Abstract: In an automotive ignition system having ignition coil banks with at least one ignition coil for energizing a corresponding spark plug, input/output (I/O) devices are provided in electrical communication with the ignition coil banks for relaying ignition coil signals, each ignition coil bank having at least one set of corresponding I/O devices relaying similar signals. The similar signals relayed by sets of corresponding I/O devices are stored in memory at addresses having a constant offset from each other. Program routines are also stored in memory for processing and generating the similar signals relayed by sets of corresponding I/O devices. The similar signals are accessed by the program routines using an indexed addressing mode and the constant address offset such that a single program routine controls one set of corresponding I/O devices independent of the ignition coil bank involved.

Abstract: Method of surface finishing covalent-ionic ceramics comprising: (a) repeatedly rubbing a finishing medium against an exposed surface of the ceramic, the medium being constituted of an ionic bonded oxide having grains harder than the grains of the covalent-ionic bonded ceramic; (b) interrupting the rubbing at frequent intervals to dress the medium by a single point diamond tool; and (c) continuing the repeated rubbing and dressing interruptions of steps (a) and (b) until a surface roughness of about 0.04 micrometer Ra has been achieved on the ceramic and the exposed surface of the ceramic retains an ionic residue of the finishing medium. Also, a method of effecting reduced friction between lubricated rubbing surfaces, comprising: (a) forming one of the rubbing surfaces of silicon nitride based ceramics having a polished surface roughness about 0.

Abstract: A power supply or inverter circuit is provided for regulating power to electroluminescent lamps over a range of lamp sizes. The power supply may have an AC and/or DC input and includes at least one switch having a power input to be coupled to an electrical power source, a control input, and an output to be coupled to an electroluminescent lamp for being switched on and off to generate a drive signal to the lamp having a predetermined constant frequency and current level that is selectable over a range of frequency and current levels. A constant current mode controller has a control output coupled to the control input of the switch for turning the switch on and off so as to maintain a constant current level and frequency of the drive signal to the electroluminescent lamp substantially over its operating life. The voltage applied to the lamp is allowed to increase to a predetermined voltage limiting value in order to provide compensation due to aging of the lamp.

Abstract: A reference voltage source has at least one transistor having a base, emitter and collector electrode operating in an active state that has an inherent voltage drop between its base and emitter electrodes to generate a low noise core voltage which is applied to the input of an amplifier to set the amplifier operating point, and thereby the amplifier output, which is the reference voltage. The reference voltage is temperature compensated by providing the amplifier with a feedback loop, or by altering the core voltage applied to the amplifier, or by altering the gain of the amplifier. Several transistors can be connected in series and their base to emitter voltage drops added to change the core voltage value.

Abstract: A polyester-polycarbonate composition comprising (A) at least one polyester prepared by the reaction of at least one alkenediol with at least one dicarboxylic acid or dialkyl ester thereof in the presence of a metallic catalyst, (B) at least one polycarbonate, (C) at least one silyl phosphate, the silyl phosphate being present in an amount effective to inhibit ester-carbonate interchange in the composition, optionally, (D) an organic or inorganic colorant, particularly, acid sensitive organic or inorganic colorants, (E) an impact modifier, and (F) a stabilizer. A method for stabilizing polyester-polycarbonate compositions against ester-carbonate interchange is also provided.

Abstract: The output response of an image processing system having a color printer and a color printer characterization is linearized by printing a target image having target patches of differing color densities. After measuring printed patches, a calibration transform is generated that incorporates the relationship between requested and measured color densities. The calibration transform is then composed with the characterization, calibrating the printer characterization.

Abstract: An inclusion complex of diclofenac, preferably as diclofenac sodium, and an unsubstituted beta-cyclodextrin has the formula 1 molecule of diclofenac to 1 molecule of the unsubstituted beta-cyclodextrin and preferably from 5 to 11 water molecules. The inclusion complex may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A backlighted liquid crystal display is disclosed which includes an electroluminescent backlight having a reduced amount of phosphor acting as both a source of light for viewing the display during nighttime hours and as a light diffuser for viewing the display during daytime hours. The electroluminescent backlight is made thinner while the phosphor content is optimally reduced to provide a backlight that improves the viewability of the display especially during daytime hours without the need of a transflector. Wherein the minimal amount of phosphor is dispersed in a binder in the electroluminescent layer is substantially 1 volume unit of phosphor for every 4 to 5 volume units of binder.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sealant useful with electrochromic or similar type displays having an acidic electrolyte hermetically sealed between spaced substrates, the sealant providing an inner seal chemically formed in situ at the interface with the electrolyte by reaction therewith and an outer seal surrounding the inner seal. The sealant preferably comprises a mixture of acid resistant epoxy resin and a curing agent, for example, amine or amide, the curing agent reacting with the acidic electrolyte at the interface to form a water-repellant reaction product constituting the inner seal and also reacting at remaining areas of the sealant surrounding the interface to cure the epoxy resin and thereby form the outer seal. In the inventive method, the sealant is at the most only partially cured prior to introduction of the electrolyte into the display so that there is some free curing agent present to react with the electrolyte at the interface and form the inner seal.

Abstract: A plurality of self-luminous light sources, each preferably comprising a transparent shell, a radioactive material encapsulated in the shell, and a radioluminescent material coated on the shell, are incorporated in the ion-conducting layer of an electrochromic display at selected locations behind the image-forming electrochromic segments to provide sufficient back lighting for enhanced night viewability of the display elements.

Abstract: The breakdown properties of silicate bonded foundry sand moulds and cores can be improved by including with the silicate binder a starch hydrolysate having a dextrose equivalent of less than 5.