Abstract: A hybrid lead frame having leads for conventional lead-to-I/O wire bonding, and leads for power and ground bussing that extends over a surface of the semiconductor die are provided where the leads for bussing are held in place by lead-lock tape to prevent bending and/or other movement of the bussing leads during manufacturing. More specifically, the lead-lock tape is transversely attached across a plurality of bussing leads proximate to and outside of the position where the die is to be attached.

Abstract: A cooling article includes a plate positioned adjacent the exit of a thermal processor. The plate has a surface for receiving a sheet of thermally-processed material such that the sheet of thermally-processed material moves along the surface. A first region of the surface of the plate adjacent the exit of the thermal processor includes a thermally insulative material, whereas a second region of the surface of the plate on a side of the first region opposite the exit of the thermal processor includes a thermally conductive material. The sheet of thermally-processed material contacts the thermally insulative material during movement in the first region, and contacts the thermally conductive material during movement in the second region. The thermally insulative material prevents excessive heating of the first region of the cooling plate by leading portions of the sheet of thermally-processed material.

Abstract: A rivet system (10) locks separate parts (12, 14) of an assembly (13) together on a support fixture (20) with the clamping devices (28); which prevents release of the parts (12, 14) from the fixture (20) until a required number of rivets (51) have been counted. A rivet setting tool (50) provides insertion of the rivets (51) between the parts (12, 14), and which disposes spent rivet mandrels (62) through a vacuum tube (58) to be sensed and counted. A controller (100) automatically locks the parts in the support fixture and counts the sensed mandrels (62) to allow release of the assembly (13) only upon a predetermined count of mandrels (62).

Abstract: A needle assembly having a single-handedly activated needle barrier includes a needle cannula having a lumen therethrough. A needle hub having an interior cavity terminating at an open proximal end of the hub is connected to the needle cannula so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. A guide element having a retaining groove therethrough is connected to the needle hub. An elongate barrier arm having a proximal end and a distal end includes a barrier element at its distal end. The barrier element includes a proximal end and a needle passageway therethrough. The barrier arm is positioned within the groove of the guide element and the needle cannula is positioned at least partially within the barrier element.

Abstract: A purse string suturing instrument is provided for quickly and effectively forming a purse string suture in tubular tissue through relatively small cannulas placed in the body. The instrument includes a pair of elongated jaws, each having a row of spaced-apart uniform-size teeth. The jaws are hinged together at one end to clamp the tubular tissue therebetween. The two rows of teeth are offset with respect to each other so that they mesh when the jaws are closed. The jaws are inserted through a cannula and positioned to close around the tissue to be sutured. The rows of teeth then bend the tissue between them into a wavelike configuration. A pair of needles, the ends of each being connected to a single length of suture, is then inserted through passageways provided through the teeth. An encircling series of stitches are thus formed in the wall of the tubular tissue to create a purse string suture. The needles and the suturing instrument are then withdrawn through the cannula.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for controlling ink volume in liquid ink printing systems such as ink jet printers. The process examines the total ink volume per pixel as specified in source image data (typically 24-bit, three color data), i.e. before digital halftoning. For each pixel of data, the specified ink volume is compared to a selected maximum total ink volume per pixel. The maximum total ink volume is selected, depending upon the printing medium and environmental conditions, so as to provide good color coverage while avoiding curl, bleeding and other adverse effects of excessive ink volume. The source image ink volume is reduced so as to form depleted image data in which the ink volumes per pixel do not exceed the selected maximum. Preferably, a threshold ink volume also is selected, below which no ink limiting is applied, thereby avoiding washed-out images at lower ink volumes. Above the threshold, the ink volume is scaled to a value below the maximum, preferably by linear scaling.

Abstract: Stackable communication network repeater hub capable of performing segmentation while retaining full stack management. Each hub in a stack can control the stack so that if a hub or group of hubs is segmented, one of the hubs is automatically allocated as the master hub. The master hub supplies a synchronizing signal, interprets network commands, and provides control signals for executing the commands.

Abstract: A disposable article having a void area for isolation of fecal material is disclosed. The void is created by having a split absorbent core and at least one elastically extendible topsheet/backsheet panel proximate to the split. The void is created and adjusted by the amount of extension of the topsheet/backsheet proximate to the split.

Abstract: A field programmable gate array integrated circuit which has numerous features for testing prior to programming the antifuses in the integrated circuit is provided. The circuits used to program the antifuses are also used for much of the preprogramming testing. The functionality of continuous series transistors and latch logic blocks may be tested together with the continuity of their programmable connections. Programmable input/output buffer circuits and clock circuits which set the desired clock network paths may be tested with signals on a serial scan path which passes through the input/output buffer circuits and clock circuits. Process characterization tests without the requirement of high-speed test equipment are also provided.

Abstract: A female component for a refastenable fastening device having an elastomeric adhesive backing and a multiplicity of fibrous elements extending from the backing. The female fastening component is formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a first lamina comprising an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposed to said first adhesive surface, a relaxed orientation, an elongated orientation and preferably at least two regions of differential elongation; stretching said first lamina from said relaxed orientation to said elongated orientation; contacting a second lamina comprising a nonwoven web with said first surface of said first lamina in said elongated orientation, thereby directly joining said second lamina and said first lamina to form a laminate; and relaxing said first lamina such that said second lamina is shirred to form catching regions capable of entangling the hooks of a complementary male fastening component.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article for wearing about a wearer's lower torso is provided. The disposable absorbent article comprises: a chassis; an absorbent assembly joined to the chassis; and seams joining the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis so as to form two leg openings and a waist opening. A bloused outer layer has a pattern imprinted thereon such that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly joined thereto is substantially unnoticeable to a viewer thereby providing a very garment like appearance to the absorbent article.

Abstract: A computerized locomotive control system receives as inputs electrical signals representing automatic and independent braking control signals from controllers and pipe pressures and has a computer for determining, from said input signals, electrical signals representing desired braking and pipe pressures. The computer in the lead locomotive uses the independent application and brake pipe pressure to control the brake cylinder pressure except where the independent application and release brake pipe has been tested as a fault or during the initial buildup of the independent application brake pipe. In this instance, independent application and release controller position is used to control the brake cylinder pressure.

Abstract: An input structure transmits legacy signals to internal logic of a low voltage integrated circuit. The input structure includes a first node coupled to both a resistor voltage divider and a capacitor voltage divider, both of which have center taps coupled together, and also to the internal logic. The capacitor and resistor voltage dividers function to divide the higher voltage logic level range associated with the legacy signals to the low voltage logic level range suitable for input to the internal logic.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article for wearing about a wearer's lower torso is provided. The disposable absorbent article comprises: a chassis; an absorbent assembly joined to the chassis; and seams joining the front portion of the chassis to the rear portion of the chassis so as to form two leg openings and a waist opening. The garment comprises an outer layer having at least a portion of its periphery joined to at least a portion of the periphery of the inner layer of the chassis so that the outer layer can blouse away from the central area at selected portions. The bloused outer layer has a pattern imprinted thereon such that the inner layer with the absorbent assembly joined thereto is substantially unnoticeable to a viewer thereby providing a very garment like appearance to the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method of multiple replication of a diffractive optical glass surface relief profiles into other glass-type substrates. For example, a malleable but hardenable layer formed on a glass substrate is embossed with a stamper having a reverse image of the optical glass surface relief profile, to result in a high quality copy of the original diffractive glass surface relief profile. The embossed layer is hardened and separated from the stamper. The hardened layer having the embossed surface relief profile is, for instance, etched down such that the surface relief profile is etched in to the surface of the glass substrate. The result of this method is a readily producible and very durable glass or like-material accurate replica, having high fidelity and being capable of providing high quality images, of another diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A female component for a refastenable fastening device having an elastomeric adhesive backing and a multiplicity of fibrous elements extending from the backing. The female fastening component is formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a first lamina comprising an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposed to said first adhesive surface, a relaxed orientation and an elongated orientation; stretching said first lamina from said relaxed orientation to said elongated orientation; contacting a second lamina comprising a nonwoven web with said first surface of said first lamina in said elongated orientation, thereby directly joining said second lamina and said first lamina to form a laminate; and relaxing said first lamina such that said second lamina is shirred to form catching regions capable of entangling the hooks of a complementary male fastening component.

Abstract: A low power termination method and apparatus. The termination circuit is typically coupled to a bus through an interface node to receive a rising edge of an input voltage signal. A clamping device is coupled to the interface node and coupled to receive a clamping voltage, the clamping voltage being less than a termination voltage. The termination circuit also includes a bias supply providing a bias voltage. A control terminal of the clamping device is coupled receive the bias voltage, and clamps the interface node when the input voltage signal exceeds a termination voltage. A bias excursion of the bias voltage may be provided responsive to the rising edge so that the clamping device clamps the interface node before the input voltage signal exceeds the termination voltage. Similarly, a second clamping device biased by a second bias supply may be used. The second clamping device clamps the interface node after the input voltage signal falls below an expected low voltage.

Abstract: A telecommunication network cross-connect panel 10 is described having a chassis 14 for receiving insertable modules 12, 212. The chassis 14 has a back wall 24 with a backplane printed circuit board 34. An array of rear coaxial connectors are mounted to the backplane printed circuit board 34 in columns of four connectors 36, 38, 40 and 42 for terminating and cross-connecting two pieces of telecommunication equipment per column. Female DIN connector receptacles 44 are mounted on the front side of the board 34 at spaced slot locations with each receptacle 44 electrically connected to a corresponding four backplane connectors of a corresponding column. A plurality of modules 12 are insertable into the slots for interconnecting male DIN connector plugs 58 into corresponding aligned DIN connector receptacles 44. A plug 58 is mounted on a rear end of a module printed circuit board 50.

Abstract: A head mounted display having an image source, an optical relay system and a combiner for producing an image from the image source to the eye of a pilot in which the optical system includes at least one diffractive surface to compensate for aberrations and distortions in the display.