Abstract: An emergency device actuator absence notification system and method therefore capable of notifying an observer or system supervisor of the presence and operability of the emergency device actuator and also capable of notifying an observer or system supervisor of the absence or inoperability of the emergency device actuator.

Abstract: There is provided, in one embodiment, a ball valve for regulating the flow of petroleum fluids therethrough. The ball valve is capable of transitioning between an open and a closed position. The ball valve includes in one embodiment a hydraulic piston, containment union, ported stem, containment cage and drag plunger, and is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid northward through the valve. A ball and seat should be positioned above these components, so that the hydraulic piston may extend therethrough. More specifically, during a pump downstroke, fluid enters the drag plunger, moves northward through the containment cage and into the interior of the ported stem, exits the interior of the ported stem and enters a plurality of angled veins, which impart cyclonic motion on fluid passing northward therethrough, assisting in the removal of debris. Also during the downstroke, a pedestal portion of the hydraulic unseats the ball from the seat.

Abstract: A method of playing a Texas Hold'em-type poker game where each player is individually rewarded by obtaining a five-card combination exceeding a predetermined amount. A system includes a display, game controls and a processor executing program instructions for providing a Hold'em type poker game for one or more players.

Abstract: A system for controlling lighting of an instrument panel has a sensor for monitoring activity near the instrument panel. A lighting control unit is coupled to the sensor and a lighting system of the instrument panel. The lighting control unit controls the light intensity of the lighting system. The lighting control unit increases the intensity of the lighting system when the sensor monitors activity near the instrument panel.

Abstract: A medical instrument holding assembly for improved pre-sterilization cleaning with or without lubrication of the instruments is provided. The medical instrument holding assembly includes a coil or a series of plates defining instrument receiving gaps, opposing support ends, a perforated retracting member that maintains the instruments in an open position so that cleaning can reach the hard to reach areas of the instrument, and restraint bands for holding the instruments in the medical instrument holding assembly during handling. The method is also included for improved pre-sterilization cleaning using the medical instrument holding assembly.

Abstract: A bracket and method for supporting a cubicle wall on a movable wall having at least one horizontal mounting channel. The bracket has a lower bracket member and at least an upper bracket member that attaches to a movable wall module. A cubicle wall start is then coupled thereto. If a higher cubicle is needed, the bracket will have at least one intermediate bracket member to increase the overall length of the bracket.

Abstract: A switching power converter has an input voltage source. An output load is coupled to the input voltage source. An inductive element is coupled to the load. A switch is coupled to the inductive element. A current reference input is provided. A control circuit is coupled to the switch and the current reference input for activating and deactivating the switch. The inductive element receives power from the input voltage source when the switch is activated and conducting continuous current. The control circuit deactivates the switch after a controlled delay time when the current in the inductive element and the switch exceeds the current reference input so that an average current in the inductive element is determined by a magnitude of the current reference input.

Abstract: A sensor package has a substrate. A sensor die having an inactive surface is bonded to the substrate. An active surface of the sensor die is exposed. A portion of the active surface of the sensor die has an active imaging area. A metal bezel is formed on the active surface of the sensor die and separate from the imaging area.

Abstract: A semiconductor package has a first substrate having a plurality of metal traces. At least one die is electrically coupled to the first surface of the first substrate. A plurality of land pads is formed on the first surface of the first substrate. A mold compound encapsulates portions of the die and portions of the first surface of the first substrate. A conductive coating is applied to the mold compound and electrically coupled to at least one metal trace. A non-conductive coating is formed over the conductive coating and portions of the mold compound. A plurality of vias is formed through the non-conductive coating and the mold compound to expose the land pads.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die having at least one bond pad formed on a first surface thereof. A substrate has at least one bond finger formed on a first surface thereof. A second surface of the semiconductor die is attached to the first surface of the substrate. A conductive wire connects the bond pad of the semiconductor die and the bond finger of the substrate wherein at least one end of the conductive wire has a stack bump. An encapsulant is provided to encapsulate the semiconductor die and the conductive wire.

Abstract: A fire protection device has a panel having a plurality of channels formed there through. A plurality of containers is used for holding a fire suppression material. Each container is placed in one of the plurality of channels. An attachment device is used for removably coupling the fire protection device to a structure to be protected.

Abstract: An optical bench for mounting in an interior compartment of a flight pod has a substantially flat top surface. A bottom surface is attached to the top surface. The bottom surface is shaped to conform to a shape of the interior compartment of the flight pod. A core material is placed between the top surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a semiconductor device having an RF shield has a shield box. A test board is positioned in an interior of the shield box. A first surface of the test board has an area for attaching the semiconductor device. A shield device is attached to a second surface of the test board and beneath the area for attaching the semiconductor device. An antenna is positioned in the interior of the shield box and above the area for attaching the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A system and methodology for controlling structural type integration to major fittings requires creating a geometrical set of objects identified here as basic starting geometry which consist of external references and relationships to a main component structure. Structural interface detail characteristics and hardware components are identified that make up a major fitting integration connection between the main component structure and a second component structure. Parametric sets and associated geometrical sets containing sketches and geometry objects are identified and created, the parametric sets and associated geometrical sets being associated to a particular hardware component used in the integration connection between the main component structure and the second component structure and used to defined and control the integration connection between the main component structure and the second component structure with respect to fit, form and function.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a team gaming tournament that allows players to form teams of one or more players in order to allow a team's performance in a gaming tournament to be dependent on both the performance of each individual member of the team as well as the number of players on each team.

Abstract: An electroactive lens driver comprises a voltage generator generating a high alternating current voltage signal for application to an electroactive lens in response to a low direct current voltage signal. The voltage generator does not include an inductor or a transformer.

Abstract: A wire bonding machine capable of removing particles from capillary and cleaning method of capillary bottom tip uses a grinding film of the wire bonding machine mounted on a clamp block. The capillary of the wire bonding machine periodically moves on the grinding film and then, the bottom tip of the capillary is rubbed with and moves on the grinding film at a predetermined distance, whereby various particles formed at the bottom tip of the capillary are removed.

Abstract: A system for managing electrical power has a plurality of storage devices. A plurality of DC-DC power converters are provided wherein one DC-DC power converter is coupled to each of the plurality of storage devices. Outputs of the plurality of DC-DC power converters are coupled in parallel to form a distribution bus. A plurality of sensors is coupled to the outputs of the plurality of DC-DC power converters for power monitoring of the system.