Abstract: An ultrasonic welding structure is provided for a chip body 11 and a lid body 12 to be welded to each other by using ultrasonic waves. The chip body 11 is provided with a welding recess 15 defined by tapered sidewalls 15A, 15A. While, the lid body 12 is provided with a welding projection 17 also defined by tapered sidewalls 17C, 17C, for engagement with the welding recess 15. The chip body 11 and the lid body 12 in their assembled condition are subjected to ultrasonic oscillation characterized by its amplitude direction A. Then, since the welding surfaces of the sidewalls 15A, 17C each has a projected area with respect to the amplitude direction A, the welding surfaces are welded to each other owing to frictional heat resulting from the ultrasonic oscillation. With this welding structure, the chip body 11 is perfectly welded to the lid body 12 by one time of ultrasonic oscillation.

Abstract: Provided is an insulated oxide superconducting cable conductor having a high critical current and a high critical current density. The insulated oxide superconducting cable conductor comprises an elongated former, a plurality of tape-shaped multifilamentary oxide superconducting wires which are wound on the former at a bending strain factor of not more than 0.5%, and a spirally wound tape-shaped insulating material covering the tape-shaped multifilamentary oxide superconducting wires. The tape-shaped multifilamentary superconducting wires are superposed on the former in layers, whereby stabilizing materials of the superposed superconducting wires are in contact with each other. The tape-shaped insulating material consists essentially of a material which is contracted at a thermal contraction rate of at least three times that of the tape-shaped multifilamentary wires by cooling from a temperature of 298 K to that of 77 K.

Abstract: Electrical conductors according to the invention include conductors made from a plurality of strands twisted around a central conductor, where the strands are fused to the central conductor but not to each other. According to a preferred embodiment, the central conductor is coated with a coating of a first material which may be melted to fuse the central conductor to the outer strands. In another preferred embodiment, the outer strands are also coated with a second conductive material which forms a eutectic mixture with the coating on the central conductor when heated to a temperature below the melting points of the first and second conductive materials. Alternate embodiments of the invention provide a eutectic mixture by choice of strand and central conductor material and/or coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for performing reliability screening on semi-conductor wafers and particularly to a highly planar burn in apparatus and method for uses including wafer level burn-in (WLBI), diced die burn-in (DDBI), and packaged die burn-in (PDBI). The burn-in system includes a burn-in substrate with a planar base, a temporary Z-axis connecting member, and a Z-axis wafer level contact sheet electrically coupled to one another for screening wafers, diced die, and packaged electronic components, their assembly and use.

Abstract: A method of assembling a substrate and an electrical or electronic component, the component having electrically conductive leads with surfaces of an alloy from the list consisting of tin, nickel, tin copper, tin silver, nickel palladium, gold palladium, and silver palladium, and the leads being soldered to copper-based terminals of the substrate by a solder alloy, the solder alloy comprising, by weight, 99.3% tin and 0.7% copper. The soldering takes place in a chamber having a nitrogen inert atmosphere. Lead solder is thus avoided.

Abstract: The substrate of the present invention mainly includes a plurality of bonding pads, a plurality of ball pads, a plurality of traces, a plurality of holes, a first wire and a second wire. The bonding pads and ball pads are located on a first surface of the substrate and are connected to one another by the traces. The first wire is arranged at the edge of the first surface of the substrate, the second wire is arranged at a slot area of a second surface of the substrate which is adhesively covered by a solder mask and further has two ends connecting to the first wire. The holes connect the first surface to the second surface. The traces are connected the bonding pads and ball pads of the first surface by passing through the corresponding holes and a slot area to the second wire of the second surface to form closed loops. In the slot area, the solder mask adhesively covers the traces.

Abstract: A weighing material on a moving platform by compensating for acceleration of the material and a variable slope of the platform. The system includes at least one weighing load cell and a reference load cell. The weighing load cell generates an output signal associated with a force applied to the weighing load cell by the material. The reference load cell is coupled with a reference mass, and provides the data from which a compensation multiplier can be calculated. The compensation multiplier is a value that is used to adjust the output of the weighing load cells to compensate for acceleration and variable slope, thereby generating the actual weight of the material. In order to calculate the compensation multiplier, an zero offset value of the reference load cell is determined prior to taking weight measurements of the material. The weighing systems can be used with substantially any moving vehicle that carries a material.

Abstract: An electronic scale uses an analog signal from a load cell which is converted directly to a pulse width modulated output signal. This pulse width modulated output signal represents the weight of an object on the scale and is sufficient to be directly read by a typical microcontroller. Therefore, no amplifier or analog to digital converter is required. The microcontroller then converts a signal representing the weight of the object on the scale to a weight value. A method of using the counter/timers on the microcontroller with synchronized overflow, is disclosed to enable a high resolution value of the pulse width modulated signal, which is then converted into a weight value for object's weight given that the pulse width modulated output signal is proportional to the weight of an object placed on the load cell.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a circuit having an insulating base, a blade, a blade hinge member that allows for rotation of the blade about a pivot position, a first contact member, identical in construction to the blade hinge member, having opposing sidewalls that electrically engage and disengage the blade in response to pivoting movement of the blade, a rotor member for engaging and rotating the blade, and a second contact member, identical in construction to blade hinge member and the first contact member, for retaining a fuse is provided. The opposing sidewalls of the either the blade hinge member or the first and second contact members, being identical in construction, are adapted to either pivotally support the blade, engage and disengage the blade, or secure the fusible member thereto, depending on their position on the insulating base. Identical spring members are connected to the blade hinge member and contact members for retention force.

Abstract: Electronic tilt switches utilizing an environmentally safe electrically conductive, non-mercury fluid and a spherical weight, in which the switches have similar performance to mercury switches. The switch also avoids common problems resulting from conductive fluids having different densities and viscosities than mercury, as well as avoiding the problems of conventional tilt switches using solely conductive spheres to actuate the switch.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a sensing mass mounted on a metallic reed or spring which, under the influence of a crash-induced acceleration, drives the spring against a contact to close an electrical circuit. The contact end of the spring is twisted to be oriented with respect to the fixed contact at an angle of 60 degrees out of the plane containing the spring. The sensor is oriented such that the acceleration force is approximately normal to the plane containing the spring. The angled contact increases reliability, reduces closure signal noise, and increases contact dwell time. Dwell time can be further enhanced for high shock loads by providing a two stage mass spring system. A second mass/spring combination is arranged so the motion of the second mass, after the first reed has made electrical contact, holds the contact closed.

Abstract: A pressure responsive electrical switch (10) has a base (12) formed with a bottom wall (12a) having a top surface (12b) formed with a generally disc seat (12c). A recess (12d) is formed in the bottom wall through the top surface within the area defined by the disc seat and with first and second bores (12e) formed through the bottom wall aligned with the recess. Integrally formed combination terminal and movable contact arm members (14) each have a first portion (14a) serving as a respective terminal and a second, movable contact arm portion (14b) swaged to an attenuated thickness. The movable contact arm portions extend side by side transversely across the bottom surface of the recess in generally opposite directions and with a free distal contact end portion (14d) extending slightly above a disc seat formed on the top surface.

Abstract: A slide switch comprising a case having a slide hole, a slide knob attached slidably to an outer surface of the case, the slide knob having a shaft portion inserted into the slide hole of the case, a shield member disposed between a lower surface of the slide knob and an outer surface of the case, the shield member having an insertion hole for insertion therein of the shaft portion of the slide knob, and a contact member disposed in the interior of the case and retained by the shaft portion of the slide knob, wherein the shield member is engaged with the shaft portion of the slide knob so as to be slidable with the slide knob and is formed with an annular projection outside an outer periphery of the insertion hole, also formed with a thin plate-like substrate portion inside the annular projection, and is further formed with a thin plate-like outer edge portion which surrounds the outside of the annular projection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular electrical contact in which the electrical components are separated in a separate module, and in which the others of the modules of the contact are built without electrical components. An advantageous embodiment according to the invention comprises a mechanical motion transmission advantageous for the purpose, where one or more contacts (53) may be activated through pressure operation. The device comprises a guide rail (52) with an activating element (51) which comprises a pressure element (55) and an extension element (54) and arranged with fixing means with respect to the guide rail so that the pressure element is slidable therein for activation of one or more contacts (53) arranged at the end of the pressure element. This provides an extremely simple, sturdy and flat structure which is simple to manufacture and simple to mount. This operating device is particularly suitable for use in foot pedals.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting waste material, in particular plastic waste and hollow parts made of plastic. The waste material to be sorted is placed in an unsorted manner on a conveyor belt and moved below a sensor. The sensor examines the waste to determine the type of material and/or the color of the material, the waste being sorted depending on the type of material or its color. The conveyor is provided with a grate-like structure, and blow-out nozzles are arranged below the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A high accuracy rapid system for sorting a plurality of waste products by polymer type. The invention involves the application of Raman spectroscopy and complex identification techniques to identify and sort post-consumer plastics for recycling. The invention reads information unique to the molecular structure of the materials to be sorted to identify their chemical compositions and uses rapid high volume sorting techniques to sort them into product streams at commercially viable throughput rates. The system employs a laser diode (20) for irradiating the material sample (10), a spectrograph (50) is used to determine the Raman spectrum of the material sample (10) and a microprocessor based controller (70) is employed to identify the polymer type of the material sample (10).

Abstract: A multipoint switch, especially for high voltage, having identically configured interrupter units (2, 3, 4), the pivoting contacts (10) of which are connected to a common drive (44) by a linkage mechanism (50, 60, 71) associated with the interrupter unit (2, 3, 4) and by a drive linkage (47), whereby the linkage mechanisms (50, 60, 71) of all interrupter units (2, 3, 4) are identically configured and are moved back and forth between the on- and off-position by the drive. Each linkage mechanism (50, 60, 71) includes a rocker arm (21, 65) attached to a pivoting shaft (20, 64) and a connecting rod (22, 63) articulated to it and to the pivoting contact. A rocker link (27, 66) is arranged on the pivoting shaft (20, 64), which under combined action is connected to the drive linkage (47) with at least another linkage mechanism (32, 33, 36, 62, 70). Two operatively combined links of the linkage mechanism (50, 60, 71) take a position at least close to a stable position in the on- and off-position.

Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.

Abstract: A welding apparatus, for welding pipe sections (1, 2) together to form an underwater pipeline, is arranged to weld pipe sections (1, 2) together when they are in a generally upright orientation with the bottom of an upper pipe section (2) abutting the top of a lower pipe section (1) that defines the end of a pipeline. The welding apparatus includes a rotary equipment holder (5) mounted for rotation about a generally vertical axis (8) and having a central opening (5A) through which pipe sections (1, 2) are able to pass as a pipeline is laid, a plurality of welding heads (12) angularly spaced about the rotary equipment holder (5), each head (12) being associated with a respective sector of the rotary equipment holder, and a welding head guide assembly (11) for fixing around a pipe section (1). The guide assembly (11) includes a guide track (14) for guiding movement of each of the welding heads (12) around the pipe section (1).

Abstract: An intelligent welding gun is provided with a fixed side sensor in a fixed side portion. The mechanical impedance of the fixed side portion is kept small, which permits the mechanical impedance to be set in a range where the fixed side sensor can effectively detect at least one of a position of a fixed side welding tip and a pressing force imposed on the fixed side welding tip. The fixed side sensor and a moving side sensor constitute a redundant sensor measurement system. Various kinds of methods conducted using the above welding gun include a method of calibrating a sensor (including calibration of a reference point and a gain), a control method of suppressing a welding expulsion, a re-welding feedback control method, a control method of a welding strength, a control method of reducing a clearance between workpieces, a method of correcting a welding robot track, and a method of managing a positional accuracy change at a welding point.

Abstract: An apparatus for ion beam neutralization is disclosed in this invention. The apparatus is a plasma flood source with an arc discharge chamber enclosed in a source housing with sufficient cooling so that the housing temperature is near room temperature. Arc discharge between a filament and the arc chamber ionizes the bleeding gas atoms or molecules in the arc chamber and produces plasma. The low energy electrons together with ions in the plasma drift out of the arc chamber and neutralize the passing ion beam. The sufficiently cooled source housing prevents radiation to the processed wafers, reduces metal particle concentration in the plasma and therefore metal contamination on the wafers, and keeps beamline pressure low while more electrons are extracted from the flood source through the apertures with larger area.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch that is capable of operating in a non-transferred arc mode and a transferred arc mode, and that is intended for use for use with a plasma arc treatment system. The plasma arc torch includes an electrode, a plasma gas ring and a nozzle. At least one power supply within the plasma arc treatment system is connected to the electrode, the nozzle and a workpiece. While the torch operates in a non-transferred arc mode, the non-transferred arc heats gas supplied by the plasma gas ring to create plasma gas that heats the workpiece to raise its conductivity. Once the workpiece is at an appropriately conductive level, the arc is automatically transferred since the ground point can now be found.

Abstract: A high frequency plasma processing apparatus and a high frequency plasma processing method according to the invention can suitably be used for uniformly forming on a substrate a deposition film over a large area. The apparatus and the related method solve the problem wherein high frequency power supplied to a known plasma processing apparatus can become distorted to produce harmonics and give rise to difficulty in correctly reading the incident and reflected powers and realizing an accurate matching when a VHF is used in order to raise the processing rate.

Abstract: A plasma arc cutting power supply, and method of providing plasma cutting power, is disclosed. It includes a source of power having, preferably an engine or transformer based power source, that provides a main power output and an auxiliary power output. A two-state configuration circuit is in electrical communication with the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a first magnitude with a non-floating ground when the configuration circuit is in its first state. The auxiliary power output receives voltage of a second magnitude, preferably different than the first magnitude, with a floating ground, when the configuration circuit is in its second state. When a plasma cutting circuit is connected to the auxiliary power output the configuration circuit is set in its second state. The plasma cutting circuit includes at least one chopper. A safety circuit that disables the plasma output includes a GFI or optical isolator.

Abstract: A development of a laser cutting method and a laser cutter in which the adverse effects such as self burning to the cutting surface can be prevented, when the material is cut at a high speed, has been desired. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a laser cutting method and a laser cutter in which a cutting laser beam 22 is applied to a material 25 to be cut at a cutting point 26, while ejecting gases 23 and 24 to the cutting point 26 or its surrounding area from a plurality of nozzle openings 30 and 31 arranged in a ring or in a line, wherein the oxygen concentrations of the gases 23 and 24 ejecting from at least one of the nozzle opening 30 and 31 are changed to adjust the oxygen concentration distribution in an area within several millimeters of the cutting point 26; thereby the cutting quality can be improved.

Abstract: A computer controlled laser material processing system has a plurality of laser sources the beams of which are selectively operable between two modes. In a first raster engraving mode the beams are separated and independently controllable in synchronism with the motions of a beam delivery system to form plural, parallel, spaced apart scan lines on the surface of the workpiece for affecting the surface at high speed. In a second vector cutting mode the beams are combined such that they are collinear and have a power approximately equal to the sum of the powers of each individual laser source for cutting the surface at high power.

Abstract: A system for controlling inclination and depth of ablation of a polymer planar waveguide or semiconductor wafer substrate utilizes a laser which directs the beam at the substrate to ablate portions of the surface thereof and a translatable stage for moving the substrate relative to the beam to create a path of ablated material from the surface. The velocity of the substrate is controlled relative to ablation rate of material from the surface or the dimension of the beam is controlled along the path of ablated material to create a desired inclination and depth of ablated material in the path. The depth of ablated material is a function of the beam width along the path of ablated material, workpiece velocity and ablation rate and is substantially controlled by the formula: D=R(W/V) where D is the depth of ablated material, R is ablation rate, W is beam dimension along the path of ablated material, and V is workpiece velocity.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for ablating features from a substrate, such as drilling holes in a polymer substrate for an ink jet printhead, by illuminating the substrate that has passed through a mask that is continuously orbited or moved in a two dimensional pattern. The mask is capable of following a trajectory perpendicular to the angle of the radiation.

Abstract: A method of laser marking metals, plastics, ceramic materials, glazes, glass ceramics, and glasses of any desired form, which comprises applying to the material to be marked a variable thickness layer of marking material containing energy absorbing enhancers then irradiating said layer with a laser or diode based energy source such that the radiation is directed onto said layer in accordance with the form of the marking to be applied, and using a laser or diode based energy source of a wavelength which is sufficiently absorbed by the marking material so as to create a bonding of the marking material to the surface of the workpiece at the irradiated areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a welding power source and the associated wire feed arrangement intended for arc welding operations that employ a consumable electrode, to ensure crater filling at the end of the welding operation by means of fading of the arc voltage and of the wire feed rate, respectively. More particularly the invention relates to a method comprising arc voltage reduction at the onset of the end of the welding operation for a period that is considerably briefer than the total fading time, during which the arc voltage is reduced to a value below the value at which it is possible to weld during continuous welding and advancement in the joint with otherwise unchanged welding parameters, followed by a further reduction to a final value of arc voltage and fading of the wire feed rate simultaneously with the arc voltage fading to a final value of the wire feed rate.

Abstract: A solar heated sleeping apparatus has a sleeping bag having a rectangular lower portion and a rectangular upper portion wherein the lower and upper portions are partially connected on corresponding edges and partially fastened by a zipper along the remaining edges thereof. The sleeping apparatus includes a plurality of heating elements disposed within an inner liner of the upper portion. The apparatus further includes a solar cell mounted to a flexible panel and being removably coupled to the sleeping bag. The flexible panel with the solar cell may be removed from the sleeping bag and positioned at a selected angle upon adjustable support legs for receiving solar rays thereon. Solar energy received by the solar cell is connected to an inverter for recharging a battery. A control unit coupled to the battery and to the heating coils allows selected heating coils to be energized for heating the sleeping bag.

Abstract: An implement and method to cut and seal the end of synthetic hair braids by melting and fusing together the hair strands of the braid includes two opposing blades with small flat edges which touch each other and are intended to hold a braid to be cut and sealed between them. Heat is applied to the place the braid is held by the implement which may be by an external stove, attached heating elements or internal heating means which can be electrically powered.

Abstract: The invention disclosed hereunder is a process and a device for the preparation and formation of a plastic weld connection between a workpiece (13) and a second component to be attached thereto by heating by means of a heating device (12). If force is applied, the heating element (12) tends to deform the contact surface especially in the case of hollow, thin-walled workpieces such as plastic containers. So far, methods were disclosed for the measuring of the degree of deformation by means of a sensor, subsequently readjusting the position of the heating device according to the determined deformation. The invention disclosed here under dispenses with any measurement of deformation, instead using an elastic element which automatically readjusts the position of the heating element (12) in the case of deformation of the workpiece (13) to effect a pre-load between the heating device (12) positioned at the contact surface of the work-piece (13) and the workpiece (13).

Abstract: A control system and method for variable ramp rate operation of a heater or integrated heating and cooling plate is provided. The control system obtains a calibration signal for a specific thermal cycling profile and for a specific heater, by exposing a calibration wafer having temperature sensors coupled thereto to a predetermined thermal cycling profile. During the calibration process, the temperature sensed by one or more sensors positioned on the heater, or on a thermally conductive plate coupled to the heater is recorded, as is the signal output to the heater. Preferably the position of the wafer relative to the heating mechanism, and the flow of cooling fluid to the heating mechanism are also recorded as part of the calibration signal. When the calibration signal is executed during production processing, the heating mechanism, fluid flow and/or lift pin position can be adjusted based on feedback from the temperature sensors positioned on the heater or on the conductive plate.

Abstract: A portable heating tent (10) and method are disclosed for testing telecommunications equipment (16). The portable heating tent (100 includes a tent assembly (12) that provides a housing sized to contain telecommunications equipment (16) for testing. The housing has an inlet to receive return air and has an outlet to provide supply air. The portable heating tent (10) also includes a heater/blower assembly (14) that has an inlet (20) coupled to the outlet of the housing and an outlet coupled to the inlet of the housing. The heater/blower assembly (14) processes the supply air and provides the return air such that a temperature within the housing is established at a desired set point for heat testing the telecommunications equipment (16).

Abstract: Semiconductor processing apparatus, including a chamber, into which a semiconductor wafer is introduced for processing thereof and a heater, which heats the wafer in the chamber. A radiation guide collects thermal radiation from a selected region of the wafer. A wafer support assembly supports the wafer and shields the radiation guide from radiation other than radiation from the region. A pyrometer, coupled to receive the radiation from the guide, analyzes the radiation to determine a temperature of the region, for use in controlling the processing.

Abstract: A radiant oven for treating a web of material has oven chambers, electric radiant heaters and buffer plates. The material treated in the oven chamber is isolated from the heaters by the buffer plates. The buffer plates also prevent solvent vapors from reaching the heaters. This invention allows the use of nonclassified electric radiant heaters to treat material in a classified oven chamber.

Abstract: An electric appliance control comprising an electromagnet; an electrical switch assembly; a ferromagnetic section movable with a contact of the switch assembly towards the electromagnet; and a user actuated member adapted to move the ferromagnetic section and the contact towards the electromagnet. When the electromagnet is energized and the ferromagnetic section and contact are moved by the user actuated member to an actuated position, the electromagnet can retain the contact at the actuated position by magnetically holding the ferromagnetic section at the actuated position.

Abstract: A disposable liner formed of aluminum sheeting having a liner cooking compartment formed therein and a liner lip formed into an upper perimeter lip engaging configuration; and a cooker system that includes a burner unit, a ceramic pot, a disposable, formed aluminum sheeting liner member, a cooking lid, and a storage lid. The burner unit, ceramic pot and cooking lid are of conventional slow cooker construction. The disposable, formed aluminum sheeting liner member is sized to fit into the cooking cavity of the ceramic pot and has a liner lip formed into an upper perimeter lip engaging configuration for form fitting into connection with the upper perimeter lip of the ceramic pot and to engage and hold the lid lip of the storage lid. In use, the liner member is removed from the ceramic pot and sealed for storage with the storage lid. The ceramic pot then requires little or no clean up.

Abstract: A cook top with a frame on which there is secured a cook top panel, in particular made of glass ceramic. A plurality of hot plates is provided which can each be heated by a heating element that is secured beneath the cook top panel. For the positioning of the heating element relative to the frame exactly one positioning element is secured on the frame. The positioning element has at least two spaced-apart connecting elements that engage in two corresponding positioning openings of a heating-element casing of the heating element which is to be positioned. In order to achieve high positional accuracy of the heating-element casing with low outlay, the frame has an installation shoulder that extends essentially parallel to the base of the heating-element casing, and the positioning element is secured in a precisely positioned manner on the installation shoulder.

Abstract: A bonding method which includes heating an electrically conductive substrate with an induction heating system. The electrically conductive substrate is suitable for receiving a bonding agent which includes a pressure sensitive adhesive or a hot melt adhesive. The bonding agent is attached to a non-conductive substrate. The contact surface of the substrate is heated with the induction heating system to elevate the temperature of the contact surface. The heated surface enhances the wet out of the bonding agent upon application of the bonding agent onto the substrate.

Abstract: A fusion joining apparatus includes an electrical power source, a first frequency converter coupled to the electrical power source, a connector for connection to an induction fusion heater, a second frequency converter and a controller. During operation, the electrical power source generates source electrical power at a source voltage and a source frequency. The first frequency converter steps up the voltage and the frequency of the source electrical power to produce high voltage electrical power. The second frequency converter reduces the voltage and frequency of the high voltage electrical power and produces low voltage electrical power. The second frequency converter has terminals for connection to a resistance fusion heater to provide the low voltage electrical power to the resistance fusion heater.

Abstract: A non-directional frequency generator inputs direct current power and outputs alternating current power. A high voltage transformer inputs the alternating current power, and either induces a higher voltage for driving the magnetron, or induces and outputs a commonly used alternating current power. A button inputting section includes a microwave oven operating button for driving the magnetron, and a voltage supplying button for supplying the commonly used alternating current power. A microcomputer applies the higher voltage of the high voltage transformer to the magnetron when there is a button input through the microwave oven operating button, while outputting the commonly used alternating current power when there is a button input through the voltage supplying button. Further, a socket outlet is formed on the body of the microwave oven, through which the commonly used alternating power generated at the microwave oven is supplied.

Abstract: A serving utensil, which in a preferred embodiment is in the form of an ice cream scoop that can be heated in a conventional or home microwave oven to facilitate scooping a frozen confection from a container. The serving utensil includes bowl portion formed from a substantially rigid material that becomes heated when subjected to microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven and handle portion, attached to the bowl portion, formed from a substantially rigid material that substantially restricts the absorption of microwave energy. The handle portion includes a recess in its upper side approximate the bowl portion adapted to receive a user's thumb therein and a transverse groove in its underside, longitudinally aligned with the recess and adapted to receive a user's index finger therein.

Abstract: A microscopy system comprising a microscope including a stage, at least one magnifying lens, and a lens controller, a video capture device coupled to the microscope capturing a plurality of images of an object on the stage of the microscope and a processing subsystem receiving the plurality of images from the video capture device, in which the processing subsystem generates at least one resultant image as a function of the plurality of images. The at least one resultant image generated by the processing subsystem may include a mosaic, submosaic or a sequence of mosaics.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical disc master from a glass substrate includes coating the substrate with a layer of photoresist, and applying an alkali-gel layer atop the photoresist. The coated substrate is then placed in an environment with a higher than normal humidity. The surface of the coated glass is selectively exposed to a beam of a writing laser, the exposure being controlled by digital information to be recorded on the disc. Exposed portions of the coated substrate experience a chemical reaction between the photoresist and the alkali material in the humid environment. Exposed portions are then developed and ablated thereby creating the pits and lands.

Abstract: A vehicular rain sensor system for detecting precipitation on an exterior surface of a window including a illumination sensor that is decoupled from the window. The illumination sensor is preferably an imaging array sensor which communicates a signal to a control which further determines whether rain is present on the window. The control preferably includes an edge detection function for detecting edges of precipitation droplets on the window and activating the windshield wipers of the vehicle when the number of edges detected exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A smoothing algorithm or filter is provided to account for surface irregularities on the window, thereby substantially precluding such irregularities from being erroneously detected as rain droplets by the edge detection function.

Abstract: The present invention includes, in one embodiment thereof, a pixel cell cell. The pixel cell includes a photosensor to detect light and a source following device. The source following device is coupled to the photosensor. The source following device has a source coupled to a select line that when asserted, permits reading out of information indicative of an intensity of light detected by the photosensor.

Abstract: The present invention is to obtain a solid state image pick-up device capable of downsizing an image pick-up unit and further decreasing the rigid end portion of an endoscope or the like in diameter and length.

Abstract: Moisture detection permits moisture removal equipment, such as automotive windshield wipers and defogger systems, to be operated automatically. A system for detecting moisture on a surface includes a light emitter directed at the surface. The presence of moisture is based on the intensity of light from the emitter reflected by the surface and received by a light sensor. The light sensor accumulates charge in response to incident light over a variable integration period.