Abstract: A manufacturing system (20) comprises: one or more stores (84; 80A-80C; 92) for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods; a plurality of manufacturing cells (40A-40F), each cell includes: one or more machines (42A-42C) for manufacturing an assembly; and a programmable logic controller (PLC) (44) for controlling the machines; one or more devices (60, 70) for moving raw material, WIP, and finished goods; and one or more servers (32) for communicating with the PLCs and the devices. The one or more servers further have programming for: instructing (642) the plurality of manufacturing cells to assemble finished goods from the raw materials; instructing (628, 632) the one or more devices to move said raw materials and finished goods; and just in sequence (JIS) skipped assembly recovery steps (730) for the manufacturing cells and devices.

Abstract: A manufacturing system (20) comprises: one or more stores (84; 80A-80C; 92) for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods; a plurality of manufacturing cells (40A 40F), each cell includes: one or more machines (42A-42C) for manufacturing an assembly; and a programmable logic controller (PLC) (44) for controlling the machines; one or more devices (60, 70) for moving raw material, WIP, and finished goods; and one or more servers (32) for communicating with the PLCs and the devices. The one or more servers further have programming for: instructing (642) the plurality of manufacturing cells to assemble finished goods from the raw materials; instructing (628, 632) the one or more devices to move said raw materials and finished goods; and just in sequence (JIS) skipped assembly recovery steps (730) for the manufacturing cells and devices.

Abstract: A manufacturing system (20) comprises: one or more stores (84; 80A-80C; 92) for raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods; a plurality of manufacturing cells (40A 40F), each cell includes: one or more machines (42A-42C) for manufacturing an assembly; and a programmable logic controller (PLC) (44) for controlling the machines; one or more devices (60, 70) for moving raw material, WIP, and finished goods; and one or more servers (32) for communicating with the PLCs and the devices. The one or more servers further have programming for: instructing (642) the plurality of manufacturing cells to assemble finished goods from the raw materials; instructing (628, 632) the one or more devices to move said raw materials and finished goods; and just in sequence (JIS) skipped assembly recovery steps (730) for the manufacturing cells and devices.

Abstract: First, second, and third integrated devices each include one or more interconnecting structure. Each interconnecting structure includes (i) one or more interconnecting nodules extending from an edge surface of the device, (ii) one or more interconnect voids formed in an edge surface of the device, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). The one or more interconnecting structures on each of the first and second device is mated with the one or more interconnecting structures on the second device. The first integrated device includes a signal output, the third integrated device includes a signal input; and the second integrated device includes a conductor for conducting a signal from the signal output to the signal input.

Abstract: First and second integrated devices each have an optical component and a plurality of interconnect structures disposed one edge thereon. The first edge surface of the second integrated device is positioned contiguous to the first edge surface of the first integrated device. The interconnect structures disposed on the first integrated device are in physical contact with the interconnect structures disposed on the edge surface of the second integrated device so as to provide alignment for conveying at least one signal between the optical components on the first and second integrated devices.

Abstract: First, second, and third integrated devices each include one or more interconnecting structure. Each interconnecting structure includes (i) one or more interconnecting nodules extending from an edge surface of the device, (ii) one or more interconnect voids formed in an edge surface of the device, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). The one or more interconnecting structures on each of the first and second device is mated with the one or more interconnecting structures on the second device. The first integrated device includes a signal output, the third integrated device includes a signal input; and the second integrated device includes a conductor for conducting a signal from the signal output to the signal input.

Abstract: First and second integrated devices each have an optical component and a plurality of interconnect structures disposed one edge thereon. The first edge surface of the second integrated device is positioned contiguous to the first edge surface of the first integrated device. The interconnect structures disposed on the first integrated device are in physical contact with the interconnect structures disposed on the edge surface of the second integrated device so as to provide alignment for conveying at least one signal between the optical components on the first and second integrated devices.

Abstract: First and second integrated devices each have an optical component and a plurality of interconnect structures disposed one edge thereon. The first edge surface of the second integrated device is positioned contiguous to the first edge surface of the first integrated device. The interconnect structures disposed on the first integrated device are in physical contact with the interconnect structures disposed on the edge surface of the second integrated device so as to provide alignment for conveying at least one signal between the optical components on the first and second integrated devices.

Abstract: A laser system is proposed that is configured to provide a pseudo-CW signal at room temperature. The system utilizes an array of pulsed lasers that are controlled (in terms of turning “on” and “off”) to provide, in combination, a quasi-CW output signal. The activation of each individual laser is controlled to turn “on” and “off” in a predefined sequence, where at least one laser is “on” at any given point in time. Thus, by combining the outputs from the plurality of pulsed lasers onto a single output signal path, the resultant output signal from the system will be a pseudo-CW signal (the amount of “ripple” present in the signal controlled by factors such as the number of individual lasers in the plurality of lasers, the duty cycle of each individual laser, etc.). The duty cycle of the individual lasers can be controlled to provide a high power output signal (higher duty cycle), or provide a high wall-plug efficiency of the system (lower duty cycle).

Abstract: A moiré pattern display sheet defined by a surface is described. A first layer has a pattern printed thereon. The pattern includes a series of visual elements in a first row that have been distorted at least in a first direction. The series of visual elements is generated from an electronically saved file of vector based graphics. A light steering optical layer overlaying the first layer. The light steering optical layer comprising a plurality of optical features which change the direction of the light and thereby provide a depth effect of the series of visual elements to a viewer looking through the light steering optical layer.

Abstract: A moiré pattern display sheet is defined by a surface, with the surface being configured to be curved. A first layer has a pattern printed thereon. The pattern comprises a series of visual elements in a first row that have been distorted at least in a first direction. At least some of the series of visual elements are printed to approximately follow an arc having a sweep angle associated therewith. A light steering optical layer overlays the first layer. The light steering optical layer comprises a plurality of parallel optical features which each have a width and which change the direction of the light and thereby provide a depth effect of the visual elements to a viewer looking through the light steering optical layer.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for a blackjack tournament played in an on-line environment such as over the Internet or other computer network. Players compete against one another in real-time using the same deck or decks of cards, thereby providing game play that closely reflects the conditions of a blackjack tournament played in a live setting with real cards. In one embodiment, a blackjack tournament according to the present invention comprises one round of hands played at a single table. In another embodiment, a blackjack tournament according to the present invention comprises a multiple table event, wherein one or more winners of a round of hands at one table advance on to subsequent rounds to play winners from other tables.