Abstract: A handheld computer which contains an LCD display having a digitizing surface to allow pen input. Internal storage takes several forms, such as a large flash ROM area, battery-backed up RAM and an optional hard disk drive. Several alternative communication paths are available, such as the previously mentioned modem, a parallel printer port, a conventional serial port, a cradle assembly connected to the host computer, and various wireless short distance techniques such as radio frequency or infrared transmission. The computer can readily communicate with other sources, particularly to a host desktop computer, to allow automated synchronization of information between the host and the handheld system. Preferably the remote synchronization is performed at several user selectable levels. When the handheld computer is in a cradle and actively connected to the host computer, automatic capture of updated data in the host computer is performed.

Abstract: An automated assembly machine for fabricating large mechanical structures including a floor assembly jig for receiving and holding parts in a desired orientation, a pair of carriages, a first drive mechanism for independently driving the carriages longitudinally, a second drive mechanism for moving the carriages vertically, a tool tray mounted on the carriages, and a plurality of tools, including a drill, a hole diameter measurement probe, a nut runner, and an electromagnetic riveter, mounted on the tool tray for lateral movement toward and away from a workpiece clamp-up position. The tools are positioned at the workpiece clamp-up position by moving one of the carriages longitudinally along the floor assembly jig and raising the other carriage to elevate the tool tray to a desired elevation.

Abstract: A novel wire module support structure for controlling the spacing and edge wire angle of an electrode wire relative to a donor roll in a scavengeless development process is disclosed. A stationary wire support is arc shaped with a rounded edge and is located in close proximity to the donor roll end. This spatial relationship between the donor roll end and the wire support surface optimizes the donor roll surface to wire relationship. The wire support surface may be at a greater or lesser radius than the the donor roll surface. When the wire support surface is located at a larger radius than the donor roll surface, a clamp assembly is used to control the height of the wires with respect to the donor roll surface.

Abstract: A method for developing and characterizing a polish process for polishing an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer for a specific product or a specific patterned metal layer is provided. A statistically-based model for ILD planarization by chemical mechanical polish (CMP) is used as a guide to determine, in an empirical manner, the proper amount of ILD polishing that will be required to planarize an ILD layer. The statistically-based model also shows the resulting ILD thicknesses to be expected. By relating the blank test wafer polished amount to the maximum amount of oxide removed from the field areas in the die and the total indicated range across the die, the ILD deposition thickness can be adjusted to attain the desired planarized ILD thickness. The attainment of local planarity, however, must be confirmed by an independent measurement technique. The polish process development methodology is extendible with respect to minimum interconnect feature size.

Abstract: A process and solution for cleaning Fe contaminants bound to a metallized semiconductor surface after CMP planarization. The solution comprises a PH buffered solution including hydrofluoric acid and a ligand selected from a group consisting of citrates and EDTA.

Abstract: A microwave arrangement, such as a splitter and combiner, is formed by sandwiching a conductive ground plane between two dielectric microstrip boards whose outer faces carry RF traces and extending the ground plane with a conductive plurality of distributed via holes that contact the ground plane and pass through the boards to their outer faces. Connections are made between the traces on the surfaces with additional conductive via holes that pass through the ground plane where the ground plane forms openings for passage of the via holes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dimensioning and manipulating a patterned material by selectively applying a vacuum and/or positive pressure to the patterned material.

Abstract: A bunk bed structure having a vertically movable upper bunk provides a main frame having two spaced corner posts at each end interconnected by end cross pieces in their upper extensions, with a side support interconnecting the upper portions of each end post on one side of the main frame. A lower bunk frame having a depending medial portion to support a bed board and bedding is carried by four tubular corner collars on the lower portions of each of the corner posts. A similar upper bunk frame is slidably carried by four tubular corner collars on the corner posts for vertical motion above the lower bunk frame. Each upper bunk corner collar has associated fastening pins that releasably fasten and positionally maintain the collar on its associated corner post.

Abstract: A system for vehicle climate control comprises a number of sensors probing the speed of the vehicle, the position of climate temperature unit and mode doors, the speed of the fan, ambient and interior temperature, and airflow setting. In a body controller, the probed data are correlated to look-up table values to keep the airflow volume constant and to decrease voltage applied to a fan motor when the speed of the vehicle increases. A method of practicing the climate control implemented in the system comprises a sequence of steps providing sensing a number of parameters, defining and storing in a controller memory a data characterizing relationship between the speed of the vehicle and the other parameters of the system, and correlating the sensed and stored data to maintain the airflow volume substantially constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating the required beamforming delays for an ultrasound imaging system with minimal hardware and software. The apparatus performs an algorithm which allows the required computations to be separated into three groups. The first group includes transducer array geometry computations which are beam independent. The second group includes a small number of beam-dependent computations which are channel independent. The final group includes the channel- and beam-dependent calculations which combine the results of the first two groups to generate the required beamforming delays. This last computation is distributed to logic and simple real-time state machines per channel. This approach reduces the required computations and takes advantage of simple parallel processing to reduce the required hardware and computational time relative to conventional beamformer designs.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes an elastic distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with a thin planar base defines a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet. Disposed within the fluid chamber is a thin fluid permeable member which precisely controls the rate of fluid flow through the fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a highly novel fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visual indication of fluid flow through the apparatus.

Abstract: A padding system adapted for a sink including a sink insert having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls. The sink insert is dimensioned for receipt within a sink. The closed lower end has a drainage aperture formed therethrough in a central portion thereof. The drainage aperture is disposed over an existing drain of a sink. The open upper end has a peripheral flange extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A novel homogeneous human cytokine, Natural Killer Stimulatory Factor, having the ability to induce the production of gamma interferon in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and a pharmaceutical preparation containing it.

Abstract: Methods of inducing gamma interferon production and stimulating lymphocyte populations using Natural Killer Stimulatory Factor (NKSF) are disclosed.

Abstract: A cooling system utilizes a pulse-tube expander having a hollow pulse tube and three hollow regenerator tubes that lie parallel to and laterally displaced from the pulse tube, and are arranged in triangular fashion about the pulse tube. A cold end of each of the regenerator tubes is in gas pressure communication with a cold end of the pulse tube. Pulsing gas pressure is supplied to a warm end of each of the regenerator tubes, and a surge volume communicates with a warm end of the pulse tube. A heat sink is provided at the warm end of the regenerator tubes and the pulse tube to remove heat therefrom and from the pulsing gas. Heat is extracted from a heat load at the cold end of the regenerator tubes and the pulse tube.

Abstract: A ring loader device is used for expanding an elastic cincture band prior to application to a user's male sex organ for cincturing an engorged condition thereof as a treatment for impotence. A cone component has a conical shaped pyramid with vertical grooves. A corresponding dome component has matable ribs which are received in the cone grooves. The ribs enter the grooves and align the cone and dome as they are matably pressed together. As a prior step, a suitable elastic ring is placed over the tapered smaller end of the cone component, and becomes expanded against the cone outer surface as the dome is pressed onto the cone. The cone may include particular surface contours for corresponding receipt of inside diameter features of the elastic ring, such as a urethra channel or radially inward points for added cincturing pressure. The cone and dome arrangement may be used to expand and align an elastic ring onto a transfer collar, or directly onto the outside diameter of a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A processor includes storage circuitry for storing an instruction and memory circuitry addressable by a microaddress for outputting a microinstruction in response to the microaddress. The processor further includes sequencing circuitry coupled to provide the microaddress to the memory circuitry. Finally, the processor includes decode circuitry coupled to the storage circuitry for detecting whether the instruction stored in the storage circuitry comprises a single clock instruction before the memory circuit outputs the microinstruction, and for indicating to the sequencing circuitry in response to detecting whether the instruction stored in the storage circuitry comprises a single clock instruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a wrapper to a paper roll, a turret mechanism has a crimper and an inside head holder on one side and an outside head applying platen on the opposite side, a drive for rotating the turret mechanism to place the crimper and inside head holder adjacent the paper roll end to place an inside head on the paper roll and crimp the wrapper over the inside head, and then rotating the turret mechanism to place the outside head applying platen adjacent the paper roll to place an outside head over the crimped wrapper all at a single station. The inside head holder has several retractable vacuum cups that can also apply positive air pressure to hold the inside head against the roll and during crimping. The vacuum cups are sequentially, independently retracted as a crimp approaches to clear the crimp as the paper roll is rotated.

Abstract: Absorbable biocompatible polymer blends useful to manufacture medical devices. The blends have a first major phase including polymers such as poly(lactide homopolymers and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers and combination thereof. The blends have a second minor phase include copolymers of poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone-co-p-dioxanone).