Abstract: Improved corrosion resistance for direct X-ray imaging detectors is obtained by providing a pixelated, electrically conductive barrier layer between the X-ray sensitive material and the pixel electrodes. Each barrier layer can cover part or all of its corresponding pixel electrode. In cases where pixel electrodes makes contact to underlying circuitry through vertical vias, it is preferred for the barrier layers to cover the via sections of the pixel electrodes. The barrier layers for each pixel electrode can be spaced apart from each other, or they can all be included within a continuous film on top of the pixel electrodes. Such a continuous film can be pixelated by spatially modulating its properties (e.g., thickness, doping) to significantly reduce lateral conductivity from pixel to pixel.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of an apparatus for retaining keys are disclosed. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a fastener that can be attached to a purse or other items. The fastener can be coupled with a holding device that can allow a user to selectively attach or detach a keychain or other items. Various options for constructing embodiments of the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A process modeling tool for graphically representing a process which includes transactions and events, and for generating computer code representing the process. A graphical tool creates a graphical representation of the transactions and events with graphical symbols, where one or more of such transactions and events may be of an asynchronous nature. A code generator generates computer code in response to information contained in the graphical representation. The computer code is executable on a computer system to cause the computer system to perform one or more operations which emulate the process shown in the graphical representation.

Abstract: A device for expanding the wavelength band of an optical component is disclosed. The device has a beam splitter for splitting a wavelength division multiplexed beam into two beams at a desired separation angle. An optical grating separates the two beams into spectral components for each beam. The spectral components are focused on a receiving surface. The separation angle between the two beams expands the wavelength band of the WDM signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding contamination occurrence and for preventing the propagation of the contamination is provided according to the present invention, which altogether constitutes a contamination prevention system. The present invention employs a computer for examining a process flow in order to find out whether a process step is contaminated by using a contaminated tool and therewith to show a proper representation on a process flow. Any process flow that passes the contamination prevention system of the present invention can be free of any contamination problem. Furthermore, The contamination prevention system according to the present invention gives a tag for each object. If an object is tagged “contaminated”, then the system forbids the next process step, that includes uncontaminated tools, to be executed. The present invention can be built to an automatic system to prevent the propagation of contamination from occurring.

Abstract: An optical amplifier system for amplifying an input wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal with a first optical coupler to extract a portion of the power of the input signal, an erbium-doped fiber amplifier to generate an output signal and a second optical coupler to extract a portion of the power of the output signal. A spectral monitoring unit having a volume phase grating separates the extracted input and output signals into spectral components. A photo-detector array of the spectral monitoring unit determines the power level of the spectral components. The system further includes a controller operative to control the operation of the amplifier in response to the power levels of the spectral components.

Abstract: A cutting and crimping device comprising a frame with a front end and a back end, the frame comprising a protrusion on the front end, the protrusion having a first crimping portion and a first cutting portion on opposed sides thereof, a cutting arm with a front end and a back end, the cutting arm pivotally coupled to the frame on one side thereof, the cutting arm comprising a second cutting portion on its front end, a crimping arm with a front end and a back end, the crimping arm pivotally coupled to the frame on an opposite side thereof, the crimping arm comprising a second crimping portion on its front end, an actuator coupled to the back ends of the cutting and crimping arms, the actuator operable to move the cutting and crimping device between an open position wherein the front ends of the arms are separated from the protrusion by a maximum distance, and a closed position wherein the front ends of the cutting and crimping arms are separated from the protrusion by a lesser distance.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for storing preselected Bingo numbers which allows a player to play the same sets of Bingo numbers (56) in multiple sessions of Bingo. The player preselects Bingo numbers to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The numbers are stored in the memory (16) of the computer (12). The player selects which preselected Bingo numbers to play for a specific session of Bingo. A ticket is provided having the selected sets of Bingo numbers with a control number (58) for each selected set of numbers and a validation number (60) for the ticket.

Abstract: A cutting and crimping device comprising a frame with a front end and a back end, the frame comprising a protrusion on the front end, the protrusion having a first crimping portion and a first cutting portion on opposed sides thereof, a cutting arm with a front end and a back end, the cutting arm pivotally coupled to the frame on one side thereof, the cutting arm comprising a second cutting portion on its front end, a crimping arm with a front end and a back end, the crimping arm pivotally coupled to the frame on an opposite side thereof, the crimping arm comprising a second crimping portion on its front end, an actuator coupled to the back ends of the cutting and crimping arms, the actuator operable to move the cutting and crimping device between an open position wherein the front ends of the arms are separated from the protrusion by a maximum distance, and a closed position wherein the front ends of the cutting and crimping arms are separated from the protrusion by a lesser distance.

Abstract: A device for expanding an operable wavelength band of an optical component is disclosed. The device has an optical grating configured to receive a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal. The optical grating is configured to separate the optical signal into two wavelength bands separated by a prescribed wavelength difference. The device has a focusing lens system to focus the two wavelength bands onto a receiving surface. The two wavelength bands are separated on the receiving surface by the prescribed wavelength difference in order to expand the wavelength band of the WDM signal.

Abstract: A pilot adjusting system adjusts the power level of the pilot relative to the power level of the input signal. For example, the pilot adjusting system detects the power level of the input signal on the signal path leading to an RF amplifier. In response to the power level of the input signal, the pilot adjusting system adjusts the power level of the pilot signal which is injected into the signal path prior to the RF amplifier. In certain embodiments, the pilot adjuster adjusts the pilot power level to maintain a desired input signal to pilot signal ratio at the input to the RF amplifier for the input signal range of the RF amplifier. As such, if the input signal power level drops 30 dB, the pilot adjuster reduces the power level of the pilot signal by 30 dB, thereby maintaining the input signal to pilot ratio throughout the input range of the RF amplifier.

Abstract: A channel power equalizer for adjusting the power levels of multiple channels in an optical beam is disclosed. The equalizer has a demultiplexer with a volume phase grating for isolating each of the channels of the optical beam. A photo-detector determines a power level of each of the channels and a variable optical attenuator adjusts the power level to a threshold value. After adjusting the power level of each channel, a multiplexer having a volume phase grating combines each of the channels together into a single power adjusted optical beam.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for managing a Bingo game while allowing a repeat player to easily play the same sets of numbers (56) in multiple sessions of Bingo. The system allows the hall to track the sale of Bingo tickets (52), easily verify the Bingo winners and keep track of repeat players. In the method of using the system, the player preselects numbers which he wishes to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The hall stores the numbers in the memory (16) of the computer (12). On the date of the Bingo game, the player chooses which preselected Bingo numbers to play. The player is provided with a ticket having the preselected numbers with a control number (58) for each set of numbers and a validation number (60) for the ticket. The player is also provided with a receipt indicating the number of preselected sets of numbers bought by the player and the validation number for the ticket. The Bingo game is then played with the called Bingo numbers being entered into the computer.

Abstract: A combination crimper and cutter tool for crimping ferrules and cutting cable protruding from the ferrule comprises a pair of jaws which have a crimping and cutting area such that the crimping and cutting operation is performed by the same set of jaws. The jaws are pivotal about axes which are symmetrical about a vertical plane between the jaws. The force applied on the jaws by the crimping and cutting operations creates a moment about the axes which varies in magnitude but is symmetrical about the axes allowing for enhanced operator performance with the tool.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a Bingo game while allowing a repeat player to play the same sets of numbers in multiple sessions of Bingo. The player preselects numbers which he wishes to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The hall stores the numbers in the memory of the computer. On the date of the Bingo game, the player chooses which preselected Bingo numbers to play. The player is provided with a ticket having the preselected numbers with a control number for each set of numbers and a validation number for the ticket. The player is also provided with a receipt indicating the number of preselected sets of numbers bought by the player and the validation number for the ticket. When a player calls Bingo, the hall enters the control number of the potentially winning set of numbers into the computer to verify the set of numbers is a winner.

Abstract: A combination Bingo and Poker game is described. The game uses a game board (10) containing a matrix of Bingo places (16). The Bingo places each have a Bingo number (26) and playing card indicia (28). The game is played similarly to standard Bingo with the players marking the places on the game board as the numbers are selected by the host entity (12A). A player has a winning BINGO when the marked places form a winning Bingo configuration. The playing card indicia of the places of the winning Bingo configuration are then used to form a potentially winning Poker hand.

Abstract: For multiple layer interconnections using copper, the top interconnection layer and the via hole to the bottom layer are self-aligned on at least one side. The self-alignment eliminates the need for providing a border for the contact of the via hole to the interconnection. The self-alignment is accomplished by using a nitride mask, which defines one side of both the via hole and the interconnection. After the top surface of the copper interconnection is planarized, another layer of copper interconnection can be superimposed over the first interconnection in a similar manner.

Abstract: A spread spectrum (SS) pilot extraction system clips the RF carriers before the SS pilot is de-spread and the RF carriers are spread. The clipping of the RF carriers raises the noise level in the spectrum. However, the small increase in the in-band noise level is more than offset by the reduction of the in-band RF noise from spreading the clipped carriers. As a result, the reduction in the in-band noise from spreading the clipped carriers expands the detection range of the de-spread pilot. In doing so, the control circuitry can achieve further cancellation of the pilot and the IMD components. Thus, the SS pilot extraction system for feed forward RF amplifiers improves the spread spectrum pilot extraction and detection at the final output coupler to achieve improved pilot and IMD cancellation.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is planarized by first mapping the flatness profile and then etching the wafer according to the flatness profile. Mapping is accomplished by scanning the wafer with a light beam. The flatness information is obtained by a phase detector comparing the phase of the reflected light beam and a reference light, and is then stored in a memory. The etching is implemented with scanning chemical ion beam etching, in which a reactive gas etches the wafer from spot to spot according to the instantaneous volume of reacting gas or the potential at the wafer, and is controlled by the data stored in the memory. The method can be used to planarize both semiconductor and metal.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis decoder system employs a state transition trellis with a predetermined number of states for decoding a group of interleaved data packets. The trellis decoder system also accommodates data interruptions and transitions between different types of data. The system decodes groups of interleaved trellis encoded data packets with a single trellis decoder in response to a synchronization signal derived from the interleaved encoded data. The decoder employs a state transition trellis with a predetermined number of states. The state transition trellis may be reset to a predetermined state in response to a detected synchronization interval in the encoded data. The decoder may also decode re-aligned data produced by removing intervening synchronization intervals from the interleaved encoded data, in response to a detected synchronization interval.