Abstract: The present invention provides a locator/monitor capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor may be used in expedited locating methodology and straightforward calibration techniques of the present invention. A durable and cost effective pitch sensor is also provided by the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides a slotted transmitter housing formed of an electrically conductive material, where the magnetic field generated by the transmitter is capable of penetrating to the surface.

Abstract: A base for a laptop computer. In one embodiment, the base has an upper surface with a keyboard and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The lower surface may have two depressions extending from a forward edge to a rear edge of the lower surface. The depressions are configured to engage both the upper and side surfaces of the user's legs in a manner that restricts relative motion between the base and the user's legs. In one embodiment, the depressions may have a rough texture and/or a skid-resistant material to further restrict motion of the base relative to the user's legs. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be movably attached to the base to move from a stowed position to an unstowed position for providing more surface area to engage the user's legs.

Abstract: A voltage generating circuit for generating internal voltage for a packaged integrated circuit memory device, is controllable to provide incremental adjustments in the voltage for testing of the memory device. The voltage generating circuit permits internally generated voltages of the memory device, such as the substrate voltage Vbb, the DVC2 voltage, and the pumped voltage Vccp, to be controlled externally through the application of test signals via the conventional test function, in performing standard device tests such as the static refresh test, logic 1s and 0s margin testing, and the like for packaged memory devices. Also, programmable circuits including programmable logic devices, such as anti-fuses, are provided that are programmable to maintain the voltage at a magnitude to which it is adjusted.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower including an elongate body having side walls defining coaxially disposed shaft orifices, a pallet end and a socket end interconnecting with the side walls to define a slider arm aperture, and a latch channel. The socket end is mountable to an hydraulic lash adjuster, and the pallet end is matable with a valve stem. A slider arm for engaging a high-lift cam lobe is disposed in the slider arm aperture and has a first end pivotably mounted to the pallet end of the body and the second end forming a slider tip for engaging an activation/deactivation latch. The latch is slidably disposed in the latch channel, and the latch has a nose section for selectively engaging the slider tip. A spool-shaped roller having first and second roller elements fixedly attached to the shaft is rotatably disposed in the shaft orifices, the roller being adapted to follow the surface motion of low-lift cam lobes.

Abstract: Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters.

Abstract: A back haul architecture effectively reduces the reactivation times for both forward-link and reverse-link data transmissions over CDMA wireless communications systems, by relying on packet-mode transmissions over the back haul between a frame selection/distribution (FSD) function and the appropriate base stations. In particular, for the forward direction, the FSD function transmits forward-link data only to one base station, which is solely responsible for controlling the forward-link air interface with the corresponding mobile unit. For the reverse direction, each base station that receives frames of reverse-link data from the mobile unit, assigns a time tag to the frame, divides the frame into one or more data packets, assigns a different sequence number to each data packet, and transmits the data packets to the FSD function over the back haul, all without first synchronizing time with any other base station that is also operating in reverse-link soft hand-off with that mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning and monitoring a planarizing medium used for planarizing a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a conditioning body having a conditioning surface that engages a planarizing surface of the planarizing medium and is movable relative to the planarizing medium. A force sensor is coupled to the conditioning body to detect a frictional force imparted to the conditioning body by the planarizing medium when the conditioning body and the planarizing medium are moved relative to each other. The apparatus can further include a feedback device that controls the motion, position, or force between the conditioning body and the planarizing medium to control the conditioning of the planarizing medium.

Abstract: A moldable pellet used for making high impact, non-abrasive recyclable structural composites consisting of a thermoplastic polymer or polymers, with or without fillers and additives, and a synthetic cellulosic fiber in yarn or tow form such as Rayon or Lyocell. The concentration of cellulose fiber within the pellet may vary from approximately 2-80 percent by weight or higher. This moldable pellet is suitable for molding in current molding applications such as, but not limited to, injection molding, extrusion compression molding, and compression molding.

Abstract: The present invention employs a blinded fiber-optic light illumination system (12) to illuminate a wood board (24) with a sharp projected light edge to detect the tracheid, color, and geometric characteristics of the lumber during an automated grading process. The light line (70) employs thousands of fibers (46) of desired length (58) and thickness (52). The fibers (46) are randomized such that fibers (46) neighboring each other in the cable (48) do not necessarily neighbor each other in the light line subunit (42) so that the emitted light has substantially uniform intensity over its spatial range. Multiple light line subunits (42) are positioned adjacent to one an other to achieve a desired light line length (60). A set of image sensors (22) in predetermined positions obtain three types of data from the light incident to the board (24). A computer analyzes the data to interpret the physical characteristics of the board (24) and determine how to grade or cut it.

Abstract: An image sensor and method of sensing an image provides a variable amplifier at each pixel, thereby expanding the dynamic range of the sensor. An image sensor core (500) comprises a plurality of pixel sensors (510). Each pixel sensor preferably includes a photosensitive element (310), a variable amplifier (312), and an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) (314). The ADC (512) includes a comparator (512) coupled to a latch/shift register (514). The comparator (512) receives the output of the variable amplifier (312) and a ramp signal and produces an output when the ramp signal exceeds the amplifier (312) output. The latch/shift register (514) latches a count signal corresponding to the ramp signal when triggered by the comparator (512). In operation, the photosensitive element (310) is exposed to light for a first integration period. The variable amplifier (312) amplifies the resulting photocharge by the maximum possible amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device to cold treat desired regions. An injection tube with an open distal end, and at least one aperture proximate thereto is disposed inside of a cooling tube, defining a cooling lumen therebetween. A third outer tube member is disposed around the second cooling member, defining a return lumen therebetween. A supply of fluid, regulated by a controller mechanism coupled to the device, flows through the injection lumen, the apertures and the cooling lumen to insulate and cool the fluid supplied into the injection lumen. The supplied fluid flows through the injection lumen and its distal end into the return lumen to cool the surrounding areas external to and proximate the distal end of the device.

Abstract: Imaging arrays are electronic devices that sense light and output electrical signals representative of the sensed light. An imaging array comprises thousands or millions of photodetectors that convert sensed light into corresponding electric signals, which are ultimately converted into digital image signals for recording or viewing. One problem with conventional imaging arrays concerns defective or malfunctioning photodetectors. Defective photodetectors typically result in erroneous image signals that ultimately degrade the quality of resulting images. Accordingly, the present inventors devised new imaging arrays including redundant photodetectors to compensate for defective photodetectors. One exemplary embodiment includes one or more photodetectors that are substantially smaller than conventional photodetectors, for example about 10 or 25 square microns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for enhancing existing caching systems to better support the live broadcast of streaming multimedia over the Internet and other public network systems. The apparatus includes the use of helper servers in the network for supporting high quality live streaming multimedia (SM) broadcasts. The helper servers (HS), also referred to as helpers, are each positioned in the network to be close to some number of clients. Client requests for live SM broadcast objects are re-routed from the content server to the local HS to be serviced therefrom. Servicing requests from the local HS is advantageous in that the requests are not required to be serviced from the content server as separate unicast datastreams thereby reducing network congestion problems. In addition to servicing requests locally, each HS allocates and maintains PH buffers which operate as a form of dynamic cache to further reduce the playback delay at a client.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method for transmitting optical signals modulates an optical property of the semiconductor structure to selectively transmit portions of an externally supplied light beam as optical signals. The use of the externally supplied light beam eliminates the need to fabricate a light emitting device onto the semiconductor structure. Thus, the semiconductor structure can be based on an indirect bandgap material such as silicon. Consequently, the semiconductor structure can be readily integrated into a conventional silicon-based integrated circuit using conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A laser gain medium and a method of manufacturing a laser medium, such as a laser rod, or slab for use in high-powered laser peening systems. A laser medium and method reduces stress risers along the surface of the amplifier medium by grit blasting, polishing, etching, annealing, and by eliminating platinum inclusions within the laser glass.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for correcting DC offset in a communication system is provided.

Abstract: A vertical gain memory cell including an n-channel metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and p-channel junction field-effect transistor (JFET) transistors formed in a vertical pillar of semiconductor material is provided. The body portion of the p-channel transistor is coupled to a second source/drain region of the MOSFET which serves as the gate for the JFET. The second source/drain region of the MOSFET is additionally coupled to a charge storage node. Together the second source/drain region and charge storage node provide a bias to the body of the JFET that varies as a function of the data stored by the memory cell. A non destructive read operation is achieved. The stored charge is sensed indirectly in that the stored charge modulates the conductivity of the JFET so that the JFET has a first turn-on threshold for a stored logic “1” condition and a second turn-on threshold for a stored logic “0” condition.

Abstract: A device is provided for coupling between a telephone line and the network, to exchange data between them. The invention includes software for the device, and methods of operation. The device detects when, in a fax/modem type transmission, the transmitted data encode silence or voice. This determines the end of the fax/modem type transmission, and then the device is switched to a more economical voice mode. The device analyzes the energy of the encoded signals. The device makes a discrimination of the type of signals (fax/modem, silence or voice) based on the time patterns of the energy. For fax/modem the pattern is relatively uniform, for silence it is uniformly low, and for voice the pattern oscillates.

Abstract: A method and system for watermarking and recovering a watermarked digitized image for subsequent authentication. The digitized image comprises spatial domain data signals reproduced from an original image. A transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals into frequency domain data signals, including respective magnitude and phase data signal components. Information is embedded into the magnitude data signals to develop modified data signals and the modified data signals are converted from the frequency domain to the spatial domain to generate the watermarked digitized image. For recovery, a second transformer transforms the spatial domain data signals comprising the respective original digitized image and watermarked digitized image into respective frequency domain dataset signals. A comparator responsive to the two transformer outputs compares the respective frequency domain dataset signals to identify the watermark and verify the authenticity of the image reproduction.