Abstract: This application teaches that more accurate measurements of clock skew can be had by providing a clock monitor pin directly connected to the clock bus internal to the VLSI chip.

Abstract: Sequential faults are not tested for adequately when using test input operands generated in the chip from a random number generator to test the logic circuits in a very large scale integrated (VLSI) chip. Accordingly this application teaches the efficient construction of a test operand generator, using an input register with properly randomized feedback to break up sequential patterns which would otherwise develop in the input register.

Abstract: An automatic telecommunication system includes a central location and at least one remote location where a data reporting system including a modem is situated. The central location establishes communications over the switched telephone network to the modem coupled to a telephone line at the remote location. At least one telephones is also connected to the telephone line at the remote location. Circuitry is provided for suppressing ringing of the telephone when the central location initiates a call to the modem at the remote location. The circuitry includes a microprocessor for controlling the modem to respond to incoming ringing signals on the telephone line only during a predetermined time window. The circuitry also includes an arrangement for detecting a ringing signal on the telephone line and delivering an input to the microprocessor indicating ringing. The microprocessor delivers an output if the ringing occurs during the predetermined time window.

Abstract: A compliant S-shaped lead for resiliently supporting an integrated circuit chip package in spaced relation generally parallel to a printed circuit board. The S-lead bends and twists to absorb forces which would otherwise be exerted on solder joints due to temperature cycling and vibration. The symmetrical S-lead self-centers on both the package and PC board to provide minimum stress. The leads are held by a support strip for connection to the chip carrier. Thereafter, the support strip is removed and the carrier positions the leads for connection to the circuit board.

Abstract: A scanned electron beam system employs an electron beam source using an NEA activated photo-emitter as the cathode. The activated photo-emitter cathode produces a pre-shaped electron beam having a relatively small spot focussed on a target plane. The beam is selectively deflected to scan the beam spot along the target plane to expose desired patterns on that plane. The distance between the cathode and anode can be made large enough to accommodate in situ replenishment of cathode material, such as Cesium, without obstructing the electron optical path. The system includes two vacuum chambers which are differentially pumped through respective ports. The first chamber, in which the anode and cathode are located, is utilized for establishing the required electrostatic field. The second chamber is employed to produce the necessary focussing and selective beam deflection.

Abstract: A data gathering system includes a plurality of remote units which are controlled from a central location. Each of the remote units is attached to a television receiver which is generally but not necessarily attached to a cable system. Each of the remote units can function to determine which of several TV modes is in use as well as to store TV channel selector data, data from an optical input device, and/or data input by viewers representative of the composition of the viewing audience. The data is stored for either later collection by a portable data collector, or for direct transmission via telephone to the central location. A video message for a TV viewer, such as a survey, may be transmitted from the central location and stored at the remote units, for later display on the TV receiver associated with the remote units. Substitution of alternate programming information may also be achieved by the central control point on selected of the remote units.

Abstract: A programmable logic array is constructed of independently controllable logic building blocks of two types and special output logic to perform desired logic functions. The first building block is a functional element which is capable of performing any logical function of its input data to create output data. The functional elements shown are based on three inputs with a single output. The second basic type of building block is a pass-through/hold device which may either pass its input directly through as an output, or which may latch and hold the input until clocked. A plurality of logic levels or ranks of elements of the first type and ranks of the second type are interconnected so that the output can be various functions of the inputs. The logic array described here has first and second logic levels consisting of functional elements followed by a third level of pass-through/hold devices. The fourth and fifth logic levels are functional elements and pass-through/hold devices.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method for producing small machined parts by laser including a description of how to avoid sensitive edges of the work piece being machined and how to control beam size for maintaining uniform cavity depth over a relatively long work piece and also how to generate non-uniform cavity depth profiles on the surface of one or more parts. The invention also teaches that such a process can be used to produce satisfactory negative pressure air bearing sliders which are used to support the transducing magnetic heads for high density magnetic storage disk drives.

Abstract: A double precision approximate quotient network determines the quotient of a 2n bit number and an n bit number where the n bit number has a value of 2.sup.n-1 -2, 2.sup.n-1 -1, 2.sup.-1, or 2.sup.n+1. Apparatus determines the 2's complement and 2 times the 2's complement of the n most significant bits of the 2n bit number. A select circuit is responsive to the value of the n bit number to select one of (a) the 2's complement of the n most significant bits of the 2n bit number, (b) 2 times the 2's complement of the n most significant bits of the 2n bit number, (c) zero, or (d) the n most significant bits of the 2n bit number. A shift register right shifts the 2n bit number one place. An adder adds the shifted 2n bit number to the number selected by the select circuit to determine the quotient. The apparatus is particularly useful in determining a double precision approximate quotient for use in double precision floating point divide and decimal divide operations.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method and apparatus for assembly of complex systems by human operators with the assistance of automatic machinery. The machinery employes a lighted probe to direct the operator to insert a part of the lighted location and the machinery tests for proper seating of the part. The machinery is integrated into a larger automated system which enhances its automatic part location indicating function by allowing and correcting for mislocation of real world coordinates from ideal coordinates. Also taught is a method for integration fo the assembly operation from the design stage through the production phase.

Abstract: Each doorway or passageway between rooms in which a device may be located is fitted with another device which detects motion and the direction of the motion through the passage. Each room is equipped with a signal emitter that is controlled by the motion detector at the room's passage. The signal emitted by the signal emitter is received by a monitor which monitors the status of the device which happens to be located in that room. The emitted signal informs the monitor when there has been motion into the room (audience increase) or when there has been motion out of the room (audience decrease). Motion between rooms will result in a decrease signal being sent by the signal emitter in one room and an increase signal being sent by the signal emitter in the other room. If no device and monitor are located in a room, the increase or decrease signal is ignored by the audience monitoring system.

Abstract: An improved ring oscillator for VLSI chips is shown, formed at the chip periphery. It may have specific initiation gates and have additional parasitic capacitance added to the ring to enhance accuracy. The circuit elements used for the ring are the same as those used for more centralized circuits.

Abstract: Certain stored program digital computer systems employ a single central memory to which requests are made for individual instruction words stored within it. Certain types of these memories employ address queues in which requests may be temporarily stored when requests come in more rapidly than the central memory can service them. A write valid memory records each central memory request and provides a status signal which can be used to prevent placing of a further request for the word at an address in the queue.

Abstract: A flexible head connector with a ground plane for connecting a daughter board to a mother board.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for recognizing broadcast segments, such as commercials, in real time by continuous pattern recognition without resorting to cues or codes in the broadcast signal. Each broadcast frame is parametized to yield a digital word and a signature is constructed for segments to be recognized by selecting, in accordance with a set of predefined rules, a number of words from among random locations throughout the segment and storing them along with offset information indicating their relative locations. As a broadcast signal is monitored, it is parametized in the same way and the library of signatures is compared against each digital word and words offset therefrom by the stored offset amounts. A data reduction technique minimizes the number of comparisons required while still maintaining a large database.

Abstract: Automatic manufacture of integrated circuit packages including a leadless chip carrier is facilitated by providing, in strip form, flexible tape circuitry having a dielectric layer and a conductive layer. Through selective etching, regularly spaced central openings are formed in the strip for subsequent placement of the leadless chip carriers. The arms are formed in the conductive layer and extend into the openings. Members are formed in the dielectric layer around each opening. A leadless chip carrier is placed in an opening and its pads are bonded to the arms. With the chip carrier thus secured to the strip, its position is controlled by the strip drive means which moves each chip carrier to assembly and testing stations. Electrical testing is accomplished with probes adapted to contact the arms. Temperature cycling and other mechanical tests also are conducted with the chip carrier attached to the tape.

Abstract: An electrical power connector for PC boards or bus bars having low insertion force and low voltage drop across the connector. The connector features a female receptacle having a double set of opposing rows of multipoint spring contacts mating with a two-tiered male plug. The spring contacts make electrical contact to the tiers of the male plug.

Abstract: An improved method of height measurement and correction for a two-stage deflection ("fly's eye" lens) electron beam accessed lithography system is provided which employs a height measuring transducer such as a capacitance gauge or an optical gauge and a two position fiducial calibration grid (LFG) set at positions LFG1 and LFG2 a known distance apart and wherein the electron beam of the electron beam lithography system is sequentially deflected to the two positions for each lenslet being corrected. Measurement signals derived at each position are processed pursuant to a unique algorithm to derive desired height correction output signals and height corrected deflection signals for control of the fine deflector of the electron beam lithography system.

Abstract: In an electron beam system in which the beam is exposed in selected prescribed patterns on a target surface, stored pattern data specifies the location of the pattern as coordinates on the target plane of a reference point in the pattern, specifies the shape of the pattern as a code identifying one of several permissible shapes, and specifies the size of the pattern as dimensions of first and second pattern dimensions in the target plane. In exposing each pattern, the data is: modified to provide the selected pattern in the desired size; modified to determine the maximum beam size for the selected pattern; dynamically fragmented into individual beam flashes; and examined to determine the beam spot size, shape and position for each flash. All patterns are generally designated as trapezoids, with a triangle considered as a trapezoid having one side of zero length, a rectangle considered as a trapezoid having four right angles, etc.

Abstract: A backup material for small bore drilling in hard .[.crystalline.]. materials, such as multilayer circuit boards containing polyimide/glass, polyimide kevlar or modified epoxy BT/glass, includes at least one layer of hard crystalline material. Standard LCOA material with an additional layer selected from the group comprising polyimides, fluorocarbons and high temperature polycarbonates has proven successful.