Abstract: A low-cost yet high-performance, moderate bandwidth (up to 2 Mbps) global telecommunications interface to new and existing computers allows high-performance, low-cost telecommunications platforms to support global fax, data, voice, and other data streams in an intuitive way. The telecommunications interface provides a very low-cost solution to international connectivity for a broad class of existing computers while providing high-performance wide-area data transfer. Convenient and reliable global communications over the phone line may thus be achieved. From a rudimentary viewpoint, the telecommunications interface provides for an elegant, economical implementation of a fax/data modem. The telecommunications interface provides both a time-division multiplexed interface mode for constant bit rate communications and a packetized interface mode for variable bit rate communications. Multiple streams of digital and/or analog-derived data may be handled simultaneously.

Abstract: A telecommunications adapter interfaces computing devices to the analog telephone network, achieving a tightly integrated digital telecommunications link with the analog telephone network. The telecommunications adapter takes advantage of certain host resources including, preferably, the computer's signal processor, the computer's power supply and a computer/peripheral serial interface. System cost for digital communications over the analog network is therefore reduced. Furthermore, the telecommunications adapter is able to accept and deliver a digitized representation of the analog (voice) data stream in real time, supporting both existing and future voice-band communications technologies. Finally, the invention facilitates rapid and inexpensive adaptation to the various international telephone standards. Instead of replacing an entire modem, a relatively inexpensive satellite processor (i.e., the telecom adapter) may be replaced instead.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for managing memory in goal processing. The present invention creates search states that contain an alternative subgoal (i.e., subgoal with alternatives) and non-alternative subgoals. Problem state modifications associated with the goals contained in a search state are associated with a search state object. A search state object contains information about the search process and the goals included in the search state, and a pointer to previous search state objects. Processed goals are kept on a goal stack, and the search state object points to the first and last goal stack entry included in the search state object. A search state object includes a list of alternatives available in the search state. When a goal processing failure occurs, an alternative solution search begins with the latest search state object until an alternative is found, or a determination is made that no alternatives exist and the goal cannot be satisfied.

Abstract: The PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) plastic used to produce one-piece intraocular lenses is modified by a novel thermoplastic pressure forming process to produce a much tougher material with improved mechanical properties. The improved material exhibits greater ductility and fatigue resistance than conventional cast PMMA sheet, resulting in a one-piece lens that is less prone to breakage from implantation or use.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the qualities of a fluid including at least two liquids, the two liquids having at least one characteristic intrinsic factor relative to microwaves for a given frequency, such as the loss factor. The characteristic of the fluid is measured by a microwave flux for at least two different microwave frequencies, and, with the values of the factors of the intrinsic characteristics of each of the fluids at the two frequencies being known, the respective quantities of the two liquids are determined. The invention applies in particular to measuring the concentrations and flowrates of various phases in a multiphase fluid such as a petroleum effluent having an aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the qualities of a fluid including at least two liquids, the two liquids having at least one characteristic intrinsic factor relative to microwaves for a given frequency, such as the loss factor. The characteristic of the fluid is measured by a microwave flux for at least two different microwave frequencies, and, with the values of the factors of the intrinsic characteristics of each of the fluids at the two frequencies being known, the respective quantities of the two liquids are determined. The invention applies in particular to measuring the concentrations and flowrates of various phases in a multiphase fluid such as a petroleum effluent having an aqueous phase.

Abstract: In a multi-processing computer system including a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) and input/output (I/O) units, a system memory including a plurality of DRAM-based memory segments, a system control unit (SCU) for operating the CPUs in a parallel fashion and allowing the CPUs and other system units to controllably access addressable segments of system memory, and an interface for establishing communication between the SCU and the system memory and regulating the transfer of memory commands and associated data therebetween, the system memory is configured in the form of at least one independently accessible memory unit having a first dedicated data path for the transfer of read data from addressed memory segments to the interface for transfer to the SCU, a second dedicated data path for transfer of write data received from the SCU through the interface to addressed memory segments, and a third dedicated path for transfer of addresses from the SCU to identify addressed segment of memory.

Abstract: Photocurable filling compounds for closing the gaps which result between the end or edge regions of gravure printing plates when the latter are clamped on forme cylinders consist of a homogeneous, solvent-free, photopolymerizable mixture which is free-flowing at room temperature and contains from 10 to 90% by weight of one or more hydrophilic, polar, photopolymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated low molecular weight compounds, from 5 to 65% by weight of one or more polymeric binders which are resistant to toluene-containing, gasoline-containing, ketone-containing and/or ester-containing solvents and are compatible with the photopolymerizable low molecular weight compounds, from 0.01 to 10% by weight of one or more photoinitiators and from 0 to 70% by weight of further additives and/or assistants.

Abstract: Relief plates and printing plates are produced by a positive-working process, using a photopolymerizable layer which contains one or more photopolymerizable, olefinically unsaturated compounds, one or more photoinitiators which can be activated by UV light, and a combination of a phenothiazinium, phenoxazinium, phenazinium or acridinium dye with a mild reducing agent which, on exposure to visible light, is capable of reducing the dye in the excited electronic state. The photopolymerizable layer is exposed imagewise to light having a wavelength longer than 450 nm, and simultaneously or subsequently exposed uniformly to light having a wavelength of from 300 to 420 nm, after which the unpolymerized areas of the layer are removed.

Abstract: To close the gaps (6) which result between the end or edge sections (7) of the gravure printing plates (2) when the latter are clamped on form cylinders (1) of rotary gravure presses, the gap (6) is covered with a cover element (8) in which at least that surface region which lies on the end or edge sections (7) of the gravure printing plate (2) and covers the gap (6) is deformable under pressure and can therefore be matched up with the surface contour in the gap region, the cover element is pressed onto the surface of the gravure printing plate, the resulting gap cavity is filled with a curable filling compound and, when curing of the filling compound is complete, the cover element is removed.

Abstract: The gap formed between the end sections of a gravure printing plate anchored in a groove in a forme cylinder is covered with a plate, and the resulting gap cavity is filled with plastic, curable material. When the filling has been cured, the plate is removed. In order to position the plate exactly on the gap, the plate is held, in such a way that it can be rotated and lowered, by means of a pair of guide rails mounted on the forme cylinder axle; the said pair of rails can be connected to a means for centering on the gap, this means likewise being rotatable about the said axle.

Abstract: Gravure printing plates comprising a plastic printing layer applied on a printing plate base are produced by a method wherein a solid photosensitive layer (L) firmly bonded on the printing plate base is exposed imagewise to actinic light, and the exposed layer is washed out with a developer and then subjected to thermal hardening to form the plastic printing layer. In this process, the photosensitive layer (L) employed contains, as the photosensitive component, a compound possessing two or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic o-nitrocarbinol ester groups, and a compound which effects crosslinking and possesses two or more reactive groups which are capable of reacting with --COOH groups under the action of heat to form a covalent chemical bond.

Abstract: Gravure printing plates which are highly abrasion-resistant and scratch-resistant can be produced rapidly and simply from a photosensitive recording material by exposing the latter through a photographic positive, washing out the unexposed areas and drying the resulting gravure printing plate, if the photosensitive recording material employed, which comprises a photopolymerizable and/or photocrosslinkable layer (L) applied to a dimensionally stable base, contains finely divided, hard, abrasive particles in the layer (L), the surface of this layer, which subsequently constitutes the surface of the printing plate, has a peak-to-valley height of <2 .mu.m, and the materials of this layer are chosen so that, after exposure and development, it has a Vickers hardness of not less than 10 N/mm.sup.2, measured under load.

Abstract: Gravure printing plates which are highly abrasion-resistant and scratch-resistant can be produced rapidly and simply from a photosensitive recording material by exposing the latter through a photographic positive, washing out the unexposed areas and drying the resulting gravure printing plate, if the photosensitive recording material employed, which comprises a photopolymerizable and/or photocrosslinkable layer (L) applied to a dimensionally stable base, contains finely divided, hard, abrasive particles in the layer (L), the surface of this layer, which subsequently constitutes the surface of the printing plate, has a peak-to-valley height of <2 .mu.m, and the materials of this layer are chosen so that, after exposure and development, it has a Vickers hardness of not less than 10 N/mm.sup.2, measured under load.

Abstract: Photosensitive recording materials which are suitable for the production of printing plates and relief plates and possess a photopolymerizable relief-forming layer which can be developed with water and is based on a polyvinylalcohol/monomer mixture contain, as a binder in the said layer, a polyvinylalcohol derivative which is obtained by reacting polyvinylalcohol with an acylating agent which has groups which are polymerizable by free radicals, the reaction being carried out in the heterogeneous phase, in an aprotic dispersant, using the acylating agent in an amount which corresponds to not less than twice the molar amount required to achieve the desired degree of acylation.

Abstract: The gap (15) formed between the end portions (5) of a gravure printing plate (3) which is anchored in a groove (2) of a printing cylinder (1) on which the plate is mounted is covered with a sheet (6) which overlaps the end portions. The gap cavity (9) thus formed is then filled with a thermoplastic and/or hardenable material and when this has hardened the cover is removed.

Abstract: Multi-layer photopolymer elements, which are suitable for the production of relief printing plates and contain photosensitive polyvinyl alcohol/monomer layers which can be developed with water, can be improved in respect of their production, drying and shelf life by the application of a thin layer of a highly hydrolyzed low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable recording composition which comprises a mixture, containing a photoinitiator, of (a) a photopolymerizable olefinically unsaturated monomer and (b) an organic polymeric binder, wherein the photoinitiator is an acylphosphine oxide compound of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 PO--CO--R.sup.3, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are certain organic radicals and R.sup.3 is tert.-alkyl or a cyclic radical with two substituents in the ortho-position to the carbonyl group. The recording compositions have a high reactivity when irradiated with UV light and are used in particular for the preparation of printing plates, relief plates and photo-resists.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for the production of printing plates and relief plates, and possessing a photosensitive layer, which is soluble in water or in an aqueous solution, and contains a hydrophilic polymeric binder, applied to a base, contains, between the base and the photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer which consists of a mixture of a polymeric binder which is compatible with the polymeric binder of the photosensitive layer and contains at least 30% by weight of a reaction product of a polyvinyl alcohol with acrylic anhydride and/or methacrylic anhydride, with at least one monomer which is compatible therewith and selected from the group consisting of the hydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the diacrylates and dimethacrylates containing urethane groups. After application to the base, the intermediate layer is cured at 110.degree.-220.degree. C. before the photosensitive layer is applied.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable recording composition which comprises a mixture, containing a photoinitiator, of (a) a photopolymerizable olefinically unsaturated monomer and (b) an organic polymeric binder, wherein the photoinitiator is an acylphosphine oxide compound of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 PO-CO-R.sup.3, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are certain organic radicals and R.sup.3 is tert.-alkyl or a cyclic radical with two substituents in the ortho-position to the carbonyl group. The recording compositions have a high reactivity when irradiated with UV light and are used in particular for the preparation of printing plates, relief plates and photoresists.