Abstract: A controller in a video headend or other transmission element of a signal distribution system is operative to detect a condition in which unicast transmissions of a given content stream to a plurality of terminals meet a specified threshold. The controller starts a multicast transmission of the given content stream in response to the detected condition, and transitions at least one of the terminals to the multicast transmission. In one embodiment, the controller identifies at least one of the terminals as a terminal that will receive the multicast transmission of the given content stream in place of its unicast transmission prior to one or more of the other terminals receiving the multicast transmission.

Abstract: An idler roller (1) for a belt conveyor and an idler roller assembly (41). The idler roller (1) comprises an elongate static shaft (3), a rotatable drum (5) mounted about and substantially surrounding the static shaft (3) and at least one bearing (7, 9) intermediate the shaft (3) and the rotatable drum (5). The idler roller (1) further comprises a load cell mounted on the static shaft internal the rotatable drum (5). The static shaft comprises a load cell section that is weakened relative to the remainder of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to an idler roller (1) for a belt conveyor and an idler roller assembly (41). The idler roller (1) comprises an elongate static shaft (3), a rotatable drum (5) mounted about and substantially surrounding the static shaft (3) and at least one bearing (7, 9) intermediate the shaft (3) and the rotatable drum (5). The idler roller (1) further comprises a load cell mounted on the static shaft internal the rotatable drum (5). The static shaft comprises a load cell section that is weakened relative to the remainder of the shaft. By having such an idler roller, the idler roller will have the means necessary to weigh the materials passing over a conveyor (65) supported by the idler roller thereby obviating the need for a sub frame and a lengthy installation of weighing idler roller assembly.

Abstract: A controller in a video headend or other transmission element of a signal distribution system is operative to detect a condition in which unicast transmissions of a given content stream to a plurality of terminals meet a specified threshold. The controller starts a multicast transmission of the given content stream in response to the detected condition, and transitions at least one of the terminals to the multicast transmission. In one embodiment, the controller identifies at least one of the terminals as a terminal that will receive the multicast transmission of the given content stream in place of its unicast transmission prior to one or more of the other terminals receiving the multicast transmission.

Abstract: A tobacco mass is heated to a temperature of about 150° to about 220° C. to release flavorful tobacco volatiles, which are entrained in air passing through the tobacco mass, and condensed to form an inhalable aerosol. The tobacco mass may have a rotationally symmetric shape, with at least part of its surface in heat transfer relationship with a heater. The heater may be an external shell, an internal rod, or a plate. A shell can enclose the heater and tobacco mass and define a preheating chamber for inflowing air. A mouthpiece, with or without a filter, may be arranged in fluid communication with the tobacco mass to direct the aerosol from the heating system.

Abstract: Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigarette filters, methods of manufacturing smoking articles including hollow fibers, and methods of smoking are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a smoking article contains hollow fibers, wherein the hollow fibers change properties of mainstream tobacco smoke drawn through the hollow fibers.

Abstract: A cigarette of an electrical smoking system includes a filter tipping including a web including added filtering material and a tubular wrapper around the web, and a tobacco rod portion adapted to generate a puff of smoke upon being heated by one or more heating elements during smoking, the tobacco rod portion being attached to the filter tipping.

Abstract: A method is provided for wire bonding an aluminum wire to a surface of a lead of an electronics package. The method entails a nickel plating process and an ultrasonic bonding process which together cooperate to form a reliable and highly repeatable joint between the wire and the lead member. The ultrasonic bonding process is specifically tailored to the nickel plating produced by the plating process, so as to significantly enhance the bond strength of the resulting ultrasonic bond joint. The plating process is devised to produce a nickel plating which is thicker than that generally practiced, and whose surface is characterized as having a relatively smooth microfinish which unexpectedly serves to enhance the bond strength of the ultrasonic bond joint.

Abstract: A method is provided for hermetically sealing a surface-mounted thick film electronic module within a cover soldered to a ceramic substrate, under the circumstances in which the input/output terminals of the electronic module are electrically interconnected with their corresponding external conductors on the exterior of the cover with a number of conductors. The integrity of the hermetic seal is promoted by routing the conductors beneath the ceramic substrate, as opposed to printing the conductors directly on the surface of the ceramic substrate, which necessitates that a dielectric material be placed intermediate the conductors and the bond material so as to electrically isolate the conductors from the bond material and cover. Consequently, an advantage of the present invention is the avoidance of a material mismatch between the dielectric material and the bonding material and the cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wirebond pin having a star-shaped anchor, collar and paddle. The collar prevents passivation material, used to make a sealed semiconductor device, from leaking out of the package. The collar also helps to eliminate the resonant vibration of the pin during ultrasonic wirebonding at the paddle.

Abstract: A microaccelerometer package is provided for use in on-board automotive safety control and navigational systems. The microaccelerometer package is constructed so as to minimize the influence of extraneous mechanical stress and vibrational resonance on the micromachined accelerometer. The microaccelerometer package includes a rigid housing in which there is a cavity for receiving the micromachined accelerometer unit and the signal-processing circuitry. The lower surface of the cavity is interrupted by a recess projecting below the plane of the lower surface. The micromachined accelerometer unit is secured within the recess so as to be below the plane of the lower surface. The signal-processing circuitry is supported by a substrate which is secured to the lower surface of the cavity.

Abstract: Compositions useful for printing controllable adhesion conductive patterns on a printed circuit board include finely divided copper powder, a screening agent and a binder. The binder is designed to provide controllable adhesion of the copper layer formed after sintering to the substrate so that the layer can lift off the substrate in response to thermal stress. Additionally, the binder serves to promote good cohesion between the copper particles to provide good mechanical strength to the copper layer so that it can tolerate lift off without fracture.

Abstract: A technique for providing controlled adhesion of a portion of a printed conductor to a circuit board employs an inhibitor layer between the circuit board and the portion of the printed conductor where such controlled adhesion is desired. The inhibitor layer is formed using a mixture of finely divided alumina powder and a glass frit, which are both suspended in an organic screening agent. An electrical module connected between controllably adherent conductor portions is thereby able to move to relative mechanical stresses.

Abstract: Compositions useful for printing controllable adhesion conductive patterns on a printed circuit board include finely divided copper powder, a screening agent and a binder. The binder is designed to provide controllable adhesion of the copper layer formed after sintering to the substrate so that the layer can lift off the substrate in response to thermal stress. Additionally, the binder serves to promote good cohesion between the copper particles to provide good mechanical strength to the copper layer so that it can tolerate lift off without fracture.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly uses a conductive pattern that includes both firmly adherent conductors and controllably adherent conductors. The controllably adhering conductors are free to lift off the printed circuit board to relieve mechanical forces caused by thermal stresses at solder joints between the controllably adherent conductors and integrated circuit chips of the assembly.