Abstract: A method and detector for detecting particle emissions from a test sample includes positioning a detector over the test sample, wherein the detector includes a plurality of detection units, wherein each detection unit includes a first silicon detector and a barrier layer removably disposed over the first silicon detector. The method includes generating a first current signal in the silicon detector in response to receiving a first particle emitted from an atom of the test sample by the silicon detector of the first detection unit, and responsive to a recoiling daughter nuclide of the atom striking the barrier layer of the first detection unit, the recoiling daughter nuclide resulting from emission of the first particle from the atom, absorbing the recoiling daughter nuclide by the barrier layer of the first detection unit.

Abstract: A toy having a motion detector that detects motion of the toy and generates a signal indicative of the motion. There is a visual display that is capable of selectively producing a visual output and an audio system capable of producing an audible output corresponding to, and descriptive of, the visual output.

Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an electric or bass guitar, is formed of a lamination of wood layers having differing grain orientations in adjacent layers, the grain orientations defining a crossing angle less than 90°. An instrument formed from such a lamination is strong and resistant to splitting and checking and produces a good musical sound. The wood layers can be molded under pressure to form curves, such as an S-curve in a neck, or deformations, such as rounded edges in a guitar body. The S-curve in the neck allows the neck to be attached to the guitar body without breaking the continuity of the wood fibers, thereby strengthening the neck. In a three-dimensional molding embodiment, a net shape or near net shape part results, which requires little or no further machining after molding.

Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an electric or bass guitar, is formed of a lamination of wood layers having differing grain orientations in adjacent layers, the grain orientations defining a crossing angle less than 90°. An instrument formed from such a lamination is strong and resistant to splitting and checking and produces a good musical sound. The wood layers can be molded under pressure to form curves, such as an S-curve in a neck, or deformations, such as rounded edges in a guitar body. The S-curve in the neck allows the neck to be attached to the guitar body without breaking the continuity of the wood fibers, thereby strengthening the neck. In a three-dimensional molding embodiment, a net shape or near net shape part results, which requires little or no further machining after molding.

Abstract: A water filter device for use with a brew basket associated with a coffee maker or other brewed beverage device including a water filter member and a filter holder member adaptable for holding the water filter member. The filter holder member includes one or more support tabs extending outwardly from the periphery thereof to an extent effective for engaging the brew basket so as to support the filter holder member on the brew basket. The filter holder member further includes at least one guide channel positioned and located for removably receiving the water filter member therewithin. The water filter member may include a grip tab for allowing a user to easily grasp the water filter member for easy insertion and removal from the filter holder member.

Abstract: A mechanical tool coupler is adapted for operatively interconnecting first and second elongated hand tools arranged end to end. The first and second hand tools combine to form an extended tool assembly having a first free end adapted for engaging a head of a threaded fastener, and a second free end adapted for receiving a force applied by a user. The mechanical tool coupler includes first and second attached coupler heads. The first coupler head has adjacent intersecting sides defining a respective plurality of points. The first coupler head is adapted for receiving a proximal end of the first hand tool. A second coupler head has adjacent intersecting sides which define a respective plurality of points. The second coupler head extends opposite the first coupler head and is adapted for receiving a proximal end of the second hand tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an alpha-W layer which is employed in interconnect structures such as trench capacitors or damascene wiring levels as a diffusion barrier layer. The alpha-W layer is a single phased material that is formed by a low temperature/pressure chemical vapor deposition process using tungsten hexacarbonyl, W(CO)6, as the source material.

Abstract: One or more test probe access structures for accessing vias on a printed circuit assembly and method of fabrication thereof is presented. Each test probe access structure is conductively connected to a via at a test probe access location above an exposed surface of a via to be accessible for probing by a test probe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for gaining socket testability through the use of a capacitive interposer engineered to create capacitive coupling between signal nodes of a circuit assembly that the tester has access to and nodes of the socket that would not otherwise have any coupling to a testable signal node of the socket. Generally, coupling capacitance is engineered into the interposer by trace and via routing between the signal node of the socket and a location in close proximity to the inaccessible socket node such that their proximity to each other couples them together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting open defects on grounded nodes of an electrical device using capacitive lead frame technology is presented. In accordance with the method of the invention, an accessible signal node that is capacitively coupled the grounded node is stimulated with a known source signal. A capacitive sense plate is capacitively coupled to the stimulated node and grounded node of the electrical device, and a measuring device coupled to the capacitive sense plate capacitively senses a resulting signal. The value of the capacitively sensed signal is indicative of the presence or non-presence of an open defect on one or both of the grounded node and stimulated signal node.

Abstract: A detachable box assembly designed to allow for the quick-release of a box from a box receiving surface. The assembly consists of two slidably secured attachment plates configured to be attached to the base of a box and the support of the receiving surface post. The plates are configured for attaching the box to the box receiving surface. The assembly further comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the removal of the attachment plates and thereby secure the box to the box receiving surface.

Abstract: A device for enabling testing of electrical paths through a circuit assembly is presented. The device may include a non-contact connector test probe for a testing a connector of the circuit assembly. A method for testing continuity of electrical paths through a circuit assembly is presented. In the method, one or more nodes of the circuit assembly are stimulated, connector pins of a connector on the circuit assembly are capacitively coupled to a non-contact connector test probe, and an electrical characteristic is measured by a tester coupled to the non-contact connector test probe to determine continuity of electrical paths through the circuit assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting open defects on non-probed node under test of an electrical device using capacitive lead frame technology is presented. In accordance with the method of the invention, a probed node neighboring the non-probed node under test is stimulated with a known source signal. A sensor of a capacitive sensing probe is capacitively coupled to at least the probed node and non-probed node under test of the electrical device, and a measuring device coupled to the capacitive sensing probe measures a capacitively coupled signal present between the sensor of the probe and at least the probed and non-probed node of the electrical device. Based on the value of the capacitively sensed signal, a known expected “defect-free” capacitively sensed signal measurement and/or a known expected “open” capacitively sensed signal measurement, a determination is made of whether an open defect exists on the non-probed node under test of the electrical device.

Abstract: The present invention is an illuminated fishing rod. The illuminated rod further comprises an elongated shaft having a tip portion at one end and a handle at the opposite end. A compartment is internally integrated within the handle. The compartment is adapted to receive a power source and a light source. A plurality of eyelet guide members is mounted upon the longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft. A bundle of optical fibers are operationally mounted within the elongated shaft. The light source is operationally connected to the optical fibers for illuminating the shaft, and the power source is operationally connected to the light source to generate power for the light source to illuminate the shaft. In an alternative embodiment, the bundle of optical fibers is operationally mounted along the external surface of the elongated shaft. In another embodiment, the elongated shaft is segmented into multiple sections for easy storage.

Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an electric or bass guitar, is formed of a lamination of wood layers having differing grain orientations in adjacent layers, the grain orientations defining a crossing angle less than 90°. An instrument formed from such a lamination is strong and resistant to splitting and checking and produces a good musical sound. The wood layers can be molded under pressure to form curves, such as an S-curve in a neck, or deformations, such as rounded edges in a guitar body. The S-curve in the neck allows the neck to be attached to the guitar body without breaking the continuity of the wood fibers, thereby strengthening the neck. In a three-dimensional molding embodiment, a net shape or near net shape part results, which requires little or no further machining after molding.

Abstract: A beverage maker includes a base; a stand extending upwardly from the base; a brew head supported on the stand; and a manually actuated gear drive operably associated with the brew head and the stand for vertically adjusting the height of the brew head above the base.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting a centralized display that allows a user to quickly and easily manage sync operations for multiple devices. The invention may also provide a layered sync display, in which each layer presents a user with successively more information. The layered sync display may ensure that a user is not presented with extraneous information, which simplifies management of sync operations and allows user to perform other tasks during sync operations. In implementations of the present invention, sync operations may occur without user input, so that the user may continue working on other tasks while a sync operation is taking place. The user may elect to enter input, such as input used to resolve conflicts or other input requested by the sync operation, at a later time that is convenient for the user.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing conflict resolution in a sync manager. In case of a conflict, the sync operation creates and stores a conflict object, and resumes the sync operation without requiring user input. The sync operation can thus be completed without user input and the user may choose to resolve outstanding conflicts, either on-line or off-line, at a convenient time. Furthermore, the invention provides a platform for developing standardized, user-friendly sync operations. In addition, the invention presents a centralized location that allows a user to quickly and easily resolve conflicts originating from many devices.