Abstract: A field programmable gate array, an access lead network coupled to the FPGA, and a plurality of memories electrically coupled to the access lead network. The FPGA, access lead network, and plurality of memories are arranged and configured to operate with a variable word width, namely with a word width between 1 and a maximum number of bits. The absolute maximum word width may be as large as m*N where m is the number of word width bits per memory chip and N is the number of memory chips.

Abstract: Layers suitable for stacking in three dimensional, multi-layer modules are formed by interconnecting a ball grid array electronic package to an interposer layer which routes electronic signals to an access plane. The layers are under-filled and may be bonded together to form a stack of layers. The leads on the access plane are interconnected among layers to form a high-density electronic package.

Abstract: A field programmable gate array, an access lead network coupled to the FPGA, and a plurality of memories electrically coupled to the access lead network. The FPGA, access lead network, and plurality of memories are arranged and configured to operate with a variable word width, namely with a word width between 1 and a maximum number of bits. The absolute maximum word width may be as large as m.times.N where m is the number of word width bits per memory chip and N is the number of memory chips.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes optical reflectivity (REF) to measure concentrations in liquids. The REF optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The miniaturized REF sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with an optical window in contact with the liquid. Changes in a total internal reflection (TIR) signal are sensitive to temperature and concentration of the liquid. These changes in the TIR signal are used to accurately determine the concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: An electronic auction system known as the Yahoo! Auction System provides functionality that permits users to conduct auction transactions with various payment units, such as incentive points and credit points, as well as money. Points can be earned in a variety of ways and redeemed via online auctions. The Yahoo! Auction System includes a web server, a messaging server, a database server, and various databases including an account database for storing information about account balance, expiration date for each point or group of points, and redemption information. The Yahoo! Auction System provides different auction formats, such as Standard Auction, Dutch Auction, Progressive Auction, Buy-or-Bid Auction, and Declining Bid Auction. The Yahoo! Auction System reserves the bid amount associated any new valid bid in the bidder's account and unreserves those bid amounts that were previously reserved but are no longer the winning bid or otherwise displaced from the top bid positions.

Abstract: An electronic points system that allows consumers to redeem online those points that were earned offline is described. In one implementation, the offline-online points system is applied to a soft drink bottle caps program. A soft drink company is sponsoring a promotions program where certain bottle caps are worth so many points. A consumer buys a soft drink bottle at a local store. The lucky consumer discovers that he is the beneficiary of a winning bottle cap, and in particular, a bottle cap that is worth N points. Instead of redeeming this winning bottle cap in the traditional way, the consumer logs onto the soft drink company's website and registers his bottle cap code. Thereafter, after registration, the consumer can redeem these points for any merchandise that is available for purchase with these points at any participating company's online store.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes optical reflectivity (REF) to measure concentrations in liquids. The REF optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The miniaturized REF sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with an optical window in contact with the liquid. Changes in a total internal reflection (TIR) signal are sensitive to temperature and concentration of the liquid. These changes in the TIR signal are used to accurately determine the concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: A preprocessed semiconductor substrate such as a wafer is provided with a metal etch mask which defines singulation channels on the substrate surface. An isotropic etch process is used to define a singulation channel with a first depth extending into the semiconductor substrate material. A second anisotropic etch process is used to increase the depth of the singulation channel while providing substantially vertical singulation channel sidewalls. The singulation channel can be extended through the depth of the substrate or, in an alternative embodiment, a predetermined portion of the inactive surface of the substrate removed to expose the singulation channels. In this manner, semiconductor die can be precisely singulated from a wafer while maintaining vertical die sidewalls.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes optical reflectivity (REF) to measure concentrations in liquids. The REF optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The miniaturized REF sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with an optical window in contact with the liquid. Changes in a total internal reflection (TIR) signal are sensitive to temperature and concentration of the liquid. These changes in the TIR signal are used to accurately determine the concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes miniaturized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and ion-selective self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and hydrogel chemistry to measure metal ion concentrations in liquids. The SPR optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The SPR system utilizes an optical window that is coated with the SAM layer or hydrogel material. The SAM layer and hydrogel materials are highly selective to a specific metal ion of interest. The miniaturized SPR sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with the SAM layer or hydrogel material in contact with the liquid. Metal ions selectively attach to the SAM layer or hydrogel material, thereby affecting the SPR signal. Changes in the SPR signal are used to accurately determine the metal ion concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the pallet includes openings, interface fittings aligned with the openings, respectively, and sized to fit into openings of identical sizes and configurations as the first and second openings, respectively, locking components operatively connected to one another, and an actuator for moving concomitantly the locking components into and out of the openings, respectively.

Abstract: Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including automatic interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the automatically locking pallet includes a pallet frame including a forklift tine opening, a pallet platform, a locking component movable into and out of a locking arrangement with an interface fitting of a storage assembly when the automatically locking pallet and the storage assembly are stacked, and an actuator operatively connected to the locking component. The actuator may be activated by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening to move the locking component out of the locking arrangement.

Abstract: Shipping and storage systems convertible between containers and racks are provided. Collapsible shipping and storage systems are provided, which include pallets with novel locking mechanisms. An embodiment includes a first pallet having an interface fitting and a locking component, a second pallet having a second interface fitting and a second locking component, and structural support members positionable between the pallets for supporting one of the pallets in spaced relation over the other pallet. The structural support members may include frame members and walls interchangeable with one another. The frame members may be combined with the pallets to establish a rack system having an open storage area. The walls also may be combined with the pallets to establish a storage container having a compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes optical reflectivity (REF) to measure concentrations in liquids. The REF optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The miniaturized REF sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with an optical window in contact with the liquid. Changes in a total internal reflection (TIR) signal are sensitive to temperature and concentration of the liquid. These changes in the TIR signal are used to accurately determine the concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: A plurality of temperature dependent focal plane arrays operate without a temperature stabilization cooler and/or heater over a wide range of ambient temperatures. Gain, offset and/or bias correction tables are provided in a flash memory in memory pages indexed by the measured temperature of the focal plane arrays. The memory stores a calibration database, which is accessed using a logic circuit which generates a memory page address from a digitized temperature measurement of each of the focal plane array. The calibration database is comprised of an array of bias, gain and offset values for each pixel in the focal plane array for each potential operating temperature over the entire range of potential operating temperatures. The bias, gain and offset data within the database are read out, converted to analog form, and used by analog circuits to correct the focal plane array response.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes miniaturized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and ion-selective self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and hydrogel chemistry to measure metal ion concentrations in liquids. The SPR optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The SPR system utilizes an optical window that is coated with the SAM layer or hydrogel material. The SAM layer and hydrogel materials are highly selective to a specific metal ion of interest. The miniaturized SPR sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with the SAM layer or hydrogel material in contact with the liquid. Metal ions selectively attach to the SAM layer or hydrogel material, thereby affecting the SPR signal. Changes in the SPR signal are used to accurately determine the metal ion concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.

Abstract: An electronic points system that allows consumers to redeem online those points that were earned offline is described. In one implementation, the offline-online points system is applied to a soft drink bottle caps program. A soft drink company is sponsoring a promotions program where certain bottle caps are worth so many points. A consumer buys a soft drink bottle at a local store. The lucky consumer discovers that he is the beneficiary of a winning bottle cap, and in particular, a bottle cap that is worth N points. Instead of redeeming this winning bottle cap in the traditional way, the consumer logs onto the soft drink company's website and registers his bottle cap code. Thereafter, after registration, the consumer can redeem these points for any merchandise that is available for purchase with these points at any participating company's online store.