Abstract: An automated process for performing MEMS packaging including automatically attaching a die to a chip carrier, resulting in a chip carrier assembly, automatically moving the chip carrier assembly into a vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber includes one or more lids therein, automatically securing a lid to the chip carrier assembly within the vacuum chamber, thereby forming a packaged die, and automatically removing the packaged die from the vacuum chamber. Unique vacuum chambers suitable for MEMS packaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: A public wireless network has authorized wireless access points through which users connect to the network. A monitoring client simulates a user and detects available access points, and compares the identity of any available access points to those maintained by an authentication server associated with the network.

Abstract: LED brightness compensation system and method to account for aging and/or temperature effects on LED brightness. The system includes one or more LEDs and a circuit coupled to the LEDs to maintain substantially constant LED brightness based on determined operating characteristics of the LEDs. The circuit includes an LED brightness controller for controlling the current running through the LEDs and a brightness compensation controller for directing the LED brightness controller to compensate for aging and/or temperature. The method includes: storing adjustment information in a memory unit; energizing one or more LEDs with an electric current; accumulating the operating time; sensing the operating temperature of the LEDs; and adjusting the current supplied to the LEDs based on the stored adjustment information, the accumulated time the LEDs have been energized, and the operating temperature of the LEDs.

Abstract: A gas generating system comprises an air separation module (ASM) in fluid communication with a nitrogen enriched air (NEA) line and an oxygen enriched air (OEA) line. A valve is positioned in the OEA line and an oxygen sensor is positioned in the NEA line. The valve can be modulated in response to the oxygen sensor to create a backpressure forcing more airflow into the NEA line. The OEA line can be backpressured until a predetermined NEA oxygen concentration is reached.

Abstract: A method for controlling a refresh sequence for multiple memory elements within an electronic device is disclosed. The method involves adjusting a programmable signal delay to avoid a simultaneous memory refresh between two or more of the multiple memory elements and passing a refresh signal from one memory element to another memory element based on the programmable signal delay.

Abstract: A probe substrate includes a plurality of beams, a probe having a contactor formed at one end of the beam, and a support substrate supporting the probe and having a bending space in which the probe can be bent upwards and downwards, and a trench oxide layer is formed on the upper surface of the support substrate. Therefore, the probe substrate and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention forms a trench oxide layer on the boundary of the beam and the support substrate to prevent the boundary from being damaged by stress applied to the boundary according to continuous and repeated bending of the beam. Therefore, electrical insulation between the beam and the support substrate is maintained to prevent electrical leakage.

Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation transformation for power transports is described. In embodiment(s), a power conducting system can include a power transport such as a conduit or power line that conducts power which is a source of electromagnetic radiation. The power conducting system can also include a paramagnetic material in a quantity sufficient to counteract the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source. In an embodiment, the power transport can be convered by an insulation cover that includes the paramagnetic material. To counteract harmful effects of the electromagnetic radiation, the paramagnetic material can transfrom the electromagnetic radiation, such as to effectuate a frequency transformation and/or to alter an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a plurality of cutting elements are positioned on the at least two roller cones, wherein cutting elements contributing to an operative gage row of the drill bit comprise less than 31 percent of a total cutting elements of the drill bit that contact the bottom of the borehole. A method to design a roller cone drill bit includes designing an initial bit, testing the initial bit; and adjusting the bit design to optimize at least one of rate of penetration and wear resistance, wherein cutting elements contributing to an operative gage row of the adjusted bit design comprise less than 31 percent of a total of cutting elements on the adjusted bit design that contact a bottom of a borehole.

Abstract: Vehicular tire monitoring system includes an energy providing system arranged on the tire, and a sensor system arranged on the tire and coupled to the energy providing system to be provided with energy by the energy providing system. The sensor system obtains data about at least one property of the tire, such as pressure, and converts the data into signals. An interrogator system is arranged on a frame of the vehicle and wirelessly communicates with the sensor system to receive the signals from the sensor system and derives, from the signals, the data obtained by the sensor system. A reactive system on the frame of the vehicle may be responsive to the data obtained by the sensor system, e.g., a display to display the data about the tire such as its pressure, or a communications system which transmits data about the tire to a remote site.

Abstract: A method of adapting the frequency of a protocol in a communication system is provided. The method includes changing a bus cycle used by communication nodes in a communication system based on cycle interval instructions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for device-based, or appliance-based, authentication of a range of media files. The device itself becomes the controlled domain within a known universe, monitored by an access provider much in the way that access and throughput are measured through cell phone usage. The range of allocated files is tracked instead of attempting to track individual files, or the individuals who copy the files themselves. An access provider, such as a Telco, ISP, or Carrier, is used to authenticate ranges of playable files on a particular device, based on allowable fidelities. A partnership structure is also described including all industries involved with content distribution horizontally, between the industries starting from an access provider (Infrastructure), to a content provider (Artist, Producer, Distributor) and finally to a Chip Manufacturer (Device or Appliance).

Abstract: A method of providing authorization, access rights, is provided wherein authentification/authorization for provision of a service is established between the system intended to provide the service and the user granting/limiting the access rights to the service being provided. Accordingly the request for providing a service by a system is communicated to a converged authentication device, typically a wireless device such as a cellular telephone or PDA, wherein authorization of the request is granted/denied. The converged authentification device thereby allowing authorization of the request to be given only by the owner of the access rights.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a component in a vehicle includes an image receiving system for receiving images including an occupant of the vehicle and which is arranged to recognize gestures in the received images, e.g., hand gestures, and a control system coupled to the image receiving system for controlling the component based on the recognized gestures. The component may be any component in the vehicle for which occupant-directed control is desired, for example, a vehicle heating and air-conditioning system. The gesture may thus be indicative of the occupant's desire to adjust the heating and air-conditioning system. The image receiving system may include at least one optical camera oriented in a direction of the occupant.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for obtaining information about a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device or an object on which the RFID device is mounted when the RFID device is in a space defined by a frame includes arranging a plurality of antennas on the frame to enable transmission of signals into the space and reception of signals from the space, controlling transmission of signals by the antennas by means of an interrogator, and directing radio frequency signals from at least one of the antennas into the space to cause a RFID device in the space to return a signal if it receives any signal from any of the antennas. The return signals from the RFID device are received, e.g., by the interrogator or an associated receiver, and information about the RFID device or object to which the RFID device is attached is derived based on the return signals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating DC power using a synchronous reluctance machine (12) or a salient-pole synchronous machine (102) and a power converter (110). The present invention can be used to achieve power production for a synchronous reluctance machine (12), or can be used to achieve partial production of power from a traditional salient-pole synchronous machine/starter (102) in the case where the salient-pole synchronous machine/starter has degenerated into a synchronous reluctance machine due to, for example, a loss of excitation. In a power generation system, a control system and method can include a power converter (110), controlled by a voltage command and at least one of a measured DC link (120) voltage or DC link (120) current, for use with a synchronous reluctance machine armature winding (102A) and a prime mover (116), such that movement of the synchronous reluctance machine rotor of the synchronous reluctance machine can be used to produce at least partial DC power generation.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring structures such as bridges includes arranging sensors on the structure, obtaining data via the sensors, analyzing the data to determine the presence of a non-optimal condition relating to the integrity of the structure and transmitting the data or a signal indicative of the analysis with an identification or location of the sensors and the structure to a remote monitoring facility. Transmission of the signal may be performed via satellite and/or the Internet to the monitoring facility which can schedule maintenance or repair of the structure. The monitoring facility would receive the identification or location of the structure to know where maintenance is required and the location of the sensor(s) reporting the condition which give rises to the need for maintenance and thus can accurately direct the personnel to the damaged area of the structure.

Abstract: Method for locating a cell phone or PDA, e.g., arranged in or on a movable asset, includes obtaining information at the cell phone or PDA relating to reception of signals, transmitting the information from the cell phone or PDA to a remote facility and determining the location of the cell phone or PDA from the information at the remote facility. The cell phone or PDA may obtain DGPS signals and transmit them to the remote facility. In this manner, the location of the cell phone and the asset in or on which it is arranged, or the person carrying the cell phone can be determined at the remote location.

Abstract: Security systems, such as in a home or other building, periodically transmit status data to a remote facility so that the remote facility is continuously informed of the security systems' status. A user interface device at one security system, or a web browser at a personal computer, can obtain information regarding, or provide commands to, one or more other security systems at remote locations by communicating with the remote facility. The remote facility also reports specified events, such as alarms, that occur at a security system to one or more other security systems. Other information, such as video and audio data from a security system, can also be provided to the remote facility for sharing with other security systems. An intercom feature can also be established via the remote facility.

Abstract: Provided are liquid compositions suitable for use as immersion liquids in immersion lithography, and immersion lithography processes and apparatus using the compositions.

Abstract: Methods, processes and systems for procuring, isolating and cryopreserving at least one viable, multipotent maternal placental stem cell is provided. Viable maternal placental stem cells are also provided. The maternal placental stem cell of the invention expresses the cell surface marker CD117 and at least one of the cell surface markers selected from the group consisting of CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD166, SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 and has low or no expression of at least one of the cell surface markers selected from the group consisting of CD34, CD45, CD133, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. The methods and process comprise generally obtaining a piece of placental tissue from a whole placenta, disaggregating the placental tissue with mechanical separation or enzymatic digestion, collecting and concentrating placental cells comprising maternal placental cells with centrifugation and optionally cryopreserving the placental cells. Additional steps for selecting and culturing the maternal placental stem cells is provided.