Abstract: Subservive data has been incorporated in the content of an optical disc, such as a DVD, to prevent copying of the disc. To defeat such copy protection, devices to copy optical discs are now being controlled to only copy data referred to by selected program paths. Accordingly, it is proposed to provide copy protection for optical discs by introducing errors into redundant control data to frustrate access to content on the disc. For example, the errors may be inconsistencies in a Video Manage Information Table (VMGI) or in a Video Title Set Information Table (VTSI).

Abstract: A digital recording medium such as an optical disc is recorded using an encoding process this is modified to cause a peak or rapid change in the digital sum value in the encoded data for part of the recording data. This provides the corresponding part of the recorded medium with a modified DC characteristic that affects an operational characteristic of the recording medium. This modified DC characteristic will not be present in unauthorized copies of the recording medium because the normal encoding process will encode the recording data so as to minimize DC imbalance. Profile data is obtained from operational data acquired during operation of the recording medium. This profile data is compared with expected profile data that is the profile data that would be expected to be obtained if the modified DC characteristic is present. The results of this comparison are used to determine whether or not the recording medium is authentic.

Abstract: A copy protection technique is described which enables the content (14) of an application file (4, 20), for example, provided by a licensed game provider, to be copy protected without action having to be taken at the time of encoding the application file onto a DVD or other optical disc. DSV data patterns, that is data patterns which are difficult to encode without causing DSV problems, are to be incorporated in the application file (4, 20). It is expected that sophisticated encoders (8) at games console manufacturers will be able, for example, by using look-ahead techniques, to encode and apply the application to the glass master (10) in a manner such that the encoded data will not cause DSV problems. However, if an attempt is made to read the data on the original disc, for example, for copying purposes, the DSV data patterns will cause a CD or DVD writer to encode the data onto the copy disc in a manner which renders the resultant copy disc effectively unplayable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid state disk emulator system for significantly improving access time, i.e., improving both the seek time and the rotational latency. The disk emulator complies with the SMD interface convention and thus to the central processor and the SMD disk controller, the disk emulator appears as a disk with virtually a zero access time. In one embodiment, the primary systems of the disk emulator are a 66-bit shift register, a parity circuit, a latch circuit, a 66-bit parallel bus and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array. Each of these systems interface with control systems of the disk emulator which provide the signals required for the read and write operations of the disk emulator. An error correction process is incorporated in the disk emulator which corrects single bit hard memory errors using only a single parity bit.

Abstract: An electroplating method includes forming a layer, the forming of the layer includes: a) contacting a substrate with a first article, the first article includes a support and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the support; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the substrate. The method may further involve one or more of (1) selectively depositing or non-selectively depositing one or more additional materials to complete formation of the layer, (2) planarizing deposited material after each deposition or after all depositions for a layer, and/or (3) forming layers adjacent previously formed layers to build up a structure from a plurality of adhered layers. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scrambling a high definition television signal to discourage unauthorized recording of same. While recording per se is not prevented, the resulting recorded signal is rendered unusable due to an induced “wobble” between the active video and the associated sync pulses. The scrambled television signal is readily viewable on a compliant high definition television set which descrambles the HDTV signal using an encoded indication of the amount of wobble accompanying the HDTV signal. Also provided is a special interface to prevent unauthorized persons from using the indication of the amount of wobble so as to defeat the scrambling. Also provided are method and apparatus for defeating the scrambling method and hence allowing recording of the scrambled video signal.

Abstract: A precision high-frequency capacitor includes a dielectric layer formed on the front side surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first electrode on top of the dielectric layer. The semiconductor substrate is heavily doped and therefore has a low resistivity. A second electrode, insulated from the first electrode, is also formed over the front side surface. In one embodiment, the second electrode is connected by a metal-filled via to a layer of conductive material on the back side of the substrate. In alternative embodiments, the via is omitted and the second electrode is either in electrical contact with the substrate or is formed on top of the dielectric layer, yielding a pair of series-connected capacitors. ESD protection for the capacitor can be provided by a pair of oppositely-directed diodes formed in the substrate and connected in parallel with the capacitor.

Abstract: A programmable device, such as a field programmable gate array, includes a main field that is programmable by the user and at least one embedded portion that is reserved to be programmed with a standard circuit design that is configured, for example, by the manufacturer. The embedded portion is similar to the main field, i.e., it has the same programmable structure, however, the embedded portion is not accessible to the user. In some embodiments, the embedded portion may be pre-programmed with the standard circuit design and in other embodiments the embedded portion is programmed while the user programs the main field. The programmable device may also include signature bits that are used by the programming unit to identify the programmable device as having the embedded portion and which standard circuit design to program into the embedded portion. The signature bit may be programmed after the manufacture of the programmable device or may be hard wired during the manufacture of the device.

Abstract: A high-precision scanning positioning system with magnification and orthogonality correction. A scanning position system, such as a microlithographic system, has a mask fine stage and a plate fine stage mounted on a coarse stage that moves at a constant velocity during exposure. By moving one fine stage relative to the other fine stage in the same or opposite direction of the scan during the exposure of the plate, an increase or decrease in magnification may be achieved. Likewise, by moving one fine stage relative to the other fine stage perpendicular to the direction of the scan during the exposure, a change in orthogonality may be achieved, and by rotating one fine stage relative to the other, correction of any rotation error may be achieved.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for modifying or reducing effects of signals added to a video signal to permit more unhampered copying and/or viewing thereof. In one version the method and apparatus replace or level shift portions of a video signal to overcome effects caused by these pulses. Typically these pulses are added for copy protection purposes. Modification of the video signal allows for more unhampered viewing and/or copying of the video signal.

Abstract: A method and structure for measuring the minimum lock frequency of a delay locked loop (DLL) within a programmable integrated circuit device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The device is temporarily configured such that one DLL is programmed as a ring oscillator (RO) and connected directly to the input terminal of a second DLL (the DLL under test). Optionally, the RO is connected to the DLL under test through a divider to provide a lower DLL drive frequency. To test the DLL, the RO frequency is decreased until the DLL under test fails to lock. The frequency of the RO at that point is measured by comparing its output signal to the known frequency of an external clock source using two counters, and decremented until the DLL locks successfully. The lock frequency of the DLL under test is then computed from the ratio of the counter values.

Abstract: Method and on chip circuitry for testing integrated circuits, for instance, flip chip integrated circuits. Provided on the integrated circuit in addition to the conventional circuitry is additional circuitry including a photosensitive element such as a photodiode, the output terminal of which is connected via a Schmidt trigger to the clock terminal of an on-chip flip-flop. The node of the integrated circuit to be tested, for instance, the output terminal of a logic gate, is connected to the D input terminal of the same flip-flop. Hence, light incident on the photosensitive element clocks the flip-flop, allowing sampling of the state of the output signal from the logic gate. Advantageously, the photodiode need not be a specially made structure but in one version is the conventional PN junction provided by, e.g., the drain of a standard CMOS transistor.

Abstract: An optical amplifier suitable for use in optical communication systems such as for telecommunications or cable television provides, for purposes of wavelength division multiplexed communications, the ability to amplify optical signals in both the C band, L band, and S band using conventional EDFA amplifiers. The S band, normally not amplifiable by EDFAs, here is amplified by converting the S band signal to a C band optical signal, providing optical amplification by an EDFA, then reconverting the amplified C band optical signal back to the S band in the same or a subsequent amplifier stage. The wavelength converters are, for instance, periodically poled lithium niobate devices using three-wave mixing, and employing difference frequency generation techniques.

Abstract: A hard disk drive assembly for a portable computer includes a conventional small form factor hard disk drive which is mounted in a rigid housing; the housing is mounted to the portable computer chassis. The hard disk drive itself is shock and vibration protected from the housing by a set of thin shock pads of a shock absorbing material such as a viscoelastic polymer. The pads are e.g., 1 or 2 mm thick, typically no more than 5 mm thick. The pads are each relatively small in surface area and are interposed between all surfaces of the hard disk drive and the opposing surfaces of the housing, thereby suspending the hard disk drive in the housing with shock and vibration protection, without the shock pads themselves occupying a significant volume.

Abstract: Presented is an LED device that produces white light by performing phosphor conversion on substantially all of the primary light emitted by the light emitting structure of the LED device. The LED device comprises a light emitting structure and at least one phosphor-converting element located to receive and absorb substantially all of the primary light. The phosphor-converting element emits secondary light at second and third wavelengths that combine to produce white light. Some embodiments include an additional phosphor-converting element, which receives light from a phosphor-converting element and emits light at a fourth wavelength. In the embodiments including an additional phosphor-converting element, the second, third, and fourth wavelengths combine to produce white light. Each phosphor-converting element includes at least one host material doped with at least one dopant. The phosphor-converting element may be a phosphor thin film, a substrate for the light emitting structure, or a phosphor powder layer.

Abstract: A method and apparata for correcting for pulse width timing error during testing of an integrated circuit are described. The method includes storing in a memory, associated with a selected terminal of an integrated circuit, event timing data pertaining to testing of the integrated circuit. Functional data is provided, pertaining to the testing, and it is determined if the functional data causes a state transition in the integrated circuit, the state transition causing a pulse. If a pulse is created, then the event timing data is adjusted, thereby to produce pulse width adjusted event timing. A test signal is then applied to the selected terminal of the integrated circuit, the test signal including pulse width adjusted event timing. A test program first loads scrambler and sequencer memories with a code representing event timing data and event type data for a number of events that are to occur during a test vector, as specified by the user.

Abstract: A surface micro-machined sensor uses a pedestal in a cavity to support a flexible structure and reduce the span of the flexible structure. The reduced span per sense area allows larger sensor areas without permitting forces to permanently deform the flexible structure or cause the structure to touch an opposite wall of the cavity. The flexible structure bonded to the pedestal and an elevated region surrounding the pedestal defines a cavity between the flexible membrane and a lower plane region. Active regions can be formed in the lower plane region for capacitors or transistors. A pedestal can be of various shapes including a circular, ovoid, rectangular or polygonal shape. The lower plane region can be of various shapes including a ring or donut shape, ovoid, rectangular or polygonal shape with an inner dimension corresponding to the outer dimension of the pedestal. The elevated region can be of various shapes with an inner dimension corresponding to the outer dimension of the lower plane region.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated level device for use, for instance, in the building trades, discovers points lying on a horizontal plane with a reference point. The level device has a tube with a referenceend and a working-end, and a housing unit attached to the reference-end. Electrodes in the housing unit measure fluid-levels in the reference-end. When the fluid-level in the working-end is positioned in the horizontal plane containing the reference point, then the level device emits a signal; in one embodiment, this signal is a single continuous sound. When the working-end is positioned slightly higher than the reference point, a second signal is emitted; in one embodiment, this signal is an intermittent sound. The second intermittent sound notifies the worker that the fluid-level in the working-end is too high relative to the reference plane, i.e., the worker has “overshot” the reference plane. Also provided are embodiments having a tube window, an alignment window, and a slidable backing assembly.

Abstract: Optical interferometery is used to probe an integrated circuit device under test (DUT). During each cycle of a repetitive electrical test pattern applied to the DUT a reference pulse is provided at a fixed time relative to the test pattern, and a probe pulse is provided at a time scanned through the test pattern in the manner of equivalent time sampling. The probe and reference light pulses are each split to provide at least a second probe pulse and a second reference pulse. One probe pulse and one reference pulse interact with the DUT at the same physical location, but at displaced times with respect to each other. The second probe pulse and the second reference pulse travel an optical delay path with length controlled to compensate for motions of the DUT. The probe pulses are recombined and detected to provide a probe interference signal. The reference pulses are recombined and detected to provide a reference interference signal.