Abstract: A method for underfilling and encapsulating a flip chip in one step is disclosed. The flip chip is immersed in a polymer bath to apply a coating of the polymer to the surface of the flip chip except for the distal end of the conductive projections on the flip chip electrically conductive pads. The coated flip chip is exposed to ultraviolet light or heat (e.g., IR radiation) to surface cure a skin over the polymer coating. The skin-cured flip chip is placed on a substrate which is then heated to reflow the conductive material from the projections and to cause the polymer from the coating to underfill the flip chip and thermally cure to encapsulate and underfill the flip chip.

Abstract: A method for applying a wear coating on a surface of a substrate is described. A foil of the wear coating is first attached to the substrate surface, and then fused to the surface, e.g., by brazing. The wear coating may be formed from a carbide-type material. The substrate is very often a superalloy material, e.g., a component of a turbine engine. A method for repairing a worn or damaged wear coating applied over a substrate is also described, along with related articles of manufacture.

Abstract: The high yield ratio problem intrinsic in high-strength steel pipes is solved and a method of producing a steel pipe, while securing the pipe roundness is provided. A steel pipe produced from a steel plate by forming and welding is subjected to 0.3 to 1.2% of expansion and then to 0.1 to 1.0% of reduction. The steel pipe produced by this method has a structure in which martensite and/or bainite accounts for more than 80% as expressed in terms of area percentage, and has a yield strength of not lower than 551 MPa and a yield ratio of not higher than 93%. The pipe reduction is desirably carried out at a lower work ratio as compared with the pipe expansion.

Abstract: Ultra-small satellite droplets of molten metal, generated from capillary stream break-up, are selectively directed to predetermined locations on a substrate. The satellite droplets are produced at a high rate and are highly uniform because of the nature of capillary stream break-up. Applied harmonic disturbances are used to control and generate the satellite and parent droplets. The satellite droplets are electrostatically charged on a droplet-by-droplet basis and are then deflected by, e.g., an electric field to predetermined locations on a substrate. The substrate is moveable, attached to an x-y table, for facilitating the placement of satellite droplets on the substrate. The satellite droplets can be placed in individual locations on the substrate (e.g., for forming a ball grid array) or can be overlapped to form conductive traces. Because the satellite droplets have small diameters, these traces may have correspondingly small widths or pitches.

Abstract: An envelope assembly is provided for improved performance of a mailing envelope in the automated mail handling process. The envelope comprises a front panel having top, bottom and side edges and forming an envelope front surface, side flaps extending front the side edges, a rear panel extending from the bottom edge and combining with the side flaps to form an envelope rear surface, and a closure flap extending from the top edge for securing the envelope in a closed position. The rear panel is sized and configured to have a lesser width than the front panel as to expose the side flaps along the envelope rear surface. In this configuration, an automated mail opening machine must only substantially cut through the side flaps and front panel to open the envelope along the side edges, as opposed to having to also cut through a substantial portion of the rear panel and an adhesive holding the rear panel and side flaps together.

Abstract: A packaging box includes a rectangularly configured box having an impact-resistant inner bag attached to a first side interior surface. The attached inner bag has an opening for inserting the article to be packaged. The inner bag is then closed about the article using tape elements. When properly closed the inner bag will be spaced from the box interior surface when the first side is facing up. An additional support for the inner bag includes tie members extending from the first side interior surface and about the closed inner bag, the tie members being joined into a twist knot, where further twisting tightens the tie members about the inner bag, thus supporting it generally and providing additional means for spacing the inner bag from the box interior surfaces when the first side is facing up.

Abstract: A container for carrying hot pizzas and the like, comprising a box (1) made of cardboard or of a similar material, having a base (2) and a lid (3) connected to the base (2) in such a way that it can be opened and re-closed. The lid (3) has breather openings (16) and at least one pair of raised parts (13) set at a distance apart, which project upwards and have the function, during use, of spacer supports for a similar box superimposed in a stacked condition on the lid (3). The raised parts conveniently consist of elongated tubular elements (13) which are integral with the lid (3).

Abstract: A reusable envelope has a front address panel and a rear panel joined along three edges to form a pocket with an open top. A first extended sealing flap joined to the top edge of the address panel is provided with a tear strip formed by a line of perforations extending across the top edge of the envelope and through the flap. A second sealing flap is provided which is foldably connected to the top edge of the rear panel and is initially either folded and retained inside the envelope pocket or against the exterior of the rear panel for the first mailing, and is folded over and onto the first panel for the second use. The second flap has an adhesive area securing means for sealing the envelope when the flap is positioned on the address panel for a further mailing. The address panel is provided with an area for postage indicia and, is optionally provided with a first return address area adjacent the top edge of the address panel.

Abstract: A voting ballot is provided that comprises a number of selection areas positioned thereon. The voting ballot also includes a ballot specification embodied in a two dimensional bar code and a number of coordinates included in the ballot specification. Each of the coordinates indicates a position of one of the selection areas on the voting ballot relative to a predefined point on the voting ballot. Also, the voting ballot includes at least one contest identified in the ballot specification, wherein at least one of the selection areas is associated with the at least one contest. In addition, the present invention provides for a voting machine and method for tabulating and storing votes cast on the voting ballot as well as a system and method for creating the voting ballot.

Abstract: A card printer in a card information management system. The card printer has a data input part for inputting data acquired by a user. The data is character information of a character generated by a program stored in a predetermined apparatus according to predetermined operations of a user. The card printer has a user ID input part for inputting an ID of the user. The data inputted from the data input part is converted into print information by a print information generation part. Approval information of the supplier of the card is generated by an approval information generation part. This print information and the approval information are printed on a card by a print part through an image processing part and a print control part. The user can obtain the card to which the approval information is added on demand.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing incentives for the purchase of efficient vehicles are provided. A vehicle purchase record is received, wherein the vehicle purchase record identifies a type of vehicle and a buyer. A particular incentive is automatically selected according to an efficiency of the type of vehicle. The incentive is transferred as an electronic payment for the buyer, such that the buyer is provided with the incentive for a purchase of an efficient vehicle.

Abstract: A machine readable ballot comprises a ballot sheet having a voting identifier including a representation of election jurisdiction information and a unique ballot identifier. A plurality of contest regions each have two or more mark spaces for making voting selections. The contest regions correspond to contests in the jurisdiction represented by the election jurisdiction information, and the representation of election jurisdiction information and the mark spaces are machine readable.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a registration mark associated with an object which provides improved resolution between matching and non-matching inputs. The registration mark represents a binary code sequence. Upon detecting a sequence of bits with a sensor, the detected sequence is provided to a code matching filter, which compares the detected sequence with the binary code sequence and produces a detection signal. The code matching filter increases a value of the detection signal for each matching pair of compared bits, and decreases the value of the detection signal for each non-matching pair of compared bits. In this manner, a penalty is assessed for mismatches. This results in a filter output having a high amplitude in response to a matching input, and a low amplitude for non-matching inputs. The system may sample the detected sequence of bits in such a manner as to avoid potential edge timing problems.

Abstract: An imaging module in one embodiment includes at least one multiple color emitting light source comprising a plurality of different colored LED dies each independently driveable so that the overall color emitted by the light source can be controlled and varied. The multiple color emitting light source can be controlled so that the color emitted by the light source is optimized for imaging or reading in a present application environment of the module. Further, the module can be configured so that control of the multiple color emitting light source automatically varies depending on a sensed condition, such a color present in a field of view of the module, the distance of the module to a target, and/or a predetermined criteria being met so that feedback is provided to a user. The module in a further aspect can include illumination light sources and aiming light sources which project light in different wavelength emission bands.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for three dimensional machine vision including a projector and camera. The projector casts a structured light Quadratic Residue Bar Code on the surface to be mapped. The camera then images the surface. The projected image is shifted, and the process is repeated a number of times, according to the particular arrangement selected for the structured light Quadratic Residue Bar Code. The image data collected from this series of images is then processed by relatively simple matrix operations to determine the location of each camera pixel in three dimensional space.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provide a scanner for scanning objects bearing codes such as bar codes. A scanner according to this aspect of the invention desirably includes a plurality of input channels, each said channel including a photodetector. Each input channel is arranged to provide data elements representing light impinging on the photodetector of such channel. The scanner also includes means for exposing the photodetectors of said channels to light from objects to be scanned so that the light impinging on the photodetector of each channel represents an optical property of objects to be scanned at a series of points along a scanning path associated with such channel. As in a conventional scanner, the means for exposing most typically includes one or more light sources such as one or more lasers, together with optical elements for forming the emitted light from the sources into a plurality of scanning beams, each focused at a spot, and for moving the spot of each beam along a scanning path.

Abstract: The invention is an optical reader having a 2D image sensor that is configured to operate in a partial frame capture mode. In a partial frame operating mode, the reader clocks out and captures at least one partial frame of image data having image data corresponding to less than all of the pixels of an image sensor pixel array. In one embodiment, the reader operating in a partial frame operating mode captures image data corresponding to a linear pattern of pixels of the image sensor, reads the image data, attempts to decode for a decodable 1D symbol which may be represented in the image data, and captures a full frame of image data if the image data reading reveals a 2D symbol is likely to be present in a full field of view of the 2D image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical reader that includes a color imaging assembly that generates color imaging data. An image analysis circuit determines if the acquired image should be characterized as a color photograph or as including a graphical symbol. A processing circuit processes the imaging data based on the image analysis circuit's determination of whether the image is a graphical symbol or a color photograph. The present invention allows a user to acquire and process both color images and graphical symbols, such as bar codes, text, OCR symbols or signatures. The optical reader of the present invention is also configured to associate an acquired image with at least one other acquired image.

Abstract: In an IC card, an IC module constructed by mounting an IC chip and an antenna circuit on a substrate is sandwiched between at least a pair of exterior films. The IC chip is sealed with resin on its outside and reinforced by a reinforcement material having a substantially circular shape with a diameter greater than a longest dimension value of the IC chip. The height variation amount of the shape of the reinforcement material on a surface thereof is within a range of 20 &mgr;m or less. The reliability of the IC chip is ensured while the outer appearance of the card and print characteristic are not degraded.

Abstract: A security instrument and method of forming the same, in which the instrument is comprised of a series of layers which overlay one another, and in which at least one of the layers has a pattern imprinted thereon in a predetermined location, with pearlescent materials of varying colors and hues. When the layers are bonded together on a base member, a design emerges at the surface that provides optical variations, depending on the attitude and lighting at which the instrument is viewed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoded spatio-spectral information processing are disclosed. In a specific aspect, the invention involves applying or embedding of digital information in the spectral profile of materials, such as inks and paints, to provide the functionality of bar codes or labels, and reading such information from objects. Recording of digital information is enabled onto or into physical media with or without the use of printed symbols, by spraying, mixing or enabling a specific chemical changes resulting in digital information being encoded onto or into carrying materials. Because the information is encoded in the spectral signatures of compositions of materials, the precise location, shape, orientation and arrangement of marks is generally not used in the process of decoding. Various applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A supplemental heating system for heating a first fluid such as potable water. The supplemental heating system is configured for use in a recreational vehicle having a primary heating system that also heats the first fluid. The supplemental heating system includes a heating element that heats a second fluid and a heat exchanging component removably fitted into the recreational vehicle and having a first fluid conduit for permitting the first fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component, and a second fluid conduit for permitting the second fluid to enter and exit the heat exchanging component. Heat from the second fluid is transferred to the first fluid within the heat exchanging component and thereby provides a heating operation of the first fluid independent of the heating system of the recreational vehicle.

Abstract: A two-way hydraulic cylinder assembly which is operated in “pump up” or “pump down” modes is used to position a boom/tower unit having a snow gun at the end of the boom. The assembly has a third “locked” that prevents any hydraulic fluid flow. In the pump down mode, the assembly is capable of automatically routing hydraulic fluid flow to enable the unit to free fall if its weight and gravity force is greater than an opposing force. In a specific embodiment, the cylinder assembly includes a two-way hydraulic cylinder which is attached to a tank forming a hydraulic fluid reservoir. A manual reciprocable pump is connected by a first one-way conduit to the reservoir when the pump is on the fill stroke. A second conduit partly connects the pump outlet on a discharge stroke with a first end chamber of the cylinder to lengthen the cylinder and connects the second end chamber with the reservoir.

Abstract: air freshener device with the steps of: made of carpet, fake fur and felt, reusable, and fragrance can be changed by washing.

Abstract: A shower handset having teats formed in an elastomeric plate wherein positioning of the elastomeric plate behind the spray plate causes the teats to deflect outwardly, the cross-sectional areas of outlet orifices increasing in response to increasing flow rate.

Abstract: A melter, mixer and applicator system for applying coating or sealing compositions is disclosed. An internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, is used to provide the motive force necessary to operate many or all of the components of the system. A tank surrounded by an internal heating system is provided for melting a first material, such as asphalt. An insulated cabinet is provided and heated from heat generated by the internal heating system. The plumbing configuration for the system is disposed within the heated cabinet for mixing the material heated within the tank with an additional material fed to the plumbing configuration by a proportioner pump. The output of this mixture serves, through a heated hose, as one of the inputs to the applicator, which is preferably a plural component spray gun. The other input to the applicator is another material fed directly from the proportioner pump.

Abstract: A fuel injector adapter for providing nitrous oxide to an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The nozzle has a central fuel injector passage that terminates at a first outlet end. Fuel from a fuel injector may be passed through the central fuel injector passage. The nozzle also has an inner annular passage arranged circumferentially around the central fuel injector passage. The inner annular passage terminates at a second outlet end. The nozzle also has an outer annular passage arranged circumferentially around the inner annular passage that terminates at a third outlet end. One or both of the inner and outer annular passages is adapted to pass nitrous oxide through it. The nozzle is adapted to fit between a fuel injector and an engine without substantial modification to the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of conduits and outlet ports that are capable of providing improved distribution of fluids. One or more conduits are arranged within a single conduit, which provides a compact and inexpensive assembly for conveying the fluids to each conduit's outlet port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power washing system capable of indoor and outdoor operation while remaining convenient for use by the consumer. The present invention provides a housing designed to move over surface areas to be cleaned and adapted for spraying and retrieving water under high pressure. The housing being equipped with one or more bulkhead fittings capable of receiving vacuum hoses. These vacuum hoses may be attached to the housing such that waste water created during cleaning operations may be recovered and drawn upwardly through the vacuum hoses. The housing is attached to a support member having a trigger member adapted to control water flow through one or more water hoses attached thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and processor for reusing waste paint, rolling the waste paint between a pair of heated rotating drums 15 disposed opposite to each other in a rolling dryer 13 for dehydrating and drying the waste paint (rough drying step I), and accumulating the dehydrated and dried waste paint in a stirring dryer 21 while stirring the accumulated waste paint by a rotating grinding rotor 24 under cooling (holding step II), and drying and pulverizing the accumulated waste paint with the rotating grinding rotor 24 under heating (main drying step III). The process and processor bring about highly efficient processing of the waste paint.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for crushing glass or ceramic material, which apparatus (2) comprises a rotor (4), rotor blades (6) on the rotor (4), at least one stationary blade (8) which cooperates in use with the rotor blades (6) as the rotor (4) rotates, and a chamber (16) for receiving crushed glass or ceramic material (18), the apparatus (2) being such that the rotor (4) is upstream of the chamber (16), the glass or ceramic material (18) is first broken into fragments (20) on impact with the rotor (4), the fragments (20) are reduced in size and formed into cullet (22) by passing through a gap (24) between the rotor blades (6) and the stationary blade (8), and the action of the rotor blades (6) and the stationary blade (8) causes the cullet (22) to be such that it will not cut, is safe for handling, and is suitable for further use without further processing.

Abstract: A bale handling apparatus comprises a bale support surface (18) and means for gradually displacing a bale (16) off the surface. This allows flakes or wafers of the bale no longer supported by the surface to break off from the rest of the bale and enables a whole bale to be discharged piecemeal without the production of a large amount of dust. Agitating means (134) may be provided to assist in breaking up the discharged bale portions. The bale may be discharged, for example, by a movable member (e.g. a wall or gate) which engages the inner face of a bale or may comprise means for securing a cut end of one or more bale bindings and pulling the other end of the or each bale binding.

Abstract: A mobile crushing machine, equipped with an impact crusher having a separable casing 31 comprising a stationary casing 70 and a movable casing 30, is adopted for casing 31 with the upper end 724 of the stationary casing 70 positioned below the upper end 820 of the movable casing 80 and with the movable casing 80 arranged to permit an operator to collapse the feeding port 31A side of movable casing 80 into the rotation mechanism 39 for transporting the mobile crushing machine The impact crusher is equipped with a gap adjustment device (60).

Abstract: A drum shredder for reducing material which includes a tapered cutting drum rotatably positioned within a housing and adapted for carrying material radially with and externally of the drum; at least one cutting implement disposed about an outer surface of the cutting drum; an anvil disposed adjacent to the cutting drum; and a drive connected to the drum.

Abstract: A component member of a fishing reel incorporating a body constituted by a Mg alloy; and a corrosion prevented layer formed on the body by a high-voltage anodization process or a body constituted by a Mg alloy; a corrosion prevented layer formed on the body by a high-voltage anodization process or conversion treatment; and a sealing layer which is formed on the corrosion prevented layer by an impregnating process and which is free from any change in the dimension thereof.

Abstract: A method of confirming that chucking between a supply leader tape (20) and a take-up leader tape (10A) is properly carried out comprises a step of confirming whether or not the chucking is properly carried out and a step of reconfirming whether or not the chucking is properly carried out. The reconfirming step is carried out at least once.

Abstract: A 2 reel type data storage magnetic tape cassette (20) is provided with reels (28, 30) around which a magnetic recording medium (26) is wound. The magnetic recording medium (26) includes a support, a non-magnetic layer comprising a non-magnetic powder and a binder on one surface of the support, a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic metal powder and a binder on top of the non-magnetic layer, and a back layer comprising a carbon black powder and a binder on the other side of the support. The magnetic tape cassette (20) is further provided with a rotating guide roller (36) made of a resin within the cassette (20). The rotating guide roller (36) has a ten-point average roughness Rz of 3.0 to 4.5 &mgr;m and is in contact with the surface of the magnetic layer having a center plane average roughness SRa of 2.0 to 3.5 nm.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door cable mechanism with a take up guide member (46) mounted in a drum (14) for taking up slack of a cable during installation of the cable. A second drum (16) has an elliptical profile drum helix (96) for increasing durability of the operating cable for the automatic door.

Abstract: A take-up reel has a diameter equal to or more than 85 times a thickness of a veneer sheet wound thereon and equal to or more than 300 mm so as to be of a curvature of the take-up reel to reduce cracking in parallel to fiber orientations that occurs in winding a veneer sheet after drying on a winding surface of the take-up reel.

Abstract: An automatic sliding door cable mechanism with a take up guide member (46) mounted in a drum (14) for taking up slack of a cable during installation of the cable. A second drum (16) has an elliptical profile drum helix (96) for increasing durability of the operating cable for the automatic door.

Abstract: A personal aircraft (PAC) capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) comprises a passenger compartment having a front, a rear and two sides, and a plurality of independently powered thrusters attached to the outer periphery of the compartment. At least three thrusters are disposed on each side of the compartment. The thrusters, which are preferably ducted fan units, are capable of providing a vertically upward force to the compartment.

Abstract: A personal aircraft (PAC) capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) comprises a passenger compartment having a front, a rear and two sides, and a plurality of independently powered thrusters attached to the outer periphery of the compartment. At least two thrusters are disposed on each side of the compartment. The thrusters, which are preferably ducted fan units, are capable of providing a vertically upward force to the compartment. The thrusters preferably comprise a “Levitator” which creates lift from the airfoil-like air inlet as well as from the acceleration of air from inlet to outlet.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air craft, which may be a freely floating balloon or may be an airship with its own propulsion, has an envelope which is filled with at least a substantial proportion of steam to provide buoyancy. Liquid water which accumulates at a low point of the interior of the envelope is passed out from the envelope and is discharged into the atmosphere, and stored ballast is also discharged into the atmosphere. The ballast discharge mass rate may be brought to be approximately equal to the water discharge mass rate, either manually or automatically; and the ballast discharge mass rate may be manually varied within a certain range around the water discharge mass rate. The ballast may be water. A drain valve may be provided for draining off liquid water as it condenses upon the inside of the envelope while preventing gas from escaping or entering, and a boiler may be provided for reboiling the drained off water into steam which is supplied back into the envelope.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for designing a deployment mechanism for a flight surface on an airborne body, including the steps of determining a stowed position of the flight surface, determining a deployed position of the flight surface, identifying a first rotation axis and respective rotation angle and a second rotation axis and respective rotation angle about and through which the flight surface is rotatable in sequence to move the flight surface from the stowed position to the deployed position, or vice versa, and using the identified first and second rotation axes and rotation angles to determine a single equivalent rotation axis and angle, about and through which the flight surface can be rotated from the stowed position to the deployed position, or vice versa.

Abstract: A hijacking prevention system which employs a gas which can render everyone in the passenger compartment temporarily unconscious in the event a hijacking occurs. A single switch, hidden in the cockpit and easily accessible to the pilot while flying the plane, would activate the flow of the gas through the existing venting system, while simultaneously locking and/or sealing the cockpit door, and deploying air masks connected to a separate source of fresh air for the pilots. Each of the crew members, and a selected one of the passengers, e.g., an air Marshall or security agent, would be equipped with a transmitter alerting the pilots to the need of deploying the system.

Abstract: A method and system for alerting a cockpit crew of terrorist activity in a cabin of an aircraft. The system includes a plurality of fobs worn by flight attendants. The system also includes an antenna sending unit (ASU) located within the cabin and a cockpit display unit (CDU) located in the cockpit of the aircraft. When a terrorist situation is detected by a flight attendant, the flight attendant sends an alerting signal to the cockpit by sending a coded signal via the ASU to the CDU. The CDU provides an indicator to the cockpit crew. The CDU may also optionally send a transponder code and an ACARS message to ground-based units.

Abstract: A passenger aircraft so arranged that complete partition wall(s) is/are disposed in the manned space (e.g. a flight deck and a passenger cabin) of the aircraft fuselage so as to completely partition the manned space into at least two manned space sections which are completely isolated from each other. Hence, any hijacker is prevented by the partition wall(s) from his or her access to the manned space. Further, doors and lavatory are provided in the aircraft at points corresponding to such at least two isolated manned space sections, so that pilots, crews, flight attendants and passengers may not only find their own ways for egress from the aircraft and ingress thereto, but also have a wash and relieve themselves, for instance.

Abstract: A less-than-200-seat-class passenger airplane includes a passenger cabin with two longitudinal aisles, and at least six economy class seats abreast the cabin. The cross-section of the cabin perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the airplane fuselage has a horizontal diameter value in excess of a vertical diameter value.