Abstract: A method and a probe structure are provided for implementing multiple signals probing of a printed circuit board. A probe structure is formed on an outside surface of the printed circuit board. A resistor is electrically connected with an associated via with a signal to be monitored. A path to a predefined probe location for monitoring the signal is defined from the resistor using the probe structure.

Abstract: Power management is provided in a user operated data input device utilizing proximity sensing and switching between three or more power states. Switching between the power states occurs based upon the presence or absence of input activity, and an operation instrumentality (e.g., a hand) in close proximity to or contact with the device. Capacitive proximity sensing is carried out be detecting a relative change in the capacitance of a “scoop” capacitor formed by a conductor and a surrounding ground plane. In an optical surface tracking cursor control device embodiment, switching to and from a BEACON state, which provides a reduced flash rate of a surface illuminating light source, is carried out based upon a detected presence or absence of a trackable surface.

Abstract: There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least one sheet, and preferably two sheets, of sterilization material and in some embodiments, includes an additional sheet which may be made of an absorbent material. The sheet of absorbent material may have a smaller perimeter than at least one sheet of sterilization material. One side of at least one sheet of sterilization material includes a central portion. The absorbent material may be attached to the central portion of at least one sheet of sterilization material. The article to be sterilized is placed on the sterilization wrap and is then wrapped. The absorbent material provides sterility protection for the article in addition to the at least one sheet of sterilization material and also wicks moisture away from the article after sterilization has taken place.

Abstract: A language processing system includes a unified language model. The unified language model comprises a plurality of context-free grammars having non-terminal tokens representing semantic or syntactic concepts and terminals, and an N-gram language model having non-terminal tokens. A language processing module capable of receiving an input signal indicative of language accesses the unified language model to recognize the language. The language processing module generates hypotheses for the received language as a function of words of the unified language model and/or provides an output signal indicative of the language and at least some of the semantic or syntactic concepts contained therein.

Abstract: Novel interconnect structures possessing an organosilicate dielectric material with unaltered physical and chemical properties post exposure to a specific resist ash chemistry for use in semiconductor devices are provided herein. The novel interconnect structure is capable of delivering improved device performance, functionality and reliability owing to the use of a chemically and physically “friendly” resist ash process. An in situ inert gas/H2 process achieves minimal chemical and physical reactivity with the organosilicate sidewalls during ashing owing to its inherent make up.

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering surface is prepared by anodizing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate with reversed polarity current to form pores of anodized oxide on the substrate, and electrodepositing silver or copper into the pores of the anodic oxide film to form needle-shaped metal particles in the pores of the anodic oxide film.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a screen or the like that enables a bright, homogeneous projection image to be observed in a wide range across an area where viewers are present. A screen having a micro-lens array formed of a plurality of micro-lens elements each having a first surface having a curvature and a second surface of an almost planar shape through which incident light that comes incident on the first surface can be transmitted.

Abstract: A user interface to display and manage a plurality of entities as if a single entity is provided. The user interface includes a representation of the collection of entities as a whole, and a representation of members associated with the entity. If an action is performed on the representation of the entities as a whole, then the action is propagated to the collection of entities, if the action is performed on the representation of the member associated with the entity, then the action is directed to the member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting internally defective devices by routing signals on an I/O line to a spare internal network. Such devices enable a system designer to substitute good internal networks, e.g., memory arrays, for failing internal networks without loss of functionality at the I/O level. A device includes a plurality of I/O lines, a plurality of internal networks, a plurality of multiplexers for routing signals from the individual I/O lines to the individual internal networks, and a multiplex controller for controlling the signal routing. Routing can be performed using multiplexers that operatively interconnect any I/O line with any internal network, multiplexers that shift signals on an I/O line to and adjacent internal network, and/or multiplexers that can shift signals on an I/O through a multiplexer to any other multiplexer, and then to any internal network.

Abstract: The bonded magnet of the present invention, in which average particle diameter and compounding ratio are specified, is comprised of Cobalt-less R1 d-HDDR coarse magnet powder that has been surface coated with surfactant, R2 fine magnet powder that has been surface coated with surfactant (R1 and R2 are rare-earth metals), and a resin which is a binder. The resin, a ferromagnetic buffer in which R2 fine magnet powder is uniformly dispersed, envelops the outside of the Cobalt-less R1 d-HDDR coarse magnet powder. Despite using Cobalt-less R1 d-HDDR anisotropic magnet powder, which is susceptible to fracturing and therefore vulnerable to oxidation, the bonded magnet of the present invention exhibits high magnetic properties along with extraordinary heat resistance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for requesting a resource over at least one network. The system includes a network entity, such as a gateway or an origin server, capable of receiving a resource request for the resource. The resource request includes a group header identifier such that the network entity is capable of identifying at least one header field associated with the group header. By identifying the header fields associated with the group header, the resource request can be processed in accordance with the associated header fields. Before receiving the resource request, the network entity can be capable of receiving a earlier request from a terminal, where the earlier request includes at least one header field and a call for associating the at least one header field with a group header identifier. The network entity can then be capable of associating the header fields with a group header identifier.

Abstract: A system and method are described for an image registration system and method including a registration engine that receives complex image data for corresponding images. The registration engine generates a correlation map between the complex image pair for relative translation by calculating an inverse of the complex conjugate product of the frequency data of the first image and the frequency domain data of the second, corresponding, image. The frequency domain data may be obtained using Fast Fourier transform-based techniques.

Abstract: A method and system for creation of customized documents over a network as well as for negotiation of contents for documents over a network (e.g., Internet) is disclosed. In one aspect, professional documents can be created in an automated manner. In another aspect, negotiation of documents (or their contents) can be performed in an automated manner. In either case, the customization and/or negotiation is efficient, cost-effective and useful.

Abstract: A reflector antenna (100) includes a reflector unit (101) having at least one cavity (106) disposed on the reflector unit, at least one fluidic dielectric having a permittivity and a permeability, and at least one composition processor (104) adapted for dynamically changing a composition of the fluidic dielectric to vary at least the permittivity or permeability in at least one cavity. The antenna further comprises a controller (102) for controlling the composition processor to selectively vary at least one among the permittivity and the permeability in at least one of the cavities in response to a control signal.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) system is arranged to automatically adjust the pre-scaler divide ratio. The PLL includes a phase-frequency detector circuit that compares a feedback clock signal to an input clock signal to provide UP and DOWN signals. A charge-pump circuit provides an oscillator control signal in response to UP and DOWN. A VCO produces an oscillator signal in response to the oscillator control signal. A first divider circuit provides an output clock signal in response to the oscillator signal, where an up-down counter circuit controls the divider ratio. A second divider circuit provides the feedback clock signal in response to the output clock signal. The up-down counter evaluates the output of the window comparator, which analyzes the oscillator control signal for proper operation with the VCO.

Abstract: Coil springs 33 and 36 couple input and output rotary members 2 and 3 together such that they can rotate relative to each other. The coil springs 33 and 36 have a torsion characteristic having a positive region and a negative region that has a lower rigidity than the positive region. A second friction generating section 71 is arranged such that friction is generated rotationally-between the input rotary member 2 and the output rotary member 3 due to the elastic force of the coil springs 33 and 36 when the two rotary members 2 and 3 rotate relative to each other. A friction suppressing mechanism secures rotational gaps 91 and 92 on only the negative side of the torsion characteristic. These rotational gaps serve to prevent the elastic force of the coil springs 33 and 36 from acting on the second friction generating section 71 within a prescribed angular range.

Abstract: A method of polishing or planarizing a substrate comprising abrading at least a portion of the surface of a substrate comprising a metal, metal oxide, metal composite, or mixture thereof, with a composition comprising a metal oxide abrasive and a liquid carrier, wherein the composition has a pH of about 7 or less and the metal oxide abrasive has a total surface hydroxyl group density no greater than about 3 hydroxyl groups per nm2.