Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an optical signal emission includes signal transmission fibers. Each fiber includes cores having the same spatial core arrangement at each end. The first ends are configured to be optically coupled to the signal emission sources. Each fiber is configured to transmit an optical signal between the first end and the second. The apparatus can also include a frame assembly securing the first ends of the fibers in a first spatial fiber arrangement corresponding to a spatial arrangement of the signal emission sources. The frame assembly can also secure the second ends of the fibers in a second spatial fiber arrangement different from the first spatial fiber arrangement. The apparatus can also include at least one signal detector configured to be optically coupled to the second ends of the fibers and configured to detect an optical signal emitted by each signal emission source.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an optical signal emissions includes signal transmission fibers. Each fiber includes cores having the same spatial core arrangement at each end. The first ends are configured to be optically coupled to the signal emission sources. Each fiber is configured to transmit an optical signal between the first end and the second. The apparatus can also include a frame assembly securing the first ends of the fibers in a first spatial fiber arrangement corresponding to a spatial arrangement of the signal emission sources. The frame assembly can also secure the second ends of the fibers in a second spatial fiber arrangement different from the first spatial fiber arrangement. The apparatus can also include at least one signal detector configured to be optically coupled to the second ends of the fibers, and configured to detect an optical signal emitted by each signal emission source.

Abstract: A first time/temperature data set includes temperatures and time stamps recorded at time intervals during a first thermal cycling process and a time stamp for each time interval, and a second time/temperature data set includes temperatures and time stamps recorded at time intervals during a second thermal cycling process. Signal emissions at different signal detecting positions are sequentially measured at different time intervals to generate first and second time/signal emission data sets for receptacles subject to the first and second thermal cycling processes, respectively. Signal emissions of receptacles subject to the first thermal cycling process are synchronized with specific temperatures of the first thermal cycling process by comparing time stamps of the first time/signal emission data set for each receptacle with the time stamps of the first time/temperature data set that correspond with the specific temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to reduce warpage of an integrated circuit package while reflowing solder to couple a first substrate of a first electronic device with a second substrate or second electronic device. In an example, the method can include placing an anti-warpage fixture onto the first electronic device to provide a captured electronic device, placing the captured electronic device and the anti-warpage fixture on the second substrate, and reflowing the captured electronic device to the second substrate. In certain examples, the method can include limiting a clearance distance between the first substrate and the second substrate to a minimum distance.

Abstract: A place-shifting system for distributing video content from a content source (2) has apparatus including a set-top box (STB) (1) with a digital interface to a sender (6). The sender (6) receives video content from the STB (1) conditional upon access permissions that may be associated with a subscription. The permissions may also be determined using the identifier of a viewer device (9). The viewer (9) requests connection to a specific sender (6) by sending an association request to an association server (8) via a network connection (10). The association server (8) returns location information specific to the sender (6) being requested to the viewer (9). The viewer (9) and sender (6) then communicate directly (11) to establish communication and to start transfer of video and other information. The sender (6) can remove content protection from the video content before transcoding, re-applying content protection and sending it.

Abstract: This invention relates to a MEMS detonator, in particular the production of MEMS scale detonators via the use of a microreactor (3). The invention further lies in a reproducible manufacturing method of MEMS scale detonators, for use in safety and arming units (SAU), which are used in warheads and munitions. A warhead comprising a MEMS detonator may find particular use in increasing the IM compliance of munitions. The method involves the use of high pressure input of two solutions (2, 2a) into a microreactor (3) to form an in-situ precipitation reaction, which furnishes an initiatory (i.e. primary) explosive, wherein the explosive and supernatant liquid is directly fed into a microchamber, using the microcavities in the septum as a MEMS sieve to retain the explosive and form a MEMS detonator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode assembly for attachment to an orthotic device. It includes an electrode carrier. An adhesive layer is removably attached to the electrode carrier. A conductive signal transmission element, e.g. wire, transmits a signal to the electrode assembly. A conductive material layer is attached to the conductive signal transmission element that maintains electrical and mechanical integrity during use within the orthotic device. A conductive pad layer attached to the conductive material layer. One preferred embodiment incorporates a wire including an unexposed portion; and, a conductive attachment means. The electrode assembly preferably includes perforations to facilitate the transmission and evaporation of perspiration or facilitate signal transmission.

Abstract: A place-shifting system for distributing video content from a content source (2) has apparatus including a set-top box (STB) (1) with a digital interface to a sender (6). The sender (6) receives video content from the STB (1) conditional upon access permissions that may be associated with a subscription. The permissions may also be determined using the identifier of a viewer device (9). The viewer (9) requests connection to a specific sender (6) by sending an association request to an association server (8) via a network connection (10). The association server (8) returns location information specific to the sender (6) being requested to the viewer (9). The viewer (9) and sender (6) then communicate directly (11) to establish communication and to start transfer of video and other information. The sender (6) can remove content protection from the video content before transcoding, re-applying content protection and sending it.

Abstract: A molecular single electron transistor (MSET) detector device (14) is described that comprises at least one organic molecule (87) connecting a drain electrode (84) and a source electrode (82). In use, said at least one organic molecule (87) provides a quantum confinement region. At least one analyte receptor site (90, 92) is provided in the vicinity of said at least one organic molecule (87) that bind molecules of interest (analytes). A fluid analyser (2) is also described that includes the MSET detector, a pre-concentrator (4) and a fluid gating structure (6). The fluid gating structure (6) is arranged to selectively route fluid from the pre-concentrator (4) to either one of the detector (14) and an exhaust port (12). The pre-concentrator (4), fluid gating structure (6) and detector (14) are each formed as substantially planar layers and arranged in a stack or cube.

Abstract: A device for detecting infrared radiation is described that comprises a resonator element (36; 72; 96; 120) fixably attached to a supporting frame (32;130). The supporting frame (32;130) is arranged to absorb infrared radiation received by the device. The resonator element (36; 72; 96; 120) has a resonant property, such as resonant frequency, that varies with temperature. The device may comprise a plurality of detection elements (70), each detection element comprising a resonator element (72) fixably attached to a supporting frame. A thermal detector array device may also be provided.

Abstract: A printer includes an articulating user interface panel. The articulating user interface panel moves between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch includes a fixed contact (24) and a moveable contact (35) on an armature (30). The switch has electrodes (22, 34) associated with both the fixed and moveable contacts for providing an electrostatic switch operation and piezoelectric material with associated electrodes (36, 40) for bending the armature upon application of an electric voltage and providing an initial piezoelectric switch operation followed by electrostatic switching and clamping. The armature is of curved shape which is bent away from the fixed contact when in a switch open condition with zero applied voltage. This gives a large, e.g. 3 pm, switch gap in an OFF state which is reduced by piezoelectric operation suitable for electrostatic switch closing. A curved condition is provided by varying strain across the armature thickness, and is produced during manufacture of the switch.

Abstract: An optical routing device is described that comprises a semiconductor substrate (52) having at least one optical input (4), a plurality of optical outputs (6,8) and an array of MEMS moveable reflective elements (58;102). The array of moveable reflective elements (58;102) are configurable such that light can be selectively routed from any one optical input (4) to any one of two or more of said plurality of optical outputs (6,8). Light selectively routed from any one optical input to any one of two or more of said plurality of optical outputs (6,8) is guided within a hollow core waveguide (54). In one embodiment, a cross-connect optical matrix switch is described.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator device is described that comprises a first optical input, a first optical output, a first optical path between the first optical input and the first optical output, and means for moving a shutter across said first optical path. A hollow core waveguide is provided to substantially guide light along the first optical path of the device. The device may also be used to provide an analogue beam splitting or switch function in telecommunication systems and the like.

Abstract: An electronic safety and arming unit comprises a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) shutter device. The shutter (18) is suspended by thin lightweight arms and hinges, all formed by silicon processing of SOI substrates and includes holding latches for holding the shutter (18) in the closed position. The holding latches may be released by an electrothermal actuator. The shutter (18) separates an initiator section from an explosive train (6) of munitions such as shells, thereby providing safety until the shell is fired and away from its start point. After firing, the shutter (18) is opened ready for the main explosive to be detonated by the initiator (3). The shutter (18) may be suspended by a compliant displacement multiplier and may include an electrothermal actuator such as an electrically heatable bent beam. Heating of the beam causes movement of a shutter blade from a shut condition covering a firing aperture to an open condition.

Abstract: A blade sharpening device easily connectable to a source of rotating power, such as a battery powered hand drill, and having a housing, a selectably locatable pitch adjuster and a clamping mechanism means for maintaining the housing and grinding surfaces of the sharpening device at a desired grinding angle. The housing extends completely over the width of the rotatable drums wrapped with grinding surface. By clamping the device directly to the blade and stabilizing the device in this position, the operator has greater control and stability of the sharpener when in use on, for example, a lawn mower blade which is still attached to the lawn mower drive shaft at the underside of the lawn mower housing. This on-site, in-place blade sharpening capability eliminates the necessity of removing the blade for its sharpening, while still allowing easy and safe sharpening of the blade.

Abstract: An information handling system support stand is provided for a peripheral device, such as an LCD monitor. A lockdown feature is included for fixing the height of the stand in a full-down position and a release feature is included for detaching the LCD monitor from the support stand by actuating a push button.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a toy bicycle that includes a rear wheel assembly rotatably connected to the bicycle. The rear wheel assembly encloses a flywheel and a means of interconnecting the flywheel and the rear wheel. The interconnecting means serves to energize the flywheel in response to a rotational force applied to the rear wheel and when the rotational force is removed the interconnecting means will continue to rotate the rear wheel in response to the inertia of the energized flywheel. An articulated rider, mounted to the seat of the bicycle, includes hands rotatably attached to handlebars and feet attached to pedals of the bicycle. When the bicycle is in motion, the articulated rider appears to pedal and operate the bicycle. The bicycle also includes a charger that engages and rotates the rear wheel of the bicycle and as such, energizes the flywheel.

Abstract: Compositions including at least one organic ligand including a first hetero atom and a second hetero atom directly bonded to the first hetero atom or located one carbon atom away from the first hetero atom, with at least one of the hetero atoms being nitrogen, and a transition metal moiety partially complexes by the organic ligand are provided. Such complexes have a controlled adaptable proton transfer ability and/or a hydrogen bonding ability which makes such compositions particularly useful as chemical reaction facilitators. Examples of chemical reactions facilitated by such compositions include hydrolysis reactions and carbon dioxide conversion reactions.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a magneto-resistive read head and an inductive write head for use with removable hard disk cartridges. A four-burst embedded servo is written and read to guide the servo-positioning of the magneto-resistive read head over data tracks recorded on the removable hard disk.