Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a patterned layer having a surface profile that provides relief structures within an electronic device. The method comprises the steps of taking a carrier film (50) having an inverse of the required surface profile formed on one side thereof, taking a layer of fixable material (54) located on a substrate (52), laminating the carrier film (50) and substrate (52) such the carrier film causes the required surface profile to be formed in the layer of fixable material with a predetermined offset, and then fixing the fixable material. Lamination may be performed using rollers (56,58) or a vacuum process. The process is designed to ensure that the offset can be kept as low as possible, preferably to within 150 nm.

Abstract: A micromachined microphone is formed from a silicon or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. A fixed sensing electrode for the microphone is formed from a top silicon layer of the wafer. Various polysilicon microphone structures are formed above a front side of the top silicon layer by depositing at least one oxide layer, forming the structures, and then removing a portion of the oxide underlying the structures from a back side of the top silicon layer through trenches formed through the top silicon layer. The trenches allow sound waves to reach the diaphragm from the back side of the top silicon layer. In an SOI wafer, a cavity is formed through a bottom silicon layer and an intermediate oxide layer to expose the trenches for both removing the oxide and allowing the sound waves to reach the diaphragm. An inertial sensor may be formed on the same wafer, with various inertial sensor structures formed at substantially the same time and using substantially the same processes as corresponding microphone structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the dissociation of soft proteinaceous tissue using pulsed rapid variable direction energy field flow fractionization is disclosed. The pulsed rapid disruptive energy field is created by the use of a probe which surrounds the soft proteinaceous tissue to be removed. Once the adhesive mechanism between tissue constituents has been compromised, fluidic techniques are used to remove the dissociated tissue.

Abstract: Particular members of the multisubunit immune recognition receptor (MIRR) family of receptors, specifically, the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR), the pro-B cell receptor (pro-BCR), Ig Fc receptors (FcR), and NK receptors, can be physically uncoupled from their associated transducers. The invention describes regulatory compounds and methods for mimicking such dissociation/destabilization for the purposes of receptor desensitization and for treatment of conditions in which receptor desensitization or alternatively, enhanced or prolonged receptor sensitization, is desirable. Compounds and methods for enhancing or prolonging receptor sensitization are also disclosed, as are methods for identifying regulatory compounds suitable for use in the present methods.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a CMOS active pixel sensor that compensates for variations in a threshold voltage of a source follower contained therein. A structure in accordance with an embodiment includes: a replica source follower transistor; a system for creating a current in said replica source follower transistor such that a gate-source voltage of said replica source follower is substantially equal to a threshold voltage of said replica source follower; and a current mirror for biasing the isolation source follower transistor at a same current density as the replica source follower transistor.

Abstract: Techniques for performing digital-to-analog conversion with first-order or higher-order hold using a simple analog circuit for signal reconstruction and employing feedback control techniques are described. In one design, a digital-to-analog conversion circuit includes an inverse model circuit, a feedback circuit, a zero-order hold (ZOH) circuit, and an analog circuit. The inverse model circuit processes a digital input signal and provides a first digital signal. The feedback circuit receives the first digital signal and an analog output signal from the analog circuit, performs low frequency noise filtering, and provides a second digital signal. The ZOH circuit converts the second digital signal from digital to analog with zero-order hold and provides an analog input signal for the analog circuit. The analog circuit operates on the analog input signal and provides the analog output signal. The analog circuit may be a simple circuit having one or more poles.

Abstract: A clamp system for operatively connecting a vibratory device to a plurality of caissons defining at least first and second diameters comprises a structural member, first and second clamps comprising first and second lock systems, respectively, and a clamp displacement system. The first and second clamps are supported by the structural member. The first and second lock systems fix the first and second clamps relative to the structural member. The clamp displacement system comprises at least one clamp displacement motor supported by the structural member and a mechanical link assembly connected between the at least one clamp displacement motor and the first and second clamps. Operation of the at least one clamp displacement motor allows the first and second clamps to be remotely displaced relative to the structural member such that the first and second clamps are spaced along the structural member as appropriate for either of the first and second diameters.

Abstract: This invention includes drilling assemblies, drilling reamer arm assemblies, and methods of drilling. In one implementation, a drilling assembly includes a cutting head apparatus configured to cut into earthen material as the cutting head apparatus is rotated. A drive shaft extends aft of and is configured to rotate the cutting head apparatus. A plurality of reamer arm assemblies projects radially outward of the drive shaft and are mounted for rotation therewith aft of the cutting head apparatus. Individual of the reamer arm assemblies include a radial inner portion extending radially outward of the drive shaft. A radial outer portion connects with and extends radially outward of the radial inner portion. The radial outer portion includes a cutter. At least one breakaway retainer fastens the radial inner and outer portions together and restrains the radial outer portion from moving relative to the radial inner portion towards the cutting head apparatus and the drive shaft. Other aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.

Abstract: A digitised audio signal, such as an amateur's singing, and a digital guide audio signal are supplied to a time alignment process that produces a time-aligned new signal, time-aligned to the guide signal. Pitch along the time-aligned new signal and along the guide signal is measured in processes and which supply these measurement to a pitch adjustment calculator which calculates a pitch correction factor C's(Fps) from these measurements and the nearest octave ratio of the signals. A pitch changing process modulates the pitch of the time-aligned new signal to produce a time-aligned and pitch adjusted new signal.

Abstract: Adaptive De-Jitter Buffer for Voice over IP (VoIP) for packet switch communications. The de-jitter buffer methods and apparatus presented avoid playback of underflows while balancing end-to-end delay. In one example, the de-jitter buffer is recalculated at the beginning of each talkspurt. In another example, talkspurt packets are compressed upon receipt of all remaining packets.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling air in an aircraft cabin comprises: a sensor 2 for detecting air contaminants, a processor 4, a data logger 6, means 8 for detecting when the apparatus is airborne, a control unit 10, a manual trigger 12, at least one adsorbent tube 18, valves 14, 16 or other means for isolating the adsorbent tube from contamination and a pump 20 for drawing air through the adsorbent tube. An alternative apparatus uses a Tedlar® bag. Methods of sampling air and uses of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is described which provides for context checking of an operating environment. A context manager controls the execution of context checks requested by applications or processes. In one embodiment, the context check modules are defined as self-contained modules located in a database. When the data base is opened, these modules are loaded and registered with the context manager. Upon occurrence of certain user actions, the context manager will issue an event to cause the appropriate modules to perform a context check of certain context of the environment. The resulting context information is stored in memory by the context manager and provided to the applications by the context manager when needed. One advantage is that the context checks performed can be changed simply by adding or deleting modules from the database.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a heated liquid, such as a hot melt adhesive, which includes a dispenser body adapted to dispense the heated liquid, a solenoid valve, and a pneumatic section including a housing coupled between the solenoid valve and dispenser body. The pneumatic housing is formed from a thermally insulating material which may include a thermoplastic polymer such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or a fluoroplastic polymer to reduce heat transfer from the dispenser body through the pneumatic housing thereby thermally insulating the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A data analysis system for utilization in an industrial environment comprises an aggregation component that aggregates data from multiple controllers on a factory floor. An analysis component performs data mining on the aggregated data to determine one of correlations between variables within the aggregated data and trends within the aggregated data. For example, the controllers can be programmable logic controllers, robotic controllers, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method are described for selecting a service state using a configurable abstraction layer. A comparison is made between network parameters of a Network Performance Layer and network services of a Service Layer. Once network parameters are within a threshold for providing a given service, a state change can be made in the configuration parameters to suit the provided service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds having the general formula (I) with the definitions of A, X, R1-R6 given below, and/or a salt or ester thereof. Furthermore the invention relates to the use of said compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and their use for the modulation of ?-secretase activity.

Abstract: Use of power line carrier communications which introduces a high frequency analog signal onto a cable used to convey power in a portion of an electric distribution network to send a data communication received at a distant receiver through the use of pick-up coil. Changes in the power level of signals received from a remote power line carrier transmitter may indicate that the pick-up coil receiving the signal is starting to degrade. The aggregation of certain power line carrier conveyed data communications about remote transformers and related equipment may be used to look for problems in this transmitter/receiver communication network. The disclosure includes the aggregation of data communications from one transmitter received at several different power line carrier pick-up coils through the phenomenon of cross talk or through the purposeful provision of data along an alternative communication path.