Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the fluorescence of nanodrop liquid samples is described in which the sample is held by surface tension between two anvil surfaces. Each anvil surface has an embedded optical fiber with its end finished flush with the surface in the containment area wetted by the sample with the fiber in line. Sample excitation is provided from the side of the sample remote from the containment area. By selection of the fiber transmission numeric aperture the impact of exciting and ambient light on the measurement is minimized. A method of virtual filtering is taught in which any ambient or exciting light that does impinge on the measuring sensor is corrected by subtracting a scaled representation of the source from the measurement. The method and apparatus is capable of detecting 1 femptomole of sodium fluorescein in 1 microliter of TE buffer.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention concern a keypad (120). The keypad can include a membrane (143), at least one key with at least one flange 150 to overlap with at least one second flange of a second key (146), and at least one audio port opening (107) in the membrane for providing a passage of air from a transducer (101) positioned behind at least one key through the keypad to a main volume area (112). For example, the audio port opening can be in a region of the membrane between the keys, and the overlapping of the flanges obscures a view of at least one audio port opening.

Abstract: An electronic product (10) includes a front housing (12) coupled to a first frame (32) having a first frame guide rail (34), a rear housing (14) coupled to a second frame (42) having a second frame guide rail (54), a pivot arm (50) coupled between a fixed axis (33) on the first frame and a first translating axis (45) on the second frame, and a second translating axis (46) that translates along the first frame guide rail as the first translating axis translates along the second frame guide rail. The fixed axis and second translating axis are in substantially the same horizontal plane when the electronic product is in a closed position. The fixed axis and first translating axis are in substantially the same horizontal plane when the electronic product is in a closed position and in substantially the same vertical plane when the electronic product is an open position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flip-type portable electronic device (100). The device can include a base portion (112), a flip portion (110) and a flexible hinge (114) that can couple the flip portion to the base portion. In one arrangement, the flexible hinge can include a plurality of interlocking links (115) that rotate about a plurality of axles (122) contained within the flexible hinge, and the interlocking links may rotate independently of one another. The rotation of the interlocking links can allow the flip portion to rotate with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: A sensing method and apparatus using photonic band gap multilayered material. Photonic band gap multi-layers are formed from alternating layers of higher refractive index and lower refractive index materials, and may be deposited or disposed on a optically transparent substrate or a reflecting face of a prism. Light is directed into the prism, directed to the photonic band gap multilayer, and reflected out of the prism, where it is captured and analyzed. Various sensor configurations keep light wavelength or coupling angle fixed, while monitoring the change in the other parameter. Also disclosed is a microarray configuration with an array of probe spots placed on one surface of the multilayer, which is mounted on an x-y translation stage.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating test equipment at a CATV service organization or customer site includes a calibration unit for calibrating a signal level measurement circuit that is operable to generate signal level measurements for a set of broadband RF signals and an access monitor for enabling operation of the calibration unit in response to a token indicative of calibration credits being coupled to the access monitor. The access monitor may also include a port for receiving a token containing calibration credit data. The port may be a USB port, a smart card reader, or a keypad, for example. A memory fob received in the USB port may be interrogated for calibration credit data that are used to enable a calibration procedure and a smart card may be received in the smart card reader for similar purposes. The keypad may be used to enter a password and account data associated with the password may be read and evaluated to determine whether a requested calibration procedure may be performed.

Abstract: A portable electric grill including an exhaust fan for indoor grilling is disclosed. The present grill is constructed to permit its supporting frame to be folded from an open position wherein the horizontally disposed grilling plates are supported by folding leg members to a closed position wherein the grilling plates are folded vertically along with the leg members for convenient portability and storage. The present grill also provides heating elements associated with each grilling plate, which permits the grilling plates to be selectively energized. An air filter is disposed within the air intake of the exhaust fan utilizing filter media capable of capturing particulate matter of a size range found in smoke and cooking fumes generated by the grill during operation.

Abstract: A variable purge orifice assembly for an evaporative emission system of a vehicle includes a housing for fluid connection to a vapor canister and a purge solenoid of the evaporative emission system. The housing has a purge orifice therein. The variable purge orifice assembly also includes a regulating device connected to the housing and for connection to an engine of the vehicle. The regulating device is actuated by manifold vacuum from the engine to vary flow of fuel vapor through the purge orifice from the vapor canister to the purge solenoid.

Abstract: A method and computer apparatus for creating, managing and using a document development system (“DDS”) is provided. The DDS includes a method for creating a document based upon a dialog and associated template (“DAT”). A DAT is a template associated or linked with a dialog box or form (“dialog”) such that a user can enter and/or select text in the dialog and the text will be displayed in a newly created document based upon the template. The DDS further includes a method for creating a DAT using a GUI and without the need for programming or coding the dialogs or the links between the templates and dialogs. The DDS further includes a method for managing DATs such that an organization can create, test and share DATs with the organization's end users.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a sheath for a high-temperature multifilament superconducting cable. According to the invention, the sheath is obtained through the co-extrusion of a cylindrical billet (50) comprising at least two concentric cylinders (52, 54, 56). The invention also relates to a sheath for a high-temperature multifilament superconducting cable which is produced using the aforementioned method. The inventive sheath consists of a tube (10) with a multi-layer wall comprising: a pure silver inner layer (12, 16, 22) and at least one second silver-based alloy layer (14, 18, 24, 26).

Abstract: The invention concerns a latching mechanism (105) for assembly of a housing (110) of an electronic device (100). The latching mechanism includes a latch element (120) and a receiving element (131) contained within the housing. The receiving element includes a recess (140) for engaging the latch element and at least one audio port (122) for providing an audio channel (190) for the electronic device. The invention also concerns a method (500) of operating a latching mechanism. The method includes the steps of mechanically coupling (512) a latch element to a housing, creating (514) an audio channel by engaging the latch element within the housing and porting (516) audio through the audio channel.

Abstract: A housing assembly (100) provides a device housing (102) having an outer surface (104) and having a compartment (106). A door (108) can be movably coupled to the housing where the door can be movable from a closed position through an open position. The door can at least partially enclose the housing compartment in the closed position. The housing assembly also provides a biasing member (110) biased against the door to move the door to the open position. In another embodiment, a housing assembly (200) can also include a frame member (201) designed to be removably interlockable with the housing assembly and a door (208) movably coupled to the frame member.

Abstract: An articulated manipulator is disclosed, comprising a first arm segment; a second arm segment; an elbow joint disposed intermediate the first arm segment and the second arm segment; and an arm drive sealingly disposed in a drive housing, the arm drive adapted to provide controllable motion of at least one of (i) the first arm segment and the second arm segment. The manipulator may further comprise an azimuth joint rotatably connected to the first arm segment and a dynamic seal disposed intermediate the first arm segment and the azimuth joint. The manipulator may be constructed using lightweight materials and use dynamic seals to afford protection in harsh environments. The manipulator may be constructed to have a total weight of between around twenty pounds to around forty pounds while achieving a reach of around forty inches with a payload capacity of around twenty five pounds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of spectroscopy or the like on extremely small samples in which a drop is held between two opposing surfaces by surface tension and one surface is controllably toward and away from the other. To provide and transmit exciting energy through the drop for measurement, optical fibers go through a surface and finish flush with the surface. One of the surfaces can be swung clear of the other for easy cleaning between tests. Means for determining wetted surface are provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of spectrophotometry or the like on extremely small liquid samples in which a drop is held between two opposing surfaces by surface tension and one surface is controllably moved toward and away from the other. To provide and transmit exciting energy through the drop for measurement, the optical fibers go through a surface and are finished flush with its surface. One of the surfaces can be swung clear of the other for easy cleaning between tests.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of spectrophotometry or the like on extremely small liquid samples in which a drop is held between two opposing surfaces by surface tension and one surface is controllably moved toward and away from the other. To provide and transmit exciting energy through the drop for measurement, the optical fibers go through a surface and are finished flush with its surface. One of the surfaces can be swung clear of the other for easy cleaning between tests.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of spectroscopy or the like on extremely small samples in which a drop is held between two opposing surfaces by surface tension and one surface is controllably toward and away from the other. To provide and transmit exciting energy through the drop for measurement, optical fibers go through a surface and finish flush with the surface. One of the surfaces can be swung clear of the other for easy cleaning between tests. Means for determining wetted surface are provided.

Abstract: The decontamination of PCB-containing transformers to obtain treated transformers containing less than 50 parts per million (ppm) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) can be achieved using a method wherein the transformer is initially drained of all PCBs; then the core/coil assembly is removed. The internal surfaces of the transformer are then cleaned using a solvent. Finally, a new core/coil assembly is installed. The method is simple and can be completed within a substantially shorter period of time than methods known in the art.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for decontaminating PCB-containing transformers to obtain treated transformers containing less than 50 parts per million (ppm) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The transformer is initially drained of all PCBs, then the core/coil assembly is removed. The internal surfaces of the transformer are then cleaned using a solvent. Finally, a new core/coil assembly is installed. The method is simple and can be completed within a substantially shorter period of time than methods known in the art.