Abstract: A detecting circuit measures at least one response characteristic of an output channel in an electro-acoustic transducer system. A memory stores a plurality of equalizations, each equalization corresponding to a known electro-acoustic transducer system associated with at least one response characteristic stored in the memory. A processor in communication with the detecting circuit and the memory selects one of the stored response characteristics matching the response characteristic measured by the detecting circuit. In some cases, an appropriate equalization is loaded based on the selected response characteristic.

Abstract: A laryngoscope for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation. The laryngoscope includes a handle to be gripped by a medical professional in performing the endotracheal intubation; a blade portion extending from the handle to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube; a power source; and a black light source powered by the power source and carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation.

Abstract: Requesting and distributing electronic advertisements including electronic coupons and sales advertisements. A user of a mobile communication device such as a Smartphone views a current electronic advertisement of a merchant on a screen of the mobile communication device. After viewing the current electronic advertisement, the user wants to opt in to receive more electronic advertisements from the merchant and launches an application on the mobile communication device or accesses a software program. The application or program generates a request to receive additional electronic advertisements from that particular merchant. In response, additional electronic advertisements are provided to the user, e.g., through an intermediate computer and interfaces with a merchant computer or other source of electronic advertisements of the merchant.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation includes a laryngoscope blade portion connectable to a laryngoscope handle to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube, the blade portion includes a proximal portion and a distal portion; a white light source carried by the blade portion; a black light source carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation, the black light source located closer to the distal portion and the white light located to the proximal portion, and the black light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 300 to 450 nm.

Abstract: An endotracheal intubation system for performing an endotracheal intubation includes an endotracheal tube insertable into the patient's mouth, between the patient's vocal cords into the patient's larynx, and into the patient's trachea for opening the patient's airway. A stylet for the endotracheal tube includes an illuminating material comprising at least one of a fluorescent and phosphorescent material to aid in visibility and positioning of at least one of the stylet and the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: An optical transceiver is provided with a light pipe that intercepts, offsets and redirects a portion of the collimated transmit beam to create a virtual object in the receiver field-of-view to perform the BIT. The light pipe comprises an input face and first reflective surface in the transmitter FOV to intercept a portion of the beam along a first axis and re-direct the beam, a second reflective surface and output face in the receiver FOV that re-directs the portion of the beam along a second axis towards the receiver to create the virtual object in the receiver FOV and an optical channel that guides the redirected portion of the beam from the first reflective surface to the second reflective surface to offset the second axis from the first axis. The same detector used during normal operation of the transceiver is used to perform the BIT, which may include a simple “on/off” test or a radiometry test.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a semiconductor wafer includes: a microwave source; an applicator cavity; and, a fixture for supporting a wafer in the cavity. The fixture comprises a dielectric mechanical support for the wafer and a grounded metallic ring movably positioned parallel to and concentric with the wafer at some distance from the wafer, to adjust the microwave power distribution to compensate for edge effects. A closed-loop feedback system adjusts the distance based on wafer edge and center temperatures. A method for heating a semiconductor wafer comprises: a. placing the wafer in a microwave cavity; b. supporting the wafer on a fixture comprising a dielectric wafer support and a grounded metallic ring movably positioned at some distance from the wafer; c. introducing microwave power into the cavity to heat the wafer; and d. adjusting the distance between wafer and ring to modify the power distribution near the wafer edge.

Abstract: An apparatus include a first electronic component having first interface circuitry configured to generate an electromagnetic signal. The first electronic component is switchable such that in a first mode of operation, the first interface circuitry is configured to transmit the generated electromagnetic signal via a first antenna, and in a second mode of operation, the first interface circuitry is configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal to a second electronic component via a constrained signal path coupling the first electronic component and the second electronic component. The generated electromagnetic signal may be a radio frequency signal or an optical signal.

Abstract: A materials processing system comprises a thermal processing chamber including a heating source, a first noncontacting thermal measurement device positioned to measure temperature on a first area of the material being processed, and, a second noncontacting thermal measurement device positioned to measure temperature on a second area of the material being processed, the first device being relatively more sensitive to changes in surface emissivity than the second device. By comparing the outputs of the two devices, emissivity changes can be detected and used as a proxy for some physical change in the workpiece and thereby determine when the desired process has been completed. The system may be used to develop a process recipe, or it may be part of a system for real-time process control based on emissivity changes. Applicable processes include heating, annealing, dopant activation, silicide formation, carburization, nitridation, sintering, oxidation, vapor deposition, metallization, and plating.

Abstract: A laryngoscope blade for use in viewing the vocal cords of a patient in performance of an endotracheal intubation includes a laryngoscope blade portion connectable to a laryngoscope handle to lift the patient's tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords and aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube; and a black light source carried by the blade portion to prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient's vocal cords for viewing the vocal cords and passing of the endotracheal tube there between during endotracheal intubation.

Abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from the Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, are disclosed. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode D. v. virgifera protein homologs and fragments thereof. In addition, antibodies capable of binding the proteins are encompassed by the present invention. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The invention also relates to methods of using the disclosed nucleic acid molecules, proteins, fragments of proteins, and antibodies, for example, for gene identification and analysis, and preparation of constructs.

Abstract: A microwave heating system comprises a microwave applicator cavity; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a dielectric support to support a generally planar workpiece; a dielectric gas manifold to supply a controlled flow of inert gas proximate to the periphery of the workpiece to provide differential cooling to the edge relative to the center; a first temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature near the center of the workpiece; and, a second temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature near the edge of the workpiece. The gas flow is controlled to minimize the temperature difference from center to edge, and may be recipe driven or controlled in real time, based on the two temperature measurements. The method is particularly useful for monolithic semiconductor wafers, various semiconducting films on substrates, and dielectric films on semiconducting wafers.

Abstract: An off-axis reflective transmit telescope for a DIRCM system is mounted on the gimbal along a transmit-axis offset laterally from the optical axis of the receive telescope but nominally aligned with the line-of-sight of the receive telescope to transmit a laser beam. The telescope comprises an optical port optically coupled to a laser to receive and direct the laser beam away from the dome and a reflective optical assembly that reflects the laser beam through the dome. The reflective optical assembly comprises an off-axis mirror segment and a second optical element that together precompensate the laser beam for dome aberrations induced by the lateral offset of the transmit telescope's transmit axis from the optical axis. The off-axis mirror segment comprises a segment of a parent mirror having an aspheric curvature (e.g. parabolic, elliptical or higher-order asphere) about an axis of symmetry. The segment is offset so that it is not centered on the axis of symmetry of the parent mirror.

Abstract: A microwave heating system comprises a microwave applicator cavity; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a dielectric support to support a generally planar workpiece; a dielectric gas manifold to supply a controlled flow of inert gas proximate to the periphery of the workpiece to provide differential cooling to the edge relative to the center; a first temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature near the center of the workpiece; and, a second temperature measuring device configured to measure the temperature near the edge of the workpiece. The gas flow is controlled to minimize the temperature difference from center to edge, and may be recipe driven or controlled in real time, based on the two temperature measurements. The method is particularly useful for monolithic semiconductor wafers, various semiconducting films on substrates, and dielectric films on semiconducting wafers.

Abstract: A materials processing system comprises a thermal processing chamber including a heating source, a first noncontacting thermal measurement device positioned to measure temperature on a first area of the material being processed, and, a second noncontacting thermal measurement device positioned to measure temperature on a second area of the material being processed, the first device being relatively more sensitive to changes in surface emissivity than the second device. By comparing the outputs of the two devices, emissivity changes can be detected and used as a proxy for some physical change in the workpiece and thereby determine when the desired process has been completed. The system may be used to develop a process recipe, or it may be part of a system for real-time process control based on emissivity changes. Applicable processes include heating, annealing, dopant activation, silicide formation, carburization, nitridation, sintering, oxidation, vapor deposition, metallization, and plating.

Abstract: A Dewar apparatus includes a focal plane array (FPA) component coupled to an FPA carrier, and a cold bridge coupled to the FPA carrier. A cold shield is aligned with the optical axis and coupled to the cold bridge (e.g., via a direct-metal bond), and at least one cryostat enclosure is similarly coupled to the cold bridge such that it has an axis that is noncollinear with the optical axis.