Abstract: A method of separating signals from water and lipid in a body using spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging comprising steps of acquiring image signals at three acquisition times asymmetrically positioned with respect to a spin-echo time, the three acquisition times being separated by 2?/3 and the middle signal acquisition is centered at ?/2+?k where k is an integer, and combining the plurality of image signals iterative using a least squares decomposition method.

Abstract: Methods and device structures used to determine the focus quality of a photolithographic pattern or a photolithographic system are disclosed. One aspect of the invention relates to focus masking structures configured to form focus patterns that contain focus information relating to the focus quality. The focus masking structures generally include a plurality of parallel source lines that are separated by alternating phase shift zones. Another aspect of the invention relates to focus patterns that change with changes in focus. The focus patterns generally include a plurality of periodic structures that form measurable shifts therebetween corresponding to the sign and magnitude of defocus. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of determining the focus quality of a photolithographic pattern or a photolithographic system.

Abstract: A semiconductor package having a substrate mounted die. The die configured having active circuit components and a top surface having bond pads electrically connected with circuitry of the die. The bond pads commonly being formed above active circuit components. The bond pads being electrically interconnected with wire bonds to establish intra-chip electrical connection between circuitry of the die. Methods of forming such packages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A socket for use in testing packaged integrated circuits having leads depending therefrom includes a first member for receiving the integrated circuit package and having a plurality of holes for receiving leads extending from the package. A second member has a plurality of wire contacts for engaging the leads, the first and second members being arranged to permit relative lateral translation thereof. A support frame includes a first portion which physically engages the first member and a second portion which physically engages the second member. A lever or handle is attached to the second portion and includes a cam surface for engaging a cam follower on the first portion for imparting relative lateral motion between the two members whereby the package leads physically engage wires of the second member.

Abstract: A high-frequency wiring structure includes a microstrip line having a ground conductor, a dielectric disposed on the ground conductor, and a transmission conductor that is at least partially disposed in the dielectric. The transmission conductor is defined by a flat bottom parallel to the ground conductor, a pair of flat sides that are perpendicular to the ground conductor and are positioned on both sides of the flat bottom in the wiring width direction, and curved parts that continuously join the flat bottom and the pair of flat sides. The curved parts have a radius of curvature within the range of 5% to 50% of the thickness of the transmission conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for force mounting semiconductor packages onto printed circuit boards without the use of solder. The apparatus includes a substrate, a first integrated circuit die mounted onto the substrate, a housing configured to house the first integrated circuit die mounted onto the substrate, and a force mechanism configured to force mount the housing including the integrated circuit die and substrate onto a printed circuit board. The method includes mounting a first integrated circuit die onto a first surface of a substrate, housing the first integrated circuit die mounted onto the substrate in a housing, and using a force mechanism to force mount the housing including the first integrated circuit die mounted on the substrate onto a printed circuit board. According to various embodiments, the force mechanism includes one of the following types of force mechanisms clamps, screws, bolts, adhesives, epoxy, or Instrument housings or heat stakes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for non-destructive removal of cured epoxy from a wafer backside. A wafer back-coated with epoxy is soaked in an acetone bath for a period of time, allowing degradation of the epoxy coating adhesion strength. The epoxy coating is then peeled or scraped away, leaving the wafer backside ready for a rework or for a reapplication of a new epoxy coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for quantitatively measuring the performance of a statistical remultiplexer. The methods of the present invention provide for generation of evaluation metrics associated with at least one of amount of bit rate reduction performed by the statistical remultiplexer, change in video quality attributable to the statistical remultiplexer, wasted output bandwidth by the statistical remultiplexer, decoder buffer level fullness, bit rate reduction characteristics of the statistical remultiplexer, and time delay attributable to the statistical remultiplexer. The methods of the present invention may be implemented by an evaluator that may be incorporated into a statistical remultiplexer or may be separate from and connectable to a statistical remultiplexer.

Abstract: A carrier for use in processing of a plurality of wafers or other substrates includes a support frame on which the wafers are mounted and in one embodiment at least one auxiliary frame for holding the substrates on the support frame. A plurality of clips extend from the auxiliary frame and engage the substrates in pressure engagement, and fasteners retain the auxiliary frame in position with respect to the support frame. In one embodiment two auxiliary frames can be employed for holding wafers on opposing surfaces of the support frame. The support frame has electrically non-conducting surfaces whereby the processing does not affect the support frame, and the auxiliary frame is made of electrically non-conductive material. The clips are electrically conductive and bridge current from the support frame to the wafers during plating operations. In another embodiment, auxiliary frame are not used and the wafer retention clips are mounted on the support frame.

Abstract: Monofilaments comprising resin compositions which contain 1% by mass or more of a comonomer component (for example, hexafluoropropylene), have an intrinsic viscosity of 1.3 dl/g or more and a melting point of 165° C. or higher and contain a PVDF-based resin. Owing to the above composition and physical properties, the crystallinity and elastic modulus of the PVDF-based resin are altered. As a result, an appropriate flexibility can be imparted to the monofilaments while preventing deterioration in the mechanical properties.

Abstract: An IP subnet sharing technique is described which allows multiple network devices of an access network to share an IP subnet without the need for each network device to run complex routing protocols, or bridging protocols. Further, the multiple network devices are able to share an IP subnet without the need to subdivide the IP subnet into smaller groups.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the issue of jitter compounded by clock drifting in streaming media applications. In addressing jitter, the present invention attempts to recover the desired (de-jittered) arrival time at a gateway even if there is a frequency difference between the clocks of the original media source and the gateway. The desired arrival time is used with the addition of a constant to schedule the packet delivery time for delivery to a user via a network. Each packet arriving at the gateway contains an arrival timestamp. Using packets, which also contain sending time stamps, the invention determines the delivery time for each packet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for optimizing the reintroduction of a network node into a network. Information about neighboring nodes is stored in persistent memory. The network node can then be reinitialized and reintroduced into the network. Upon reintroduction, the network node can transmit heartbeat messages such as Hello messages to its neighboring nodes using information stored in persistent memory. A link state packet request message such as a Complete Sequence Numbers Packet referencing dummy link state information is transmitted to a neighboring node. A partial packet request message such as a Partial Sequence Numbers Packet referencing the dummy link state packet from the neighboring node can acknowledge that the Complete Sequence Numbers Packet has been received.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for rate control of MPEG video streams to achieve a target bit rate in a transcoder at the best visual quality possible. The invention monitors video buffer fullness for selecting the amount of rate reduction necessary to achieve a target bit rate. The invention also utilizes a method for selective requantization of DCT coefficients to assure visual quality.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for determining differences in the configuration states of network devices. Context-sensitive diffs are produced by comparing two configuration files of a network device. According to some aspects of the invention, the context of each command is preserved in a “programmatic” format that is usable by a network element such as a router. In some aspects of the invention, only commands at a corresponding hierarchical level of the configuration files are compared when producing a diff, in order to increase accuracy and efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering repetitive, precision, low volume liquid dispensing from a dispensing orifice of a non-contact liquid dispensing apparatus. An elongated communication passageway of the dispensing apparatus is defined by interior walls having one end in fluid communication with a system fluid reservoir and an opposite end terminating at the dispensing orifice. A system fluid is placed in the communication passageway extending substantially continuously from the system fluid reservoir to the dispensing orifice. A relatively small volume of gaseous fluid is aspirated through the dispensing orifice, and into the communication passageway in a manner such that the gaseous fluid extends substantially continuously across the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the communication passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing different gases to different zones of a processing chamber is provided. A gas supply for providing an etching gas flow is provided. A flow splitter in fluid connection with the gas supply for splitting the etching gas flow from the gas supply into a plurality of legs is provided. A tuning gas system in fluid connection to at least one of the legs of the plurality of legs is provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a dual damascene feature is provided. Vias are formed in an etch layer. A trench patterned mask is provided over the etch layer. A trench is etched, where the etching the trench comprises a cycle of forming protective sidewalls over the sidewalls of the vias and etching a trench through the trench patterned mask. The mask is then stripped.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of operating a gaming apparatus may include identifying a player, accessing stored player data relating to the player, and performing a personalized gaming operation based on the stored player data. The personalized gaming operation may include one of the following personalized gaming operations: generating a video image of a game piece, the game piece having one or more characteristics selected according to the stored player data, generating a personalized video image based on the stored player data, or generating a game environment, the game environment including video images other than a video image of a game piece, music and sound effects and one or more of the video images other than a video image of a game piece, music and sound effects selected according to the stored player data.

Abstract: A fluid filled vibration damping device including: an elastic body elastically connecting a first and a second mounting member and partially defining a pressure receiving chamber filled with a non-compressible fluid and undergoing fluid pressure variation upon application of vibrational load between the first and second mounting members; a flexible diaphragm partially defining an equilibrium chamber filled with the non-compressible fluid and whose volume is variable; and an orifice passage permitting a fluid communication between the pressure-receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber. The flexible diaphragm is constituted by a rubber elastic layer having an annular thick-walled portion and a central thick-walled portion situated at a substantially central portion of an inner area surrounded by the annular thick-walled portion, while being independent of the annular thick-walled portion.