Abstract:
Semiconductor devices which exhibit negative differential resistance and comprise a semiconductor material in contact with an electrode and a resistive film layer, preferably comprising an alloy of nickel and chrome is disclosed. The slope of the negative resistance region and the current filament area can be varied by altering the sheet resistivity of the resistive film layer. This allows the semiconductor device to be incorporated in a single monolithic thin film integrated circuit in which the thickness of the semiconductor layer utilized in the integrated circuit is constant. A method for fabricating the aforementioned semiconductor device is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A shift register that utilizes a plurality of amorphous semiconductor threshold switches. The shift register is driven by a two phase clock with odd-numbered threshold switches being supplied a pulse waveform of one phase and even-numbered threshold switches being supplied a pulse waveform of a different phase. The threshold switches have a V-I characteristic that is strongly temperature dependent and each is heated by a heating element which can take the form of an amorphous semiconductor current controlled negative differential resistance device, with the current controlled negative differential resistance devices and the threshold switches fabricated simultaneously on a common substrate.
Abstract:
A method of forming a defined conductive pattern in a laminar film comprising a thin gold layer interposed between an insulating substrate and a ceramic overlay is disclosed. A base etchant is employed to remove the thin ceramic layer but itself will not etch or remove the gold film layer. Upon removal of the ceramic layer, the exposed gold layer may be removed without any chemical treatment or assistance. Such removal may, for example, be accomplished by fluid agitation or exposure to a fluid stream or by swabbing. A pretreatment of the film surface prior to etching enhances the adhesion of the photoresist subsequently applied to the film surface.
Abstract:
A tapered resistor device which includes generally a tapered resistive film comprising a semiconducting material or other suitable material with a negative temperature coefficient of resistivity is provided. It is apparent with reference to the curves which show the variation of .DELTA.E that large energy savings are possible at the narrow end of the taper with relatively small concomitant degradation in the temperature profile of the region of interest. It is therefore seen that employing a material with a negative temperature coefficient of resistivity provides an improvement in reducing power usage according to the principles of the instant invention.
Abstract:
An analog chart recorder is provided having a heater assembly which includes a tapered, electrically resistive element that develops a non-uniform temperature profile on electrical energization along its length. A substrate is provided under the resistive film which is in thermal contact with the film. A heat sink in thermal contact with the substrate provides that the temperature distribution will achieve steady state. Means are provided for advancing a heat sensitive medium past and in contact with the heater assembly thus providing the analog chart recorder.
Abstract:
A touch tablet is provided containing two sheets of insulating material each of which contains a plurality of spaced apart conductive lines. A resistive strip on each sheet contacts and connects electrically one end of each of the plurality of conductive lines on that sheet. Each resistive strip functions as a potentiometer. Mounted between the two sheets and spaced apart therefrom is a conductive middle sheet. The first and second sheets are mounted such that the first and second sets of a plurality of conductive lines on these sheets are orthogonal to each other. A user presses on one of the two sheets to bring all three sheets into contact. The impedence of each potentiometer is a function of the contact point. The potentiometer is used as part of an RC circuit to provide a variable time constant representative of the coordinate of the contact point.
Abstract:
A hand controller for use in controlling the motion of a cursor on a video display comprises a spherical surface on which is mounted a flat plate. On the bottom of the flat plate is a unique electrical switch capable of indicating the direction in which the flat plate is rocked over the spherical surface. Attached to the bottom of the flat plate adjacent the spherical surface is a spring consisting of a substantially flat center portion and four spiralling arms extending from the periphery of said center portion to attach to the structure on which the spherical surface is mounted. When the flat plate is rocked over said spherical surface, the spring generates a restoring force which, upon removal of the rocking force, restores the flat plate to its nominal position. The spring makes possible rocking motion of the flat plate over the spherical surface without pinning the flat plate to a point on the spherical surface. In one embodiment, the controller is capable of moving the cursor in eight different directions.
Abstract:
A keyswitch arrangement including an array of switches formed on a flexible dielectric substrate wherein each switch includes a stationary conductive contact lying in the plane of the substrate and an adjacent movable conductive contactor carried on a flap cut out of the substrate and bent along a hinged line located between the contact and the contactor. The stationary contact and movable contactor are both formed on the same side of the substrate and are normally disposed in the open switch position in confronting relationship with the flap at an acute angle to the plane of the substrate.
Abstract:
A backup electrode arrangement comprises a resilient insulating member across one surface of which are a plurality of electrode segments separated from one another and comprising an electrically resistive material forming a shoe. The electrode shoes provide pressure engagement against an array of recording electrodes in an electrostatic recorder with a recording medium disposed therebetween. The electrical resistivity of the shoes is sufficiently high to protect the recording electrodes from pinhole shorts in the dielectric layer of the recording medium. With the backup electrode positioned directly opposite to the recording electrode array, the charging path impedance is reduced permitting reduction in writing speed and a corresponding increase in overall recording time.