Abstract: A multichannel switched communication system having a plurality of communication channels, with a plurality of information records stored in a database relating to a plurality of identified objects; a database server system for selectively accessing information records based on a selection criteria; a common input, receiving the selection criteria associated with an identification of a receiver, the selection criteria including object identification information; and a multichannel distribution system capable of simultaneously transmitting a plurality of information records, for transmitting the selectively accessed information record to the identified receiver. A plurality of mobile receivers each receives a desired broadcast on one of a plurality of channels. A bar code scanner associated with a mobile receiver identifies desired information record for retrieval. An infrared or radio frequency communication system may be provided for transmitting control data from the mobile receiver.

Abstract: A security system incorporates a reasoning system and security rules and processes that are designed to be as unobtrusive as the situation permits. Two independent aspects of the system facilitate the enforcement of rules and processes in an unobtrusive manner. First, transponders that can be triggered and sensed from a distance are preferably used to identify both items and individuals. These remotely sensed identifiers are processed by the reasoning system to determine whether each identified item is authorized, or likely to be authorized, to be removed from, or brought into, a secured location by the identified individual. Second, the system continually modifies and optimizes its rules and processes based on assessments of security events. An initial set of rules is created for the security system that, generally, prohibit the removal of secured items from the secured location, except that certain individuals are authorized to remove specified items from the secured location.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum filled via hole for use in a semiconductor interconnect structure. The aluminum filled via hole of the semiconductor interconnect structure includes a first patterned metallization layer lying over a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer overlying the first patterned metallization layer and the first dielectric layer. An aluminum filled via hole defined through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the first patterned metallization layer. The aluminum filled via hole has an electromigration barrier cap over a topmost portion of the aluminum filled via hole that is substantially level with the second dielectric layer. The electromigration barrier cap having a thickness of between about 500 angstroms and about 2,500 angstroms.

Abstract: Packets in a bitstream are delineated by a) employing a first in, first out buffer (FIFO) with a storage capacity equal to the number of bits in a packet plus the number of bits in the synchronization pattern arranged so that comparison of its head end and tail end with the data pattern of the synchronization data pattern may be made, and b) declaring that a packet is detected when both the head end and the tail end of the FIFO each, substantially simultaneously, contains information equal to the synchronization pattern. Advantageously, the invention may be employed whether or not the bitstream is byte-aligned.

Abstract: A method for fabricating inter-metal oxide in semiconductor devices and semiconductor devices is provided. The method begins by providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of patterned conductive features. The method then moves to where a high density plasma (HDP) operation is performed and is configured to deposit an oxide layer over the plurality of patterned conductive features. The HDP operation includes a deposition component and a sputtering component. The deposition component is driven by a deposition gas and the sputtering component is driven by a sputtering gas. The HDP operation forms oxide pyramids over the plurality of patterned conductive features. The method now moves to where the deposition gas is removed to close off the deposition component in the HDP operation. Now, the HDP operation is run with the sputtering gas while retaining the sputtering component.

Abstract: In a digital television broadcast that contains executable code segments that are associated with specific video segments, a context duration time is defined for each executable component. The context duration time is determined so as to correspond to the context of the video segment that is associated with the executable component. In a preferred embodiment, the context duration time for the executable component is determined when the corresponding video segment is being prepared for encoding into the transport stream. The context duration time is subsequently included in the encoding of the executable component in the transport stream. When the executable component is decoded from the transport stream, the context duration time is used to effect a termination of the executable component after the context duration time has elapsed.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for using speech recognition and verification to provide secure and authorized data transmissions between networked computer systems is provided. The system includes first and second network computer systems wherein a request for a transaction by user of the first computer system causes the user to be prompted to enter a spoken identifier such as a credit card number, PIN number or password. This spoken identifier is converted from speech data into speech feature data using either a resident software application or a downloaded application from the second computer system. The speech feature data is transmitted to the second computer system wherein speech recognition and verification engines identify the spoken identifier and determine whether or not the user who spoke the identifier is properly associated with the spoken identifier. Upon successful completion of this recognition and verification process, the requested transaction is completed.

Abstract: The system transmits data between terminals of a wireless network. In the system, a base station/central controller (“BS/CC”) controls transmission of data from a transmitting terminal to plural receiving terminals, where the data is ordered in slots of a control data frame (“CDF”), and where each slot is reserved for a data transmission between the transmitting terminal and a specific receiving terminal. Specifically, the BS/CC divides the plural receiving terminals into a set of power-saving terminals and a set of non-power-saving terminals, and then reserves a set of slots in the CDF for data transmission between the transmitting terminal and the power-saving terminals, and another set of slots in the CDF for data transmission between the transmitting terminal and the non-power-saving terminals.

Abstract: The system displays on a screen a set of options that are selectable by a user. The user standing in front of the screen points at a desired option and a camera of the system takes an image of the user while pointing. The system calculates from the pose of the user in the image whether the user is pointing to any of the displayed options. If such is the case, that particular option is selected and an action corresponding with that option is executed.

Abstract: A flat display device, preferably of the PALC type, in which the plasma channels are formed by etching laterally-spaced slots in a spacer plate, attaching a thin dielectric sheet over the etched spacer plate, and bonding the etched spacer plate to a transparent substrate such that each channel is formed by the portion of the substrate between flanking walls formed by the etched slots in the spacer plate, adjacent flanking walls in the spacer plate, and the overlying portion of the thin dielectric sheet. By positioning the flanking walls between channel electrode pairs, thus providing glass-to-glass interfaces, anodic bonding can be employed to assemble the three channel elements. Etching can be simplified by pre-attaching the unetched channel plate to the substrate or thin dielectric cover sheet with an intervening etch stop, and etching in situ using the etch stop to prevent etching of the substrate or thin dielectric cover sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for increasing image compression. The systems and methods are improvements applicable to encoder/decoders which compress images by, inter alia, transforming non-overlapping independent blocks of pixels into a frequency domain and then quantizing the resulting frequency domain coefficients. The invention achieves increased compression by predicting low frequency coefficients of a block from, preferably, the average intensities, or zero frequency coefficients, of the block and its adjacent blocks. In an encoder, the low frequency coefficients are predicted, are then subtracted from the actual transform coefficients, and the difference coefficients are transmitted to a decoder. In the decoder, the low frequency coefficients are again predicted, are added to the received difference coefficients, and the resulting actual transform coefficients are used to reconstruct an image.

Abstract: An air-wound, coil-type, passive inductor includes a surface which allows the coil to be picked-up using a vacuum probe of a head of a pick-an-place machine and the surface does not interfere with adjusting the spacing between the loops of the coil for tuning the coil after the coil is attached to a circuit board. Terminal ends of the coil are placed on solder paste on interconnection pads on the circuit board, then the board is heated to reflow the solder, and then washed to remove the flux contained in the solder paste. The surface may be adapted to be removed or at least degraded by the heating, or the washing, or afterwards by a mechanical method of removal without damaging the coil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor diode structure, and method for making semiconductor diode structures for suppressing transistor gate oxide plasma charging damage. The semiconductor diode structure includes a shallow trench isolation region that is configured to isolate an active region of a semiconductor substrate. A doped polysilicon electrode having a first end and a second end. The doped polysilicon electrode is defined in the shallow trench isolation region and the first end is configured to be in electrical contact with the semiconductor substrate. The diode structure further includes a polysilicon gate that has an underlying gate oxide. The polysilicon gate is defined over the active region and extends over part of the shallow trench isolation region so as to make electrical interconnection between the polysilicon gate and the second end of the doped polysilicon electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus uses a computer-controlled algorithm that enables production of high-quality layouts and charge maps or set-ups for arbitrary printed circuit boards for electronic component placement machines alone or as one of many in a production line. A class of algorithms known as genetic algorithms employing an initial population of chromosomes are used. Each chromosome represents a set of parameters that control how a layout and charge maps are generated. Problem descriptors, based on one time code are generated. An adaptive searcher searches parameters and generates trial solutions as chromosomes and a heuristic layout generator interprets these chromosomes to generate the layout and charge maps using the problem descriptors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling and stabilizing laser wavelengths in a dense wavelength division multiplexer (DWDM) transmission system. The lasers in the transmission system are each modulated in a known manner by a data signal. In addition, the lasers are each modulated by a plurality of test signals each having a predetermined frequency. At the optical receiver, a frequency analyzer examiners the frequency test signals for distortions and/or changes in amplitude. Any distortions and/or changes in amplitude of the frequency test signals indicate a change in the wavelength of a corresponding laser. A control signal may be returned to the laser controller of each laser to regulate the laser wavelength. A fault signal may be generated indicating that the wavelength of a laser has changed, drifted, etc., more an acceptable amount.

Abstract: A faceted surface has first and second facets which deflect respective first and second light beams to produce first sub-beams which alternate with second sub-beams. The faceted surface may be a reflector having first facets at 120° to second facets for mixing light beams which are incident at 120° to each other. 100% of reflected sub-beams from each source alternate with 100% of sub-beams from the other source. The faceted surface may also be a refractor which is part of a transparent block having two parallel faceted surfaces. A first refractive surface refracts parallel light beams to produce diverging beams which are each split into spaced apart sub-beams by the second refractive surface. 50% of refracted sub-beams originating from each source alternate with 50% of refracted sub-beams of each adjacent source.

Abstract: A light-emitting semiconductor device such as a laser or LED includes a light-emitting region interposed between two GaN contact layers of different conductivity types. A metal electrical contact is provided directly on one of the contact layers and is formed of an annealed, at least partly alloyed metal layer including hafnium and gold. The metal layer may also include platinum, or platinum and titanium. Light-emitting semiconductor devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers having such annealed, at least partly alloyed metal layer are particularly suitable for high current-density applications which result in higher operating temperatures, such they are capable of operating at higher temperatures without shorting.

Abstract: A light source(10) includes a bulb (14) having a pair of outer leads (16,17) extending therefrom in parallel and sealed directly in the glass stem (22), whereby the outer leads (16,17) and the input leads in the glass stem (22) are the same. A protective shroud (30) surrounding the light source (10) may be supported by a metal member (40) welded to one of the leads between the stem (22) and the light source (10). The metal member carries a strap (43) seated in a circumferential constriction (36) of the shroud (30), which may be a commercially available glass vial. In another embodiment, horseshoe-shaped members (18,19) having mutually opposed concavities are welded to respective leads (16,17) and a shroud (30) is locally heated to form a circumferential constriction (36) which shrinks into the concavities, thereby supporting the shroud internally. Alternatively, the shroud can be shrunk directly against the pinch (15) so that it converges toward the open end (35) where it engages leads (16,17).

Abstract: There is disclosed an adaptive quantization controller for use in a video encoder comprising a base layer circuit for receiving an input stream of video frames and generating compressed base layer video frames suitable for transmission to a streaming video receiver and an enhancement layer circuit for receiving the input stream of video frames and a decoded version of the compressed base layer video frames and generating enhancement layer video data associated with, and allocated to, corresponding ones of the compressed base layer video frames. The adaptive quantization controller receives at least one quantization parameter from the base layer circuit and, in response thereto, determines a corresponding shifting factor for shifting a bit plane associated with the enhancement layer video data. The adaptive quantizaion controller also modifies a data field in the enhancement layer video data to cause the video streaming receiver to assign a higher decoding priority to the shifted bit plane.

Abstract: In order to detect a face disposed within a digital image, the pixels of the image are grouped based on whether they are skin color. The edges of the skin colored areas are removed by eliminating pixels that have surrounding pixels with a high variance in the luminance component. The resulting connected components are classified to determine whether they could include a face. The classification includes examining: the area of the bounding box of the component, the aspect ratio, the ratio of detected skin to the area of the bounding box, the orientation of elongated objects, and the distance between the center of the bounding box and the center of mass of the component. Components which are still considered facial candidates are mapped on to a graph. The minimum spanning trees of the graphs are extracted and the corresponding components which remain are again classified for whether they could include a face.