Abstract: An improved extended cardbus/PC card controller (20) incorporating proprietary Split-Bridge™ high speed serial communication technology for interconnecting a conventional parallel system bus via a high speed serial link with a remote peripheral device. The extend cardbus/PC card controller is adapted to interface the parallel system bus, which may be PCI, PCMCIA, integrated, or some other parallel I/O bus architecture, with peripheral devices via PC cards, and now optionally via a high speed serial link using the proprietary serial Split-Bridge™ technology. The serial Split-Bridge™ technology provides real time interconnection between the parallel system bus and the remote device which may also be based on a parallel system data bus architecture, over a serial link, which serial link appears to be transparent between the buses and thus facilitates high speed data transfer exceeding data rates of 1.0 GigaHertz.

Abstract: An adaptor for quickly connecting a computer cable connection to a receiving member including a body, a first and second port connector, and a biasing member. The biasing member maintains ratchet like teeth particularly useful in grasping internal threading such as that found in computer port housing. The connection apparatus securingly connects a traditional jack screw-type receiving member cable connection to a receiving member via actuation of the biasing member. The biasing member may preferably be a resilient member such as a spring or spring-like mechanism.

Abstract: A bridge accessible by a host processor can expand access over a first bus to a second bus. The first bus and the second bus are each adapted to separately connect to respective ones of a plurality of bus-compatible devices. Allowable ones of the devices include memory devices and input/output devices. The bridge has a link, together with a first and a second interface. The first interface is coupled between the first bus and the link.

Abstract: During a CMP operation, vibration-caused variations in the forces holding a wafer against a polishing pad, and/or relatively moving the pad and the wafer are measured and the standard deviation thereof is used to minimize or eliminate the deleterious effects of the vibrations.

Abstract: A device (28) and method for detecting endpoints (Ep1, Ep2) of a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process for semiconductor wafers (14). A carrier current signal driving a polishing carrier motor is received and detected, the carrier current signal is modified, and the modified carrier current is analyzed to detect at least one endpoint of the polishing process. The device (28) includes a detector (40), a logic circuit (42) and storage (44).

Abstract: An improved method of using a single catheter to infuse blood to the heart, clamping the aorta and delivering a cardioplegia solution. Patient trauma is significantly reduced using a single cannulation. A single catheter (10, 90, 92) is used having a unique balloon (56, 93, 102) for occluding the aorta. In a first embodiment, a single catheter (10) is positioned upwardly in the aorta to infuse oxygenated blood into the ascending aorta via an infusion lumen (72) terminating at the distal end (54), with cardioplegia solution being delivered via openings (82) defined closely adjacent the balloon (56) on the proximal side of the balloon. The inflated balloon (56) isolates the two delivery openings (72,82) from one another to facilitate use of an extracorporeal circuit.

Abstract: A PWM DC motor control circuit having improved current sensing. A power switching device controls the DC motor in a common drain connection, whereby armature current sensing is achieved at the negative side of the power switching device. The control for the power switching device and the PWM control circuit are both referenced to the negative rail, and thus do not float or move up and down with the motor modulation. An RC combination is controllably and synchronously switched across the current sense resistor to produce a voltage Ve across the RC combination when the motor power switch is on. This RC combination provides an average voltage of Ve to the PWM control that provides a waveform that replicates very nearly the armature motor current. The DC motor control current has improved immunity to noise generated by the PWM control and other ambient noise.

Abstract: A catheter and method of use adapted to intermittently deliver fluids to and drain fluids from a body vessel having an interior lumen occluding balloon. The selective inflation and deflation of the inner balloon controls the occlusion or communication of an inner lumen. The inner occluding balloon is defined between the distal end of the catheter and a proximal lumen opening allowing for the selective isolation of the proximal openings from the catheter distal end. The catheter of the present invention and several methods of use thereof are ideally suited for aortic perfusion and providing myocardial infusion in antegrade fashion using a single lumen. The catheter is further provided with a double lobed outer balloon for selectively occluding the body vessel, such as the aorta, and to provide a bloodless region to complete the proximal end of an anastomosis while perfusing the myocardium to restart the heart.

Abstract: A venous return catheter (30, 56, 60, 70) and method of use therefor having a semi-rigid support member (32) extending within a lumen (42) to prevent kinking thereof during insertion and use. The tubular walls of the catheter body (40,72) are sufficiently thin and flexible to provide maneuverability and allow clamping of the lumen (42) during use, but which outer diameter is sufficiently small and thus requires a smaller and less traumatic incision in the right atrium. The catheter is provided with a plurality of openings (34) along a length proximate the distal end of the catheter, and may have a second set of openings (74) in a two-stage catheter (70). The semi-rigid support member (32) is fixedly or selectively secured at a central location of the distal tip 44 free of the openings (34), but is free at the proximal end of the catheter to provide maneuverability. The semi-rigid support member may have a plurality of radially extending support members (57) to provide additional support.

Abstract: A method (10) of phosphorus doping a semiconductor particle using ammonium phosphate. A p-doped silicon sphere is mixed with a diluted solution of ammonium phosphate having a predetermined concentration. These spheres are dried (16, 18), with the phosphorus then being diffused (20) into the sphere to create either a shallow or deep p-n junction. A good PSG glass layer is formed on the surface of the sphere during the diffusion process. A subsequent segregation anneal process is utilized to strip metal impurities from near the p-n junction into the glass layer. A subsequent HF strip procedure is then utilized to removed the PSG layer. Ammonium phosphate is not a restricted chemical, is inexpensive, and does not pose any special shipping, handling, or disposal requirement.

Abstract: A digital color transient improvement (CTI) method and apparatus for enhancing the color sharpness of a chrominance signal by increasing the steepness of color edges without ringing. A median logic circuit (30) samples three signals A, B and C, and selects values from these three signals to provide an output signal that has steep color edges. One signal (A) is the non-processed input signal, a second signal (C) is a twice delayed input signal, and the third signal (B) is the derivative of the once delayed input signal. The present invention is ideally utilized by an SVP and requires a minimum number of instructions, but can also be implemented by a small number of gates on an ASIC or FPGA.

Abstract: An illumination system (10) for exposing a xerographic printing apparatus (12). The system (10) includes a DMD-type imaging spatial light modulator (46), and a DMD-type optical switch (26) for modulating the intensity of the source light (15) irradiating the imaging DMD (46). A single conventional continuous wave tungsten lamp (14) is implemented with its light energy directed by a condensing lens (20) onto the DMD optical switch (26). The DMD optical switch (26) modulates the incident light (15), and passes reflected light to a light integrator (38), which in turn homogenizes and increases the aspect ratio of the light. The light integrator (38) directs the homogenized light via an anamorphic lens (40) onto the imaging DMD (46). The light energy provided to the imaging DMD (46) is precisely modulated in intensity, while remaining uniformly disbursed. The combination incandescent lamp (14) and optical DMD switch (26) offers a low cost, high-intensity alternative to LED arrays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) of aligning color modulation data to color wheel filter segments (13) in a field sequential color spatial light modulator display system. A color wheel (12) having a plurality of colored segments (13) joined at spokes (14) is rotated before a narrow light beam (20). The colored light (22) is observed until light of a mixed color is detected, this light of mixed color corresponding to light of equal portions from the two segments adjacent the spoke. The time between a wheel marker (42) is detected and when the predetermined mixed color is observed is measured. Optical sensors (50) can be utilized to sense a mixed color, such as magenta derived from the combination of a red/blue transition, but also can be done manually by briefly illuminating the wheel to visually ascertain this predetermined color.

Abstract: A tracking filter (10,80) which transitions from a type 2 loop to a type 1 loop as the loop error approaches 0 for fast settling and convergence without overshoot or ringing. The filter can either be implemented as an analog circuit (10) in hardware or digitally (80) in software. A first integrator (30) or first accumulator (82) is utilized to increment or decrement a discriminator (22,96) output error value as long as the sign of its output (32) from the previous iteration is the same as a sign of the error signal provided to its input (26) by the error discriminator (22,96). The first integrator output is limited to a range by a limiter (42) between a minimum and maximum value. If the sign of the first integrator output is different from the sign of the input, the contents of the first integrator or accumulator are dumped. The output from the first integrator or first accumulator has binary scaling (44,94) to scale its value before adding it to a second integrator (50) or second accumulator (88).

Abstract: A method (10,30) of boron doping a semiconductor particle using boric acid to obtain a p-type doped particle. Either silicon spheres or silicon powder is mixed with a diluted solution of boric acid having a predetermined concentration. The spheres are dried (16), with the boron film then being driven (18) into the sphere. A melt procedure mixes the driven boron uniformly throughout the sphere. In the case of silicon powder, the powder is metered out (38) into piles and melted/fused (40) with an optical furnace. Both processes obtain a p-type doped silicon sphere with desired resistivity. Boric acid is not a restricted chemical, is inexpensive, and does not pose any special shipping, handling, or disposal requirements.

Abstract: While setting up a fixed wireless system, each subscriber radiotelephone is configured to a permanent home cell. Subscribers located at the border of a cell may be configured to multiple cells for better coverage. The signal levels at the border subscriber's position are received and the mean values of each determined. These mean values are listed in descending order. If the largest mean value is greater than a predetermined threshold, the subscriber is configured to only the home cell. If the largest mean value is within a predetermined range, the second largest mean value is evaluated to determine if it is within the predetermined range. If so, the subscriber is configured to both serving cells. If the second largest mean value is outside the predetermined range, the subscriber is configured to only the home cell.

Abstract: A high contrast spatial light modulator (40) formed of micro-mechanical pixels (10). The supporting superstructure comprising the posts (12) and hinges (16) of the pixels (10) are shielded by an umbrella-like elevated light shield (42) extending over the hinge and posts. These light shields (42) are generally square in shape, and have edges arranged at approximately 45.degree. with respect to the incident light to minimize diffraction of light therefrom into projection optics. The upper surfaces of the shields may be anodized to achieve a non-reflective, black surface when viewed through darkfield optics. The shields (42) are fabricated using conventional semiconductor processes, which are a natural extension of the baseline process.

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflection pass-band filter in an optical fiber waveguide is provided by grating elements arranged to provide improved flatness of reflection pass-band, a high rate of roll-off, and reduced amplitude side-bands by the use of chirp and apodisation profiles that are related such that the square of the coupling coefficient is substantially proportional to the rate of change of chirp.

Abstract: A color image display system (10, 110, 120, 150) having a lamp power supply (78, 134, 152) switching rate being a multiple of, and synchronized to, a video frame rate. An AC component of a lamp driving waveform which may cause variations in intensity of the lamp output is synchronized to the video frame rate. Synchronizing the lamp power supply switching rate to the frame rate stops the beating and rolling of color bands in the video frame that may be produced by a ripple in light intensity. An odd number of switching cycles per two frame periods is chosen to alternate the phase of the ripple pattern frame-to-frame for ripple cancellation through integration. The lamp driving waveform may be amplitude modulated (90) to balance a lamp (14) that has spectral deficiencies. A DMD spatial light modulator (26) is utilized to modulate the colored light and generate a light image on a display (42) in either a sequential, or non-sequential image display system.