Abstract: A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for making a payment on an account comprises reading account information from a payment instrument that identifies a customer account that is to receive a payment. A financial institution associated with the customer account is determined as well as a payment account that is associated with the financial institution where the payment is to be deposited. A payment amount is collected, and the payment amount is transmitted to the payment account of the financial institution.

Abstract: A six-phase charge coupled device (CCD) pixel includes a pixel pair, with each pixel having two adjacent control gates overlying corresponding variable potential wells, where voltages applied to the control gates enable charge to be accumulated into and transferred out of the wells. A clear window region overlies a fixed potential gradient region, decreasing in potential away from the control gates. This region enables a wide band of photons to be sensed by the photosensitive silicon of the CCD. The decreasing potential levels facilitate high charge transfer efficiency (i.e., high CTE) from pixel to pixel via the control or transfer gates. By applying particular voltages to the control gates, charge can be quickly and efficiently transferred between pixels.

Abstract: A charge coupled device (CCD) includes a low noise charge gain circuit that amplifies charge of a cell dependent upon the charge accumulated by the cell. The low noise charge gain circuit receives clocking signals, such as from an input diode, which allow charge to accumulate in a reservoir well and then flow into a receiving well. The low noise charge gain circuit also receives a voltage signal corresponding to charge accumulated on an associated cell. The amount of charge flowing into the receiving well depends on this voltage signal.

Abstract: A charge coupled device (CCD) includes a low noise charge gain circuit that amplifies charge of a cell dependent upon the charge accumulated by the cell. The low noise charge gain circuit receives clocking signals, such as from an input diode, which allow charge to accumulate in a reservoir well and then flow into a receiving well. The low noise charge gain circuit also receives a voltage signal corresponding to charge accumulated on an associated cell. The amount of charge flowing into the receiving well depends on this voltage signal.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer suitable to measure both positive and negative particles, such as ions for example in a vacuum chamber. This spectrometer is provided with a turnable permanent magnet segment, which provides the gap of a yoke with adequate magnetic flux having the appropriate direction to separate the positive or the negative particles. Changing the polarity adjusts the flight path of the ions. Thus, negatively charged ions and positively charged ions will follow similar flight paths under opposite polarities, permitting the use of a single array of detectors. One or more coils may be used in place of or in addition to the turnable permanent magnet segment in order to provide the appropriate magnetic flux to the gap, and/or facilitate the turning process of the turnable magnet segment. The turnable magnet and/or the coils may be inside or outside the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A charge coupled device (CCD) includes a low noise charge gain circuit that amplifies charge of a cell dependent upon the charge accumulated by the cell. The low noise charge gain circuit receives clocking signals, such as from an input diode, which allow charge to accumulate in a reservoir well and then flow into a receiving well. The low noise charge gain circuit also receives a voltage signal corresponding to charge accumulated on an associated cell. The amount of charge flowing into the receiving well depends on this voltage signal.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer suitable to measure both positive and negative particles, such as ions for example in a vacuum chamber. This spectrometer is provided with a turnable permanent magnet segment, which provides the gap of a yoke with adequate magnetic flux having the appropriate direction to separate the positive or the negative particles. Changing the polarity adjusts the flight path of the ions. Thus, negatively charged ions and positively charged ions will follow similar flight paths under opposite polarities, permitting the use of a single array of detectors. One or more coils may be used in place of or in addition to the turnable permanent magnet segment in order to provide the appropriate magnetic flux to the gap, and/or facilitate the turning process of the turnable magnet segment. The turnable magnet and/or the coils may be inside or outside the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for making a payment on an account comprises reading account information from a payment instrument that identifies a customer account that is to receive a payment. A financial institution associated with the customer account is determined as well as a payment account that is associated with the financial institution where the payment is to be deposited. A payment amount is collected, and the payment amount is transmitted to the payment account of the financial institution.

Abstract: A hybrid detector or imager includes two substrates fabricated under incompatible processes. An array of detectors, such as charged-coupled devices, are formed on the first substrate using a CCD fabrication process, such as a buried channel or peristaltic process. One or more charge-converting amplifiers are formed on a second substrate using a CMOS fabrication process. The two substrates are then bonded together to form a hybrid detector.

Abstract: A hybrid detector or imager includes two substrates fabricated under incompatible processes. An array of detectors, such as charged-coupled devices, are formed on the first substrate using a CCD fabrication process, such as a buried channel or peristaltic process. One or more charge-converting amplifiers are formed on a second substrate using a CMOS fabrication process. The two substrates are then bonded together to form a hybrid detector.

Abstract: A hybrid detector or imager includes two substrates fabricated under incompatible processes. An array of detectors, such as charged-coupled devices, are formed on the first substrate using a CCD fabrication process, such as a buried channel or peristaltic process. One or more charge-converting amplifiers are formed on a second substrate using a CMOS fabrication process. The two substrates are then bonded together to form a hybrid detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of equalizing a first and second charge packet. The apparatus includes a charge splitter for splitting the first charge packet into a third charge packet on the first side of the charge splitter and a fourth charge packet on the second side of the charge splitter. The second charge component is split into a fifth charge component on the first side of the charge splitter and a sixth charge component on the second side of the charge splitter. The apparatus includes a charge combiner for adding the third and sixth charge packets and the fourth and fifth charge packets.

Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system tower support wheel includes first and second wheel halves, each of the wheel halves including a generally flat circular center hub section and an outwardly extending diverging wheel body section having a conic sidewall section extending at an angle relative to the hub section and an outer ground-engaging generally cylindrical wheel rim connected to the sidewall section and aligned generally perpendicular to the center hub section, the rim including an engagement surface spaced from the connection to the sidewall section. A connection structure is provided for connecting the engagement surfaces of the first and second wheel halves such that the first and second wheel halves form a support wheel having a generally flat circular wheel hub and a wheel body having a generally triangular cross-sectional shape with a generally broad outer surface formed by the generally cylindrical rims.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of equalizing a first and second charge packet. The apparatus includes a charge splitter for splitting the first charge packet into a third charge packet on the first side of the charge splitter and a fourth charge packet on the second side of the charge splitter. The second charge component is split into a fifth charge component on the first side of the charge splitter and a sixth charge component on the second side of the charge splitter. The apparatus includes a charge combinet for adding the third and sixth charge packets and the fourth and fifth charge packets.

Abstract: A symmetric pipelined charge-mode analog to digital converter including a signal-reference CCD channel having a plurality of charge storage stages that are arranged in a serial configuration to carry the signal and reference charges, and a CCD digital channel. A set of two step comparators coupled to the signal-reference channel first senses and stores the signal charge and then senses and compares the reference charge to the signal charge. In the first stage, an initial reference charge is used, and in subsequent stages, an increment of one half the previous stage increment is added to the reference. In addition, at each stage, a charge increment equal to the previous reference increment is conditionally added to the signal charge and a corresponding bit in the digital channel is conditionally set responsive to the comparator.

Abstract: A symmetric pipelined charge-mode analog to digital converter including a signal-reference CCD channel having a plurality of charge storage stages that are arranged in a serial configuration to carry the signal and reference charges, and a CCD digital channel. A set of two step comparators coupled to the signal-reference channel first senses and stores the signal charge and then senses and compares the reference charge to the signal charge. In the first stage, an initial reference charge is used, and in subsequeant stages, an increment of one half the previous stage increment is added to the reference. In addition, at each stage, a charge increment equal to the previous reference increment is conditionally added to the signal charge and a corresponding bit in the digital channel is conditionally set responsive to the comparator.