Abstract: An apparatus includes a lead frame, a dam and adhesive on portions of the lead frame, and an integrated circuit die having a portion on the dam and another portion on the adhesive. The lead frame can include two portions, or two lead frames. The dam can bridge a space between the two lead frames. The dam can be smaller than the integrated circuit die in at least a width dimension of the dam relative to a width dimension of the integrated circuit die, providing that the integrated circuit die overhangs the dam on each side of the width dimension of the dam. Adhesive is located between the integrated circuit die and each lead frame, adjacent to and on each side of the dam. The dam prevents adhesive from spreading into the space between the lead frames.

Abstract: A method for forming a packaging structure is provided. The method includes providing a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first base material and a first dielectric layer on the first base material, and the second substrate includes a second base material and a second dielectric layer on the second base material. The second base material has a first through hole. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer have a first hole and a second hole, respectively. The method further includes connecting the second substrate to the first substrate in such a way that the second dielectric layer is connected to the first dielectric layer to form a first composite structure; thinning the top surface of the first composite structure to expose the first through hole; and forming a first conductive member in the first through hole.

Abstract: A lawnmower is instructed to move from a reference point along the boundary wire and to follow the boundary wire along a boundary path back to the reference point, using data from at least one wire sensor of the lawnmower. One or more elements are determined along the boundary path using distance data from at least one distance sensor of the lawnmower and using angular velocity data from at least one angular velocity sensor of the lawnmower. The one or more elements are identified as one of at least three different types of elements. The mowing area is calculated from the identified types of the one or more elements and the distance data and angular velocity data received for the one or more elements.

Abstract: A leadframe comprising a plurality of leads, each of the plurality of leads having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal ends positioned along a linear axis. The leadframe further comprises a die pad closer to the proximal ends than the distal ends of the plurality of leads and including an edge positioned along a plane that intersects the linear axis at an angle less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A self-adjusting balance valve controller controls water flow through a hydronic emitter in a heating and/or cooling temperature control system. The valve controller obtains a measured temperature differential between an inlet and an outlet of the hydronic emitter and determines a displacement of a coupling pin from the measured temperature differential. The valve controller then instructs a driving mechanism to move, through a coupling mechanism, the coupling pin to adjust a valve that results in a desired water flow through the hydronic emitter. The valve controller may maintain a stable temperature differential at a desired differential value, which may be obtained through a user interface or from a memory device. Moreover, the desired differential value may vary with different times of operation or temperature control situations.

Abstract: A leadframe comprising a plurality of leads, each of the plurality of leads having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal ends positioned along a linear axis. The leadframe further comprises a die pad closer to the proximal ends than the distal ends of the plurality of leads and including an edge positioned along a plane that intersects the linear axis at an angle less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lead frame, a dam and adhesive on portions of the lead frame, and an integrated circuit die having a portion on the dam and another portion on the adhesive. The lead frame can include two portions, or two lead frames. The dam can bridge a space between the two lead frames. The dam can be smaller than the integrated circuit die in at least a width dimension of the dam relative to a width dimension of the integrated circuit die, providing that the integrated circuit die overhangs the dam on each side of the width dimension of the dam. Adhesive is located between the integrated circuit die and each lead frame, adjacent to and on each side of the dam. The dam prevents adhesive from spreading into the space between the lead frames.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lead frame, a dam and adhesive on portions of the lead frame, and an integrated circuit die having a portion on the dam and another portion on the adhesive. The lead frame can include two portions, or two lead frames. The dam can bridge a space between the two lead frames. The dam can be smaller than the integrated circuit die in at least a width dimension of the dam relative to a width dimension of the integrated circuit die, providing that the integrated circuit die overhangs the dam on each side of the width dimension of the dam. Adhesive is located between the integrated circuit die and each lead frame, adjacent to and on each side of the dam. The dam prevents adhesive from spreading into the space between the lead frames.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lead frame, a dam and adhesive on portions of the lead frame, and an integrated circuit die having a portion on the dam and another portion on the adhesive. The lead frame can include two portions, or two lead frames. The dam can bridge a space between the two lead frames. The dam can be smaller than the integrated circuit die in at least a width dimension of the dam relative to a width dimension of the integrated circuit die, providing that the integrated circuit die overhangs the dam on each side of the width dimension of the dam. Adhesive is located between the integrated circuit die and each lead frame, adjacent to and on each side of the dam. The dam prevents adhesive from spreading into the space between the lead frames.

Abstract: A self-adjusting balance valve controller controls water flow through a hydronic emitter in a heating and/or cooling temperature control system. The valve controller obtains a measured temperature differential between an inlet and an outlet of the hydronic emitter and determines a displacement of a coupling pin from the measured temperature differential. The valve controller then instructs a driving mechanism to move, through a coupling mechanism, the coupling pin to adjust a valve that results in a desired water flow through the hydronic emitter. The valve controller may maintain a stable temperature differential at a desired differential value, which may be obtained through a user interface or from a memory device. Moreover, the desired differential value may vary with different times of operation or temperature control situations.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for restricting access to a control unit in an environmental system based on a lock level. The control unit (e.g., a thermostat) is configured with a selected lock level, where each lock level is mapped to an associated set of features. A user is able to access any of the features from the associated set of features without entering a security sequence. Also, a feature parameter may be restricted in accordance with the activated lock level. The control unit may be reconfigured with a different lock level by an administrator only when a security sequence is entered. Also, features may be mapped by an administrator to a set of features when the control unit is operating in the locked state. When the control unit is operating in the unlocked state, all supported features can be accessed by a user.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a right turning member that supports a right steerable road wheel and a left turning member that supports a left steerable road wheel. A rigid steering link extends across the chassis and has right and left ends that are operably connected to the right and left turning members. An actuator provides a pivoting motion on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally forward and rearward in the vehicle. The motion provided by the actuator moves the steering link side to side across the vehicle. The right and left road wheels are pivoted by the motion of the steering link. An adjustable trim mechanism includes a bias member that helps to maintain a neutral position of the steering link and a trim adjustment that modifies a position on the chassis at which the steering link and road wheels are maintained in the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for controlling the brightness of a display unit based on detected movement of an external object such as a user. An apparatus includes a display, e.g., a color liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED). A proximity circuit generates a transmitted signal and a received signal. The received signal results from the transmitted signal being reflected by an external object. A control unit processes the received signal to determine a degree of motion of the external object. When the degree of motion is greater than a first predetermined threshold but not greater than a second predetermined threshold, the display is activated and operating at partial intensity. When the degree of motion is greater than the second predetermined threshold, the display is activated at full intensity. The degree of motion may be determined from the variation of the received signal.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a right turning member that supports a right steerable road wheel and a left turning member that supports a left steerable road wheel. A rigid steering link extends across the chassis and has right and left ends that are operably connected to the right and left turning members. An actuator provides a pivoting motion on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally forward and rearward in the vehicle. The motion provided by the actuator moves the steering link side to side across the vehicle. The right and left road wheels are pivoted by the motion of the steering link. An adjustable trim mechanism includes a bias member that helps to maintain a neutral position of the steering link and a trim adjustment that modifies a position on the chassis at which the steering link and road wheels are maintained in the neutral position.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a right turning member that supports a right steerable road wheel and a left turning member that supports a left steerable road wheel. A rigid steering link extends across the chassis and has right and left ends that are operably connected to the right and left turning members. An actuator provides a pivoting motion on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally forward and rearward in the vehicle. The motion provided by the actuator moves the steering link side to side across the vehicle. The right and left road wheels are pivoted by the motion of the steering link. An adjustable trim mechanism includes a bias member that helps to maintain a neutral position of the steering link and a trim adjustment that modifies a position on the chassis at which the steering link and road wheels are maintained in the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and systems for adjusting a communication channel between a control unit and a remote sensor. A system may include a control unit that controls an environmental unit and a remote sensor that provides data about an environmental factor as measured at the remote sensor. The remote sensor transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that conveys the data to control unit through a directional antenna. The RF signal is received by the control unit through an omnidirectional antenna, and a signal strength parameter is determined from the received RF signal. A signal strength indication unit provides an indication from the signal strength parameter as a user adjusts the position of the directional antenna. With embodiments of the invention, a signal strength module generates an audio signal in accordance with an audio characteristic, which is indicative of the signal strength of the received RF signal.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a right turning member that supports a right steerable road wheel and a left turning member that supports a left steerable road wheel. A rigid steering link extends across the chassis and has right and left ends that are operably connected to the right and left turning members. An actuator provides a pivoting motion on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally forward and rearward in the vehicle. The motion provided by the actuator moves the steering link side to side across the vehicle. The right and left road wheels are pivoted by the motion of the steering link. An adjustable trim mechanism includes a bias member that helps to maintain a neutral position of the steering link and a trim adjustment that modifies a position on the chassis at which the steering link and road wheels are maintained in the neutral position.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for controlling the brightness of a display unit based on detected movement of an external object such as a user. An apparatus includes a display, e.g., a color liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED). A proximity circuit generates a transmitted signal and a received signal. The received signal results from the transmitted signal being reflected by an external object. A control unit processes the received signal to determine a degree of motion of the external object. When the degree of motion is greater than a first predetermined threshold but not greater than a second predetermined threshold, the display is activated and operating at partial intensity. When the degree of motion is greater than the second predetermined threshold, the display is activated at full intensity. The degree of motion may be determined from the variation of the received signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for restricting access to a control unit in an environmental system based on a lock level. The control unit (e.g., a thermostat) is configured with a selected lock level, where each lock level is mapped to an associated set of features. A user is able to access any of the features from the associated set of features without entering a security sequence. Also, a feature parameter may be restricted in accordance with the activated lock level. The control unit may be reconfigured with a different lock level by an administrator only when a security sequence is entered. Also, features may be mapped by an administrator to a set of features when the control unit is operating in the locked state. When the control unit is operating in the unlocked state, all supported features can be accessed by a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and systems for adjusting a communication channel between a control unit and a remote sensor. A system may include a control unit that controls an environmental unit and a remote sensor that provides data about an environmental factor as measured at the remote sensor. The remote sensor transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that conveys the data to control unit through a directional antenna. The RF signal is received by the control unit through an omnidirectional antenna, and a signal strength parameter is determined from the received RF signal. A signal strength indication unit provides an indication from the signal strength parameter as a user adjusts the position of the directional antenna. With embodiments of the invention, a signal strength module generates an audio signal in accordance with an audio characteristic, which is indicative of the signal strength of the received RF signal.