Abstract: An industrial communication module includes a controller and a common interface coupled to the controller. The common interface is configured to couple to a plurality of different types of sensor modules. The industrial communication module includes protocol/output circuitry coupled to the controller and configured to provide an output to a remote device. A sensor module includes a controller and a common interface coupled to the controller. The common interface is configured to couple to a plurality of different types of industrial communication modules. The sensor module includes measurement processing circuitry coupled to the controller and configured to measure an analog electrical characteristic of a sensor and provide a digital indication of the measured analog electrical characteristic to the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.

Abstract: A vending or dispensing machine is operable in triple depth, double depth, and single depth operating modes. A cradle which is rotatable through 360.degree. is used to separate cylindrical articles from a number of tandem nonstaggered vertical columns. The rotatable cradle separates a single can or other cylindrical article from each of the columns disposed in a storage zone above the cylindrical cradle and drops the cans into an escrow zone. One of the cans in the escrow zone is immediately dispensed. If operating in a triple depth mode, the remaining two cans are held by side mounted pivotable escrow members which are controlled and movably operable by the cradle itself. Upon a second activation the cradle moves further in its sequence allowing one of the escrow members to release its hold on a second can such that that can drops into a dispensing zone accessable to a consumer.

Abstract: A vending or dispensing machine is disposable in modes for triple depth dispensing, double depth dispensing, and single depth dispensing. Upper and lower gating members or rockers are used to selectively release cylindrical articles such as cans or bottles from a storage compartment containing staggered tandem columns into a consumer accessible dispensing zone. The upper and lower rockers are moved by a drive plate which causes reciprocation of the rockers by way of drive pins. Removable retaining members are used for preventing premature release of center column cans and also provide an anti-theft feature. A removable gating piece is used to prevent the premature release of a rear column can. A freely swinging anti-theft bar has a stepped portion which keeps a can from being axially slid in the escrow zone disposed between the storage compartment and the dispensing zone, thereby preventing the unauthorized removal of the can.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus including a plurality of spaced vertically disposed inclined shelves, each shelf having a first and second side by side supporting surface adapted to support an associated first and second row of articles. First and second gate members are respectively located at the lower ends of the first and second support surfaces. Each gate member is shiftable between two opposite positions, a blocking position such that the lower most article in the associated row is blocked from moving off the lower end of the associated support surface, and a releasing position such that a lower most article in the associated row may freely move off the lower end of the associated support surface and into an escrow cradle which constitutes a common receiving area. An actuator cooperates with the gate members to provide for the shifting of the gate members upon the dispensing of an article, which is rotated out of an escrow cradle by a consumer.

Abstract: A vending machine control circuit which at relatively low cost effectively provides a lockout arrangement which ensures the delivery of only one article per money insertion and which allows alternate selection of articles when one selection is stalled or jammed. The circuit arrangement requires only two cam-operated switches per product selection, and has a single credit release relay common to all product selections. The credit release relay is energized when a vend relay is energized as the result of money insertion, and a time delay circuit is provided for maintaining energization of the credit release relay after the vend relay is de-energized near the beginning of a product vend cycle.