Abstract: An automatic dispenser for dispensing lengths of paper for use as hand towels, includes an IR sensor system for detecting a user. The sensor system scans at a first scanning rate and also at a second higher scanning rate. When the sensor system detects a user, it changes the scanning rate from the first to the second rate. The dispenser aims at reducing power consumption while providing improved reaction time when required to dispense paper.

Abstract: An antenna radiator assembly (201) and radio communications assembly (200) comprising a circuit board (210) supporting electrical conductors (225). A ground plane (140) is supported by the circuit board (210) and a symmetrical antenna radiator element (107) is coupled to a feed point (130). When viewed in plan view, a first surface area of the symmetrical antenna radiator element (107) overlaps part of the ground plane (140). There is a ground connector (131) inductively coupling the symmetrical antenna radiator element to the ground plane (141). There are two identical parasitic ground coupling plates (142,143) that when viewed in the plan view overlap respective secondary surface areas of the symmetrical antenna radiator element (107). Switching circuitry (160) provides selectively coupling the two identical parasitic ground coupling plates (142,143) to the ground plane (140).

Abstract: An automatic electrically powered dispenser for dispensing a product stored in the dispenser includes an active IR sensor system for detecting a user. The IR sensor system includes at least one IR emitter and at least one IR receiver. The IR sensing system is arranged to scan for the presence of a possible user at a certain scanning rate. A sensor control system supplies the active IR emitter(s) with a first current which is constant during one or more single scans and is altered to a different, second current for further scanning. The first and second currents are determined on the basis of a signal strength of the average received IR which is received by the IR receiver(s) during a number of previous single scans. In a simplified system, the average value of the most recently received IR values may be compared to a standard value set in the control system to alter the current supplied to the IR emitter(s).

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for dispensing a product stored therein includes an active IR sensor system for detecting a user. The IR system includes emitters and receivers which are mounted so that each IR emitter's active emitting portion protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the housing and each IR receiver's active receiving portion is recessed behind that outer surface, such that the outward protrusion of the active receiving portion from the outer surface of the housing is less than the outward protrusion of the active emitting portion. The outer surface of the housing in question is preferably at the bottom of the housing next to the discharge outlet. This arrangement allows a reliable and accurate IR reception field to be obtained with a shape more suited to expected user positioning.

Abstract: An antenna radiator assembly (201) and radio communications assembly (200) comprising a circuit board (210) supporting electrical conductors (225), one of the electrical conductors (225) being coupled to a feed point (130), and the circuit board (210) having a ground plane (140) formed from at least one conductive sheet. There is a tuning plate (132), a parasitic tuning line (150), a switching unit (160) selectively electrically coupling the tuning plate (132) to the tuning line (150).

Abstract: Microelectronic devices, associated assemblies, and associated methods are disclosed herein. For example, certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a microelectronic device that includes a microfeature workpiece having a side and an aperture in the side. The device can further include a workpiece contact having a surface. At least a portion of the surface of the workpiece contact can be accessible through the aperture and through a passageway extending between the aperture and the surface. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward a microelectronic support device that includes a support member having a side carrying a support contact that can be connectable to a workpiece contact of a microfeature workpiece. The device can further include recessed support contact means carried by the support member. The recessed support contact means can be connectable to a second workpiece contact of the microfeature workpiece.

Abstract: Microelectronic devices, associated assemblies, and associated methods are disclosed herein. For example, certain aspects of the invention are directed toward a microelectronic device that includes a microfeature workpiece having a side and an aperture in the side. The device can further include a workpiece contact having a surface. At least a portion of the surface of the workpiece contact can be accessible through the aperture and through a passageway extending between the aperture and the surface. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward a microelectronic support device that includes a support member having a side carrying a support contact that can be connectable to a workpiece contact of a microfeature workpiece. The device can further include recessed support contact means carried by the support member. The recessed support contact means can be connectable to a second workpiece contact of the microfeature workpiece.

Abstract: A thin Titanium underlayer 22 is included beneath a Titanium rich Titanium Nitride layer 28 in a metal line 20 on a silicon substrate to reduce stress voiding.

Abstract: A method for etching windows 40 in a semiconductor device 10 having a metal fuse 14 embedded therein is disclosed. The method is for allowing accurate fuse blowing, in particular laser fuse blowing. The method involves the controlled removal of layers having different phase diffraction characteristics. After treatment, the remaining area between the metal fuse 14 and the etched surface of the semiconductor has substantially uniform phase diffraction characteristics.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (1) and electronic device (30) having a printed circuit board (2), with conductive runners (3) and a ground plane (4). There is electronic circuitry (5) mounted to the circuit board (2) and electrically coupled to the runners (3). The circuit assembly (1) also has a Liquid Crystal Display (6) electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry (5), and a monopole element (7) is mounted on a surface of the Liquid Crystal Display (6) by a dielectric mount (10) that is proximal to an edge (11) of the printed circuit board (2).

Abstract: A radio communications device (100) having an antenna radiator assembly (19) has radio frequency communications circuitry (2), a ground plane (40), a radio frequency radiator element (7) and connectors each physically contacting the radio frequency radiator element (7) at contact points. A feed point (30) formed by one of the connectors couples the radio frequency radiator element (7) to the radio frequency communications circuitry (2). Grounds links (32, 36a, 36b, 36c) formed the connectors selectively couple the radio frequency radiator element (7) to the ground plane (40) via a switching unit (22). When operating in a specific frequency band during a transmit mode, the switching unit (22) selects one the connectors to provide a transmit frequency sub-band, and when operating in the specific frequency band during a receive mode, the switching unit selects another of the connectors to provide a receive frequency sub-band.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (1) and electronic device (30) having a printed circuit board (2), with conductive runners (3) and a ground plane (4). There is electronic circuitry (5) mounted to the circuit board (2) and electrically coupled to the runners (3). The circuit assembly (1) also has a Liquid Crystal Display (6) electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry (5), and a monopole element (7) is mounted on a surface of the Liquid Crystal Display (6) by a dielectric mount (10) that is proximal to an edge (11) of the printed circuit board (2).

Abstract: A portable radio telephone (1) with improved antenna radiation efficiency. The radio telephone (1) has an antenna (5) asymmetrical about a feedpoint (9). A two part housing (3, 4) partially encloses the antenna (5) and an electrically conductive surface provides a reflector (10) for antenna (5), the reflector (10) having a length that is at least half a wavelength of an intended lowest operating frequency of the radio telephone (1).

Abstract: An electrical shunt for shorting adjacent electrically conductive pins in an array of electrically conductive pins includes an insulative housing containing an electrically conductive contact. The conductive contact preferably includes two longitudinal wipers for making electrical contact with each pin. The longitudinal wipers are connected by a transverse spring portion which provides a normal force between the contact and inserted pins. The shunt has a pin insertion axis which is transverse to the contact insertion axis to prevent the contact from inadvertently being dislodged from the housing during installation or removal of the shunt. When conductive pins are inserted into the housing, the pins are electrically connected between the first and second wipers of the conductive contact. The shunt preferably includes a frangibly attached application tool and extraction tool.

Abstract: An electrical shunt for shorting adjacent electrically conductive pins in an array of electrically conductive pins includes an insulative housing containing an electrically conductive contact. The conductive contact preferably includes two longitudinal wipers for making electrical contact with each pin. The longitudinal wipers are connected by a transverse spring portion which provides a normal force between the contact and inserted pins. The shunt has a pin insertion axis which is transverse to the contact insertion axis to prevent the contact from inadvertently being dislodged from the housing during installation or removal of the shunt. When conductive pins are inserted into the housing, the pins are electrically connected between the first and second wipers of the conductive contact. The shunt preferably includes a frangibly attached application tool and extraction tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sewing machine attachment for sewing a length of hem material onto an edge of a workpiece comprising a hem folder, the hem folder configured for folding a strip of hem material and aligning the folded hem material with a needle of a sewing machine to facilitate the sewing thereof onto an edge of a fabric workpiece and a linkage mechanism connected to the hem folder for interconnecting the hem folder to a workpiece feeder of a sewing machine whereby movement of the workpiece feeder causes reciprocation of the hem folder and synchronous advancement of the hem material with the fabric workpiece. The present invention also relates to an automatic sewing machine provided with the sewing machine attachment.

Abstract: Pieces of cuff material are affixed to a continuous band of linear material as the band passes through a sewing machine. A vacuum force is used to hold material in place on the continuous band as the band is moved. The pieces of material are individually manually placed on the band in a manner such that initially only a small portion thereof is attracted by the vacuum force thereby facilitating correct relative positioning of the piece and band such that the edge of the piece overlaps the edge of the band. Folding of the overlapping edge of the piece over the edge of the band is also achieved through use of the vacuum, which pulls the overlapping edge of the piece around the edge of the band and into a slot in the vacuum enclosure, immediately underneath the edge of the band. The folded edge of the material is creased and passed through the sewing machine for stitching. The band is then cut to form the cuff portions which are thereafter stacked.