Abstract: A plurality of wires and electrodes are formed by forming a first conductive film, selectively forming a resist over the first conductive film, forming a second conductive film over the first conductive film and the resist, removing the second conductive film formed over the resist by removing the resist, forming a third conductive film so as to cover the second conductive film formed over the first conductive film, and selectively etching the first conductive film and the third conductive film. Thus, wires using a low resistance material can be formed in a large-sized panel, and thus, a problem of signal delay can be solved.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw (108) coupled to a second jaw (110) to form an opening (114) when the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110) are closed. An aligning structure couples to at least one of the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110). A portion of the aligning structure may be disposed within the opening (114) and aligns a power line (128) to a sensor (418) disposed within the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110).

Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A modular container assembly comprises first, second and third containers. Each of the containers includes a continuous body portion and a rim. The rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the body portion. The rim has a first feature projecting generally upwardly therefrom and a corresponding second feature being adapted to be releasably engageable with another one of the first feature. The rims of the containers are substantially identical. The containers are releasably engaged to each other by fitting respective upwardly-projecting features into the corresponding feature of another container or into the upwardly-projecting feature of another container. At least one of the first, second and third containers is inverted with respect to the remaining containers so as to form a modular container assembly.

Abstract: An object is to provide a thin film transistor with small off current, large on current, and high field-effect mobility. A silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer which is formed by oxidizing the silicon nitride layer are stacked as a gate insulating layer, and crystals grow from an interface of the silicon oxide layer of the gate insulating layer to form a microcrystalline semiconductor layer; thus, an inverted staggered thin film transistor is manufactured. Since crystals grow from the gate insulating layer, the thin film transistor can have a high crystallinity, large on current, and high field-effect mobility. In addition, a buffer layer is provided to reduce off current.

Abstract: A conductor having a projecting portion is formed which forms a terminal portion. An uncured prepreg including a reinforcing material is closely attached to the conductor and the prepreg is cured to form an insulating film including the reinforcing material. When the prepreg is closely attached, the prepreg is stretched by the projecting portion, so that a region of the prepreg, which is closely attached to the conductor, can be thinner than the other region of the prepreg. Then, by reducing the thickness of the entire insulating film, an opening can be formed in the portion having a smaller thickness. The step of reducing the thickness can be performed by etching. Further, it is preferable not to remove the reinforcing material in this step. The strength of a terminal and an electronic device can be increased by leaving the reinforcing material at the opening.

Abstract: A method for a consumer to protect against loss associated with specified forms of check fraud. Upon purchasing checks, a consumer can subscribe to a check fraud protection program, for an additional fee. The subscription will enable the consumer to obtain reimbursement from the check printer for the consumer's losses due to specified causes. The consumer reciprocally assigns any right of recovery from the consumer's bank or financial institution to the check printer, which can then seek reimbursement from the bank, or financial institution and institute proceedings against the fraud perpetrator. Protection may be obtained for forged signatures, forged endorsements and altered check. A symbol to indicate such protection is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode layer; a first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer having lower carrier mobility than the first semiconductor layer, which is provided over and in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer which is provided between and in contact with the gate electrode layer and the first semiconductor layer; first impurity semiconductor layers which are provided so as to be in contact with the second semiconductor layer; second impurity semiconductor layers which are provided so as to be partially in contact with the first impurity semiconductor layers and the first and second semiconductor layers; and source and drain electrode layers which are provided so as to be in contact with entire surfaces of the second impurity semiconductor layers, in which an entire surface of the first semiconductor layer on the gate electrode layer side overlaps with the gate electrode layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The electrochemical test sensor comprises a base that provides a flow path for the fluid test sample having a counter electrode and a working electrode on its surface in electrical communication with a detector of electrical current. The electrochemical test sensor further includes a reagent layer directly located on the surface of the working electrode. The reagent layer includes an enzyme that is adapted to react with the analyte. The electrochemical test sensor further comprises a lid adapted to mate with the base and to assist in forming a capillary space with an opening for the introduction of the sample thereto. The capillary space is formed with a three-dimensional portion of the lid.

Abstract: A laser diode package includes a laser diode, a cooler, and control circuitry, such as an integrated circuit. The laser diode is used for converting electrical energy to optical energy. The cooler receives and routes a coolant from a cooling source via internal channels. The cooler includes a plurality of ceramic sheets. The ceramic sheets are fused together. The ceramic sheets include traces or vias that provide electrically conductive paths to the integrated circuit. The control circuitry controls the output of the laser diode, e.g. the output at each of the laser diode's emitters. Multiple laser diode packages are placed together to form an array.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conduction a wagering game is disclosed according to one embodiment. The gaming machine comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager to play the wagering game. The wagering game further includes at least one display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a basic game of the wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is indicated by a plurality of symbols. At least one of the symbols is a bonus symbol that triggers a bonus game in response to a certain condition being met. In response to the randomly selected outcome including at least one bonus symbol without the certain condition being met, the at least one bonus symbol may be utilized in a subsequent basic game to trigger a bonus game in the subsequent basic game if the certain condition is met.

Abstract: A method of reducing memory effects during an epitaxial growth process is provided in which a gas mixture comprising hydrogen gas and a halogen-containing gas is used to flush the CVD reaction chamber between growth steps.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a display device of the present invention comprises the steps of forming insulating barriers which surround electrode and project upward from the surface of the electrode, and bringing the whole substrate into contact with water after applying the solution including an acceptor in wet process. According to the present invention, an organic conductive layer can be uniformly formed over a substrate in wet process even if the substrate does not have a smooth surface and has distribution in wettability of the surface.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing a control solution from a sample in an electrochemical test sensor is performed. The method includes adding a control marker to the control solution. The control solution includes the control marker and analyte. The test sensor includes working and counter electrodes, and a reagent. A potential is applied to the test sensor to oxidize the control marker and the analyte. The resulting electrical current is measured. A potential is applied to the test sensor lower than the other potential in which the potential is sufficient to oxidize the analyte and not the control marker. The resulting electrical current is measured. Determining whether a control solution or a sample is present based on the measured electrical currents. To increase the measured current, a salt may be added to the control solution in an amount sufficient to increase the electrical current by at least 5% as compared to a control solution in the absence of a salt.

Abstract: With liquid crystal provided in front of reels, a gaming machine includes reels 3 having symbol placement faces shaped like curved surfaces on which a plurality of symbols are placed for variably displaying of a plurality of symbol rows each made up of the plurality of symbols, liquid crystal 504 being provided in front of and opposed to the reels 3 for displaying the symbols through a flat symbol transmission face and also displaying an image concerning game play, reel backlights 513 for illuminating the symbols, and reel side reflectors 320 being provided on a side of the reels 3 for covering an area sandwiched between the symbol placement face and the symbol transmission face on a face on the side of the reels 3 for assisting image display of the liquid crystal 504.

Abstract: To form a semiconductor film with a thickness of 50 nm or less, which includes a large grain crystal by totally melting the semiconductor film with a laser beam. A projection having a triangular cross section is formed on the surface of a semiconductor film. The shape of the projection is a conical shape or a triangular prismatic shape. A laser beam which has entered a projection of the semiconductor film travels toward a substrate while being greatly refracted and totally reflected at the interface between the projection and the air. Further, since the laser beam enters the semiconductor film from a projection, the laser beam which is incident on the interface between an insulating film and a semiconductor is very likely totally reflected. Thus, when a laser beam enters a semiconductor film from a projection, the time during which the laser beam propagates through the semiconductor film is longer, which can increase the absorptance of the semiconductor film.

Abstract: A configurable timer may be used for seamless authentication administration. A network administrator may set the timer value. Then the network administrator may begin to update the authentication configuration or key and the timer may begin to count down. While the timer counts down, the network device may still send outgoing packets using the old authentication configuration or key and may begin to authenticate incoming packets using both the old authentication configuration or key and the new authentication configuration or key. Once it expires, the network device may begin to send outgoing packets using just the new authentication configuration or key. The counter may then be reset and counted down again. Once the counter expires a second time, the new authentication configuration or key may be used for both incoming and outgoing packets. Two-timer implementations are also possible.

Abstract: A lock includes a stationary key mass having a first key mass bore and a keyway, and a movable spring mass including a first spring mass bore. A first spring mass pin is mounted in the first spring mass bore, and a first key mass pin is mounted in the first key mass bore for reciprocation between a locked position immobilizing the spring mass and an unlocked position unconstraining motion in at least one direction. The unlocked position is a function of the presence of a matching key in the keyway. Multiple key mass and spring mass pins can be used, some or all of which can have stepped configurations, and corresponding single-bladed or multi-bladed keys, or multiple keys, can be used. The keys can be straight or curved in any of various planes, or they can be straight but flexible to match curved keyways. Curves can be unidirectional or compound. Relative motion between the key mass and spring mass can be in a plane or along straight line or circular.

Abstract: A process for extracting iris data for biometric identification includes a thresholding method where the thresholds are selected according to a nonparametric approach that considers the grey scale and does not require classifying pixels as edge or non-edge pixels. An eye image is first acquired, where the eye image has component images including an iris image with an inner boundary and an outer boundary. The eye image has a distribution of grey levels. Component images, such as an iris image or a pupil image, from the eye image are segmented according to the distribution of grey levels. The inner boundary and outer boundary of the iris image are determined from the component images. The iris image within the inner boundary and outer boundary is processed for biometric identification. The component images may be segmented by creating an eye histogram of pixel intensities from the distribution of grey levels.

Abstract: After forming a semiconductor film over a substrate, a Ni film is deposited over the semiconductor film while heating the substrate, thereby forming Ni silicide on the semiconductor film. Alternatively, after forming a semiconductor film over a substrate, a Ni film is deposited over the semiconductor film while heating the substrate up to 450° C. or higher, thereby forming Ni silicide on the semiconductor film. Alternatively, after forming a semiconductor film over a substrate, a Ni film is deposited with a thickness of 10 nm or more over the semiconductor film while heating the substrate to 450° C. or higher, thereby forming Ni silicide on the semiconductor film. Alternatively, after forming a semiconductor film over a substrate, and removing an oxide film on the semiconductor film, a Ni film is deposited over the semiconductor film while heating the substrate up to 450° C. or higher, thereby forming Ni silicide on the semiconductor film.