Abstract: The present invention provides thin film dielectrics, and methods of producing them, with high-K performance, and high breakdown field strength and with self-healing breakdown properties. In one aspect there is provided a multilayer dielectric film having an interrupted grain structure, comprising a first sub layer comprising a first dielectric material having a columnar grain structure having a first orientation, a second sub layer comprising a second dielectric material on top of said first layer having an equiaxed grain structure that is different from the first sub layer and a third sub layer comprising third dielectric material on top of said second layer having a microstructure that is different from the second sub layer to provide an interrupted grain structure through said multilayer dielectric film.

Abstract: An RF roadway toll collection system uses an upstream reader to communicate with a vehicle borne transponder carrying a Smart Card to calculate the toll and debit the Smart Card balance in the amount of the toll payment required. A transaction manager is notified of the toll payment from the upstream reader and notifies a downstream reader of the vehicle identification and payment status. The downstream reader confirms the vehicle identification and payment status and signals if the toll has been paid.

Abstract: Liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal device as a light switching element, and employing an electroluminescent (EL) element as the light source. A liquid crystal display according to the present invention has a liquid crystal device for controlling light transmission depending on image information, and a light source. The liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal material layer, sealed between a pair of light permeable substrates, and transparent pixel electrodes which are driven by electrical signals corresponding to image information supplied to the device. A pair of light polarizers, aligned to each other, are disposed on the outer sides of the light permeable membranes.

Abstract: Electroluminescent laminates having a thin film electroluminescent oxide phosphor layer on insulating substrates. Thin film EL laminates are produced using high dielectric constant layers, such as SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 next to the oxide phosphor layer on one or both sides of the oxide layer, primarily as stable charge injection, and trapping interface layers, and to increase the electric field in the phosphor. Electric breakdown protection through self-healing has been provided by traditional low K dielectrics in combination with an appropriate choice of adjacent electrode. The high dielectric constant materials employed also provide for a high capacitance layer, thereby increasing the electric field in the phosphor and increasing the charge transfer into the phosphor during emission. These thin film EL laminates demonstrate steep brightness-voltage behavior and have been prepared using green and red electroluminescent oxide phosphors.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: Traffic management or enforcement is performed through the use of a monitor transponder in the environs of an RF highway toll collection system. When normally operating transponders communicate with a roadside reader system, the roadside system communicates with the monitor transponder, which in turn signals if a valid normal transponder is detected. If no signal is generated by the monitor transponder, it is evident that the vehicle has no transponder or that the transponder is faulty or invalid.

Abstract: A device suitable for switching large currents includes, within a gas filled envelope, an anode, electrodes and a thermionic cathode. Initially the device holds off a voltage until a triggering pulse is applied to an electrode. This cause an electron current to be established between the thermionic cathode and the anode. When the current reaches a sufficiently large value further conduction through the device occurs via current drawn from the surface of the electrode in a cold cathode mode, bypassing the cathode.

Abstract: An AC transfer switch is provided for switching between a first line cord and a second line cord. The AC transfer switch is designed to be fault tolerant and ensures that continuous operating power is supplied to a load during the transfer process. The system includes a first input from a first power line cord, a second input from a second power line cord, a switch for switching an output between the first and second power line cord, wherein the switch further includes a first contactor set for selecting the first line cord and a second contactor set for selecting the second line cord, the first and second contactor sets including two contactors in series and a control circuit for controlling the switch to select between the first and second power line cords.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment based on a financial risk analysis to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a first substrate (102) having a first circuit pattern disposed thereon which is selectively processed to provide pretinned connection pads (108, 116, 124, 132, 140) for connection to at least one electronic component (142) and a second circuit pattern disposed on a second substrate (104). The second circuit pattern disposed on the second substrate (104) is selectively processed to further provide pretinned connection pads (110, 118, 126) for connection to the first circuit pattern, and the second substrate (104) further has relief provided within a portion thereof to position the at least one electronic component (142) with respect to the pretinned connection pads (108, 116, 124, 132, 140) on the first circuit pattern.

Abstract: A computerized payment system by which a consumer may instruct a service provider by telephone, computer terminal, or other telecommunications; means to pay various bills without the consumer having to write a check for each bill. The system operates without restriction as to where the consumer banks and what bills are to be paid. The service provider collects consumers' information, financial institutions' information and merchant information and arranges payment to the merchants according to the consumers' instructions based on a financial risk analysis.

Abstract: Mechanical handling apparatus includes a surface and a driving mechanism for moving a load over the surface which comprises a substantially vertically reciprocable platform device for actuating the load, and a lever device including at least two oppositely pivoted levers for raising and lowering the platform device. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a platform for carrying loads, a mechanism for raising and lowering the platform, the mechanism including at least two levers each pivoted relative to the platform and each pivoted relative to a respective one of a pair of actuating members, the actuating members being movable towards and away from each other, whereby relative movement of the actuating members in one direction pivots the levers to raise the platform and relative movement of the actuating members in the opposite direction pivots the levers to lower the platform.

Abstract: Mechanical translation tips can be attached to a fiber version of a frequency chirped interferometric displacement sensor. The mechanical tips can be used in noisy or deleterious environments that preclude the use of non-contact optical sensors. These tips can also be used with a hydraulic amplifier to increase the resolution of the sensor to less than one micron.

Abstract: Mechanical handling apparatus (1) which includes rollers (7) which can be raised and lowered above or below a support surface, and a driven roller or rollers (14) which is driven by an electro-hydraulic system including a hydraulic motor (20) and which is mounted on a pivoted bracket (15) which can be raised and lowered by an air control ram (16) so that the roller (14) too can be raised and lowered relative to the support surface to engage a pallet (18) and drive that pallet (18) over the apparatus (1).

Abstract: Mechanical handling equipment comprises a lift truck and a self powered pallet truck which is lifted into a trailer, etc. to be loaded by the lift truck with the load. The pallet truck is then remotely controlled by the lift truck driver to position the load at a desired location in the trailer.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dispensing pre-determined proportions of two or more different materials from supplies thereof, comprising the steps of dispensing one of the materials onto a moving conveyor band adapted gravimetrically to sense the rate of supply of that material, and when the required rate is sensed as by a strain gauge, dispensing a second material onto the band and sensing the rate of supply of the second material until the required rate is established, continuing the foregoing procedure until all of the materials are being dispensed in accordance with the desired pre-determined proportions and thereafter continuously or intermittently monitoring the composite supply, and in the event of a variation therein, arresting the supply of materials one or more at a time until the source of variation has been detected and corrected, the supply of materials then being continued.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveying system has a compressor of known capacity connected to a compressed air storage tank having a plurality of valve output lines which if all open at the same time would reduce the air pressure available to each line below a required amount. Hoppers are provided for supplying to said lines, material to be conveyed and a control is provided for selectively opening and closing the valves and ensuring that not more than a certain air volume demand is placed on the storage tank by a number of lines in operation at the same time. Each conveying line contains a restriction adapted to maintain substantially constant mass flow rate of air therein leaving the storage tank.

Abstract: A gas-cooled nuclear reactor has a main circulatory system for the gaseous coolant incorporating one or more main energy converting units, such as gas turbines, and an auxiliary circulatory system for the gaseous coolant incorporating at least one steam generating boiler arranged to be heated by the coolant after its passage through the reactor core to provide steam for driving an auxiliary steam turbine, such an arrangement providing a simplified start-up procedure also providing emergency duties associated with long term heat removal on reactor shut down.