Author: claimsbot

1. A differential autozeroing floating-gate amplifier, comprising:
a first floating node and a second floating node;
a pair of input nodes including a first input node and a second input node wherein the first input node is capacitevely coupled to said first floating node and the second input node is capacitively coupled to said second floating node;
a first output node and a second output node;
a first feedback capacitor coupled between said first floating node and said first output node;
a second feedback capacitor coupled between said second floating node and said second output node;
a first charge transfer device coupled to said first floating node to transfer charge to said first floating node responsive to a signal on said first output node;
a second charge transfer device coupled to said second floating node to transfer charge to said second floating node responsive to a signal on said second output node, at least one of said first and second charge transfer devices being configured to conduct charge transfer by way of at least one of a tunneling and an injection mechanism; and
a gain device having a first input coupled to said first floating node, a second input coupled to said second floating node, a first output coupled to said first output node and a second output coupled to said second output node.
2. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein said gain device comprises an operational amplifier.
3. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein said gain device comprises an operational transconductance amplifier.
4. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein said first and second floating nodes comprise the floating gates of pFET transistors.
5. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein said first and second charge transfer devices each comprise separate elements for (1) transferring electrons to said first and second floating node, respectively and (2) transferring electrons from said first and second floating node, respectively.
6. The amplifier of claim 5, wherein said separate elements operate simultaneously.
7. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein said first and second charge transfer devices each comprise a single element for bi-directionally transferring electrons to and from said first and second floating node, respectively.
8. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of said pairs of input nodes.
9. A differential autozeroing floating-gate amplifier, comprising:
first and second means for storing charge;
a first and a second input means for receiving a respective first and second input of a plurality differential signal, said first input means capacitively coupled to said first means for storing charge and said second input means capacitively coupled to said second means for storing charge;
a first output means and a second output means for outputting a respective first and second output component of a differential signal;
a first and a second feedback means, said first feedback means coupled between said first means for storing charge and said first output means, said second feedback means coupled between said second means for storing charge and said second output means;
a first and a second charge transfer means, said first charge transfer means coupled to said first means for storing charge for transferring charge to said first means for storing charge in response to said first output means, and said second charge transfer means coupled to said second means for storing charge for transferring charge to said second means for storing charge in response to said second output means, at least one of said first and second charge transfer being configured to conduct charge transfer by way of at least one of a tunneling and an injection mechanism; and
amplification means for amplifying a differential signal having a first and second input component, said amplification means including a first input coupled to said first means for storing charge, a second input coupled to said second means for storing charge, a first output coupled to said first output means and a second output coupled to said second output means.
10. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein said amplification means comprises an operational amplifier.
11. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein said amplification means comprises an operational transconductance amplifier.
12. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein said first and second means for storing charge comprise a floating gate of a pFET.
13. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein said first and second charge transfer means each includes separate means for transferring electrons to said first and second means for storing charge, respectively and for transferring electrons from said first and second means for storing charge, respectively.
14. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein said first and second charge transfer means each includes means for bi-directionally transferring electrons to and from said first and second means for storing charge, respectively.
15. The amplifier of claim 9, wherein there are a plurality of said first input means and a corresponding plurality of said second input means.

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 computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing, the computer implemented method comprising:
initiating by one device, detection of a another device;
responsive to detecting the another device, transmitting a pairing information as a light signal from the one device to the another device;
determining whether the another device received the pairing information; and
responsive to receiving the pairing information, completing a pairing process to successfully form paired devices, wherein data is exchanged.
2. The computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 1, wherein initiating by the one device, detection of the another device, further comprises:
setting the one device to a detect mode;
determining whether the another device is in a detectable mode; and
responsive to the another device being in other than the detectable mode, setting the another device to the detectable mode.
3. The computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 1, wherein transmitting a pairing information further comprises:
transmitting a transmission signal from an optical transmitter source of the one device toward an optical receiver of the another device, wherein the transmission signal comprising one of a burst of light signal, a pulse of light signal, a set of light signals, a set of colored signals and a combination of light signals.
4. The computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 1, wherein transmitting a pairing information further comprises;
transmitting a key code.
5. The computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 1, wherein completing a pairing process to form paired devices further comprises:
comparing pairing information from the one device with that of the another device to determine a match condition; and
responsive to the match condition forming a linking key to share on subsequent access.
6. A computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 1, wherein determining whether the another device received the pairing information further comprises:
the another device not receiving the pairing information; and
responsive to the another device not receiving the pairing information, rotating the another device to orient the optical receiver of the another device toward the one device.
7. A data processing system for performing automated wireless device pairing, the data processing system comprising:
a bus;
a memory connected to the bus, the memory comprising computer executable instructions;
a communications unit connected to the bus;
a display connected to the bus;
a processor unit connected to the bus, wherein the processor unit executes the computer executable instructions directing the data processing system to:
initiate by one device, detection of a another device;
responsive to detecting a another device, transmit a pairing information as a light signal from the one device to the another device;
determine whether the another device received the pairing information; and
responsive to receiving the pairing information, complete a pairing process to form paired devices.
8. The data processing system for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 7, wherein the processor unit executes the computer executable instructions directing the data processing system to initiate by one device, detection of another device, further comprise:
setting the one device to a detect mode;
determining whether the another device is in a detectable mode; and
responsive to the another device being in other than the detectable mode, setting the another device to the detectable mode.
9. The data processing system for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 7, wherein the processor unit executes the computer executable instructions directing the data processing system to transmit a pairing information further comprises:
transmitting a transmission signal from an optical transmitter source of the one device toward an optical receiver of the another device, wherein the transmission signal comprising one of a burst of light signal, a sequence of light signals, a set of colored signals and a combination of light signals.
10. The data processing system for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 7, wherein the processor unit executes the computer executable instructions directing the data processing system to transmit a pairing information further comprises:
transmitting a key code.
11. The data processing system for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 7, wherein the processor unit executes the computer executable instructions directing the data processing system to complete a pairing process to form paired devices further comprises:
comparing pairing information from the one device with that of the another device to determine a match condition; and
responsive to the match condition forming a linking key to share on subsequent access.
12. The data processing system for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 7, wherein the processor unit executes the computer executable instructions directing the data processing system to determine whether the another device received the pairing information further comprises:
the another device not receiving the pairing information; and
responsive to the another device not receiving the pairing information, rotating the another device to orient the optical receiver of the another device toward the one device.
13. A computer program product for performing automated wireless device pairing, the computer program product comprising:
a computer-usable medium tangibly embodying computer executable instructions thereon, the computer executable instructions comprising:
computer executable instructions for initiating by one device, detection of a another device;
computer executable instructions responsive to detecting another device, for transmitting a pairing information as a light signal from the one device to the another device;
computer executable instructions for determining whether the another device received the pairing information; and
computer executable instructions responsive to receiving the pairing information, for completing a pairing process to form paired devices.
14. The computer program product for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 13, wherein computer executable instructions for initiating by one device, detection of a another device, further comprises:
computer executable instructions for setting the one device to a detect mode;
computer executable instructions for determining whether the another device is in a detectable mode; and
computer executable instructions responsive to the another device being in other than the detectable mode, for setting the another device to the detectable mode.
15. The computer program product for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 13, wherein computer executable instructions for transmitting a pairing information further comprises:
computer executable instructions for transmitting a transmission signal from an optical transmitter source of the one device toward an optical receiver of the another device, wherein the transmission signal comprising one of a burst of light signal, a sequence of light signals, a set of colored signals and a combination of light signals.
16. The computer program product for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 13, wherein computer executable instructions for transmitting a pairing information further comprises:
computer executable instructions for transmitting a key code.
17. The computer program product for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 13, wherein computer executable instructions for completing a pairing process to form paired devices further comprises:
computer executable instructions for comparing pairing information from the one device with that of the another device to determine a match condition; and
computer executable instructions responsive to the match condition for forming a linking key to share on subsequent access.
18. The computer implemented method for performing automated wireless device pairing of claim 13, wherein computer executable instructions for determining whether the another device received the pairing information further comprises:
the another device not receiving the pairing information; and
computer executable instructions responsive to the another device not receiving the pairing information, for prompting a user to rotate the another device to orient the optical receiver of the another device toward the one device.

1. A lighting device mounting system for a dishwasher, comprising:
a lighting device having a first portion adapted to be disposed within a dishwasher tub portion and to emit light therefrom, the first portion being adapted to have a larger lateral area than a receiving aperture defined by a tub wall of the dishwasher tub portion, and a second portion engaged with the first portion and adapted to extend through the receiving aperture, the second portion further including at least one laterally-extending flange extending laterally outward therefrom; and
a securing device configured to interact with the second portion of the lighting device, opposite the tub wall from the first portion, so as to secure the lighting device to the tub wall, the securing device including a hinge portion and free opposing ends, the free opposing ends having complementarily-configured portions of a locking mechanism configured to secure the free opposing ends together, the securing device being configured to be received about the second portion, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall, and to be secured thereabout through engagement of the locking mechanism such that the securing device extends about the second portion, laterally outward from the at least one laterally-extending flange and outwardly of the receiving aperture, so as to secure the second portion opposite the tub wall from the first portion.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the securing device is integrally formed such that the hinge portion couples the free opposing ends.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein one portion of the locking mechanism comprises a hook portion and the other portion of the locking mechanism comprises a latch portion, the hook portion being configured to interact with and receive the latch portion in an interference fit so as to prevent the opposing ends from being laterally separated.
4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the second portion is substantially centered with respect to the first portion such that a lip portion is defined by and between the first and second portions of the lighting device, and the system further comprises a gasket member configured to extend continuously about the lip portion and to be received thereby, the gasket member being configured to form a seal between the lip portion and the tub wall, about the receiving aperture defined thereby, upon securement of the securing device about the second portion.
5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the securing device is comprised of a resilient polymer material.
6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the securing device is configured to be received about the second portion, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall, in a securing plane parallel to the tub wall, and the portions of the locking mechanism are configured to interact along the securing plane so as to secure the free opposing ends together.
7. A dishwashing appliance, comprising:
a tub portion having a plurality of tub walls defining a forward access opening, at least one of the tub walls defining a receiving aperture;
a lighting device having a first portion disposed within the tub portion and configured to emit light therefrom, the first portion having a larger lateral area than the receiving aperture, and a second portion engaged with the first portion and extending through the receiving aperture, the second portion further including at least one laterally-extending flange extending laterally outward therefrom; and
a securing device configured to interact with the second portion of the lighting device, opposite the tub wall from the first portion, so as to secure the lighting device to the tub wall, the securing device including a hinge portion and free opposing ends, the free opposing ends having complementarily-configured portions of a locking mechanism configured to secure the free opposing ends together, the securing device being received about the second portion, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall, and being secured thereabout through engagement of the locking mechanism such that the securing device extends about the second portion, laterally outward from the at least one laterally-extending flange and outwardly of the receiving aperture, so as to secure the second portion opposite the tub wall from the first portion.
8. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 wherein the securing device is integrally formed such that the hinge portion couples the free opposing ends.
9. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 wherein one portion of the locking mechanism comprises a hook portion and the other portion of the locking mechanism comprises a latch portion, the hook portion being configured to interact with and receive the latch portion in an interference fit so as to prevent the opposing ends from being laterally separated.
10. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 wherein the second portion is substantially centered with respect to the first portion such that a lip portion is defined by and between the first and second portions of the lighting device, and the system further comprises a gasket member configured to extend continuously about the lip portion and to be received thereby, the gasket member being configured to form a seal between the lip portion and the tub wall, about the receiving aperture defined thereby, upon securement of the securing device about the second portion.
11. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 further comprising a door assembly pivotably engaged with the tub portion about a lower end thereof and configured to cover the forward access opening, and a releaseable door lock mechanism operably engaged between the door assembly and the tub portion, the door lock assembly having a switch element associated therewith and in electrical communication with the lighting device, the switch element being configured to actuate the lighting device in response to disengagement of the door lock mechanism, and to de-actuate the lighting device in response to engagement of the door lock mechanism.
12. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 wherein the lighting device comprises a light-emitting diode.
13. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 wherein the securing device is comprised of a resilient polymer material.
14. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 7 wherein the securing device is configured to be received about the second portion, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall, in a securing plane parallel to the tub wall, and the portions of the locking mechanism are configured to interact along the securing plane so as to secure the free opposing ends together.
15. A method of mounting a lighting device to a tub portion of a dishwasher, the method comprising:
disposing a first portion of a lighting device within a dishwasher tub portion, the first portion being configured to emit light therefrom and having a larger lateral area than a receiving aperture defined by a tub wall of the dishwasher tub portion;
extending a second portion of the lighting device through the receiving aperture, the second portion being engaged with the first portion and including at least one laterally-extending flange extending laterally outward therefrom; and
securing the lighting device to the tub wall by engaging a securing device with the second portion of the lighting device, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall opposite from the first portion, the securing device including a hinge portion and free opposing ends, the free opposing ends having complementarily-configured portions of a locking mechanism configured to secure the free opposing ends together, the securing device being received about the second portion, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall, and being secured thereabout through engagement of the locking mechanism such that the securing device extends about the second portion, laterally outward from the at least one laterally-extending flange and outwardly of the receiving aperture, so as to secure the second portion opposite the tub wall from the first portion.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein securing the lighting device further comprises engaging one portion of the locking mechanism comprising a hook portion with the other portion of the locking mechanism comprising a latch portion, the hook portion being configured to interact with and receive the latch portion in an interference fit so as to prevent the opposing ends from being laterally separated.
17. A method according to claim 15 further comprising engaging a gasket member with a lip portion defined by and between the first and second portions of the lighting device, the second portion being substantially centered with respect to the first portion, such that the gasket member extends continuously about the lip portion, the gasket member being configured to form a seal between the lip portion and the tub wall, about the receiving aperture defined thereby, upon securement of the securing device about the second portion.
18. A method according to claim 15 wherein securing the lighting device further comprises installing the securing device about the second portion, between the at least one laterally-extending flange and the tub wall, in a securing plane parallel to the tub wall, and urging the portions of the locking mechanism into interaction along the securing plane so as to secure the free opposing ends together.

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

What is claimed is:

1. A thermal processing apparatus including a processing chamber containing a heat source and a table for a substrate having a processed film thereon to be placed thereon, comprising:
a discharger for discharging process gas from the processing chamber; and
a ceiling plate provided between the substrate and the discharger, having apertures at different aperture ratios in accordance with distances from the center of the ceiling plate.
2. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ceiling plate is made of a porous material with different aperture ratios in accordance with distances from the center of the material.
3. A thermal processing apparatus including a processing chamber containing a heat source and a table for a substrate having a processed film thereon to be placed thereon, comprising:
a plurality of dischargers, provided over concentric circles of the substrate, for discharging process gas from the processing chamber; and
a plurality of discharging-amount adjusters each for adjusting a discharging amount of the corresponding discharger.
4. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a plurality of buffers so as to face the substrate under the dischargers, for providing uniform gas pressure over the concentric circles of the substrate.
5. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a density sensor provided along each discharger, for detecting density of solvent for the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding discharger in accordance with the density detected by the density sensor.
6. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a density sensor provided in each buffer, for detecting density of solvent for the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding discharger in accordance with the density detected by the density sensor.
7. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising at least one optical film-thickness sensor provided in one of the buffers, for detecting a thickness of the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amounts of the corresponding discharger in accordance with the film thickness detected by the density sensor.
8. A thermal processing apparatus including a processing chamber containing a heat source and a table on which a substrate having a processed film thereon is to be placed, comprising:
a plurality of dischargers, provided over concentric circles of the substrate, for discharging process gas from the processing chamber;
a plurality of gas suppliers, provided over the concentric circles of the substrate, for supplying process gas into the processing chamber;
a plurality of discharging-amount adjusters each for adjusting a discharging amount of the corresponding discharger; and
a plurality of supply-amount adjusters each for adjusting a supply amount of the corresponding supplier.
9. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a gas-density adjuster for adjusting density of process gas supplied to each supplier.
10. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a plurality of buffers so as to face the substrate under the dischargers or the suppliers, for providing uniform gas pressure over the concentric circles of the substrate.
11. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a density sensor provided along each discharger or supplier, for detecting density of solvent for the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding discharger or each supply-amount adjuster adjusts the supply amount of the corresponding supplier, in accordance with the density detected by the density sensor.
12. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a density sensor provided in each buffer, for detecting density of solvent for the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding discharger or each supply-amount adjuster adjusts the supply amount of the corresponding supplier, in accordance with the density detected by the density sensor.
13. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising at least one optical film-thickness sensor provided over the substrate, for detecting a thickness of the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding discharger or each supply-amount adjuster adjusts the supply amount of the corresponding supplier, in accordance with the film thickness detected by the density sensor.
14. A thermal processing apparatus including a processing chamber containing a heat source and a table for a substrate having a processed film thereon to be placed thereon, comprising:
a plurality of supply and discharging units, provided over concentric circles of the substrate, for supplying and discharging process gas into and from the processing chamber;
a switch for switching the supply and discharging units between the supplying and discharging of the process gas;
a plurality of supply-amount adjusters each for adjusting a supply amount of the corresponding supply and exhaust unit; and
a plurality of discharging-amount adjusters each for adjusting a discharging amount of the corresponding supply and discharging unit.
15. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a gas-density adjuster for adjusting density of a solvent for the process gas supplied by each supply and discharging unit.
16. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a plurality of buffers so as to face the substrate under the supply and discharging units, for providing uniform gas pressure over the concentric circles of the substrate.
17. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a density sensor provided in each supply and discharging unit, for detecting density of solvent for the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding supply and discharging unit or each supply-amount adjuster adjusts the supply amount of the corresponding supply and discharging unit, in accordance with the density detected by the density sensor.
18. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising a density sensor provided in each buffer, for detecting density of solvent for the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding supply and discharging unit or each supply-amount adjuster adjusts the supply amount of the corresponding supply and discharging unit, in accordance with the density detected by the density sensor.
19. The thermal processing apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising at least one optical film-thickness sensor over the substrate, for detecting a thickness of the processed film, wherein each discharging-amount adjuster adjusts the discharging amount of the corresponding discharger each supply-amount adjuster adjusts the supply amount of the corresponding supply and discharging unit, in accordance with the film thickness detected by the density sensor.