Abstract: In a singulation saw for sawing either substrates or wafers there is provided a pair of counter-rotating saw blades mounted for independent movement in a vertical direction for alternately engaging with a first substrate to be singulated. A transport system comprising a pair of substrate carriers reciprocates the first substrate under the pair of saw blades while alternate ones of the saw blades are engaged to cut the substrate. While the first substrate is being cut, the second or other substrate carrier sequentially unloads a cut substrate, loads a new uncut substrate and then moves the uncut substrate to a vision system for determining the position of the substrate relative to the second carrier and then positions the second carrier and its substrate in a standby position ready to be cut by the pair of saw blades that are cutting the first substrate.

Abstract: A modular assembly for a dense wavelength division multiplexing system a base having at least one handle, a first connector panel attached to the base, a second connector panel attached to the base, a multiplexing clamp, a first splice platform and a second splice platform.

Abstract: An integrated optoelectronic circuit and process for making is described incorporating a photodetector and a MODFET on a chip. The chip contains a single-crystal semiconductor substrate, a buffer layer of SiGe graded in composition, a relaxed SiGe layer, a quantum well layer, an undoped SiGe spacer layer and a doped SiGe supply layer. The photodetector may be a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) or a p-i-n device. The detector may be integrated with an nor p-type MODFET, or both in a CMOS configuration, and the MODFET can incorporate a Schottky or insulating gate. The invention overcomes the problem of producing Si-manufacturing-compatible monolithic high-speed optoelectronic circuits for 850 nm operation by using epixially-grown Si/SiGe heterostructure layers.

Abstract: A sawing system (200) incorporates a vision zone (220) between a loading/unloading zone (115) and a sawing zone (210). This arrangement allows a dual spindle counter rotating saw assembly (230) to be more rigidly mounted, which reduces the displacement of the saw assembly during the sawing process. This, advantageously reduces the variation in the cut made by the saw blades of the saw assembly to comply with a predetermined required tolerance. In addition, with the vision zone (220) located between the loading/unloading zone (115) and the sawing zone (210), a semiconductor wafer or substrate is transported from the loading/unloading zone (115) to the vision zone (220) without passing the sawing zone (210). Consequently, exposure of a semiconductor wafer or substrate to water or debris from the sawing process is avoided, and imaging can be performed at the vision zone (220) without water or debris adversely affecting the imaging.

Abstract: For use in a hospital or other medical facility, provided is a powered surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can be used by doctors and the like for the dissection of bone and tissue. The surgical instrument includes a disposable drive unit and a dissection tool. The drive unit is made of a moldable or non-machined material, such as plastic, which does not have to sustain repeated use and sterilization over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method and structure for an integrated circuit including a differential amplifier having at least two inputs and at least two outputs; a pair of first resistors, each of which is coupled to one of the inputs; a pair of first source followers, each of which is coupled to one of the first resistors; a pair of second source followers, each of which is coupled to one of the out puts; a pair of second resistors, each of which is coupled to one of the second source followers and to one of said inputs; and a gain device connected between the first resistors and the first source followers.

Abstract: A method and a layered heterostructure for forming p-channel field effect transistors is described incorporating a plurality of semiconductor layers on a semiconductor substrate, a composite channel structure of a first epitaxial Ge layer and a second compressively strained SiGe layer having a higher barrier or a deeper confining quantum well and having extremely high hole mobility. The invention overcomes the problem of a limited hole mobility for a p-channel device with only a single compressively strained SiGe channel layer.

Abstract: A motor control strategy for use in combination with an electric motor (1) having a number of phase windings (201, 202, 203) is disclosed, the motor (1) being adapted to produce an output torque in response to current in the windings comprising the steps of during normal operation generating a motor torque demand signal indicative of the output torque required from the motor (1), applying a first set of currents to the windings of the motor in response to the motor torque demand signal to produce a first output torque from the motor and during a test operation to enable diagnostics to be performed generating a motor current demand signal indicative of the total current required in the motor windings (201, 202, 203) and adjusting the currents applied to one or more of the windings in response to both the torque demand signal and the motor current demand signal, whereby the adjusted currents produced in the windings are substantially equal to the total current demanded by the motor current demand signal regardl

Abstract: An item of footwear has an opening 4 for insertion of a wearer's foot and a pair of rigid fastening elements 10 and 11 for drawing together opposite sides of the opening. The first element 10 has a screw thread 14 to receive a bead 15, and the free end of the second element 11 is bent orthogonally and formed into a U-shaped hook 16. When the wearer has placed his/her foot into the boot the element 10 is placed over the mouth of the hook 16. By applying gentle finger pressure the bead 15 is caused to ride over the shank of the second element 11 so that the hook 16 embraces the first element 10 and engages behind the bead 15. The tension in the fastening can be adjusted by screwing the bead 15 along the thread 14. The fastening is easy to engage and disengage when the wearer's fingers are cold or when wearing heavy gloves, yet the fastening is secure enough to be used with snowboarding or ski boots.

Abstract: A pad (11) having a non-slip surface, the pad adapted for attachment to a substrate and for use in combination with a garment worn by a person, the pad comprising a layer of a flexible non-slip material. having a lower surface adapted to be removably attached to said substrate and an upper surface which is partially covered by a hook and loop type fastener (14) and the garment has a surface complementary to the hook and loop type fastener, such that in use the person can control the extent of engagement between the complementary surface of the garment and the hook and loop type fastener of the pad by selectively placing the garment on the pad so that the complementary surface can contact both the hook and loop type fastener and non-slip material.

Abstract: An optical transceiver having a transimpedance amplifier with an in-situ optical power meter is disclosed which realizes that the common mode voltage of a peak-to-peak voltage signal derived from impinging light is related to the optical power of the impinging light. The peak-to-peak voltage signals, moreover, can be imposed on the common mode voltage so that the optical power measurements can be derived with existing electrical contacts. In the preferred embodiment, the optical power meter takes advantage of certain functions within a transimpedance amplifier of the optical receiver. First, the use of an nfet and a capacitor smooth the peak-to-peak voltage to create the control signal for the common mode voltage. Then the common mode current is mirrored into a bank of pfets at the output stage to create a current sink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication systems and in particular relates to the time alignment of uplink CDMA signals. A simple approach for improving the performance of received CDMA signals is discussed. This consists of aligning the timings of users' signals such that the maximum output power from a single rake finger for each user occurs simultaneously. This allows the timing to be adjusted for each user's signal independently of the others and has the effect of minimizing any interference between users. The invention provides a time alignment mechanism which employs a minimum of signalling.

Abstract: There is provided a wet wipes dispensing system. The system includes a plurality of separably joined wet wipes and the plurality of separably joined wet wipes include a lubricant. The system also includes a dispenser including a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber housing the plurality of separably joined wet wipes therein. The dispenser also includes a flexible elastic sealing orifice through which wet wipes from the plurality of separably joined wet wipes can be dispensed from the sealed chamber. At least a portion of the lubricant is automatically transferable to the flexible elastic sealing orifice when wet wipes from the plurality of separably joined wet wipes are dispensed from the sealed chamber through the flexible elastic sealing orifice whereby a drag relationship between the wet wipes and the flexible elastic sealing orifice is reduced by at least about 20%.

Abstract: In a cellular radio communications system, using for example spread-spectrum communication, handoff between signals in different cells or in different sectors of sectored cells can be used to provide diversity reception at a mobile station and at cell sites and so to improve the reliability of data decoding. In sectored cells the diversity between signals in adjacent sectors can be low if the fading of the signals is correlated. The invention thus improves diversity gain by prioritising handoff between sectors or cells providing or expected to provide greater signal diversity over handoff between sectors providing or expected to provide less signal diversity, such as between adjacent sectors in sectored cells. Signals are therefore selected for diversity combining on the basis of both signal strength and signal diversity.

Abstract: A system for providing one or more interactive applications to one or more users via a wireless communications network, the system including: one or more servers cooperating with the network to substantially deliver one or more interactive applications to one or more wireless access devices each corresponding to at least one of the users; wherein, after the one or more wireless access devices receive the substantially delivered one or more applications, upon request of one of the users the one or more corresponding wireless access devices receives communication from the server to facilitate the one of the users accessing the one or more interactive applications using the corresponding wireless access device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a self-aligned, panel mounted cord set, a method of manufacture therefor and an electronic equipment chassis employing the same. One end of the cord set is mounted in an aperture on a panel of an electronic equipment chassis (typically a back panel). The cord set self-aligns when mounted in the aperture to provide a mating connection with an electronic module housed in the chassis. In one embodiment of the invention the self-aligned panel mounted cord set has an elongated body with first and second opposing ends. Coupled to the first end is a power cord configured to mate with an electrical source, such as an AC wall outlet. Coupled to the second end is an electronic module connector configured to mate with the electronic module. About the elongated body is a flange with an alignment post thereon configured to align the elongated body with respect to the panel when positioned in the aperture.

Abstract: A container holder is formed from a single sheet of foldable material having opposite edge portions 2 and 3. A projection 6 on the edge portion 3 is insertable within the slot 5 in the other edge portion 2 so that the container holder 1 can be secured about a container 9 and a plant 10. The container holder 1 has an upwardly extending portion 4 which can act as a splash guard during watering of the plant 10 but also can feature advertisements or plant information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable presentation device (1) comprising a container having a lid (3) and a base (4), a first display device (7) and a controller (10) for driving the first display device (7). The portable presentation device is in the form of a briefcase, with the first display device (7) built into the lid (3) of the briefcase. With the lid (3) opened so that the first display device (7) is perpendicular to the base, presentations may be conveniently given to a small group of viewers with the first display device (7) being manipulable by means of the controller (10). The controller (10) may also have its own display (11) so that the operator may easily view and control the presentation himself.

Abstract: An improved laser diode driving circuit is disclosed which includes a current source, an operational amplifier, a light sensing device, a current mirror, and a constant current source. The current source is coupled to the laser diode for biasing the laser diode. The operational amplifier has an output coupled to the current source for driving the current source. The operational amplifier includes a first and a second input. The first input is coupled to a reference voltage. The second input receives a feedback signal. The light sensing device is coupled to a first supply voltage for detecting a portion of an optical power output from the laser. The light sensing device generates a monitor current proportional to the detected optical power output. The current mirror is coupled to the light sensing device and the second input of the operational amplifier. The current mirror receives the monitor current and generates a mirror current which is substantially equal to the monitor current.

Abstract: A method of testing a high-side driver and a low-side driver in an airbag squib circuit includes preliminary testing of squib resistance and squib leakage for a plurality of trials. Next, one of the drivers is turned on while keeping the other one of the drivers off. A current-limited power supply supplies an intermediate voltage to a squib terminal and the voltage at the terminal is continuously compared with a predetermined voltage range which includes the intermediate voltage. The one driver is turned off in response to the voltage at the point being outside the predetermined voltage range, thereby detecting that the one driver is operating properly. If the voltage at the point remains in the predetermined voltage range for a predetermined time period, then the one driver is turned off and an indication is made that the one driver has failed. If the first driver passed, then the other driver is tested in the same manner.