Abstract: One or two, or more, additional conductive layers, separated from one another (if two or more) and separated from a patterned (signal) conductive layer are formed in a flexible substrate, for mounting a semiconductor die in a semiconductor device assembly. These additional layers are used as separate planes for carrying power and/or ground from outside the assembly to the die, on a separate plane from signals entering or exiting the die. TAB processes are disclosed for cutting, bending and bonding inner and outer portions of selected signal layer traces to respective inner and outer edge portions of the additional conductive layer(s), including a two-stage process of (1) first cutting, bending and tacking the selected traces to the additional layer(s), and then (2) repositioning a bonding tool and securely bonding the selected traces to the additional layer(s). A tool (die pedestal) for aiding in the assembly process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Testing of a semiconductor integrated circuit is conducted by determining all paths leading to a failed location on a chip. Potentially faulty locations are then determined by finding faults which occurred at the same time the failing vector was scanned, and the intersection of the paths and the faulty locations form a smaller set of potentially faulty locations on the IC. Further testing of the nodes which are in this smaller set is performed until a single location or small portion of a chip may be visually inspected with little effort.

Abstract: A method for suppressing noise encountered during testing of large semiconductor chips is disclosed herein. Output drivers on the semiconductor chip may occasionally produce errant signals during testing, and such errant signals may be coupled through ground or nearby pins which are asynchronous edge sensitive pins to produce false internal transitions. The false internal transitions can cause the chip to fail the test. The proposed method suppresses the noise by disabling the output drivers during portions of the test which may induce errant signals and enables the output drivers when such potentially errant signals have passed.

Abstract: A method for making superconducting ceramic precursor films by electrodeposition. In the electrodeposition step, superconducting precursor metal ions are electrodeposited onto a working electrode by applying a combined direct current voltage upon which is superimposed an alternating current having a frequency of between about 5 to 100 KHz. The resulting electrodeposited film is particularly well suited for further oxidation/annealing to form a superconducting ceramic.

Abstract: A luggage trolley comprises a lower support member having a first and a second cup members respectively attached to the two ends thereof. A shaft member extends through the lower support member with a pair of wheels respectively mounted on the two ends thereof to rollingly support the lower support member on the ground. A pair of first tubular members are respectively insertedly received within the cup members and extending therefrom. A pair of extension members, each of which is constituted by a second and a third tubular members, are respectively telescopically inserted into the first tubular members. An upper support member is releasably mounted between the upper ends of the first tubular members so as to define a trunk loading area with the first tubular members and the lower support member.

Abstract: Variably compliant natural tissue valve leaflets and vascular bioprosthetics incorporating variably compliant leaflets are provided along with methods for their manufacture. The variably compliant leaflets are fixed with the leaflet base section under greater pressure than the leaflet tip section rendering them relatively stiff along the leaflet base section and more flexible at the leaflet tip section. The radially variable flexing characteristics of the valve leaflets promote even distribution of mechanical stress on the valve assembly during the cardiac cycle leading to improved hemodynamic performance while retarding the calcification of the leaflet tissue.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package, and integrated circuit assembly having such a package, includes a base portion and a cover portion which cooperatively enclose an integrated circuit chip. The base and cover portions are formed of composite material and have matching coefficients of thermal expansion. Because the base and cover portions each match the other's thermal expansions and contractions, no stresses are generated in the package from heating and cooling during and following operation of the integrated circuit chip, and no such thermally produced physical stresses are transferred to the circuit chip to shorten its life. A version of the package includes plural lamina, and may include facial metallic coating layers on the lamina for shielding, electromagnetic shielding, and electrical interconnection of the integrated circuit chip. Another version of the package utilizes the facial metallic coating layers to join portions of the package by soldering.

Abstract: A universal AC adaptor has a transformer unit for converting standard AC line voltage to DC voltage and a plurality of plugs. Each plug has a flexible lead coupled to an output cord from the transformer unit at a coupler box. The leads allow the plugs to move independently of one another. Each plug also has a socket having a particular configuration which is different from the sockets of all the other plugs. Each socket is configured to mate with a particular receiving socket of a DC or an AC electrical appliance. The AC adaptor has enough plugs so as to be useable with most of the models of electrical appliance of a particular consumer electronic market, for example, video game units.

Abstract: An aqueous mistletoe extract made from European mistletoe. The extract is useful in treating AIDS, cancers and other diseases where the immune system is suppressed. The extract is a pharmaceutical grade extract which has specific levels of lectins, viscotoxins and alkaloidal compounds which combine to provide the observed pharmacological activity. A lectin fingerprint of the extract is also provided.

Abstract: A scanning fingerprint reader provides a set of digital data representing interface topology of a fingerprint pressed against a platen (20). The platen (20) is formed by one surface of a prism (10) utilizing total internal reflection of an illuminating beam (30) directed at an interior surface of the prism. The beam (37) that is output from the prism is fed through a scanning lens (40) to a scanning mirror (48) that causes the fingerprint image (68) to scan across a linear array (60) of CCD sensors that is repetitively sampled to provide a print readout of the entire surface of the prism for reading a slap print. The signal from the CCD array is read out and digitized (72,74,76) to provide a serial bit stream (78) representing the set of multiple fingerprints on the platen. An optical architecture (40,48,56) employing dual telecentricity eliminates keystoning distortion.

Abstract: A fishing reel includes a reel body including a first side frame, a second side frame and an elongated frame formed therebetween. A driven shaft is rotatably mounted in the elongated free. A drive shaft is detachably mounted in the driven shaft for rotating the driven shaft therewith. A handle portion is engaged with the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft therewith. A cap is rotatably mounted around one of the first and second side plates. A stud is fixedly formed in the cap and is threadedly engaged in an inner thread of one distal end of the drive shaft for retaining the drive shaft in the driven shaft. A spool shaft is slidably mounted in the reel body and a spool is rotatably mounted around the spool shaft.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor driving circuit, by which energy can be used efficiently, the inverse-phase braking is possible, and the torque ripple can be controlled through the change of the current shape.

Abstract: A device for compressing tires and other compressible items in a shipping container comprises a support frame 22 attached to the lift end of a forklift. A fixture 20 is attached to and moves vertically with the support frame. The fixture comprises a horizontal compression platen 30. A vertical pusher plate 50 extends above and below the platen. The upper pusher plate 53, which is above the platen, can fold down so that the platen can be brought near the ceiling of a shipping container above a stack of tires. The fixture weighs enough to compress tires stacked below the compression platen. Additional tires are stacked above the platen and compressed tires. The upper pusher plate is then folded up, against the tires. Two hydraulic cylinders push the pusher plate away from the support frame to pull the platen from between the tires.

Abstract: A refrigerator door construction is disclosed which includes door rail elements formed from a foamed polymeric substance. At least one substantially transparent panel is supported, retained by and sealed in the door rail. Connection elements are provided for connecting the door rail elements. At least one hinge is provided for allowing pivotal movement of the door about an axis. The foam rail element may also form one or more spacer elements between adjacent panels so that separate, discrete spacer bars may be eliminated.

Abstract: A security mechanism for securing a movable closure supported within a frame, the closure being movable from a secured position to a plurality of unsecured positions, preferably having a securing element having at least one opening, a base element, a slider element movably mounted on the base element and a latch element comprising at least one locking latch pivotally attached to the base element. The locking latch preferably has a first cam surface for engaging a cam post located on the slider element and a second cam surface for engaging the opening of the securing element. When the closure is moved to its secured position, the second cam surface of the locking latch engages the opening of the securing element thereby causing the locking latch to pivot and lock to the opening of the securing element.

Abstract: In an articulated bed having a motor for raising and lowering the bed, a control circuit operated by the user has first user memory for storing a first user variable indicating a user-selected first preferred bed position and a recall button by which the user can command that a handler routine in the control circuit return the bed to the first preferred bed position indicated by the first user variable. Further, the control circuit can have a tracking memory for frequently storing a tracking variable indicating the current position of the bed and a "store" or "program" button or control by which the user can command that the first user variable be set to equal the current tracking variable. Thus, any time the bed is in a position preferred by the user, the user can push the "store" button to store a user variable indicating the preferred bed position in the controller's memory; then afterwards the user can have the bed return to that preferred position by pressing the "recall" button.

Abstract: A system and method for generating special effects showers of sparks for use in theme park shows and rides. A flint rod is biased with fluid pressure against a cutting wheel of this system. When a clutch is actuated for a brief predetermined time period, a constant high speed motor is operatively connected to the cutting wheel, rapidly rotating it. The rotating wheel cuts, ignites and discharges small portions of the flint rod biased thereagainst away therefrom in a stream of sparks. An air stream directs the stream of sparks out as a special effects shower of sparks. One embodiment of this system propels the spark stream out through a venturi nozzle. By changing the gas stream fluid pressure and/or the clutch connect time and/or the flint rod biasing pressure and/or the clutch connect/disconnect interval timing, the size and characteristics of the shower of sparks can be accurately controlled and altered as desired.