Abstract: An apparatus for connecting electronic devices having a flexible cable bus housing containing a plurality of same or different communication and power channels extending along a length thereof and a plurality of bus ports at different locations along the bus housing length. Each bus port is capable of being operatively connected to one of the communication or power channels. The apparatus further includes a plurality of device connectors adapted to connect to a bus port at one end thereof and to a discrete device at another end thereof. Each connector at the device end has a different plug conforming to one of the communication or power channels. The apparatus preferably further includes a switch for connecting each bus port to the communication or power channel conforming to the device end plug when a device connector is connected to the bus port on the bus housing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to define a portion of a circuit pattern with a source of real-time configurable imaging are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for directing a beam through a mask onto a wafer surface to outline a circuit pattern having an undefined area, directing a second beam to the semiconductor wafer surface to define a circuit structure in the undefined area to complete the circuit pattern on the semiconductor wafer surface, and directing the second beam onto a source of real-time configurable imaging. Embodiments may also include a mask to include an undefined area incorporated into the circuit pattern to leave a critical structure of the circuit pattern undefined. Several embodiments include a photolithography system including an exposure tool, a mask, a source of real-time configurable imaging, and addressing circuitry.

Abstract: A design structure for an apparatus for connecting electronic devices having a flexible cable bus housing containing a plurality of same or different communication and power channels extending along a length thereof and a plurality of bus ports at different locations along the bus housing length. Each bus port is capable of being operatively connected to one of the communication or power channels. There is further included a plurality of device connectors adapted to connect to a bus port at one end thereof and to a discrete device at another end thereof. Each connector at the device end has a different plug conforming to one of the communication or power channels. There is preferably further included a switch for connecting each bus port to the communication or power channel conforming to the device end plug when a device connector is connected to the bus port on the bus housing.

Abstract: Systems and media to capture a digital image are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for taking multiple color data readings with a series of sensing elements in one collecting location during a single exposure, associating the collecting location with a pixel, and calculating a color value for the pixel based on the multiple color data readings. The hardware or software may also direct light successively to the sensing elements of the series of sensing elements within one exposure via reflective optics, and may determine that a sensing element of the series of sensing elements is defective. The hardware or software may redirect light to align a non-defective sensing element of the series of sensing elements with the collecting location. The non-defective sensing element and the defective sensing element may be associated with the same color.

Abstract: Methods to capture a digital image are disclosed. Embodiments include methods for taking multiple color data readings with a series of sensing elements in one collecting location during a single exposure, associating the collecting location with a pixel, and calculating a color value for the pixel based on the multiple color data readings. The method may include directing light successively to the sensing elements of the series of sensing elements within one exposure via reflective optics. The method may include determining that a sensing element of the series of sensing elements is defective. The method may include redirecting light to align a non-defective sensing element of the series of sensing elements with the collecting location. The non-defective sensing element and the defective sensing element may be associated with the same color.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to define a portion of a circuit pattern with a source of real-time configurable imaging are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for directing a beam through a mask onto a wafer surface to outline a circuit pattern having an undefined area, directing a second beam to the semiconductor wafer surface to define a circuit structure in the undefined area to complete the circuit pattern on the semiconductor wafer surface, and directing the second beam onto a source of real-time configurable imaging. Embodiments may also include a mask to include an undefined area incorporated into the circuit pattern to leave a critical structure of the circuit pattern undefined. Several embodiments include a photolithography system including an exposure tool, a mask, a source of real-time configurable imaging, and addressing circuitry.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to define a portion of a circuit pattern with a source of real-time configurable imaging are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for directing a beam through a mask onto a wafer surface to outline a circuit pattern having an undefined area, directing a second beam to the semiconductor wafer surface to define a circuit structure in the undefined area to complete the circuit pattern on the semiconductor wafer surface, and directing the second beam onto a source of real-time configurable imaging. Embodiments may also include a mask to include an undefined area incorporated into the circuit pattern to leave a critical structure of the circuit pattern undefined. Several embodiments include a photolithography system including an exposure tool, a mask, a source of real-time configurable imaging, and addressing circuitry.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to define a portion of a circuit pattern with a source of real-time configurable imaging are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for directing a beam through a mask onto a wafer surface to outline a circuit pattern having an undefined area, directing a second beam to the semiconductor wafer surface to define a circuit structure in the undefined area to complete the circuit pattern on the semiconductor wafer surface, and directing the second beam onto a source of real-time configurable imaging. Embodiments may also include a mask to include an undefined area incorporated into the circuit pattern to leave a critical structure of the circuit pattern undefined. Several embodiments include a photolithography system including an exposure tool, a mask, a source of real-time configurable imaging, and addressing circuitry.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a method and apparatus for recognition and tagging of multiple layered entropy coding system. The method comprises receiving a signal and performing entropy average coding to produce an entropy coded bit stream. Next, the method adds a tag to a beginning portion of the entropy coded bit stream. The tag comprises a plurality of headers, wherein each of the headers differs from one another, and wherein the headers comprise an elongated bit stream. Following this, the method reads the tag when processing the entropy coded bit stream and avoids subsequent entropy averaging on the entropy coded bit stream when the tag is present. The avoiding of the subsequent entropy averaging avoids unnecessary coding and entropy averaging of the entropy coded bit stream.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a method and apparatus for recognition and tagging of multiple layered entropy coding system. The method comprises receiving a signal and performing entropy average coding to produce an entropy coded bit stream. Next, the method adds a tag to a beginning portion of the entropy coded bit stream. The tag comprises a plurality of headers, wherein each of the headers differs from one another, and wherein the headers comprise an elongated bit stream. Following this, the method reads the tag when processing the entropy coded bit stream and avoids subsequent entropy averaging on the entropy coded bit stream when the tag is present. The avoiding of the subsequent entropy averaging avoids unnecessary coding and entropy averaging of the entropy coded bit stream.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing technology information associated with a supply chain is provided. The method includes gathering technology data from suppliers. The technology data includes materials and processes used in manufacturing components. The method also includes mapping the technology data to component part numbers that utilize the materials and processes. The method further includes mapping the component part numbers to supplier quality data. The supplier quality data includes supplier performance information associated with manufacturing the components. The method also includes creating a database of records using results of the gathering and mappings. The database of records is searchable by component part numbers and at least one of the materials, processes, and supplier quality data.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting electronic devices having a flexible cable bus housing containing a plurality of same or different communication and power channels extending along a length thereof and a plurality of bus ports at different locations along the bus housing length. Each bus port is capable of being operatively connected to one of the communication or power channels. The apparatus further includes a plurality of device connectors adapted to connect to a bus port at one end thereof and to a discrete device at another end thereof. Each connector at the device end has a different plug conforming to one of the communication or power channels. The apparatus preferably further includes a switch for connecting each bus port to the communication or power channel conforming to the device end plug when a device connector is connected to the bus port on the bus housing.

Abstract: A system for real-time monitoring and control of critical dimensions during semiconductor wafer fabrication is provided. The system measures structures in situ, that is, as they are being etched onto a wafer layer.

Abstract: An electronic mail retention mechanism for automatically retaining critical corporate e-mail data. The e-mail retention mechanism analyzes each e-mail in the corporate e-mail system based on a set of relevancy criteria for a particular area of interest. Relevancy criteria in the form of interrelated arguments and algorithms are used to identify relevant or critical e-mail data. When an e-mail has been identified as relevant to the area of interest, the e-mail retention mechanism may flag the e-mail as comprising relevant data, for example, by storing a copy of the e-mail in a specific location in memory, using information in the message to create a unique identifier for that message, or inserting a relevancy marker into the e-mail. The relevant e-mail may then be copied to and stored in an archive database to allow for long-term storage of this critical data.

Abstract: An apparatus for a universal bundled connecting bus between computers and peripherals is presented. A bundled cable system includes a plurality of roller mechanisms for providing adjustable cables that connect peripheral devices to a computer. In one embodiment, the bundled cable system includes a separate internal cable for each communication link. Each of the internal cables includes a roller mechanism on each end that provides an adjustable cable for a user to vary in length in order to adequately connect peripheral devices to a computer. In another embodiment, the bundled cable system includes a single roller mechanism for each communication link. In this embodiment, each roller mechanism includes two adjustable cables that are extendible out from the roller mechanism, whereby one of the adjustable cables is extended and coupled to a peripheral device and the other adjustable cable is extended and coupled to a computing device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for providing photographic printing are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for providing photographic printing at a photo lab to a user on a user device are disclosed. Embodiments include a method that generally includes receiving a photo file and user information from a user on a user device and determining the location of the user based on the received user information. The method may also generally include selecting a photo lab based on the determined location of the user and transmitting the photo file to a photo lab server associated with the selected photo lab. In some embodiments, the method may also generally include transmitting photographic printing information to the user, including an indication of the selected photo lab.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for backing up a hard disk drive of a computer system are disclosed. Embodiments include capturing a series of commands to modify data on the hard disk drive, executing a data modification based on the series of commands, and storing an indication of the data modifications to one or more data storage devices. The data storage device may be used to help restore the hard disk drive in the event of loss of data from the primary hard disk drive. In one embodiment, the computer system may be a portable computer system and the data storage device may be a solid state storage device. In another embodiment, a second data storage device may be an external hard drive that mirrors the primary hard drive and is replicated at a remote location.

Abstract: Systems and arrangements for improving audits such as technical audits in semiconductor fabrication facilities and especially controlled environments are contemplated. Embodiments include a processing device with an interactive interface designed to request information about one or more quality issues. Further embodiments focus requests to questions that are relevant to the particular piece of equipment, process, maintenance procedure, etc. . . . , in light of answers received from the auditor for prior questions. Still further embodiments provide some or all of the potential answers to the questions so an auditor may simply select the correct answer based upon observations and/or interaction with the staff at the fabrication facility. Several embodiments are adapted to operate on small computers such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) that are allowed entry into many or all controlled environments such as clean rooms.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to capture a digital image are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for taking multiple color data readings with sensing elements of an array in one collecting location during a single exposure, associating the collecting location with a pixel, and calculating a color value for the pixel based on the multiple color data readings. Embodiments may also include a device contemplating sensor elements, adapted to collect data to calculate a value for a pixel; and reflective optics to redirect a light to sensor elements successively within one exposure. Several embodiments include a system including sensors covered with filters to take filtered readings of light, a motor to move the sensors in succession per reading, a memory to store an association of readings with a pixel position, and a calculator to calculate a value based upon the readings from the sensor elements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to define a portion of a circuit pattern with a source of real-time configurable imaging are disclosed. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for directing a beam through a mask onto a wafer surface to outline a circuit pattern having an undefined area, directing a second beam to the semiconductor wafer surface to define a circuit structure in the undefined area to complete the circuit pattern on the semiconductor wafer surface, and directing the second beam onto a source of real-time configurable imaging. Embodiments may also include a mask to include an undefined area incorporated into the circuit pattern to leave a critical structure of the circuit pattern undefined. Several embodiments include a photolithography system including an exposure tool, a mask, a source of real-time configurable imaging, and addressing circuitry.