Abstract: A noised-reduced capacitive image sensor and a method operating the capacitive image sensor are provided. The capacitive image sensor includes: a number of capacitive sensing units forming an array, each capacitive sensing unit for transforming a distance between a portion of a surface of an approaching finger and a top surface thereof into an output electric potential, wherein a value of the output electric potential is changed by a driving signal applied to the sensing unit; at least one sample-and-hold circuit for capturing and retaining different output electric potentials; at least one signal conditioning circuit, each comprising at least one differential amplifier for amplifying a difference between two electric potentials retained by the sample-and-hold circuit; and a driving source, for providing the driving signal to the capacitive sensing units.

Abstract: A noised-reduced capacitive image sensor and a method operating the capacitive image sensor are provided. The capacitive image sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate, at least one driving source and an array of capacitive sensing units formed on said semiconductor substrate, characterized in that each of said capacitive sensing unit comprises: a protective layer to be touched by said finger; a sensing electrode arranged underneath said protective layer; a voltage follower, wherein an input node of the voltage follower is connected to the sensing electrode; a comparative capacitor, wherein one node of the comparative capacitor is electrically connected to the voltage follower, and the other node thereof is electrically connected to the driving source; and a bias voltage supply circuit, for providing different bias voltages to the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A capacitive image sensor and a method for operating the capacitive image sensor are provided. The capacitive image sensor has an array of capacitive sensing units for transforming a distance between each of the capacitive sensing units and a surface of an adjacent finger into an output electric potential. The capacitive sensing unit comprises: a protective layer; a first sensing plate, formed under the protective layer; a second sensing plate, formed under the first sensing plate; an active semiconductor circuitry, formed under the second sensing plate and connected to the first and second sensing plates; at least one first insulating layer, formed between the first sensing plate and the second sensing plate; and at least one second insulating layer, formed between the second sensing plate and the active semiconductor circuitry.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a system, and a computer program product in which a storage controller determines one or more resources that are impacted by an error. A cleanup of tasks associated with the one or more resources that are impacted by the error is performed, to recover from the error, wherein host input/output (I/O) operations continue to be processed, and wherein tasks associated with other resources continue to execute.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a system, and a computer program product in which a storage controller determines one or more resources that are impacted by an error. A cleanup of tasks associated with the one or more resources that are impacted by the error is performed, to recover from the error, wherein host input/output (I/O) operations continue to be processed, and wherein tasks associated with other resources continue to execute.

Abstract: A built-in oil-gas separating device includes a secondary oil-gas separator, a main oil-gas separator, an oil-gas barrel, an oil-gas barrel liner, and an oil-gas barrel lid. The secondary oil-gas separator is disposed inside the main oil-gas separator. The oil-gas barrel liner is disposed around the main oil-gas separator. The oil-gas barrel liner is disposed inside the oil-gas barrel. Upper end faces of the secondary oil-gas separator and the main oil-gas separator are sealingly connected to a lower end face of the oil-gas barrel lid. The oil-gas barrel lid has a gas discharging hole located above the secondary oil-gas separator. The gas discharging hole is sealingly connected to a pressure maintenance valve. The compressed air obtained by the double layer filtration structure of the present disclosure can achieve a 40% reduction in oil content as compared with the compressed air obtained by the ordinary single layer filtration structure.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensing unit and enhanced capacitive fingerprint reader using the capacitive fingerprint sensing units are disclosed. The enhanced capacitive fingerprint reader includes a number of capacitive fingerprint sensing units, forming a fingerprint sensing array; a conductive element; and an excitation signal driver, for providing excitation signals to the conductive element. By increasing the thicknesses of a first inter-metal dielectric layer and a second inter-metal dielectric layer in fingerprint sensing units in the enhanced capacitive fingerprint reader, sensitivity of the enhanced capacitive fingerprint reader can be improved.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and a method to assemble the PCBA are disclosed. The PCBA includes a printed circuit board (PCB), an image sensing chip and a protection layer. The PCB includes a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer, a first electrically conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer, and a third electrically conductive layer. The image sensing chip has a number of bonding pads with a sensor portion facing down through the second opening. The PCBA can function as an image sensing module and make the module have the thinnest thickness.

Abstract: A capacitive image sensor with noise reduction feature and a method operating the capacitive image sensor are provided. The capacitive image sensor includes: a number of capacitive sensing units forming an array, each capacitive sensing unit for transforming a distance between a portion of a surface of an approaching finger and a top surface thereof into an output electric potential, wherein a value of the output electric potential is changed by a driving signal coupled on the finger; at least one sample-and-hold circuit for capturing and retaining different output electric potentials; at least one signal conditioning circuit, each comprising: at least one differential amplifier for amplifying a difference between two electric potentials retained by the sample-and-hold circuit; and a driving source, for providing the driving signal to the finger.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor which includes capacitive sensing units is disclosed. Each of the capacitive sensing unit includes a sensing electrode; a first switch; a voltage follower; and a reference capacitor. The voltage follower includes an adjustable current source, for providing at least two distinct current levels; and a MOS transistor. The MOS transistor includes a source node, connected to ground via the adjustable current source and serves as an output node of the voltage follower; a gate node, connected to the sensing electrode and serves as an input node of the voltage follower; a drain node, connected to a power source, for providing power to the voltage follower; and a bulk node, connected to the source node.

Abstract: A system for providing variable wavelength intensity attenuation to said focused beams by application of an aperture-like element that comprises at least two regions of “filter” material, or comprises different materials graded into one another, which different materials that have different responses to different wavelengths, wherein said system is applied to reduce differences in wavelength intensity levels when applied in collimated portions of a beam as a Spectral Angle Adjustor (SAA) or to preserve information in a beam while changing said beam effective diameter as a Spectral Aperture Stop (SAS); or to affect a Spectral Field Stop (SFS) that controls source image size when applied at a convergent/divergent beam focal point as a Spectrally Varying Aperture, (SVA) the end result depending on where in a beam it is applied.

Abstract: A Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) for forming an enhanced biometric module and a method for manufacturing the PCBA are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a PCB, a biometric sensing chip and SMDs; mounting the biometric sensing chip on the PCB with each bonding pad being electrically linked to one corresponding first contact pad; mounting the SMDs on second contact pads which are electrically linked thereto, respectively; and forming a protection layer. The present invention takes advantages of compact size of small conductive elements to avoid cracks in the protection layer.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a system, and a computer program product in which a storage controller determines one or more resources that are impacted by an error. A cleanup of tasks associated with the one or more resources that are impacted by the error is performed, to recover from the error, wherein host input/output (I/O) operations continue to be processed, and wherein tasks associated with other resources continue to execute.

Abstract: Most computer operating systems are able to automatically configure the coupled computer peripheral device for use with the computer operating system without the need for installation of a specific driver. However, when these peripheral devices are detected by the computing system, a generic UI control configuration is often assigned to them and whatever customized settings previously configured by the user will be lost and replaced with a new set of unfamiliar setting. This poses much inconvenience and hassle to gamers when they use a different computing system or machine. Described according to an embodiment of the invention is a profile management method, operating on a computing cloud, comprising steps for receiving client data provided by a computing system detecting coupling of a user-interface (UI) thereto and for retrieving configuration data corresponding to the client data for use in configuring the UI by the computing system.

Abstract: A substantially achromatic multiple element compensator system for use in a wide spectral range, (for example 190-1700 nm), rotating compensator spectroscopic ellipsometer or polarimeter or the like system, which does not require external surface coatings at locations whereat total internal reflections occur. Multiple total internal reflections enter retardance into an entered beam of electromagnetic radiation. Berek-type retarders on both input and output sides of the multiple elements are oriented to minimize changes in the net retardance vs. wavelength via adjustment of Berek-type retarders. Berek-type retarders.

Abstract: A chip with I/O pads on the peripheries and a method making the chip is disclosed. The chip includes: a substrate; a first metal layer, formed above the substrate; an inter-metal dielectric layer, formed above the first metal layer, having concave portions formed along the peripheries of the chip so that a portion of the first metal layer is exposed to form an input-output (I/O) pad in each of the concave portions which are spaced apart from each other; and a passivation layer, formed above the second metal layer without covering the concave portions so that specific circuits are formed by the first metal layer and the second metal layer, respectively. By changing the I/O pad from the top of the chip to the peripheries, the extra thickness of the packaged chip caused by wire bonding in the prior arts can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of applying a reflective optics system that requires the presence of both convex and a concave mirrors that have beam reflecting surfaces. Application thereof achieves focusing of a beam of electromagnetic radiation with minimized effects on a polarization state of an input beam state of polarization that results from adjustment of angles of incidence and reflections from the various mirrors involved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary battery cell and winding formation system thereof. The secondary battery cell comprises an anode electrode plate, an anode electrode tab, a cathode electrode plate, a cathode electrode tab and a separator.

Abstract: A capacitive fingerprint sensor which includes capacitive sensing units is disclosed. Each of the capacitive sensing unit includes a sensing electrode; a first switch; a voltage follower; and a reference capacitor. The voltage follower includes an adjustable current source, for providing at least two distinct current levels; and a MOS transistor. The MOS transistor includes a source node, connected to ground via the adjustable current source and serves as an output node of the voltage follower; a gate node, connected to the sensing electrode and serves as an input node of the voltage follower; a drain node, connected to a power source, for providing power to the voltage follower; and a bulk node, connected to the source node.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to microfluidic devices and systems comprising such devices for use in the determination of sample characteristics. Certain embodiments relate to methods for determining one or more characteristics of a sample comprising a compound for in vivo use. Aptly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and methods for assessing radiopharmaceuticals and their suitability for administration to a patient in need thereof.