Abstract: Devices having one or more of the following: an input/output (I/O) interconnect system, an optical I/O interconnect, an electrical I/O interconnect, a radio frequency I/O interconnect, are disclosed. A representative I/O interconnect system includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a compliant pillar vertically extending from the first substrate. The compliant pillar is constructed a first material. The second substrate includes a compliant socket adapted to receive the compliant pillar. The compliant socket is constructed of a second material.

Abstract: A safety relief valve provides for the equalization of backpressure across a valve spindle by providing for flow of fluid between equal sized upper and lower surfaces of the spindle in order to render the valve set point independent of backpressure, such that opening characteristics are controlled solely by the setting of the valve control spring. A seal preferably formed of TEFLON® is provided to prevent the escape of fluid from the valve body, which would otherwise adversely affect the pressure balance between the upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: A stretch laminate having a first nonwoven material, a second nonwoven material, an elastic film. The elastic film may be interposed between said first and second nonwoven material. The elastic film has a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge. The stretch laminate further has a first plane of adhesive having differing amounts of adhesive as measured laterally within the stretch laminate. The differing amounts of adhesive being controllable. The first plane of adhesive being interposed between the first nonwoven material and the elastic film. The stretch laminate further has a second plane of adhesive having differing amounts of adhesive as measured laterally within the stretch laminate. The differing amounts of adhesive being controllable. The second plane of adhesive being interposed between the second nonwoven material and the elastic film. Each of the above elements are substantially laminated together to form a laminate. The laminate is activated to form the stretch laminate.

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of cyclic phosphonic acid diesters from 1,3-diols are described, whereby cyclic phosphonic acid diesters are produced by reacting a chiral 1,3-diol and an activated phosphonic acid in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for three dimensional lithography, nano-indentation, and combinations thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying articles the apparatus including transmission means (12) which includes endless transmission element (14); a plurality of element guide means (16) around which the transmission element extends; drive means for moving the transmission element; a plurality of article carriages (20) operatively connected to the transmission element for movement therewith; and orientation means (30) for maintaining the article carriages in a selected orientation as they move along the conveying path.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device and procedure for accurately positioning a catheter across a desired region within a patient's vasculature. In particular, the present invention provides a hub assembly unit that allows a physician to precisely position a stent within a vessel utilizing a stent delivery catheter. The hub assembly unit includes a fine adjustment mechanism. The fine adjustment mechanism extends or contracts the length of the hub assembly unit in controlled incremental units. These controlled fine displacements are then translated directly to the stent delivery or balloon dilation catheter.

Abstract: An automatic fluid sampler includes a substantially watertight housing and a structure for drawing fluid from outside the housing, wherein the fluid drawing structure is powered by stored potential energy within the housing. A method of automatic fluid sampling employs such samplers, and a fluid sampling system includes a plurality of interconnected samplers.

Abstract: An automatic fluid sampler includes a substantially watertight housing and a structure for drawing fluid from outside the housing, wherein the fluid drawing structure is powered by stored potential energy within the housing. A method of automatic fluid sampling employs such samplers, and a fluid sampling system includes a plurality of interconnected samplers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for augmenting static images including a data collection element 100, an augmenting element 102, an image source 104, and a database 106. The data collection element 100 collects data regarding the circumstances under which a static image is collected and provides the data to an augmenting element 102. The image source 104 provides at least one static image to the augmenting element 102. Once the augmenting element 102 has both the static image and the collected data, the augmenting element utilizes the database 106 as a source of augmenting data. The retrieved augmenting data are then overlaid onto the static image, or are placed onto a margin of the static image, such that the augmenting data are identified with certain elements of the static image.

Abstract: The present invention allows a broadcaster 300a to encode a plurality of data, a portion of which may be from databases 302a, including spatial content and tracking data into a signal, the signal is sent to an overlay construction module 304a. Augmentation layers 306a, provided by users 308a are conveyed to the overlay construction module 304, where the signals are separably merged with the broadcast signal to create an augmented signal, which is transmitted, optionally via satellite 310a, to users 308a. The users 308a receive the augmented signal and display only the layers of interest to them. Thus each user may select a unique overlay combination, and experience individualized programming that more closely comports with that user's tastes.

Abstract: Compliant wafer level packages 10 and methods for monolithically fabricating the same. A monolithically fabricated compliant wafer level package 10 having a compliant layer 14 and a compliant interconnect 30 passing therein. The compliant interconnects 30 being provided so that electrical and mechanical connections may be supported across the compliant layer 14, and constructed so that stresses related to relative motion between electrical components is accommodated. A method of providing a substrate 10 having a compliant layer 14, the compliant layer 14 having a via 20 that exposes a die pad 12 on the substrate 10. Fabricating a compliant interconnect 30 so that the compliant interconnect 30 contacts the die pad 12. The compliant interconnect 30 constructed so that electrical and mechanical connections may be supported through the compliant layer 14.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for executing three-operand raster operation in two-operand raster environments. Structurally, the present invention includes a lookup table having one entry for each three-operand raster operation which is to be emulated. The entry associated with a particular three-operand raster operation includes a template and zero or more two-operand raster operations. Execution of the three-operand raster operation begins by retrieving the lookup table entry associated with the three-operand raster operation. Each two-operand raster operation in the lookup table entry is then executed in sequence. During execution, the template is used to provide a mapping which chooses which operands of the three-operand raster operation will be used as operands for the two-operand raster operation in the sequence.

Abstract: A method for rendering of three dimensional images on a video subsystem which does not include clearing of the Z buffer at each frame includes establishment of a Z buffer and a sequence number in memory, where the sequence number is incremented with each successive frame rendered and the Z buffer is cleared when the sequence number reaches a predetermined value; the Z buffer is thus recycled a number of times between clears. In a more elaborate implementation, the precision of the Z buffer is adjusted to permit clearing of the Z buffer to occur either as the result of the sequence number reaching a predetermined value or as the result of the accrual of a predetermined amount of time allocated for clearing, referred to as scheduling. The scheduling method can be applied to a wide range of accounting tasks within a system.

Abstract: Apparatus for recompleting an oil and/or gas well includes a primary tubing hanger, and primary well tubing hung from the hanger within the well, and a communication/hanger nipple, located below the primary tubing hanger, which is suitable for receiving and locating a coiled tubing hanger. The communication/hanger nipple is run into the well as part of the initial completion in any situation where there is a potential requirement for a coiled tubing completion later in the life of the well but plays no part in the normal primary production operation of the well. However, should production fail for any reason, requiring coiled tubing recompletion, the communication/hanger nipple is available to support the coiled tubing and provide communication to the subsurface equipment without the necessity of modifying the primary tubing hanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression system which comprises a phage-like bacteriocin("phibacin") or a mutant thereof, or a gene or mutant of a phibacin having a function in gene expression, such as a repressor gene, which is used to transform bacterial host for the producion of proteins, in particular in gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for executing three-operand raster operation in two-operand raster environments. Structurally, the present invention includes a lookup table having one entry for each three-operand raster operation which is to be emulated. The entry associated with a particular three-operand raster operation includes a template and zero or more two-operand raster operations. Execution of the three-operand raster operation begins by retrieving the lookup table entry associated with the three-operand raster operation. Each two-operand raster operation in the lookup table entry is then executed in sequence. During execution, the template is used to provide a mapping which chooses which operands of the three-operand raster operation will be used as operands for the two-operand raster operation in the sequence.

Abstract: A method for rendering of three dimensional images on a video subsystem which does not include clearing of the Z buffer at each frame includes establishment of a Z buffer and a sequence number in memory, where the sequence number is incremented with each successive frame rendered and the Z buffer is cleared when the sequence number reaches a predetermined value; the Z buffer is thus recycled a number of times between clears. In a more elaborate implementation, the precision of the Z buffer is adjusted to permit clearing of the Z buffer to occur either as the result of the sequence number reaching a predetermined value or as the result of the accrual of a predetermined amount of time allocated for clearing, referred to as scheduling. The scheduling method can be applied to a wide range of accounting tasks within a system.

Abstract: A method for rendering of three dimensional images on a video subsystem which does not include clearing of the Z buffer at each frame includes establishment of a Z buffer and a sequence number in memory, where the sequence number is incremented with each successive frame rendered and the Z buffer is cleared when the sequence number reaches a predetermined value; the Z buffer is thus recycled a number of times between clears. In a more elaborate implementation, the precision of the Z buffer is adjusted to permit clearing of the Z buffer to occur either as the result of the sequence number reaching a predetermined value or as the result of the accrual of a predetermined amount of time allocated for clearing, referred to as scheduling. The scheduling method can be applied to a wide range of accounting tasks within a system.

Abstract: A shipping-price tag label is affixed to a package with the individual price tags surrounded on three sides of the perimeter by a shipping label portion adhesively secured to the exterior of the package, with the surfaces of the price tag portion and shipping portion substantially flush. The price tags have price indicia disposed on each of them, and a release sheet that is readily separable from the shipping label is between the price tag portions and the package, and may be detached by grasping a tab extension of the release sheet and tearing along perforation lines. A number of shipping-price tag labels maybe provided in web form, typically a cut sheet format having a first ply with a printable top surface and bottom surface covered by pressure sensitive adhesive, and a second ply comprising a release sheet with a generally C-shaped die cut formed in the release sheet, the individual price tag labels formed by die cuts in the first ply overlying the C-shaped die cut area of the release sheet.