Abstract: This disclosure relates to a data storage medium, and in particular to a data storage medium comprising at least one high modulus layer used to control the overall degree of flatness in the storage medium.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning wheel and vacuum applicator having a stationary vacuum chamber, a ported wheel that rotates around the stationary vacuum chamber, and a stationary shoe that acts as the vacuum applicator and is positioned between the ported wheel and an article such as a cigarette filter rod to be cleaned. An article or articles having cavities filled with granular particles is passed underneath the stationary shoe and rotating ported wheel, with the movement of the article being synchronized with the rotation of the ported wheel. The stationary shoe provided between the rotating ported wheel and the article having particle filled cavities ensures that vacuum is only applied to remove loose particles in between the particle filled cavities, with vacuum being cut off abruptly to ports that are passing over the particle filled cavities and with the particles that have been cleaned being removed completely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compacting particles or granules in discrete cavities spaced along an article or articles such as a cigarette filter rod moved underneath the compacting system. The compacting system can be provided with spaced lugs or other protrusions that selectively compact particles within cavities, or a smooth outer periphery that results in progressive compaction of the entire article being moved underneath the compaction system. The article having cavities with particles that need to be compacted can be supported on a support rail with side support rails that maintain the shape of the article during the compaction process.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a tagging material is provided wherein the tagging material comprises at least one organic fluorophore dye, at least one inorganic fluorophore, at least one organometallic fluorophore, at least one semi-conducting luminescent nanoparticle, or combination thereof, wherein the tagging material has a temperature stability of at least about 350° C. and is present in a sufficient quantity such that the tagging material is detectible via a spectrofluorometer at an excitation wavelength in a range between about 100 nanometers and about 1100 nanometers. Further embodiments of the present invention include a method for identifying a polymer and an article comprising a polymer wherein the polymer contains the aforementioned tagging material.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a tagging material is provided wherein the tagging material comprises at least one organic fluorophore dye, at least one inorganic fluorophore, at least one organometallic fluorophore, at least one semi-conducting luminescent nanoparticle, or combination thereof, wherein the tagging material has a temperature stability of at least about 350° C. and is present in a sufficient quantity such that the tagging material is detectible via a spectrofluorometer at an excitation wavelength in a range between about 100 nanometers and about 1100 nanometers. Further embodiments of the present invention include a method for identifying a polymer and an article comprising a polymer wherein the polymer contains the aforementioned tagging material.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning wheel and vacuum applicator having a stationary vacuum chamber, a ported wheel that rotates around the stationary vacuum chamber, and a stationary shoe that acts as the vacuum applicator and is positioned between the ported wheel and an article such as a cigarette filter rod to be cleaned. An article or articles having cavities filled with granular particles is passed underneath the stationary shoe and rotating ported wheel, with the movement of the article being synchronized with the rotation of the ported wheel. The stationary shoe provided between the rotating ported wheel and the article having particle filled cavities ensures that vacuum is only applied to remove loose particles in between the particle filled cavities, with vacuum being cut off abruptly to ports that are passing over the particle filled cavities and with the particles that have been cleaned being removed completely.

Abstract: A method of distributing a plurality of documents includes associating a metadata file with each of the documents, applying a content attribute to each of the documents and appending the metadata file of each of the documents with the content attribute, and assigning a content group to each of the documents based on the content attribute of a respective one of the documents and modifying the metadata file of each of the documents to include the content group of the respective one of the documents. In addition, the method further includes defining a plurality of content categories and associating the content group with at least one of the content categories, and distributing for the at least one of the content categories each of the documents assigned the content group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing an integrated circuit using compressed data from a remote fusebox allows a reduction in the number of fuses required to repair or customize an integrated circuit and allows fuses to be grouped outside of the macros repaired by the fuses. The remote location of fuses allows flexibility in the placement of macros having redundant repair capability, as well as a preferable grouping of fuses for both programming convenience and circuit layout facilitation. The fuses are arranged in rows and columns and represent control words and run-length compressed data to provide a greater quantity of repair points per fuse. The data can be loaded serially into shift registers and shifted to the macro locations to control the selection of redundant circuits to repair integrated circuits having defects or to customize logic.

Abstract: Methods for making and using dissipative ceramic bonding tool tips for wire bonding electrical connections to bonding pads on integrated circuit chips and packages. The method of using the dissipative ceramic bonding tool tip includes dissipating charge while bonding to avoid damaging delicate electronic devices by a sudden surge of accumulated charge. The method of making the tool tip includes affecting its conductivity so that it conducts electricity at a rate sufficient to prevent charge buildup, but not sufficient to overload the device being bonded. For best results, a resistance in the tip assembly itself should range from 5×104 or 105 to 1012 ohms. In addition, the tips must also have specific mechanical properties to function satisfactorily.

Abstract: Dissipative ceramic bonding tips for wire bonding electrical connections to bonding pads on integrated circuits chips and packages are disclosed. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, to avoid damaging delicate electronic devices by any electrostatic discharge, an ultrasonic bonding wedge tool tip must conduct electricity at a rate sufficient to prevent charge buildup, but not at so high a rate as to overload the device being bonded. For best results, a resistance in the tip assembly itself should range from 105 to 1012 ohms. In addition, the wedges must also have specific mechanical properties to function satisfactorily.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a clock for providing a clock signal, means for providing a delayed version of the clock signal, two transparent latches having clock inputs controlled by opposite polarities of the delayed clock signal, a multiplexer having (i) inputs fed by outputs of the latches, and (ii) a select input fed by the clock signal, and means for providing a select signal for selecting the latch whose clock is inactive. Preferably, each of the latches has a scan input gate and a scan output gate, and the scan output of the first latch is applied to the scan input of the second latch to form a scannable latch pair. Also, preferably, the apparatus further comprises a data port for applying data to the first and second latches, and an exclusive OR gate at the data port, whereby the apparatus produces a gated clock signal. Also disclosed is a method of operating this apparatus.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable tray comprising a platform substantially encircled by a peripheral wall extending from the platform. An internal wall extends across the platform and defines first and second chambers and a passage therebetween. The fiber optic cable passes from the first chamber, through the passage, and through the second chamber. A retainer positioned in the passage receives and arrestingly engages the fiber optic cable as it passes from the first chamber to the second chamber, thereby fixing the length of the portion of cable passing through the second chamber.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having a signal plane with increased channel width for enhanced wireability. The printed circuit board has a top plane having component lands arranged in a grid, wherein the component lands include a first grouping arranged in a first diagonal, and a second grouping arranged in a second diagonal where the second diagonal is parallel and adjacent to the first diagonal, a plurality of offset lands placed within the first diagonal between the component lands therein, and a plurality of electrical connectors electrically coupling component lands in the second diagonal to adjacent offset lands in the first diagonal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables elements of a phase locked loop (PLL) (300). The PLL 300 includes a plurality of elements (202, 203, 204, 205). Each element produces an output signal (207, 208, 209, 116 or 117). Each element has a response time (t3−t2) defined by the difference in time between a first time (t2) at which the element is enabled and a second time (t3), occurring after the first time (t2), at which the output signal of the element reaches a steady state condition. A voltage controlled oscillator (204) of the plurality of elements, having a first response time (t3−t2) is enabled at the first time (t2) responsive to a first control signal (302). A loop divider (205) of the plurality of elements, having a second response time less than the first response time (t3−t2), is enabled responsive to the first response time (t3−t2) and a second control signal (303). The present invention advantageously provides fast lock time for the PLL (300).