Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator comprising two meniscus mirrors disposed on opposite sides of a nonlinear medium that forms a confocal unstable resonator. A reduced-to-practice embodiment uses concave-convex mirrors in a confocal arrangement disposed on opposite sides of a KTP crystal used as the nonlinear medium. The optical parametric oscillator and confocal unstable resonator of the present invention exhibits improved beam divergence angles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anti-aliasing a rendered scene begins processing by rendering a plurality of objects of an image to a buffer to produce a rendered image. For example, the image corresponds to a particular frame of data to be displayed on a computer monitor, television, etc. Each of the objects corresponds to portions of the image and is comprised of object-elements (e.g., triangles). While the plurality of objects is being rendered, edge information of the objects that are in a most foreground position is maintained. The edge information includes a pixel offset value, which indicates the offset of an edge from a pixel center, and gradient information of the object edge. After the image has been rendered and the edge information has been collected for a particular frame of data, the rendered image is filtered based on the edge information. In particular, a two-dimensional spatial filter that derives its filtering parameters from the edge information is applied to the rendered image.

Abstract: A method is provided which permits easy, in-the-field installation of an earthquake damage control mechanism. In particular, the mechanism comprises a turnbuckle having threaded yokes disposed at opposite ends of the turnbuckle together with eyebolts disposed within the yoke portions of the threaded yokes as a means for providing a retention device for anchoring relatively heavy computer and/or other equipment in position during seismological events. The electrical equipment is disposed within a frame which preferably includes a plurality of metal plates disposed at the bottom thereof. The frame is also provided with casters which permit the equipment to be rolled conveniently into place and then anchored firmly into position using a small number of pins which extend through the threaded yokes and eyebolts.

Abstract: A picture hanger is initially held in place on a wall in a temporary manner without damaging the wall by including a backing with a shock absorbing layer overlaid by a temporary adhesive film. Prior to the picture hanger being temporarily fastened to the wall, the temporary adhesive film is covered by a protective paper sheet. The shock absorbing layer prevents the wall from being indented when the hanger is permanently secured to the wall by hammering a pin or nail through the layer and film. The layer is sufficiently soft to hold the nail in place when the nail impales the layer prior to hammering the nail into the wall. Prior to the backing being secured to the hanger, the permanent adhesive film is overlaid by another removable protective sheet. Initially the backings are located on an elongated strip and are punched from the strip for mounting on the hook body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a process for detecting an analyte in a biological fluid. That device comprises a cover portion with a restricted area for sample application, a separation matrix for separation of the analyte from substances in the sample that can interfere with detection of the analyte and means for detecting the analyte. The restricted area of sample application is less than 90 percent of the cross-sectional area of the separation matrix and the separation matrix and the means for detecting analyte are under compression of between 14 to 43 percent. A process comprises applying a sample of fluid to such a device and detecting a signal generated from an interaction between the analyte and the detection means in the device.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing machine in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on an imaging surface is developed with toner particles to form a visible image thereof, including a hopper containing a supply of carrier material; a first developer unit for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner particles of a first color; a second developer unit for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner particles of a second color; conduit for connecting the first and second developer unit to the hopper so that carrier material flows to the first and second developer unit; a first feeding system, in communication with the conduit, for regulating the amount of carrier to the first developer unit; a second feeding system in communication with the conduit, for regulating the amount of carrier to the second developer unit, and a controller for controlling the regulation rate of the first and the second feeding system independently.

Abstract: A squeegee apparatus and method for removing excess developer liquid from an imaging substrate in a liquid electrographic imaging system make use of a squeegee roller having a core with a crowned profile. With determination of a proper loading force, the squeegee apparatus and method achieve substantially uniform loading force along the length of the squeegee roller, and thus along the width of a nip formed along an the imaging region of the imaging substrate. As a result, the squeegee apparatus and method provide substantially uniform removal of developer liquid from the imaging substrate, enhancing quality of an ultimate printed image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a semiconductor serial access memory (30) device through a main memory (20) includes a semiconductor memory comprising a main memory (20) and a serial access memory (30). A test data (48) is generated and an expected test data (50) that is equivalent to the test data (48) is also generated. The test data (48) is stored in the main memory and sent to the serial access memory (30). The test data (48) in the serial access memory is then sent back to the main memory (20) and stored in the main memory (20). The test data (48) is then read from the main memory (20). Then, the test data (48) read from the main memory is compared with the expected test data (50), producing an output having a first state if the test data (48) read from the main memory (20) is similar to the expected test data (50) or a second state if the test data (48) read from the main memory (20) is different than the expected test data (50).

Abstract: A terrain-awareness system (TAS) provides LOOK-AHEAD/LOOK-DOWN as well as LOOK-UP terrain advisory and warning indications to the pilot of an aircraft of a hazardous flight condition. The TAS includes an airport data base as well as a terrain data base that is structured to provide various resolutions depending on the topography of the particular geographic area of interest. Navigational data from a satellite-based navigational system, such as a global positioning system (GPS), is used to provide a LOOK-AHEAD/LOOK-DOWN and LOOK-UP terrain advisory and terrain warning indications based upon the current position and projected flight path of the aircraft. Since the terrain advisory and the warning signals are a function of the flight path of the aircraft, nuisance warnings are minimized.

Abstract: A thin-film circuit element such as a top-gate TFT has good quality electrical contacts formed between an electrode (151, 152, 155) of chromium nitride and the semiconductor film (50) of the circuit element and/or another conductive film such as a connection track (37,39,40) of, for example, aluminium. Chromium nitride has a particularly advantageous combination of properties for use as such an electrode material, including, for example, low affinity for oxide growth even during deposition thereon of semiconductor, insulating and/or metal films, a doping potential to enhance ohmic contact to semiconductors, a barrier function against potential impurities, good thin-film processing compatibility, and hillock prevention in an underlying aluminium conductor.

Abstract: A utility receptacle assembly for use in combination with a worksurface includes a base mountable to the worksurface and a utility receptacle pivotably and removably mounted to the base. The base includes a passage within which the utility receptacle member is received, and the base further includes at least one recess located adjacent the passage. A cover member is secured to the utility receptacle member, and functions to enclose the passage and the recess when the utility receptacle member is in a closed, inoperative position and to provide access to the recess when the utility receptacle member is moved to an open, operative position. The utility receptacle member and the base include releasable engagement structure for maintaining the utility receptacle member in its open, operative position. The releasable retainer structure is manually engageable by a user for returning the utility receptacle member to its closed, inoperative position.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibers and products produced therefrom, including nonwoven webs and adhesive articles. The fibers, which can be multilayer fibers, include a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising an acrylate copolymer comprising copolymerized monomers comprising at least one monofunctional alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and at least one monofunctional free-radically copolymerizable reinforcing monomer having a homopolymer glass transition temperature higher than that of the alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula A.sub.4 MeSb.sub.3 O.sub.12 wherein A is either barium (Ba) or strontium (Sr) and Me is an alkali metal ion selected from the group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) have been prepared and included in high critical temperature thin film superconductors, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: A machine for fining/polishing ophthalmic lenses has a horizontal and vertical plates rigidly fixed in an inverted T. Eccentric shafts journalled 180 degrees out of phase on the horizontal plate orbit tools on one side of the vertical plate. A swing frame pivotally mounted on the other side of the vertical plate has a horizontal shaft parallel to the vertical plate. Shafts orthogonal to the horizontal shaft are journalled for see-saw motion about the horizontal shaft, for rotational motion about their own longitudinal axes and for sliding motion along the horizontal shaft. Block adapters on the orthogonal shafts hold lenses in vertical alignment above the tools. Separate linkages reciprocate the horizontal shaft in parallel relationship to the vertical plate and the orthogonal shafts in orthogonal relationship to the vertical plate. The shaft linkages have a timing ratio such that the block adapters travel in laterally reciprocating horizontal figure eight patterns.

Abstract: Quick connect couplings for connecting a small internal diameter brake hose to a formed metal tube in a brake system includes a connector body having a crimp collar at one end and a stepped bore with an entry opening at the other end. The stepped bore includes a first step which is abutted axially by a seal. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a retaining element axially engages an inwardly extending radial surface in the bore and an annular groove in the tube. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the retaining ring is integral with the tube and the seal is accomplished by a three lobed seal which is held in abutment with the first step by a Teflon.RTM. spacer, the Teflon.RTM. spacer being engaged by a bead on the formed metal tube.

Abstract: A turnbuckle mechanism having threaded yokes disposed at opposite ends of the turnbuckle is employed together with eyebolts disposed within the yoke portions of the threaded yokes as a means for providing a retention device for anchoring relatively heavy computer and/or other equipment in position during seismological events. The electrical equipment is disposed within a frame which preferably includes a plurality of metal plates disposed at the bottom thereof. The frame is also provided with casters which permit the equipment to be rolled conveniently into place and then anchored firmly into position using a small number of pins which extend through the threaded yokes and eyebolts. There is provided an easily assemblable and economical apparatus which preferably includes a multiplicity of energy absorption points which help to prevent damage to the expensive computer frame and which further assists in maintaining computer operations at peak levels even during certain seismological activity.

Abstract: A variable reluctance linear motor has a stator and an armature mounted so as to be movable along the length of the stator. Armature bearings are mounted to the armature via mechanical vibration dampers and contact the stator so that vibrations in the stator are transmitted to the bearings and dissipated in said vibration dampers. A sensor is mounted to the armature for obtaining position data for the armature with respect to the stator. A controller then calculates the phase currents for the motor phases based on the position data and a desired force value. The phase currents are calculated to maintain a minimum normal force between the armature and said stator, thereby further reducing vibrations. A conditional filter is applied when armature is within a predetermined distance from a desired location. The conditional filter, after a time delay, clamps the velocity feedback to a predetermined range and simultaneously reduces the velocity loop gain.

Abstract: Spent potliners from the aluminum processing industry are destroyed by gasification technology to produce an inert vitreous frit and useful gases including hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In one embodiment, the potliner material is processed in a slagging gasification unit in which the potliner material a bed of coke or other particulate material moves down through a preheating zone, a reduction zone and an oxidation zone where oxygen is injected into the then-incandescent bed. In a second embodiment, particles of spent potliner material are entrained in two rotating gaseous streams which are tangentially introduced into upper and lower regions of a processing vessel. In a third embodiment, particles of spent potliner material are entrained in and reacted with a stream of gases which flows down from a burner through a processing vessel.