Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided that includes a battery (48) including first and second poles (78, 79); and a circuit board (50) that includes electronic circuitry (53), the second pole (79) electrically coupled to the circuitry (53). A battery-isolation tab (42, 142) is removably disposed between the first pole (78) and the circuitry (53), and includes a non-conductive substrate (90) configured to electrically isolate the first pole (78) from the circuitry (53), while the tab (42, 142) is disposed between the first pole (78) and the circuitry (53); and a conductive layer (92) disposed upon the non-conductive substrate (90), the conductive layer (92) being electrically coupled to the first pole (78) and configured to facilitate electrical coupling of the first pole (78) to the circuitry (53), while the tab (42, 142) is disposed between the first pole (78) and the circuitry (53). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for presenting users of a financial network with relevant information, based on the processing of user data that may include user financial data, user demographic data, and/or social connection data. In some embodiments, a time-dependent visualization associated with a security or index is annotated with annotations pertaining to events involving other users of the fmancial network. User cohorts may be identified, and the user cohorts may involve a correlation with a given user. Such user cohorts may be processed to generate aggregate fmancial measures. In some embodiments, user-relevant feed items are generated for display in a user interface, whereby the relevance of each the feed items in the user interface. Methods of calculating measures of financial and social similarity, and joint measures of financial and social similarity, are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Abstract: Switchover of a filtered and unfiltered pulse oximetry sensor is provided with gain controlled amplifiers controlled by separate gain control voltages that may change in opposite directions over a period of time. The outputs of the gain controlled amplifiers may be coupled to voltage-to-current converters whose outputs may be coupled in parallel. The parallel coupled outputs of the voltage-to-current converters may produce a current signal representative of the output of the gain controlled amplifier having the highest gain/signal.

Abstract: A short arc lamp driving circuit includes a trigger boosting circuit, a flash current control circuit, and a closed loop exposure control and calibration circuits that, when combined, can produce short pulses of light with short time separation, quasi-continuous illumination light, and meanwhile, an extremely large dynamic range of delivered and/or calibrated light power or energy.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Abstract: A short arc lamp driving circuit includes a trigger boosting circuit, a flash current control circuit, and a closed loop exposure control and calibration circuits that, when combined, can produce short pulses of light with short time separation, quasi-continuous illumination light, and meanwhile, an extremely large dynamic range of delivered and/or calibrated light power or energy.

Abstract: Switchover of a filtered and unfiltered pulse oximetry sensor is provided with gain controlled amplifiers controlled by separate gain control voltages that may change in opposite directions over a period of time. The outputs of the gain controlled amplifiers may be coupled to voltage-to-current converters whose outputs may be coupled in parallel. The parallel coupled outputs of the voltage-to-current converters may produce a current signal representative of the output of the gain controlled amplifier having the highest gain/signal.

Abstract: RF emission may be reduced by providing grounding strips between optical transmitter and receiver modules in an optical transceiver package. The grounding strips includes an upper portion to fit over a top of the module, a transition portion to span a distance between the top of the module and the board, and a lower portion in electrical connection with a grounding pad on the board. The grounding strip may be substantially as wide as the module that it covers. Angled tabs may be provided to fit within registration holes in the ground pad. The grounding strip may be press-fitted onto the module or soldered. The low impedance ground strip increases the connectivity of the optical module to the board and may replace grounding leads to the external housing to reduce RF emissions.

Abstract: A method for protecting at least one wafer from contamination, the method including the steps of heating the wafer in an apparatus for semiconductor processing having a reaction core (102), providing a first voltage level to a wafer transfer device (108), and providing a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, near the reaction core (102), thereby activating the protection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting an acoustic touchscreen controller to the operating frequency requirements of a specific touchscreen are provided. The adaptive controller can either utilize look-up tables to achieve the desired output frequency or the it can use a multi-step process in which it first determines the frequency requirements of the touchscreen, and then adjusts the burst frequency characteristics, the receiver circuit center frequency, or both in accordance with the touchscreen requirements. In one embodiment, the adaptive controller compensates for global frequency mismatch errors. In this embodiment a digital multiplier is used to modify the output of a crystal reference oscillator. The reference oscillator output is used to control the frequency of the signal from the receiving transducers and/or to generate the desired frequency of the tone burst sent to the transmitting transducers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting an acoustic touchscreen controller to the operating frequency requirements of a specific touchscreen are provided. The adaptive controller can either utilize look-up tables to achieve the desired output frequency or the it can use a multi-step process in which it first determines the frequency requirements of the touchscreen, and then adjusts the burst frequency characteristics, the receiver circuit center frequency, or both in accordance with the touchscreen requirements. In one embodiment, the adaptive controller compensates for global frequency mismatch errors. In this embodiment a digital multiplier is used to modify the output of a crystal reference oscillator. The reference oscillator output is used to control the frequency of the signal from the receiving transducers and/or to generate the desired frequency of the tone burst sent to the transmitting transducers.

Abstract: An improved touchscreen utilizing two sets of electrodes that are fabricated in a single plane is provided. The individual electrodes of each set of electrodes are formed from a continuous length of a conductive material. Suitable electrode materials include fine wire and deposited conductive coatings. The overall electrode pattern is such that there is no overlap of electrodes, thus eliminating the need for insulating layers and/or coatings between electrodes. Although a variety of electrode patterns can be used, preferably the pattern is comprised of a plurality of approximately triangularly shaped electrodes, the pattern such that the base of one triangularly shaped electrode is adjacent to the apex of the next triangularly shaped electrode.

Abstract: A voltage converter and a method for converting AC to DC. A MOSFET (42, 118) conveys current from a full wave rectifier to charge a capacitor (60) that supplies current to a load (64). In a first embodiment, two transistors (32, 34) are connected as a differential pair to control the voltage applied to the gate of the MOSFET, referenced to a zener voltage developed across zener diode (36) that is connected to the emitters of the two transistors. In a second embodiment, a single transistor controls the voltage applied to the gate of the MOSFET, relative to a zener voltage of a zener diode (132). The MOSFET charges the capacitor while the voltage applied to its gate from the rectified signal is greater than the voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: Redundant segment display characters are used to provide a fail-safe indication of critical parameters. In one preferred form of the invention, selected segments of a redundant segment character include pairs of segments that are arranged proximate to each other and extend generally parallel to each other. The pairs of redundant segments are activated simultaneously in response to multiplexed fore plane and back plane drive signals applied to conductive regions of a liquid crystal display. The remaining portions of the redundant segment character each comprise single activated regions. The portions of the display character that include redundant segments are selected to minimize errors in reading a numeric value indicated by the character in the event that one of the segments fails to operate properly. In another preferred form of the invention, all of the portions of the character are pairs of redundant segments. In yet another embodiment, the pairs of redundant segments are arranged serially, end-to-end.

Abstract: A power supply that converts an unregulated DC voltage source to a regulated AC power source suitable for energizing an electroluminescent panel. The DC voltage source powers a DC-to-AC inverter to generate an AC output. A feedback circuit monitors the AC output and compensates for any changes in amplitude that arise due to fluctuations in the DC input voltage. A single reference voltage is used to both selectively energize and deenergize the circuit and to control the amplitude of the AC output.