Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect, to an apparatus for positioning a disk drive head over a disk which is a part of a disk drive assembly. A disk drive apparatus includes a base plate, a disk coupled to the base plate, a disk drive head assembly arranged over the disk, and an actuator assembly that is arranged to position the disk drive head assembly over the disk. The actuator assembly is coupled to the disk drive head assembly, and includes a ferrite piece and a crash stop contact point that is separate from the ferrite piece. The disk drive apparatus also includes a magnetic latching assembly which has a plate extension that is substantially stationary with respect to the disk, a magnet nest that is movably mounted over the plate extension, and a latch magnet that is coupled to the magnet nest. A crash stop, which is also included in the disk drive apparatus, is arranged to be contacted by the crash stop contact point when the disk drive head assembly is positioned in a parking position.

Abstract: An apparatus in a computer for creating a diagram, which may include a plurality of symbols. The apparatus includes a graphical controller, which is associated with a symbol of the aforementioned diagram that is "selected." In one embodiment, the graphical controller includes a connector graphical controller for creating a first connector, which is coupled to the aforementioned selected symbol. Further, the graphical controller includes a symbol graphical controller for creating a new symbol, which new symbol is coupled to the aforementioned selected symbol by a second connector. The symbol graphical controller and the connector graphical controller are visually distinct from one another on the display screen so that the user may easily select either of the two for drawing diagram objects. In another embodiment, the invention further creates a temporary version of the aforementioned new symbol when the symbol graphical controller is held by the pointing device of the computer.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxygen concentration and/or pressure sensing devices and methods which incorporate photoluminescent silica aerogels. Disclosed sensors include a light proof housing for holding the photoluminescent aerogel, a source of excitation radiation (e.g., a UV source), a detector for detecting radiation emitted by the aerogel, a system for delivering a sample gas to the aerogel, and a thermocouple. Also disclosed are water resistant oxygen sensors having a photoluminescent aerogel coated with a hydrophobic material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting digital sound is disclosed. The method contemplates transmitting a digital radio signal (such as an FM band signal) over a plurality of sub-channels subject to some constraints on the digital signal power. A control sub-channel, sometimes referred to as an auxiliary overhead channel is used to transmit control information which is interpreted by the receiver to identify the location and potentially the mode of the digital signals.

Abstract: According to the present invention a variety of methods and apparatus for providing dynamically linked libraries are taught. A "standard DLL" is a dynamically linked library (DLL) which is pulled into the data closure of a process by direct reference in the process' root DLL or by direct reference in other DLLs present in the data closure. In contrast, the present invention teaches a "phantom DLL" which is pushed into the data closure of an executable process and is not directly referenced either by the root DLL or by other DLLs present in the data closure. In some embodiments the phantom DLL includes an anonymous initialization routine which the binding manager executes when the phantom DLL is added to a new process data enclosure. By executing the initialization routine the phantom DLL has an opportunity to execute and impact the computing environment of the new process.

Abstract: A low voltage digital-to-analog converter (DAC) uses a resistor string to divide a supply voltage. The voltage output for the DAC is fixed at an intermediary node in the resistor string, and NMOS and PMOS transistors are used to switch in V.sub.SS and V.sub.DD respectively to nodes in the resistor string such that the NMOS and PMOS transistors are operated where they are most conductive. A decoder is used to decode the digital input to control the switches. One switch from each set of NMOS and PMOS transistors is activated for a given input, or thermometric decoding of the input is used to activate more than one switch from each set to preserve monotonicity. In an alternative embodiment, when matching of the resistors can be assumed, a two-step decoding process is used. An LSB decoder decodes the least significant bits of the digital input and controls how V.sub.DD is applied to a bank of LSB resistors through PMOS transistors, and how V.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: A method for generating, in a switching power supply, an output voltage from an input voltage. The method includes the step of closing a switch in the switching power supply to permit current from the input source to flow through the inductor and the capacitor of the switching power supply, thereby building up an inductor current through the inductor and increasing the output voltage across the capacitor. If a combination of the output voltage and inductor current is satisfactory at the start of an off-time of the oscillator signal, the method opens the switch. If a combination of the output voltage and inductor current is unsatisfactory at the start of an off-time of the oscillator signal, the inventive method preferably keeps the switch closed past the off time of the oscillator signal to continue building up the inductor current through the inductor and increasing the output voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: In a combination faucet device (10) according to the invention, a movable valve member (160) slidingly moves relative to a main casing (30) to change a mixing ratio of high-temperature water supplied from a hot water port (116) to low-temperature water supplied from a cold water port (106). The movable valve member (160) is pressed by a temperature sensitive spring (130) in a first direction while being pressed by a bias spring (150) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature sensitive spring (130) is exposed to a water mixture and varies its spring constant according to the temperature of the water mixture. The temperature sensitive spring (130) accordingly moves the movable valve member (160) in a direction for decreasing the ratio of the high-temperature water to a certain position where the spring force of the temperature sensitive spring (130) balances with the spring force of the bias spring (150), thus allowing a water mixture adjusted to a target temperature.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of methods, data structures and apparatus for use in representing and traversing hierarchical netlists. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a hierarchical netlist which represents an electronic device is stored in a computer readable medium and includes a module data structure and a hierarchical data structure. The module data structure includes a first module and a list identifying each instance of the first module present in the hierarchical netlist. The hierarchical point data structure represents a first hierarchical element in the hierarchical netlist and is arranged to identify a selected device element represented in the first module. Additionally, the hierarchical point data structure is capable of identifying a plurality of unique occurrences of separate but identical device elements that are represented by the first hierarchical element.

Abstract: A variety of improved antenna arrangements for ablation catheters and methods for constructing catheter with these antenna arrangements are described. In various apparatus aspects of the invention, the catheter includes an elongated flexible tubular member adapted to be inserted into a vessel in the body of a patient. A transmission line suitable for transmitting electromagnetic energy is received within the tubular member. An antenna is coupled to the transmission line for generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. In one embodiment, the antenna takes the form of an antenna coil that is oriented such that its longitudinal axis extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tubular member. In another embodiment, a plurality of such laterally oriented antenna coils are provided at longitudinally spaced locations relative to the catheter axis. In other embodiments, the antenna coil is spirally wound.

Abstract: A method for supervising the execution of a job in a license restricted environment is disclosed. According to the license restricted environment, some networked machines are licensed for a first type of processing and other machines are licensed for a second (or other) types of processing. In executing a job that requires processing portions or segments of both the first and second types of processing, when the job begins processing the job using the first types of processing on a suitably licensed machine and then fails when attempting to process the job using the second types of processing on the same machine because of a license violation. The method for supervising operates in an automated fashion to detect the stoppage of the job due to license failure and to resume the remaining portions or segments of the job for processing using the second types of processing on a suitably licensed machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attenuated phase shift reticle design having a compensating transmissive region located where side lobe ringing is anticipated to be most severe. Unlike other transmissive regions on the reticle, no integrated circuit features are defined at the location of the compensating transmissive region. Because the radiation giving rise to side lobe ringing is approximately 180.degree. out of phase with the radiation passing through transmissive regions, radiation passing through the compensating transmissive region will reduce side lobe intensity by destructively interfering with the out of phase radiation. A disclosed reticle defines a plurality of closely packed vias to be formed in a passivating layer. In the case of a positive resist, transmissive regions are provided at locations on the reticle design corresponding to positions of the vias on the passivating layer. A phase shift reticle having such via layout is expected to produce severe side lobe ringing in the regions surrounding the vias.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate and an anti-fuse structure formed on the semiconductor substrate. The anti-fuse structure includes a metal-one layer and an anti-fuse layer disposed above the metal-one layer. The anti-fuse layer has a first resistance value when the anti-fuse structure is unprogrammed and a second resistance value lower than the first resistance value when the anti-fuse structure is programmed. There is further provided an etch stop layer disposed above the anti-fuse layer, and an inter-metal oxide layer disposed above the etch stop layer with the inter-metal oxide layer has a via formed therein. Additionally, there is further provided a metal-two layer disposed above the inter-metal oxide layer. In this structure, a portion of the metal-two layer is in electrical contact with the anti-fuse layer through the via in the inter-metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A leadframe including bendable support arms for downsetting a die attach pad and method are disclosed herein. The leadframe includes at least one frame member and the die attach pad. At least two distinct, readily bendable support arms are connected with and extend between the die attach pad and the frame member. The support arms are configured to be bent in a predetermined way in the method of the invention such that when they are bent they provide previously unattainable amounts of die attach pad downset within the overall configuration of the leadframe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel structure of a tape cartridge accommodating a printing tape and an ink ribbon used for printing, which prevents the printing tape from being stuck in a cartridge case or the ink ribbon from being slackened. The tape cartridge of the invention has a mechanism for preventing an end of the tape from being reversely moved back into the cartridge case. A typical structure of the mechanism includes an anti-inversion system which prevents a tape core having a tape wound thereon from rotating in a reverse direction, that is, a direction opposite to a normal rotating direction for printing. The anti-inversion effects are removed when the tape cartridge is set in a printing device such as a tape writer to ensure smooth feeding of the tape for printing. When the tape is forcibly pressed back into the cartridge case, a movable platen clamps the tape between the platen and a fixed wall to prevent reverse movement of the tape.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of methods, apparatus and data structures for providing data driven patching. According to one embodiment, patches are stored in a known format in a discernible location. In the described embodiment, each fragment code may have a corresponding patch library. This enables the patches to be located and analyzed in a quiescent state. In a method aspect of the present invention, the operating system, or a separate utility program, can evaluate and selectively add patches. Therefore, the present invention introduces a patch integrity validation layer into the patching process. In another method aspect, the invention teaches evaluating the patches in a quiescent state whereby the patches introduced by a program or a combination of programs may be exhaustively evaluated prior to execution.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the alignment of the wheels, such as the front wheels, that control the steering of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a pair of alignment sensing devices that extend between each steering arm and a tie rod coupled to the arm, of the vehicle's steering assembly. The sensing devices include a pair of concentric tubes retained in a slidable relationship and an alignment sensing system. After the wheels are aligned, the tubes are coupled to the steering assembly and are slid relative to each other, until the sensing system indicates that the tubes are aligned, thus indicating that the wheels are aligned. The sensing system is activated whenever desired by an operator of the vehicle. The sensing system provides a first signal to indicate that the front wheels are aligned and a second signal to indicate that at the front wheels are not aligned.

Abstract: Low threshold voltage MOS devices having asymmetric halo implants are disclosed herein. An asymmetric halo implant provides a pocket region located under a device's source or drain near where the source (or drain) edge abuts the device's channel region. The pocket region has the same conductivity type as the device's bulk (albeit at a higher dopant concentration) and, of course, the opposite conductivity type as the device's source and drain. Only the source or drain, not both, have the primary pocket region. An symmetric halo device behaves like two pseudo-MOS devices in series: a "source FET" and a "drain FET." If the pocket implant is located under the source, the source FET will have a higher threshold voltage and a much shorter effective channel length than the drain FET.

Abstract: A method for etching a layer stack structure on a substrate is provided. The method includes a step of etching the layer stack to a predefined stopping point using a reverse etch rate loading inducing chemistry. The method also includes a step of etching said layer stack through a target layer in the layer stack structure using a natural etch rate loading chemistry.