Abstract: The present invention is a method and system designed to be used in a manufacturing environment to ensure the integrity of a manufacturing tool that downloads customer ordered software to personal computers. The present invention creates a computer environment in a lab setting that mimics the computer environment created in the manufacturing arena. The system and method then simulates the steps employed to download the software to a personal computer in a controlled environment to predetermine errors that may be encountered when the process is implemented in the manufacturing arena. This invention dynamically generates a file that contains instructions that when executed download and install customer ordered software to a target computer on the manufacturing floor. This invention then interprets the generated file in accordance with a set of evaluation rules such that the outcome of the execution of the file is determined.

Abstract: Two fiber optic cables are spliced together so as to provide a relatively high strength splice without increasing the diameter of the cable and without degrading cable flexibility at the splice. The strength elements from one cable are used to replace the strength elements at the end of the other cable, after the fiber optic cores of the cables have been fused together. The splicing equipment advantageously uses elongated conduits to hold unwound strength elements out of the way to allow the cores to be fused and to prevent unwanted distortion of the cable during rewinding.

Abstract: A multiple-reflector collimator and beam spreader is aligned with a source point by visual means, in addition to or instead of an electrical detector, in order to avoid the need to send a signal through the system to a detector in order to align the components.

Abstract: The cable has a fiber optic core, metal wires wound around the core, and a laminate of copper tape adhered to plastic tape wound around the wires under tension.

Abstract: A system of reflectors is used to form a beam-expanding and collimating terminus and coupler for fiber-optic cables. Preferably, the reflector system is of the Cassegrainian or Ritchey-Chretien type. Alignment of optical conductors or “cores” of fiber-optic cables is provided by coupling a magnetic member to one core end and applying a controllable magnetic field from outside of the terminus to move the core into alignment position, and then fixing the core in place by the use of means such as light-curable epoxy resin. Use of this process in termini, couplers and splices is described.

Abstract: Reflections from an air-to-solid interface in a multiple reflector optical device are suppressed by giving the output surface of the device a slightly curved refractive surface so as to deflect the reflections away from the optical axis of the device. The device is shown in use as a transducer input/output device, and as a fiber-optic cable terminus and coupler.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station.A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting circuit components on circuit boards, and particularly for mounting packaged processors on computer mother-boards. The structure includes a pair of retractable guides for mounting the processor package onto the circuit board. The semi-finished circuit board can be prepared for further processing or transportation to a distant location by retracting the guides to greatly reduce the height and volume of each board. Then, when the boards are received, the guides can be erected and the processor package installed. The structure includes means for holding the guides erected to facilitate installation of the processor package, and holding the guides in folded position for processing and/or transportation. Also, each of the guides has a wall with two side-by-side latch openings for receiving offset latch members of the processor package regardless of the orientation of the package relative to the guides.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station.

Abstract: A valve structure without dead-legs is provided for controlling the flow of gases in a semiconductor fabrication facility. The valve structure comprises a conduit forming a loop with three ports. Flexible metallic diaphragms are selectively operable to open and close two of the ports.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and holding a circuit board in place in a machine for screen printing a major surface thereof with solder paste. The apparatus includes a member with a surface on which a circuit board rests as the board receives solder paste printing through a screen. The surface has a main groove and distribution grooves that intersect the main groove in communicating relationship therewith at spaced locations along its length. Further, the member has an air removal passageway extending therethrough from one side to the opposite side thereof. The passageway terminates on the one side of the member at an opening located in the main groove. A circuit board resting on the surface over the grooves is held in place during screen printing with solder paste as a result of reduced air pressure established in the grooves when air is withdrawn therefrom through the passageway.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. A ticket feed path is constructed using feed modules that are mounted on pins extending from a vertical mounting plate.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism. The ticket printer also has a second reading/writing station in series with the first station along a ticket feed path, so that errors in reading or writing by the first station may be detected and/or corrected at the second station. Tickets are pre-staged from a ticket storage bin to a staging point to reduce print-cycle time. Ticket errors can be corrected and changes can be made by re-inserting the old ticket into the machine, reading the information that had been magnetically recorded on the old ticket and either printing a new ticket or over-printing the old ticket. If a new ticket is printed, the old ticket is deposited in a safe receptacle inside the machine.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on the ticket. The ticket is driven past the read/write head by a drive mechanism that contacts the ticket at a substantial distance from the read/write head so that the magnetic stripe is free to flex independently of the portion of the ticket that is in contact with the drive mechanism. More satisfactory contact between the read/write head and the magnetic stripe is thereby achieved.The printer's control system includes a printer electronics board and one or more single-slot PC/AT (ISA bus) microcomputers that are plugged into respective slots of a mother board.

Abstract: A gas cabinet manifold is free of dead-legs both during delivery of process gas to a semiconductor fabrication tool location and during purging of the manifold. The manifold includes three similar dual valve assembly blocks. Each valve assembly block includes two valves and each of the valves has a valve chamber in which are formed three ports. Each valve also includes a mechanism for selectively closing one of its three ports. Each of the valves has one of its non-closeable ports connected via a conduit to a corresponding non-closeable port of the other valve, and the other non-closeable ports are connected by a second conduit which is connected by a third conduit to a port by which gas may be introduced into the valve block. A vacuum venturi or other vacuum source is used to vent process gas from a high pressure area of the manifold by way of a pressure regulator and a low pressure area of the manifold.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of gas flow control units in cabinets which are connected to distribute process gas, on demand, to a plurality of utilization locations known as "tool" locations in a semi-conductor manufacturing plant. Transducers are used in the system to measure pressures and other control parameters. Zero calibration of the transducers is provided by automatically subjecting each transducer to a reference computer routine to compute the difference between the standard value and the transducer output, and store the difference as an "offset" to correct the output of the transducer. Thus, re-calibration is performed simply and quickly, at a relatively low labor cost and with relatively little downtime for the system.

Abstract: An airline ticket printer includes a magnetic reading and writing station that has a read/write head for recording information on, or reproducing information from, a magnetic stripe carried on a ticket. The printer also includes a printing station located after the magnetic read/write head. A plurality of separate storage bins are provided for storing different ticket blanks; each bin has its own feed device. The ticket blanks are prefed from the storage bins along separate guide paths to separate staging areas prior to these paths joining to form a common path. The magnetic read/write head and the printer are located along this common path.

Abstract: In a preservation system for a volatile memory associated with a nonvolatile memory, an energy storage portion accumulates energy while power is provided normally. When a power outage occurs, the stored energy is supplied to the volatile memory. Enough backup power is stored to accommodate the vast majority of unintentional interruptions of power. Eventually, after removal of external power, when the backup power decreases to a predetermined amount, data in the volatile memory is transferred to the nonvolatile memory. The preferred use for the preservation system is in an environment with vibration and/or power switching transients that affect the supply of power, such as an aircraft.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of gas flow control units in cabinets which are connected to distribute process gas, on demand, to a plurality of utilization locations known as "tool" locations in a semi-conductor manufacturing plant. Transducers are used in the system to measure pressures and other control parameters. Zero calibration of the transducers is provided by automatically subjecting each transducer to a reference computer routine to compute the difference between the standard value and the transducer output, and store the difference as an "offset" to correct the output of the transducer. Thus, re-calibration is performed simply and quickly, at a relatively low labor cost and with relatively little downtime for the system.

Abstract: Gas flow control units in cabinet are connected to distribute process gas, on demand, to a plurality of utilization locations known as "tool" locations in a semi-conductor manufacturing plant. The flow control units are adapted to deliver process gas selectively from one of two supply tanks to any one or all of four different tool locations. Simple, fast, low-cost purging of the gas delivery conduits is provided to facilitate maintenance, gas cylinder changes, etc. Means are provided to enable pulse purging of the long gas delivery conduit from the cabinet to the tool when flow-through or other purging is not possible.