Abstract: Stable, macroscopic single-crystal chiral liquid crystal compositions are described. The compositions include a single-crystal chiral liquid crystal material on a patterned surface. The patterned surface seeds a particular crystallographic orientation at the substrate-liquid crystal interface. Also described are methods of forming the single-crystal chiral liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: A set of data entries is transferred via a memory mapped interface from an external peripheral device to a processor device and is stored in a shared memory region. Based on a first pointer to the shared memory region, a first process executed by the processor device processes a first group of the data entries. Based on a second pointer to the shared memory region, a second process executed by the processor device processes a second group of the data entries. The second process indicates the second pointer to the first process. The first process indicates a lower one of the first pointer and the second pointer to the peripheral device.

Abstract: An electronic device for data storage and a method of producing an electronic device for data storage includes a memory storage element arranged to represent two or more memory states of the electronic device; wherein the memory storage element includes a plurality of metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Techniques for managing a user's tasks based on the user's focus level. High focus time slots are identified during which the user has a high level of focus, as well as low focus time slots during which the user has a low level of focus. Tasks for completion by the user are scheduled such that the high focus time slots are allocated to tasks that require a high level of user focus, and the low focus time slots are allocated to tasks that require a low level of user focus. High focus times may be identified based on user indications and/or on biometric data describing the user's physical state. Interruption requests may also be managed based on the user's focus level. Necessary resources may be pre-loaded prior to the high focus time periods, and breaks may be automatically scheduled to maintain the user's high level of focus.

Abstract: A photographic mask is provided in the present disclosure. The photographic mask includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) base and a stepped opening formed in the SOI base. The SOI base includes a silicon substrate, a median layer and a silicon layer, the median layer is arranged between the insulator substrate and the insulator layer. The stepped opening includes a first opening portion and a second opening portion, the first opening portion penetrates through the silicon layer and has a first opening area; the second opening portion at least penetrates through the silicon substrate and is aligned with the first opening portion. The second opening portion has a second opening area greater than the first opening area of the first opening portion. The present disclosure further provides a method for making a photographic mask.

Abstract: A motion base, comprising a pivot structure having a pivot point near the center of gravity of the pivot structure; a platform support by the pivot structure, the platform having a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position; and, a drive for rotating of the pivot structure at the pivot point to move the platform from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position.

Abstract: An electronic device for data storage and a method of producing an electronic device for data storage includes a memory storage element arranged to represent two or more memory states of the electronic device; wherein the memory storage element includes a plurality of metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a device with a monolayer of metal nanoparticles and a method for making the same. The nanoparticles of the monolayer of metal nanoparticles are grouped in an ultrahigh density with an average distance between each neighboring metal nanoparticle less than or equal to about 3 nanometers. The monolayer can be self-assembled on a substrate to facilitate controllable voltage shifts within the device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a gate electrode; an insulating layer in electrical connection with the gate electrode; a source electrode and a drain electrode; and a semiconducting channel layer configured to selectively allow electrically connection between the source electrode and the drain electrode based on the voltage on the gate electrode; wherein the semiconducting channel layer comprises metal nanoparticles; and the semiconducting channel layer is in contact with the source electrode, the drain electrode and the insulating layer. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motion base, comprising a pivot structure having a pivot point near the center of gravity of the pivot structure; a platform support by the pivot structure, the platform having a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position; and, a drive for rotating of the pivot structure at the pivot point to move the platform from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position.

Abstract: This disclosure describes tools capable of generating messages for use in deblocking filtering a video stream, the messages based on prediction parameters extracted from the video stream.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a gate electrode; an insulating layer in electrical connection with the gate electrode; a source electrode and a drain electrode; and a semiconducting channel layer configured to selectively allow electrically connection between the source electrode and the drain electrode based on the voltage on the gate electrode; wherein the semiconducting channel layer comprises metal nanoparticles; and the semiconducting channel layer is in contact with the source electrode, the drain electrode and the insulating layer. A method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A server device receives a user request and retrieves, based on the user request, a list of popular topics, a generic ranking score for each topic in the list of popular topics, and a topic profile for a first topic in the list of popular topics. The server device identifies a user profile for the user and determines a personalization score for the first topic in the list of popular topics, where the personalization score for the first topic is based on one or more similarities between the user profile and the topic profile for the first topic. The server device determines a revised ranking score for the first topic in the list of popular topics based on the personalization score and the generic ranking score for the first topic; and ranks the topics in the list of popular topics, using the revised ranking score for the first topic.

Abstract: A method for resolving ambiguities between at least two pointers in a plurality of input regions defining an input area of an interactive input system. The method includes capturing images of the plurality of input regions, the images captured by a plurality of imaging devices having a field of view of at least a portion of the input area, processing image data from the images to identify a plurality of targets for the at least two pointers within the input area, and analyzing the plurality of targets to resolve a real location associated with each pointer.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a device with a monolayer of metal nanoparticles and a method for making the same. The nanoparticles of the monolayer of metal nanoparticles are grouped in an ultrahigh density with an average distance between each neighboring metal nanoparticle less than or equal to about 3 nanometers. The monolayer can be self-assembled on a substrate to facilitate controllable voltage shifts within the device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes tools capable of generating messages for use in deblocking filtering a video stream, the messages based on prediction parameters extracted from the video stream.

Abstract: One or more server devices may obtain a stored resource identifier associated with a resource identifier collection. The one or more server devices may further access a document index that stores information about canonical resource identifiers, where the information relates a particular canonical resource identifier to one or more other resource identifiers; determine whether the canonical resource identifier differs from the stored resource identifier; and replace the stored resource identifier with the canonical resource identifier, when the canonical resource identifier differs from the stored resource identifier.

Abstract: Optical waveguides using segmented periodically-spaced high contrast gratings bounding a hollow core propagation region on at least two sides. Incident light is received in a hollow waveguide (HW) region (core) between opposing HCG faces which provide lateral confinement in response to glancing reflections of the incident light beam from high refractive index segments of the HCG as it traverses the core. Embodiments are described for planar waveguides (1D) having a planar core between two planar HCGs, as well as 2D waveguides, such as having rectangular segments of the HCG through which light is propagated. Additionally, other configurations of HCG-HW, including those having arbitrary incidence and azimuth, angled HCG segments, propagation in a direction which is transverse, or alternatively parallel, to the segments of the HCG.