Abstract: An adjustable foot assembly for supporting and levelling furniture. A mounting bracket is attachable to a furniture leg and a cantilever member is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket. The cantilever member is pivotable relative to said mounting bracket. A bolt extends between the mounting bracket and the cantilever member. Rotation of the bolt urges the cantilever member to rotate relative to the mounting bracket to relatively raise and lower a distal end of the cantilever member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for mixing a plurality of graphics and video signals to create a desired output format, the desired output format being a mixture of the received signals. The mechanisim for achieving this rich format is a multi-modal graphics video overlay controller. The controller having a set of opcodes, selects a subset of the opcode set, this selection being a function of a desired output format of the mixed signals. The subset of opcodes is then utilized to control the means for selectively switching among the received graphics and video signals to create the desired output format. The selective switching is accomplished on a pixel by pixel basis.

Abstract: A display interface device 20 is provided which includes inputs for receiving video data words, the video data words including control codes for controlling the output format of a display, and a video clock signal received from an associated video controller. A first-in/first-out memory 30 is also provided with a video data word clocked into memory 30 by the first clock and clocked out of memory 30 by a second clock generated from a clock received from an associated graphics controller.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a detection mechanism producing a feedback signal indicating a condition of engagement between the scanning probe and the surface of a sample being examined. When this engagement is above a threshold level, the lateral scanning movement between the probe and sample is stopped. The scanning movement occurs in incremental movements, and a feedback signal above the threshold level indicates that, if the scanning movement were to continue, the probe could not be moved upward fast enough to prevent a crash condition between the probe and the sample surface. The scanning movement is not re-started until the feedback signal indicates that the probe has been moved far enough away from the sample surface that such a crash condition can be avoided during the next incremental movement.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes probe moved into and out of engagement with a sample surface by a combination of deflections occurring within a fast actuator, having a relatively small range of motion, and a slow actuator, having a relatively large range of motion. When the deflection of the fast actuator is moved outside a predetermined range, in which such deflection is a linear function of applied voltage, the slow actuator is operated so that subsequent operation of the fast actuator can return the fast actuator to its predetermined range, Furthermore, when it is necessary to operate the slow actuator in this way, a scanning motion moving the sample surface past the probe is stopped until the probe is brought into a correct level of engagement with the sample surface, with the fast actuator deflected within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A memory bandwidth allocation scheme in a computer system having a unified memory architecture. When a first device requesting access to a resource detects that two higher priority devices are also requesting access to the same resource, the first device shuts itself down. Accordingly, the first device deactivates its access request signals and clears its buffers. Then, the first device reactivates itself when it receives a graphics VSYNC signal. This allocation scheme ensures that the arbiter will not get stuck in a loop serving only high priority requests and not serving lower priority requests.

Abstract: An arbitration controller that temporarily raises the priority of a graphic device's HWM request above that of the BitBLT engine while that device's LWM request is being served. In this manner, the BitBLT engine cannot interrupt the transfer of data to the graphics device. Each device capable of issuing memory access requests is categorized into one of four classes. The LWM requests are the highest priority requests, followed by CPU memory access requests, then BitBLT engine requests, and finally by HWM requests. When a LWM request is granted, the requesting device's HWM request is elevated to a priority between the CPU and the BitBLT engine. Once the LWM request is complete, the HWM request is served until either it completes, the CPU issues a memory access request, or another LWM request occurs.

Abstract: A continuous stage variable is generated with a state machine of a controller. A level of transmit attenuation and a level of receive attenuation are generated by the controller using the continuous state variable. Local audio signals generated with a local microphone are attenuated with a transmit attenuator at the level of transmit attenuation for transmission to a remote node. Remote audio signals received from the remote node are attenuated with a receive attenuator at the level of receive attenuation for playback at a local speaker.

Abstract: Client computers on a computer network send messages informing their management computer on the network of the status of transmissions such as those for conferences involving the client computers. Managers use the messages to maintain records of active transmissions to (1) discover transmissions that started without explicit authorization from the managers and (2) delete transmission records corresponding to transmissions that terminated without explicitly notifying the managers.

Abstract: A local histogram is generated with a controller based on local audio signals generated with a local microphone. A level of transmit attenuation and a level of receive attenuation are generated with the controller based on the local histogram. The local audio signals are attenuated with a transmit attenuator at the level of transmit attenuation for transmission to a remote node. Remote audio signals received from the remote node are attenuated with a receive attenuator at the level of receive attenuation for playback at a local speaker.

Abstract: Remote audio information corresponding to remote audio signals are received by a controller from a remote node. A level of transmit attenuation and a level of receive attenuation are generated by the controller using the remote audio information. The local audio signals are attenuated with a transmit attenuator at the level of transmit attenuation for transmission to a remote node. Remote audio signals received from the remote node are attenuated with a receive attenuator at the level of receive attenuation for playback at a local speaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display mat for receiving magnetic display symbols, wherein said display mat is flexible and magnet attractant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable communication system with functional components whose functions are not readily apparent to an observer. One embodiment of the system includes a carrying case in which the antenna portion of the communication system is concealed between the shell of the case and an inner liner; a reflector to protect the radio portion of the system from electromagnetic radiation and direct electromagnetic radiation to or from the antenna that is covered so that it simulates the appearance of the file folder portion of a briefcase; and a radio that is covered with a shell upon which are mounted the keyboard and CRT of an actual personal computer or a simulation thereof, so that when the case is open, it appears to contain a laptop computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microstrip antenna that includes a microstrip element with an integral member which is used to establish an electrical connection between the microstrip element and a transmission line. The use of the integral member to establish this electrical connection yields advantages in performance, reliability, and manufacturing, among others, that make the microstrip antenna particularly suitable for mobile applications. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing such a microstrip antenna.

Abstract: A market research system is provided for management of manufacturer's discount coupon offers. The market research system includes an automated coupon processing system for processing coupon redemption data. The coupon redemption data includes offer identification. At least one manufacturer provides a coupon release input. A central controller is coupled to the coupon processing system and the manufacturer for receiving the coupon redemption data and the coupon release input. The central controller defines a knowledge database responsive to the received coupon redemption data. Responsive to the defined knowledge database, the central controller generates a response template library. The central controller selects a response template from the generated response template library responsive to a received coupon release input and transmits the selected response template to the manufacturer.

Abstract: Chlorophosphorus compounds are produced in a loop apparatus wherein chlorine is added to a recycling medium comprising chlorophosphorus compound and elemental phosphorus.

Abstract: Hydrophobic particles containing polar groups on their surfaces are incorporated into a tobacco smoking article to remove deleterious chemical compounds, both polar and non-polar, from the tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A manufacturer's discount coupon redemption system and method provide for the automated statistical analysis of coupon shipment data characteristics in order to identify coupon shipment parametric abnormalities. Allowable ranges for preselected coupon shipment data characteristics are established and are automatically updated. Data characteristics associated with each coupon shipment are compared to the allowable ranges to identify instances of coupon shipment parametric abnormalities, that is, data characteristics that fall outside of the allowable ranges. Those coupon shipments that exhibit parametric abnormalities are segregated for further review and evaluation.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting against redundant mailings compile mail listings associated with, for example, refund promotion requests received during a given period of time for a number of different refund promotions. Each listing in the compilation is compared on an automated basis with one or more other listings in the compilation according to one or more rules defining a first statistically significant event to identify suspicious listings. Listings in the compilation are also compared on an automated basis to listings previously identified as suspicious and may also be compared to listings associated with known abusers and complainers. Listings identified as suspicious are thereafter compared on an automated basis according to one or more different rules defining a second statistically significant event to identify redundant mailings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling two parts of which one part is a sub-assembly formed of a plurality of relatively movable components.The method comprises the steps of holding the components of the sub-assembly in their desired relative positions for assembly, cooling the sub-assembly sufficiently to prevent relative movement between the components of the sub-assembly, and offering the sub-assembly to the other part while the components of the sub-assembly are locked against one another.It is preferred to coat the sub-assembly prior to cooling with a liquid, the cooling being sufficient to freeze the liquid to cause locking of the components.