Abstract: Apparatus to electrically connect a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact includes opposed upper and lower elastomer layers formed on either side of an electrically insulating intermediate layer together forming a laminate interposer structure having a thickness. An electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path is formed through the thickness of the laminate interposer structure. The upper and lower elastomer layers provide compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column, and the intermediate layer provides reduced compliance between the intermediate layer and the elastic column relative to the compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column.

Abstract: Apparatus to electrically connect a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact includes opposed upper and lower elastomer layers formed on either side of an electrically insulating intermediate layer together forming a laminate interposer structure having a thickness. An electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path is formed through the thickness of the laminate interposer structure. The upper and lower elastomer layers provide compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column, and the intermediate layer provides reduced compliance between the intermediate layer and the elastic column relative to the compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column.

Abstract: A compliant interconnect assembly to electrically connect a first electronic device to a second electronic device comprises a contact set including an electrically insulating flexible film having at least one conductive contact suspended therein. The interconnect assembly also includes a compressible interposer as an electrically insulating elastomer sheet matrix for at least one electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path through the thickness of the elastomer sheet. The electrically conducting elastic column comprises a central pillar of conductive spheroidal particles having a first average particle size. The central pillar has a first end opposite a second end. At least the first end has a particulate cap bonded to it including particles having a second average particle size that is less than the first average particle size.

Abstract: A contact set and compressible interposer, methods for producing them and a compliant interconnect assembly for providing electrical connection of a first electronic device to a second electronic device. The compliant interconnect assembly comprises a contact set and a compressible interposer. The contact set includes an electrically insulating, flexible film with at least one conductive contact suspended therein to provide an electrically conductive path through the film. Formation of at least one de-coupling hole in the flexible film, close to a conductive contact, further contributes to independent movement of the conductive contact. A compressible interposer in the form of an electrically insulating elastomer matrix, surrounding electrically isolated conducting elastic columns, provides a localized conductive path through the thickness of the elastomer sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a device including a plurality of elements each having contact surface and a non-contact surface, the apparatus comprising a base for holding the device, the base having a contact surface engageable with the contact surface of each element, an actuator, a plurality of compliant members carried by the actuator to engage the non-contact surface of each element, each compliant member further including an aspect ratio of at least 1:1, and means for exerting a force against the actuator, the aspect ratio for allowing the compliant members to compensate for physical variations of the elements, provide compliance between the apparatus and the elements and substantial coplanarity between the contact surface of each element and the contact surface of the base while allowing a sufficient focusing of force by the compliant members against the non-contact surface of each element to provide contact between the contact surface of each element and the contact surface of the base without damaging the

Abstract: System and method for monitoring occupancy and status of restaurant tables to minimize the time each table is unoccupied. The system includes a processor unit coupled by means of serial data buses to a host unit and a plurality of service units. The host unit includes separate push buttons, or "table buttons", which correspond, respectively, to tables within a particular service area of the restaurant. The processor unit computes and stores the status of each table in the restaurant. The processor periodically computes and transmits display information representative of the updated status of the tables to the host unit and the service units. Such display information for a particular table is utilized at both the host station and the appropriate service station to illuminate or flash the table buttons in such a manner as to indicate the present status of the corresponding tables to restaurant personnel.