Abstract: A load board includes an embedded relay tracker circuit that counts and stores relay clicks to measure relay usage. Having accurate relay usage data reduces maintenance costs. The relay tracker circuit includes a controller with a counter for counting relay clicks of the load board relays and wires or conductive traces connecting the controller to the relays. Each time a relay switches, a signal is transmitted from the relay to the controller and the controller increments the counter. The count information then is stored in a memory connected to the counter.

Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is provided. The bottom electrode of the MIM capacitor is electrically connected to a connection node. The connection node may be, for example, a contact formed in an interlayer dielectric, a polysilicon connection node, a doped polysilicon or silicon region, or the like. A contact provides an electrical connection between the connection node and components formed above the connection node. A second contact provides an electrical connection to the top electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reduction of handoff delays for mobile telematics applications. In particular, the present invention provides a method employing GPS technology to define IP addresses in a mobile environment in order to reduce delays and transient data loss caused by handoff from one network to another.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical noise method, apparatus and system for estimating parameters of interest related to corrosion rates of an electrically conductive article, the method comprising: placing a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode in an environment of interest; measuring potential at open circuit between the working electrode and the reference electrode over time; placing the working electrode under a potentiostatic control; measuring current between the working electrode and the counter electrode for a predetermined period of time, the period of time of measurements may be extended to include a transient event; and estimating the corrosion rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluorogenic probes and corresponding fluorescent compounds, methods of using the probes, compounds and kits that include the probes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to radiolabeled neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists which are useful for the labeling and diagnostic imaging of neurokinin-1 receptors in mammals.

Abstract: A computer mouse includes a mouse body having a flat base for moving over a flat surface, one or more key-activated electrical switches, each having an activation direction parallel to the base, and a wrist support extending from the mouse body.

Abstract: A semiconductor component for electrical coupling to a substrate (230) includes: a semiconductor chip (110); a non-leaded leadframe (120) including a plurality of electrical contacts (130) located around a periphery (111) of the semiconductor chip; a first electrical conductor (140) electrically coupling together the semiconductor chip and the non-leaded leadframe; and a mold compound (210) disposed around the semiconductor chip, the first electrical conductor, and the plurality of electrical contacts. At least one electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts includes: a first surface (310) having a first surface area for electrically coupling to the semiconductor chip; and a second surface (320) opposite the first surface and having a second surface area for electrically coupling to the substrate, where the second surface area is larger than the first surface area.

Abstract: A method for performing an in-service software upgrade to a data router follows steps of (a) providing a source node hosting an upgrade software package; (b) causing an upgrade command to be executed; (c) establishing, as a result of the upgrade command, a network session between the data router and the source node; (d) receiving the upgrade software at the router; (e) copying and distributing, within the router, the upgrade software to designated components slated for upgrade; (f) designating one or more components in the router as backups for each component to be upgraded; (g) backing up services and software running on each target element to be upgraded to designated backup element or elements while upgrade proceeds for the target element; (h) causing a switchover at the target element to the new software; and (i) repeating steps (g) and (h) until all the components slated for upgrade are upgraded.

Abstract: A constant voltage/constant power AC adapter converts AC voltage to DC voltage to provide power to a plurality of loads. The adapter's output characteristic is approximately a constant voltage as long as the output current draw by the loads is less than a threshold (e.g. a safety threshold for the adapter). If, however, the power draw on the adapter is such that the output current exceeds the threshold, the adapter then decreases its output voltage to maintain the power draw at a safe level. One or more loads that draw power from the adapter may be adapted to detect a drop in the AC adapter's output voltage. When such a voltage drop is detected, that information tells the load that too much current is being drawn from the adapter and that the load should throttle back (e.g., reducing battery charge current, CPU clock frequency, display brightness, etc.).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that deposits an aqueous material having a pH between approximately 10 and 11 in a first opening and on an oxide hard mask, deposits an organic material on the aqueous material, and patterns a photoresist over the organic material. The invention then etches the organic material and the aqueous material through the photoresist to form a second opening above the first opening and forms a polymer along sidewalls of the second opening. The invention can then perform a wet cleaning process using an alkali solution having a pH between approximately 10 and 11 to remove the aqueous material from the first opening. By utilizing an alkali aqueous (water-based) material having a pH of approximately 10-11, the invention can use a fairly low pH wet etch (pH of approximately 10-11) to completely remove the aqueous solution from the via, thereby eliminating the conventional problem of having residual organic material left within the via.

Abstract: An optical device that includes a grating (for example a moving reflective grating) and a light source disposed opposing a predetermined side of the grating. The optical device also includes a first reference grating (e.g., a fixed grating) disposed between the light source and the grating, a detector disposed opposing the predetermined side of the grating and a second reference grating (e.g., a fixed grating) disposed between the detector and the grating. The grating, first reference grating and light source are configured for movement relative to one another. For example, the grating can be moveable while the light source and first reference grating are fixed.

Abstract: A system and method for power management of an optical mouse. A mechanical displacement sensor associated with the optical mouse is used to detect movement of the optical mouse. When the optical mouse is motionless, a switch within the mechanical displacement sensor sets the optical mouse to a standby state. The standby state conserves power. When motion is detected by the mechanical displacement sensor, the switch powers up the optical mouse into its normal mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safe knife sheath comprising a sheath body and a movable blade support, wherein the blade support is mounted inside the sheath body movable in a sliding motion. The front part of the sheath body has a push button. A positioning element is connected to the lower part of the push button. A positioning groove corresponding to the positioning element is disposed in the lower part of the blade support. A positioning channel is disposed inside the sheath body on the top. A positioning lobe corresponding to the positioning channel is disposed on the top of the blade support. A first reset spring is connected to the top of the push button at one end, and the other end of which is fixed in the upper end of the sheath body. A trapezoidal piece is disposed in the back of the blade support. A second reset spring is disposed on the lower side of the trapezoidal piece.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for topical administration, including, as the pharmaceutically active component, at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition of a piperidinopyrimidine derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; an acid in an amount to completely solubilise the piperidinopyrimidine derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; a solvent composition including at least two of water, a lower alcohol and a co-solvent selected from one or more of the group consisting of aromatic and polyhydric alcohols; wherein when the co-solvent includes propylene glycol, it is present in an amount of less than approximately 10% by weight.

Abstract: In a polarity detector circuit for detecting the polarity of monitor sync signals, a clock generator and counter circuit are provided to count clock cycles during the positive and negative portions of the signal. Comparators are used to compare the counter values to predetermined values to determine when one or both of the counters has reached a predefined value. With the proper choice of sampling clock, this digital implementation can be easily optimized for small size and simplicity.

Abstract: A mobile toy is described. The mobile toy includes a wheel assembly having a hubcap for removably engaging a wheel of the wheel assembly. The mobile toy may also include a transmitter having a charging pad for charging of a radio-controlled embodiment of the toy. The transmitter comprises an indicator showing certain states of the toy as well as a storage compartment for housing items associated with the toy. Additional embodiments include an assembly for retaining the toy on the charging pad during charging of the toy. A kit for storing the components of the radio-controlled embodiment of the toy is also described.

Abstract: A hybrid clean-energy power-supply framework integrates a fuel cell, solar cell, and wind energy, applies a max power tracking rule, raises the output power of a solar cell and wind energy to supply a power load and transfer the surplus electrical energy to a water-electrolyzing apparatus for producing hydrogen and oxygen, and provides a fuel for a fuel cell power generating system. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes features of each clean-energy power generating system, depends on the powerful calculation capacity of a central processing unit to monitor and dispatch each power generation and supply system, and thus ensures the reliability of supply power and reduces the power generation cost. Such a framework can selectively grid-connect with the utility power or run as a stand-alone power supply system and has a mechanism for preventing the island effect.