Abstract: A multi-axis projection imaging system. Such a system includes a plurality of objectives defining respective object fields of view and corresponding image fields of view. An object is adapted for controllably illuminating the object fields of view with light that varies spatially in one or more selected characteristics, for creating respective images within the image fields of view.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and locating defects in an integrated circuit. A time-varying input signal is applied to the integrated circuit, power signals produced at a plurality of respective ordered connections in response to the input signal are measured, and one or more defects in the integrated circuit are identified from the power signals so measured. A system is provided having a probe for connecting to the die of an integrated circuit prior to final packaging, a testing system for applying transient input signals to the die and acquiring die power signal measurements in response thereto, and a data processor for determining whether the power signal measurements indicate the presence of a defect in the die. Also provided is a method for reducing the effect of contact resistance from test probe connections.

Abstract: A method and system for limiting the amount of image data to be captured by a scanning imaging array. A low-resolution preliminary image of an object is acquired. Data from the preliminary image is used to identify features of interest in the object or to perform other image analyses that do not require a high-resolution image. Thereafter a scanning imaging array may be used to acquire a high-resolution image of only limited areas of the object including the features of interest or of only limited object characteristics. In one embodiment, the preliminary image is acquired using a separate, linear scanning array extending laterally with respect to the scan direction of the scanning imaging array. In another embodiment, an under sampled portion of the imaging elements of the scanning imaging array, or detectors thereof, is used to pre-scan the object to produce the low-resolution preliminary image.

Abstract: A miniature microscope objective for a miniature microscope array (MMA) includes preferably at least three or four lenses including from object to image a first positive lens, a second positive lens and a third negative lens. The objective has a numerical aperture (NA) that provides diffraction limited performance, and is preferably between 0.4 and 0.9 for the four lens design. The magnification of the objective is below approximately the outer diameter (OD) divided by the field of view (FOV), and is preferably between approximately 1 and 12, and is further preferably greater than 4. The ratio of magnification (M) to numerical aperture (NA) for the objective thereby has a magnitude that is less than substantially 30.

Abstract: A microscope stage providing improved optical performance. A carriage for supporting an object has a transparent portion for receiving the object and permitting trans-illumination thereof. A base supports the carriage, at least a portion of the base comprising a transparent material to permit illumination of the specimen there through. Bearings disposed between the base and the carriage support the carriage on the base and permit relative movement thereof. The base has a dovetail cross sectional shape with bearings between the top of the carriage and the base and between the sidewalls of the carriage and the base. A cover is coupled to the carriage so as to transfer force thereto without imparting a significant movement thereto. A mechanism connected to the cover for moving the carriage relative to the base is disposed at a position offset from the axis of lateral symmetry of the carriage and base.

Abstract: An ink drying system for high speed printing. A plurality of plenums are in fluid communication with a source of pressurized gas, mediated by respective fast acting valves. In a first embodiment of the invention, each plenum contains a plurality of small orifices grouped to define a localized drying area. The localized drying areas of the plenums form a substantially continuous drying region that, preferably, spans the entire lateral extent of the largest printed image. In a second embodiment of the invention, the plenums are spaced apart along the direction of travel of the sheet, and orifices of each plenum are distributed over the entire drying region.

Abstract: An expansion bolt. A first chock has first and second outer ramping surfaces. A second chock has an inner ramping surface complementarily corresponding to the first outer ramping surface. A spring member biases the second chock radially inwardly against the first outer ramping surface of the first chock.

Abstract: A dynamic diffractive optical transform. An electric field pattern is created across a body of material, the material being characterized in that it has an optical transmission property which varies in response to of an electric potential applied across a portion thereof. The electric field pattern is created such that the resulting profile of the transmission property is an arbitrary shape which produces a desired diffraction pattern that may not be physically realizable in conventional refractive optics or is a Fresnel lens-like construct derived from a refractive optical element. This is done by selectively applying electric potentials to transparent electrode pairs having liquid crystal material therebetween and preferably relatively small proportions in relation to the relevant wavelength of light, so as to create variations in phase delay that are aperiodic, have other than fifty percent spatial duty factor or have multiple levels of phase delay.

Abstract: A low cost signature test for RF and analog circuits. A model is provided to predict one or more performance parameters characterizing a first electronic circuit produced by a manufacturing process subject to process variation from the output of one or more second electronic circuits produced by the same process in response to a selected test stimulus, and iteratively varying the test stimulus to minimize the error between the predicted performance parameters and corresponding measured values for the performance parameters, for determining an optimized test stimulus. A non-linear model is preferably constructed for relating signature test results employing the optimized test stimulus in manufacturing testing to circuit performance parameters.

Abstract: A non-contact optically based apparatus for measuring the motion of a diffusely reflecting surface. The motion measurements and signals derived therefrom are used to provide input control signals to a computer or other electronic control systems requiring a human tactile or other control. The apparatus includes a unique optical sensor which senses both the magnitude and direction of the motion of a surface, relative to the apparatus, by measuring the motion of the pattern generated by illuminating the diffusely reflecting surface with a light source.

Abstract: A chassis for a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar is provided such that the chassis may be interchangeably connected with any one of a variety of necks resulting in a tunable and playable unit. This unit may be further attached to any one of a variety of bodies, the body bearing substantially none of the load of the strings' tension.

Abstract: An imaging system with an integrated source and detector array. A plurality of light detectors are arranged in a detector array and a plurality of light sources corresponding to detectors in the detector array are arranged in a source array in an epi-illumination system so that light radiated from a point on the object illuminated by a given source is detected by a corresponding detector. An optical system is disposed with respect to the source array and the detector array so as to illuminate an object with light from the source array and image the object on the detector array. Ordinarily, the sources and detectors are coplanar and, preferably, are fabricated or at least mounted on the same substrate. One or more sources in the source array may have a corresponding plurality of detectors, and one or more detectors in the detector array may have a corresponding plurality of sources.

Abstract: A knife and apparatus for clamping the knife. The knife has front and back sides that, preferably, both include interlocking features adapted for interlocking engagement with corresponding inner and outer clamping members, to prevent slippage of the knife from the clamping members in orientations wherein the knife rests thereon in the chipping apparatus when the knife is unclamped. Preferably, the interlocking feature of the back side of the knife includes a semi-cylindrical groove, and the interlocking feature of the front side of the knife includes two spaced-apart deflector ridges. Preferably, the interlocking feature of the outer clamping member is a projection having a semi-cylindrical tip portion wherein the semi-cylindrical shape is preferably half-cylindrical, and wherein the projection extends from an inner surface of the outer clamping member sufficiently far that most of the back side of the knife does not make contact therewith.

Abstract: A storage magnetic element, which minimizes the power loss in the planar winding due to the fringe magnetic field associated with a discrete air gap, is presented. The invention describes a construction technique wherein the magnetic core is formed by an E section made of high permeability magnetic material and an I section made by a material capable to store energy due to its distributed gap structure. The I section of the magnetic core in one of the embodiments is covered by an electrically conductive shied to force the magnetic flux into the I section and to minimize the component of the fringe magnetic field perpendicular on the planar winding. In another embodiment of this invention the electrically conductive shield is replaced by a high magnetic permeability material to accomplished the same goal of reducing the magnetic field component perpendicular on the planar winding.

Abstract: A method for testing a system on a chip or a system on a package (““SOPC”) having a plurality of internal modules that are tested to determine whether predetermined performance specifications are satisfied. A first module of the SOPC is selected for testing. A determination is made as to whether the first module is directly accessible or not. If the first module is directly accessible, the module may be tested with automated test equipment external to the SOPC. If the first module is not directly accessible, the module may be tested with a second and third module of the SOPC.

Abstract: An imaging system with an integrated source and detector array. A plurality of light detectors are arranged in an array and a corresponding plurality of light sources are arranged in an array in an epi-illumination system so that light radiated from a point on the object illuminated by a given source is detected by a corresponding detector. An optical system is disposed so as to illuminate an object with light from the source array and image the object on the detector array. Ordinarily, the sources and detectors are coplanar and, preferably, are fabricated or at least mounted on the same substrate. In one embodiment the Airy pattern of the point response of the optical system encompasses both a detector and corresponding light sources. In another embodiment, the optical pathway is split by a diffractive element to produce conjugate points corresponding to light sources and their respective detectors. In a further embodiment, the pathway is split by a Wollaston prism.

Abstract: A miniature microscope objective includes at least three or four miniature lenses including from object to image at least a first positive lens, a second positive lens, and a third lens. The numerical aperture (NA) is greater than 0.4 and no more than approximately 0.9. The magnification variation ?M/M over red, green and blue wavelengths spanning 165 nm or more is less than 0.3% to 1.5%, an image size variation is less than a sampling distance, at least one lens has an aspheric departure, and the miniature objective includes at least one diffractive surface.

Abstract: A multi-ring gasket (140) is for sealing the joint between two flanged general non-metallic pipes. In one embodiment, the gasket has an inner ring (72) an outer ring (132) and a plurality of spokes (77) connecting the inner ring (72) to the outer ring (132). The various gasket embodiments have additional features, including having a substantially in-set outermost ring (132) so that the gasket (140) may be used with a flange having a mating surface interior of the bolts employed to draw the flanges together; having spokes (96) that do not encircle the bolts but that provide for aligning the gasket with respect to the bolts and the flanges; having an outer periphery (102) that is at least partially rectilinear; having one or more peripheral notches (112) for receiving a thickness gauge; and having a tab (144) for manipulating the gasket (140) in the installation thereof.

Abstract: An improved knife holder for a chipper disc. A knife holder for boding a knife has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion for clamping the knife therebetween. One of the clamping portions pivots about a pivot point for clamping the knife and for releasing the knife so that it may be easily removed from the knife holder. In the relative position of the clamping portions in which the knife is clamped and in their relative positions in which a space is opened up around the knife permitting its removal, the clamping portions are rigidly disposed with respect to one another.