Abstract: A communication circuit of serial peripheral interface (SPI) devices includes a master device, a plurality of slave devices, an SPI bus, and a multiplexer. The master device includes an SPI bus controller and a chip-selecting unit. Each of the slave devices is electrically coupled to the multiplexer. The multiplexer is electrically coupled to the SPI bus controller of the master device via the SPI bus. The chip-selecting unit of the master device is electrically coupled to the multiplexer for selecting one of the slave devices to communicate with the SPI bus controller via the multiplexer and the SPI bus.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (300) for use in a flat display monitor includes a base seat (10), a support seat (20) and a pivotal mechanism. The pivotal mechanism comprises a pivotal shaft (30) having at least one flat surface (310). The base seat defines a pivotal hole (142) therein. The support seat defines an engaging hole (242). The base seat is rotatable relative to the support seat. The pivotal shaft passes through the pivotal hole of the base seat and the engaging hole of the support seat. One of the base seat and the support seat defines a protrusion (143). The protrusion is substantially V-shaped and has two edges (1432, 1434). The flat surface of the pivotal shaft pivotally engages with the protrusion. Another one of the pivotal hole of the base seat and the engaging hole of the support seat non-rotatably engages with the pivotal shaft.

Abstract: An exemplary clamping fixture (100) for washing optical members (60) includes a base (10), two clamping elements (20, 30), and a securing member (40). The base defines a plurality of holding grooves (13) configured for holding a first portion (61) of each of the optical members therein. The clamping elements are disposed at two sides (12) of the base. Each of the clamping elements has a plurality of holding slots (22) defined therein. The holding slots are configured for holding a second portion (62) of each of the optical members. The securing member is configured for securing the clamping elements and the optical members together in such a manner that the optical members can be removed from the base.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanotube field emission includes the steps of: providing a substrate (110) with a metallic layer (130) thereon; defining a plurality of holes (131) in the metallic layer; oxidizing the metallic layer to form a metallic oxide layer (132) thereon; removing portions of the metallic oxide layer in the plurality of holes so as to expose corresponding portions of the metallic layer; forming a metal-salt catalyst layer (580) on the exposed portions of the metallic layer in the plurality of holes; and growing carbon nanotubes (690) on the substrate in the plurality of holes.

Abstract: An xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem (160) includes a setting module (168), a detection module (164), and a distinguishing module (166). The setting module pre-sets a threshold value, and adjusts the threshold value according to noise types. The detection-module captures connection parameters of the xDSL modem and the central office (CO) (120), and computes a judging value. The distinguish module distinguishes noise types according to the judging value, and determines whether the connection is maintained or disconnected. A method for stabilizing connection between an xDSL modem and a CO is also provided.

Abstract: A blower includes a fan blade assembly. The fan blade assembly includes a cylinder, fan blades, and damping ribs. The fan blades are fixed by an upper ring, a lower outer ring, and a lower inner ring. The cylinder is surrounded by the fan blades and coupled to the lower inner ring. The damping ribs are set between each two adjacent fan blades for enhancing structural integrity of the fan blade assembly thereby acting as a vibration damper of the fan blades when the blower operates at high-speed.

Abstract: An electrical connector compatible to standard USB connector includes an insulative housing forming a tongue (12) extending forwardly, a plurality of first and second contacts (22) mounted to the housing, and a shell (30) enclosing the housing. The tongue defines a plurality of passageways (14, 19) in a longitudinal direction. Each first contact has a first beam (213) received in a corresponding passageway and each first contact has a first contact portion in a front portion thereof. Each second contact includes a second beam (223) received in a corresponding passageway and each second contact includes a second contact portion in a front portion thereof. The first beams of the first contacts and the second beams of the second contacts are alternatively arranged in the passageways.

Abstract: According to the invention, techniques for visualizing customer data contained in databases, data marts and data warehouses. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a apparatus for graphically analyzing relationships in data from one or more data sources of an enterprise. The apparatus can be used with many popular visualization tools, such as On Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools and the like. The apparatus is especially useful in conjunction with a meta-model based technique for modeling the enterprise data. The enterprise is typically a business activity, but can also be other loci of human activity. Embodiments according to the invention can display data from a variety of sources in order to provide visual representations of data in a data warehousing environment.

Abstract: A printed circuit board and a routing scenario thereof are disclosed. The printed circuit board includes three dielectric layers, two signal layers and several differential pairs. Some differential pairs are disposed in one signal layer, while some differential pairs are interleavingly disposed in the adjacent other signal layer. The differential pairs in one signal layer carries signals that flows to one direction, while the differential pairs in the adjacent signal layer carries signals that flows to an opposite direction. Under such a routing scenario, the crosstalk between differential pairs in adjacent signal layers may be reduced.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulated housing (1) defines a receiving cavity (10) and a pair of latching portions respectively formed at longwise ends thereof; a plurality of conductive terminals (2, 2?) disposed in the housing and each has a contact portion exposed to the receiving cavity; a stuffer member (3) mounted to the housing and moving between an open position and a closed position; and a pair of metal strengthen member (4) mounted to the housing. The stuffer member comprises a main plate (31), a tongue plate (32) extending from a middle portion of the main plate and a pair of latching arms (33) extending from two longwise ends of the main plate to locate beside the tongue plate. Each latching arm has a latch (331) bending inward from its free end. The metal strengthen member has a stopping tab (42) cooperating with the latching portion to engage with the latch of the latching arm when the stuffer member in the open position.

Abstract: A card connector comprises an insulating housing; a plurality of contacts retained in the insulating housing; a shielding provided with one end along a card inserting direction coupled on the housing, and defining a card receiving space together with the insulating housing with a card inserting opening at the other end of the shielding, the shielding having a pair of opposite side edges, one of the side edges being in substantially linear configuration and the other of the side edges being in a step configuration so that the width of the card inserting opening is wider than that of the insulating housing; and an ejector assembled on the shield for ejecting the card.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly (100) includes a housing defining a mating interface, a printed circuit board (3) received in the housing, and defining a mating portion (30) accessible from the mating interface (11), a cable (4) with a number of conductors electrically attached to the printed circuit board and a latch (5) unitarily molded with the connector housing.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector (100) for receiving a module includes a shielding shell (3) mounted to a printed circuit board, an insulative housing (1) assembled to the shell and equipped with a number of contacts (2). Each contact has a contacting portion (22) for contacting with the module and a soldering portion (23) extending beyond the shell for connection to the printed circuit board. The shell comprises a bottom plate (32) extending in a direction perpendicular to the module insertion direction and a plurality of side plates (310, 311, 312, 313) extending upwardly from the bottom plate and cooperating with the bottom plate to form a receiving space for receiving the module. Every two adjacent side plates are connected to each other.

Abstract: A connector assembly (100) includes an insulative housing (10) defining a central slot (14) with two rows of passageways (16) by two sides thereof and two rows of contacts (20) disposed in the corresponding passageways, respectively. An electronic card (9) is received in the central slot and has a number of circuit pads (91) on a bottom portion thereof to engage the corresponding contacts, respective. Each of the contacts defines a contact section (22) extending into the central slot, and such contact section is of a downward bellows type with an overlapped region. The inner arm of the overlapped region provides a contact apex contacting the corresponding circuit pad. A height of the overlapped region is similar to a lengthwise dimension of the corresponding circuit pad when the printed circuit board is fully inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A system for controlling user authorities to access one or more databases includes at least one client computer (1), at least one administrator computer (4), an application server (3), a database server (5), and a system database (6). The application server includes an authority setting module (31), an authority verification module (32), a data management module (33), and an authority modifying module (34). The authority setting module is provided for defining system operations, user types and user authorities for ACLs (access control lists). Each ACL includes a database name list (105), a user name list (106), a user type list (107), a user authority list (108), and an ACL modifying interface (109). The system database stores a plurality of ACLs, operation definition data, type definition data, and authority definition data. A related method for adding, deleting and/or modifying authorities of a user by using ACLs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for securing a fan. The fan has four corner portions projecting from two opposite sides thereof, the corner portions each define a mounting hole therethrough. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket for securing the fan therein, and two locking members. The two locking members each comprise a pivoting portion and a positioning portion spaced from the pivoting portion. The pivoting portion and the positioning portion respectively form a pivoting post and a positioning stub to respectively engage two of the mounting holes of one side of the fan, the fan and the two locking members are secured within the bracket.

Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus (USB) port tester for testing a USB port of an electronic device includes an interface unit, a current-testing unit, and a voltage-testing unit. The interface unit is used for electrically connecting with the USB port of the electronic device and a USB device. The current-testing unit is connected to the interface unit for testing quality of the USB port of the electronic device in a standard current range. The voltage-testing unit is connected to the interface unit for testing quality of the USB port of the electronic device in a standard voltage range.

Abstract: An ion source and a polishing system using the ion source are disclosed. The ion source includes a discharge chamber, an electron emitter, a cathode, a screen grid, an accelerator grid, and a screen electrode. The discharge chamber is configured for accommodating discharge gas. The electron emitter is disposed in the discharge chamber. The cathode, the screen grid, the accelerator grid, and the accelerator grid are separately aligned in the discharge chamber in an ascending order with respect to the respective distance thereof from the electron emitter. The electron emitter, the cathode, the screen grid, the accelerator grid, and the accelerator grid are powered in order of descending voltages. The screen electrode defines an adjustable orifice to permit adjustment of an ion-beam ejecting area associated with the orifice. The polishing system further employs a movable stage and control and monitor components, in addition to the ion source.

Abstract: A power-off circuit includes a power unit (10), a power management unit (20), an integrated circuit chip (IC chip, 40), a switching apparatus (30), and a clamp circuit (70). The switching apparatus produces and transmits a power-off instruction to the power management unit. The power management unit produces and transmits a power-off notice to the IC chip in accordance with the power-off instruction. And the IC chip feeds back a power-off affirmation in accordance with the power-off notice to the clamp circuit. The clamp circuit receives the power-off affirmation and produces and transmits interrupted power-off signals to the power management unit, till the power management unit completely cuts off power supplied from the power unit to the IC chip.