Abstract: Various stacked semiconductor devices and methods of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a first semiconductor die that has a first bulk semiconductor side and a first opposite side. A second semiconductor die is provided that has a second bulk semiconductor side and a second opposite side. The second opposite side of the second semiconductor die is coupled to the first opposite side of the first semiconductor die. Electrical connections are formed between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: Various stacked semiconductor devices and methods of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a first semiconductor die that has a first bulk semiconductor side and a first opposite side. A second semiconductor die is provided that has a second bulk semiconductor side and a second opposite side. The second opposite side of the second semiconductor die is coupled to the first opposite side of the first semiconductor die. Electrical connections are formed between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: An account associated with a card is characterized by one or more budgetary items (collectively contained within a budget) that may be created by the card holder, account holder or a third party. A budgetary item may be created based on a time period regardless of the funds presently in the account. A budgetary item may be categorized by function, item or merchant. For example, a budgetary item may be created for “household supplies”, “shoes” or “The Gap”. The budget may be stored by the card itself, a financial institution or by a third party. When a purchase is being made, a transaction is initiated between the merchant/supplier of the goods or services and the account holder similar to conventional transactions. The budgetary items are used to determine, in part, whether a proposed financial transaction is to be authorized, in whole or in part, or rejected, in whole or in part.

Abstract: An n bit D/A decoder is formed using P-type and N-type transistor switches, instead of convention CMOS switches. Each P-type and N-type switch may be formed of fewer transistors than those used to form a CMOS switch, thereby reducing the overall transistor count. The decoder may be used to decode digital values to non-linear GAMMA corrected analog output voltages.

Abstract: Various stacked semiconductor devices and methods of making the same are provided. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a first semiconductor die that has a first bulk semiconductor side and a first opposite side. A second semiconductor die is provided that has a second bulk semiconductor side and a second opposite side. The second opposite side of the second semiconductor die is coupled to the first opposite side of the first semiconductor die. Electrical connections are formed between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: An n bit D/A decoder is formed using P-type and N-type transistor switches, instead of convention CMOS switches. Each P-type and N-type switch may be formed of fewer transistors than those used to form a CMOS switch, thereby reducing the overall transistor count. The decoder may be used to decode digital values to non-linear GAMMA corrected analog output voltages.

Abstract: An n bit D/A decoder is formed using P-type and N-type transistor switches, instead of convention CMOS switches. Each P-type and N-type switch may be formed of fewer transistors than those used to form a CMOS switch, thereby reducing the overall transistor count. The decoder may be used to decode digital values to non-linear GAMMA corrected analog output voltages.

Abstract: A device includes a controller that is operative to dynamically control rendering quality of an output image when the device is in a reduced power mode based on data representing a desired runtime length of an application. Memory containing data representing quality of rendering control information may be utilized by the controller to control graphics processing circuitry to change a quality of graphics rendering based on the quality of rendering control information. The quality of control information may include, by way of example, and not limitation, data representing a number of vertices per object to use for rendering objects, a texture size to use per frame, a degree or type of anti-aliasing to employ, whether to use alpha blending, a tessellation level to employ, and playback frame rate information. A user interface may be employed that provides a selectable desired application runtime duration setting that is used when the device or portion of the device is in a low power mode.

Abstract: A device includes a processor that is operative to process a data stream such as executable code, encoded video or other suitable data stream, and has a plurality of processor portions. The device further includes a power management controller coupled to the processor portions that controls power consumption of the processor portions based on application profile data associated with the data stream. The application profile data may be included with executable code or provided separately and may directly indicate usage/nonusage of portions of the processor or the data stream may have inherent application profile data in the header that indirectly identifies usage of the processor portions.

Abstract: A portable device includes a controller that is responsive to a remaining power capacity of the battery, and a power consumption level of the portable device and based on user prioritized functional processing capability features, dynamically controls functional processing capability features of the device. The controller provides power for a higher priority feature at the expense of a lower priority functional processing capability feature consistent with the user prioritized functional processing capability features. A wireless portable device is also disclosed that includes a wireless signal strength determinator that determines a received signal strength of the wireless device and a controller that adjusts the functional processing capability feature of the wireless device based on the determined received signal strength and based on battery capacity information.

Abstract: A technique for adjusting or modifying content delivery to devices is provided, thereby offering a degree of power consumption control in such devices. The device can determine a need to modify power consumption, either in response to an input or via detection of an unfavorable power supply condition. In response, the device sends a request to an infrastructure for at least one reduced rate data stream. Because the at least one reduced rate data stream requires less processing power when undergoing decoding operations, the device subsequently consumes less power. In one embodiment of the present invention, the determination of the unfavorable power supply condition may be based on a configurable power condition profile. Furthermore, subsequent to receiving the at least one reduced rate data stream, the device may provide a request to the infrastructure for at least one increased rate data stream.

Abstract: A demodulated multimedia signal is generated based on a captured handheld multimedia signal or a captured terrestrial multimedia signal where the handheld multimedia signal is formatted for reproduction on a handheld device and the terrestrial multimedia signal is formatted for reproduction on a computer system. The demodulated multimedia signal or a decoded multimedia signal (based on the demodulated multimedia signal) is transferred to a computer system for visual and/or audible reproduction on a computer system or for transmission to another computer system. The video information associated with the transferred signal is scaled by the computer system prior to display to match the display characteristics and capabilities of the computer system. The transferred signal may correspond to multiple channels of multimedia signals thereby enabling the display of multiple multimedia signals at the same time.

Abstract: A multimedia receiver includes two tuners capable of independently tuning digital channels to be listened to, or viewed. A channel to be tuned by a multi-media receiver is predicted, based on a subset of digits input by a user. While a current channel is tuned by one tuner, the predicted channel is tuned by the other tuner. If the prediction is correct, the channel to be turned is available for presentation immediately after a time out period. In this way, delay between tuning channels is reduced.

Abstract: A method of assembling a folded-fin heat sink assembly, the assembly including base plate, a folded fin-assembly and a shroud, includes positioning the folded-fin assembly on a base plate, placing the shroud over the folded-fin assembly, urging the shroud to press the folded-fin assembly against the baze plate and bonding attached to the base plate and a shroud. According to an embodiment, the resulting shroud of the folded-fin assembly acts as extension of the folded-fin heat sink providing additional fin surfaces via which heat can be dissipated.

Abstract: An account associated with a card is characterized by one or more budgetary items (collectively contained within a budget) that may be created by the card holder, account holder or a third party (e.g., depositor of funds into the account). A budgetary item may be created based on a time period (e.g., monthly, weekly, yearly, etc.) regardless of the funds presently in the account. A budgetary item may be categorized by function (e.g., a category of expenditures), item or merchant. For example, a budgetary item may be created for “household supplies”, “shoes” or “The Gap”. The budget may be stored by the card itself, a financial institution or by a third party (e.g., the card issuer, the card holder's personal financial software, etc.). When a purchase is being made, a transaction is initiated between the merchant/supplier of the goods or services and the account holder (e.g., the smart card, the card issuer, financial institution, etc.) similar to conventional transactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drawer slide assembly with an integral latch mechanism to inhibit inadvertent opening of a drawer. The structure of the present invention comprises an outer slide member and an inner slide member. The inner slide member is slidably engaged to the outer slide member. The structure includes an aperture in one of the slide members. A bearing is positioned to removably engage the aperture when the drawer slide assembly is in the closed position thereby forming a latch detent mechanism. The bearing is resiliently seated in a bearing retaining structure mounted on the drawer slide structure. The bearing retaining structure is provided with an element for providing a biasing force onto the bearing. This biasing force urges the bearing toward engagement with the aperture. When the bearing engages the aperture the inner slide member is held against slidable movement with respect to the outer slide member.

Abstract: Utilization of the E-Metro Community and Personal Information Agents assure an effective and comprehensive agent-rule based command and control of informational assets in a networked computer environment. The concerns of informational privacy and informational self-determination are addressed squarely by the invention affording persons and entities a trusted means to author, secure, search, process, and exchange personal and/or confidential information in a networked computer environment. The formation of trusted electronic communities wherein members command and control their digital persona, exchanging or brokering for value the trusted utility of their informational assets is made possible by the invention. The present invention provides for the trusted utilization of personal data in electronic markets, providing both communities and individuals aggregate and individual rule-based control of the processing of their personal data.