Abstract: An apparatus in a computer for creating a diagram, which may include a plurality of symbols. The apparatus includes a graphical controller, which is associated with a symbol of the aforementioned diagram that is "selected." In one embodiment, the graphical controller includes a connector graphical controller for creating a first connector, which is coupled to the aforementioned selected symbol. Further, the graphical controller includes a symbol graphical controller for creating a new symbol, which new symbol is coupled to the aforementioned selected symbol by a second connector. The symbol graphical controller and the connector graphical controller are visually distinct from one another on the display screen so that the user may easily select either of the two for drawing diagram objects. In another embodiment, the invention further creates a temporary version of the aforementioned new symbol when the symbol graphical controller is held by the pointing device of the computer.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxygen concentration and/or pressure sensing devices and methods which incorporate photoluminescent silica aerogels. Disclosed sensors include a light proof housing for holding the photoluminescent aerogel, a source of excitation radiation (e.g., a UV source), a detector for detecting radiation emitted by the aerogel, a system for delivering a sample gas to the aerogel, and a thermocouple. Also disclosed are water resistant oxygen sensors having a photoluminescent aerogel coated with a hydrophobic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: In a combination faucet device (10) according to the invention, a movable valve member (160) slidingly moves relative to a main casing (30) to change a mixing ratio of high-temperature water supplied from a hot water port (116) to low-temperature water supplied from a cold water port (106). The movable valve member (160) is pressed by a temperature sensitive spring (130) in a first direction while being pressed by a bias spring (150) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature sensitive spring (130) is exposed to a water mixture and varies its spring constant according to the temperature of the water mixture. The temperature sensitive spring (130) accordingly moves the movable valve member (160) in a direction for decreasing the ratio of the high-temperature water to a certain position where the spring force of the temperature sensitive spring (130) balances with the spring force of the bias spring (150), thus allowing a water mixture adjusted to a target temperature.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of methods, data structures and apparatus for use in representing and traversing hierarchical netlists. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a hierarchical netlist which represents an electronic device is stored in a computer readable medium and includes a module data structure and a hierarchical data structure. The module data structure includes a first module and a list identifying each instance of the first module present in the hierarchical netlist. The hierarchical point data structure represents a first hierarchical element in the hierarchical netlist and is arranged to identify a selected device element represented in the first module. Additionally, the hierarchical point data structure is capable of identifying a plurality of unique occurrences of separate but identical device elements that are represented by the first hierarchical element.

Abstract: A variety of improved antenna arrangements for ablation catheters and methods for constructing catheter with these antenna arrangements are described. In various apparatus aspects of the invention, the catheter includes an elongated flexible tubular member adapted to be inserted into a vessel in the body of a patient. A transmission line suitable for transmitting electromagnetic energy is received within the tubular member. An antenna is coupled to the transmission line for generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. In one embodiment, the antenna takes the form of an antenna coil that is oriented such that its longitudinal axis extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tubular member. In another embodiment, a plurality of such laterally oriented antenna coils are provided at longitudinally spaced locations relative to the catheter axis. In other embodiments, the antenna coil is spirally wound.

Abstract: A method for supervising the execution of a job in a license restricted environment is disclosed. According to the license restricted environment, some networked machines are licensed for a first type of processing and other machines are licensed for a second (or other) types of processing. In executing a job that requires processing portions or segments of both the first and second types of processing, when the job begins processing the job using the first types of processing on a suitably licensed machine and then fails when attempting to process the job using the second types of processing on the same machine because of a license violation. The method for supervising operates in an automated fashion to detect the stoppage of the job due to license failure and to resume the remaining portions or segments of the job for processing using the second types of processing on a suitably licensed machine.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of methods, apparatus and data structures for providing data driven patching. According to one embodiment, patches are stored in a known format in a discernible location. In the described embodiment, each fragment code may have a corresponding patch library. This enables the patches to be located and analyzed in a quiescent state. In a method aspect of the present invention, the operating system, or a separate utility program, can evaluate and selectively add patches. Therefore, the present invention introduces a patch integrity validation layer into the patching process. In another method aspect, the invention teaches evaluating the patches in a quiescent state whereby the patches introduced by a program or a combination of programs may be exhaustively evaluated prior to execution.

Abstract: A leadframe including bendable support arms for downsetting a die attach pad and method are disclosed herein. The leadframe includes at least one frame member and the die attach pad. At least two distinct, readily bendable support arms are connected with and extend between the die attach pad and the frame member. The support arms are configured to be bent in a predetermined way in the method of the invention such that when they are bent they provide previously unattainable amounts of die attach pad downset within the overall configuration of the leadframe.

Abstract: Low threshold voltage MOS devices having asymmetric halo implants are disclosed herein. An asymmetric halo implant provides a pocket region located under a device's source or drain near where the source (or drain) edge abuts the device's channel region. The pocket region has the same conductivity type as the device's bulk (albeit at a higher dopant concentration) and, of course, the opposite conductivity type as the device's source and drain. Only the source or drain, not both, have the primary pocket region. An symmetric halo device behaves like two pseudo-MOS devices in series: a "source FET" and a "drain FET." If the pocket implant is located under the source, the source FET will have a higher threshold voltage and a much shorter effective channel length than the drain FET.

Abstract: A method for etching a layer stack structure on a substrate is provided. The method includes a step of etching the layer stack to a predefined stopping point using a reverse etch rate loading inducing chemistry. The method also includes a step of etching said layer stack through a target layer in the layer stack structure using a natural etch rate loading chemistry.

Abstract: A printed circuit board that includes contact slider regions between conductive pads on the printed circuit board is disclosed. The printed circuit board is particularly suited for high density situations. According to one embodiment, a printed circuit board according to the invention includes a connection edge for insertion into a connector, a first row of conductive pads disposed on one or both sides of the printed circuit board proximate to the connection edge and extending away therefrom in a predetermined direction, and a row of slider regions disposed on one or both sides of the printed circuit board proximate to the connection edge and extending away therefrom in the predetermined direction, the slider regions being interposed between the conductive pads of the first row. The printed circuit board according to the invention is not only more reliable and easier to manufacture, but it also wears substantially better than previously designed high density circuit boards.

Abstract: A game method and apparatus includes a playing surface having a player end and a target end and a target provided at the target end. The target includes a channel on a planar target surface that is inclined and receives multiple playing pieces, such as balls, rolled across the playing surface by the player. The channel receives balls in a known configuration, such as a linear stack, such that each additional ball is directed to the channel with greater difficulty by the player due to the presence of previously-directed balls in the stack and rests on the ball immediately preceding it. The channel includes parallel rails for aligning the balls and for preventing the balls from touching the target surface. An aperture collects balls that are not received by the channel and routes the balls to the player. A release device releases the balls from the channel and into the collector. A game score and optional progressive score are based on the positions of balls in the channel.

Abstract: An anisotropic etching process is disclosed in which two sources of process gas are provided to a plasma reactor having at least three electrodes. In a plasma, the first process gas provides etchant species which are reactive with a substrate and the second process gas provides barrier species which protect trench sidewalls from reaction with the etchant species. For etching silicon, the first process gas may be chlorine, chloro-trifluoromethane, oxygen, etc., and the second process gas may be C.sub.2 F.sub.6, SF.sub.6, BCl.sub.3, or other compound that either combines with etchant species on a trench sidewall or forms a protective polymer film on such trench sidewall. A disclosed plasma reactor includes a grounded first electrode which forms part of the reactor's enclosure, a coiled second electrode disposed above and separated from the reactor enclosure by a dielectric shield, and a planar third electrode located below the substrate to be etched.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a variety of output stages, buffer circuits, and power amplifiers as well as methods for buffering electrical signals. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an output stage includes an input, an output, an error stage coupled between the input and the output and responsive to a difference between an input signal present on the input and an output signal present on the output, the error stage being operative to generate a current control signal related to the difference between the input signal and the output signal, a current mirror coupled to the error stage and responsive to the current control signal to generate a demand driven current signal related to a magnitude of the current control signal, and an amplification stage coupled between the input and the output.

Abstract: An improved recognition data structure is described that is particularly well suited for use in a computer system having recognition abilities. The data structure includes a multi-representational data list section arranged to store a multiplicity of datum. Each datum includes a datum reference number that uniquely identifies that datum and is arranged to contain a plurality of representation zones. Each representation zone is arranged to hold data indicative of a particular representation of the data stored in the datum. The data structure also includes a trellis based recognition results section arranged to accommodate trellis based recognition results at a plurality of different trellis levels.

Abstract: A cell pressure control system is disclosed which has a two stage control mechanism. In the first stage, increased cell pressure causes a conductive deflection member to bend to a position where it opens an electrical contact and places the cell in open circuit. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and thereby possibly slowing or preventing further increases in cell pressure. The electrical contact relies only upon the pressure of two members (one of which is the deflection member) pushing against one another. If the cell's internal pressure continues to increase even after the pressure contact is broken, the second stage of the pressure control mechanism is activated. Specifically, a pressure rupturable region in the above-mentioned deflection member ruptures to relieve the cell's internal pressure. The pressure rupturable region is a circularity scored region on the conductive deflection member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and providing force feedback using an interface device manipulated by a user. A microprocessor is provided local to the interface device and reads sensor data from sensors that describes the position and/or other information about an object grasped and moved by the user, such as a joystick. The microprocessor provides the sensor data to a host computer that is coupled to the interface device by a communication bus that preferably includes a serial interface. In a "host-controlled" embodiment, the host computer calculates force values using the sensor data and other parameters of a host application program and sends the force values to the local microprocessor, which directly provides the force values to actuators to apply forces to the user object.

Abstract: In a combination faucet device (10) according to the invention, a movable valve member (160) slidingly moves relative to a main casing (30) to change a mixing ratio of high-temperature water supplied from a hot water port (116) to low-temperature water supplied from a cold water port (106). The movable valve member (160) is pressed by a temperature sensitive spring (130) in a first direction while being pressed by a bias spring (150) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The temperature sensitive spring (130) is exposed to water mixture and varies its spring constant according to the temperature of the water mixture. The temperature sensitive spring (130) accordingly moves the movable valve member (160) in a direction for decreasing the ratio of the high-temperature water to a certain position where the spring force of the temperature sensitive spring (130) balances with the spring force of the bias spring (150), thus allowing water mixture adjusted to a target.

Abstract: A variable latency cut through bridge (210) for selectively forwarding data packets (10) within a network (310) of computers (312), the variable latency cut through bridge (210) employing a variable latency bridging method wherein the latency factor of the variable latency cut through bridge (210) is set according to the position of a variable threshold point (428). The variable threshold point (428) is optionally set to within a rapid drop off portion (520) of a probability line (514) describing the probability that the data packet (10) is bad as a function of the amount of the packet (10) which has been examined within the variable latency cut through bridge (210).