Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a set of capacitive elements configured for capacitively coupling to a user fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed under a control button or display element of an electronic device, for example one or more of a control button and a display component. A responsive element is responsive to proximity of the user fingerprint, for example one or both of a first circuit responsive to motion of the control button, and a second circuit responsive to a coupling between the fingerprint and a surface of the display element. The fingerprint sensor is disposed closer to the fingerprint than the responsive element. The control button or display component may include an anisotropic dielectric material, for example sapphire.

Abstract: A sensor array package can include a sensor disposed on a first side of a substrate. Signal trenches can be formed along the edges of the substrate and a conductive layer can be deposited in the signal trench and can couple to sensor signal pads. Bond wires can be attached to the conductive layers and can be arranged to be below a surface plane of the sensor. The sensor array package can be embedded in a printed circuit board enabling the bond wires to terminate at other conductors within the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A rotatable micro-machine is comprised of a solvent reservoir, a porous evaporation region and a channel connecting the solvent reservoir to the evaporation region. The evaporation region may be constructed of capillary paths that enable a capillary action which pulls solvent from the channel so as to enable a flow of solvent from the reservoir to the evaporation region through the channel. A rotatable member has portions in communication with the channel so as to be rotated by the flow. In one embodiment, the rotatable member may be a component of a micro-turbine generator. A system may be comprised of the rotatable micro-machine in combination with at least one electrical circuit. The porous region may be positioned to receive heat from the circuit.

Abstract: Imager devices, systems including the imager devices and methods of forming the imager devices are provided. The imager device has a substrate with first and second opposing sides. The imager also includes an array of imager pixels at the first side of the substrate, each including a photoconversion device. An antireflective material is on the second side of the substrate and a dielectric material is over the antireflective material. A light guide material is disposed within a plurality of openings in the dielectric material and optically aligned with a respective photoconversion device.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of nanotubes is disclosed. Particularly, a substrate may be provided and a plurality of recesses may be formed therein. Further, a plurality of nanotubes may be formed generally within each of the plurality of recesses and the plurality of nanotubes may be substantially surrounded with a supporting material. Additionally, at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be selectively shortened and at least a portion of the at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be functionalized. Methods for forming semiconductor structures intermediate structures, and semiconductor devices are disclosed. An intermediate structure, intermediate semiconductor structure, and a system including nanotube structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of nanotubes is disclosed. Particularly, a substrate may be provided and a plurality of recesses may be formed therein. Further, a plurality of nanotubes may be formed generally within each of the plurality of recesses and the plurality of nanotubes may be substantially surrounded with a supporting material. Additionally, at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be selectively shortened and at least a portion of the at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be functionalized. Methods for forming semiconductor structures intermediate structures, and semiconductor devices are disclosed. An intermediate structure, intermediate semiconductor structure, and a system including nanotube structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A software refreshed memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells that must be periodically refreshed to avoid losing data. Preferably, the memory cells can avoid losing data even though the time interval between successive memory refresh operations is relatively long, as compared to the time interval between successive memory refresh operations in a conventional volatile memory device, such as a DRAM. A processor can perform periodic memory refresh operations by executing a set of memory refresh instructions implemented in software, rather than in hardware. Accordingly, the memory device can advantageously be simplified, because the need for memory refresh circuitry and for a unique refresh control signal are advantageously eliminated. Moreover, the processor executing the memory refresh instructions can typically perform more sophisticated algorithms, as compared to memory refresh circuitry implemented in hardware, for determining when to perform a memory refresh operation.

Abstract: The invention includes a process whereby a solvent is utilized to remove soluble portions of a resist, and subsequently the solvent can be removed with a gas-fortified liquid. In particular aspects, the gas-fortified liquid emits bubbles during the removal of the solvent. Additionally, the gas-fortified liquid can be utilized to remove residual resist scum, and in such aspects the gas-fortified liquid can emit bubbles during the scum removal.

Abstract: A memory element comprising first and second electrodes is provided. The first electrode is tapered such that a first end of the first electrode is larger than a second end of the first electrode. A resistance variable material layer is located between the first and second electrodes, and the second end of the first electrode is in contact with the resistance variable material. Methods for forming the memory element are also provided.

Abstract: Imager devices, systems including the imager devices and methods of forming the imager devices are provided. The imager device has a substrate with first and second opposing sides. The imager also includes an array of imager pixels at the first side of the substrate, each including a photoconversion device. An antireflective material is on the second side of the substrate and a dielectric material is over the antireflective material. A light guide material is disposed within a plurality of openings in the dielectric material and optically aligned with a respective photoconversion device.

Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistance variable device includes forming a first conductive electrode material on a substrate. A metal doped chalcogenide comprising material is formed over the first conductive electrode material. Such comprises the metal and AxBy, where “B” is selected from S, Se and Te and mixtures thereof, and where “A” comprises at least one element which is selected from Group 13, Group 14, Group 15, or Group 17 of the periodic table. In one aspect, the chalcogenide comprising material is exposed to and HNO3 solution. In one aspect the outer surface is oxidized effective to form a layer comprising at least one of an oxide of “A” or an oxide of “B”. In one aspect, a passivating material is formed over the metal doped chalcogenide comprising material. A second conductive electrode material is deposited, and a second conductive electrode material of the device is ultimately formed therefrom.

Abstract: An analytical system-on-a-chip can be used as an analytical imaging device, for example, for detecting the presence of a chemical compound. A layer of analytical material is formed on a transparent layer overlying a solid state image sensor. The analytical material can react in known ways with at least one reactant to block light or to allow light to pass through to the array. The underlying sensor array, in turn, can process the presence, absence or amount of light into a digitized signal output. The system-on-a-chip may also include software that can detect and analyze the output signals of the device.

Abstract: A software refreshed memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells that must be periodically refreshed to avoid losing data. Preferably, the memory cells can avoid losing data even though the time interval between successive memory refresh operations is relatively long, as compared to the time interval between successive memory refresh operations in a conventional volatile memory device, such as a DRAM. A processor can perform periodic memory refresh operations by executing a set of memory refresh instructions implemented in software, rather than in hardware. Accordingly, the memory device can advantageously be simplified, because the need for memory refresh circuitry and for a unique refresh control signal are advantageously eliminated. Moreover, the processor executing the memory refresh instructions can typically perform more sophisticated algorithms, as compared to memory refresh circuitry implemented in hardware, for determining when to perform a memory refresh operation.

Abstract: An optical memory cell having a material layer associated with a pixel capable of emitting and receiving light. The material layer has phosphorescent material formed therein for storing data as light received from and emitted to the pixel.

Abstract: A software refreshed memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells that must be periodically refreshed to avoid losing data. Preferably, the memory cells can avoid losing data even though the time interval between successive memory refresh operations is relatively long, as compared to the time interval between successive memory refresh operations in a conventional volatile memory device, such as a DRAM. A processor can perform periodic memory refresh operations by executing a set of memory refresh instructions implemented in software, rather than in hardware. Accordingly, the memory device can advantageously be simplified, because the need for memory refresh circuitry and for a unique refresh control signal are advantageously eliminated. Moreover, the processor executing the memory refresh instructions can typically perform more sophisticated algorithms, as compared to memory refresh circuitry implemented in hardware, for determining when to perform a memory refresh operation.

Abstract: An optical memory cell having a material layer associated with a pixel capable of emitting and receiving light. The material layer has phosphorescent material formed therein for storing data as light received from and emitted to the pixel.

Abstract: A method for controlling silver doping of a chalcogenide glass in a resistance variable memory element is disclosed herein. The method includes forming a thin metal containing layer having a thickness of less than about 250 Angstroms over a second chalcogenide glass layer, formed over a first metal containing layer, formed over a first chalcogenide glass layer. The thin metal containing layer preferably is a silver layer. An electrode may be formed over the thin silver layer. The electrode preferably does not contain silver.

Abstract: A memory device including a simultaneous read circuit design for multiple memory cells on a single interconnect using a fast fourier transform analysis circuit. The simultaneous read circuit can be used with any memory type storing information as an energy-absorbing state.

Abstract: A software refreshed memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells that must be periodically refreshed to avoid losing data. Preferably, the memory cells can avoid losing data even though the time interval between successive memory refresh operations is relatively long, as compared to the time interval between successive memory refresh operations in a conventional volatile memory device, such as a DRAM. A processor can perform periodic memory refresh operations by executing a set of memory refresh instructions implemented in software, rather than in hardware. Accordingly, the memory device can advantageously be simplified, because the need for memory refresh circuitry and for a unique refresh control signal are advantageously eliminated. Moreover, the processor executing the memory refresh instructions can typically perform more sophisticated algorithms, as compared to memory refresh circuitry implemented in hardware, for determining when to perform a memory refresh operation.

Abstract: A method for transferring data from a display device to an electronic device includes displaying a visual pattern on the display device. The visual pattern represents the data being transferred. In the electronic device, the visual pattern is received and processed to obtain the data represented by the visual pattern. The visual pattern may be formed by an array of data elements, each data element representing at least one bit of data being transferred to the electronic device. A series of such arrays may be sequentially displayed on the display device. The visual pattern may alternatively be formed by a bar code that represents bits of data being transferred to the electronic device. A series of bar codes may be sequentially displayed on the display device.