Abstract: A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a pivotally mounted wiper blade and a washer liquid feed conduit carried by the body of the wiper blade that is connected to the fluid reservoir of the vehicle for supplying a washing liquid directly upon the glass surface of the vehicle via the wiper assembly. Uniquely, the flow of fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle is determined by the position of the wiper blade relative to the glass surface. Advantageously, the washer liquid feed conduit and blade assembly can be interconnected with the supporting structure of the windshield wiper assembly without the need for special tools and without the need for any substantial modification to the conventional wiper assembly.

Abstract: A cover for a steering wheel of an automobile includes at least one fastening member that has a plurality of resilient, generally C-shaped clips that are spaced apart to define an outer periphery. Each clip includes a base portion and first and second oppositely disposed arms. The clips are configured to be received over the rim of a steering wheel, whereby the cover may be selectively attached to and removed from the steering wheel.

Abstract: A hanger for displaying floor mats includes a main body portion and at least one post extending from the main body portion for receiving at least one floor mat. The hanger further includes a locking member hingedly coupled with the body portion and selectively movable between a first configuration disengaged from the post, and a second configuration engaging the post to capture a floor mat supported on the post.

Abstract: A floor mat for use in a vehicle includes a main body and a collapsible storage container operatively coupled with the main body and having at least one wall. The collapsible storage container is selectively movable between a collapsed position in which the at least one wall lies substantially parallel to the main body and an erected position in which the at least one wall projects outwardly from the main body to define a storage area. Another floor mat for use in a vehicle includes a main body, a first collapsible storage container operatively coupled with the main body, and at least one second collapsible storage container operatively coupled with the main body. The first and second collapsible storage containers are each selectively movable between a collapsed position and an erected position in which the first and second containers define first and second independent storage areas.

Abstract: A hanger for displaying floor mats includes a main body portion and at least one post extending from the main body portion for receiving at least one floor mat. The hanger further includes a locking member hingedly coupled with the body portion and selectively movable between a first configuration disengaged from the post, and a second configuration engaging the post to capture a floor mat supported on the post.

Abstract: A method for identifying missing components of a computer system may include receiving telemetry signals characterizing a current configuration of the computer system and determining a cross power spectral density signature of at least some of the telemetry signals. The method may further include comparing information about the determined cross power spectral density signature with information about a predetermined cross power spectral density signature to determine whether a component is missing within the computer system.

Abstract: A method for identifying missing components of a computer system may include receiving telemetry signals characterizing a current configuration of the computer system and determining a cross power spectral density signature of at least some of the telemetry signals. The method may further include comparing information about the determined cross power spectral density signature with information about a predetermined cross power spectral density signature to determine whether a component is missing within the computer system.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, the laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: (a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a handle grip; (b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by a finger and supported by the handle, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuator shaft and a gearing assembly operable to displace the actuator shaft with a mechanical advantage upon actuation of a trigger by the surgeon; (c) a locking mechanism configured to lock the actuating mechanism in one of a plurality of positions, the locking mechanism comprising a release located in an anthropometrically correct position; and (d) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuator shaft, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon via the handle and the actuating mechanism to pe

Abstract: A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid directly down onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a novel control unit carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer assembly. Uniquely, the control unit includes a sensor that is operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for controllably energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm so that the washer fluid is always dispensed forwardly of the wiper blade to avoid smearing.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid directly down onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a novel control unit carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer assembly. Uniquely, the control unit includes a sensor that is operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for controllably energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm so that the washer fluid is always dispensed forwardly of the wiper blade to avoid smearing.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a pivotally mounted wiper blade and a washer liquid feed conduit carried by the body of the wiper blade that is connected to the fluid reservoir of the vehicle for supplying a washing liquid directly upon the glass surface of the vehicle via the wiper assembly. Uniquely, the flow of fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle is determined by the position of the wiper blade relative to the glass surface. Advantageously, the washer liquid feed conduit and blade assembly can be interconnected with the supporting structure of the windshield wiper assembly without the need for special tools and without the need for any substantial modification to the conventional wiper assembly.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, comprising: a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a wall structure defining an interior portion, and adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms; b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by the surgeon and supported within the interior portion of the handle; c) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuating mechanism, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon; and d) means for accessing the interior portion of the handle to expose an inner side of the wall structure and at least a portion of each of the working mechanisms for cleaning, sterilization and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques, apparatus, and targets for determining overlay error between two layers of a sample. In one embodiment, a method for determining overlay between a plurality of first structures in a first layer of a sample and a plurality of second structures in a second layer of the sample is disclosed. Targets A, B, C and D that each include a portion of the first and second structures are provided. Target A is designed to have an offset Xa between its first and second structures portions; target B is designed to have an offset Xb between its first and second structures portions; target C is designed to have an offset Xc between its first and second structures portions; and target D is designed to have an offset Xd between its first and second structures portions. Each of the offsets Xa, Xb, Xc and Xd is preferably different from zero; Xa is an opposite sign and differ from Xb; and Xc is an opposite sign and differs from Xd.

Abstract: A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid directly down onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a novel control unit carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer assembly. Uniquely, the control unit includes a sensor that is operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for controllably energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm so that the washer fluid is always dispensed forwardly of the wiper blade to avoid smearing.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a base having cells. A pipe is coupled to the base for each of the cells. The pipes include passages that carry fluid toward the cell and away from the cell. A magnetohydrodynamic pump system coupled to the pipe circulates an electrically conductive cooling fluid within the passages and the cell. An orifice may emits jets of fluid into the cells. A controller coupled to the cooling device may independently control flow rates in two or more cells of the cooling device. The controller may receive information from the temperature sensors on the base of the cooling device for use in controlling the flow rates in the cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring one or more characteristics of patterned features on a specimen are provided. One system includes an optical subsystem configured to acquire measurements of light scattered from the patterned features on the specimen at multiple angles of incidence, multiple azimuthal angles, and multiple wavelengths simultaneously. The system also includes a processor configured to determine the one or more characteristics of the patterned features from the measurements. One method includes acquiring measurements of light scattered from the patterned features on the specimen at multiple angles of incidence, multiple azimuthal angles, and multiple wavelengths simultaneously. The method also includes determining the one or more characteristics of the patterned features from the measurements.

Abstract: A method of tagging a manufactured product with a passive tag includes determining a unique combination of at least two axis ratios. Each axis ratio is an isotopic ratio for a same-species ratio of enriched noble gas isotopes. A gas having the determined unique combination of at least two axis ratios is incorporated into the manufactured product. The product to be tagged may be a first product, characterized by a first particular characteristic. A second product is characterized by a second particular characteristic different from the first particular characteristic. The unique combination of at least two axis ratios is a first unique combination. A second unique combination of at least two axis ratios is determined, with the second unique combination of axis ratios being different from the first unique combination of axis ratios. A gas having the determined second unique combination of at least two axis ratios is incorporated into the second manufactured product.

Abstract: A method of tagging a manufactured product with a passive tag includes processing a subset of a plurality of unique combinations of at least two axis ratios, where the subset is determinable by a plurality of parameters that define a portion of a coordinate space, to determine a first particular unique combination of the at least two axis ratios. A gas having the determined particular one unique combination of at least two axis ratios is incorporated into the manufactured product. The product to be tagged may be a first product, characterized by a first particular characteristic, and a second product is characterized by a second particular characteristic different from the first particular characteristic. The unique combination of at least two axis ratios is a first unique combination.

Abstract: A light beam is directed towards a surface along a direction normal to the surface. The surface is caused to move so that the beam scans the surface along a spiral path. An ellipsoidal mirror is placed with its axis along the surface normal to collect light scattered by the surface and any anomalies at the surface at collection angles away from the surface normal. In some applications, a lens arrangement with its axis along the surface normal is also used to collect the light scattered by the surface and any anomalies. The light scattered by the mirror and lenses may be directed to the same or different detectors. Preferably light scattered by the surface within a first range of collection angles from the axis is detected by a first detector and light scattered by the surface within a second range of collection angles from the axis is detected by a second detector.