Abstract: A method and device for verifying whether a cavity (16) enclosing a micromachined sensing structure (14) between a pair of wafers (10, 12) is hermetically sealed by detecting the presence of moisture within the cavity (16). The method entails forming a bare, unpassivated PN junction diode (20) in a semiconductor substrate, preferably a device wafer (10) with the sensing structure (14). The device wafer (10) is then bonded to a capping wafer (12) to enclose the PN junction diode (20) and micromachine (14) within a cavity (16) defined by and between the wafers (10, 12). The reverse diode characteristics of the PN junction diode (20) are then determined by causing a reverse current to flow through the diode (20). For this purpose, either a known voltage is applied across the diode (20) and the reverse leakage current measured, or a known reverse current is forced across the diode (20) and the voltage measured.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system mode control film belt that uses a single drive shaft to shift the belt back and forth. The belt follows a continuous loop that begins and ends at the single drive shaft, wrapping around idler rollers, where necessary, to maintain defined runs of the belt against one or more vent windows in a housing. Thin, long, and widely spaced pairs of drive bands at either end of the belt wrap around the single shaft in opposite directions, clear of one another, wrapping or unwrapping from the shaft in opposite directions as it turns in either direction. The belt is thus able to shift back and forth to open or close the vent widows, while air is able to flow unobstructed between the widely spaced belt drive bands and out to the vent windows.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for an electronic mechanism, particularly in an automobile or other vehicle. The switch member or button has a pair of post members which are positioned on supporting members on a retainer member. The support members also position the switch member or button in the retainer member and hold it fictionally in alignment along its side surfaces. Pad members also can be provided on the support members. The switch mechanism minimizes noise, undesirable side-to-side movement and undesirable twisting movement of the button member. The switch mechanism also allows control of the "feel" of the button actuation.

Abstract: An electrical connector system including a terminal retainer having a plurality of terminal receiving cavities formed therein and aligned in a rectilinear pattern of rows and columns. The terminal retainer preferably has a block like configuration including a front face and opposite rear face and a plurality of terminal cavities extending from the rear to the front face. Each terminal cavity is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a terminal, wherein the terminal has an annular abutment. A plurality of flexible locking fingers are provided which extend from the front face of the female terminal retainer, each being positioned to straddle two adjacent terminal cavities. Each flexible locking finger includes a pair of spaced apart locking shoulders, one for each straddled terminal cavity, each locking shoulder having a terminus.

Abstract: A coating composition for use in protecting metal, and for use as a soldering flux, and methods involving the same. A coating for circuit boards and processes involving the same. One coating material can serve as a metal corrosion inhibitor, a no-clean soldering flux, and/or a protective coating in replacement of a conformal coating. In its most preferred form, this invention serves all three functions in the manufacture of an electrical circuit board.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an instrument display, including: indicator apparatus moveable to indicate a value on a scale; driving apparatus operatively connected to move the indicator apparatus along a path of movement; control apparatus to provide driving signals to the driving apparatus and to cause the driving apparatus to operate at a selected one of a normal torque condition and a reduced torque condition; and soft stop homing apparatus operatively connected to the driving apparatus to cause cessation of movement of the driving apparatus when the driving apparatus is operated at the reduced torque condition and the soft stop homing apparatus is engaged at a homing position and to permit free movement of the driving apparatus when the driving apparatus is operated at the normal torque condition even when the soft stop homing apparatus is engaged.

Abstract: A method by which semiconductor wafers (10, 12) can be solder bonded to form a semiconductor device, such as a sensor with a micromachined structure (14). The method entails forming a solderable ring (18) on the mating surface of a device wafer (10), such that the solderable ring (18) circumscribes the micromachine (14) on the wafer (10). A solderable layer (20, 26, 28) is formed on a capping wafer (12), such that at least the mating surface (24) of the capping wafer (12) is entirely covered by the solderable layer (20, 26, 28). The solderable layer (20, 26, 28) can be formed by etching the mating surface (24) of the capping wafer (12) to form a recess (16) circumscribed by the mating surface (24), and then forming the solderable layer (26) to cover the mating surface (24) and the recess (16) of the capping wafer (12).

Abstract: A head up display system having a diffusing image plane or diffuser. The light output of a relatively small image source is imaged on the diffuser by way of imaging optics. A mirror is used to image light from the diffuser onto a windshield and correct for distortion caused by the windshield. The diffuser is advantageously used when a large field-of-view is desired, or sun load characteristics need to be addressed. The diffuser may be flat or curved in order to optimize the system for different applications. The magnification of the mirror may be made relatively low, and the solar energy density that is made incident on the image source is reduced, providing for a low cost, high performance, color head up display system.

Abstract: A broadband FM antenna is suitable for mounting on an inner surface of a rear window glass of a motor vehicle above an electric rear window defogger grid also mounted on the glass and made of the same frit material. The antenna has an extended range of reception across a commercial FM band without the need for an antenna boost amplifier and is capable of use in multiple countries having different commercial FM bands. The antenna comprises a plurality of horizontal frit lines extending outward from a series of points near the horizontal center of the rear window as described and claimed herein. Some of these horizontal elements are joined by outer connecting frit lines at their outer ends and all are connected at their inner ends by a plurality of inner connecting elements connecting all of the points together. The frit lines essentially form a pair of horizontal antenna elements, each tuned to one quarter of a different commercial FM band wavelength so that the antenna spans the desired band or bands.

Abstract: An automotive circuit package combines electronic control functions and power function on a single circuit board substrate. Electronic components including signal level terminals are in one section of the substrate and an array of power terminals are in a second section of the substrate but sharing some common circuit paths carrying control signals. Supplemental conductors in the second section are selectively connected to power terminals to carry high current levels. Each terminal is a through access terminal for directly connecting conductors on the substrate, wiring harness connectors on one side of the substrate and fuses and relays on the other side of the substrate. In one embodiment the terminals have a male portion extending from one side of the substrate and a female portion on the other side. In another embodiment male and female portions are on the same side of the substrate and apertures in the substrate allow plugging into the female portions from the other side.

Abstract: Pressure sensors on the bottom surface of a seat cushion respond to occupant weight. A microprocessor evaluates the sensor outputs according to total force, load rating, long term average, sensor groups and a fuzzy measure to discriminate between large and small occupants and allow air bag deployment for large but not small occupants. Allow and inhibit decisions are filtered avoid sudden response to transient pressure changes on the seat. When a large occupant is positively detected, an allow decision is locked in place as long as total force exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method of operation for a motor vehicle object detection system is described, in which the extent angle of an identified target is accurately determined by applying a point source scatterer identification technique to data at the periphery of a composite return. Return amplitude data from one or more complete scans of the sensor beam are collected and compared with a target threshold to identify objects in the viewing angle, thereby forming an array of amplitude data associated with successive beam positions for each identified object. In each array, the left-most and right-most pair of amplitude data points associated with successive beam positions are selected and individually used to compute the angle of a point source scatterer which would be responsible for that data pair.

Abstract: An airbag with two or more inflators can be inflated in successive stages separated by a time interval, inflated simultaneously or some not inflated at all, depending on crash severity. The first stage inflation is controlled in accordance with a conventional algorithm for single stage deployment. Deployment time and velocity parameters used for the first stage are employed to determine the crash severity and the time interval of the next stage. There is no time delay in the case of a very severe crash, but for a moderately severe crash the time interval is proportional to the difference of the time or velocity and a selected minimum time or velocity value.

Abstract: A vehicle window antenna comprises a grid of conductive frit material affixed to the inner side of a window glass in a confined area above a window heating element comprising a grid of similar material similarly affixed and covering most of the window viewing area. The window glass is retained in a channel surrounding an aperture edge of the vehicle body by a mounting and sealing member comprising a strip of a urethane material which is electrically conductive with a low impedance at radio frequencies. At least one electrically conducting ground element, made of the same frit material, is affixed to the inner side of the window glass and electrically coupled at radio frequencies through the mounting and sealing member to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A substantially closed processing station designed to disperse chemicals for uniformly coating or otherwise contacting an emulsion-coated or other surface is disclosed. The station includes opposed chemical chambers, each of which is covered with a perforated film and, optionally, a screen-like material, between which materials the photographic film or other substrate passes. Distension of the upper perforated film ensures contact between the film (or the screen) and the photographic film moving through the station while minimizing the pressure on and resulting abrading of the substrate's surface. Because the matched peripheries of the upper and lower chambers are closely fitted, the processing station is virtually sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and little degradation of the processing chemicals occurs even after extended periods of nonuse.

Abstract: An automated, interactive system for receiving, storing, processing, retrieving and dispensing film, still video camera diskettes, or other products which must be processed. The system includes an unmanned, automated and computerized apparatus analogous to an automatic teller machine (ATM). Instructions presented on an interactive video display prompt a patron to enter identification information and data concerning the type of photoprocessing desired. The information entered is stored on a floppy computer disc or transmitted electronically to a remote processing facility via a telephone link and used to track the order as it is processed at a remote location. The finished prints are returned to the apparatus and stored in a compartmentalized storage unit while awaiting pick-up by the customer. A random access retrieval mechanism included in the apparatus allows packages of processed prints to be stored in any empty compartments of the storage unit.

Abstract: A system of substantially closed processing stations designed to disperse chemicals for uniformly coating or otherwise contacting an emulsion-coated or other surface or strip is disclosed. The system comprises one or more slotted stations through which developing chemicals are transmitted into shallow sinks. The chemicals uniformly contact the strip as it travels over the sinks and subsequently are removed from the strip along with by-products of the reaction by wipers or ribs and disposed through disposal slots in the stations. The ribs also agitate the chemicals and emulsion to assist uniform developing of the strip. Because the processing station is virtually sealed from the surrounding atmosphere, little degradation of the processing chemicals occurs even after extended periods of nonuse.