Abstract: A method for reducing stress on under ball metallurgy (UBM) is disclosed. A collar is disposed around the ball to provide support, and prevent solder interaction in the undercut areas of the UBM. In one embodiment, the collar is comprised of photosensitive polyimide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for winding up and unwinding raising cords of a screen, comprising: an elongate housing (2); a shaft (3) intended for rotation in the housing; a number of winding rollers (4) which are coaxially mountable on the shaft for winding up and unwinding the raising cords (5) and which are adapted for releasable fastening of the raising cords; a number of winding roller holders (6) for bearing-mounted support of the winding rollers, which winding roller holders are adapted to be received in the housing.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gear is disclosed. The method may include loading a donut blank onto a pallet through a bore in the donut bank. The method may further include loading the pallet and donut blank onto a plurality of different machines and performing a plurality of different machining processes on the donut blank to fabricate a gear.

Abstract: A structure. The structure includes a layered configuration including a copper layer, a first layer, and a second layer. The first and second layers are disposed on opposite sides of the copper layer and are in direct mechanical contact with the copper layer. The first and second layers each include a same alloy of nickel and a metal consisting of cobalt, iron, copper, manganese, or molybdenum. A first region in the first layer extends completely through the first layer. A second region in the second layer extends completely through the second layer. A third region in the first layer extends completely through the first layer. The third region does not extend into any portion of the second layer. The first, second region, and third regions each include a photoresist or an opening such that photoresist or opening extends completely through the first, second, and first layer, respectively.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic device with a vacuum system for maintaining a negative pressure seal between the socket and the residual limb. The vacuum system includes a vacuum surge chamber which maintains seal vacuum and increases battery life. The system is small, lightweight, and concealable within the prosthetic device so that it neither impedes use of the device nor detracts from a cosmetically accurate limb.

Abstract: A postcard having a writing implement attached thereto, such that the postcard and writing implement may be sold as a single unit. The postcard may further include prepaid postage for mailing to anywhere in the world. The invention further includes a multi-pack set of postcards having a detachable writing implement.

Abstract: A key card holder having a detachable card. The card may comprise a postcard with pre-paid postage or the postcard may include a voucher for free postage and mailing. A removably attached writing implement may be provided. The detachable card may further comprise a coupon, survey, map, checkout form, or an advertisement. Another aspect includes a hotel check-in kit comprising a key card and a postcard.

Abstract: A structure and associated methods of formation. The structure includes a layered configuration comprising a copper layer, a first layer, and a second layer. The copper layer consists essentially of copper. The first and second layers are disposed on opposite sides of the copper layer and are in direct mechanical contact with the copper layer. The first and second layers each consist essentially of a same alloy of nickel and cobalt having a weight percent concentration of cobalt in a range of 3% to 21%. A through hole in the layered configuration extends completely through the first layer, the copper layer, and the second layer, wherein a first opening in the layered configuration extends completely through the first layer and does not extend into any portion of the second layer.

Abstract: A screening mask having a stress-relieving area including an inner functional area having a pattern which is replicated on an underlying substrate, the inner functional area pattern having an one open area through which a paste is extruded and at least one tab, and an outer nonfunctional area distinct from the inner functional area, the outer nonfunctional area having a stress-relieving area adjacent to an edge of the screening mask that protects the at least one tab in the inner functional area from breaking.

Abstract: A method, and system in support thereof, of specifying hardware description language assertions targeting a diverse set of verification tools to provide verification of a logic design by the set of verification tools. The constraints and properties of the logic design are described in the HDL using one or more high-level assertion specification macros representative of the assertions of the logic design. The one or more assertion specification macros are stored as components within a specification macro library for later retrieval as needed.

Abstract: A mass flow sensor apparatus (30) for a billet harvester(10) for sugar cane of the type having an elevator (20) with a plurality of flights (24) that transfer batches of billets (5) through an elevator housing and having a floor section (23) proximate an upper end (22) of the elevator housing, the mass flow sensor apparatus including: a weigh pad (31) for receiving batches of billets (5); a first transducer means (34) operatively associated with the weigh pad for producing mass signals (39) indicative of a mass received by the weigh pad and error correction mechanism (37, 38) for correction of measurement errors in the mass signals; whereby, in use, the weigh pad (31) is substantially co-planar with the floor section (23) in the elevator housing such that batches of billets (5) traverse the weigh pad and the error correction mechanism (37) is operatively associated with the crop harvester (10). A yield mapping system employing DGPS positioning techniques with the mass flow rate sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A screening mask having a stress-relieving area including an inner functional area having a pattern which is replicated on an underlying substrate, the inner functional area pattern having an one open area through which a paste is extruded and at least one tab, and an outer nonfunctional area distinct from the inner functional area, the outer nonfunctional area having a stress-relieving area adjacent to an edge of the screening mask that protects the at least one tab in the inner functional area from breaking.

Abstract: A device is provided for assembling article groups from layers of rod-shaped articles used in the tobacco-processing industry. The rod-shaped articles are stacked one above the other and side-by-side in group forming bins that are intermittently movable in a forward direction. A number of funnels are provided that correspond, respectively, to the number of the article layers. Each funnel is divided into chutes. The chutes of each funnel receive the rod-shaped articles at chute inlets and are arranged for dropping the rod-shaped articles to chute outlets to form a layer of parallel aligned rod-shaped articles. A platform is disposed at each chute outlet for receiving the respective layer of parallel aligned rod-shaped articles. The platforms are staggered at successively different heights to define respective layer planes.

Abstract: A communications system may be used for transmitting and/or receiving data over a network. The communications system includes means responsive to requests for a desired quality of service specifying at least two quality of service parameters, such as bandwidth, latency, error rate, and so on, for determining whether or not the requested quality of service is available. The quality of service requests specify the desired quality of service in terms of logical expressions involving two or more of said at least two quality of service parameters. This allows, for example, a desired quality of service to accept a higher error rate if the available bandwidth is higher. In the preferred embodiment, each quality of service parameter is specified in terms of a range between minimum and a maximum acceptable values.

Abstract: A communications system may be used for transmitting and/or receiving data over a network. The system needs to exchange capability information with other systems in the network, in order to determine which forms of communication can be mutually supported. The exchange of information includes logical expressions involving two or more parameters. This allows, for example, a system to indicate that a higher error rate will occur if the throughput is increased. In the preferred embodiment, each capability parameter is specified in terms of a range between a minimum and a maximum acceptable value.

Abstract: A mask for printing a pattern on a substrate comprises a sheet preferably of metal having a printing pattern thereon comprising through mask openings in the sheet. The through mask openings are interconnected by tabs or bridges which have a structure which provides a bending moment in a portion of the tab when a force is applied to the mask to force material to be deposited on the substrate through the mask openings. A preferred tab structure has a step shape and at least one through opening in the tab. The step shape and through mask opening both provide bending moments in the tab and the through opening also provides enhanced patterning definition because the deposition material flows both under the tab and through the through tab opening. The masks have a longer operating life than conventional masks and enhanced operating characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a communication channel between a source node and a destination node via a heterogeneous communication network comprising at least one intermediate node is disclosed. A request for a communication channel having specified characteristics is issued by the source node to the most immediately adjacent of a possible plurality of intermediate nodes. Each intermediate node determines whether or not it has the available communication resources to support the request. If so, sufficient communication resources are reserved in order to support the request and the request is forwarded to the next intermediate node. The determination by each intermediate node is continued until the destination is reached. After determination by the intermediate node as to whether or not the communication channel can be supported, an indication reflecting the determination is returned to the source node via the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: A mask for printing a pattern on a substrate comprises a sheet preferably of metal having a printing pattern thereon comprising through mask openings in the sheet. The through mask openings are interconnected by tabs or bridges which have a structure which provides a bending moment in a portion of the tab when a force is applied to the mask to force material to be deposited on the substrate through the mask openings. A preferred tab structure has a step shape and at least one through opening in the tab. The step shape and through mask opening both provide bending moments in the tab and the through opening also provides enhanced patterning definition because the deposition material flows both under the tab and through the through tab opening. The masks have a longer operating life than conventional masks and enhanced operating characteristics.

Abstract: A programmable workstation for collaborative working in a network comprises a conventional operating system and network control layer for controlling physical routing of data between nodes. A collaborative application subsystem which interfaces with conventional telephones is responsive to a predetermined call from a collaboration call manager to establish the call manager at the node to handle incoming events which are not specific to any application program instances at the node.

Abstract: A programmable workstation for collaborative working in a network comprises a conventional operating system and a network control program layer. Additionally, the workstation includes a collaborative application support subsystem for interfacing with application programs. The subsystem is responsive to predetermined application program calls to create a logical network model of a collaborative environment. The model comprises sharing sets of application programs, which share data and resources across nodes and logical dedicated data channels connecting members of the sharing set. The subsystem cooperates with the network layer to establish the physical links necessary to implement the model in a physical network, transparently to the application program.