Abstract: An optical scatterometer system enables analysis of a sample material at various wavelengths without rotating or otherwise moving the sample material.

Abstract: A lid handling system employs a lid alignment assembly for aligning lids randomly placed on a rotating input disc, a lid separation assembly for separating lids spinning on a pair of horizontal spin bars into a counted stack, a vacuum pickup assembly for picking up a counted stack of lids, a pick and place assembly for transporting and placing stacks of lids into trays having upwardly bent side members, and a conveyor for conveying filled trays toward a carton.

Abstract: A series or shunt configured battery charger/power supply circuit employs capacitors for charge coupling to the AC line and semiconductors as low power dissipation control elements to achieve good DC output voltage and current regulation with increased efficiency, while reducing cost, size, and weight.

Abstract: A hearing aid telephone interconnect system for permitting hearing impaired persons to use conventional telephone instruments employs a T-coupler adapted to hook over the ear of a user of a conventional behind-the-hear, in-the-ear, or eyeglass hearing aid of the type employing an input T-coil. The T-coupler, as well as the telephone base unit and the telephone receiver, are connected to an adaptor box that permits switching the telephone receiver signal between the telephone receiver and the T-coupler to permit use of the telephone by persons with and without hearing impairment. When interfacing the T-coupler to cellular telephones and princess style landline telephones in which the touchtone keypad and receiver form an integrated unit, the adaptor box may be eliminated because switching of the receiver signal is not necessary.

Abstract: A multi-region material structure and process for forming capacitors and interconnect lines for use with integrated circuits provides (1) capacitor first or bottom electrodes comprising a transition-metal nitride; (2) a capacitor dielectric comprising a transition-metal oxide; (3) capacitor second or top electrodes comprising a transition-metal nitride, a metal or multiple conductive layers; (4) one or more levels of interconnect lines; (5) electrical insulation between adjacent regions as required by the application; and (6) bonding between two regions when such bonding is required to achieve strong region-to-region adhesion or to achieve a region-to-region interface that has a low density of electrical defects.

Abstract: A track alert system for automobile racing employs a transmitter for transmitting a selected one of a plurality of channel signals, each of which is indicative of a particular race track flag condition, a receiver capable of receiving each of the transmitted channel signals, and a priority/tone generator coupled to the receiver for prioritizing two or more simultaneously received channel signals and for generating a particular tone corresponding to a received, prioritized channel signal. The transmitter is fixedly positioned at a chosen location on a race track and is controlled by a track flag operator. A receiver and priority/tone generator are mounted in each of the race cars participating in a race. The generated tone corresponding to a track flag condition is received through an ear piece worn by each race car driver. A reset switch mounted in each race car enables the driver to turn off a generated tone once it has been recognized.

Abstract: An optical scatterometer system enables illumination of a sample material at various angles of incidence without rotating or otherwise moving the sample material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a generalized molecule-specific means of detection that can be applied to all existing separation systems with particular emphasis directed toward those methods based upon chromatographic, electrophoretic, and extractive techniques. The SERS method of detection of the present invention consists of the modification of SERS substrates by the application of a stabilizing coating that also reproduces or mimics the specific separation process being utilized. This ability to reproduce the specific separation process at the detector makes this method of detection universal for all types of analytes and separation methods. The detector of the present invention contains a noble metal foil, usually silver, that has been roughened to produce the SERS effect or a SERS active noble metal film that has been deposited onto a transparent substrate. A particularly unique feature of the invention is the use of stabilizing coatings with the SERS substrates.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated controller controls a zero-voltage switching resonant power converter or inverter. The on time of the power switch (110) of the converter or inverter is varied by an error amplifier (280) such that the output voltage of the converter or inverter maintains proportionality to a reference voltage (290). The off time is terminated by a switch-voltage detector (320) when the voltage across the power switch (110) drops below a threshold voltage (330) due to the natural resonance of the external resonating capacitor (120) and inductors (130 and 150). In the first two embodiments of the invention, a single timing capacitor (260) is employed both for determining the on time and the off time. In two other embodiments, two timing capacitors (262 and 264) are employed for separately determining the maximum allowed off time and the variable on time.

Abstract: A MOSFET driven integrated circuit or other peripheral circuit interfaced to a controller that operates on the primary side of a DC to DC converter having a high input voltage relative to the supply voltage powering both the controller and the MOSFET driver or other peripheral circuit is controlled by an under-voltage lockout circuit to transition from a standby mode to a normal operating mode of the MOSFET driver or other peripheral circuit only when the supply voltage is sufficient to sustain normal operation and the driver or other peripheral circuit senses activity at an input that indicates that the controller has previously transitioned from a standby mode to a normal operating mode.

Abstract: A static electricity dissipation system for computers includes a display/CRT antenna console that rests on top of the computer screen housing and grounds the computer screen housing by means of a carbon foam member attached to the underside of the display/CRT antenna console, a grounded metal antenna extending from the front of the display/CRT console and having a carbon fiber brush that is in physical and electrical contact with the computer screen, a grounded conductor that is connected directly to the computer CPU housing, and a strip of conductive carbon foam material that is attached to the space bar or any other primary key of the computer keyboard to continuously drain static charge away from the user. The display/CRT antenna console includes an LCD display chip to provide a visual indication each time an electrostatic charge on the user is dissipated.

Abstract: A handheld golf course distance computer includes a graphics display and keyboard and is preprogrammed, using an external personal computer and optical data link, with alphanumeric and graphical information regarding each hole of a particular golf course. The alphanumeric information includes an identification of the course and a selected hole, information relating to hazards and/or the best method of play of the selected hole, the distance of play from various tees, the number of strokes required to par the hole, and typical playing time for the course. The actual or elapsed playing time from the beginning of play is also displayed. The graphical information, including details of the course terrain, is obtained from an aerial photograph of the course and converted to pixel information using commercially available personal computer software. The alphanumeric and graphical information associated with the selected hole may be selectively displayed.