Abstract: An electrical circuit for simultaneously energizing at least a pair of CCFLs that are connected in series. The circuit also includes a transformer having a primary winding adapted to receive an alternating current. A secondary winding is coupled in series with the CCFLs to energize their operation. A shunt capacitor, connected in parallel across one CCFL, significantly reduces the peak voltage that must be applied across the CCFLs. Usually, the circuit also includes an isolation capacitor connected in series between the CCFLs and the secondary winding of the transformer. The isolation capacitor provides both DC blocking and electrical isolation between the secondary winding and the CCFLs.

Abstract: A method of reducing the fringe capacitance between a gate and a substrate in a semiconductor device. A silicon nitride is formed over a substrate with a buffer oxide layer thereon and patterned to form an opening. The buffer oxide layer within the opening is removed and another oxide layer is formed at the same place as a gate oxide layer. A poly-gate is formed at the opening with a wider width than the opening. Thus, a part of the poly-gate at both ends covers a part of the silicon nitride layer. The silicon nitride layer is then removed and leaves the poly-gate as a T-shape with two ends suspended over the substrate. With a large angle, a light dopant is implanted into the substrate under the suspended part of the poly-gate to form a lightly doped region. With another smaller angle, a heavy dopant is implanted into the substrate beside the poly-gate. Therefore, a source/drain is formed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for discouraging computer theft. The apparatus and method requires that a password or other unique information be supplied to the computer before the computer BIOS routines can be completely executed. A BIOS memory storing the BIOS routines includes a security routine which will determine whether or not the required password entered by the user, or a known quantity read from an externally connected memory device is present. The security function stored within the BIOS memory also includes an administration function which permits the computer to be either placed in a locked state, thereby requiring password or the known quantity read from an externally connected memory device to be present each time the computer is booted up. The administration function also permits an unlock state which permits the computer boot up process to complete without entering any password or externally supplied quantity.

Abstract: A process for preparing superabsorbing crosslinked polyaspartate salt by reacting crosslinked polysuccinimide having a weight average molecular weight of at least 20,000 Daltons with neat base or aqueous base wherein the ratio of water to crosslinked polysuccinimide is zero or positive up to about 10, preferably about 3.3. The resulting salt is either a solid or paste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified Raney nickel catalyst which can serves as hydrogenation catalyst for hydroxy aldehydes, such as 4-hydroxy-butanal, and 2-methyl-3-hydroxypropanal and hydroxy cyclic ethers such as 2-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran. Further, a process for preparing diols by using the modified Raney nickel catalyst is provided.

Abstract: This invention discloses an integrated process of alkylation of olefins and regeneration of spent sulfuric acid. The alkylation of olefins may be replaced by nitration of toluene or by chlor-alkali process. The sulfuric acid is used as a catalyst or a absorbent, and the spent sulfuric acid is regenerated in situ and is recycled in the alkylation of olefins, nitration of toluene or chlor-alkali processes.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrical terminal (48) having an integral capacitor (50) formed on the exterior of the terminal includes a laser ablation process for deposition of a thin layer of dielectric material (44) on to the body of the terminal (48). An outer electrode (46) is then deposited on the exterior of the dielectric layer and the terminal can be used in a filtered electrical connector. A wire (2) can be cleaned by, for example, a plasma cleaning step prior to the deposition of the dielectric layer (44) by laser ablation and lasers (12) can be used to anneal at least the outer portion of the additively deposed dielectric layer (44). The wire (2) can be rotated to provide complete coverage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a circuit that reduces the transmission delay of the redundancy evaluation for SDRAM. After an input address is decoded as an external address, the external address is routed to a global factor generator to generate global factors accompanied with an address strobe pulse. The external address is also routed to a redundancy check circuit for starting the redundancy evaluation. Therefore, the redundancy evaluation can be performed as soon as the external address comes. While the external address comes, a column burst pulse and a system clock are directed to the internal counter of the global factor generator for counting continuously. The current count value is treated as an internal address and then routed to the redundancy check circuit to output the ready redundancy evaluation.

Abstract: A series of novel polyamine-linked acridine dimers and derivatives thereof are described. The polyamine-linked acridine dimers and derivatives are potential anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for the preparation of 17-esters of 9.alpha.,21 -dihalo-pregnane-11.beta.,17.alpha.-diol-20-ones, and in particular for the preparation of 17-esters of anti-inflammatory steroids according to the following scheme: ##STR1## wherein RCO, R.sup.1, X, Y and the dotted line are as defined in the specification. The novel process is especially suitable for the preparation of Mometasone Furoate.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically modifying an original transcription produced as the output of a recognition operation produces a second, modified transcription, such as, for example, automatically correcting an errorful transcription produced by an OCR operation. The invention uses information in an input text image of character images and in an original transcription associated with the input text image to modify aspects of a formal image source model that models as a grammar the spatial image structure of a set of text images. A recognition operation is then performed on the input text image using the modified formal image source model to produce a second, modified transcription. When the original transcription is errorful, the second transcription is a corrected transcription. Several aspects of the formal image source model may be modified; in particular, character templates to be used in the recognition operation are trained in the font of the glyphs occurring in the input text image.

Abstract: Ethylene/carboxylic acid ionomers may be made, using a meltspun, and particularly meitblown process, into microfibers and thence to filter webs which are efficient gas filters for removing particles having a diameter of from 0.5 to 20 microns from a gas. The webs are effective without a deliberate specific post-charging operation during production. A deliberate post-charging operation can also be carried out to result in further efficiency.

Abstract: A filler nozzle includes a nozzle body, a connecting ring, an intake nozzle, a securing seat, a securing ring, a valve flap, a positioning element, and a spring. One end of the nozzle body has a connector for connection with the connecting ring and the intake nozzle. The intake nozzle is linked to a snap ring of the connecting ring. The outer end of the connector is provided with two opposed insert pieces for engaging insert seats on the outer periphery of the intake nozzle. The other end of the nozzle body forms an insert connector for receiving the securing seat. The securing seat has a shaft fitted with the spring, the positioning element, the valve flap and the securing ring. By means of the cooperation between the positioning element and the securing seat, the valve flap can be caused to open or close for inflation or deflation.

Abstract: Described are methods for making, and resultant structures of, a field emission display with soft luminescence and a comfortable image for a viewer of the display. The field emission display is formed with a baseplate and an opposing face plate. Field emission microtips are formed in openings in a conductive and insulating layer on the baseplate. An anode is formed on either the faceplate, or on the conductive layer surrounding each opening. Phosphorescent material is formed over the anode, A blocking layer is formed between the phosphor and the faceplate, such that during operation of the display direct light emission from the phosphor is blocked, resulting in indirect phosphorescence and a more comfortable display image. An optional reflective layer may be added over the conductive layer to increase phosphorescence.

Abstract: A selective switch includes a switch housing, and a button cap with two opposite side portions. A contact assembly includes first, second and third conductive members which are all fixed in the switch housing. A helical spring is mounted in the switch housing, and has an outer end portion to support the button cap thereon and an inner end portion adjacent to the contact assembly. A flexible mandrel has an inner end portion and an outer end portion which is integrally formed with the outer end portion of the helical spring. The helical spring extends around the flexible mandrel.

Abstract: A universal angle wheel assembly has a wheel holder plate, a main seat disposed on the wheel holder plate, a cover plate disposed on the main seat, a shaft extending from a top portion of the wheel holder plate, and a pivot pin fastening a wheel in the wheel holder plate. A positioning block is disposed in the main seat defining an upper hollow interior and a lower hollow interior. A guide hole is formed on the positioning block. A through hole is formed on a bottom of the main seat. A coiled spring, a bearing, and a cushion ring are inserted in the lower hollow interior. The shaft passes through the through hole, the cushion ring, the bearing, the coiled spring, and the guide hole. A round hole is formed on the shaft. A first positioning pin passes through the cushion ring and the round hole.

Abstract: A ratchet screw driver includes a follower secured in a handle and having two ends each having a number of ratchet teeth. A barrel is engaged in the follower and has two non-circular ends for slidably engaging with two rings. The rings have ratchet teeth arranged opposite to each other for being biased to engage with that of the follower. The barrel may be rotated by the handle when the handle is rotated in an active direction, and the rings may be forced away from the follower against the biasing springs when the handle is rotated in a reverse direction.

Abstract: An IC hand tool is composed of a base, a main body, a press rod, and two holding arms. The base is provided with a receiving space for locating an IC element. The main body is fastened at one end thereof with the base and provided with an axial through hole in which the press rod is located such that a cap of the press rod is located outside the top end of the main body and that a leg block of the press rod is located in the receiving space of the base. The main body is further provided with two protruded portions and a plurality of fastening lugs for fastening the holding arms pivotally. The holding arms are provided respectively at the bottom end thereof with a hooked body for holding securely the IC element which is located in the receiving space of the base. The IC element is handled by mainpulating the press rod with hand of an operator.