Abstract: A diffuser comprises a conduit having a cross-sectional area that increases in a direction fluid flow. In one embodiment, the diffuser is used to reduce the incidence and severity of flow fluctuations that occur in an electrostatic deposition apparatus. In some embodiments, the diffuser includes one or more flow control features. A first flow-control feature comprises one or more appropriately-shaped annular slits through which fluid having a greater momentum than a primary fluid moving through the diffuser is injected into the “boundary layer” near the wall of the diffuser. A second flow control feature comprises one or more annular slits or, alternatively, slots or holes that are disposed at appropriate locations around the circumference of the diffuser through which a portion of fluid flowing in the boundary layer is removed. Boundary-layer flow removal is effected, in one embodiment, by creating a pressure differential across such annular slit or slots.

Abstract: A paging method for information retrieval from broadcast disk systems is described. In response to a page request (e.g., a request for an item of data), the method selectively stores and evicts, in and from a fast memory, pages of data broadcasted by the broadcast disk system. The methods proceeds using a three-“color” labelling scheme, wherein the label assigned to a broadcasted page is based on how recently a given page was last requested. If a requested page is stored in fast memory, then the request is immediately served. If the requested page is not stored in fast memory, the request cannot be served until the requested page is broadcasted. While waiting for the requested page to be broadcasted, certain “somewhat-recently” requested pages are “prefetched,” wherein they are stored in fast memory even though there is no pending request for such pages.

Abstract: A method for photoeluting photocleavable linker-attached chemical compounds, and an apparatus suitable for implementing the method, are disclosed. According to the method, photocleavable linker-attached library compounds are photoeluted from solid support media under conditions of controlled light exposure and controlled temperature. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the present photoelution method includes means for substantially evenly illuminating the photocleavable linker, means for controlling illumination time and intensity, and means for controlling sample temperature.

Abstract: A wireless terminal is disclosed that is capable of establishing a communications channel with either a public wireless network or a private wireless network on existing IS-95 CDMA facilities without changing the air interface or requiring the existence of independent private network facilities. Furthermore, a wireless terminal is disclosed that enables a user of a wireless terminal to affect which private wireless network the wireless terminal accesses, again on existing IS-95 facilities and without changing the air interface. The wireless terminal comprises two or more lists of SID/NID signals: a default list and at least one override list. Both the default list and the override list provide a different preference for which public or private network the wireless terminal accesses when a call is placed from the wireless terminal. A switch in the wireless terminal advantageously causes the wireless terminal to use either the default list of SID/NID signals or one of the override lists of SID/NID signals.

Abstract: A dispenser for storing/dispensing pharmaceutical dosages that are provided in a stamp-like (flat) dosage form. In some embodiments, the present dispenser includes a housing for retaining a plurality of stacked, individual “stamp-like” pharmaceutical dosages. Disposed within the housing beneath the dosages is a bias element, such as a helical spring, that urges the dosages towards a dosage delivery port of the housing. From the dosage delivery port, dosages are dispensed through an aperture. In other embodiments, the instant dispenser includes a cylindrical main body for retaining pharmaceutical dosages having a stamp-like dosage form that are collectively organized in a roll. A dosage delivery port depending from the cylindrical main body receives dosages one at a time therefrom. The present dispenser is configured, in various embodiments, for manual, mechanically assisted, or automated dispensing.

Abstract: Mechanically compliant bumps for flip-chip bonding have a base that is deposited, for example, on the contact pad of a semiconductor chip. A thin wall depends from the periphery of the upper surface of base. The wall advantageously completely encircles the upper surface of the mechanically compliant bump. The wall, which is capable of flexing or deforming under pressure provides mechanical compliance. The wall is able to flex or deform under pressure even if the bump is formed from high-temperature metal. These mechanically compliant bumps facilitate sound electrical connections even when an electronics device is brought into contact for bonding out of parallel.

Abstract: An article for dispensing very small volumes of liquid via non touch-off transfer. The article includes a rotator that drives a liquid dispensing system in circular motion at constant rotational speed. The liquid dispensing system has a delivery system that is operatively connected to a dispensing element A small volume of liquid is advanced by the delivery system to the dispensing element. As a consequence of the circular motion, energy is imparted to the liquid causing it to forcibly issue from the dispensing element.

Abstract: Flow-regulation means for improving the operation of a liquid dispenser, and liquid dispensers incorporating the same, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the flow-regulation means includes a conduit for receiving a pressurized fluid, wherein a flow restriction restricts the flow of the pressurized fluid into the conduit. The flow restriction has a smaller flow area than the outlet of the dispensing valve. As a result, fluid is re-supplied to the conduit more slowly than it is dispensed through the dispensing valve. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the conduit is elastic. A dynamic pressure sensor is used to sense pressure in the elastic region. In an additional embodiment, the flow-regulation means includes a resilience-adjustment means operable to adjust the resilience or elasticity of an elastic portion of the conduit. Such adjustable resilience provides an additional measure of control over the dispensing process.

Abstract: An article comprising an optical cavity includes two mirrors, at least one of which is advantageously movable, that are spaced from and parallel to one another. In some embodiments, both mirrors are formed from unstressed single crystal silicon. The single crystal silicon used in some embodiments is advantageously sourced from single crystal silicon-on-insulator (“SOI”) wafers. In a method in accordance with the present invention, a first mirror is patterned in the thin silicon layer of a first SOI wafer. A standoff is disposed on the thin silicon layer near the first mirror. The thin silicon layer of a second SOI wafer is attached to the standoff such that there is a gap between the two, spaced, thin silicon layers. The thin silicon layer of the second SOI wafer is released forming a movable mirror by removing the thick layer of silicon and the buried oxide from that wafer.

Abstract: A method of detecting the occurrence of neuronal events in a brain with high temporal accuracy and of distinguishing between contemporaneous neuronal events is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, two or more stimuli are chosen and administered to a subject at a temporal interval apart. Each stimulus causes a neuronal event in the brain of the subject, and if the two neuronal events occur at the same time and at the same place, they interfere, which interference is manifested by different physiological effects than are caused by either neuronal event alone. When the interference is detected, the time interval between the first stimulus and the second stimulus can be compared to a nominal range. If the time interval is outside of the nominal range, then it suggests that a pathological condition exists.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method and an article for segregating solid support media or other solids, from liquid, while at the same time maintaining such solids and liquid in intimate contact as may be required for various processing or chemical operations. In an illustrative embodiment, the present article comprises a filter pocket plate consisting of a plate with a plurality holes. A foraminous material projects through each hole in the plate such that a “pocket” is formed within each hole. In use, the aforedescribed filter pocket plate engages a vessel having one or more wells suitable for retaining liquid and for receiving the filter pockets. The filter pockets contain a solid material that is to be exposed to the liquid in the well. After exposure is complete, the solid material is readily removed from the liquid by simply disengaging the filter pocket plate, which retains the solid support media, from the vessel, which retains the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a systematic method for “engineering” hybrid inorganic/organic compounds (IOCs) to exhibit specific physico-chemical properties as may be desired for a particular materials application. Such hybrid inorganic/organic compounds comprise, in some embodiments, an organic phase in the form of a polymer matrix and an inorganic phase that is chemically linked thereto. In one embodiment of the method, given a specific application, (i) desired physico-chemical properties to be possessed by the hybrid IOC are defined; (ii) candidate inorganic and organic phases are selected; (iii) the morphology of those phases is controlled via “microstructural engineering” such that the phases collectively exhibit the physico-chemical properties required of the hybrid IOC; and (iv) the morphology of the hybrid IOC is controlled via “macrostructural engineering” such that the physico-chemical collectively possessed by the phases are exhibited by the hybrid IOC.

Abstract: A wireless terminal and auxiliary system are disclosed that enable the wireless terminal to determine its location based on signals transmitted from navigation satellites. In particular, the tasks of signal acquisition and signal processing required of a wireless terminal in the prior art are divided between the wireless terminal and the auxiliary system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment. The auxiliary system assists the wireless terminal by acquiring information about the satellites' ephemerides, by partially processing it and by transmitting the partially processed information to the wireless terminal in a form that is useful to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal then uses the partially processed information from the auxiliary system to assist the wireless terminal in acquiring the ranging signals from the navigation satellites quickly and when they are weak.

Abstract: A method and article for monitoring and controlling power drift in the output of a diode array is described. The diode array is used, for example, as a light pump for a fiber laser. In one embodiment, an improved fiber laser includes the light pump, which launches light into a laser cavity. The fiber laser further includes a sampler operable to receive at least a portion of the light before it is launched into the laser cavity. The sampled portion represents a known fraction of the total light signal generated by the light pump. In some embodiments, the sampled light is directed, via the sampler, to a photodetector. The photodetector converts the sampled light into a first electrical signal and delivers it to a processor. The processor is operable to compare the electrical signal with a set-point signal representative of a desired power output of the sampled portion of the launched light.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system architecture is disclosed that is capable of supporting a centralized block radio architecture and of distributing the information-bearing signals from the block radio to geographically-dispersed radio heads using relatively low-cost cable (e.g., twisted-pair, etc.). In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a radio multiplexes, modulates, and channel codes one or more information-bearing signals and upconverts them, not to radio frequency, but to an intermediate frequency that can be transmitted over a low-cost cable. Co-located with each radio head is an upconverter that upconverts the intermediate frequency signal to radio frequency in preparation for radiation by an antenna.

Abstract: A wideband CDMA transmission system is disclosed that incorporates transmit diversity in both frequency and space. Some embodiments of the present invention are capable of transmitting a wideband signal with a high data rate to an appropriately-designed wideband CDMA wireless terminal and are also capable of transmitting a narrowband (e.g, IS-95 compliant) signal to a CDMA wireless terminal in the prior art. Some embodiments of the present invention are capable of co-existing in the same frequency spectrum that is allocated to existing narrowband wireless systems. And in some embodiments of the present invention the coded symbols from the interleaver are distributed among multiple carriers that are then radiated by spatially separated antennas.

Abstract: A wireless terminal and auxiliary system are disclosed that enable the wireless terminal to determine its location based on signals transmitted from navigation satellites. In particular, the tasks of signal acquisition and signal processing required of a wireless terminal in the prior art are divided between the wireless terminal and the auxiliary system in accordance with the illustrative embodiment. The auxiliary system assists the wireless terminal by acquiring information about the satellites' ephemerides, by partially processing it and by transmitting the partially processed information to the wireless terminal in a form that is useful to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal then uses the partially processed information from the auxiliary system to assist the wireless terminal in acquiring the ranging signals from the navigation satellites quickly and when they are weak.

Abstract: An article comprising a multi-port variable capacitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a movable plate is suspended above at least a first and a second, fixed, electrically-isolated electrode. The first electrode is electrically connected to a bias supply, and the second electrode is electrically connected to an AC signal-carrying line. As bias is applied across the first electrode and the movable plate, an electrostatic attraction is developed therebetween that causes the movable plate to move downwardly towards the first electrode. The capacitance of the variable capacitor increases as the separation distance between the movable plate and the fixed electrodes decreases. Unlike conventional variable capacitors, in the present multi-port variable capacitors, the bias (delivered via the first electrode) and the signal (delivered via the second electrode) are electrically isolated from one another. As such, the bias (DC) and signal (AC) paths are advantageously electrically isolated.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications network is disclosed in which all of the facilities (e.g., wireless switching centers, base stations, etc.) are mobile, and, therefore, are capable of being moved while the system provides wireless telecommunications service to one or more wireless terminals. In particular, the present invention is advantageous in that any or all of the various facilities can move relative to each other without the need to suspend the provision of service. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of base stations in a hierarchical network, wherein: each of the base stations comprises the identity of its filial base stations, if any, and wirelessly communicates with its filial base stations; and each of the base stations comprises the identity of its lineal base stations, if any.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for scheduling an indexed data broadcast such that both mean access time and mean tuning time are reduced to a practical minimum. In one embodiment of such a method, data items are first scheduled for broadcast. Such data items are advantageously scheduled such that: (1) all data items to be broadcasted are equally spaced; and (2) when indexed with appropriate “indexing keys,” the indexing information can be efficiently stored and broadcasted. In one embodiment, a schedule having a mean access time about 1.5× that of the theoretical minimum is provided. The indexing information is advantageously arranged in a way that allows for efficient delivery thereof to clients to apprise them of the broadcast schedule of the data items. The indexing information is advantageously arranged in a tree structure referred to herein as an “indexing tree.