Abstract: An inspection station for determining the characteristics of a visible overlay pattern on a ceramic substrate includes an electronic camera unit directed at each corner of the overlay pattern. The inspection station is calibrated using a calibration substrate having a known pattern, portions of which are viewed by the cameras. The cameras remain stationary during both the calibration process and during the subsequent inspection of one or more substrates. In a first version of the station, a holder holding the substrate in place is split into quadrants, which are moved with associated camera units to accommodate varying sizes of rectangular substrates. In a second version, a lens is added to increase the magnification of the optical path to the camera units.

Abstract: A method for determining whether short circuits exist among networks within a circuit under test includes bringing test probes into contact with each such network and switching groups of the test probes among two sides of a test circuit so that current flows through the testing circuit only when one of the test probes connected to one side of the testing circuit is connected by means of a short circuit to one of the test probes connected to the other side of the test circuit. This first test process establishes the fact that a short circuit exists without determining which networks are connected by the short circuit. A version of this method subsequently applies tests to individual networks to make this determination, in the event that a short circuit is found to exist by the first test process. Other versions of this method additionally determine which networks are connected to which other networks by short circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus for contact exposing each side of a substrate to a different image on a mask includes a first-side imaging station for imaging the first side of the substrate, a second-side imaging station for imaging the second side thereof, an intermediate station between the imaging stations for inverting the substrate. In each imaging station, the substrate is moved longitudinally with a transport carriage, from which it is transferred to an imaging carriage to be driven to an imaging point at which illumination through the mask occurs. The imaging carriage moves in both longitudinal and transverse directions, providing for both exposure to a mask covering the substrate and for step-and-repeat exposure of multiple portions of the substrate to a smaller image. Before exposure, the top surface of the substrate is aligned to be parallel to the adjacent mask, fiducial markings in the substrate are aligned with fiducial markings on the mask, and air is evacuated from the area between the mask and the substrate.

Abstract: A fixture for external bone fixation includes a number of pins clamped within pin mounting holes. Each pin extends through a flexible sleeve and through a clamping nut. Each pin mounting hole includes a pilot hole guiding the pin and an internally threaded portion engaging an externally threaded portion of the clamping nut. As the clamping nut is tightened, the flexible sleeve is longitudinally compressed, so that it expands transversely to clamp itself within the pin mounting hole and to clamp the pin within itself. A fixture configured particularly for external fixation of a fractured distal radius includes a number of such pins configured for attachment within a shaft portion of the radius and a number of such pins configured to attachment to a fragment of the fractured radius. The fixture also includes a sliding attachment block supporting a number of pins extending for lateral attachment to such a fragment.

Abstract: A communications adapter card provides an interface for a TI or E1 transmission line and a signal processing circuit which can be programmed to process receive and transmit data in either an ISDN or an ATM format. Preferably, two such interfaces and two such signal processing circuits are provided on the card, so that a single adapter card can be used for attachment to both an ISDN network and to an ATM network. Each signal processing circuit includes a pair of DSPs, each of which has a two port buffer extending to a parallel bus. All such DSPs are connected to a data bus. The DSPs in each signal processing circuit execute programs to operate in either an ATM mode or an ISDN mode.

Abstract: The locking member of a ZIF socket, which is movable between a locked position, in which high contact forces are present between contact springs within the socket and pins extending from an electronic module into the socket, and an unlocked position, in which the pins are released from the contact springs, is held in the locked position by means of a portion of a clamping spring inserted into a gap between the locking member and a portion of the housing of the ZIF socket. The clamping spring also holds a heat sink in place on the electronic module.

Abstract: The probe tip of a scanning probe microscope is scanned either along an X- or Y-direction of the apparatus, or along a scan line forming an acute angle with both the X- and Y-directions. During scanning, an excitation vibration is applied in the Z-direction, perpendicular to the surface of the sample being scanned. In a first mode of operation, a dithering vibration is applied to the probe tip, along the scan line. In a second mode of operation, the probe tip is dithered in a circular motion, which is used to identify the direction in which a wall extends along the sample surface. Alternately, in a third mode of operation, the probe tip is dithered in X- and Y-directions at differing vibrational frequencies to identify this direction of a wall. When this direction is identified, the probe proceeds straight up or down the wall to obtain an accurate profile thereof.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope operates in the manner of an atomic force microscope during intermittent periods of scanning motion, in which a sample surface is driven so that a scan line on the surface is moved past a probe tip being vibrated in engagement with the surface. Between these intermittent periods of scanning motion, the vibrating probe tip is moved out of engagement with the sample surface, so that the amplitude and phase shift of probe tip vibrations are determined by the gradient of a force field extending outward from the sample surface. Such a force field is established when the probe tip is attracted by, or repelled from, a magnetic or electric field at or near the sample surface. For each sample point, the system stores data representing the height of the sample surface and the force field.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a stationary stator and an external armature moving with a coil moving within a magnetic structure. A linear bearing including a stationary track fastened to the stator and a moving track fastened to the armature extends on each side of the magnetic structure. In each linear bearing, balls rotate between the stationary and moving tracks with movement of the armature. During the process of manufacturing the linear actuator, the moving track of each linear bearing is loosely mounted to the armature, a pre-load force is applied to the moving track using a tool fastened to the armature, and the moving track is clamped in place so that the pre-load force is subsequently maintained.

Abstract: A port connector of a computing system is provided with a flexible electrical contact for determining the presence of the electrically grounded flange of a cable connector which may be attached to the port connector. Using this feature, the computing system can determine whether a peripheral device is attached to the port connector by means of a cable.

Abstract: A circuit card assembly includes a circuit card having a first type of connector extending along one of its longitudinal edges and a second type of circuit connector extending along its other longitudinal edge, so that the card assembly can be plugged into one type of computer bus or inverted and plugged into a second type of computer bus. Provisions are made for inverting a card bracket attached to an end of the card assembly, so that it is correct for both types of installations. In either case, the I/O connector(s) (if any) of the card assembly extend through the bracket for the connection of external cable(s).

Abstract: A card cage for holding expansion cards and filler panels within a computer system includes a ledge and a pivoted bar which is clamped in place adjacent to the ledge. A number of flexible portions of the pivoted bar clamp end portions of the filler panels and of brackets forming parts of the expansion cards against the ledge, so that these end portions are held in place while being electrically grounded. The bar is preferably pivoted about an axis extending parallel to the surface of the ledge and parallel to a slotted panel forming part of the card cage.

Abstract: A support fixture for setting a fractured distal radius includes a housing having a strap for fastening the fixture to the patient's forearm, a sliding section, sliding within the housing as a screw is rotated, and a pivoting section extending from a distal end of the sliding section. The sliding section also includes a structure for supporting the patient's wrist. The distal end of the pivoting section includes a pair of fingertraps. Two of the patient's fingers are held in the fingertraps, while an extension force is applied between his forearm and hand through the rotation of the screw, and while his hand is twisted by adjusting the angle of the pivoting section to increase the gap between fractured sections of bone, causing reduction of the fracture to occur.

Abstract: The locking member of a ZIF socket, which is movable between a locked position, in which high contact forces are present between contact springs within the socket and pins extending from an electronic module into the socket, and an unlocked position, in which the pins are released from the contact springs, is held in the locked position by means of a portion of a clamping spring inserted into a gap between the locking member and a portion of the housing of the ZIF socket. The clamping spring also holds a heat sink in place on the electronic module.

Abstract: Laser texturing apparatus includes an acousto-optical modulator which deflects a continuous laser beam into a first optical projection path to texture a first side of a disk or into a second optical projection path to texture a second side of the disk. The modulator causes lateral movement of the laser beam in a first direction as it is initially deflected into the first optical projection path and at the end of its deflection into this path. The modulator also caused lateral movement of the laser beam in a second direction as it is initially deflected into the second optical path and at the end of its deflection into this path. Each optical projection path is configured so that this lateral movement is in the direction of movement of the disk being textured at the spots at which it is textured.

Abstract: A manufacturing process includes mitering each end of a central member and mitering a single end of each of two end members formed, along with the central member, from a single piece of extruded stock having an inner surface including upper and lower attachment slots and an outer surface including upper and lower trim receiving slots. An "L"-shaped corner bracket is placed to extend within the upper and lower attachment slots at each end of the central member and between such slots at the mitered ends of the end members. A heat forming process is then applied to form corners of a decorative trim strip which is then placed to extend between the upper and lower trim receiving slots of the end members and the central members.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope having a probe attachment fixture, to which a probe assembly is removably attached during measurements, driven in an engagement direction, and a sample stage driven in scanning directions perpendicular to the engagement direction includes a buffer with a number of buffer stations within the sample stage. When the stage is driven so that one of the buffer stations is in alignment with the attachment fixture, and when the attachment fixture is driven in the engagement direction to be in proximity to the buffer station, the probe assembly is selectively transferred in either direction between the attachment fixture and the buffer station. In a preferred embodiment, probe assemblies are transferred on transfer pallets, and a stationary magazine is provided for storing these pallets, which are transferred in either direction between the magazine and the buffer.

Abstract: Apparatus is configured to provide an alarm perceivable by a user when an increase in a level of force applied to a foot exceeds a threshold value determined by a variable resistance. The level of force is determined from a pressure established within a transducer in an insole placed, for example, within the shoe of the user. This pressure is converted into an electrical signal within a pressure transducer within a control box. This electrical signal charges a capacitor to produce a voltage which is compared with a voltage level corresponding to the threshold value. The result of this comparison is used to determine when the alarm is provided.

Abstract: The vibrating probe of a scanning force microscope is brought into engagement with a sample surface in an initial approach process moving the probe toward the sample surface until the amplitude of probe vibration at an excitation frequency is measurably affected by forces between the tip and the sample, and then in a final approach process in which a change in vibration amplitude caused by a dithering vibration superimposed on the excitation vibration exceeds a pre-determined threshold limit. The excitation frequency is reduced if the phase angle of vibrations exceeds another limit, and the amplitude of the excitation driving function is increased as the amplitude or tip vibration falls below a setpoint. During approach and scanning, vibration amplitude is measured through a demodulator having an intermediate reference signal locked in phase with the tip motion signal.

Abstract: The processing speed of a digital signal processor or system processor is controlled in accordance with the functions required in a task to be performed by the device, with these functions being compared to a table of maximum processing speeds at which various functions can be performed reliably by the device. This method is applied to a number of digital signal processors on a communications adapter, with a core kernel of each of these digital signal processors being driven at a processing speed controlled in this way, while peripheral functions of all these digital signal processors are performed according to a clock signal synchronized with data being received from a network transmission line.