Abstract: A probe card characterizes optical structures formed on a MEMS wafer. The probe includes a substrate having a circuit thereon. The substrate has an opening wherein a plurality of metal probes, electrically coupled to the circuit, pass through the opening. The probe card further includes an optical test device electrically coupled to the circuit. The optical test device includes a light source and a photosensitive area. The photosensitive area receives directly light reflected from the optical structures. The optical test device can be positioned directly over the opening, or the optical test device can be positioned on a periphery of the opening. Furthermore, the optical test device can be positioned so as to provide a test light beam that is parallel to the wafer to test pop-up optical MEMS components. The optical test device also may be positioned between the probe card and the MEMS wafer.

Abstract: An ear seal is disclosed for use in a headset. The ear seal includes a flexible sheath that encloses and is in contact with flowable material. The flexible sheath includes a first surface that extends between inner and outer peripheral edges of an annular top. The first surface is adapted for contacting a user's head and includes an inner annular groove separating an inner annular surface portion from a crease inhibiting central annular surface portion, and an outer annular groove separating an outer annular surface portion from the crease inhibiting central annular surface portion.

Abstract: A shear is disclosed for subdividing an elongated product moving longitudinally in a horizontal plane. The shear includes upper and lower continuously rotating blades respectively coacting in a radially overlapping relationship at first and second laterally disposed cutting zones. An upstream switch operates to divert the product laterally across the cutting zones to separate a leading end from an intermediate section in the first cutting zone, and to separate a trailing end from the intermediate section in the second cutting zone.

Abstract: A security device comprises a first component having a through first passageway surrounded by an internal first recess, and a second component having a second passageway surrounded by an internal second recess. The first and second components are configured for assembly in a mating relationship with the first and second passageways in communication with each other and in coaxial alignment. A lock has a barrel containing a spring and plunger and carrying radially shiftable locking elements, with the plunger being normally biased by the spring in one direction urging the locking elements into expanded positions protruding radially from the barrel. The barrel is insertable into and releasably retained in an unlocked position in the first passageway with the locking elements expanded radially outwardly into the first recess, and is shiftable by a forwardly applied axial force into a locked position in the second passageway with the locking elements expanded into the second recess.

Abstract: An optical switch operating with an optical pumping source. The switch includes a microcavity structure that is resonant with both the pumping source and the input optical signal. The microcavity structure includes a cavity in between two reflectors. The input optical signal is switched from one to zero, by varying the pump source intensity. The microcavity provides amplification of the pumping energy allowing for a nonlocal optical power source. In addition it also provides a way for fast optical modulation of the input optical signal using continuous wave pumping source.

Abstract: A microphone system including a microphone for inputting voice data, an output for transmitting the voice data to a device connectable thereto; and a circuit which operates to mute the voice data and provide a signal to the device in order to maintain a suspended state of operation in the device. The device may be a computer that is responsive to voice data, for example, by utilizing voice recognition software.

Abstract: A two-piece lanyard release buckle having first and second ends which are adapted to receive straps. A keeper has a floor which includes front and rear portions and a first end formed in the rear portion thereof. A flexible cover is spaced apart from the floor, such that the opposed surfaces of the floor and cover define a slot therebetween. A keeper surface is formed on either of the opposed surfaces. The buckle includes side walls spaced apart from one another and which are perpendicular to the cover and floor. The cover and the floor are flexibly secured to one another and a lanyard is secured to the cover. A secure part configured to be received in the slot has a front portion and a rear portion. The secure part has at least one locking surface, wherein the keeper surface and the locking surface are at mirror imaged angles with reference to one another.

Abstract: An at least second-order active filter circuit includes an operational amplifier (Op) whose frequency response, in conjunction with an RC network (R1, R2, C1, C2), serves to set a predetermined low-pass characteristic. The frequency response of the operational amplifier (Op) forms an integral part of this low-pass characteristic.

Abstract: A single membrane insulation material including a nonwoven insulation mat, a fluoropolymer dispersion surface coated to one side of the mat and a fluoropolymer film component laminated to the thus coated side of the mat under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. The coating has a depth of penetration which is less than the total thickness of said mat.

Abstract: A circuit testing apparatus includes a controlling processor for controlling stimulus signals to be applied to a circuit under test and for processing and storing response signals generated by the circuit under test in response to the stimulus signals. The stimulus signals are generated by a driver portion of a receiver/driver circuit coupled to a pin on the circuit under test. The driver includes an output stage circuit coupled to the pin on the circuit under test. The output stage circuit includes a linear amplifier circuit which receives a control signal via the controlling processor and generates from the control signal a drive signal to be applied to the circuit under test. The linear amplifier allows the driver to produce a drive signal with a high level of voltage and timing accuracy and, in the case of digital square pulse signals, a high level of pulse symmetry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing a tube for a varied flow, comprising a tube being fixed in both its ends, whereby the tube is arranged to be stretched or shortened by longing or shortening of the distance between said attachment points.

Abstract: An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of liquid from the metering chamber. The controller then commands the pump off several seconds after detecting a drop in air pressure within the chamber. A baffle is affixed to the distal end of a shaft, which is moved between a first and second position.

Abstract: A wideband impedance attenuator includes a phase-locked loop filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator connected to the phase-locked loop filter during transmit, and an impedance circuit connected to the phase-locked loop filter and the voltage controlled oscillator. The impedance circuit is a scaled version of the phase-locked loop filter. Moreover, the wideband impedance attenuator attenuates a Gaussian frequency shift key modulation signal by a factor of 1/(N+1) using the impedance circuit, which has an impedance of N*Z(s), and the phase-locked loop filter, which has an impedance of Z(s). An output frequency is generated using a voltage-controlled oscillator wherein the output frequency corresponds to the attenuated Gaussian frequency shift key modulation signal. In addition, a comparator compares a voltage of an output from the programmable gain amplifier with a voltage necessary to produce a predetermined frequency shift in a voltage-controlled oscillator to produce a gain signal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining whether an equipment operator is under the influence of a psychotropic substance. The system includes an input unit for receiving signals from the subject regarding the frequencies of the subject's brain waves, and for producing raw sample data. The system also includes a processing unit for processing the raw sample data, and for producing evaluation data responsive to the raw sample data and responsive to pre-recorded threshold data. The system also includes a control unit for providing a pass/fail signal responsive to the evaluation data to be used to control equipment.

Abstract: The present invention related to Parvilucifera infectans, a new parasitic organism described by Noren and Moestrup (in prep. “Parvilucifera infectans, gen. et. spec.nov. A parasitic dinoflagellate infecting thecate dinoflagellates.”) capable of infecting and killing several toxic or potentially harmful dinoflagellates, method for infecting toxin producing dinoflagellates, and method for propagating P. infectans.

Abstract: A beverage brewer comprises a storage tank adapted to contain a supply of liquid, and a metering chamber structured and arranged to be filled with a metered amount of liquid received from the storage tank via an inlet in communication therewith. A brewing chamber is structured and arranged to receive a beverage filter cartridge containing a dry beverage medium. A baffle in the storage tank is shiftable from an open position accommodating liquid flow between the storage tank and the metering chamber via its inlet to a closed position preventing such flow and isolating the metering chamber from the storage tank. During a brewing cycle, liquid is delivered from the thus isolated metering chamber to the brewing chamber for combination with the beverage medium contained in the filter cartridge. At the conclusion of the brewing cycle, the baffle is returned to its open position, thereby allowing the metering chamber to be refilled with liquid received from the storage tank via its inlet.

Abstract: A device for generating shock waves, specifically for medical applications, has electrodes arranged in a liquid medium, a high voltage being applied to the electrodes to generate an electrical breakdown. Particles added in powder form are suspended in the liquid medium. In order to maintain the particles in suspension, a thixotropic additive is added to the liquid medium.

Abstract: A method of uniquely identifying a plurality of discrete test tubes. The method includes providing a rack having an array of wells located at the intersections of mutually perpendicular columns and rows. The rack is marked to orient the rack from top to bottom and left to right. Each well is identifiable by reference to a sequence of letters and numbers identifying its respective intersecting column and row. A plurality of test tubes are positioned in the wells. The test tubes have open tops and closed lower ends protruding through the open bottoms of the wells. Indicia are applied to the respective closed lower ends of the test tubes positioned in the wells. The application of the indicia is performed in situ and simultaneously as a single step to all of the test tubes in the wells, thereby resulting in each test tube being uniquely identified with reference to its respective well.