Abstract: A semiconductor wafer (70) that includes a support body (72), at least one thin die (20, 60), and a plurality of tethers (78, 178). The support body (72) is made of a semiconductor material. The thin die (20, 60) has a circuit (21) formed thereon and has an outer perimeter (74) defined by an open trench (76). The open trench (76) separates the thin die (20, 60) from the support body (72). The tethers (78, 178) extend across the open trench (76) and between the support body (72) and the thin die (20, 60). A method of making a thin die (20, 60) on a wafer (70) where the wafer (70) has a support body (72), a topside (82) and a backside (90). A circuit (21) is formed on the topside (82) of the wafer (70).

Abstract: A microdevice assembly (20) that includes a device microstructure (22), a housing (30), and a fine grain getter layer (40). The housing (30) has a base portion (32) and a lid (34). The device microstructure (22) is attached to the base portion (32) and the lid (34) is hermetically sealed to the base portion (32). The housing (30) defines a cavity (38) surrounding the device microstructure (22). The fine grain getter layer (40) is on an interior side (42) of the lid (34) for maintaining a vacuum in the cavity (38) surrounding the device microstructure (22). The lid (34) may be made of metal or have at least a metallic surface in the region where the fine grain getter layer (40) is applied. The fine grain getter layer (40) has a sub-micron grain size. There is also a method for making the microdevice assembly (20).

Abstract: A flexible circuit board (20) having a substantially rigid substrate (22) and an electrical resistance heater trace (24). The substantially rigid substrate (22) has a first portion (26), a second portion (28), and a bend region (30). The bend region (30) interconnects the first portion (26) and the second portion (28). The electrical resistance heater trace (24) is formed on the bend region (30) of the substrate (22). The first portion (26) of the substrate (22) is capable of being folded relative to the second portion (28) of the substrate (22) to form at least one bend (72, 172) in the bend region (30) when an electric current is applied to the heater trace (24). There is also an electronic control unit (60, 160) that includes the flexible circuit board (20) and a method of assembling an electronic control unit (60, 160).

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) device for increasing tag activation distance comprises a first exciter electrode (2), a second exciter electrode (21), a dielectric substrate (3), and a first exciter voltage source (4). The second exciter electrode is positioned behind the first exciter electrode. The dielectric substrate is disposed between the first and second exciter electrodes. The dielectric substrate isolates the first exciter electrode from the second exciter electrode. The first exciter voltage source is coupled to at least one of the first exciter electrode and the second exciter electrode.

Abstract: A portable wireless communication device (22) and method for configuring the same when connected to a hands-free system in a vehicle (20). In one embodiment, the device (22) has an interface (36A) and a detector (70A). The interface (36A) is for connecting the wireless communication device (22) to a hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The detector (70A) is for determining whether the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24) in the vehicle (20). The wireless communication device (22) may obtain vehicle information from the vehicle (20) when it is determined that the interface (36A) is connected to the hands-free control unit (24). The wireless communication device (22) also configures at least one operation of the wireless communication device (22) based on the obtained vehicle information. For example, the vehicle information may include data associated with a power loss for communicating through an external antenna (40) of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: A method for extracting components from signals in an electronic sensor (50) having a sensing element (52). The sensing element (52) generates a first signal (60) and a second signal (62). The method comprises the steps of: receiving the first signal (60) from the sensing element (52), the first signal (60) having a frequency at an event; sampling the second signal (62) from the sensing element (52) based on the frequency of the event, the second signal (62) having a plurality of components, one of the plurality of components being a first component of interest (112, 114); generating a synchronized second signal (100) in a time domain, the second signal (62) having the plurality of components; generating complex data (110) in a frequency domain from the synchronized second signal (100) in the time domain; and determining the first component of interest (112, 114) from the complex data (110). There is also a system in an electronic sensor (50) according to the above-described methods.

Abstract: A method of separating a thin die (20, 60) from a support body (72) of a semiconductor wafer (70). The thin die (20, 60) being initially attached to the support body (72) by an attachment mechanism (78, 178). The attachment mechanism may be a plurality of tethers (78, 178) that extend between the thin die (20, 60) and the support body (72).

Abstract: A fault detection method for determining whether a fault exists with a rotating element of a vehicle that includes a transduce, a diagnosis sampler, and a controller. The transducer converts sounds to an electrical signal that includes a noise component generated from the rotating element. The diagnosis sampler provides a sample of the electrical signal to the controller, which has functional aspects such as an envelope detect, a spectrum analysis, and a fault detect. The envelope detect detects an envelope of the electrical signal. The spectrum analysis forms a spectra from the envelope of the electrical signal, where the spectra is associated with the noise component generated from the rotating element. The fault detect determines (from the formed spectra) whether the fault exists with the rotating element.

Abstract: A method and module for securing a conductive interconnect (30) through a metallic substrate (36). The method includes the steps of: forming a hole (34) in the metallic substrate (36), the hole (34) defined by an internal surface (46) of the metallic substrate (36); applying an electrically insulating layer (48) to the metallic substrate (36) including the internal surface (46); applying a solderable coating (50) to at least a portion of the electrically insulating layer (48) around the hole (34); applying a solder (52) to at least a portion of the solderable coating (50) at and above the hole (34); inserting the conductive interconnect (30) through the hole (34); and solder bonding the conductive interconnect (30) within the hole (34).

Abstract: A communication system includes a vehicle (101) and an infrastructure (160). The vehicle contains vehicle system information (104) and user information (112). The infrastructure includes a processor (154) with an applications program (155). The application is arranged to remotely access (200, 300, 400 and 500) the vehicle system information in a secure manner. The application is also arranged to remotely access (600) the user information in a secure manner.

Abstract: A method for securing a metallic substrate (24) to a metallic housing (26). The method may include: firing a first solderable coating (64) to an edge (60) of the metallic substrate (24); firing a second solderable coating (64) to a groove (62) of the metallic housing (26); joining the edge (60) of the metallic substrate (24) to the groove (62) of the metallic housing (26) to form a joint (66) at the first solderable coating and the second solderable coating; applying a solder (68) to the joint (66); and solder bonding the metallic substrate (24) to the metallic housing (26) to provide a hermetic seal at the joint (66). There is also an electronic control module that incorporates the method.

Abstract: A client device in a communication system having a service center. The client device includes a microcomputer and a wireless communication device. The microcomputer may generate a message and determine whether the message includes high-priority data. The wireless communication device has the capability of transmitting the message to the service center over each of a plurality of bearer services. The microcomputer then sequentially selects to transmit the message over each of the plurality of bearer services according to a first sequential order until the message is transmitted to the service center if the message includes high-priority data. Alternatively, the microcomputer sequentially selects to transmit the message over each of the plurality of bearer services according to a second sequential order until the message is transmitted to the service center if the message does not include high-priority data. There are also methods of performing these functions in the client device.

Abstract: A ground connector assembly (20) having a substrate (22) and a ground member (24). The substrate (22) is used to retain an electrical circuit and has a ground region (34), a ground hole (30), and at least one strain relief slot (32). The ground member (24) is attached within the ground hole (30). The ground region (34) surrounds the ground hole (30) and is at least partially interposed between the ground hole (30) and the strain relief slot (32). The ground connector assembly (20) may further include a conductive ring (42), such as a copper ring, surrounding the ground hole (30) and attached to the ground region (34). There is also a method of making the ground connector assembly (20).

Abstract: A switch assembly (20) comprising of a base portion (22), a flexible pad (24), a paddle (26), and at least one button (28). The flexible pad (24) has a first dome (44) and a second dome (46). The paddle (26) is slidably attached to the base portion (22) and has a first end portion (64) and a second end portion (66). The first end portion (64) of the paddle (26) is positioned adjacent to the first dome (44) of the flexible pad (24). The second end portion (66) of the paddle (26) is positioned adjacent to the second dome (46) of the flexible pad (24). The button (28) is slidably attached to the base portion (22) and is capable of contacting the paddle (26). The first dome (44) of the flexible pad (24) is capable of collapsing when a user applies a first force (FA) to the button (28). The second dome (46) of the flexible pad (24) is capable of collapsing when the user applies a second force (FB) to the button (28), the second force (FB) being greater in value than the first force (FA).

Abstract: A method for measuring the current in each phase of a three-phase motor (26) by the sensor (32), the motor (26) being controlled by a plurality of switching devices (S1-S6) that receive pulse width modulation signals from a controller (34). In one embodiment, a first and second sampling window (t1 and t2) are monitored. When both the first and second sampling windows (t1 and t2) are less than a minimum sampling window (mw), the voltage pulse trains associated with the highest output (V_h) and the lowest output (V_l) are shifted to form a first modified sampling window (t1′) and a modified second sampling window (t2′). When the first sampling window (t1) is less than the minimum sampling window and the second sampling window (t2) is greater than the minimum sampling window (mw), then the voltage pulse train associated with the highest output (V_h) and/or the middle output (V_m) may be shifted to form the first and second modified sampling windows (t1′ and t2′).

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables remotely configuring a wireless communication device comprising the steps of remotely configuring a format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a first user; remotely configuring a second format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a second user; receiving configuration data representing said format for said first user and said format for said second user from a remote network; and providing selected content from content downloaded from said network. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: A passenger compartment monitoring and control system provides for remote control of an undesirable condition inside a vehicle. The passenger compartment monitoring and control system includes an undesirable condition sensor disposed in the interior of the car that detects the undesirable condition. In response to a signal from the sensor, a controller contained within the vehicle and operably coupled to the sensor generates at least one control signal based on the comparison. A wireless communication device operably coupled to the controller then transmits a wireless signal in response to the at least one control signal. The transmitted wireless signal may be received by a vehicle operator's mobile station or by a call center, which are each capable of then engaging in remedial actions to remotely ameliorate the undesirable condition.

Abstract: A navigation system (20) having a service center (24) and a navigation unit (22) and a method of transmitting data to reduce the complexity of the navigation unit (22) and minimize the transmitted data. The navigation unit (22) transmits (202) a current location (or starting point (102)) and a desired destination (or destination point (104)). The service center (24) receives (204) the starting point and the destination point and selects (206) a route (100) between the two points. The service center (24) then generates (210, 212, 214) and transmits (216) data associated with a plurality of points on the selected route (100). These points may include items such as preparation points (140, 142, 144, 146), warning points (130, 132, 134, 136), instruction points (120, 122, 124, 126) and confirmation points (150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166).

Abstract: An electronic control module (20) comprising a housing (30), a printed circuit board (40), and a rigidizer (50). The housing (30) has an opening or window (34) for a removable connector (22). The printed circuit board (40) has a first side (42), a second side (44), and a plurality of contact pads (46). The first side (42) of the board (40) is used to retain components and circuitry. The plurality of contact pads (46) is positioned on the first side (42) of the printed circuit board (40). The rigidizer (50) is attached to the second side (44) of the printed circuit board (40) and provides structural backing for the printed circuit board (40) to compensate for any pressure induced to the first side (42) of the printed circuit board (40) by the removable connector (22). The window (34) in the housing (30) is positioned adjacent to the plurality of contact pads (46) on the first side (42) of the printed circuit board (40) to provide a single opening to each of the contact pads (46).