which together with the carbon atom to which A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 are attached define a ring having 5 or 6 ring atoms, wherein A.sup.2 and A.sup.3, which may be the same or different, each is (1-3C)alkylene and X.sup.2 is oxy, and which ring may bear one or two (1-4C)alkyl substituents;or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof;processes for their preparation; pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.