Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods to carry out the task of both reducing the surface roughness (smoothing) and improving the thickness uniformity of, preferably, but not limited thereto, the top silicon film of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer or similar thin-film electronic and photonic materials (workpiece). It also provides a method and apparatus for smoothing the surface of a (preferably) SOI wafer (workpiece) and for making the surface of the silicon film of a (preferably) SOI wafer cleaner and more free from contaminants.

Abstract: From a quasi point source, light distribution means produce a selected one or ones of broadly distributed ambient light, non-shadowing task illumination, multi-beam display lighting, projective lineal lighting and projective surface washing illumination lineally or radially distributed. Collimation optics shape light from a quasi point source into a disc of selected axial thickness. Containment optics contain divergence of and direct light from the collimation optics to distribution optics. The distribution optics modulates and redirects the radiant energy into a shape or shapes useful in illuminating architectural space. The distribution optics may reflect or refract light to direct and shape it for a particular architectural illumination requirement. The efficient combination of the optics provides for a system of minimized thickness, permitting maximum flexibility in integration with or within shelves, soffits and other structural members.

Abstract: A pair of haircut scissors having hair-catching slits on one of their haircut edges are disclosed. Each slit is provided with a filler having a renewable microscopic nick on its top edge to prevent hairs from sliding along the haircut edges. The filler prevents hairs from entering the slits, and as the nick is renewable, the hair-holding property of the pair of haircut scissors will be permanently retained.

Abstract: An ionizing rod comprising a core having an outer surface with a plurality of ionizing points disposed along the outer surface of the core. The plurality of ionizing points are sufficiently dense upon the core surface such that air between the plurality of ionizing points and an object is sufficiently ionized to remove static charge from the object. The core material can be electrically conductive, insulative, or static dissipative. The methods to attach the ionizing points to the core include a pullover sleeve, made of fibers including ionizing points, and glue to adhere either fibers in electrical communication or not in electrical communication depending on whether conductive or non-conductive adhesive are employed. Alternative embodiments include a device for the ionizing charged particles to travel to ground or electrically charged and a grip.

Abstract: A bi-directional full duplex clocked bus including eight data lines, a clock line and a control line. The bus signals are low level differential with suitable drivers and receivers. The bus operation includes a protocol of sending groupings of eight bytes transmissions where a byte is sent on the rising and the falling edges of the clock signal. When reading the received data, delayed clocks are used that are formed at the center of both of the received clock signal phases. The delayed clocks may be used to output data on the outputs lines. The delayed clocks are arranged to be symmetrical with substantially no skew and centered to the phases of the received clock signal.

Abstract: A luminaire for creating a uniform light pattern on an architectural surface, in the form of uniformly diminishing light with the distance from the light source. The luminaire includes a quasi point light source arranged vertically in the vicinity of an architectural surface, and a multi-zone refractor assembly radially surounding the light source and bending the light from the source toward the architectural surface. There is a reflector above the light source for reflecting light from the source toward the architectural surface. The refractor assembly may include a Fresnel lens, a lower refracting condenser ring, a toroidal reflector, or a conical reflecting surface. The uppermost zone of the refractor assembly can include a reflector structure which collects and projects 180 degrees of the light from the light source in the same radial zone as the reflector structure toward and onto an upper conical reflector, and the reflector structure can include a parabolic reflector and a conical reflector.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for gas-cluster ion-beam deposition of thin films on silicon wafers rendered free of native oxides by termination of the surface bonds and subsequent reactive deposition. Hydrogen termination of the surface of silicon renders it inert to reoxidation from oxygen-containing environmental gasses, even those found as residue in vacuum systems, such as those used to deposit films. Nitrogen termination improves the interface with overlying metal-oxide thin films. The film is formed in intimate contact with the silicon crystal surface forming a nearly ideal interface.

Abstract: The application of gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) technology in order to modify the surface of a surgical implant such as the components of an artificial hip joint, thereby substantially reducing wear debris and osteolysis complications is disclosed. The approach of the surface modification comprises an atomic level surface smoothing utilizing GCIB to super smooth the femoral heads and/or the surfaces of the acetabular cups to reduce frictional wear at the interface of the bearing surfaces. A reduction in polyethylene debris and metal debris by GCIB smoothing on one or both bearing surfaces of a surgical implant reduces osteolysis, results in a substantial cost savings to the healthcare system, and reduces patient pain and suffering.

Abstract: An apparatus for smoothing a surface of a substrate includes an ionizer to form gas cluster particles; a power supply to accelerate the gas cluster particles; a triode/Einzel lens combination assembly to focus the accelerated gas cluster particles; a permanent magnet beam filter; scan plates to irradiate the filtered accelerated gas cluster particles onto a surface of a workpiece situated in a reduced pressure atmosphere chamber; and a substrate loading/unloading mechanism to load and unload the workpiece. The ionizer includes an alignment device wherein the alignment device includes a X/Y translation element and an angular translation element. The substrate loading/unloading mechanism provides a workpiece from a plurality of workpieces onto a holder positioned at a first position within the reduced pressure atmosphere chamber, the first position being substantially parallel to a central axis of a flow of the filtered accelerated gas cluster particles.

Abstract: A net is located on the top surface of a truck trailer or box body on a truck that traps and holds in place snow or ice that forms on the flat tops of the truck or trailer. The mesh of the net aids in breaking up the snow or ice into smaller lumps and thus redices the hazard from sheet of ice or snow slipping from the top of trucks or trailers as they travel on highways. A plastic or rope mesh material held above the surface of the truck or trailer top is preferred.

Abstract: An image lift tunnel scanner uses extended depth of field cameras in order to view objects of various shapes and sizes on a conveyor system. The image lift tunnel scanner operates by passing a package first through a dimensioning device, such light curtain that determines the package's height, width, length, orientation and position on the conveyor belt. A bottom scan camera takes a fixed focus image and requires only a trigger and length information from the light curtain. The length information determines the duration of the scan after the camera receives the trigger signal. A top scan camera also requires a trigger and the length information along with the height information so that it can set its focus. Each of two side cameras also receives trigger and length information. If the package is registered on the conveyor belt, the only additional information required is the package width and the package position on the conveyor belt so that the start and stop of the image scan can be calculated.

Abstract: A device enables a joystick to be connected to a PS/2® port converts signals from the joystick to mouse-like signals so that neither the software nor the hardware needs to be changed in order to use the joystick instead of the mouse. The directional signals of the joystick are converted to mouse-equivalent signals and discrete signals from the joystick are translated by a device formed and configured to a PS/2® port.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic package assembly in which a ball grid array (BGA) is surface mounted to a printed wiring board using solder balls. Tubing is placed along the perimeter of the BGA housing to prevent subsequently applied sealant from contacting the solder balls or filling the gap between the BGA housing and the printed wiring board. This results in a seal that prevents electrical disconnection in the solder joint during operation of the electronic package assembly.

Abstract: A sorting and conveying system has a longitudinally extending conveyor having at least one tilt tray, but preferably a plurality, on the conveyor for diverting selected articles from the conveyor. There is at least one hanger for holding a plurality of bags. A chute extends between the tilt tray and the hanger. A movable bowl diverter has an entrance opening near the top adjacent the chute and an exit opening near the bottom, so that articles diverted from the conveyor will be delivered to the exit opening. Means are provided for moving the bowl diverter so that the exit opening is positioned to deliver a selected article into a selected bag on said hanger. There are a plurality of tilt trays along the conveyor and a plurality of hangers so that a selected article on the conveyor may be delivered from a selected tilt tray to a selected bag. Means are provided for mounting the bowl diverter for rotational movement, and there is a drive for rotating the bowl diverter.

Abstract: A bicycle accessory mounting apparatus for releasably securing a bicycle accessory quickly and effectively to a bicycle seat post. The bicycle accessory mounting apparatus comprises a block having two holes, two gaps, and two snap lock quick connect mechanisms at opposing ends.

Abstract: A wheel transmission for mobility vehicle includes an input component capable movement at a first rate of motion for selectively driving an output component at either the first rate of motion or a second rate of motion. Operably connected between the input component and the output component is a conversion apparatus which enables the selective drive between the input component and the output component to take place. In addition, the conversion apparatus is capable of preventing the output component from being backdrivable, and thereby acting as a brake, when the vehicle is at rest.

Abstract: A process and system for switching connections of data packet flows between nodes of data processing system networks operating on diverse protocols according to the application layer information on the data packets. The process retrieves and hashes the header information to from an index into memory where a flow tag pointer is stored. The flow tag points to flow switching information that directs the forwarding of the packet. The switching information is sent along with the packet data to direct the forwarding state information about the flow is updated in the flow switching information. The hash function includes a multiplication and division by polynomials forming a hash result and a signature result. Both hash and signature are used to ensure that the information retrieved is valid. If invalid, The pre hashed header information is parsed to determine the forwarding information. This forwarding information is stored for later use and the appropriate flow tag pointer is stored in the hash result index.

Abstract: A color correlogram (10) is a representation expressing the spatial correlation of color and distance between pixels in a stored image. The color correlogram (10) may be used to distinguish objects in an image as well as between images in a plurality of images. By intersecting a color correlogram of an image object with correlograms of images to be searched, those images which contain the objects are identified by the intersection correlogram.