Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer with a diaphragm and an embossed backplate is provided. Due to the embossing of the backplate, spacer disks are no longer necessary and the efficiency of the transducer is substantially increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor or a microphone having such a sensor. The object of the present invention is to improve the degree of development of the sensor or an optical microphone as an air-borne sound sensor. A sensor consisting of a diaphragm, wherein at least on one side the diaphragm comprises a surface which reflects a light beam, wherein on this side a first optical waveguide is constructed as a transmitting waveguide, through which a light beam passes and strikes against the diaphragm, wherein a second optical waveguide constructed at a specific angular relationship to the first optical waveguide is provided, which has the function of a receiving waveguide and into which light reflected from the diaphragm enters, an optical element is constructed in the light path between the transmitting waveguide and the receiving waveguide, by which the light beam is bunched or focussed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data using multi-tier caching are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a user request containing one or more data parameters and searching cache memories of multiple tiers until finding a parameterized result set associated with the data parameters. The multiple tiers correspond to stages in the transformation of data retrieved from one or more data sources according to the user request. Once the parameterized result set associated with the data parameters is found, it is used to create a final result set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a data set with pending results are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a user request to process data and processing the user request to begin creating a final result set with at least one field being identified as a pending result field. The processing, in turn, includes creating a portion of an initial result set containing the pending result field before a final value for the pending result field is determined, and transforming the portion of the initial result set to create a portion of the final result set before a final value for the pending result field is determined. The method further includes continuing processing the user request while the final value remains undetermined, and updating the final result set with the final value of the pending result field once the final value is determined.

Abstract: A deferred transaction mechanism facilitates multi-threaded operation of database application programs. The deferred transaction mechanism allows data items to be committed from the local memory of a computer system to a database system in a background thread, while other foreground threads continue to read the data item. In most instances, this makes the delay in committing a data item to the database imperceptible to a human user of a database application program. The deferred transaction mechanism further supports an “undo” feature, which allows modifications to a data item located in a computer's local memory to be rapidly discarded.

Abstract: Techniques are described for automated dynamic pricing of a product according to the demand trend for the product and by isolating the effect of price on the demand for the product. Price candidates for a product are either offered in parallel or in series to determine an optimal price. The offering of price candidates accounts for market trends that affect the optimal price for a product. Once an optimal price is offered for a product, the optimal price is monitored using an automated monitor process. During the automated monitor process, periodic demand measurements (L2B measurements) are taken for the optimal price. If there is a significant change in demand, the monitor process will trigger a re-offering of price candidates to determine a new optimal price.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes data descriptions of data in a database. The data descriptions include baseviews and metaviews. The baseviews reference specific portions of the actual database schema while the metaviews provide descriptions of baseviews. Each baseview includes specific references to specific columns in tables stored in the database.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an architecture for extending the data requesting and data viewing capabilities of a database system. Data from the database is requested and viewed using a plan. The plan defines the steps to perform to request and view the data. The extensible architecture allows for the relatively easy addition of new steps for use in the database retrieval and viewing system. In one system, each step includes executable code for accessing, manipulating and/or outputting data. Each step conforms to a predefined interface that allows the step to be used in a plan, manipulate data received from another step (if necessary), and output data to another step (if necessary). By generating steps that conform to the predefined interface, developers can extend the functionality of the data retrieval and viewing application.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a preferred method for bonding a single crystal membrane to a supporting structure having a curved surface includes the steps of segmenting a unitary wafer of a single crystal, for example semiconductor material, into a plurality of semi-attached wafer segments and then aligning a supporting structure with each of the wafer segments. The wafer segments are then detached from each other and are individually bonded to one of the supporting structures. In the case of silicon, lattice strain each of the segments is relieved by depositing a layer of germanium onto the surface of the silicon membrane and then thermally processing the assembly so that germanium atoms are either nucleate on the surface to form quantum wires or diffused into the lattice to relieve the lattice strain.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an architecture for extending the data requesting and data viewing capabilities of a database system. Data from the database is requested and viewed using a plan. The plan defines the steps to perform to request and view the data. The extensible architecture allows for the relatively easy addition of new steps for use in the database retrieval and viewing system. In one system, each step includes executable code for accessing, manipulating and/or outputting data. Each step conforms to a predefined interface that allows the step to be used in a plan, manipulate data received from another step (if necessary), and output data to another step (if necessary). By generating steps that conform to the predefined interface, developers can extend the functionality of the data retrieval and viewing application.

Abstract: A deferred transaction mechanism facilitates multi-threaded operation of database application programs. The deferred transaction mechanism allows data items to be committed from the local memory of a computer system to a database system in a background thread, while other foreground threads continue to read the data item. In most instances, this makes the delay in committing a data item to the database imperceptible to a human user of a database application program. The deferred transaction mechanism further supports an "undo" feature, which allows modifications to a data item located in a computer's local memory to be rapidly discarded.

Abstract: In accordance with novel features of the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided for generating a oscillatory output signal having an oscillatory rate that is proportional to the magnitude of charge delivered through the input to the first charge well. The apparatus includes an input disposed to receive an input signal and an output disposed to output an oscillatory signal. A plurality of adjacently-disposed CCD charge wells are disposed between the input and the output. The plurality of CCD charge wells include a first charge well that is disposed in communication with the input and a last charge well is disposed in communication with the output. A charge sensor is disposed in proximity to the first charge well and operates to sense the magnitude of charge stored in the first charge well, and a driver is responsive to the sensor to drive an electrode disposed in proximity to a second charge well, which is disposed adjacent to the first charge well.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the behavior of a biological neuron. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a charge-carrying component is fabricated from semiconductor material and is disposed above a semiconductor substrate. The charge-carrying component is separated from the substrate, and substantially surrounded, by an isolating material, such as an oxide (e.g., silicon dioxide). Advantageously, the substantial isolation of the component helps ensure the preservation of electrical charge on the charge-carrying component. Indeed, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, virtually no charge leakage occurs, and absent purposeful charge injection or drainage (described below), the charge deposited on the charge carrying component will be preserved for a very long time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analog processing element (APE) for the analog processing of charge packets present in an analog signal. The APE utilizes CCD-based elements in a semi-conductor device to move and process charge packets present in an analog signal. In one embodiment, the APE provides analog processing on dimensional signals such as audio or video signals. When the APE is embodied in a semi-conductor device, it may be provided as a chip for analog pre-processing of video or audio signals such as for compression of the signal prior to digitization and use by digital processing devices. In a particular embodiment, an array of APE's, along with related circuitry provides for a pipelined Pattern Recognition Processor (PRP). The PRP may perform analog video compression at rates substantially exceeding compression rates available with current digital processing technology.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analog processing element (APE) for the analog processing of charge packets present in an analog signal. The APE utilizes CCD-based elements in a semi-conductor device to move and process charge packets present in an analog signal. In one embodiment, the APE provides analog processing on dimensional signals such as audio or video signals. When the APE is embodied in a semi-conductor device, it may be provided as a chip for analog pre-processing of video or audio signals such as for compression of the signal prior to digitization and use by digital processing devices. In a particular embodiment, an array of APE's, along with related circuitry provides for a pipelined Pattern Recognition Processor (PRP). The PRP may perform analog video compression at rates substantially exceeding compression rates available with current digital processing technology.

Abstract: A new technology in semiconductor electronics is provided wherein basic semiconductor elements (BSEs) are fabricated on the surfaces of hollow, cone-shaped and/or other planar or non-planar substrata. Photosensitive and photoemitting elements are included within each BSE capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from external sources in a direction that is non-parallel (oblique) to the silicon surface and circuitry plane. Inter-BSE communication are also achieved via fiber optic connectors. In one embodiment, the BSEs may be assembled in an efficient arrangement whereby some number of BSEs (for example, six (6)) are located adjacent and surrounding another "polar" BSE, thereby providing for short opto-electronic connections between the polar BSE and its neighbors. In additional embodiments, a power supply may reside within the internal space of the BSE, and the interior and exterior of the BSEs are designed as opposite electrical poles, thereby providing power to the BSEs.

Abstract: An electrodynamic transducer has a diaphragm substantially having two parts with different profiles, namely an acoustically active central part and an annular part laterally adjoining the central part and serving for the resilient suspension of the diaphragm in its entirety. A narrow coil seat for a wire coil of the transducer is located between the central part and the annular part. For the purpose of developing a compact yet electrodynamically sensitive acoustic transducer, the annular part is not arranged radially outside the central part of the diaphragm, but is shifted inward according to the invention. The curved annular part is thus accommodated under the axial curvature of the central part. The annular part can therefore have the annular width required for an ideal resilient suspension without negatively affecting the outer dimensions of the transducer.

Abstract: A new technology in semiconductor electronics is provided wherein basic semiconductor elements (BSEs) are fabricated on the surfaces of hollow, cone-shaped and/or other planar or non-planar substrata. Photosensitive and photoemitting elements are included within each BSE capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from external sources in a direction that is non-parallel (oblique) to the silicon surface and circuitry plane. Inter-BSE communication are also achieved via fiber optic connectors. In one embodiment, the BSEs may be assembled in an efficient arrangement whereby some numbers of BSEs (for example, six (6)) are located adjacent and surrounding another "polar" BSE, thereby providing for short opto-electronic connections between the polar BSE and its neighbors.