Abstract: A linking element for use in conjunction with silk screening. The linking element, which includes apparatus enabling securement to the screening fabric, is attached to a strip of fabric to be secured to the stretching frame, enabling the use of a smaller screening fabric and more control over the tension. The element may be used in tandem.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprising a semiconductor wafer having an active surface comprising at least one integrated circuit, wherein each integrated circuit has a plurality of bond pads; and at least one cured silicone member covering at least a portion of the active surface, wherein at least a portion of each bond pad is not covered by the silicone member, the silicone member has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of from 60 to 280 ?m/m° C. between ?40 and 150° C. and a modulus of from 1 to 300 MPa at 25° C., and the silicone member is prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A system for testing an integrated circuit device under test (DUT) communicating though synchronous digital signals and through a high speed serialization/de-serialization (serdes) bus includes a serdes interface circuit for communicating with the DUT via the serdes bus and an integrated circuit (IC) tester for communicating with the DUT and with the serdes interface circuit via digital signals. State changes in the digital signals are synchronized to a clock signal within the IC tester. The serdes interface circuit receives instructions from the IC tester via at least one of the digital signals and responds to the instructions by transmitting data to the DUT via the serdes bus using appropriate serdes protocol, by receiving and storing data transmitted by the DUT via the serdes bus, and by thereafter forwarding the stored data to the IC tester via at least one of the digital signals.

Abstract: A transducing head has a magnetoresistive sensor, a first bias element, and a second bias element. The magnetoresistive sensor is positioned between the first and second bias elements, and has a sensor width. The first bias element has a first length and the second bias element has a second length. The direction of the first and second lengths are substantially similar to the direction of the sensor width. The first and second lengths in the range of about one-tenth to about twenty times the sensor width.

Abstract: Devices and methods for depositing fluids on substrates in patterns of spots, lines, or other features use a nozzle, which is preferably configured similarly to a micropipette, having a piezoelectric crystal or other ultrasonic actuator coupled to one of its sides. The nozzle may be charged via capillary action by dipping it into a well containing the fluid to be deposited, and may then be positioned over a desired area of a substrate, at which point activation of the ultrasonic actuator at ultrasonic frequencies will eject the fluid onto the substrate. The needle may subsequently be dipped into a well of rinsing fluid for cleaning. Spots or lines on the order of 5 micrometers width may be generated, making the invention particularly suitable for use in biological applications such as microarray production and in microelectronics applications such as the printing of organic circuitry.

Abstract: A walkway having a series of fixed height corridor units and an inclined gangway unit at its forward end. The units are articulatingly connected and selectively collapsible. The gangway is selectively variable in height, being provided with elevating means at its front end, to permit docking at the raised door sill of the commuter aircraft.

Abstract: Devices and methods for depositing fluids on substrates in patterns of spots, lines, or other features use a nozzle, which is preferably configured similarly to a micropipette, having a piezoelectric crystal or other ultrasonic actuator coupled to one of its sides. The nozzle may be charged via capillary action by dipping it into a well containing the fluid to be deposited, and may then be positioned over a desired area of a substrate, at which point activation of the ultrasonic actuator at ultrasonic frequencies will eject the fluid onto the substrate. The needle may subsequently be dipped into a well of rinsing fluid for cleaning. Spots or lines on the order of 5 micrometers width may be generated, making the invention particularly suitable for use in biological applications such as microarray production and in microelectronics applications such as the printing of organic circuitry.

Abstract: A transducing head has a magnetoresistive sensor, a first bias element, and a second bias element. The magnetoresistive sensor is positioned between the first and second bias elements, and has a sensor width. The first bias element has a first length and the second bias element has a second length. The direction of the first and second lengths are substantially similar to the direction of the sensor width. The first and second lengths in the range of about one-tenth to about twenty times the sensor width.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprising a semiconductor wafer having an active surface comprising at least one integrated circuit, wherein each integrated circuit has a plurality of bond pads; and at least one cured silicone member covering at least a portion of the active surface, wherein at least a portion of each bond pad is not covered by the silicone member, the silicone member has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of from 60 to 280 &mgr;m/m° C. between −40 and 150° C. and a modulus of from 1 to 300 MPa at 25° C., and the silicone member is prepared by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of saving, retrieving and dynamically establishing a plurality of conference parameters. A desktop conferencing system includes a plurality of nodes connected in a network. A user of the desktop conferencing system is able to manipulate a persistent conference object where a persistent conference object is an object including a plurality of items of information pertaining to a desktop conference. Each of the conference parameters are monitored, updated and saved. It is then possible to retrieve and dynamically establish conference parameters of a conference stored in a persistent conference object by: (1) prompting a user for an identifier identifying a particular persistent conference object on disk; (2) opening the specified persistent conference object by copying it from disk to memory; (3) reading the conference parameters stored in the persistent conference object in memory; and (4) implementing the conference parameters to establish the desired conference environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus pertaining to annotating a document window on a display device of a computer-based system. An annotation window is displayed over a selected portion of the document window where the annotation window is defined by a transparent window area bounded by a border. The annotation window enables the selected portion of the document window to be visible through the annotation window. Annotations are displayed within the annotation window where the annotations have a transparent background enabling the selected portion of the document windows to be visible through the transparent background of the annotations. When the annotation window is closed, the annotations are embedded into a contained document shown in the document window so that the annotations and the document are visible simultaneously in the selected portion of the document window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-drawing a transparent window on at least one display device of a computer based system having a central processor and a memory is disclosed. Having a transparent window and an underlying second window, it is determined whether the underlying second window is active. If the underlying second window is active, the transparent window is hidden. The underlying second window is re-drawn and the transparent window is shown. Otherwise, the transparent window is maintained.

Abstract: A telephone access system which provides remote access and communication with a computer through a telephone handset. The system provides audio instructions to the user to select between a plurality of audio dialogs. The audio dialogs may provide access to voice mail, electronic mail, a file manager (documents, databases, etc.) and facsimiles all stored within the computer. Once within an audio dialog, the system provides a series of instructions which allows the user to manipulate the information stored within the computer. For example, the system may allow the user to listen to a message received through electronic mail and then reply to the message. The system may also allow the user to remotely listen to the text of a document and FAX the document to a location remote from the computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relating (called hyperlinking) a region of one document to one or more regions of other documents. This is provided by using a mechanism for linking and embedding objects to establish the endpoints of the hyperlinks (called anchors) together with the creation of intermediate tables which maintain information about relations between regions of documents and attributes of the relationship. When a user selects a region in a document which participates in a relationship, a database program is invoked which displays information about related regions in other documents which may be accessed through the intermediate tables. An auxiliary table maintains information about attributes which may be custom designed by the user, such as author, date of creation, etc. The intermediate tables allow relationships among multiple regions of documents created by different applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus creates and plays objects and sound synchronously after eliminating the silent segments of the sound. The method inserts sequence marks into the object and sound data, deletes silent segments of the sound data including the sequence marks that reside in the silent segments, and re-inserts the last deleted sequence mark back into the sound data. In so doing, the system detects the silent segments of the recorded sound stream data and deletes the silent portions from the recorded data. Upon replay of an object and its associated sound, any drawing done during the silent segments are played at the computer's full graphics drawing speed, only slowing down to real-time again when more sounds are encountered. Thus, the system plays "fast while silent" and slows to real-time when sounds are played. This saves the space required to stored the recorded sound, and the user does not have to wait through the silent periods.

Abstract: A plurality of independent U-shaped frame sections are articulately connected in an end series to form a flexible corridor. Each frame section is U-shaped being open at the bottom and supported on a wheel assembly and covered by a weatherproof fabric roof. Each is formed with collapsible side walls allowing collapsing in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A hanger valet for storing clothing accessories such as ties, belts, braces, and jewelry such as cufflinks on the same hanger with a given suit, thus allowing coordination of the accessories with the suit. The hanger valet comprises a suit hanger, a valet portion with a number of tie keepers, belt/brace keepers, and jewelry holders, a numerical system for indicating the week of the month in which to wear a tie, a moving indicator of which tie was last worn, and an aromatic cedar block.

Abstract: An array of non-contact proximity sensors are mounted adjacent the front bumper of the loading bridge to be in opposition to the airplane. The proximity sensors are interconnected to circuitry, and the approach speed of the gangway to the airplane is reduced automatically as it nears the airplane. The sensors and circuitry sense angular misalignment of the gangway with the airplane and selectively and automatically control its position relative to the airplane.

Abstract: An array of non-contact proximity sensors are mounted on the front bumper of the loading bridge to be in opposition to the airplane. The proximity sensors are interconnected to circuitry, and the approach speed of the gangway to the airplane is reduced automatically as it nears the airplane. The sensors and circuitry sense angular misalignment of the gangway with the airplane and selectively and automatically control its position relative to the airplane.

Abstract: A weatherproof and fireproof loading bridge canopy is provided having an exterior cover disposes over an expandable frame and a wall structure having at least one layer of an aluminum coated fiberglass fabric disposed on the ceiling and sides of the interior of the frame. The loading bridge has good longevity and the interiorly disposed fiberglass layer which is fireproof is easily removed for replacement as needed.