Abstract: A method is provided to form an electromechanical relay. A magnetic layer is etched to form a substrate-metal structure having a pattern of conductive contacts. The substrate-metal structure is electroplated. The electroplated structure is attached to a printed circuit board (PCB). A portion of the electroplated structure is removed to electrically decouple the conductive contacts. The PCB includes a common contact terminal aligned to one end of each conductive contact. The PCB includes magnetic actuators each having a magnetic core with a first core part disposed within a via extending through layers of the PCB, and an electrical coil disposed around the first core part within layers of the PCB. Each conductive contact is aligned to an associated magnetic actuator to enable electrical contact between the common contact terminal and the conductive contact upon activation of the associated magnetic actuator.

Abstract: Electromechanical relays and semiconductor structures and microelectromechanical systems including at least part of an electromechanical relay are presented. For example, an electromechanical relay includes an electrically conductive terminal within a printed circuit board, one or more electrically conductive contacts, and one or more magnetic actuators. The one or more magnetic actuators are respectively associated with the one or more electrically conductive contacts and each magnetic actuator includes (i) a magnetic core within at least one via extending through one or more layers of the printed circuit board, and (ii) an electrical coil around at least a portion of the magnetic core and within one or more layers of the printed circuit board. Activation of the one or more actuators causes electrical contact between the terminal and an associated one of the one or more electrically conductive contacts.

Abstract: Electromechanical relays and semiconductor structures and microelectromechanical systems including at least part of an electromechanical relay are presented. For example, an electromechanical relay includes an electrically conductive terminal within a printed circuit board, one or more electrically conductive contacts, and one or more magnetic actuators. The one or more magnetic actuators are respectively associated with the one or more electrically conductive contacts and each magnetic actuator includes (i) a magnetic core within at least one via extending through one or more layers of the printed circuit board, and (ii) an electrical coil around at least a portion of the magnetic core and within one or more layers of the printed circuit board. Activation of the one or more actuators causes electrical contact between the terminal and an associated one of the one or more electrically conductive contacts.

Abstract: Electromechanical relays and semiconductor structures and microelectromechanical systems including at least part of an electromechanical relay are presented. For example, an electromechanical relay includes an electrically conductive terminal within a printed circuit board, one or more electrically conductive contacts, and one or more magnetic actuators. The one or more magnetic actuators are respectively associated with the one or more electrically conductive contacts and each magnetic actuator includes (i) a magnetic core within at least one via extending through one or more layers of the printed circuit board, and (ii) an electrical coil around at least a portion of the magnetic core and within one or more layers of the printed circuit board. Activation of the one or more actuators causes electrical contact between the terminal and an associated one of the one or more electrically conductive contacts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for high-bandwidth time domain reflectometry include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a probe. The PCB includes at least one signal terminal connected to at least one signal via at least three guide terminals arranged around the at least one high-frequency signal terminal. At least one of the guide terminals is connected to at least one ground via. The probe includes at least one biased pin to contact the at least one signal terminal and at least three fixed guide pins arranged about the at least one biased pin to facilitate alignment of said at least one biased pin by first engaging at least one guide terminal area, such that the at least one mechanically biased pin is guided to the at least one contact point.

Abstract: Electromechanical relays and semiconductor structures and microelectromechanical systems including at least part of an electromechanical relay are presented. For example, an electromechanical relay includes an electrically conductive terminal within a printed circuit board, one or more electrically conductive contacts, and one or more magnetic actuators. The one or more magnetic actuators are respectively associated with the one or more electrically conductive contacts and each magnetic actuator includes (i) a magnetic core within at least one via extending through one or more layers of the printed circuit board, and (ii) an electrical coil around at least a portion of the magnetic core and within one or more layers of the printed circuit board. Activation of the one or more actuators causes electrical contact between the terminal and an associated one of the one or more electrically conductive contacts.

Abstract: Electromechanical relays and semiconductor structures and microelectromechanical systems including at least part of an electromechanical relay are presented. For example, an electromechanical relay includes an electrically conductive terminal within a printed circuit board, one or more electrically conductive contacts, and one or more magnetic actuators. The one or more magnetic actuators are respectively associated with the one or more electrically conductive contacts and each magnetic actuator includes (i) a magnetic core within at least one via extending through one or more layers of the printed circuit board, and (ii) an electrical coil around at least a portion of the magnetic core and within one or more layers of the printed circuit board. Activation of the one or more actuators causes electrical contact between the terminal and an associated one of the one or more electrically conductive contacts.

Abstract: Display panels and methods for fabrication are disclosed for an in-plane switching mode display to reduce or eliminate image sticking. The display panel includes a substrate with a first electrode formed on the substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and the dielectric layer forms an opening down to the first electrode so that the dielectric layer is eliminated over the first electrode. A second electrode is formed on the dielectric layer, and an alignment layer is formed on the first electrode, the second electrode and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a dispensing system a desired distance between a dispenser and a surface is shown. The system includes a light-emitting device, connected to the dispenser, that emits light in the direction of the surface. The emitted light is reflected off of the surface as well as a mirror connected to the dispenser. Subsequently, all reflected light is received by a sensor. Using the sensor data, a computer calculates the distance between the dispenser and the surface. A servo device then adjusts the location of the dispenser, in accordance with the calculated distance, in order to maintain the desired distance between the dispenser and the surface. One advantage of the system and method is the increased ability to maintain a desired distance between the dispenser and the surface. This can lead to increased and higher quality production by a dispensing system.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell having liquid crystal molecules positioned in a vertical or a substantially vertical alignment is provided. The liquid crystal display cell includes at least two substantially homogeneous fluorinated alignment layers disposed on transparent electrodes; a liquid crystal layer of liquid crystal molecules disposed between the alignment layers; and, a means of applying voltage across the transparent electrodes. Methods for forming these liquid crystal display cells are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a dispensing system a desired distance between a dispenser and a surface is shown. The system includes a light-emitting device, connected to the dispenser, that emits light in the direction of the surface. The emitted light is reflected off of the surface as well as a mirror connected to the dispenser. Subsequently, all reflected light is received by a sensor. Using the sensor data, a computer calculates the distance between the dispenser and the surface. A servo device then adjusts the location of the dispenser, in accordance with the calculated distance, in order to maintain the desired distance between the dispenser and the surface. One advantage of the system and method is the increased ability to maintain a desired distance between the dispenser and the surface. This can lead to increased and higher quality production by a dispensing system.

Abstract: Display panels and methods for fabrication are disclosed for an in-plane switching mode display to reduce or eliminate image sticking. The display panel includes a substrate with a first electrode formed on the substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and the dielectric layer forms an opening down to the first electrode so that the dielectric layer is eliminated over the first electrode. A second electrode is formed on the dielectric layer, and an alignment layer is formed on the first electrode, the second electrode and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display with an array of pixels comprises a liquid crystal layer having transparent electrodes on either side thereof with an alignment layer disposed on each of the electrodes and in contact with opposite surfaces of the liquid crystal layer. The alignment layers are capable of inducing a predetermined pre-tilt angle on the molecules of the liquid crystal. The pre-tilt angle inducing ability of at least one of the alignment layers, which is formed with only one alignment direction, has been selectively altered so that pre-tilt angle inducing ability in the altered area differs in the magnitude of the angle from the pre-tilt angle inducing ability of the unaltered area. With the liquid crystal molecules having at least two different pre-tilt angles, more than one domain is created when voltage is applied across the electrodes. The change in the pre-tilt angle inducing ability in the altered areas is achieved by exposure to a beam, such as ultra violet light, of sufficient energy.

Abstract: A liquid display comprises a first substrate having a plurality of electrodes thereon, a second substrate having a common electrode, and a liquid crystal material disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The common electrode has a pattern of openings therein which causes display elements of the display to have more than one liquid crystal domain. The common electrode is otherwise continuous, except where the pattern of openings is located. The liquid crystal display is of the active matrix variety. It may be a multi-domain homeotropic liquid crystal display or a multi-domain twisted nematic liquid crystal display. It may be a crossover type of display wherein gate lines and data lines are disposed on one substrate and insulated from one another at crossover regions, or a non-crossover type with gate lines, pixel electrodes and active devices on one substrate and data lines having a pattern of openings in accordance with the invention on the opposite substrate.

Abstract: A printhead of a resistive ribbon printer has a column of electrodes formed on each of at least two edge surfaces. When the column of electrodes at one edge surface is worn out after being used for printing, the printhead is rotated so that the column of electrodes at the other edge surface is used for printing. Instead of the column of electrodes at each edge surface being the same size, the column of electrodes at one edge surface could be smaller than at the other edge surface so as to have a higher resolution for graphics whereby the position of the printhead is changed each time that higher resolution is desired and then returned to its initial position when alphanumeric printing is to occur. The printhead could have more than two edge surfaces with each having a column of electrodes for printing when at the printing position.

Abstract: A textile spindle mount is provided by the subject invention in which a layer of elastomeric material is disposed between and attaches to a flat washer along its bottom surface and a cupped washer along its top surface. The cupped washer includes end sections which extend downwardly and attach to the outer edge of the elastomer layer for limiting the bulging thereof under compression loads. The bulging of the elastomer layer is further controlled by removing a generally curved section of elastomeric material adjacent the outer edge of the elastomer layer. As a result, a high compression to shear springrate ratio is obtained with the spindle mount herein which is capable of good noise and vibration isolation and can accommodate high compression loads without bond failure.