Abstract: A sensing circuit is provided for sensing semiconductor memory cells. The sensing circuit includes at least one first circuit branch, a feedback-controlled circuit element in the first circuit branch, a current-to-voltage conversion circuit in the first branch, and at least one comparator. The first circuit branch is coupled to a memory cell to be sensed so as to be run through by a current corresponding to a memory cell state. The feedback-controlled circuit element controls a memory cell access voltage, and the current-to-voltage conversion circuit converts the current into a corresponding converted voltage signal that is indicative of the memory cell state. The comparator compares the converted voltage signal with a comparison voltage for discriminating among at least two different states of the memory cell. The converted voltage signal corresponds to a control signal of the feedback-controlled circuit element. Also provided is a method of sensing a memory cell.

Abstract: A tagging tree that defines a hierarchical output data structure and relational database query operations that retrieve the data to be included in each hierarchical section is accepted and processed. A query optimizer analyzes the tagging tree to determine database query operations that can be combined into a single query command. An outer-union query command is generated to allow efficient combination of multiple query commands, some of which are predicates to others. The tagging tree is modified to replace the database queries that were combined into the outer-union query to extract data from the results set produced by the outer-union query as opposed to submitting queries to the database manager. The optimized queries can be reused an arbitrary number of times to leverage the optimizing resources that were used in their creation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production process for a flash memory from a semi-conductor substrate fitted with at least two adjacent rows of precursor stacks of floating gate transistors, the precursor stacks being at least partially covered by a protective resin and being separated by a formation zone for a source line. The process includes forming a trench in the formation zone for the source line by an attack of this zone and of the protective resin. The result of the attack step includes a deposit of residue from the resin below the precursor stacks. The residue deposit is removed. A source line is implanted in the formation zone below the precursor stacks. This process enables the time needed for erasing the memory to be reduced.

Abstract: A ROM-type memory is provided that includes a matrix of memory cells made up of rows and columns, with each row allowing storage of a page of MUX words of N bits. An address decoder decodes addresses in order to extract the page to be read. At the output of the matrix, N multiplexers are each coupled to the columns that correspond to one of the bits of the output stage. An N-bit output stage includes at least one inverter, with each of the inverters being connected to the output of one of the multiplexers so as to restore inverted values of information to be stored to correct values. The inverted values are stored in all of the memory cells of all of the columns coupled to the one multiplexer. Storing the inverted values makes it possible to store less “0” values within the matrix and further makes LVS testing of the ROM memory considerably easier. Also provided is a method for sequentially checking groups of memory cells.

Abstract: An electronic component (1) includes a substrate (2) and at least two piezoelectric resonators (3, 4) each having an active element (6, 9), a lower electrode (5, 8) and an upper electrode (7, 10). The lower electrode (5) of the first resonator (3) is made of a material that is different from that of the lower electrode (8) of the second resonator (4) such that the resonators exhibit different resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A thermal interposer is provided for attachment to a surface of a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the thermal interposer includes an upper plate having a bottom surface with a plurality of grooves and made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and a lower plate having a top surface with a plurality of grooves and made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of a semiconductor device that is bonded to the bottom surface of the lower plate. The bottom surface of the upper plate is hermetically bonded to the top surface of the lower plate so that a vapor chamber is formed by the upper and lower plates, and walls of the grooves on the top surface of the lower plate extend to within less than 250 microns from walls of the grooves on the bottom surface of the upper plate comprise a plurality of second walls the first walls.

Abstract: A design support method allows even inexperienced design engineers to design at a standard or higher quality level within a reduced design period of time. A setup step registers in a database the correlations of design specifications, circuit components and design items, which are required for the circuit design of a product. A design-specification determination step prompts a design engineer to determine the content of the design specifications. A circuit-component determination step prompts the design engineer to determine circuit components in accordance with the correlations between the design specifications and the circuit components. A design-item extraction step extracts design items required for a specific version of the product in accordance with the correlations between the design item and the design specification or circuit component, registered in the setup step, and presents the extracted design items to the design engineer.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for detecting the position of a remote emitter (1) where the emitter (1) is emitting a radio frequency signal (2) in a radio field (3). The system and method uses at least one receiver (4) which is moveable within the environment of the radio field (3), each receiver (4) measuring and recording the amplitude of the radio frequency signal (2) and recording its precise location using a GNSS or GPS receiver. The data recorded is processed and compared to data predicted by the receiver(s) (4) to estimate a location of remote emitter (1).

Abstract: Digital computational circuit comprising a network made of a plurality of identical repetitive DNA-based conductive elements. The DNA-based elements used for the purposes of the invention employ a P-bridge as a tunnel junction for a net charge. The DNA-based element of which the circuit is made may be a DNA SET transistor. The circuit may comprise a DNA resistor built from a plurality of SET transistor elements a series, with a constant over-threshold gate voltage. The circuit may further comprise NOT and NOR gates. The NOT gate can be made of a DNA-based transistor and a resistor, and the resistor can be made by using a DNA SET transistor with a constant over-threshold gate voltage, and by placing a plurality of such DNA SET transistors in series until the resistivity reaches the desired value. The NOR gate, on the other hand, can be built from two NOT elements wherein the output of the first NOT element is connected to the resistor of the second NOT element as it voltage supply.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge system for a road vehicle including an electrically conducting conductor element in electrical contact with an electrically conducting part of the vehicle body, an actuator mountable to the vehicle and adapted for selectively and reversibly moving the conductor element between a deployed position and a retracted position, and a controller operatively connected to the actuator and to a user interface and adapted for controlling operation of the actuator responsive to an interaction with the user interface, wherein in the deployed position the conductor element is in contact with the ground such as to provide an electrical pathway for electric charge from the electrically conducting part of the vehicle body to the ground, and wherein in the retracted position the conductor element is distanced from the ground such as to interrupt the electrical pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for providing support and care to persons considering or undergoing a medical procedure. The system includes a means for a provider to receive, process, and provide information regarding the persons to and from the persons and medical practitioners. Similarly, means for the provider to; provide information and positive reinforcement to the persons regarding said medical procedure being considered or undergone; to schedule and coordinate medical consultations and said medical procedure between said persons and said medical practitioners, and to receive, process, and deliver care orders and medicaments from said medical practitioners to said persons are also includes.

Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for controlling access of two synchronous busses with asynchronous clocks to a synchronous single port Random Access Memory (RAM). In one preferred method, the clock of bus A is switched off via a control flip-flop and then the clock of bus B is switched on, allowing the control and data signals to pass through simple multiplexers. Bus B becomes the owner of the RAM. Later, the clock of bus B is switched off via the control flip-flop and then clock of bus A is switched on, such that bus A becomes owner of the bus. This allows any relative speed between the bus clocks.

Abstract: A capacitive structure is provided that includes secondary stacks of superposed secondary electrodes that each include transverse branches connected via a longitudinal branch, means for connecting the superposed secondary electrodes of each of the stacks, first and second means for successively and alternately connecting so as to constitute a first secondary group of secondary stacks and a second secondary group of secondary stacks, at least two principal stacks of superposed principal electrodes which each include transverse branches that are connected via a longitudinal branch such that the transverse branches of the principal electrodes and the transverse branches of the secondary electrodes of the rows extend opposite one another and between one another in an alternating fashion, means for connecting the superposed principal electrodes of each of the principal stacks, and means for connecting the principal stacks so as to constitute a group of stacks of principal electrodes.

Abstract: A solid seasoning product in the form of a stick, rod, thread, band, bead, pellet or ribbon from 20 mils to 250 mils thick and having a geometry as a shaped mass that enables the product to be inserted into or mixed with food comprising meat, poultry, rice, grains or other particulate foods prior to heating to prepare the food. The product is composed of a binder matrix holding a seasoning or mixture of seasonings. The binder disintegrates during heating of the food to release the seasoning.

Abstract: A sensing circuit (120) for sensing currents, including: a measure circuit branch (132i), having a measure node for receiving an input current (Ic) to be sensed, for converting the input current into a corresponding input voltage (V?); at least one comparison circuit branch (132o), having a comparison node for receiving a comparison current (Igs), for converting the comparison current into a corresponding comparison voltage (V+); and at least one voltage comparator (140) for comparing the input and comparison voltages, and a comparison current generating circuit (N3s, 135; N3s, 135?; N3s, 135?) for generating the comparison current based on a reference current (Ir). The comparison current generating circuit includes at least one voltage generator (135; 135?; 135?). A memory device using the sensing circuit and a method are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a process for forming a light emitting polymer comprising photopolymerization of a reactive mesogen having an endgroup which is susceptible to photopolymerization e.g. by a radical polymerization process. Also provided are methods for using the light emitter in displays, backlights, electronic apparatus and security viewers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a gunlock system for a multiple-barrel gun, with at least two hammers that are arranged in displaceable fashion on a basquill lock part, one respective hammer holder assigned to each hammer, and a trigger device that comprises sears assigned to the firing pins, a trigger and a selector mechanism, wherein the selector mechanism contains a selector element that can be displaced on the basquill lock part, and wherein a rocker that can be actuated by the trigger is movably arranged on the selector element. A pendulum mass arranged on the selector element is connected to the rocker in such a way that the distance between the rocker and the sears is increased during an excursion of the pendulum mass from a predetermined starting position under the influence the acceleration or deceleration of the selector element.

Abstract: A present invention provides real-time temperature and power mapping of fully operating electronic devices. The method utilizes infrared (IR) temperature imaging, while an IR-transparent coolant flows through a specially designed cell directly over the electronic device. In order to determine the chip power distributions the individual temperature fields for each heat source of a given power and size on the chip (as realized by a scanning focused laser beam) are measured under the same cooling conditions. Then the measured chip temperature distribution is represented as a superposition of the temperature fields of these individual heat sources and the corresponding power distribution is calculated with a set of linear equations.

Abstract: A contactless electronic IC card (10), includes a communication device (14) for communicating with a contactless electronic IC card reader (12) in accordance with the ISO 14443-4 standard, a contact type electronic IC card operating system (16) communicating by APDU command and APDU response in accordance with the ISO 7816-4 standard, and a protocol conversion interface (18) between the communication device (14) and the operating system (16).