Abstract: According to the present invention, semiconductor device breakdown voltage can be increased by embedding field shaping regions within a drift region of the semiconductor device. A controllable current path extends between two device terminals on the top surface of a planar substrate, and the controllable current path includes the drift region. Each field shaping region includes two or more electrically conductive regions that are electrically insulated from each other, and which are capacitively coupled to each other to form a voltage divider dividing a potential between the first and second terminals. One or more of the electrically conductive regions are isolated from any external electrical contact. Such field shaping regions can provide enhanced electric field uniformity in current-carrying parts of the drift region, thereby increasing device breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A protection apparatus (48) is provided which in addition to protecting electronic equipment (5) from overvoltage transients is also able to provide an indication of whether or not said transients are due to impedances associated with poor earthing. In one embodiment the protection apparatus (48) includes an input terminal (42), an output terminal (60) and a ground reference terminal (62) with a transient blocking unit (50) arranged to isolate the output terminal (60) in response to the destructive transient voltages. A gas discharge tube (46) is provided to conduct transient currents associated with the destructive transient voltages to the earth reference connection point (62); and an indicator (58), such as a fuse or circuit breaker is placed in series with the transient blocking unit (50) to indicate the presence of a voltage resulting from an interaction of the transient currents with an earthing impedance.

Abstract: A laser pulse with a specially tailored temporal power profile, instead of a conventional temporal shape or substantially square shape, severs an IC link. The specially tailored laser pulse preferably has either an overshoot at the beginning of the laser pulse or a spike peak within the duration of the laser pulse. The timing of the spike peak is preferably set ahead of the time when the link is mostly removed. A specially tailored laser pulse power profile allows the use of a wider laser pulse energy range and shorter laser wavelengths, such as the green and UV, to sever the links without appreciable damage to the substrate and passivation structure material located on either side of and underlying the links.

Abstract: An electrical surge protection device (12) confers protection to an output node (13) from electrical surges on a data or power line (10) incident on an input node (11). A transistorised surge protection device (18) is located in a current path between the input node (11) and the output node (13) and is configured to assume an isolating state in response to an over-current therethrough. A voltage-triggered protective circuit comprising a diac (16) in series with a bi-directional zener diode (14) is connected between the output side of the transistorised surge protection device (18) and a surge sinking node (15). The voltage-triggered circuit assumes a low-impedance state in response to an electrical surge at output terminal 13. Consequently a surge current is passed through zener diode (14) and surge diac (16) to the surge sinking node. In response to the surge current the transistorised surge protection device (18) assumes a high impedance configuration thereby isolating output node (13) from input node (11).

Abstract: A specially shaped laser pulse energy profile characterized by different laser wavelengths at different times of the profile provides reduced, controlled jitter to enable semiconductor device micromachining that achieves high quality processing and a smaller possible spot size.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include novel analogs of Glycyl-Prolyl-Glutamate (GPE) and compositions containing such analogs of GPE. Of these, certain analogs have modified proline residues. Other embodiments of this invention include uses of analogs of GPE to protect neural cells from degeneration and/or death in response to injury or disease. Disorders treatable with compounds and compositions of this invention include hypoxia/ischemia, toxic injury, and chronic neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A transient blocking unit (TBU) includes at least two depletion mode transistors connected to each other such that they can rapidly switch from a normal low-impedance state to a high-impedance current blocking state in response to an over-voltage or over-current condition. This behavior makes TBUs useful for protecting electrical devices and circuit from harmful electrical transients. Some kinds of transistors can exhibit a phenomenon known as current collapse, where channel conductance is temporarily reduced after exposure to high voltage. Although current collapse is undesirable, transistors exhibiting current collapse can have otherwise favorable properties for TBU applications. According to the present invention, a TBU is provided where a diode is placed in parallel with a TBU transistor that can exhibit current collapse. The diode prevents high power dissipation in a current collapsed transistor, thereby reducing the vulnerability of the TBU to permanent damage or destruction in service.

Abstract: An improved bi-directional transient blocking unit (TBU) is provided having a dual-gate central transistor. The gates of the central transistor are connected to the rest of the TBU such that high voltages can only appear between a gate and the central transistor terminal further from that gate. In this manner, the total device size required to provide a given breakdown voltage can be significantly reduced compared to a conventional symmetric lateral transistor having a single gates.

Abstract: A protection system in which a shunt protection device at the interface terminals is optically triggered by sensor components within the circuit. This permits a variety of appropriate overvoltage detection thresholds to be defined at different nodes within the circuit. Preferably the shunt protection device is combined with one or more series protection devices which interrupt overcurrent.

Abstract: A differential mode surge protection apparatus includes first and second solid state protection devices in series between respective input and output connection points. The apparatus may be provided in conjunction with a common mode protection apparatus such as an isolation transformer. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided integrated into a single miniaturized protection package. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a surge arrestor arranged to supplement protection conferred by the first and second solid state protection devices. The surge arrestor is capable of being triggered prior to breakdown of either the first or second solid state protection devices. The apparatus may be incorporated into digital processing cards such as LAN cards and also into cables to conveniently provide differential mode protection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for temperature-dependent transient blocking employing a transient blocking unit (TBU) that uses at least one depletion mode n-channel device interconnected with at least one depletion mode p-channel device. The interconnection is performed such that a transient alters a bias voltage Vp of the p-channel device and a bias voltage Vn of the n-channel device in concert to effectuate their mutual switch off to block the transient. The apparatus has a temperature control unit that is in communication with the TBU and adjusts at least one of the bias voltages Vp, Vn in response to a sensed temperature Ts, thereby enabling the apparatus to also respond to over-temperature. In some embodiments the p-channel device is replaced with a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC). The temperature control unit can use any suitable circuit element, including, among other a PTC, resistor, negative temperature coefficient element, positive temperature coefficient element, transistor, diode.

Abstract: A laser pulse with a specially tailored temporal power profile, instead of a conventional temporal shape or substantially square shape, severs an IC link. The specially tailored laser pulse preferably has either an overshoot at the beginning of the laser pulse or a spike peak within the duration of the laser pulse. The timing of the spike peak is preferably set ahead of the time when the link is mostly removed. A specially tailored laser pulse power profile allows the use of a wider laser pulse energy range and shorter laser wavelengths, such as the green and UV, to sever the links without appreciable damage to the substrate and passivation structure material located on either side of and underlying the links.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhanced transient blocking employing a transient blocking unit (TBU) that uses at least one depletion mode n-channel device interconnected with at least one depletion mode p-channel device. The interconnection is performed such that a transient alters a bias voltage Vp of the p-channel device and a bias voltage Vn of the n-channel device such that the p- and n-channel devices mutually switch off to block the transient. The apparatus has an enhancer circuit for applying an enhancement bias to a gate terminal of at least one of the depletion mode n-channel devices of the TBU to reduce a total resistance Rtot of the apparatus. Alternatively, the apparatus has an enhancement mode NMOS transistor and a TBU connected thereto to help provide an enhancement bias to a gate terminal of the enhancement mode NMOS.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes a measuring aperture formed in a wall of the barrel, a gage plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture and having an inner end curved to correspond to a curvature of a surface of the central bore surrounding an inner end of the measuring aperture, and a retaining plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture for maintaining the gage plug in place. When the plugs are removed, the gage plug can be measured for barrel wear and a probe can be inserted into the measuring aperture for determining feedscrew wear. A test bar simulating feedscrew wear is used to calibrate the probe.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to treat mood disorders and anxiety disorders using antagonists of the P2X7 receptor and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, or combinations.

Abstract: A convertible self-checkout system includes a base and a stand rotatably mounted to the base. The stand includes an input/output device facing in a first direction and a product scanner, and the stand is positionable relative to the base in at least a first angular position and a second angular position. The input/output device is an interactive video display, and the interactive video display has a first mode corresponding to the first angular position and a second mode corresponding to the second angular position. A sensor determines an angular position of the stand relative to the base and communicates the angular position to the interactive video display. The stand further includes a video display facing in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: Merged devices for transient blocking. A pass transistor is placed so that its body potential drives the gate of a depletion-mode JFET-type blocking transistor. Thus a transient which appears on an external terminal is very rapidly propagated to shut off the blocking transistor, before large numbers of carriers can be injected. Preferably a shunt device is also used to drop high potentials which may appear at the same time. This connection can be particularly useful in power or data input terminals.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting alignment of a scanned image includes generating a raw scanned calibration image, processing the raw scanned calibration image so as to determine a correction for each horizontal pixel of the image, and applying the determined correction to the entire scanned image so as to produce an aligned image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a checkout system with a change dispensing system for providing change in respect of a payment made for goods being purchased. The change dispensing system comprises a receptacle into which change is deposited and the receptacle is mounted in a counter surface of the checkout system where it is in easy view of the customer and where change which accidentally exits from the receptacle is likely to remain on the counter surface and not fall to the floor. Preferably a coin dispensing system is mounted in the checkout system above the counter and a channel guides coins from the change dispensing system to the receptacle under the force of gravity.

Abstract: A golf tee comprising a body and a head is described, wherein the head is elongated and grooved. The golf tee described herein provides directional trajectory to a golf ball upon impact with a golf club.