Abstract: A frame and vacuum expansion chuck are used in combination for stretching a tape carrying a plurality of singulated devices to facilitate removal of the devices with reduced risk of contact between a device being removed from the tape and an adjacent device on the tape. The combination includes a frame for holding edges of a tape carrying a plurality of singulated devices, and a vacuum chuck having upper surfaces for contacting an underside of a tape carrying a plurality of singulated devices. The vacuum chuck extends along a perimeter circumscribing the singulated devices, and at least one groove is defined in the upper surface of the vacuum chuck. Conduit for providing fluid communication between the groove and a vacuum source are provided. Upon evacuation of the volume defined between the groove and the tape, the tape is drawn down into the groove and stretched, thereby increasing the separation or gap between adjacent dice and reducing the risk of damage upon removal of the dice.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection control for an internal combustion engine includes first and second controllers. The first controller has a microprocessor and generates injection timing and duration signals on injector select lines. The second controller is a state machine including injector controls that receive the injection timing and duration signals and control injector current according to sets of injector current profile defining parameters received from the first controller on a serial bus and stored in register sets in the second controller. The second controller includes switching apparatus that can quickly change the connection of each injector control between different register sets to select different injector current profiles in successive injection pulses. Several alternative ways of providing register select signals are disclosed, and these may be incorporated in the same second controller for selection by the first controller.

Abstract: A human eye is detected in a video image by identifying potential eye candidates using horizontal and vertical projection filtering on a specified portion of the image, coupled with rudimentary appearance-based testing. The identified eye candidates are clustered and winning eye candidates are selected based on appearance, spatial-geometric and anthropomorphic considerations. The winning eye candidates are subjected to additional appearance-based testing, and high confidence eye candidates are accepted if they favorably compare with identified eye candidates from previous video image frames.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for actively illuminating and capturing images of an object, such as a driver of a vehicle to reduce glare. The system includes a video imaging camera orientated to generate images of the subject object (e.g., eye(s)) in successive video frames. The system also includes first and second light sources operable to illuminate the object one at a time. The system further includes a processor for processing the image by performing pixel-wise min operation to combine multiple frames into a single frame to reduce glare in the image. The system may remove glare caused by the illuminators and caused by external energy sources.

Abstract: A motion sensor in the form of an angular rate sensor and a method of making a sensor are provided and includes a support substrate and a silicon sensing ring supported by the substrate and having a flexive resonance. Drive electrodes apply electrostatic force on the ring to cause the ring to resonate. Sensing electrodes sense a change in capacitance indicative of vibration modes of resonance of the ring so as to sense motion. A plurality of silicon support rings connect the substrate to the ring. The support rings are located at an angle to substantially match a modulus of elasticity of the silicon, such as about 22.5 degrees and 67.5 degrees, with respect to the crystalline orientation of the silicon.

Abstract: An antenna system and a method for communicating signals by a dual circularly polarized antenna system are provided. The antenna system includes a substantially straight microstrip segment and a plurality of substantially straight microstrip projections. The plurality of microstrip projections extend from the microstrip segment in pairs at a predetermined angle, wherein each microstrip projection of the pair of microstrip projections extends from substantially the same location on the microstrip segment. A first microstrip projection extends from the microstrip segment on a first side of the microstrip segment and a second microstrip projection extends from the microstrip segment on a second side of the microstrip segment, such that the first and second microstrip projections at least one of emit and receive circularly polarized radiation in a first direction and circularly polarized radiation in a second direction simultaneously.

Abstract: A diagnostic testing system for a vehicle comprising an oxygen sensor having a heating element for heating the oxygen sensor to its minimum operational temperature, an analyzer having a user interface, a communications link between the analyzer and the vehicle to obtain data from the oxygen sensor, and a diagnostic heuristic analyzing the data and confirming proper operation of the heating element, the diagnostic heuristic being adapted to generate an output and transmit the output to the user interface, the output including the results generated by analysis of the data by the diagnostic heuristic.

Abstract: A system for receiving a satellite digital radio signal, the system comprising: a repeater having a unibody housing and an antenna disposed within the housing, the antenna being configured for receiving the satellite digital radio signal; a repeater circuit for receiving the satellite digital radio signal of the antenna, the repeater circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit the satellite digital radio signal as a first signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted through electrical wiring; a satellite digital radio signal receiver having a receiver circuit being configured to receive the first signal; and wherein the receiver circuit receives the first signal from a power cable of the satellite digital radio signal receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing “point of interest” information to travelers. Large databases can be populated with information relating to a wide variety of different “points of interest.” Individual users can use the system to automatically focus on information that is likely to be interesting to the user, while ignoring information that is unlikely to be interest to the user. The position of the user can influence which “points of interest” on the database are selectively identified by the system.

Abstract: An SDARS receiver for use with at least two antennae, each of which receives bitstreams from a first satellite, bitstreams from a second satellite, and bitstreams from a terrestrial repeater, including demodulators configured to switch between demodulating bitstreams from the satellites and to switch between demodulating bitstreams from the terrestrial repeater, and a processor coupled to the demodulators, the processor being configured to switch the demodulators according to a variety of algorithms.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly and method of connecting an electrical connector to a substrate are provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a substrate having first electrical circuitry formed on a surface, an elastomer, and second electrical circuitry disposed at least partially between the substrate and the elastomer. Elements of the second electrical circuitry are pressed into contact with contact pads of the first electrical circuitry. The electrical connector assembly also includes a holder securing the elastomer in a compressed state to provide a pressure contact between the circuit elements and the contact pads.

Abstract: A human eye is tracked between successively produced video image frames by consecutively applied eye location techniques. First, potential eye candidates within a local search window are identified using horizontal projection filtering, coupled with rudimentary appearance-based testing. The identified eye candidates are clustered and subjected to additional appearance-based testing to determine if one or more eye candidates should be accepted. If no eye candidates are accepted, a correlation/appearance technique is applied to the search window to identify the eye. If unsuccessful, the eye may be closed, and peripheral eye-related patches from the previous image frame are extracted and compared with the search window to identify the eye in the current frame. When comparable eye-related patches are identified in the search window for the current frame, the eye center is computed according to the mean of the eye periphery patches.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is provided for an integrated circuit. In an aspect, a dynamic region having doped regions is formed on an epitaxy layer and substrate, and interconnects contact the dynamic region. In an aspect, the dynamic region operates as a back-to-back SCR that snaps back in both positive and negative voltage directions. In an aspect the dynamic region operates as an SCR that snaps back in a positive voltage direction and operates as a simple diode in a negative voltage direction. In another aspect, the dynamic region operates as an SCR that snaps back in a negative voltage direction and operates as a simple diode in a positive voltage direction. ESD protection over an adjustable and wide positive and negative voltage range is provided by varying widths and positioning of various doping regions. Breakdown voltages, critical voltages and critical currents are independently controlled.

Abstract: An improved overmolded electronic assembly includes a backplate provided with a recessed edge, a circuit substrate on the backplate, at least one electronic component mounted on the circuit substrate, conductive traces on the circuit substrate which together with the electronic component(s) defines a circuit device, an electrical connector, and an overmold body that has peripheral edges that wrap around sides of the backplate and onto the edge recesses. The resulting over wrap feature eliminates delamination problems that would otherwise occur during thermal cycling of the electronic assembly, improves corrosion resistance at connector-to-backplate interfaces, and enhances securement of the printed circuit board assembly and electrical connector to the assembly.

Abstract: A switched capacitance detection circuit is responsive to changes in the fringing capacitance of a capacitive proximity sensor having at least one capacitive sensor element. In cases where the sensor has a single sensor element, the switching frequency of the detection circuit is controlled to maintain measurement accuracy in the presence of sensor moisture while minimizing power consumption and electromagnetic radiation. In cases where the sensor has multiple sensor elements, the capacitance values for each sensor element are differenced, absolute-valued and summed to form an output in which common-mode effects due to sensor moisture, temperature and sensor aging are canceled out.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a rotary member to a stationary member. The mounting system includes a carrier adapted to engage the rotary member, wherein the carrier includes a mounting leg portion which terminates into a pair of resilient leg portions. The carrier may also further include a spring member adapted to engage a first surface of the stationary member. At least one of the legs in the pair of resilient leg portions includes a turned-out portion adapted to engage a second surface of said stationary member.

Abstract: A conductive elastomeric shielding device (400) for use with an electronic device includes a raised surface (401) and a sidewall (405) formed with the raised surface (401). A turret section (406) is formed with the sidewall (405) where an engagement member (407) projects from the turret section (406) for frictional engagement with an aperture (408) in a printed circuit (PC) board (410). The raised surface and sidewall are manufactured of an elastomeric shielding material for shielding radio frequency (RF) radiation for electronic components used therewith.

Abstract: A test system and method of analyzing a pin to circuit connection on a substrate is provided. The method includes applying thermal energy to the pin or the substrate at a location outside of the pin to circuit interface, and measuring infrared radiation near the pin to circuit interface. The method also includes the step of analyzing the measured infrared radiation to determine thermal energy distribution near the pin to circuit interface resulting from thermal conductivity at the interface. The method further includes the step of determining sufficiency of the pin to circuit electrical and mechanical connection based on the determined thermal energy distribution.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the transmission of GPS reference information, and more particularly, to transmission of GPS ephemeris information for mobile applications. A Telemetry word data is provided by and/or transmitted by a non-cellular, land based network and received by a receiver. A location signal is computed by a processor and transmitted to the GPS receiver. An accumulator accumulates that data and stores it in a data base. The unit may be connected to a Public Safety Answering Point. Also, the present invention provides a method to assist the GPS in mobile applications where the user does not necessarily have a cellular phone. The present invention discloses a method of transmitting ephemeris data to assist the GPS receiver without relying on the cellular telephone network.

Abstract: A plurality of direct die cooled semiconductor power device packages are vertically stacked with both coolant and electrical interfacing to form a liquid cooled power electronic circuit. The packages are individually identical, and selectively oriented prior to stacking in order to form the desired circuit connections and laterally stagger the package leads.