Abstract: A scuffing protector for shielding a standard snowboard boot from the edge of a snowboard during the ride up a chairlift is disclosed. Snowboard riders traditionally remove one of their boots from its binding for the ride up the chairlift. The free boot allows the rider to maneuver through the chairlift lines and onto the chairlift itself. The snowboard boot protector is removably attached to the dorsal surface of the free boot of a snowboarder, so when riding the chairlift, the snowboard can rest upon the boot protector without causing any damage to the free boot. The boot protector is composed of a tough plastic or rubber material that has both flexibility and durability. Additionally, the boot protector is strong enough to support the weight of the snowboard, so as to equalize the load between both legs.

Abstract: Laser source including materials with negative index of refraction dependence on temperature and with temperature independent coincidence between cavity modes and a set of specified frequencies such as DWDM channels in telecommunications applications. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be defined by a frequency selective feedback element that is thermo-optically tuned by the application of heat from an actuator without substantially tuning the cavity modes. The operating frequency may be induced to hop digitally between the specified frequencies. In a particular embodiment, semiconductor amplifier and polymer waveguide segments form a linear resonator with a thermo-optically tuned grating reflector. In a further embodiment, an amplifier and two waveguides from a tunable grating assisted coupler form a ring resonator.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and storing digital data on optical memory stripes of smart/optical cards using laser recording of optical storage media to create updatable, high resolution, two-dimensional bar codes, storing about 15 to more than 500 times as much digital data as the widely-adopted PDF-417, two-dimensional bar code. The optical storage media is of the DRAW (direct-read-after-write) type which requires no post processing. The optical storage media is pre-formatted with tracks to precisely locate the recorded microscopic data spots. Groups of these microscopic data spots form data bars which in turn form data pixels whose dimensions are at least four times greater linearly and 16 times greater in area than the microscopic data spots. The data pixels on the optical memory stripe can be read with photodetector arrays such as CCD arrays.

Abstract: Tunable add-drop and cross connect devices include materials with negative dependence of refractive index on temperature and temperature independent coincidence between resonator modes and a set of specified frequencies, e.g. for DWDM telecommunications channels. The free spectral range may be adjusted to equal a rational fraction of the specified frequency interval. The operating frequency may be selected without substantially tuning the cavity modes by a thermo-optically tuned feedback element. This can be accomplished by means of a waveguide pair with differential thermal response. Tuning may also be accomplished by applying an electric field across an electro-optic liquid crystal portion of a waveguide pair. The resonator and coupled waveguide pair arrangement may be used as a communications signal receiver where the coupling strength is optical frequency tuned by the applied thermal or electrical field.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit that receives an input signal and provides an output signal that is clamped at a specified voltage desired for an internal circuit. The disclosed voltage regulator circuit includes a plurality of subcircuits including a voltage tracking subcircuit in which the output voltage tracks the input voltage with no voltage drop when the input voltage starts to rise from zero volts. If the input voltage increases to a desired voltage level for the internal circuit, the voltage tracking subcircuit clamps the output voltage to remain at that voltage. If the input voltage further increases to a higher voltage, the voltage tracking subcircuit is disabled and one of a plurality of voltage maintaining subcircuit takes control so that the output voltage remains at the desired voltage for the internal circuit.

Abstract: A torsional sensing load cell, particularly for mounting at support locations of an automotive seat in order to determine weight and sitting position of an occupant of a motor vehicle. The load cell has the shape of a tuning fork, with one arm fixed to a foot attached to a chassis and a second parallel arm, not contacting the first arm, arranged to support a quadrant of a seat by means of a flange on the side of the second arm, causing torsion in the arm. The two arms are connected at one end by means of a bridge section through which torsion is transmitted arising from twisting in the second arm. Torsion is measured by transducers on the bridge section with torsion signals converted to weight signals. The weight signals are used to control deployment of an air bag or other safety apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system for inhibiting the use of counterfeited optical memory cards and hybrid smart cards that use Drexon™ reflective laser recordable media for recording and storing data. Use of such counterfeit versions of Drexon™ optical memory cards can be inhibited by use of two or more LEDs, or semiconductor lasers, which would focus their light beams on the apparent Drexon™ optical memory stripe. Using photodetectors, the reflectivity of the Drexon™ stripe would be measured at two or more wavelengths including the visible and the infrared so as to identify the Drexon™ media, a silver particle-based material which has a unique reflectivity vs. wavelength characteristic. If the relative reflectivities match those predetermined characteristics of the Drexon™ media, the card would not be rejected; otherwise it would be rejected.

Abstract: A field programmable gate array with a matrix of rows and columns of programmable logic cells interconnectable to each other by a network of local and express bus lines and to I/O pads at the perimeter of the logic cell matrix and bus network, is characterized by having a set of reset lines which include main reset lines, column reset lines, and sector reset lines. Each of the main reset lines receives a different reset signal. Each of the column reset lines is associated with a particular column of logic cells of the matrix. Each column reset line is selectively connectable to any one of the main reset lines to receive a selected reset signal. Each of the sector reset lines is connected to a subset of the logic cells in a column. The column reset lines are selective connectable to the logic cells in this respective associated columns by means of the sector reset lines that are connectable to the column reset lines.

Abstract: A method of depositing an interlevel dielectric material on a semiconductor wafer at a selected thickness such that the best global planarity of the dielectric layer is achieved. A model for the deposition of a silicon dioxide layer is developed based upon the physics of deposition and sputtering and based upon the minimum geometry of features in the semiconductor device. First the geometric parameters of the metal features are determined. Then, based upon the most aggressive aspect ratio between metal lines, the deposition rate to sputter rate ratio is calculated. The film thickness for optimum global planarity is determined based on the calculated ratio. The dielectric material is then deposited on the metal features using HDP-CVD techniques in a manner using the calculated ratio to stop deposition at the determined film thickness such that the optimum thickness for global planarity is achieved.

Abstract: An electrical plug incorporates a light beam between the prongs of the plug. The light beam is forwardly directed such that the plug can illuminate a socket where the plug is to be inserted. The plug body includes a circuit board having a light, resistor, battery and switch. A first type of switch that is used includes a push button attached to a spring and contact pads mounted on the circuit board, wherein when the button is pressed the spring electrically connects contact pads within the circuit thus closing the circuit and activating the light. A second type of switch that is used incorporates contact pads and a flexible cover having a pair of electrically conductive leaves hingedly attached to its underside. When an exterior surface above the cover is pressed the leaves move upward and electrically connect contact pads within the circuit thereby closing the circuit and activating the light.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-lethal shot gun round. The round includes an outer plastic hull inserted into a metal base to form a round casing. Inside the base is a propellent charge. Positioned over the propellent charge is a wad. Above the wad is an elastomeric bag filled with a packed particulate load. In addition a dye may be added into the elastomeric bag to allow marking of the targeted object.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit package at the wafer level. The integrated circuit package occupies a minimum amount of space on an end-use printed circuit board. Solder bumps, or conductive adhesive, is deposited on the metallized wirebond pads on the top surface of a silicon wafer. An underfill-flux material is deposited over the wafer and the solder bumps. A pre-fabricated interposer substrate, made of metal circuitry and a dielectric base, has a plurality of metallized through-holes which are aligned with the solder bumps. The wafer/interposer assembly is reflowed, or cured, to form the electrical connection between the circuitry on the interposer layer and the circuitry on the wafer. Solder balls are then placed on the metal pad openings on the interposer substrate and are reflowed to form a wafer-level BGA structure. The wafer-level BGA structure is then cut into individual BGA chip packages.

Abstract: A circuit for parametric testing of I/O's including bidirectionals includes logic which ties the I/O's into a single test chain. A pulse is applied moved down the chain to test the switching levels of the input buffers and the output buffers. The circuit features the ability to program the bidirectionals as either inputs (test mode 1) or outputs (test mode 2) and so allows for its input and output buffers to be tested. The test mode can be selected simply by writing to an externally accessed data register.

Abstract: A receiver set for desktop and mobile phones, removable from a handset or a mobile phone set, includes an extendable ear hook and an extendable speaker element. While extending the ear hook and the speaker element, the receiver set can be used as an earphone. Therefore, during operation of the receiver set, user's both hands can be free for handling other tasks. While storing the receiver set onto the handset or the mobile phone with both the ear hook and the speaker element retrieved, the receiver set can perform as a conventional receiver. It is obvious that the receiver set of the present invention provides more flexibility in using a phone.

Abstract: A quadrature amplitude modulation type demodulator having a dual bit error rate estimator unit that allows for high bit error rate measurements. The dual bit error rate estimator circuit uses information pertaining to the number of corrected bytes from a forward error correction decoder and the count of recognizable patterns of the frame over a sufficiently large number of frames. The two pieces of information can be compared at the bit error rate levels, where both the pattern recognition counter and the FEC decoder are able to output valid data. A comparison between the two pieces of information provides a way to detect the type of noise which occurs on the network and makes it easier to correct problems in signal transmission.

Abstract: A process gas decomposition reactor featuring two intertwined helical coils surrounding a gas flow path. Each of the two coils is energized by a separate magnetron having an associated waveguide and an inductive structural element which couples the microwave energy into the coil. The magnetic flux lines from the coil serve to confine ions and electrons within the coil, causing collisions and hence ionization of gas entering a flow path through the coil. The gas, containing HFCs and PFCs is broken down by such collisions with ions and electrons within the gas plasma. The gas displaced at the end of the coil contains decomposition products from the HFCs and PFCs.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining imaging quality in a computed radiography (CR) system includes providing a substrate having fluorescent test pattern disposed thereon. The substrate is disposed in place of the standard storage-phosphor screen and scanned as if reading out a storage screen. The detected signals form a read-out image which is then compared against the test pattern to judge image quality.

Abstract: A miniature flow controller housing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, with the inlet pressure exceeding the outlet pressure. The outlet has orifices defined in a crystalline silicon membrane, along crystal planes of the silicon so that the geometry of the orifices is precisely known. The inlet and outlet are throttled by poppets which can seal the orifices on command of a device controller. The poppets are driven by shape retentive membranes which have two states, an open state and a closed state with a state change caused by application of small amounts of current to a resistive element in contact with the membrane. Rapid actuation of the poppets causes operation of the valve in a pulse mode. Where the fluid is a gas, pressure and temperature transducers measure conditions inside of the housing for application of gas law principles. By recording instantaneous pressure and temperature in the chamber, as the poppets are actuated, mass flow through the outlet orifices of the chamber is computed.

Abstract: A QAM demodulator having a carrier recovery circuit that includes a phase estimation circuit and an additive noise estimation circuit which produces an estimation of the residual phase noise and additive noise viewed by the QAM demodulator. The phase noise estimation is based on the least mean square error between the QAM symbol decided by a symbol decision circuit and the received QAM symbol. The additive noise estimation is based on the same error as in the phase noise estimation, except that it is based only on QAM symbols having the minimum amplitude on the I and Q coordinates. The additive noise estimation is not dependent on the phase of the signal, thus, is independent of the phase noise estimator.

Abstract: A quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) type demodulator having a pair of direct digital synthesizer (DDS) circuits. The first DDS circuit is located in a baseband conversion circuit before a receive filter and digitally tunes the signal within the receive filter bandwidth. The second DDS circuit is within a carrier recovery circuit located after the receive filter and serves to fine tune the signal phase.