Abstract: Offset voltages developed on floating nodes on inputs to high-performance amplifiers that are DC isolated from the data signals input to amplifiers are cancelled by connecting a highly resistive element between the input node and a predetermined potential, particularly useful in proximity communication systems in which two chips are connected through capacitive or inductive coupling circuits formed jointly in the two chips. The resistive element may be an off MOS transistor connected between the node and a desired bias voltage or a MOS transistor with its gate and drain connected to the potential. Multiple bias voltages may be distributed to all receivers and locally selected by a multiplexer for application to one or two input nodes of the receiver. The receiver output can also serve as a predetermined potential when the resistive element has a long time constant compared to the data rate or the resistive element is non-linear.

Abstract: A chip package includes a stack of semiconductor dies or chips that are offset from each other, thereby defining a terrace with exposed pads. Moreover, surfaces of each of the semiconductor dies in the stepped terrace include two rows of first pads approximately parallel to edges of the semiconductor dies. Furthermore, the chip package includes a high-bandwidth ramp component, which is positioned approximately parallel to the terrace, and which has a surface that includes second pads arranged in at least two rows of second pads for each of the semiconductor dies. The second pads are electrically and mechanically coupled to the exposed first pads by connectors. Consequently, the electrical contacts in the chip package may have a conductive, a capacitive or, in general, a complex impedance. Furthermore, the chips and/or the ramp component may be positioned relative to each other using a ball-and-pit alignment technique.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wireless communication of time and attendance information are disclosed. A time and attendance device may include a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit may be configured to receive identification information that identifies at least one user of the time and attendance device. The transmitting unit may be configured to transmit the received identification information to an external server over the wireless network. Related time information that indicates a time at which the receiving unit received the identification information may be captured and also transmitted to the external server.

Abstract: The invention provides a dispensing closure to supply a dose with an inverted dome having a housing, the housing having a septum, a convex dome, and an end plate seal. A main vessel can be attached to the inverted dome dispensing closure, and a user-actuated means for dispensing from the inverted dome dispensing closure into the main vessel is also provided. The invention provides a point of use dispensing device that will supply fresh healthy ingredients that are stored inside the closure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for managing access of mobile stations to a plurality of wireless carriers. For example, in one embodiment, a central system can provide configuration files to mobile stations. The mobile stations can use the configuration files to access a plurality of different wireless carriers, with the different wireless carriers potentially implementing distinct technologies and communication standards and protocols.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for temporary location within a damp or waterlogged room is disclosed. The apparatus includes sensors to sense the level of temperature and humidity within the room, a heater to provide heat for the room, an air circulation fan for selectively circulating heated air within the room or selectively exhausting warm and humid air from the room and for allowing outside ambient air into the room. The apparatus being adapted to cyclically continue until the sensed humidity reaches a required level, the apparatus thereafter indicating, directly or indirectly, the completion of the drying process. A method of drying a room using such apparatus is also disclosed which employs a technique whereby the rate of change of the temperature increase is used to determine when humid air should be exhausted from the room. A time limit can also be use to determine when said exhausting takes place.

Abstract: A diversity proximity communication system formed on two juxtaposed chips, one having a two-dimensional array of transmit elements, the other having a two-dimensional array of receive elements. The receive and transmit elements need not be aligned and may have nominal alignment of one transmit element overlapping the corners of four receive elements. The elements may be electrical pads capacitively coupled across the interface. Signals of four different multiplexing groups, e.g., time-multiplexed, are supplied to transmitting elements in a 2×2 array. Signals from four receive elements in a 2×2 array are amplified, combined, and demultiplexed for the selected multiplexing group. The gains for the four signals to be combined are differentially controlled to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The amplification may be determined by the overlap between each of the receive elements and the transmit element of the selected multiplexing group.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe (10) that scans a subject with beams of high frequency sound. The probe (10) includes a transducer (26) to produce high frequency sound waves, a means to steer the sound waves in the proper direction, a printed circuit board (22) with a non-volatile memory (38), a micro electrico-mechanical accelerometer integrated circuit (32) and an outlet connector (19). The accelerometer (32) is configured to detect the movement of the probe (10) in from two to three axes when the probe (10) is rotated or moved in a linear direction to allow the probe (10) to detect images from more than one plane.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a game of skill and strategy comprising a board on a swivel base and game pieces for targeting placement on the board by sliding and shooting by a multiplicity of players.

Abstract: Inverted dome to supply a dose with an inverted dome dispensing closure having a housing, the housing having a septum, a thinner convex dome, and an end plate seal, a main vessel attached to the inverted dome dispensing closure, and a user-actuated for dispensing from the inverted dome dispensing closure into the main vessel. To provide a point of use dispensing devise that will supply fresh healthy ingredients that are stored inside the closure. The devise is used to store ingredients protecting them from UV light and moisture at minimum. The closure will be intuitive for use and easily operated by the end user. The new devise minimizes components and materials while maximizing the dispensing port.

Abstract: A circuit that receives input signals from a transmitter via proximity communication, such as capacitively coupled proximity communication, is described. Because proximity communication may block DC content, the circuit may restore the DC content of input signals. In particular, a refresh circuit in the circuit may short inputs of the circuit to each other at least once per clock cycle (which sets a null value). Furthermore, a feedback circuit ensures that, if there is a signal transition in the input signals during a current clock cycle, it is passed through to an output node of the circuit. On the other hand, if there is no signal transition in the input signals during the current clock cycle, the feedback circuit may select the appropriate output value on the output node based on the output value during the immediately preceding clock cycle.

Abstract: This invention provides a reader device (10) for a test strip (14) (in particular an immunoassay test strip). The reader device has a channel (12) for receiving the test strip, and a movable sensor (26, 28, 30) located adjacent to said channel. The sensor comprises a source of radiation (26) and a detector (28, 30) for detecting the intensity of emitted radiation. The reader device also has a calibrating attenuator (50) allowing variations in the intensity of radiation emitted by the source to be detected and thereby eliminated or compensated. The invention also provides a method of using the reader device.

Abstract: A stabilizing training device suitable for use on an ice-skate is disclosed. The device provides a foot retaining portion and a stabilizing portion directly under the foot retaining portion. The unit is designed to provide at least partial resiliency to permit limited lateral movement in use. The device is positioned about the foot or footwear by positioning the former into the foot retaining area. A base extends between foot retaining members of the foot retaining area. The base contacts the sole of the foot or footwear and has, extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom, arms which provide for the stabilizing aspect when the device is in use.

Abstract: Offset voltages developed on floating nodes on inputs to high-performance amplifiers that are DC isolated from the data signals input to amplifiers are cancelled by connecting a highly resistive element between the input node and a predetermined potential, particularly useful in proximity communication systems in which two chips are connected through capacitive or inductive coupling circuits formed jointly in the two chips. The resistive element may be an off MOS transistor connected between the node and a desired bias voltage or a MOS transistor with its gate and drain connected to the potential. Multiple bias voltages may be distributed to all receivers and locally selected by a multiplexer for application to one or two input nodes of the receiver. The receiver output can also serve as a predetermined potential when the resistive element has a long time constant compared to the data rate or the resistive element is non-linear.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves reconfigurable circuits that include an asynchronous data path with asynchronous control and at least one logic element coupled with the asynchronous data path that allows the circuit to be configured to more than one logical implementation through data and control token. In one particular example, the asynchronous data path with asynchronous control includes an interconnection of memory elements, such as latches, with each memory element including a corresponding asynchronous control element, such as a GasP element. One or more logical elements are coupled at one or more points of the data path, such coupling may involve feed-back, feed-forward, or combinations of both, and may include external data connections. Through distribution of data items and control tokens to the asynchronous data path with asynchronous control, the fixed logical coupling to the data path may be reconfigured to provide various logical arrangements.

Abstract: A system that includes a first buffer and a second buffer, wherein the first buffer and the second buffer are connected to the same input, wherein a size of the first buffer is defined by a distance of the first buffer from the input and a transfer rate of data, wherein a size of the second buffer is defined by a distance of the second buffer from the input and the transfer rate of data, and wherein the distance between the first buffer and the input is different from the distance between the second buffer and the input.

Abstract: A system that includes a first buffer and a second buffer, wherein the first buffer and the second buffer are connected to the same input, wherein a size of the first buffer is defined by a distance of the first buffer from the input and a transfer rate of data, wherein a size of the second buffer is defined by a distance of the second buffer from the input and the transfer rate of data, and wherein the distance between the first buffer and the input is different from the distance between the second buffer and the input.

Abstract: A diversity proximity communication system formed on two juxtaposed chips, one having a two-dimensional array of transmit elements, the other having a two-dimensional array of receive elements. The receive and transmit elements need not be aligned and may have nominal alignment of one transmit element overlapping the corners of four receive elements. The elements may be electrical pads capacitively coupled across the interface. Signals of four different multiplexing groups, e.g., time-multiplexed, are supplied to transmitting elements in a 2×2 array. Signals from four receive elements in a 2×2 array are amplified, combined, and demultiplexed for the selected multiplexing group. The gains for the four signals to be combined are differentially controlled to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The amplification may be determined by the overlap between each of the receive elements and the transmit element of the selected multiplexing group.