Abstract: A foldable jacket for a general purpose portable computer includes a first protective panel having first and second sub-panels foldably connected along a first fold line. The first sub-panel has a fastener for fastening to the computer. A second protective panel is foldably connected to the first protective panel along a second fold line. A third protective panel is foldably connected to the second protective panel along a third fold line. A strap extending from the first sub-panel is capable of fastening to the third panel to secure the jacket substantially around the computer with the first and second sub-panels lying along the same plane. The jacket is also capable of being folded along the first and second fold lines such that the first and second sub-panels are at an angle relative to each other as well as the third panel. The first sub-panel is fastened to the third panel at an angle to tilt the computer for viewing and use.

Abstract: A protective carrying bag for a computer includes opposing front and back walls. An opening in the front wall provides access by a user for viewing a screen on the computer when the computer is contained within the bag. Opposing openable first and second side walls as well as a lower wall extend between the front and back walls. An openable upper flap is positioned between the front and back walls. A carrying strap is included which is capable of being secured in a first arrangement for carrying the bag in a substantially vertical orientation and in a second arrangement for carrying the bag in a substantially horizontal orientation such that the computer can be operated through the opening in the front wall while being carried in the substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A monitoring device for determining the presence or absence of wafer-like objects in a carrier having a plurality of shelves, each shelf being constructed to support one such object in an orientation normal to a carrier axis. The monitoring device may advantageously be used in an apparatus for handling wafer-like objects in a self-contained environment. The monitoring device includes a first detector capable of detecting movement of a body past the detector and generating a corresponding first signal. A translation member is physically coupled to the carrier, such that movement of the translation member results in movement of the carrier. The translation member is moved such that the carrier, and any objects such as wafers supported in the carrier, move along the carrier axis past the first detector. As the translation member moves, a position signal is generated, such that the position signal encodes the position of the translation member.

Abstract: A device for centering an object and rotating it to a desired angular position relative to a discerning feature. The centration device is particularly adapted for use as a station in a semiconductor wafer handling apparatus, and includes a rotatably driven chuck on which a wafer may be placed by a robot manipulator arm. The perimeter of the wafer is rotated between a light source and a linear array of charge coupled device elements, casting a shadow on the light sensitive elements as the wafer is rotated. A processor connected to the charge couple devices and to an angular position encoder on a shaft of the chuck rotating the wafer is operative to collect data relating the displacement of the perimeter from a reference point to the angular position of the wafer. The processor determines from the data a distance over which the wafer should be shifted on the chuck to center it relative to the reference point.