Abstract: The time required to perform a passive voltage contrast test of an area of interest of a layer of interest is substantially reduced by digitizing a passive voltage contrast image to form contrast data that represents the image, and comparing the contrast data to computer aided design (CAD) data that defines the semiconductor device.

Abstract: In an analysis of a semiconductor device under test (DUT) using a Thermal Induced Voltage Alteration (TIVA) tool, the TIVA is connected to an output of the DUT and the DC component on the output is decoupled from the TIVA. The remaining AC component from the output is analyzed by the TIVA while scanning the DUT with a scanning laser to identify locations on the DUT that produce signal anomalies at the DUT output.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for initiating bidding in a virtual trade financial environment. First, a form is submitted to a plurality of buyers providing details on products or services available from a plurality of sellers. This is to prompt the submission of bids on the products or services. The bids are then received from the buyers utilizing a network. Thereafter, the bids are categorized based on a predetermined criteria. The categorized bids are subsequently sent to the sellers utilizing the network. Offers are then received from the sellers in response to the bids utilizing the network. The offers are displayed to the buyers for closing transactions between the buyers and the sellers.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for creating a finalized document relating to a transaction. A buyer selects documents associated with a proposed transaction and indicates trade terms of an agreement relating to the documents selected. The trade terms are presented to a seller on an electronic form via an electronic document platform. The electronic form includes a combined purchase order proforma invoice, a transportation document, and a shipping document. The seller can amend the trade terms on the form, and each amendment creates a new version of the form. Negotiations of the trade terms between the buyer and the seller are conducted electronically and the negotiated fonn detailing the negotiation of the trade terms is generated and displayed electronically, also. A compliance check is performed and is triggered in response to a digital signature of the form. Payment is initiated to the seller after a verification of credit of the buyer.

Abstract: A hinged explosively formed projectile warhead system eliminates exposure of soldiers to harm in wall breaching operations by providing a lethal mechanism that can be deployed at safe distances, simultaneously breaching a man-sized hole and removing one or more rows of rebar in reinforced concrete structures or barriers. The warhead system employs both a missile system and explosively formed projectile warhead technology delivered to the target from a tube launched platform. A set of warhead arms is attached to the aft end of a missile body by means of a set of hinges. The warhead arms are initially folded against the missile body. After launch of the warhead system, the warhead arms fold away from the missile body. The angle at which the warhead arms are folded from the missile body determines the area of a hole breached by the warhead system in a reinforced concrete target.

Abstract: Point-by-point image contrast values are generated from secondary electron collection during unbiased electron or ion beam bombardment of an integrated circuit (IC) in a vacuum environment to quantify the physical and electrical integrity of connections within the device. These values are stored for each type of circuit cell under standard conditions to quantify and check the performance of individual cells on the device.

Abstract: A transformer has a primary winding made from a first conducting trace formed on a first multilayer printed circuit board, and a secondary winding made from a second conducting trace formed on a second multilayer printed circuit board. The primary winding is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding. The windings are etched as traces in copper layers of the PC boards as spirals. The spiral of one copper layer is connected to the spiral of a different copper layer by a via, or vias, formed through the insulating layer of the PC board. The vias are drilled, cleaned, and plated with conducting material, for example copper. By using multiple layers, and by connecting spiral windings of each layer to the windings of the next layer by use of vias, any number of turns can be built into a primary winding, or into a secondary winding.

Abstract: Door-lock hardware is constructed of corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel. Such a material lacks magnetic properties to permit use in association with magnetic switches coupled to signal alarm and security systems. However, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a door latch of stainless steel or other non-magnetic material includes a ferrous-coated tongue portion to maintain compatibility with such monitors and alarms while providing a higher level of rust- and corrosion-resistance.

Abstract: A single stage kinetic energy warhead using multiple explosively formed projectile (EFP) liners in a stacked configuration is capable of breaching intermediate barriers and defeating a primary target. The main explosive charge is detonated and the subsequent shockwave causes the front liner to be shaped to breach an intermediate barrier. The main liner is formed into a more compact rod-shaped projectile designed to defeat the main target. The weight and volume of the stacked liner configuration of the present system is significantly lower than the weight and volume of current systems. The present system requires a single firing explosive train eliminating developmental cost and complex fusing. The present system utilizes explosive detonation, simplifying the delivery of a projectile and eliminating the need for a missile delivery system. The size and simplicity of the present system allows for portability and use by an individual.

Abstract: An action figure includes a body, limbs extending from the body and each comprising proximal and distal limb segments articulated to one another by a joint comprising two intermediate pivotally interconnected members. The first member is attached pivotally to the proximal limb segment and the second member is attached pivotally to the distal limb segment.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for measuring semiconductor device output capacitance and slew rate from switching-induced hot carrier luminescence. The process for determining the output capacitive loading of a semiconductor device includes measuring the peak switching-induced hot carrier luminescence and comparing it to previously correlated capacitance data. The process for determining the output slew rate of a semiconductor device by measuring the switching-induced hot carrier luminescence as a function of time, calculating a standard deviation of the luminescence data, and comparing it to previously correlated output slew rate data. The peak of a switching-induced hot carrier luminescence pulse directly relates to the driving capacitance and the standard deviation of a pulse relates to the rate of change of output voltage or slew rate.

Abstract: An action figure includes a body, limbs extending from the body and each comprising proximal and distal limb segments articulated to one another by a joint comprising two intermediate pivotally interconnected members. The first member is attached pivotally to the proximal limb segment and the second member is attached pivotally to the distal limb segment.

Abstract: A disc shaped padlock has a shackle in the form of an open ring moveable in an arcuate groove within the body of the lock with a key to bring the opening in the ring into an aligned relation with a radially extending noted in the body to form an unlocked condition of the padlock. The opening in the ring is moved out of alignment with the notch to form a locked condition in which the notch is closed by the ring like shackle. The ring is provided with ball bearings in the outer surface to engage the arcuate groove to limit lateral movement of the shackle to insure smooth and easy movement of the shackle and to avoid noise often cause by a loose fit of shackles.

Abstract: The invention is a transformer having one winding, for example the secondary, built as tracings in a first multilayer PC board. The primary windings are made as a separate second PC board. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second PC board containing the primary windings is attached to the first PC board by attachment tabs built into the second PC board, and the tabs are soldered to receiving attachment pads of the first PC board. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first PC board has various other components mounted thereon. For example, the secondary windings of a power transformer along with the power supply circuits are all built into a first single PC board. In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the windings are etched as traces in copper layers of the PC boards as spirals. The spiral of one copper layer is connected to the spiral of a different copper layer by a via, or vias, formed through the insulating layer of the PC board.

Abstract: The invention replaces a snubber resistor with a two diodes and a load. The electric charge stored in the snubber capacitor on each cycle of the switch is then caused by a first diode to flow through the load, rather than to flow through a snubber resistor. A second diode provides a charging path for the snubber capacitor. The load uses the electric power which would be wasted in the snubber resistor.

Abstract: Door-lock hardware is constructed of corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel. Such a material lacks magnetic properties to permit use in association with magnetic switches coupled to signal alarm and security systems. However, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a door latch of stainless steel or other non-magnetic material includes a ferrous-coated tongue portion to maintain compatibility with such monitors and alarms while providing a higher level of rust- and corrosion-resistance.

Abstract: An inductor for a computer power supply module is provided. The inductor includes a one-piece, single turn winding formed of a material for conducting heat and electrical current. The material having at least about five times the amount of electrically conductive material necessary for conducting electrical current.

Abstract: A power supply module for a computer is provided. The module includes a multilayer pc board, heat generating electrical components disposed on the board, logic elements disposed on the board and a heat sink. The module also includes thermal conducting structure disposed coupled to the pc board and thermally coupled to the heat sink and to the heat generating electrical components for transferring heat from the heat generating electrical components to the heat sink.

Abstract: A technique involves broadcasting a pulse signal to synchronize oscillating signals used by multiple power supplies to provide output voltages. The technique involves charging and discharging respective capacitors of the multiple power supplies at respective rates to provide the oscillating signals. Each of the respective capacitors is charged until a voltage across that capacitor reaches a respective upper threshold and subsequently discharged until the voltage across that capacitor reaches a respective lower threshold. The technique further involves broadcasting, from at least two of the power supplies, a pulse signal to a synchronization connection coupled to each of the respective capacitors to modify the respective rates for charging and discharging the respective capacitors based on the pulse signal such that oscillating signals become synchronized.

Abstract: A transformer is provided that consists of a primary winding, a secondary winding and a magnetic core. The primary winding is wound directly around the magnetic core, thereby removing the need for a bobbin. By removing the need for the bobbin, the transformer has a large window utilization factor, and associated low profile. As a result, the transformer has a high power to form factor ratio. A method for making the transformer includes the steps of joining two halves of the core before winding the primary winding. Because the half-cores are joined prior to the wrapping of the primary winding, the core provides bobbin functionality. In addition, a header plate is provided for coupling a plurality of leads of a transformer to sources on an integrated circuit board, where the transformer consists of a magnetic core, a primary winding and a secondary winding. The header plate engages the magnetic core, providing a termination path for the wire of the secondary winding.