Abstract: A device for illuminating a flat panel display. The illuminating device has a flat light guide with light input edges and a light output surface, and light sources disposed at the light input edges. A layer of expanded PTFE is wrapped closely around the light sources, conforming to their exterior surface, and is spread across a back surface of the flat light guide. Reflector film layers (white and metallized) are wrapped over the layer of expanded PTFE. Preferably copper tape is then layered over the reflector film layers. Light is emitted from the light output surface when the light sources are energized.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly (10), such as a smart card, is formed by attaching a component subassembly (34) to a substrate (12). The substrate (12) includes a face (26) and defines a via (28) having a via opening (30) at the face (26). The substrate (12) further defines a component cavity (32) at the face (26) that is spaced apart from the via (28). An electrical element (14), such as a wound antenna, is disposed within the substrate (12) and includes a terminal (24) at the via (28). The component subassembly (34) is formed by mounting an integrated circuit component (16) onto a metallic lead (18). The integrated circuit component (16) is electrically connected to the metallic lead (18) by a wire lead (36). A protuberance (20) is connected to the metallic lead (18), preferably by forming a loop from a wire bond. A polymeric body (56) is formed about the component (16) and wire leads (36).

Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring the concentration of airborne fibers are provided. The devices include flow means for providing laminar flow to a portion of the fibers in an air sample and a light source for generating a light beam directed to the laminarly flowing fibers to produce a scattered light. The device further includes a sensor for sensing a portion of this scattered light and for producing an output from which a respirable fiber concentration estimate can be measured.

Abstract: A user input is communicated to an application resident on a data processing system according to a code set which is adaptively selected in response to the application, the selected code set mapping to a respective set of corresponding user inputs, the selected code set optimizing a performance parameter for communicating between a user input device and the application. The selected code set may be selected from a stored plurality of code sets. Preferably, the selected code set minimizes energy expended in communicating codes from the user input device to the data processing system. According to one aspect, the application may first be identified, and then the selected code set may be selected according to the identified application. According to another aspect, a plurality of user inputs to the application may be accepted at the user input device and recorded, and the selected code set may be selected based on the recorded plurality of user inputs.

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly (10), such as a smart card, is formed by attaching a component subassembly (34) to a substrate (12). The substrate (12) includes a face (26) and defines a via (28) having a via opening (30) at the face (26). The substrate (12) further defines a component cavity (32) at the face (26) that is spaced apart from the via (28). An electrical element (14), such as a wound antenna, is disposed within the substrate (12) and includes a terminal (24) at the via (28). The component subassembly (34) is formed by mounting an integrated circuit component (16) onto a metallic lead (18). The integrated circuit component (16) is electrically connected to the metallic lead (18) by a wire lead (36). A protuberance (20) is connected to the metallic lead (18), preferably by forming a loop from a wire bond. A polymeric body (56) is formed about the component (16) and wire leads (36).

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly (10) is formed by attaching a component subassembly (34) to a substrate (12). The substrate (12) includes a face (26) and defines a via (28) having a via opening (30) at the face (26). The substrate (12) further defines a component cavity (32) at the face (26). An electrical element (14) is disposed within the substrate (12) and includes a terminal (24) at the via (28). The component subassembly (34) is formed by mounting an integrated circuit component (16) onto a metallic lead (18). The integrated circuit component (16) is electrically connected to the metallic lead (18) by a wire lead (36). A leg (20) is formed by deforming a portion of the metallic lead (18). A polymeric body (56) is formed about the component (16) and wire leads (36). The component subassembly (34) is superposed onto the substrate (12), and the component (16) is received in the component cavity (32). The metallic lead (18) is affixed to the face (26).

Abstract: A microelectronic assembly (10) is formed by bonding an integrated circuit component (20) to a substrate (12). The substrate (12) includes a via (22) and a metal contact (24) closing the via (22). A bonding agent (14), such as a solder paste or a conductive epoxy, is dispensed into the via (22) adjacent the metal contact (24). A carrier tape (16) that includes partially-cured films (18) is placed onto the substrate (12) such that the film (18) covers the via (22) and forms a gap (28) between the substrate (12) and the film (18). The integrated circuit component (20) is superposed onto the substrate (12) such that conductive bumps (26) on the integrated circuit component (20) perforate and extend through the film (18) and contact the bonding agent (14) in the via (22). Portions (44) displaced during perforation are received in the gap (28). The film (18) is thus interposed between the substrate (12) and the integrated circuit component (20).

Abstract: Solder paste (16) is dispensed onto a platen (12) that includes depressions (14) that are preferably conical or in an inverted pyramid shape. The solder paste (16) is formed of a plurality of particles composed of a solder alloy. Excess solder paste (16) is removed, and a predetermined solder paste volume fills the depressions (14). A substrate (18) is superposed onto platen (12) such that solder-wettable bond pads (20) on the substrate (18) register with the depressions (14). The platen (12) is heated to melt the solder alloy, and the solder alloy coalesces to form molten solder droplets (22). The solder droplets (22) are transferred onto the solder-wettable bond pads (20) to form solder bumps (24) bonded to the bond pads (20).

Abstract: A vacuum pickup tool (10) is effective to carry balls (18) arranged in a desired pattern. The vacuum pickup tool (10) includes a manifold (12) that includes a carrier plate (22) that has a plurality of manifold bores (28) arranged in a pattern. The manifold (12) defines a vacuum chamber (20) that reduces gas pressure in the manifold (12) to allow the manifold bores (28) to retain a ball (18). The manifold (12) further includes a retaining plate (14) that overlies the carrier plate (22) and includes a plurality of retaining plate bores (30) arranged in a pattern such that each retaining plate bore (30) registers with a corresponding manifold bore (28). The retaining plate (14) is effective to secure a stencil (16) formed of a gas-impermeable sheet against the carrier plate (22) to prevent gas flow between a manifold bore (28) and a corresponding retaining plate bore (30).