Abstract: A non-volatile memory express (NVMe) based storage system may include a processor; an input/output (I/O) port operatively coupled to a data network; a drive interface board (DIB), including: a PCIe switch communicatively coupled to the processor to receive signals from the processor to a plurality of NVMe storage devices; and a source clock communicatively coupled to the PCIe switch; a connector communicatively coupling the DIB to relay clock signals to a plurality of NVMe drives at a drive mid-plane baseboard; the drive mid-plane baseboard communicatively coupled to the source clock, the drive mid-plane baseboard including: a clock distribution module to receive a source clock signal from the source clock, the clock distribution modules placed at the drive baseboard to distribute the clock signals to the plurality of NVMe storage devices.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory express (NVMe) based storage system may include a processor; an input/output (I/O) port operatively coupled to a data network; a drive interface board (DIB), including: a PCIe switch communicatively coupled to the processor to receive signals from the processor to a plurality of NVMe storage devices; and a source clock communicatively coupled to the PCIe switch; a connector communicatively coupling the DIB to relay clock signals to a plurality of NVMe drives at a drive mid-plane baseboard; the drive mid-plane baseboard communicatively coupled to the source clock, the drive mid-plane baseboard including: a clock distribution module to receive a source clock signal from the source clock, the clock distribution modules placed at the drive baseboard to distribute the clock signals to the plurality of NVMe storage devices.

Abstract: An interactive figure comprises an interaction module to interact with users and remotely interact with other communications devices and persons remote from the interactive figure. A module is provided having a housing for circuitry, processors, transducers, and communications devices. The module communicates with an exterior surface of the body. An outer perimeter adjacent one axial end of the housing is maintained in a mounting ring projecting through a surface of the toy. A locking ring secures the mounting ring in engagement with the surface. The module has a housing disposed inside of a body. The module can be updated or repurposed without having to take apart the interactive figure.

Abstract: A system and subsystems include a server for determining the identity of a media program being received which will provide stimuli to an interactive figure. The system, and the subsystem as well as programmed media which, when executed on a processor, will operate the interactive figure, the system, and subsystems. A master library of sound patterns, preferably housed in a server, provides a reference for a recognition routine to identify, e.g., a particular television show. A control signal library stores commands each corresponding to a distinctive value. The commands initiate actions, e.g., motion, speech, or other response, by operating means in the interactive figure. The server may “push,” or transmit information to a user computer which transmits to and which may receive intelligence from the interactive figure.

Abstract: In a system, an interactive figurine delivers messages to a user in one of a number of forms. A server operation system includes processing capability which may individually couple content or may customize messages to a particular user of the interactive figurines. The interactive figurine contains an embedded circuit consisting of a receiver comprising a detector circuit tuned to at least one preselected frequency, a decoder to provide information indicative of intelligence and signals sent to the receiver, and a decoder circuit to provide actionable output signals indicative of information transmitted to the receiver. The server operation system may include a subscriber database and administration routines for customizing of messages and for directing messages. A user station intermediate the interactive figurine and the server module may be used to provide parental control or other control.

Abstract: A system and subsystems include a server for determining the identity of a media program being received which will provide stimuli to an interactive figure. The system, and the subsystem as well as programmed media which, when executed on a processor, will operate the interactive figure, the system, and subsystems. A master library of sound patterns, preferably housed in a server, provides a reference for a recognition routine to identify, e.g., a particular television show. A control signal library stores commands each corresponding to a distinctive value. The commands initiate actions, e.g., motion, speech, or other response, by operating means in the interactive figure. The server may “push,” or transmit information to a user computer which transmits to and which may receive intelligence from the interactive figure.

Abstract: Two substrate leaves are coupled by a folded flexible circuit medium. Integrated circuit components can be mounted to opposite faces of both leaves. A signal terminal projects from one of the leaves. Both leaves include paths for communicating signals between their respective components and the terminal. Preferably the leaves are formed by two outer, rigid substrates each laminarly affixed to a respcective inner substrate, the inner substrates being separate sections of the folded circuit medium and the outer substrates being separated sections of a rigid circuit medium. Components are mounted to the exposed faces of the substrates. The fold includes paths for communicating signals between the leaf distal from the terminal and the terminal, the signal paths between one leaf and the terminal being closely matched in length and impedance to corresponding paths between the other leaf and the terminal.

Abstract: A high-speed memory module defined by first and second elements the first element including a plurality of flexible, interior layers laminated together to form a substrate having opposed exterior surfaces, the substrate having a network of conductive traces and vias forming data paths therein, at least two substantially quadrangular, rigid circuit boards, each of the boards laminarly split into substantially symmetric half-sections, each of the half-sections having solder lands formed on a first face for mounting electronic components thereto and conductive traces and vias incorporated therein forming a continuation of the data paths, each of the half-sections having an opposite second face for bonding to the exterior surfaces of the substrate, the half-sections laminated together on either side of a portion of the substrate with the substrate being sandwiched therebetween, wherein any gap between two parallel spaced-apart edges of any two adjacent boards is wide enough to allow mounting of the boards in a pa

Abstract: A device and related method are provided for assisting visually impaired persons obtain verbal information from consumer product bar codes. The devices includes a scanner unit, a processing unit, a power unit and a voice synthesizer. The method involves the person scanning the bar code of the product with the scanner unit to provide a first signal which is communicated to the processing unit for locating, retrieving and outputting product information corresponding to the bar code in a form for the voice synthesizer to generate a verbal output to convey the information to the person. The bar code may be raised to assist the visually impaired person in locating the exact location of the bar code to facilitate scanning thereof. The device and the method provide the visually impaired person with a level of information that about the product that is not normally obtained without the assistance of another person.

Abstract: A foldable electronic assembly is provided with extending ears for protecting folded substrates in flexible areas and with elements between adjacent face-to-face boards to maintain selected spacing between the boards while mechanically holding adjacent boards together. Elements may also be provided in the area of the ears which are adapted to coact with a suitable tool to facilitate removal of the assembly from a mating connector.

Abstract: In a header assembly, for interconnecting an electronic module to a mother board, including an insulating strip and at least one row of spaced-apart pins inserted through holes between an upper face and a lower face of the strip, each of the pins having an upper portion projecting from the upper face and being shaped and dimensioned to interconnect with the module, and a lower portion projecting from the lower face and being shaped and dimensioned to interconnect with the mother board, any adjacent two of the pins being separated by a length of the strip, the improvement which includes a plurality of collars of heat-dissipating material, one of the collars mounted around and in intimate contact with each of the pins, the collars having a peripheral outline shaped and dimensioned to avoid electrical contact with an adjacent pin.

Abstract: An electronic assembly combines a number of commensurate printed circuit boards bonded to a common, flexible, interconnecting substrate in an alternately folded and layered arrangement against an end board that has a comb of terminals for mounting into a motherboard connector. The flexible substrate is sandwiched between half-sections of each board, allowing mounting of components from both faces of the board. The assembly is particularly indicated for high density applications such as memory modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a selected surface of a workpiece, or electrolytically or chemically stripping a plating therefrom, comprises an electrode or center constrictor member having an active surface with a selected shape to combine with the selected surface of the workpiece to define an elongated gap of at least about 0.050 inches therebetween, means for supporting this constrictor member in a fixed position to define the elongated gap; solution circulating means for forcing a stripping solution through the gap in a generally closed path at a velocity to exchange stripping solution in the gap at a rate of at least 25 times per minute. When used for either electroplating or electrolytically stripping, the apparatus is provided with means for applying current flow between the selected workpiece surface and the active surface of the electrode through the gap at a current density of at least 2.0 amperes/in.sup.2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brazed implement comprising a thermally-stable polycrystalline diamond compact, e.g. a compact of self-bonded diamond particles having a network of inter-connected empty pores dispersed throughout the compact, bonded to another of said compact or bonded to a cemented carbide support by a brazing filler metal disposed therebetween. The brazing metal comprises an alloy having a liquidus above about 700.degree. C. and containing an effective amount of chromium. Translational shear strengths exceed about 50 kpsi even upon furnace cycling of the brazed implements and often exceed 90 kpsi. The method for fabricating the brazed implement also is disclosed.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus for rapidly depositing a metal onto a selected surface of a workpiece, which apparatus comprises an anode having an active surface with a selected shape to combine with the selected surface of the workpiece to define an elongated gap of at least about 0.050 inches, means for supporting this anode in a fixed position to define the elongated gap; solution circulating means for forcing an electroplating solution with metal cations through the gap in a generally closed path at a velocity to exchange electroplating solution in the gap at a rate of at least 25 times per minute; and, means for applying current flow between the selected workpiece surface and the active surface of the anode through the gap at a current density in excess of 2.0 amperes/in.sup.2. The invention also involves the method of using this apparatus to rapidly deposit metal, such as nickel, onto the inner cylindrical surface of a bore on a complex part such as an aircraft landing gear forging.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brazed implement comprising a thermally-stable polycrystalline diamond compact, e.g. a compact of self-bonded diamond particles having a network of inter-connected empty pores dispersed throughout the compact, bonded to another of said compact or bonded to a cemented carbide support by a brazing filler metal disposed therebetween. The brazing metal comprises an alloy having a liquidus above about 700.degree. C. and containing an effective amount of chromium. Translational shear strengths exceed about 50 kpsi even upon furnace cycling of the brazed implements and often exceed 90 kpsi. The method for fabricating the brazed implement also is disclosed.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus for rapidly depositing a metal onto a selected surface of a workpiece, which apparatus comprises an anode having an active surface with a selected shape to combine with the selected surface of the workpiece to define an elongated gap of at least about 0.050 inches, means for supporting this anode in a fixed position to define the elongated gap; solution circulating means for forcing an electroplating solution with metal cations through the gap in a generally closed path at a velocity to exchange electroplating solution in the gap at a rate of at least 25 times per minute; and, means for applying current flow between the selected workpiece surface and the active surface of the anode through the gap at a current density in excess of 2.0 amperes/in.sup.2. The invention also involves the method of using this apparatus to rapidly deposit metal, such as nickel, onto the inner cylindrical surface of a bore on a complex part such as an aircraft landing gear forging.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved brazed implement comprising a composite compact having an abrasive particle layer bonded to a support and a substrate bonded to the support by a brazing filler metal having a liquidus substantially above 700.degree. C. disposed therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the composite compact comprises a sectioned cylindrical composite compact having a lower support surface opposite the support surface bonded to said abrasive particle layer. The composite compact also has a mating surface. The substrate about its upper end has a pocket which comprises an interior face complementary in shape with the compact lower support surface and a land complementary in shape with the compact mating surface. The compact is brazed to the substrate. The abrasive particle layer is spaced-apart from contact with the substrate a distance adequate to minimize thermal damage thereto during the brazing of the compact to the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fixture assembly for use on an electrode wire EDM apparatus which is adapted to cut a conductive workpiece. Referring to FIG. 2, the improved fixture which can secure a plurality of workpieces 52 comprises master bar 40, which is secured to work supports 30 transversely therebetween, base plate 42 which is removably attached to the master bar at a predetermined location thereof and which has a plurality of equally-spaced support locations upon which each said workpiece rests, locator plate 44 which is removably attached to the base plate at a predetermined location thereof and which has a plurality of equally-spaced recesses of predetermined shape along an edge thereof for a side of each workpiece to be held thereagainst, and a plurality of pre-configured clamps 48 removably attached to the upper side of said locator plate which are tightenable to exert force against the top surface of each workpiece for securing the workpiece in a precise location for cutting.