Author: claimsbot

1. A semiconductor device, comprising:
a package having a heat sink, a case surrounding a perimeter of the heat sink, and a top plate separated from the heat sink and positioned overlying the heat sink;
a semiconductor element provided on the heat sink through an intervening insulating substrate;
a sealant in the package; and
a metal terminal extended from within the package to the exterior of the package and electrically connected to the semiconductor element at a location within the package,
wherein the metal terminal includes:
a busbar mounting portion comprising a planar body extending over the surface of the top plate and provided with an aperture for a fastener to pass therethrough,
a lead portion extending through the top plate and connected to the busbar mounting portion, and
a spring structure, biasable in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the top plate, in the busbar mounting portion.
2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein
the spring structure is a folded portion extending between the busbar mounting portion and the lead portion.
3. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein
the metal terminal further includes a second spring structure formed of a folded portion of the terminal located at an end of the busbar mounting portion opposed to the connection of spring structure with busbar mounting portion.
4. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein
the busbar mounting portion is spaced from the top plate by the spring structure.
5. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, further comprising:
an attachment member located within a recess provided on a surface of the top plate;
wherein the center of the hole of the busbar mounting portion is aligned with the center of a hole of the attachment member in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the top plate, and a portion of the folded portion extends into a space between the attachment portion and the busbar mounting portion.
6. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein
the busbar mounting portion is supported over the top plate case by the spring structure.
7. The semiconductor device according to claim 6, further comprising:
an attachment member having a hole therein and located within recesses provided on the top surface of the top plate,
wherein the center of the hole of the busbar mounting portion is aligned on the same line with the center of the hole of the attachment member in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the top plate, and a portion of the second folded portion extends into the space between the nut and the busbar mounting portion.
8. The semiconductor device according to claim 2, wherein
the folded portion is folded back in the direction of the tope plate, and
the busbar mounting portion overlies and contacts the top plate and is connected to the lead portion passing through the resin top plate through the folded portion.
9. The semiconductor device according to claim 8, wherein
the busbar mounting portion is provided with a hole.
10. The semiconductor device according to claim 9, further comprising:
a fastener location in a recess provided on the surface of top plate,
wherein the center of the hole of the busbar mounting portion is aligned on the same line with the center of the hole of the nut in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the top plate.
11. A method of connecting a package terminal to a busbar, comprising:
extending a portion of the terminal inwardly of the package and into electrical contact with a conductor within the package, and
forming a portion of the terminal extending from the packages as connection portion and an isolation portion.
12. The method of claim 11, including the step of configuring the isolation portion as a u-shaped bend in the body of the terminal.
13. The method of claim 12, further including the step of spacing the connecting portion from the surface of the package with the isolation portion.
14. The method of claim 13, further including the steps of:
providing a hole through the connecting portion;
providing a fastener anchor within the body of the package and aligned with the hole;
extending a fastener through the hole and into the anchor and thereby moving the connection portion with respect to the body of the package; and
providing a bias on the connection portion with the isolation portion in a direction opposed to the body of the package.
15. The method of claim 11, further including the step of:
providing a plate and extending the portion of the terminal extending into the package through the plate; and
positioning a sealant between the plate and the conductor within the package.
16. A packaged semiconductor device having an electrical connection to the semiconductor device extending therefrom, comprising:
a terminal forming a pathway for the electrical connection, formed of a single piece of a conductive material, and having a first portion extending inwardly of the packaged semiconductor device; and
a second portion disposed exteriorly to the packaged semiconductor device, and a flexible portion extending between the first and the second portions.
17. The packaged semiconductor of claim 16, further including:
an aperture extending through the second portion;
a fastener recipient positioned within the package; and
a fastener extending through the aperture and into the recipient.
18. The packaged semiconductor of claim 17, wherein the fastener secures a conductor to the second portion of the terminal, and supplies a force to induce a bias in the connecting portion.
19. The packaged semiconductor of claim 16, wherein the second portion is spaced from the exterior of the package and supported by the flexible portion.
20. The packaged semiconductor of claim 16, wherein the second portion directly contacts the package of the packaged semiconductor device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A personal unit for notifying a deafhearing-impaired user of a sound event in its surrounding environment and for communicating an immediate assistance request to a central station, said personal unit comprising:
a transceiver for receiving a sound event message representative of said sound event detected in said environment,
an output module for notifying said user of said sound event message, and
an input module for inputting said immediate assistance request, said request to be communicated to said central station using said transceiver;
said transceiver being further for receiving an inquiry message initiated by said central station in response to said request,
said output module being further for displaying said inquiry message, and
said input module being further for inputting an answer to said inquiry message, said answer to be communicated to said central station using said transceiver.
2. The personal unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vibrator activated upon reception of said sound event message for warning said user said reception.
3. The personal unit as claimed in any one of claim 1, wherein said output module comprises a display screen for displaying an icon representative of said sound event message.
4. The personal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output module comprises a display screen and said inquiry message comprises a text to be displayed on said display screen.
5. The personal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input module comprises buttons for selecting the answer to be inputted.
6. The personal unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input module comprises an immediate assistance button for inputting the immediate assistance request by pressing said button.
7. The personal unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said sound event is one of a door bell detection event, a fire alarm detection event, a phone ring detection event, a sound detection event and a baby cry detection event.
8. A method for communicating an immediate assistance request to a central station using a portable personal unit for notifying a deafhearing-impaired user of a sound event in its surrounding environment, the method comprising:
receiving, on the portable personal unit, a sound event message representative of said sound event detected in said environment;
providing a notification of said sound event message on the portable personal unit;
inputting an immediate assistance request on the portable personal unit;
communicating said request to said central station;
receiving an inquiry message initiated by said central station in response to said request, on the portable personal unit;
displaying said inquiry message on the portable personal unit;
manually inputting an answer to said inquiry message on said portable personal unit; and
transmitting said answer to said central station.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said providing a notification of said sound event message comprises displaying an icon representative of said sound event message on said portable personal unit.
10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said providing a notification of said sound event message comprises activating a vibrator for warning said user of the reception of said sound event message.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said communicating said request comprises:
transmitting said request to a central station interfacing unit located in the surrounding environment of the portable personal unit, using a transceiver; and
said central station interfacing unit transmitting said request to said central station.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said central station interfacing unit transmitting said request to said central station is made using a wired technology.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said central station interfacing unit transmitting said request to said central station is made using a central station phone line.
14. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said receiving an inquiry message comprises:
receiving said inquiry message on a central station interfacing unit located in the surrounding environment of the portable personal unit;
said central station interfacing unit transmitting said request to the portable personal unit; and
receiving said inquiry message on the portable personal unit.
15. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said displaying said inquiry message on the portable personal unit comprises displaying a text inquiry message on a display screen.
16. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said manually inputting an answer comprises pressing a button associated with the answer, on said portable personal unit.
17. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said inputting an immediate assistance request on the portable personal unit comprises pressing a button on said portable personal unit.
18. The method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 17, wherein said sound event is one of a door bell detection event, a fire alarm detection event, a phone ring detection event, a sound detection event and a baby cry detection event.
19. A portable personal unit for notifying a deafhearing-impaired user of a sound event in its surrounding environment and in communication with a detection unit having a unique identification code, said personal unit comprising:
a register for listing registered identification codes,
a transceiver for receiving a sound event message representative of a sound event detected in said environment, said sound event message comprising said unique identification code and said transceiver considering said sound event message only if said unique identification code is listed in said register,
an output module for providing a notification of the considered sound event message, and
an input module for adding and removing registered identification codes from said register.
20. The personal unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein said output module comprises a screen for displaying an icon associated in said register to said unique identification code.
21. A method for using a portable personal unit with at least a first and a second sound event detection systems, the personal unit for notifying a deafhearing-impaired user of sound events in its surrounding environment, the method comprising:
programming the portable personal unit to communicate with units of the first sound event detection system;
moving the portable personal unit in a surrounding environment of the second sound event detection system, the first and the second sound event detection systems having non-overlapping surrounding environments;
programming the portable personal unit to communicate with existing units of the second sound event detection system such that the portable personal unit is remained allowed to communicate with units of the first sound event detection system; and
moving the portable personal unit between the surrounding environments of the first and the second sound event detection systems for interchangeably using the portable personal unit with the first and the second sound event detection systems.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:
while the portable personal unit is in the surrounding environment of one of the first and the second sound event detection systems, receiving on the personal unit a sound event message representative of a sound event detected in said one of the first and the second sound event detection systems; and
providing a notification of said sound event message on the portable personal unit.
23. The method as claimed in any one of claims 21 and 22, wherein each of the existing units of said second sound event is associated with a unique identification code and has a configuration register comprising the unique identification code of all existing units, and wherein said programming the portable personal unit to communicate with the existing units of the second sound event detection system comprises:
activating an input module of the portable personal unit for initiating the programming procedure;
the portable personal unit transmitting a message comprising the unique identification code of the portable personal unit in response to said activating;
activating a programming mode of one of the existing units;
the one existing unit receiving said message and adding the unique identification code of the portable personal unit in its configuration register;
said one existing unit transmitting its modified configuration register;
other ones of the existing units and the portable personal unit receiving the modified configuration register;
said other ones of the existing units updating their configuration register so as to include the unique identification code of the portable personal unit; and
the portable personal unit modifying its configuration register so as to include the unique identification code of all existing units.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising:
while the portable personal unit is in the surrounding environment of the second sound event detection system, receiving on the personal unit a sound event message representative of a sound event detected by an activated one of the existing units, the sound event message comprising the unique identification code of the activated one of the existing units;
the portable personal unit considering the sound event message only if the unique identification code in the sound event message is included in its configuration register; and
providing a notification of said sound event message on the portable personal unit if the sound event message is considered.

We claim:

1. An imager based optical code reading and weighing system comprising:
an image sensor having a field of view;
a weighing platform in the field of view of the image sensor which platform moves in response to the weight of an object placed on the platform; and
an electronic processor receiving image information from the image sensor
for detecting and decoding optical code in the field of view of the image sensor;
for measuring the amount of movement of the platform in response to the weight of the object placed on the platform from image data from the image sensor; and
for producing a signal related in value to the weight of the object.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a laser light projector for projecting a pattern of light in the field of view of the image sensor along an optical path which is not colinear with at least one of an optical axis of the image sensor and an axis of movement of the weighing platform in response to the weight of the object,
and wherein the image sensor detects a reflection of the pattern and produces therefrom the signal related in value to the weight of the object.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pattern includes a line and wherein movement of the platform is detected by measuring a dimension of a discontinuity in the line at an edge of the platform.
4. the apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pattern includes a line and wherein a vertical height of the object on the platform is detected by measuring a dimension of a discontinuity in the line at an upper edge of the object.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pattern includes two non-parallel lines and wherein dimensions of the object on the platform are detected by measuring the length of a segment of one line lying between edge discontinuities in the direction of the length of the object, and by measuring the length of a segment of the other line lying between edge discontinuities in the direction of the width of the object.
6. An apparatus for obtaining and displaying video image signals comprising:
a handheld optical code reader including a two dimensional image sensor and means for compressing video data obtained from the sensor;
a host terminal with a communication port and display; and
a narrow band width data link over which compressed video data from the handheld optical code reader is communicated to a communication port of the host terminal.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for detecting a command bar code for switching the handheld optical code reader between a code reading mode and a video data communication mode.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the handheld optical code reader includes a microprocessor and output driver for communication with the host terminal, and wherein the host terminal is a computer with a serial communication port for receiving the compressed video data and for receiving decoded information from optical codes read by the handheld code reader.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the narrow band width data link is a cable connected between the handheld optical code reader and a serial communication port of the host terminal.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the narrow band width data link is a radio frequency transmitter and receiver.
11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the narrow band width data link is an infrared transmitter and receiver.
12. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for detecting motion in a field of view of the handheld optical code reader.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein motion is detected by monitoring the bandwidth of the compressed video signal.
14. A method for performing motion detection using an optical code reader comprising the steps of:
positioning an image sensor of the optical code reader so that a field of view of the image sensor includes a region to be monitored for motion;
switching the optical code reader from an optical code reading mode to a motion detection mode;
compressing video data in the field of view of the image sensor by identifying changes between frames of video data; and
monitoring the frequency of changes between frames of video data to identify frequency changes indicative of the movement of objects of interest in the field of view.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
transmitting the compressed video data from the optical code reader to a terminal; and
displaying the image of the field of the image sensor at the terminal, and
observing images at the terminal based on the detection of motion in the field of view.
16. An apparatus for detecting optical code and one or more physical parameters of a target object comprising:
an image sensor for producing electronic signals corresponding to a two dimensional array of pixel information for a field of view containing the target object;
means for projecting a pattern on a target in the field of view of the sensor; and
means for reading an optical code in the field of view of the image sensor and for determining a physical parameter of the target object from the reflection of the pattern from the target object onto the image sensor.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the physical parameter of the target object is determined by measuring edge discontinuities in the pattern caused by that target object.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a weighing platform for supporting the target object in the field of view of the image sensor; and
means for supporting the platform which permits the platform to move in a vertical direction for a distance approximately proportional to the weight of the target object.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a counter surface adjacent to the platform, wherein the edge discontinuity measured is between an edge of the platform and an edge of the counter surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the projected pattern is one or more lines and wherein the measured edge discontinuity is a separation between reflected segments of the line.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the projected pattern includes two approximately perpendicular lines which cross near the center of the weighing platform.
22. An optical system for a handheld optical code reader including an image sensor, comprising:
an objective lens located in an optical path of the code reader for focusing an image of an optical code onto the image sensor;
a carrier rotatable about an axis and having a sector radially outwardly located from the rotation axis through which optical code are read, the carrier having a second sector located radially outwardly of the axis, said second sector containing an optical element, which when placed in the optical path changes the focal distance of the optical system to a focal distance more appropriate for producing video images with the handheld optical code reader; and
means for rotating the carrier for selectively positioning a selected one of first and said second sectors in the optical path.
23. The optical system of claim 22, wherein the first sector is open and the second sector contains a plano glass optical element which increases the focal distance of the optical system.
24. The optical system of claim 22, further comprising:
a third sector located radially outwardly of said axis and selectively positionable in the optical path of the system and containing a first monochrome filter; and
a fourth sector located radially outwardly of said axis and selectively positionable in the optical path of the system, containing a second, different monochrome filter, wherein the monochrome filter are employed to obtain image data to produce color video display.
25. The optical system of claim 24, further comprising:
a laser pattern projector for projecting pattern from the handheld optical code reader, and
a fifth sector located radially outwardly of said axis and selectively positionable in the optical path of the system, containing an optical band pass filter approximately centered on a wavelength of the projected pattern.
26. The optical system of claim 25, further comprising means for monitoring the rotation of the carrier in response to the detection of the fifth sector being rotated into the optical path.
27. The optical system of claim 22, wherein the carrier is a wheel rotatable about a central axis thereof and divided into plural angular sectors, at least one of which sector being adapted for positioning in the optical path for imaging an optical code in a working depth of field of the optical code reader and at least two other sectors being adapted for focusing images on the image sensor from which a color video signal is derived.
28. An optical system for an optical code reader comprising:
an area image sensor;
an objective lens assembly adapted and positioned for focusing an image onto the area image sensor; and
a transparent optical element with substantially parallel, planar surfaces, selectively movable into the optical path of the image sensor;
wherein the system has a focal distance adapted for reading code symbols relatively near to the objective lens assembly and another focal distance for imaging scenes relatively far from the objective lens assembly; and
wherein the thickness of the plate is selected to change the focal distance of the system between the one focal distance and the other.
29. The optical system of claim 28, wherein the system operates in a hyper-focal mode when the optical element is moved into the optical path of the image sensor.
30. The optical system of claim 28, wherein the optical element is a glass plate located in a sector of a rotatable wheel located between the objective lens assembly and the image sensor.
31. A method for measuring orthogonal dimensions of a rectangular solid object in a field of view of a handheld imager, comprising the steps of:
obtaining pixel information for the field of view of the imager;
determining a distance between the object and the imager;
determining the angles between edges of the rectangular solid meeting at a nearest corner of the object and determining an imaged length of edges of the rectangular solid to be measured from the pixel information; and
scaling the determined image length of the edges responsive to the determined angles and determined distance between the rectangular solid and the imager to obtain an approximation of the actual length of said edges.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the distance between the object and the imager is determined from a detected image of an aiming pattern projected by the imager onto the object.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the distance between the object and the imager is determined from at least one image dimension of an optical code symbol of known size on the object.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the handheld imager is an imaging optical code reader.
35. A handheld imaging device for reading optical code and providing video image signals to a remote terminal, comprising:
an image sensor having a field of view;
an aiming pattern projector for aiming the image sensor at an optical code;
a manually actuated trigger switch for initiation of reading an optical code in the field of view of the image sensor;
output circuitry for selectively outputting signals from the image sensor corresponding to at least three image frames per second of a changing two dimensional image in the field of view of the image sensor; and
output circuitry for selectively outputting data decoded from an optical code in the field of view of the image sensor.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of identifying a candidate phytoparasitic nematode phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor compound that disrupts cyclic nucleotide metabolism in a phytoparasitic nematode, the method comprising:
a) contacting a phytoparasitic nematode test sample with a test compound under conditions suitable for PDE activity;
b) measuring the level of PDE activity in the test sample;
c) comparing the measured level of PDE activity in the test sample to a control level of PDE activity; and
d) determining whether the contacted test sample has a reduced level of PDE activity relative to the control level of PDE activity, wherein a reduced level of PDE activity in the test sample relative to the control level of PDE activity identifies the test compound as a candidate phytoparasitic nematode PDE inhibitor compound that disrupts cyclic nucleotide metabolism in the phytoparasitic nematode.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control level is a level PDE of activity determined in a phytoparasitic nematode sample under conditions suitable for PDE activity and not contacted with the test compound.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the control comprises a vertebrate sample contacted with the candidate compound under suitable conditions for PDE activity in the vertebrate sample, and wherein a reduction in PDE activity in the test sample relative to the control sample further identifies the test compound as selectively disrupting cyclic nucleotide metabolism in the phytoparasitic nematode compared to the vertebrate.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the vertebrate PDE is an ortholog of the phytoparasitic nematode PDE.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the control comprises a non-phytoparasitic nematode sample contacted with the test compound under suitable conditions for PDE activity in the non-phytoparasitic nematode sample, and wherein a reduction in the level of PDE activity in the test sample relative to the level of PDE activity in the control sample further identifies the test compound as selectively disrupting cyclic nucleotide metabolism in the phytoparasitic nematode compared to the non-phytoparasitic nematode.
6-10. (canceled)
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising,
determining one or more amino acid differences between a sequence of a catalytic domain of the phytoparasitic nematode PDE and a sequence of the corresponding catalytic domain of a non-phytoparasitic nematode PDE ortholog or a vertebrate PDE ortholog; and
selecting the test compound based at least in part on the one or more identified differences between the catalytic domain sequences.
12-15. (canceled)
16. A method of reducing an activity of a phytoparasitic nematode, the method comprising contacting the phytoparasitic nematode with a selective phytoparasitic nematode phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor in an amount effective to reduce an activity of the phytoparasitic nematode.
17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 16, wherein contacting a vertebrate sample with the selective phytoparasitic nematode PDE inhibitor under conditions suitable for PDE inhibition in the vertebrate sample does not result in a significant level of PDE inhibition in the vertebrate sample.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the selective phytoparasitic nematode PDE inhibitor is more effective at inhibiting a phytoparasitic nematode PDE than inhibiting a vertebrate ortholog PDE.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the vertebrate sample comprises a vertebrate cell, tissue, or organism.
21-23. (canceled)
24. The method of claim 16, wherein the phytoparasitic nematode PDE is an ortholog of a vertebrate PDE.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein under suitable conditions for PDE inhibition, the selective phytoparasitic nematode PDE inhibitor has a higher level of inhibitory activity against the phytoparasitic nematode PDE than against the vertebrate PDE ortholog.
26. (canceled)
27. The method of claim 16, wherein the phytoparasitic nematode PDE is an ortholog of a non-phytoparasitic nematode PDE.
28. (canceled)
29. The method of claim 27, wherein under suitable conditions for PDE inhibition, the selective phytoparasitic nematode PDE inhibitor has a higher level of inhibitory activity against the phytoparasitic nematode PDE than against the non-phytoparasitic nematode PDE ortholog.
30. (canceled)
31. The method of claim 16, wherein the phytoparasitic nematode is additionally contacted with one or more additional anti-phytoparasitic agents, wherein the selective PDE inhibitor and the one or more additional agents act synergistically to reduce the activity of the phytoparasitic nematode.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more additional anti-phytoparasitic agent is a compound that stimulates synthesis of cyclic nucleotides.
33-36. (canceled)
37. A method of decontaminating a substrate that comprises or is at risk of comprising phytoparasitic nematode contamination, the method comprising:
contacting the substrate with one or more selective phytoparasitic nematode phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors in an amount effective to reduce the phytoparasitic nematode contamination of, or risk of phytoparasitic nematode contamination of, the substrate.
38-43. (canceled)
44. A method of treating a phytoparasitic nematode infection in a plant, the method comprising: administering to a plant having, or at risk of having, a phytoparasitic nematode infection an effective amount of at least one selective phytoparasitic nematode phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor to treat the phytoparasitic nematode infection.
45-50. (canceled)
51. The method of claim 44, wherein the treatment is a prophylactic treatment.
52-56. (canceled)