Abstract: A vacuum lifter is disclosed. The vacuum lifter includes an overhead hose, a housing, and a roller rotatably fixed to the housing. The housing is adapted to roll on the roller. In one embodiment the vacuum lifter also includes a sealing plate with a pliable sealing ring. The vacuum lifter can be used to lift, move, and deposit various objects from one place to another.

Abstract: An inventory control system includes a computer system which may be coupled to a bar code scanner to allow items added to the inventory or deleted from the inventory to be scanned. The scanner may be mounted on an inventory storage container to facilitate inventory control. When the inventory of a particular item falls below a given level, an indication can be provided to assist in inventory control. A given list of items can be compared to the available inventory to determine whether the list of items is available. In addition, the inventory can be compared to a plurality of such lists to determine which lists are available in inventory.

Abstract: A clock divider receives a main clock and generates divided clocks (even or odd division) each having generally a half duty cycle. The clock divider includes flip flops connected to form a master-slave counter in which the master components are clocked off a first clock and the slave components are clocked off a second clock that is inverted from the first clock. The master-slave counter is a ring counter, and outputs from the master-slave counter are routed to decoding circuitry to generate divided clocks.

Abstract: A leadframe includes a leadframe finger support for supporting elongate leadframe fingers. These elongate leadframe fingers are subject to damage prior to or during the assembly process. Through the provision of the leadframe finger support, the leadframe fingers may be supported at an intermediate position along their length as necessary to prevent bending. The support may be severed from the dam bar in the course of singulation.

Abstract: Five combustion exhaust gas treatment systems capable of removing dust and selenium (Se) in combustion exhaust gas and making harmless are proposed: (1) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350.degree. C. or less, dust is separated, Se is transformed into insoluble compound, and Se is separated; (2) combustion exhaust gas is cooled to 350.degree. C. or less, dust is separated, Se elution preventive agent is added, and dust is formed into scale; (3) dust in combustion exhaust gas is collected by dust collector, dust is formed into slurry by making use of part of circulation liquid in desulfurization apparatus, and tetravalent Se in dust slurry is transformed into insoluble compound, which is separated into solid and liquid; (4) dust is separated from combustion exhaust gas by dust collector, and it is heated to gasify Se, and is led into desulfurization apparatus, etc.

Abstract: A first program is executed in a first computer. The execution of the first program includes storing data in a region of a memory of the first computer. During the execution of the program, an indication of the data is serially transmitted to a second computer. The second computer generates a copy of the data from the indication and executes a second program to analyze the indication to evaluate a performance of the first program.

Abstract: A tractable architecture level coverage measure uses information about the coverage measures obtained by the data path blocks, control logic blocks and cache to obtain an overall measure of coverage. This technique is applicable to a variety of different designs using different fabrication processes. Moreover, it allows the use of extended length test vectors, for example, such as those using commercial software applications. Since the coverage measure does not rely on the traditional stuck at model, it is applicable to extended length test vectors that may be used with high performance systems.

Abstract: A scheduling system includes a detection circuitry and a scheduling processor. The detection circuitry is coupled to a peripheral input device and receives data from the peripheral input device. The received data is analyzed to detect an individual's presence and to generate information indicating whether an individual was detected. The scheduling processor includes a user input interface receiving schedule criteria and a data interface to receive information from the detection circuitry. The scheduling processor can analyze received schedule criteria and data from the detection circuitry to determine whether the schedule criteria are satisfied. Furthermore, the system includes an interface coupling the detection circuitry to the scheduling processor data interface.

Abstract: A method for forming semiconductor devices involves nebulizing a liquid suspension of particles to form tiny droplets of particles and liquid which are well separated from one another. The nebulized droplets may correspond roughly to the average particle size which may be, for example, about one to two microns. The particles in droplet form then form a vaporous dispersion which can be dried to remove the liquid. The particles may be biased so as to repel one another to further form a well defined separation between adjacent particles. The particles may then be collected on a substrate so that a random distribution of masking particles are formed. The randomly distributed particles may be used as a mask for defining features in a semiconductor structure. The mask may be utilized, for example, to define emitters in a field emission display or spacers in a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A robot end effector for automated processing facilitates wet wafer processing by improving the maintenance of the end effector. In particular, the end effector may be exposed to a variety of chemical conditions in the course of its operation. By making the end effector finger removable from the arm, maintenance of the end effector finger is facilitated. By providing alignment means between the end effector finger and the arm, one can insure that the finger is accurately positioned on the arm after such maintenance.

Abstract: A switching regulator includes a controller, an inductor, switch circuits coupled to the inductor and a synchronization circuit. The controller furnishes a switching signal to regulate an output voltage, and each of the switch circuits, when activated, responds to the switching signal to energize and de-energize the inductor. The synchronization circuit selectably activates each switch circuit during different time intervals of the switching signal.

Abstract: A method of processing comprising first connecting a desk top computer to a portable computer; and then symmetrically processing.

Abstract: A collapsible baby bed includes a fabric cover which covers a collapsible tubular frame. The frame may include a plurality of links which are coupled by a resilient cord such that when in use, the bed may take a conventional crib or playpen shape and when the links are decoupled, the bed may be folded into a collapsed shape for storage or transport.

Abstract: A method for locating an electronic device such as a stolen portable computer. The method includes initiating a phone call; receiving automatic number identification (ANI) information; and terminating the phone call before the call is answered. The received ANI information may then be provided to law enforcement agencies so that they may retrieve the electronic device. The act of initiating and terminating may be performed by a computer or a modem.

Abstract: A combined baker and ice cream maker includes a base plate, a barrel-receiving container, and a bread baking unit and an ice cream making unit which are to be selectively received in the container. Each of the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit has a bottom mounting portion. A heater is disposed inside the container. A barrel seat is mounted on the base plate for selectively seating the bread baking unit and the ice cream making unit thereon. A shaft extends through the base plate into the barrel seat. A driving unit is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the shaft. A switch is mounted on the base plate, and is connected to the heater. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base plate and has opposite first and second ends. The first end extends to the switch, while the second end extends to the barrel seat.

Abstract: A system for supporting integrated circuit packages to prevent mechanical failure of the packages at their connection to a printed circuit board or card involves bracing the packages to the board or card. The packages may also be braced against one another. The structure is particularly well adapted to supporting vertical surface mount packages at a point spaced from the point where they connect to a printed circuit board or card.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to calibrate uncelebrated test equipment using reference devices. For each device, the calibrated test equipment is used to test the device to obtain a reference specification value. One of the devices is then selected, and an electrical identification from the selected device is retrieved. The electrical identification is associated with one of the reference specification values. A channel of the uncelebrated test equipment is used to test the selected device to obtain a measured specification value. The reference specification value associated with the electrical identification is compared with the measured specification value. Based on this comparison, the channel is calibrated.

Abstract: An antenna for a motor vehicle provides both global positioning system and radio functionality. The antenna, which may be connected to a typical radio antenna body opening, may include a tubular portion which receives AM/FM radio signals and a planar member secured on top of the AM/FM radio antenna. The planar member may be for example, an active element for a global positioning system antenna and may be connected to a global positioning system receiver by wires that extend from the global positioning system antenna through the radio antenna to the global positioning system receive.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a string of electrically connected light emitting diodes, there is provided a number of base members, each being made of an insulator material and including a base plate formed with a pair of first terminal holes, and a spaced pair of side walls that extend upwardly from the base plate and that confine a space therebetween. A work table is formed with a number of spaced recesses for receiving the base members therein. Each recess has a bottom formed with a pair of second terminal holes that are aligned with the first terminal holes in the respective base member. Each diode has a pair of terminals that are partially extended into the aligned first and second terminal holes in the respective base member and the respective recess. Each of a pair of electrical conductors has an insulating sheath around a conductive core, and extends through the spaces in the base members so as to be disposed between one of the terminals of the diodes and one of the side walls of the base members.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a display screen which is detachably connected to the remainder of the computer. When the screen is detached, communication may continue between the screen and the housing using one of a plurality of techniques, including infrared communications, radio frequency communications, or an extensible cable link. In this way, a display screen may be positioned at a more convenient location, for example for viewing by a plurality of viewers.