Abstract: An integrated circuit package is provided with alignment pads which are solid or annular ring shaped. Alignment members such as balls or bullets are attached to the alignment pads via a wetting media. When heated, the wetting media serves to center and seat the alignment members on the alignment pads. When cooled, the wetting media serves to bond the alignment members to the alignment pads.

Abstract: Known optical notch filter devices employing Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) do not completely filter out light of a predetermined wavelength from light from an optical source, because the light of the predetermined wavelength has a combination of polarisation states, namely the p-polarised and s-polarised states. In known device arrangements, if the light of the predetermined wavelength is to be completely filtered out of the light from the optical source, a secondary optical notch filter device has to be provided. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages and achieves complete filtration of light of the predetermined wavelength from the light from the optical source by providing a polarisation modifying element to rotate the state of polarisation of s-polarised light into p-polarised light that can be filtered by a single optical notch filter device employing SPR.

Abstract: A system for simplifying clock construction and distribution within an integrated circuit, and for simplifying analysis within the integrated circuit. The system utilizes a memory, software stored within said memory defining functions to be performed by the system, and a processor.

Abstract: A microdisplay is provided in which a display area, a bonding pad connected to the display area, and a contact pad operatively connected to the bonding pad are all located on a silicon die. An electrically conductive, coated glass is located over the display area and is electrically connected to the contact pad by a flexible conductive material. Under the coated glass is a material which responds to electricity to control the transmission or emission of light.

Abstract: An echo plug is plugged into a hands-free jack of a wireless telephone for testing purposes. A test signal is transmitted from a test system to the wireless telephone over a test call. In the echo plug, the test signal is looped back from a speaker connection to a microphone connection of the hands-free jack. The test signal is transmitted from the wireless telephone to the test system over the test call. In other embodiments, an echo plug is used to loop a test signal from a speaker connection of a first wireless telephone to a microphone connection of a second wireless telephone.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a boundary-scan description language file is disclosed. In a simplified embodiment of the invention, the system utilizes a memory; software stored within the memory defining functions to be performed by the system; and a processor.

Abstract: Generalised service detail records are created for a telephony service carried over a packet data network by monitoring packet network service data, signaling data and quality of service data, and combining these data to produce the required service detail records.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus including two or more samplers, where a signal is sampled simultaneously by each sampler and the values sampled by one of the samplers is then used. In this way, sampling operations for the purpose of ranging are eliminated, and the time required for ranging can be shortened. Moreover, the possibility that the instantaneous values of the signal input to the sampler will exceed the input range of the sampler can be inferred in each sampler by establishing a suitable threshold value for its sample values.

Abstract: A preferred integrated circuit (IC) includes a first pad electrically communicating with at least a portion of the IC. The first pad includes a first driver and a first receiver, with the first driver being configured to provide a first pad output signal to a component external to the IC, and the first receiver being configured to receive a first pad input signal from a component external to the IC. The first receiver also is configured to provide, to a component internal to the IC, a first receiver digital output signal in response to the first pad input signal. A first test circuit also is provided that is internal to the IC. The first test circuit is adapted to provide information corresponding to the driver clock-to-q time of the first pad. Systems, methods and computer-readable media also are provided.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a high-speed analog to digital converter and an ADC that implements the method. Multiple linear regression analysis is used to calibrate the stages of a pipeline ADC to compensate for variations in gain from stage to stage and optionally to compensate for harmonic distortion. Current amplifiers each having gain of about 1.6 are used for low power consumption, minimal surface area requirements, and rapid sampling speed. Weighting factors are stored in lookup tables to minimize the number of adders required to generate the output digital word.

Abstract: A switch device and a method of manufacture are provided that includes providing two substrates. The two substrates collectively include a fluid conductor switch device structure and a trench surrounding the fluid conductor switch device structure. An inner seal material is deposed on one of the substrates and an outer seal material is deposited in the trench. The substrates are joined to one another using the inner seal material and a peripheral hermetic seal is formed between the substrates using the outer seal material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal pixel driving technique is described that uses a voltage amplifier employing operational transconductance amplifiers and current mirrors to increase LC (Liquid Crystal)-based micro display contrast fidelity and lower production costs. The voltage amplifier has a current follower coupled between a voltage-to-current converter and a voltage buffer. The voltage amplifier employs operational transconductance amplifiers and at least one current mirror to achieve a fixed output swing of an output voltage from the voltage buffer based upon an input swing of a single-ended input voltage to the voltage-to-current converter. A marginal change in the output voltage from the voltage buffer is substantially linear and proportional to a marginal change in the input voltage input to the voltage-to-current converter. For one embodiment of the voltage amplifier, gain and voltage offset of the output voltage can be adjusted by changing the values of two resistors.

Abstract: Micro-valves that include a diaphragm capable of being positioned on a valve seat or removed from the valve seat. The micro-valves also include supports and a cover that restrict the motion of the diaphragm, thereby reducing the possibility of cracking. Micro-valves made by anodically bonding the diaphragm to a seat substrate and anodically bonding the cover to the diaphragm. Micro-injectors that include micro-valves. Also, methods of making the micro-valves and micro-injectors.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly comprising a circuit board with a recessed end portion, and an optical transceiver module mounted on a daughter board. The daughter board is mounted on the circuit board so that a portion of the daughter board extends over the recess of the circuit board. The optical transceiver module mounted on the daughter board is then positioned in the recess of the circuit board.

Abstract: A blade-like connecting needle for measuring a semiconductor wafer has an increased capability for measuring a small current and also has stable characteristics. The blade-like connecting needle includes a blade signal line for transmitting signal from the semiconductor wafer, a support insulator covering at least a portion of the blade signal line, a plurality of blade guard patterns disposed in or on the support insulator for electromagnetically shielding the blade signal line, and a probe supported on the support insulator and connected to the blade signal line. There are also disclosed processes of producing the blade-like connecting needle. A method for manufacturing a coaxial or hollow blade-like connecting needle is also provided.

Abstract: The latching switch device includes a passage, a first cavity, a second cavity, a channel extending from each cavity to the passage, non-conductive fluid located the cavities, conductive liquid located in the passage, a first electrode, a second electrode and a latching structure associated with each channel. The passage is elongate. The channels are spatially separated from one another along the length of the passage. The electrodes are in electrical contact with the conductive liquid and are located on opposite sides of one of the channels. The conductive liquid includes free surfaces. Each latching structure includes energy barriers located in the passage on opposite sides of the channel. The energy barriers interact with the free surfaces of the conductive liquid to hold the free surfaces apart from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and reflecting ions. The ion mirror of the present invention is integral to a mass spectrometer flight tube and includes a front electrode, middle electrode, and a rear electrode. Each of the three electrodes are designed for receiving and reflecting ions. The electrodes of the ion mirror have a conductive material used for creating electric fields that retard and reflect ions back toward an ion detector. The flight tube may be made of an insulating material such as fused silica or quartz.

Abstract: A bracket attached to a peripheral device of a computer system aligns and attaches the peripheral device to the inside of a computer system chassis. The bracket is detachably mountable and includes a bracket body having an aperture therein through which the peripheral device is inserted. The bracket includes a support bar having a tab that fits into a slot in the chassis to securely hold the peripheral device in position such that the front panel of the peripheral device is aligned within an aperture in a face of the chassis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electrical fields within the ion flight path of a mass spectrometer are provided. Gratings having a planar array of parallel conductive strands and electrically connected to a voltage source are placed in the ion flight path so that at least a portion of the conductive strands traverses the flight path. The gratings may be arranged within the ion flight path so that the conductive strands of each of the gratings are aligned behind the conductive strands of a first grating, with respect to the ion flight path, thus providing high ion transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device, or medical navigator, based not on a programming perspective, but a use perspective. Medication to be taken is displayed on a color screen, actual size where possible. A color display is used because the pharmaceutical industry worldwide has substantially standardized on the colors; e.g., black and yellow pills mean barbiturates. Capsules and caplets are uniquely colored for the medicines. Pharmacists can readily tell what the medication is by looking at it. And, patients identify medications by their color and size. Input mechanisms are provided for indicating compliance with the mediation schedule and the physical condition of the patient.