Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating sleeping while seated. Typically the device includes a headband, which may be a portion of a hat or a cap, and the device includes a tensioning device made of a flaccid or pliant material such as a ribbon or flexible cord. A user wears the headband and the tensioning device is positioned between the user's back and the backrest of a chair. With any forward motion of the person's head a tension is increased in the tension tie and that limits the forward motion of the person's head and facilitates sleep.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor interconnect including, in the order recited: (a) providing a semiconductor wafer; (b) forming bonding pads in a terminal wiring level on the frontside of the wafer; (c) reducing the thickness of the wafer; (d) forming solder bumps on the bonding pads; and (e) dicing the wafer into bumped semiconductor chips.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.

Abstract: A method of treating a molybdenum (moly) mask used in a C4 process to pattern C4 contacts. The moly mask has a wafer side which contacts a wafer during the C4 process and has a rough surface that includes spikes/projections of moly. The moly mask also has a non wafer side and a plurality of holes extending through the mask to pattern C4 contacts in the C4 process. An adhesive layer, such as an adhesive tape, is applied to the non wafer side of the moly mask, to enable a polishing tool to pull a vacuum on the non wafer side of the moly mask in spite of the presence of the holes to secure the moly mask during a subsequent polishing step. The tape also functions as a cushion so that defects on the non wafer side of the moly mask do not replicate through the moly mask to the polished wafer side of the moly mask.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor interconnect including, in the order recited: (a) providing a semiconductor wafer; (b) forming bonding pads in a terminal wiring level on the frontside of the wafer; (c) reducing the thickness of the wafer; (d) forming solder bumps on the bonding pads; and (e) dicing the wafer into bumped semiconductor chips.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor interconnect including, in the order recited: (a) providing a semiconductor wafer; (b) forming bonding pads in a terminal wiring level on the frontside of the wafer; (c) reducing the thickness of the wafer; (d) forming solder bumps on the bonding pads; and (e) dicing the wafer into bumped semiconductor chips.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a plurality of statistical data usually presented in a histogram, such as sample counts and percentages of a collection of categorized samples, in a compact single table. The method comprises presenting grouped statistical data that exists within a collection of “buckets” and presenting the sample count for the collected data as an integer in a corresponding cell in the table. Additionally, as disclosed by the present invention, the percentage value of the samples located in each bucket data cell is represented in the data cell as a superimposed gray-scale representation. Presenting the percentages in gray-scale provides overall clarity to the table, assists in ensuring that data can be quickly and easily interpreted and not be subject to misinterpretation, and further allows for the compact display of such information in a single table and subsequent manipulation by automated analysis tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for modulating a laser beam with an information signal. The method includes the steps of modulating a plurality of coherent, optical signals with a respective information signal of the plurality of information signals and directing the modulated optical signals onto a photodiode. The method further includes the steps of detecting the collected signals in the photodiode and refractively synchronizing the laser beam with clock reference signals which allow easy separation of the modulated signal blocks at the receiving end of the fiber optic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for modulating a coherent light source with a digital) signal. The method includes the steps of splitting the digital signal into a first and a second copy and mixing the first copy with a clock signal to provide a first modulation component. The method further includes the steps of inverting the second copy and delaying the clock signal by one-hundred eighty degrees. The method also includes the steps of mixing the inverted second copy with the delayed clock signal to provide a second modulation component and summing the first and second modulation components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for stabilizing a distributed feedback semiconductor laser. The method includes the steps of comparing an optical output of a first oscillating mode of the semiconductor laser at a first polarization angle with an optical output of a second oscillating mode of the semiconductor laser at a second polarization angle orthogonal to the first polarization angle. A first feedback signal is provided to a cavity temperature controller of the semiconductor laser in response to detected differences of the compared first and second oscillating modes. The method further includes the step of comparing an output of the reference laser with an output of the semiconductor laser and providing a difference signal as a second feedback signal to the temperature controller of the semiconductor laser in response to detected differences between the reference laser and semiconductor laser.

Abstract: A system for cleaning-out a condensate drain line is disclosed. The condensate drain line is operatively associated with an air-conditioner that contains an evaporator coil and a primary drain pan. The system comprises a manifold operatively placed in fluid communication with the condensate drain line. The manifold includes a first, second, and third line. In one embodiment, the first line extends from the manifold, and the second and third line are axially aligned with the condensate drain line. The system further includes a first valve member disposed within the first line, a second valve member disposed within the second line, and a third valve member disposed within the third line. A water stream, which is operatively connected with the first line, is provided so that the water stream may be channeled through the manifold and into the condensate drain line.

Abstract: A graphical, interactive debugger for a computer-based discrete-event simulation model of systems having parallel processes includes a run-time graphic user interface module in which predefined events of the executing simulation model are animated, and a run-time interface simulator module for controlling execution of the simulation model based on commands from the graphical user interface. The model and the animation are based on hierarchical directed process execution graphs in which a transaction represents one of several processes executing in parallel within the system modeled with the graphs. One transaction at a time is shown moving between nodes in one of the graphs. The animation follows the transaction as it moves between sub-models represented by each graph, switching to other graphs as needed. Once the transaction is blocked, the next transaction is displayed in context of the appropriate graph and followed until it is blocked. The screen on which animation is presented is divided into two areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for stabilizing a distributed feedback semiconductor laser. The method includes the steps of comparing an optical output of a first oscillating mode of the semiconductor laser at a first polarization angle with an optical output of a second oscillating mode of the semiconductor laser at a second polarization angle orthogonal to the first polarization angle. A first feedback signal is provided to a cavity temperature controller of the semiconductor laser in response to detected differences of the compared first and second oscillating modes. The method further includes the step of comparing an output of the reference laser with an output of the semiconductor laser and providing a difference signal as a second feedback signal to the temperature controller of the semiconductor laser in response to detected differences between the reference laser and semiconductor laser.

Abstract: Described are a device and methods for drying hosiery and other articles of clothing in a way which is aesthetically pleasing and efficient. In one embodiment, the invention provides an enclosure comprising a bottom portion; suspending means disposed above the bottom portion for hanging the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing within the enclosure; absorption means which, during normal use, is disposed above the bottom portion and below the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing when hung within the enclosure, for absorbing liquid which may drop from the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing when wet; and attachment means for attaching the enclosure to a substantially vertical surface; whereby the hosiery and/or other articles of clothing may be stored to dry while remaining substantially concealed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A gain control amplifier including a plurality of cascaded multipliers with a feed forward gain control circuit attached between the input and a control terminal of the amplifier and providing a logarithmic function of a logarithmic function as the control signal for converting the transfer function of the amplifier to a substantially linear function.