Abstract: An object-oriented filter for filtering video images prior to video encoding is disclosed. The object-oriented filter is configured to include an image parameter extractor, a filter selector, and a filter. The image parameter extractor analyzes the input video sequences to map the location of pixels associated with one or more image parameters. Once the pixels associated with the image parameters are mapped, the filter selector ranks the identified image parameters based on their overall importance to the video sequence, and then selects a filtering factor for adjusting the strength of the filter used to filter the pixels associated with such identified image parameters. Thereafter, the pixels associated with each of the image parameters are filtered using the filter strength selected by the filter selector.

Abstract: A method for controlling a bore diameter of an optical fiber ferrule is disclosed. The diameter of the bore is controlled by collapsing the ferrule around a rod inserted in an over-sized bore formed therein. The diameter of the rod is selected to match the diameter of the optical fiber to be supported by the ferrule. Thus, after the rod is subsequently immersed in liquid nitrogen removed from the ferrule, the ferrule has a bore diameter which is defined by the diameter of the rod. Suitable materials for the ferrule and the rod include glass and metal, respectively.

Abstract: A heater comprising a heating element embedded in a dielectric sheet, is disclosed. A leaf spring which is curved when relaxed, clamps the embedded heating element against a surface to be heated. The heater is optionally mounted on an internal surface of an enclosure. The heater is operable to a flux of about 3.9 kW-m.sup.2.

Abstract: A method for making a device in which a conductive polyaniline layer (polyaniline salt layer) is formed on a substrate and patterned into a desired configuration, is disclosed. The polyaniline salt containing layer is formed by applying a polyaniline salt solution which combines a mixture of polyaniline and an additive, dissolved in a solvent on the substrate. Thereafter, the polyaniline salt containing layer is patterned by delineating in such layer at least one region having a conductivity less than about 10.sup.-6 S/cm. The at least one region in the polyaniline salt containing layer having a conductivity less than about 10.sup.-6 S/cm is optionally formed by combining a photobase generator (PBG) with the polyaniline salt solution. An adhesive is optionally mixed with the polyaniline salt solution for forming an polyaniline salt/adhesive polymer layer which is patterned into the desired configuration.

Abstract: A method for determining a volume change of a viscous liquid during a physical or chemical process is disclosed. The volume change of the viscous liquid is determined by confining a layer of a viscous liquid on a portion of a rigid body and then measuring the linear (one dimensional) displacement of a planar surface formed thereon, as the viscous liquid undergoes the physical or chemical process. The surface of the layer of the viscous liquid is planar relative to the rigid body.

Abstract: A method for forming a dielectric oxide layer on selected areas of a substrate is disclosed. The dielectric oxide layer is formed on selected areas of the substrate using a sol process. The substrate has an area of a first material and an area of a second material which is different from the first. The first material is coated with a layer of a first compound. The layer of the first compound has a hydrophobic top surface. The second material is coated with a layer of a second compound. The layer of the second compound has a hydrophilic top surface. A layer of hydrous oxide is formed over the second compound by applying an aqueous sol solution on the surface of the substrate. The substrate is then heated to remove the first compound and the second compound from the surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the substrate with the layer of hydrous oxide thereon, is sintered to form the dielectric oxide layer.

Abstract: A system and method that overcomes the deficiencies of prior television/multimedia system integrity monitoring schemes by providing a system and method wherein a remote field component receives a test signal from a given source via a particular signal path, and, in response, provides feedback indicative of the received test signal to the source via a standard voiceband telephone connection. This enables the invention to facilitate simple, economical real-time testing/monitoring of television/multimedia distribution systems. The invention is particularly suited to television/multimedia systems that employ terrestrial cables as a means to distribute signals to end-users or remote nodes, but can also be applied to wireless signal distribution systems.

Abstract: A pad grid array plastic package includes a laminated plastic body with a centrally located cavity, an IC unit secured within the cavity, and an encapsulating organic polymer, such as epoxy, enclosing the cavity. The laminated body includes a substrate and a structural member on top of the substrate and having a centrally located aperture forming the cavity. The substrate is provided with metal patterns on both planar surfaces thereof, through-plated vias electrically connecting the metal patterns, and a grid array of contact pads on the bottom surface of the substrate, electrically connected to the metal pattern. The structural member provides strength and rigidity to the laminate and is sufficiently thick to enable protection of the IC unit when the cavity is enclosed with the encapsulating polymer. Also disclosed is a method of making the package and a laminate with the cavity, metal patterns and grid pad array for use in assembling the package.

Abstract: An optical lithographic process and system for fabricating devices which includes an optical subsystem for reducing the rate of damage to the system's optics caused by exposure to energy pulses from an exposure source. The optical subsystem transforms a primary energy pulse from the exposure source into N secondary pulses, where N is .gtoreq.2 with a delay provided between each secondary pulse so as to reduce the peak intensity of the energy pulse being transmitted through the optical system. The subsystem redirects the secondary pulses spatially to satisfy source requirements for appropriate lithographic illuminators. Furthermore, the subsystem may be an intrinsic design feature of the illuminator or exposure source.

Abstract: A method for determining the endpoint of a plasma etch process is disclosed. The endpoint of the plasma etch process is determined using an acoustic cell attached to an exhaust port on a reaction chamber of a plasma reactor. At least a portion of the gas from the reaction chamber flows into the acoustic cell during the plasma etch process. Acoustic signals are periodically transmitted through the gas flowing in the acoustic cell and a first velocity for the acoustic signals associated with etching a first material layer formed on a substrate is determined. Thereafter, the endpoint of the plasma etch step is determined when the first velocity changes to a second velocity associated with etching the first material layer through its thickness to its interface with an underlying material layer. The gas from the reaction chamber optionally flows through a compressor prior to flowing into the acoustic cell. The compressor increases the pressure of the gas that flows into the acoustic cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for device fabrication in which a pattern is transferred from a photoresist mask into an underlying layer of silicon dioxide. A plasma containing a fluorocarbon gas is used to etch the pattern into the underlying silicon dioxide layer. The plasma is monitored using optical emission spectroscopy to effect control of the etch process. The optical emission is monitored at select wavelengths. To control the process based on an observation of photoresist etch rate, two wavelengths are monitored. One is associated with a species that is produced by the interaction between the photoresist and the plasma, and one is associated with a species related to the plasma intensity.

Abstract: A wafer holder for maintaining a semiconductor wafer at a constant temperature during film deposition is disclosed. The wafer holder is configured to have one or more quartz arms. Affixed to each arm is at least one quartz support, whose top end is adapted for holding the semiconductor wafer. The top end of each support is tapered to have a diameter smaller than that of the quartz support and is optionally tapered to a point. A thermal mass element is optionally supported on the arms of the wafer holder, to keep uniform, the temperature at the perimeter of the wafer with respect to the rest of the semiconductor wafer during a material layer deposition. Also, a quartz backstop is optionally attached to each support arm to keep the semiconductor wafer positioned on top of the quartz supports when the wafer holder is rotated.

Abstract: A unitary display and sensing device integrates liquid crystal display module elements of a liquid crystal display module for detecting input on a flat panel display screen with the capability for digitizing the detected inputs. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, display elements of a liquid crystal display module are modified to sense input on the display screen. An electrical signal is applied to modified display elements of the liquid crystal display module so that contact with a surface portion of the display screen produces an output signal indicative of its location. The integrated display and sensing device is active matrix addressed for finger input, but may also incorporate display systems for active pen input.

Abstract: A novel planar waveguide structure has been constructed by sintering substantially pure SiO.sub.2 layers in a He.sub.2 /BCl.sub.3 atmosphere. This results in the generation of a liquid phase of substantially lower viscosity than that of the deposited silica by itself. Since viscous sintering is enhanced by the presence of this liquid, consolidation occurs at lower temperature, e.g. 1000.degree.-1100.degree. C., than those used in the prior art, e.g. 1350.degree.-1500.degree. C. Much of the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 remains unreacted with the silica particles it helps to sinter, acting like a flux to bring about consolidation. This remaining B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is removed at the conclusion of the consolidation procedure by steam treatment at temperatures of 900.degree.-1100.degree. C. Some boron is incorporated into the silica layer, changing its CTE without substantially increasing its index.

Abstract: A programmable timer circuit having ON and OFF volume control states; for controlling the volume of audible signals generated by a signal generator of a communication device at preprogrammed times is disclosed. The programmable timer circuit monitors a communication link for the presence of signals indicative of an incoming communication. When such signals are detected and the volume control state of the timer circuit is ON, the volume of the audible signals generated by the signal generator of the communication device is adjusted so that such audible signals are broadcast with a programmed loudness. Volume control of the audible signals generated by the signal generator does not prevent outgoing communications using the communication device. The fact that the volume of the audible signals generated by the signal generator is controlled, is not apparent to the calling party.

Abstract: A method of compensating for proximity effects in electron beam lithography systems is disclosed. An uncorrected dose profile is obtained for the pattern features to be introduced into a layer of electron beam sensitive material, including a determination of the clearing dose for the electron beam sensitive resist and the dose height for each edge of the pattern feature. Thereafter the incident dose of exposure energy for introducing an image of the pattern into a layer of electron beam sensitive material is adjusted by designating the clearing dose for each edge of the pattern feature as a function of the dose height. The uncorrected dose profile for determining the dose height and the clearing dose is optionally obtained from a calibration step. Each feature is optionally partitioned into a plurality of subshapes and the incident dose of exposure energy is then adjusted for each edge of each subshape by designating the clearing dose for each edge of each subshape as a function of the dose height.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor device formed on a silicon substrate that has at least one inductor integrated therewith. The inductor is formed on a region of porous silicon formed in the substrate. The porous silicon reduces the capacitive and inductive coupling of the inductor to the substrate. Therefore, the integrated inductors of the present invention are capable of having a higher inductance at higher resonance frequencies (i.e. 2 GHz or greater) than conventional inductors. Devices with inductors that operate at these frequencies are desirable for wireless applications. The present invention is also directed to a process for fabricating the device in which the porous silicon is formed using an annodization technique, and wherein the porous silicon so formed is maintained in an essentially unoxidized state throughout the remainder of the process.

Abstract: A method of reducing undulation in the L vs. I curve of a laser which uses a fiber grating is presented. The spectral width of the fiber grating is made larger than the Fabry-Perot spacing of the laser cavity. As a result, as the laser shifts between harmonics due to laser functioning (e.g., laser drive current, laser aging, temperature change, or mechanical stress), the fiber grating is able to respond linearly because of a large spectral width.

Abstract: Integrated circuits embedded in cards are known in the industry as "Smart Cards". The present invention discloses a novel design for housing an integrated circuit(IC) within a card unit. The integrated circuit is first made thin and placed in the midplane of the card. This lessens the tensile stress in the IC when the Smart Card is subjected to bending. In addition, it is suggested that the IC chip is then placed in a relatively long and wide enclosure. This second measure reduces the stress on the IC by compromising between the competing objectives of making a rigid cavity for IC protection, versus making a more compliant cavity for overall card strength. Lastly, the cavity is made out of a material that typically has a Young's modulus that is higher than the Young's modulus of the card but lower than Young's modulus of the integrated circuit. This once again increases Smart Card reliability by utilizing a harder cavity material to protect the IC.

Abstract: A method for aligning and soldering a first device (11) to a substrate (16) comprises the steps of providing a plurality of solder elements (17) between the first device and the substrate, aligning the first device, and then reflowing and cooling the solder elements to bond the first device to the substrate. The improvement comprises, first, reflowing only a first group of solder elements and then cooling the elements of the first group, thereby to tack the first device to the substrate. Thereafter, we reflow only a second group of the plurality of solder elements and cool the second group, thereby to provide a more secure bond between the device and the substrate without interfering with the alignment of the first device. This method reduces the amount of energy needed for each fellow step, thereby reducing stresses and maintaining better alignment.