Abstract: A method of determining whether an electrolytic capacitor is properly connected or reversed in an electronic assembly. In a first embodiment, a non-contacting probe is placed near but not touching the body of the device under test (DUT). One terminal of the DUT is driven by a stimulus (voltage source or current source) while the other terminal is connected to a reference voltage. A voltage is measured at the probe relative to the reference voltage and the device is properly oriented if the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a second embodiment, current through the probe is measured instead of voltage at the probe. In a third embodiment, a non-contacting probe is placed near but not touching both leads of the DUT. Each DUT lead is alternately driven by a stimulus and alternately connected to a reference voltage. For each of the two lead test configurations, a voltage at each DUT lead is measured and current through the non-contacting probe is measured.

Abstract: An assembly and method for testing leads of an integrated circuit package. The assembly includes a testing substrate with a plurality of conductive portions for use in connection with a test probe. The assembly, further includes at least one compressible conductive bridge member for providing electrical contact between the leads of the integrated circuit package and the conductive portions of the testing substrate. The conductive bridge member has multiple electrically conductive wires embedded therein or secured thereto, each of the wires being parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. The assembly uses a locator device for retaining the conductive bridge members therein and maintaining the conductive bridge members in electrical contact with the leads of the integrated circuit package and the conductive portions of the testing substrate.

Abstract: Matched digital-to-analog conversions are performed in which, in each of N parallel channels, a digital input word is converted into a corresponding analog output. A digital sequence is generated, a time-varying analog signal having a predetermined relationship to the digital sequence is generated in response to the digital sequence, and the digital sequence and the time-varying analog signal are distributed to the N parallel channels. In each of the N parallel channels, the digital input word is digitally compared with the digital sequence, and, when the digital sequence is numerically equal to the digital input word, the time-varying analog signal is sampled to provide the analog output. The single time-varying analog signal derived from the single digital sequence at an operational speed at which high accuracy and low power consumption can be easily attained enables well-matched digital-to-analog conversions to be performed in any number of channels ranging from a few to many thousands.

Abstract: A method for establishing bindings in distributed systems is based on a relational characterization interface (RCI) that includes the following fields: ensemble, message type, and variable name. Optional fields may be specified such as time stamp, units, location, and value. The RCI uses explicit representation and standard representations for data and other communication entities to minimize the difficulty in establishing the necessary communication between parts of these systems while maximizing the interoperability properties of the components of these systems. In addition, the interface allows for the use of distributed or collective entities. A variety of services and other supporting methods are enabled by the RCI.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting digital images is provided. In one embodiment, a personal electronic handheld digital camera executes an application program that enables a user of the camera to send one or more digital images, formed by and stored in the camera, from the camera to a destination. One or more addresses describing one or more destinations are selected or identified. One or more stored digital images are selected and associated with the one or more addresses. Optionally, a voice message is recorded and associated with the one or more addresses. The camera is coupled to a data communication network, and a transport operation is initiated. Under control of the application, the camera sends the selected images to the designated destinations over the data communication network. When an address is a physical address, for example, a postal mail address, the selected images are automatically routed to a central server.

Abstract: The rapid growth of thick thermally grown oxide layers on silicon wafers is described herein. By patterning and etching a plurality of pillars on the surface of the silicon wafer, oxide growth is primarily lateral and not vertical, enabling it to proceed much faster. In other embodiments, the pillars are fabricated with an oxygen barrier on their top surface, preventing oxide growth on the top of the pillars and resulting in an oxide layer with a more planar upper surface.

Abstract: A handheld medical calculator and reference device having an input keypad and an output screen connected to a processor with memory to perform specific clinical functions. The clinical functions include: basic mathematical operations and common scientific functions for routine calculations; store/recall functions for numbers and for routinely used program settings; phone directory; user selection of display modes (fixed, scientific, choice of radix), degree/radian; time, date, and day of week features for timing and alarms (with display format choices); drug and infusion calculations; hemodynamic and cardiac functions; respiratory and pulmonary functions; acid-base functions; nutritional functions; nomograms, maps, and a reference table of normal values; and patient vital signs record keeping.

Abstract: A model-based diagnostic system that enables selection of components for replacement and selection of the next test to apply to a device under test based on economic costs associated with replacing components and conducting tests.

Abstract: The present invention is technique for setting the codewheel gap that is quick and requires no parts beyond what is needed for encoder operation. The gapping mechanism is incorporated into the encoder cover and maintains solid contact between the base and the housing of the encoder.

Abstract: A cleaning method for a quartz substrate includes mixing a rinsing solution and mixing a cleaning solution such that the solutions are electrically conductive. The rinsing solution is carbonated and is used in more than one step within the method. The cleaning solution includes ammonium hydroxide. As a result of the electrical conductivity of the solutions, the cleaning method is less susceptible to surface damage caused by electrostatic discharge. The sequence of steps includes rinsing the quartz substrate with the carbonated rinsing solution, removing loose contaminants by a high pressure application of the cleaning solution, and removing organic contaminants in a strong oxidation environment using a solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The carbonated rinsing solution is again applied, followed by another high pressure application of the cleaning solution and a final rinse with the carbonated rinsing solution.

Abstract: A digital interpolating system transmits a digital output value that is within a linear range defined by a minimum value and a maximum value input into the system. Another input value, a control value, indicates which value within the linear range should be output by the system as an interpolated output value. The system utilizes a simple hardware design to efficiently implement an approximation of an equation of a line defined by the minimum and maximum values input into the system. The hardware design includes a plurality of switching devices, such as multiplexers or switches, and a plurality of adders to implement the approximation of the equation. By approximating the equation, the system is capable of providing the minimum and the maximum value input into the system as the interpolated output value when the control value is at a minimum and a maximum, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for performing an assay on chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids. The apparatus includes an assay chamber for fluid reactions and a centrifugal force activated-valve for controlling fluid movement through the assay chamber. An active surface can be positioned in the assay chamber to react with fluids passed through the assay chamber. The active surface may contain biomolecular probes. The biomolecular probes can be DNA, DNA fragments, RNA, RNA fragments, reagents, protein, protein fragments, lipids, and lipid fragments. The apparatus is particularly useful when multiple reactions, dilutions, or washing steps are required to determine a final answer. The centrifugal force activated-valve provides positive control over fluid in the assay chamber and allows for repeated use of the same chamber for multiple reaction steps. The apparatus can be disposed of after an assay to eliminate potential contamination from reuse of the same apparatus.

Abstract: Linearization of an ionization detector is obtained by processing the output signal derived from the ionization detector so as to compensate for the naturally-occurring logarithmic decay of the detector response at high sample concentrations. Linearization is accomplished according to a linearizing formula:I.sub.(lin) =I[1+(I/I.sub.(dec))].sup.pwrwhere:I.sub.(lin) =linearized output signal current of the detectorI=non-linearized output signal current of the detectorI.sub.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer connector assembly including a low insertion force connector, a leaf spring latch and several alternative housing configurations.

Abstract: A microminiature valve includes a housing having a cavity, and a diaphragm having an array of a plurality of redundant, generally concentric, annular seals on an underside of the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is positioned within the cavity so as to define upper and lower cavity sections and wherein the array is located opposite a valve seat formed on a lower cavity surface, and wherein the valve seat incorporates a central port and a peripheral port, such that a signal fluid stream provided between the central port and the peripheral port may be controlled by displacing the annular seals to and from the valve seat, thereby respectively interrupting or permitting the flow of the signal fluid stream. The upper cavity section includes a control port for supplying a pressurized control fluid to the upper cavity and accordingly to the upper side diaphragm, so as to effect a pressure differential for movement of diaphragm with respect to the valve seat.

Abstract: A fault tolerant optical switch allows fault tolerance and redundant operation in an optical switching matrix. A plurality of redundant switch elements and waveguides and an optical reflector enable the fault tolerant optical switch to provide a spare optical path around a failed switch element. The redundant path may be established and maintained until the failed switch element can be replaced at which time the redundant path may again be available to provide a spare optical path in case of another switch element failure.

Abstract: An operational amplifier that may be fabricated on an integrated circuit is disclosed. Three precision emitter followers and four additional transistors comprise the major components of the op-amp. Two of the precision emitter followers are connected to the inverting and non-inverting inputs of the op-amp, respectively. The outputs of these two precision emitter followers are connected together to form a differential pair of precision emitter followers. Four additional transistors are used to convert the differential output of the precision emitter follower differential pair to a single-ended output and to provide gain. Two of the four additional transistors are used to mirror the currents in the drive transistors of the differential pair of precision emitter followers. These two mirrored currents are then fed to the drive and sense transistors of a current mirror respectively to convert the differential currents into a single-ended voltage.

Abstract: A switchable waveguide having first and second states. In the first state, the waveguide guides light of a signal wavelength along a predetermined path. In the second state, no guiding of the light occurs. The waveguide includes a guide layer of a guide material having a first index of refraction in the absence of an electric field and a second index of refraction in the presence of the electric field. The electric field is generated in a portion of the guide layer by applying an appropriate electrical signal to a plurality of electrodes that define a guide region in the guide layer. The guide region has an index of refraction that is greater than that of the guide layer in regions adjacent to the guide region. The electrodes are separated from the guide region by a distance of at least one-half times the wavelength of the light being guided. The separation is maintained by arranging the electrodes such that the guide region is created at a location separated from the electrodes.

Abstract: An improved interferometric system with reduced air turbulence error. The system includes an optical retarder that functions as a quarter wave plate for two harmonically related frequencies. The retarder may be formed by a pair of quartz disks cut so that the C axis lie in the plane of the disk and are oriented orthogonally relative to each other.

Abstract: A light emitting device and a method of fabricating the device include a wavelength selective reflector that is formed between a light source and a layer of phosphorescent material. The light emitting device is a phosphor-conversion light emitting diode (LED) that outputs secondary light that is converted from primary light emitted from the light source. In the preferred embodiment, the light source is a Gallium Nitride (GaN) die and the wavelength selective reflector is a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirror. The DBR mirror is comprised of multiple alternating layers of high and low refractive index materials. The high refractive index material may be Titanium Dioxide (TiO.sub.2) and the low refractive index material may be Silicon Dioxide (SiO.sub.2). An encapsulating layer over the GaN die provides a distance between the GaN die and the DBR mirror. Preferably, the encapsulating layer is a dome-shaped structure and the DBR mirror forms a dome-shaped shell over the encapsulating layer.