Abstract: A microdevice reject handling system is provided for in a microdevice processing/feeder system. The feeder mechanism is immediately adjacent to the processing mechanism for receiving and moving microdevices away from the processing mechanism. It uses a conveyor which has a dead space in which microdevices cannot be placed by a robotic transport system, which moves microdevices from the processing mechanism to the feeder mechanism. The microdevice reject handling system is partially positioned in the feeder mechanism dead space for receiving rejected microdevices. It includes a reject bin with a storage portion for storing rejected microdevices beside the feeder mechanism and rests on a bracket containing an optical sensor system for determining when the storage portion is full.

Abstract: In a device processing system, an apparatus and method for retaining a device that is to be transferred to or from the apparatus at a transfer location and processed at a processing location that is spaced from the transfer location is shown and described. A first device is placed on a first chuck at the transfer location with the chuck facing a first direction. The apparatus then rotates from a first position to a second position in which the device is at the processing location and facing in a second direction which is different from the first direction. While the apparatus is in the second position, a second device may be placed on a second chuck that is now oriented in the first direction at the transfer location. When the apparatus is rotated from the second position to the first position, the first device is returned to the transfer location and the second device is moved into the processing location.

Abstract: In a device handling system, a method for calibrating the position and orientation of a destination for the placement of the device is shown and described. The device is first placed at the destination and a position arm comprising a chuck is directed to engage the device. The system registers the calibration configuration, which corresponds to the position and orientation of the chuck when engaged with the device. The system then removes the device from the destination and determines the device position, which corresponds to the position and orientation of the device with respect to the chuck. Finally, the system calculates the position and orientation of the destination based on the registered calibration configuration and the device position.

Abstract: A user specific intelligent interface reduces the costs of application systems development and improves data security and productivity of a user interface by creating an intelligent interface customized to each specific user. The interface uses external intercepts to an application and allows external interface software to control data access and dynamically improve user productivity. The system uses a software utility that maintains tables which define permissions regarding use of specific data items in a specific context, and also processes instructions regarding the usage by specific users of individual data fields displayed on a screen. The system works in conjunction with an application to improve security, provide audit trails and productivity of each individual user's usage of the system. The system records usage data for each individual user which is analyzed to determine future actions.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for use in testing and programming electronic devices. The circuit provides an electronic wave of connecting bypass capacitors to selective device pins. The circuit includes first and second diodes that are coupled intermediate first and second bypass capacitors and a device node and to the second capacitor to charge the first and second capacitors. A current source is coupled to the first and second bypass nodes to forward bias a first and second diodes, thereby coupling the device node to the first and second capacitors. To selectively decouple the first and second bypass capacitors, voltage sources are coupled to the bypass node, thereby reverse biasing the first and second diodes and effectively disconnecting the first and second bypass capacitors from the device node.

Abstract: Modular socket technology is disclosed, which includes a contact board mounted to an electronic device for receiving voltage and current signals to be transmitted from the electronic device to a semiconductor circuit. A compression coupler is provided for receiving the semiconductor circuit. The compression coupler includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of conductors mounted to a first side thereof, and extending to a second side thereof for providing electrical contact between the leads of the semiconductor circuit and the contact board. The contact board further includes a resilient conductor adapted to mechanically and electrically engage the plurality of conductors of the compression coupler, thereby to couple voltage and current signals from the electronic device to the semiconductor circuit. The modular socket apparatus may further include a semiconductor carrier for receiving the semiconductor circuit.

Abstract: A boom apparatus for use in lifting and transporting a payload includes a boom pivotally mounted on a support structure and including base and outer boom sections, the outer boom section being telescopically received within the base boom section and being movable axially relative to the base boom section. Sensors are provided for sensing the total length of the boom and the total moment load experienced by the boom, and an electrical warning and control circuit generates a warning signal either when the load as sensed is greater than a first predetermined value and the total length of the boom as sensed is less than a predetermined length, or when the load as sensed is greater than a second predetermined value and the total length of the boom as sensed is greater than the predetermined length, the second predetermined value of the load being less than the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting software used in an electronic system. An electronic key is associated with the software, which is at least partially unreadable unless modified. The electronic system using the software to be protected receives the electronic key, and reads the software to determine that the electronic key and software are associated. The system then modifies the software to render it readable and identifies the software with the electronic system by storing an identifier of the system with the software. Finally, the system modifies the electronic key to render it useless.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for observing an internal state of an electronic component in an electronic system comprising one or more electronic components. The apparatus consists of an electronic switch, a second electronic component, and a control circuit. The electronic switch can be operated in a first mode or a second mode. A first set of terminals on the electronic switch is connectable, in the first mode, to the first component to intercept both the signals being transmitted to the first component by the electronic system and the signals being transmitted by the first component to the electronic system. The electronic switch produces output signals in response to the intercepted signals and transmits them to the second electronic component. The control circuit causes the electronic switch to switch from the first mode to the second mode. In the second mode, the electronic switch can transmit test signals from the control circuit to the second component.

Abstract: A method wherein an article is molded of liquid plastisol in a mold having mold heaters disposed adjacent the backside of a mold surface for controlling the temperature over respective first and second areas of the mold surface. First and second heating and cooling circuits are associated with each mold. To obtain liquid plastisol coating, the mold is filled by apparatus including a removable insert that reduces the quantity of plastisol that is used in the process to reduce the cycle time required for part molding. In one process, plastisol is pumped into and is removed from the mold with the mold insert in place. In another process the mold insert is removed from the mold and an intake tube remains in the mold to pump out excess material.

Abstract: The fuel spray device is adapted for use in the thrust augmentor or afterburner of a gas turbine engine. The fuel spray device includes a fuel spray manifold having a plurality of spaced apart ejection orifices and a plurality of nozzle pintles each having a decreasing cross-sectional portion, such as a conical portion, against which the orifice wall seats when there is no fuel pressure and relative to which the orifice wall moves as fuel pressure increases to increase fuel flow rate and each pintle having a substantially constant cross-sectional portion, such as a cylindrical portion, downstream of the conical portion to accommodate movement of the orifice wall of the manifold with a minimal effect on fuel flow rate through the orifice.

Abstract: A zero insertion force socket for integrated circuits having a contact pattern formed on the upper surface of a resilient circuit on which an integrated circuit is adapted to be placed with its leads in contact with the contact pattern. A plurality of frames having different sized cutouts conforming to the shape of integrated circuit cases of different sizes are used to position integrated circuits having cases of different sizes at predetermined locations on the contact pattern. The positioning frames are pivotally mounted on a common pin, and they nest together so that at least some of the positioning frames fit within the rectangular cutout of the next larger positioning frame. In order to bias the integrated circuit into the resilient circuit, a lid having a plunger is positioned over the integrated circuit. The plunder contacts the upper surface of the integrated circuit case to force it against the resilient circuit either with a constant force or a constant displacement.

Abstract: A circuit for signaling when an electrical component is consuming excessive power and for protecting the electrical component from the excessive power. The electrical component is connected to a circuit which supplies and measures the current through and measures the voltage drop across the component. The circuit produces a comparison voltage that represents the sum of the current through and voltage across the component, as normalized according to the maximum current and voltage that are expected to be used by the component. The sum of the values of the current and voltage is an approximation to the power consumed by the electrical component. The comparison voltage is compared to a threshold voltage that represents an approximate maximum power level to be sustained by the component. If the first voltage exceeds the threshold voltage, the comparator produces an overpower signal that can be used to cause the current supply to the electrical component to be interrupted.