Abstract: Thermoelectric coolers are distributed within a semiconductor or an optical chip at anticipated hot spots. Each cooler is responsive to normal operating conditions or to signals from a heat sensor to remove heat from the associated hot spot. In an alternative embodiment, a cooler is placed within the semiconductor package rather than being defined within the chip itself. The closer the cooler to the hot spot, the more efficient the heat removal. As smaller and smaller line width technology leads to denser and denser circuitry, heat removal, already an operation-limiting consideration, will become an increasingly significant issue.

Abstract: A sensor for providing an indication of the movement of one component of a system with respect to another includes a plurality of discrete electrodes and a common electrode affixed to the non-moving component along the axis of movement of the moving component and a pointer affixed to the moving component also along the axis of movement. As the moving component moves, it positions the pointer at consecutive ones of the plurality of discrete electrodes forming a capacitor structure with each in succession. When interrogated, the capacitor provides a signal indicative of the position of the moving component. The sensor is useful for indicating linear movement, angular displacement and pressure, strain and temperature when adapted to structures which indicate such parameters as a function of displacement. Alternative structures include "Bar Codes" with a laser as a pointer and magnetic stripes with a magnetic read head as the pointer.

Abstract: Digital level sensing probe system including digital probe constructed of two (2) concentric cylinders, forming a set of discrete, cylindrical capacitors that use the substance whose level is to be measured as a dielectric material. The set of capacitors is arranged along the axis of measurement where each capacitor represents a discrete level increment. Each capacitor is assigned a unique time slot in a switching sequence. The first level capacitor is used as a reference to which all other capacitors are sequentially compared. In the switching sequence, an AC signal is applied across each capacitor and compared with the inverted signal which is applied across the first level capacitor. A logic "1" results when the substance is present and a logic "0" when the substance is absent. The logic is decoded and converted to display the appropriate quantity of substance measured.

Abstract: Digital level sensing probe system including digital probe constructed of two (2) concentric cylinders, forming a set of discrete, cylindrical capacitors that use the substance whose level is to be measured as a dielectric material. The set of capacitors is arranged along the axis of measurement where each capacitor represents a discrete level increment. Each capacitor is assigned a unique time slot in a switching sequence. The first level capacitor is used as a reference to which all other capacitors are sequentially compared. In the switching sequence, an AC signal is applied across each capacitor and compared with the inverted signal which is applied across the first level capacitor. A logic "1" results when the substance is present and a logic "0" when the substance is absent. The logic is decoded and converted to display the appropriate quantity of substance measured.