Abstract: A molded case electric switch housing includes an electric switch control circuit for motor overload and phase loss conditions, a motor contactor control circuit for turning an associated electric motor ON and OFF and a replaceable fuse unit for handling short-circuit type faults. Upon the occurrence of a short circuit within the protected circuit, the fuse rapidly interrupts the short circuit to protect the electric circuit. The fuse is replaced before power is restored to the protected circuit. The arrangement of the electric switch control circuit, motor contactor control circuit and fuse allows single sized switch current-carrying components to be used over a wide range of motor ratings.

Abstract: Driving task dispatching by an operating system in a multiprocessor computer system is accomplished with a virtual switching queue which accepts highest priority tasks from multiple switching queues which in turn are accessed by instruction processors seeking tasks. Overload, plucking and stealing of tasks may be used to effectively balance load within the computer system. Dynamic reconfiguration used where regular queues lose underlying instruction processors.

Abstract: Transformers (14) inject test voltage signals of know frequency to each phase of the load side of an electrical distribution circuit (15). Processor (32) waits for a delay period to allow transient effects of the injected signals to settle, and then accepts the sampled test current signals provided by current transformers (12) through conditioning circuit (16). This process is repeated by injecting test voltages at different frequencies, which are selected by processor (32) based on stored instructions. Processor (32) uses the sampled signals to determine a representative current for the load side of the distribution circuit (15) and then compares the representative current with a predetermined current threshold value stored in non-volatile memory (40). If the current is above this threshold, processor (32) provides a lockout signal to the fault lockout device (48) and fault lockout flag (50).

Abstract: A sound generation system for proving surround sound includes a sound generation means, a plurality of sound channels and a recording means. The sound generation means is for operation by a user to generate sounds and includes a plurality of interface members for generating sounds. Each interface member is operable by the user to generate an associated sound. The plurality of sound channels is for receiving sound from the plurality of interface members. Each interface member in the plurality of interface members is connected to a distinct associated channel in the plurality of sound channels to transmit the associated sound to the distinct associated channel. The recording means is for recording sound from each sound from each channel in the plurality of sound channels.

Abstract: An electro-nerve stimulator system includes a pulse generator for generating current pulses with a transcutaneous patch and percutaneous needle for delivering current pulses to selected stimulation sites. The stimulator is a small battery operated external device that allows adjustment of stimulation levels and interfaces, via a connector, to the trans-percutaneous cable. The transcutaneous electrode is attached to the skin distal from the desired stimulated nerve site. A percutaneous needle is inserted close to the internal nerve site. Stimulation current pulses are designed to flow between the transcutaneous electrode and the internal percutaneous needle. The field generated at the needle site causes the nerve to fire.

Abstract: An electro-nerve stimulator system includes a pulse generator for generating current pulses with a transcutaneous patch and percutaneous needle for delivering current pulses to selected stimulation sites. The stimulator is a small battery operated external device that allows adjustment of stimulation levels and interfaces, via a connector, to the trans-percutaneous cable. The transcutaneous electrode is attached to the skin distal from the desired stimulated nerve site. A percutaneous needle is inserted close to the internal nerve site. Stimulation current pulses are designed to flow between the transcutaneous electrode and the internal percutaneous needle. The field generated at the needle site causes the nerve to fire.

Abstract: An economical protective shield assembly of a dielectric substrate and an EMI shield, substantially free of the effects of board coupling and air coupling which requires less hardware for securing an EMI shield than present devices and methods, is provided for. The inventions use of simply finished shield edges with an unimproved substrate having a conductive intermediary interconnected with a grounding path and simply finished or unfinished shield edges with an improved substrate having a mating groove cooperatively adapted to fit the shield edge, interacts to exclude EMI signals and requires less precision in positioning the shield onto the substrate. The invention also provides a simplified method to exclude EMI effects for an assembly by a process of fabrication requiring less finishing steps than present processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pattern on a photomask includes a beam generator generating a row of spaced apart optical beams, a blocking element downstream from the beam generator in a path of at least one of the optical beams, and a refracting element downstream from the blocking element for aligning optical beams closer together and while leaving an enlarged beam spacing downstream from the at least one blocked optical beam. The apparatus further includes a modulator downstream from the refracting element for defining the pattern to be generated on the photomask. The apparatus generates the row of spaced apart optical beams with an enlarged beam spacing between the two central beams without using high precision mirrors that are expensive to produce and requires precise alignment with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method of protecting multiple feeder circuits fed from a shared electrical distribution system is provided. The method includes providing a bypass line, providing bypass switches in the bypass line, providing a fault lockout protection controller coupled to the bypass line. The bypass line bypasses separable circuit breaker contacts in each of the feeder circuits between a load side and a line side of the electrical distribution system. The bypass switches selectively couple each of the feeder circuits to the bypass line. The method further includes controlling the fault lockout protection controller to detect the existence of a fault condition on the load side of the feeder circuit selectively coupled to the bypass line prior to closing the separable circuit breaker contacts of the feeder circuit; and controlling the fault lockout protection controller to prevent closure of the separable circuit breaker contacts upon detection of the fault condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating a sale of debt accounts between a seller and one or more potential buyers. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the principal steps of (a) creating a computer readable database comprising data pertaining to a plurality of debt accounts, each account comprising a plurality of data fields; (b) grouping the accounts into at least one lot based upon at least one correlation among the data in the data fields; (c) searching the computer readable database for information corresponding to information designated by the potential buyers; (d) receiving one or more purchase offers for one or more lots from the potential buyers; and (e) communicating the purchase offers to the seller.

Abstract: A protective enclosure for housing heat-generating electronics, having a sorption device for controlling humidity and a heater for heating the sorption device. The invention protects electronics placed within the enclosure from the effects of water vapor and condensation during normal operation and in the event of power loss. The sorption device adsorbs water vapor during normal operation or power loss when the temperature in the enclosure falls below the dew point. The sorption device releases collected water as water vapor when power is restored and the temperature in the enclosure rises above the dew point. The invention thereby prevents failure of the electronics due to condensation build-up and provides for effective long-term use of the sorption device.

Abstract: A motor control compartment provides an air flow chamber at the rear thereof and mounts the solid state switches on heat sinks that are positioned in the air flow. An apertured support plate separates the interior of the compartment from the air flow chamber and allows additional space for supplemental control equipment.

Abstract: A motor controller unit includes an operating program that controllably responds to manual motor start and stop commands for protection of the semiconductor switches connected with each phase of a multi-phase electric motor. Upon receipt of a start command, a determination is made as to whether the measured time lapse between a previous stop command is less than a predetermnined time delay period.

Abstract: A unitary display and sensing device integrates liquid crystal display module elements of a liquid crystal display module for detecting input on a flat panel display screen with the capability for digitizing the detected inputs. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, display elements of a liquid crystal display module are modified to sense input on the display screen. An electrical signal is applied to modified display elements of the liquid crystal display module so that contact with a surface portion of the display screen produces an output signal indicative of its location. The integrated display and sensing device is active matrix addressed for finger input, but may also incorporate display systems for active pen input.

Abstract: A first group of memory locations stores information. The first group is arranged into multiple congruence classes of memory locations. The congruence classes include a first congruence class having more than one memory location. A second group of memory locations stores information from the first group of memory locations. Directory locations store information relating the first and second groups of memory locations. The directory locations include a first directory location able to store information relating a particular one of the second group of memory locations to any memory location of more than one of the congruence classes including the first congruence class.

Abstract: An assembly of simple, like laser diode submounts or laser diode bars lend themselves to volume manufacturing techniques. Individual diodes, or diode bars are supported on electrically-insulating submounts which have electrically-isolated metallizations applied thereto for mounting on a single insulating plate and to one another in a stack and for mounting to a common heat sink.

Abstract: Defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors have been used to express a glucose transporter gene. The vectors were propagated using HSV conditional mutants. The efficacy of this system in vivo was tested by microinjection of the vector into adult rat hippocampus and measurement with [.sup.14 C]2-deoxyglucose uptake autoradiography, as well as measurement of kainic acid-(KA-) induced lesions. The vector significantly enhanced glucose transport and decreased neuronal damage in regions near the site of injection without causing adverse cytopathology. Neuroprotection was conferred by injecting the vector prior to, concurrently with, and following neuronal insult.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker unit having an accessory compartment within the circuit breaker cover, contains a field-replaceable fuse within the compartment for protecting an electric motor without tripping upon motor current reversal. Upon the occurrence of a short circuit within the protected circuit, the fuse operates to isolate the protected equipment and is conveniently replaced without disassembling the circuit breaker components.

Abstract: A time domain reflectometry (TDR) impedance sensor is provided for measuring body impedance along a lead or catheter implanted in a patient's cardiovascular system. The TDR sensor applies an electrical stimulus to the lead and measures reflections echoed from impedance variations along and distal to the lead, which are superimposed on the applied stimulus. The measured signals may be analyzed with respect to time-of-flight and distance along the lead to detect a plurality of physiologically meaningful signals.

Abstract: An industrial-rated circuit breaker cover is adapted for optimally receiving an advanced electronic trip unit including a keypad and display unit as well as a basic electronic trip unit providing circuit interruption facility without the keypad and display unit. The load terminals electrically connect the current sensing transformers with the external power circuit and receive the same size lugs that connect the circuit breaker with the electrical power distribution circuits.