Abstract: A trekking pole or the like includes a grip top fixed at the top end. A user's glove supports a puck. The puck is placed on a release button then slid into a locking channel on the grip top, from the release button into the locking channel. Thereafter, the release button automatically locks the puck in the channel. When the release button is pressed down, the puck can be removed. A magnet on the release button can assist in locating the puck properly on the release button and also in withdrawing the puck from the locking channel.

Abstract: An entertainment, educational and merchandizing method for creating games through computer-based integration of user-uploaded photos and textual information into board and card games that feature such user-uploaded materials, and generate, from administrator-hosted templates, games and entertainment devices involving identification, reference and/or query based-response to such materials.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of inspection using laser beam induced alteration are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a laser scanning microscope for directing a laser beam at a circuit structure and a source for biasing and thereby establishing a power condition in the circuit structure. A detection circuit is provided for detecting a change in the power condition in response to illumination of the circuit structure by the laser beam and generating a first output signal based on the detected change. A signal processor is provided for processing the first output signal and generating a second output signal based thereon. A control system is operable to scan the laser beam according to a pattern that has a plurality of pixel locations, whereby the laser beam may be moved to a given pixel location and allowed to dwell there for a selected time before being moved to another pixel location.

Abstract: Various methods of hot-electron imaging a workpiece are provided. In one aspect, a method of examining a workpiece is provided that includes directing a first photon at a photodetector at a first known time and stimulating a circuit device of the workpiece at a second known time to produce a condition in the circuit device conducive to photon emission. At least one photon emitted by the circuit device in response to the stimulation is detected. The first photon increases the quantum efficiency of the photodetector in detecting the at least one photon. The detection of the at least one photon relative to the first known time and the second known time is time correlated to temporally distinguish the first photon and the at least one photon and to temporally correlate the stimulation of the circuit device to the detection of the at least one photon.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing an integrated circuit device involves generating a magnetic field in circuitry forming a power grid within the integrated circuit device. The magnetic field generator is switched off, and the charge on the power grid dissipates through internal device structures to ground. This decay of the charged power grid is detected and evaluated to assess the quality or consistency of the power distribution grid. Faulty power grids will have a decay pattern that differs from high quality power grids.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a semiconductor device having a back side and a circuit side opposite the back side is analyzed. The semiconductor device includes bulk silicon in the back side and also includes epitaxial silicon. A wet etch solution comprising aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAHW) is directed at the back side. Using the wet etch solution, the back side is selectively etched and an exposed region is formed. The etching is selective to the bulk silicon. When the etching process encounters the epitaxial silicon, the etch rate slows and is used as an endpoint indicator of the selective etching process. Once the etching process is stopped, the circuitry is accessed via the exposed region.