Abstract: A drive system for a vibrating tube-based measurement instrument employing a spatial filter to produce a drive signal having modal content only at a desired vibration mode. Multiple feedback sensors located at different locations along a vibrating tube produce multiple feedback sensors. Each feedback signal has applied to it a weighting or gain factor. All of the weighted feedback signals are then summed to produce a drive signal, or a signal proportional to a drive signal, having improved modal content as compared to any of the feedback signals by themselves. The weighting factors are selected by any of several means. One method is to build the eigenvector matrix for the vibrating flow tube by extracting the eigenvectors from a finite element model of the vibrating structure. The inverse or psuedo-inverse of the eigenvector matrix is calculated to obtain the modal filter vector. The appropriate set of weighting coefficients are selected from the modal filter vector.

Abstract: A system having improved cycle time for removing PC boards from a connected panel. In accordance with the present invention, a pair of walking clamps are used to receive a panel from a subsequent processing system, and a movable receiving nest is used to provide the PC boards to a subsequent processing station. The processes of receiving a panel, depaneling the PC board, and delivering the PC boards do not use common components and are able to operate independently and concurrently to reduce idle time in the system and improve the cycle time. The present invention also provides a secondary vacuums which removes debris from the PC boards as the PC boards are being transporting to a subsequent processing system to improve the removal of debris.

Abstract: The surface of a Si substrate is coated with a lower electrode of precious metal (Pt), then a buffer layer comprising an oxide thin film containing Bi is deposited. On the surface of the buffer layer, a thin film of a Bi layer structured ferroelectric substance is formed. Thus, reaction of the Bi layer structured ferroelectric substance with the precious metal coating the Si substrate is avoided during crystallization carried out at a low temperature. Therefore, deviation in composition of the thin film thus formed is suppressed to provide the thin film with a high density. When the thickness of the buffer layer is not greater than five percent of that of the Bi layer structured ferroelectric thin film, electrical characteristics of a capacitor are not deteriorated. When electrical connection is conducted by polycrystalline Si, production of oxide can be avoided by deposition at 650° C.

Abstract: The invention provides for assessing location and/or proximity to a buried or submerged optical fiber cable. A seismic generator creates seismic pulses, at known frequencies, on the ground (or water) at a first location and the synchronous rotation of the polarization state of light transmitted through the optical fiber cable is detected. Other seismic pulses are generated at different locations and the polarization rotation is detected at each such location to locate a closest proximity to the cable, corresponding to a minimum or maximum of polarization rotation. A wireless synchronous signal is generated with the seismic pulses to differentially isolate the polarization rotation signal; and, if desired, to further determine distance between the cable and the source of the seismic pulse.

Abstract: The present multi-media message storage system functions to provide the user with a playback that represents a capsulization of the content of the stored message to thereby enable the user to determine whether the stored message contains sufficient information that warrants the user playing back the entirety of the message. The summary consists of content descriptive information that is excerpted from the body of the message and played back to the user in a form that differs from that used to store the received message. This feature enables a multi-media message storage system to store and retrieve text messages for a user in an efficient manner, thereby enabling the multi-media message storage system to function as a multi-media mail system.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a device isolation oxide film, an interlayer insulating film, hydrogen barrier films, a lower electrode, a capacitor insulating film, an upper electrode, an interlayer insulating film and a wiring layer, formed on a silicon substrate. A gate electrode is formed on a gate oxide film between impurity diffusion regions in the silicon substrate. Further, a capacitor portion, comprising the lower electrode, the capacitor insulating film (ferroelectric or high dielectric substance) and the upper electrode, is completely covered with the hydrogen barrier films. The hydrogen barrier films prevent deterioration of the ferroelectric substance and the high dielectric constant material due to reducing conditions in a hydrogen atmosphere. Other device characteristics, however, are not adversely affected because only the capacitor portion is completely covered with the hydrogen barrier films.

Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in determining if magnetic tape within a single reel tape cartridge properly connects to a takeup reel within a tape drive during loading of the tape cartridge, so that the magnetic tape can be wound between the tape cartridge and the tape drive as data is transferred to or from the magnetic tape. The sensing assembly comprises at least one sensing apparatus for providing feedback on connection status to prevent connection failures from rendering the tape drive inoperable.

Abstract: The precise solder paste application process makes use of mask registration apertures that are formed in the printed circuit board and that are adapted to receive a component solder paste mask that conforms to the conductor pattern of the component to be replaced. The component solder paste mask comprises a mask that has formed therein apertures that correspond to the pattern of solder paste that is to be applied to the printed circuit board surface mount pads to correspond to the conductors of the component. The component solder paste mask includes registration features that mate with the registration apertures formed in the printed circuit board to thereby ensure precise placement of the component solder paste mask over the area of the printed circuit board that receives the replacement component.

Abstract: A capacitive filling level sensor has a first capacitive sensor element arranged close to a fluid whose filling level is to be detected, a second capacitive sensor element arranged close to a fluid whose filling level is to be detected, and a switched-capacitor measuring circuit, which is connected to the first and second capacitive sensor elements and which detects the capacitance values thereof. The switched-capacitor measuring circuit produces in response to the detected capacitance values a signal indicative of the filling level. The first capacitive sensor element and the second capacitive sensor element are each defined by two wires of a ribbon cable having at least five wires, the fifth wire extending between the wires which define the capacitive sensor elements, and being connected to ground.

Abstract: In the manufacture of an integrated circuit memory capacitor, an underlying hydrogen barrier layer, either electrically nonconductive or conductive, is formed on a substrate. Then, the lower electrode layer and the ferroelectric/dielectric layer are formed and selectively etched. A nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer is formed on the dielectric layer and selectively etched. After a heat treatment in oxygen, the upper electrode layer and a conductive hydrogen barrier layer are successively deposited and selectively etched. The nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer covers the capacitor except for a part of the upper electrode, and the conductive hydrogen barrier layer covers a portion where there is no nonconductive hydrogen barrier layer. Thus, the underlying barrier layer, the nonconductive barrier layer and the conductive barrier layer together completely cover the memory capacitor. The dielectric layer comprises a ferroelectric or high-dielectric constant metal oxide.

Abstract: A timing circuit produces a clock signal. An address buffer circuit receives and stores a first address in a first latch and a second address in a second latch asynchronously with respect to the clock signal. A memory control circuit associated with an array of memory cells accesses a first memory cell in the array corresponding to the first address in a first clocked access cycle, and accesses a second memory cell in the array corresponding to the second address in a second clocked access cycle. If a further address is asynchronously received before said second access cycle, the further address replaces the second address in the second latch.

Abstract: A system for providing passive dust control for a transfer of bulk material from a first station to a second station. A dust containment housing encloses a first station and station. A bulk material is transferred from the first station to the second station inside the dust containment housing. A region of low pressure is provided inside the dust containment housing. Air carrying suspended particles of bulk material flow from a region of high air pressure generated by the transfer of bulk material to the region of low air pressure inside the housing. The suspended particles of bulk material either remain suspended in the air inside the housing or settle out of the air into the bulk material inside the housing.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for calibrating a robotics system. The invention measures the actual performance of the robotics system when positioning objects at several calibration positions within an operational area. The invention then determines corrective factors based on the performance measurements. The robotics system uses the corrective factors to overcome positioning errors and operate in the field with extreme precision. The calibration system comprises a control system, a laser projection device, a plate, and a laser detection device. The robotics system positions the laser projection device to project a laser beam through a hole in the plate and onto a laser detection area on the laser detection device. The control system then directs the robotics system to move the laser projection device to a plurality of calibration positions.

Abstract: Metal organic precursor compounds are dissolved in an organic solvent to form a nonaqueous liquid precursor. The liquid precursor is applied to the inner envelope surface of a fluorescent lamp and heated to form a metal oxide thin film layer. The metal oxide thin film layer may be a conductor, a protective layer or provide other functions. The films have a thickness of from 20 nm to 500 nm. A conductive layer comprising tin-antimony oxide with niobium dopant may be fabricated to have a differential resistivity profile by selecting a combination of precursor composition and annealing temperatures.

Abstract: A liquid precursor solution for use according to a method of manufacturing metal oxide electronic components includes a polyoxyalkylated metal complex dispersed in an alkane solvent. The alkane solvent is preferably n-octane.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed containing a metal-oxide ferroelectric thin film. An voltage-cycling recovery process is conducted to reverse the degradation of ferroelectric properties caused by hydrogen. The voltage-cycling recovery process is conducted by applying from 104 to 1011 voltage cycles with a voltage amplitude of from 1 to 15 volts. Conducting voltage-cycling at a higher temperature in the range 30-200° C. enhances recovery. Preferably the metal oxide thin film comprises layered superlattice material. Preferably the layered superlattice material comprises strontium bismuth tantalate or strontium bismuth tantalum niobate. If the integrated circuit manufacture includes a forming-gas anneal, then the voltage-cycling recovery process is performed after the forming-gas anneal.

Abstract: A personal computer is typically equipped with a modem that enables the user to dial through the Public Telephone Switched Network (PTSN) to access an Interactive Voice Response system. Once connected to the Interactive Voice Response System, the present system for providing personal computer access to an interactive voice response system uses the touch-tone generation capability of the personal computer to implement a predefined script to navigate through the Interactive Voice Response System. The navigation path is defined by the selections provided by the Interactive Voice Response System to enable a user to reach a computer interaction site that represents one of the back-end selections served by the Interactive Voice Response System. Thus, once the Interactive Voice Response System is traversed, the user can interact with the computer to perform the desired tasks.

Abstract: A batch delivery system that maximizes the amount of material to be transferred from a material source to a material destination by determining whether a primary total and/or a secondary total from a flowmeter have reached a primary target and a secondary target. In one embodiment of the invention, the primary target and the secondary target are mass, volume, and/or net solid.

Abstract: In a method an an apparatus for automatic inspection of moving surfaces using at least three different illumination/observation channels, the surface to be inspected under a bright field condition is illuminated by a first beam of light from a first light source. The light of the first beam of light reemitted from the surface is received by a light sensitive sensor device to obtain a first signal. Then, the surface is illuminated under a dark field condition by a second beam of light and by a third beam of light from a second and a third light source, respectively, the first, second and third beams of light having different characteristics. The light of the second beam of light and the light of the third beam of light, respectively, reemitted from the surface are received by the light sensitive sensor device to obtain a second signal and a third signal. Finally, a physical property of the surface is derived from the first, second and third signals.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed that contains a ferroelectric element comprising metal oxide material containing at least two metals. An oxygen-recovery anneal is conducted in ambient oxygen at a temperature range from 300.degree. to 1000.degree. C. for a time period from 20 minutes to 2 hours. The oxygen-recovery anneal reverses the effects of hydrogen degradation and restores ferroelectric properties. The oxygen-recovery anneal is more effective as the annealing temperature and annealing time increase. Preferably the metal oxide element comprises a layered superlattice compound. Hydrogen degradation of the ferroelectric properties is minimized when the layered superlattice compound comprises strontium bismuth tantalum niobate and the niobium/tantalum mole ratio in the precursor is about 0.4.