Abstract: A multi-function switch assembly is provided for mounting to the end of a tubular member. The switch assembly provides control information to external devices via control wires contained within within the tubular member. The switch assembly includes a housing defining at least one internal cavity for mounting switch components therein, and also defining an internal bore configured to receive the tubular member. The internal bore communicates with the internal cavity, allowing the control wires to enter the housing. First, second, and third switches are mounted within the internal cavity defined by the housing. A rotating switch actuator actuates the first and second switches which are positioned such that when the rotating actuator is rotated in a first angular direction, the first switch is actuated, and when the first rotating actuator is rotated in a second opposite angular direction, the second switch is actuated. A linear switch actuator actuates the third switch.

Abstract: A waveguide switch is provided in which energy such as ultrasonic optical, electromagnetic or infrared waves travel in a first waveguide having fixed length formed in a first member connected to a second member having multiple waveguides of varying lengths which may be rotatably mounted to the first waveguide in order that upon rotation of the first or second member, different waveguides may be aligned to form an overall position identifying waveguide of varying lengths in order to provide a means for controlling a component attached to the switch. A transmitter and a receiver are mounted within the waveguide and connected to a detector in order to convert the time-of-flight data of the waves to an electrical signal.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having an easily attachable, front loading coupling ring having fingers and a receiving aperture having a chamfered edge for slidingly receiving a connector flange of a host connector and providing for a snap-fit of the coupling ring onto the host connector.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for conversion of a display of a computer monitor from VGA signals to NTSC signals for display on a television screen. The system implements a circuit which reduces flicker in the output of the NTSC screen. The system includes an input device for inputting a signal in an identifiable mode to stored non-interlaced data relating to the VGA image signals in field memory areas. The VGA image signals are converted in the field memory areas stored to interlaced NTSC image signals. A controller controls the storage and conversion of the VGA signals to NTSC image signals in field memory areas to produce an output.

Abstract: An optical package is provided having a diode mounted to a substrate enclosed by a housing which includes a bore for receiving an optical waveguide and a focusing element adjacent the bore. The bore and focusing element are aligned along a common optical axis. An alignment means is associated with the housing for aligning the substrate along the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical package is provided having a diode mounted to a substrate enclosed by a housing which includes a bore for receiving an optical waveguide and a focusing element adjacent the bore. The bore and focusing element are aligned along a common optical axis. An alignment means is associated with the housing for aligning the substrate along the optical axis.

Abstract: An vertical cavity surface emitting laser feedback system is provided which has a vertical cavity surface emitting laser for emitting a specific amount of optical radiation. A portion of the optical radiation is received by a detection means which is used to generate a feedback signal that corresponds to the amount of optical radiation being emitted by the vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

Abstract: An articulating connector assembly having a housing, a hub being carried in rotatable relation to the housing; and means for signal coupling between the housing and the hub. The signal coupling can consist of means such as optical coupling, inductive coupling, radio frequency coupling, capacitive coupling, and pressure wave coupling. In addition, the articulating connector assembly can further include power coupling which can be accomplished by siding contacts, inductively coupled coils, capacitively coupled electrodes, or optical transmitters and receivers on the hub and the housing. Furthermore, a method of efficiently transmitting and receiving signals between the housing and hub is provided. The method consists of (1) obtaining an input signal, by a signal driver, to produce a driven signal output; (2) coupling the driven signal output to produce a coupled signal; and (3) receiving the coupled signal, by a receiver, to produce an output signal.

Abstract: An electronic switch having a printed circuit board mounted therein is formed via insert molding of the housing around the printed circuit board enclosing the conductor wires attached to the printed circuit board and resistors attached to the printed circuit board within the insert molded housing. The electronic switch includes a rotor attached to a contact member providing for the circuit connection.

Abstract: A seal is provided for indicating whether a clockspring has been tampered with. The clockspring consists of a housing, a hub rotatably mounted to the housing, and a ribbon cable connected to the housing and the hub. The seal is attached to the clockspring housing and hub. The seal may consist of a tamper indicating non-marking label stock having a facestock, flexographically printed indicia located on the facestock, and an adhesive coated over the flexographically printed indicia. Furthermore, the flexographically printed indicia may provide a message such as the word "VOID." Finally, the seal may include printed instructions for inspecting the seal.

Abstract: An optical transceiver apparatus is provided having a housing including a diode package aligned with a lens and having an optical filler composition injected therebetween. The optical filler composition comprises a silicone elastomer which may be used as an index matching element, as a positioning and locking means, or an optical attenuator.

Abstract: An interconnector electrically unites a rotatable air bag assembly with a stationary air bag sensor. The interconnector has a rotor rotatably associated with a stator to define a radial space including one or more complementary first and second electrically conductive tracks. The tracks are united with one or more rolling elastomer contacts to complete the electrical pathway from the sensor to the air bag.

Abstract: An optoelectronic coupling is provided having an optoelectronic device such as a VCSEL attached to and aligned with a flexible substrate mounted to the end face of an optical waveguide between the optoelectronic device and the optical waveguide. The flexible substrate may provide the function of carrying components for controlling the optoelectronic device and may easily be oriented within the housing of an optoelectronic receptacle. A method of aligning the optoelectronic device with the optical fibers of the optical waveguide is provided via use of automatic alignment machinery.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical switch with a return spring comprising a housing having a cylindrical shaped rotor having a brace member extending therefrom and in a centered position, the brace member is positioned adjacent to a stop abutment member protruding within the aperture of the switch housing and a spring member mounted on the rotor having arms which abut against the edges of the brace member and the stop abutment in the centered position and upon rotation of the rotor, the arms of the spring will cause the rotor to return to its centered position. The brace member abuts the arms of the return spring and upon rotation of the rotor, the braces cause the arms of the return spring to deform. The return spring in a preferred embodiment has an Omega shape.

Abstract: A zero insertion force pin grid array socket includes a cover slidably engaged to a base and having an array of holes formed therethrough. The base has an array of corresponding passages, the passages receiving pins of an IC package inserted through corresponding holes of the cover. Contacts are mounted within the passages and include a generally tuning-fork shaped contact having torsional beams which deflect the insertion forces of the pin of the IC package which have a surface area of at least forty percent of the entire surface area of contacts. The contacts include wiping areas which are plated which have a surface area of less than an eightieth of the entire surface area of the contact. The socket cover includes a means for providing an air-gap between the socket cover and the IC package.

Abstract: A conductive plug is formed in drilled-through vias of a printed circuit board of a polymer ink composition by a method of flooding the vias of a printed circuit board having parchment paper attached to an underside while the printed circuit board is on a vacuum table to form a first layer of the conductive plug within the vias. A second layer of the conductive plug within the via is formed by placing a stencil over the circuit board and flooding the holes of the stencil in order to form a second layer of the conductive plug within the vias of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector such as a clockspring for carrying electrical signals through a steering wheel provides EMI/RFI shielding. The electrical connector includes a housing formed of a conductive plastic and/or a metallized exterior surface.

Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.

Abstract: An adapter for performing bi-directional data transfers between a SCSI bus, which transfers data using a parallel format, and a serial transfer medium, which transfers data using a serial format and being connected to a serial device. The adapter bi-directionally transfers SCSI data between itself and the SCSI bus. In addition, the adapter bi-directionally converts between SCSI formatted data and serially formatted data. Furthermore, the adapter bi-directionally transfers serially formatted data between itself and the serial transfer medium.

Abstract: A switching assembly having an on switch with a separate off release actuator. The switching assembly has a switch which has both an on position and an off position. Connected on the switch is an on button which has both a released position and a depressed position. The moving of the on button into the depressed position causes the switch to toggle into the on position. Also connected to the switch is an actuator rod which provides for the locking and releasing of the switch from the on position. The actuator rod is connected to an off button which has both a depressed position and a released position. Moving the off button into the depressed position causes the switch to toggle into the off position. Furthermore, a spring is connected to the actuator rod for maintaining the on switch in the on position until the actuator is forced to release the on switch from the on position.