Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator comprising a motor, communication circuitry configured to receive a control signal and communicate with a door lock associated with a passageway door, and a controller. The controller is configured to authenticate the control signal, wherein authenticating the control signal includes associating the signal with a first level of access or a second level of access. The controller is further configured to communicate with the door lock via the communication circuitry to permit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the first level of access and inhibit opening of the passageway door in response to associating the control signal with the second level of access. The controller is configured to cause the motor to open the movable barrier regardless of association of the control signal with the first level of access or the second level of access.

Abstract: A method of metalizing a ceramic member (e.g., lid or thermal base) for a semiconductor power device with a film of aluminum in an ion vapor deposition chamber in which an argon ion cloud is formed around the member within the chamber by biasing the member with a voltage and in which a continuous source of aluminum vapor is provided within the chamber so that aluminum ions are available to be accelerated towards the member from plural directions by the bias voltage, the aluminum ions being formed from the aluminum vapor upon passage through the argon ion cloud. The member may be an array of plates that are metalized before being separated. The metalized plates may be used as lids for semiconductor device packages or as thermal bases for power modules.

Abstract: A method for creating a solderable metal layer on a ceramic, glass, or glass ceramic member is described. The described method deposits an aluminum containing mixture on the member by ion vapor deposition creating a metalized ceramic member. A photoresist is applied to the metalized ceramic member. A photomask is applied to the photoresist and the photoresist is exposed to light. After the photomask and exposed photoresist are stripped off, the underlying aluminum containing mixture is removed with an etchant. The remaining photoresist is removed and a metal corrosion inhibiting layer is deposited on the remaining aluminum containing mixture. A solderable layer is then deposited on the metal corrosion inhibiting layer.

Abstract: A system and method in a radio telecommunications network for interactively providing a calling party with a choice of call handling options when a called mobile station (MS) is either busy or inactive. When a call is received for the called MS in the network, a home location register (HLR) determines the status of the called MS (i.e., whether the called MS is available, inactive, or busy). If the called MS is inactive or busy, the status is sent to a service control point (SCP) which generates a plurality of call handling options based upon the determined status of the called MS. The call handling options are provided to the calling party in an interactive prompting process which may be in the form of a menu display or voice prompting. The calling party then selects a call handling option which is forwarded to the SCP. The calling party may instruct the network to automatically set up a call with the called MS if the called MS is reactivated within a specified period of time.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for making solder connections from input/output connecting pins to the circuitry on a pinned metallized ceramic substrate. A solder preform in the shape of a sphere provides the correct volume of solder. These spheres are held in position at each desired joint by a templet. The substrate, solder sphere and templet assembly is passed through a furnace in a reducing atmosphere and at a temperature to facilitate solder reflow and wetting, thus creating a sound mechanical and electrical connection between the pin and its portion of the circuitry. The method and apparatus of the invention provides joints have a high degree of reliability such that all connections are made to acceptable soldering standards, none lacking integrity. Only harmless by-products are produced in the practice of the invention, and no residue is produced which requires cleaning by means of chemical solvents and therefore is environmentally superior.

Abstract: An open top clear display tray having a display or billboard panel extending downwardly from the tray's front panel. The display panel is positioned against the channel portion of shelves in drug stores, supermarkets, and the like, and includes a clear upper portion which permits information affixed to the channel to remain visible while the lower portion contains the promotional point-of-purchase display for increasing potential sales of those products contained within the display tray.

Abstract: A method for changing the tooling in a robot-based material transfer system is disclosed as well as a system utilizing the method. The tooling is changed to accommodate the transfer of material such as automotive parts having different configurations within the system. Initially, end effectors of gantry robots and/or transfer beds of the system are placed in at least one container which is indexed through the work envelopes of the robots. Then, at least one specially designed container containing new tooling is indexed into the work envelopes. The robots are controlled to remove the new tooling from the containers and to place the new tooling in operative positions in the system. In the disclosed embodiment, one of the robots utilizes a special transfer bed gripper to replace the old transfer beds with new transfer beds. Preferably, an automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) moves containers to and from loading and unloading stations in the material handling system.