Abstract: A method for controlling electronic article surveillance (EAS) transmissions is described. The method includes calculating system parameters associated with one or more of a desired frequency, a desired duty cycle, and a desired phase difference between antennas for a transmitter, and initializing a counter with a value based on the system parameters. The method also includes comparing a count from the counter to the system parameters, and modulating EAS transmission signals based on the comparison between the count and the system parameters. An EAS transmitter and an EAS system are also described.

Abstract: A method for controlling signal decay of a transmitted signal within a transmitter is described. The method includes measuring an amount of current induced back into the transmitter by the decaying signal, and using the current measurement to control the decay of the signal after the signal is transmitted from the load. A transmitter for an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is also described which includes a current sensing circuit configured to at least sense an amount of current induced back into the transmitter by the load after transmission of the signal, and a transmitter control circuit configured to utilize the sensed current to determine an amount and a polarity of current to be applied to the load to reduce the induced current to a desired value.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a transmitter in an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system is described that includes coupling each of a plurality of transmit channels to a corresponding antenna, configuring a modulator within each transmit channel to output a modulated signal to the corresponding antenna, providing feedback of each modulated signal, and adjusting operation of each modulator based on the feedback. An EAS transmitter and an EAS system are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying, tracking and handling lumber to be cut-in-two includes a scanner and optimizer to scan the length of a board and to compare the scanned board to predetermined criteria so as to identify a board which, optimally, would be cut into two pieces along its length. An identification device applies a detectable indicator to the board. A transfer transfers in a downstream direction, the board from the scanner to the identification device, and from the identification device to a lug-loader loading device adjacent and immediately upstream of a lug loader. A detector cooperates with the lug-loader loading device so as to detect the detectable indicator on the board and to delay the loading of the lug loader following loading of the board into a lug space so that an immediately subsequent lug space behind and upstream of the board is left empty so as to receive a portion of the board cut from the board once the board is cut-in-two in a downstream trimmer or other sawing device.

Abstract: Bonding machines have transparent elements on their bonding axes. Magnified optical means are positioned to view bonding tips and integrated-circuit chips simultaneously through the transparent elements thereby facilitating alignment of the chips to the tips. In one embodiment a bonding tip is transparent and a transparent compliant bonding member is utilized in conjunction with the tip to produce compliant bonds. Another embodiment utilizes a transparent tip in a "hard tip" type of bonding operation. A third embodiment utilizes a transparent tray closely positionable to the bonding tip. After alignment of the tip to one of the chips is achieved the tray is removed and bonding proceeds on an accurately positioned substrate.