Abstract: Described is a dark-field imaging device for the spatially resolved dark-field imaging of a sample (60), especially a fluorescent sample, comprising, for the illumination of the sample with excitation light, an illumination assembly (20) comprising a grid (22) of individually addressable light sources (24), wherein the lines connecting the light sources and the sample define a region (64) with the optical path of the direct excitation light and a region (66) with the optical path of the specular reflected excitation light, and a detection assembly (30) for the detection, with radiation-receiving elements (34), of the radiation emitted by the sample (60) as an optical response to the illumination, wherein the radiation-receiving elements (34) of the detection assembly (30) are disposed outside the region (64) with the optical path of the direct excitation light and the region (66) with the optical path of the specular reflected excitation light.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sharing an upstream between multiple downstreams. A automatic discovery process carried out by the CMTS using ranging messages is used to build routing tables that define which cable modems are coupled to each downstream. The downstreams are coordinated in timestamps, MAP messages and UCD messages, and symbol clock frequency if synchronous code division multiplexed bursts are allowed upstream. Also disclosed is a flexible mapper/splitter/combiner that can electronically control switching, combining and splitting as necessary to couple multiple downstreams that share the same upstream onto the same optical nodes or split downstreams that share the same upstream among multiple optical nodes and combine upstreams from multiple HFC systems onto a single upstream input to a CMTS receiver so the CMTS receiver can be fully utilized.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively connecting one of an internal and an external antenna to an RF signal component of a wireless modem use a sensor mounted on the circuit board of the wireless modem. The sensor senses the presence of a connector of the external antenna, and issues a corresponding sensor output signal to a controller that controls a switch in order to alternatively connect one of the internal and external antennas to the RF signal component.

Abstract: The invention is a transmission sleeve for the reverse circulation down hole hammer activated by fluid under pressure, the hammer including an outer hammer casing, a drill bit retaining means (17) and a drill bit (10) retaining means (17) and extending forwardly therefrom. The transmission sleeve (25) comprises a transmission sleeve retaining means to retain the transmission sleeve (25) to the hammer, a flange (28) to direct exhaust fluid from the hammer extending from the transmission sleeve retaining means towards the cutting face (14) of the drill bit (10) so that the exhaust fluid is directed towards the cutting face (14) and a chamber (30) that extends circumferentially around the drill bit (10) into which the exhaust fluid flows prior to discharge from the end of the flange (28).

Abstract: Peer-to-peer authentication may be accomplished by sending a digital certificate to a responder, receiving a randomized codeword in response to the sending, creating a secure fingerprint based at least in part on the digital certificate and randomized codeword, creating a first bit sequence based at least in part on a first portion of the secure fingerprint and a second portion of the randomized codeword and indicating the first digital certificate is authenticated based upon whether the first bit sequence matches a second bit sequence received from the responder via an out-of-band communication in response to the sending. The size of the first bit sequence is less than the size of the secure fingerprint. According to another aspect, the first bit sequence is compared with a rendering of the second bit sequence, using an out-of-band communication, by associating the first bit sequence with one or more indices into an array of representations.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for authorizing execution of requested actions transmitted between clients and servers of a data processing system. The method includes receiving a message including a set of actions and simulating execution of the set of actions. A list representing allowable actions and user-definable inputs to the simulated actions is defined. The list of allowable actions and user-definable inputs to the allowable action is then compared to user-requested actions and inputs. When elements within the user-requested actions and inputs are included in the allowable actions and input list, the user-requested actions and inputs are authorized for execution.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a manipulandum, a housing, a sensor and an actuator. The housing has a palpation region spaced apart from the manipulandum. The sensor is coupled to the palpation region of the housing. The sensor is configured to send a signal based on a palpation of the palpation region of the housing. The actuator is coupled to the manipulandum. The actuator is configured to send haptic output to the manipulandum based on the signal.

Abstract: A screwdriver is provided having a handle having a first end and a second end; a front element having a bit holder, said front element aligned with said handle along an axis; a cylinder positioned between said handle and said front element, said cylinder having a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers shaped to store a bit; said cylinder rotatable around said axis; and a push rod having a first end and a second end, said push rod slidable along said handle from a first end of said handle to a second end of said handle, said push rod having a magnet at said first end.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting semiconductor chips with a transport device that transports the substrates in cycles to a bonding station where a semiconductor chip is deposited comprises a receiving table with a support surface on which the substrates are presented one after the other for transport by the transport device as well as a pusher device with a drive system and a slide for alignment of the substrate on an end stop. In accordance with the invention, the drive system and the slide comprise a first magnet and a second magnet that attract each other, ie, they are magnetically coupled. The drive system is arranged underneath the support surface and moves its magnet back and forth whereby the magnet of the slide is moved with it. One of the two magnets can also be a ferromagnetic body. The drive system is controlled by software.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure composed of a substrate wherein a surface supports juxtaposed islands, characterized in that the islands rest on a periodic network of terraces composed of the intersection of two step networks, each terrace having a first dimension corresponding to the step width of one of the step networks and a second dimension corresponding to the step width of the other step network, each terrace supporting at least two islands formed of a different superimposition of monolayers wherein the composition is chosen between at least one first composition and one second composition.

Abstract: A platform discrimination indication register is stored in a wireless network card. This register holds a platform discrimination indication that indicates whether the wireless network card can be used to transfer data with notebook computers or whether the wireless network card is restricted to transferring data from a personal digital assistant or defined set of restricted devices. The platform discrimination indication can be upgraded using a key value obtained from an Internet site. This key value is limited to a specific wireless network card because of the use of a unique electronic I.D. An Internet site encrypts the electronic I.D. to produce the first key, such as a platform activation key (PAK). This first key is then decrypted at the personal data device in order to obtain a unique calculated I.D. value. If the calculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a switch for use in wireless communication systems. In one embodiment, the switch can concurrently process data from multiple mobile stations and supports full duplex, i.e., allowing receiving and transmitting data at the same time. The switch can concurrently communicate with other switches and/or mobile stations in the basic service set (BSS) of that switch. A switch may be considered an access point commonly used in other approaches. However, systems using the switch do not need to use an Ethernet switch commonly found in WLAN communication systems that use access points. Switches may be set up in a master-slave scheme wherein a master switch communicates with its slave switches, and slave switches communicate with one another through the master switch. If the data is for a mobile station in the same BSS of the switch, then, via a switch controller, the switch passes the data from the receiving path to the transmitting path.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting semiconductor chips has a pick and place system arranged stationary in vertical direction for the picking, transport and placement of a semiconductor chip onto a substrate. The pick and place system comprises a bondhead with a chip gripper deflectable relative to the bondhead. The deflection of the chip gripper takes place by means of a pneumatic drive arranged on the bondhead which has two pressure chambers separated by a piston, whereby the chip gripper is secured to the piston. The pressure p1 prevailing in the first pressure chamber and the pressure p2 prevailing in the second pressure chamber are dynamically controlled by means of a regulator controlled valve system. The regulator can be operated in two operating modes. In the first operating mode, the deflection of the chip gripper and/or a variable derived from it is controlled based on the signal delivered by a position encoder which measures the deflection of the chip gripper.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capsule comprising a semiconductor assembly mounted between opposed poles. At least one of the poles includes slots around the locality of the or each chip or group of chips within the semiconductor assembly to define a contact body portion on which the or each chip or group of chips is mounted and reduce the thickness of a laterally continuous body portion of the pole.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrostatic micro-switch intended to connect two conductor paths (4, 5) placed on a support, the connection between the two conductor paths being created by means of a contact stud (6) fitted to the distortion means (3) made in insulating material and capable of distorting in relation to the support, under the influence of an electrostatic force generated by control electrodes, the contact stud connecting the ends (14, 15) of the two conductor paths (4, 5) when the distortion means are sufficiently distorted.