Abstract: Methods of fabricating a passive element and a semiconductor device including the passive element are disclosed including the use of a dummy passive element. A dummy passive element is a passive element or wire which is added to the chip layout to aid in planarization but is not used in the active circuit. One embodiment of the method includes forming the passive element and a dummy passive element adjacent to the passive element; forming a dielectric layer over the passive element and the dummy passive element, wherein the dielectric layer is substantially planar between the passive element and the dummy passive element; and forming in the dielectric layer an interconnect to the passive element through the dielectric layer and a dummy interconnect portion overlapping at least a portion of the dummy passive element. The methods eliminate the need for planarizing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved process for the deposition of amorphous hydrogenated carbon film, more specifically an improved low temperature, low power and low vacuum cathodic sputtering process. The invention also concerns the film produced by said process and articles containing an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film coating.

Abstract: A database table of predefined data transformations is provided. Each predefined data transformation is associated in the table with a unique identifier, a corresponding description and a validity period. When a data modeler wishes to develop a data model for a desired prediction, he/she will first determine a set of variables that will be used therefor. The set of variables can include any of the predefined data transformations from the database table. The data model will then be developed by applying raw data to the set of variables and determining a mathematical relationship there between. Once the data model has been developed, the data modeler will write a reusable specification for applying the data model operationally. Thereafter, IT personnel or the like can code and deploy the data model using the specification.

Abstract: Semiconductor structure and method to simultaneously achieve optimal stress type and current flow for both nFET and pFET devices, and for gates orientated in one direction, are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes bonding a first wafer having a first surface direction and a first surface orientation atop a second wafer having a different second surface orientation and a different second surface direction; forming an opening through the first wafer to the second wafer; and forming a region in the opening coplanar with a surface of the first wafer, wherein the region has the second surface orientation and the second surface direction. The semiconductor device structure includes at least two active regions having different surface directions, each active region including one of a plurality of nFETs and a plurality of pFETs, and wherein a gate electrode orientation is such that the nFETs and the pFETs are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: In general, the present invention provides a method and system for calibrating an electrical device that utilizes a data networking protocol (e.g., 802.1X) over a power delivery network. Specifically, the present invention leverages information gathered and stored during the authentication and operation of the electrical device to determine whether the electrical device should be calibrated. In general, the present invention makes this determination based on time elapsed since a previous calibration and/or cumulative usage of the device.

Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided in which display data for a display area that includes at least one window is mapped to a shared format. Attribute information for each window in the display area is determined and stored in a unique node. A hierarchy of nodes is generated using the attribute information. For each pixel in the display area, the corresponding node is determined. Using the attribute information in the node, the display data is mapped to a shared format. The mapped display data can then be shared with one or more other systems.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing natural language requests with a plurality of remote host systems. The system utilizes a computer program that comprises: (1) an input system for inputting an NL command; (2) a translation system that extracts a request from the NL command and stores the request in a host-independent format; and (3) a routing system for servicing the request, wherein the routing system comprises a mechanism for selecting a host, for converting the request into a host dependent directive, and for forwarding the directive to the selected host. The system may further include a speech recognition system, a local data source for servicing the NL command, templates for converting the request into the host dependent directive, a heuristic for selecting the host, and an output system for obtaining and outputting the response.

Abstract: A chip package including a chip extension for containing thermal interface material (TIM) and improves chip cooling, and a related method, are disclosed. In particular, the chip package includes a chip, a cooling structure coupled to the chip via a TIM, and a chip extension may be thermally coupled to an outer edge of the chip. A TIM placed between the chip and the cooling structure is contained during thermal cycling by the chip extension such that void formation at the edge of the chip, which can move between the chip and cooling structure, is suppressed. The chip extension also improves lateral heat dissipation by providing a greater thermal contact area between the cooling structure and the chip and, if needed, the substrate at a much lower cost than using larger die with lower production unit output from a wafer.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a semiconductor chip is electrically connected to a substrate (e.g., organic, ceramic, etc.) by an interposer structure. The interposer structure comprises an elastomeric, compliant material that includes metallurgic through connections having a predetermined shape. In a typical embodiment, the metallurgical through connections electrically connect an under bump metallization of the semiconductor chip to a top surface metallization of the substrate. By utilizing the interposer structure in accordance with the present invention, the problems associated with previous semiconductor module designs are alleviated.

Abstract: An incontinence article having a back guard is provided. In particular, the present invention provides an incontinence article in which a back guard extends from a rear portion of the article to a middle back area of a user. The back guard article preferably includes an absorbent material and optional elastic.

Abstract: The present invention routes object requests in a distributed system using address information identified in object headers that accompany the request. Specifically, when an object is created under the present invention, address information is inserted into a corresponding object header. When a request related to the object is later issued, the object header accompanies the request. The address information is used to ensure that the request is efficiently and accurately routed to a target process within a target node of a target cell.

Abstract: Methods for forming or etching silicon trench isolation (STI) in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) region and a bulk silicon region, and a semiconductor device so formed, are disclosed. The STI can be etched simultaneously in the SOI and bulk silicon regions by etching to an uppermost silicon layer using an STI mask, conducting a timed etch that etches to a desired depth in the bulk silicon region and stops on a buried insulator of the SOI region, and etching through the buried insulator of the SOI region. The buried insulator etch for this process can be done with little complexity as part of a hardmask removal step. Further, by choosing the same depth for both the bulk and SOI regions, problems with a subsequent CMP process are avoided. The invention also cleans up the boundary between the SOI and bulk regions where silicon nitride residuals may exist.

Abstract: A fluid particle cleaner and method are disclosed. The invention provides a partition to a side of a fluid nozzle to form: a central cavity configured to define the fluid departing the surface into a central cavity vortex; and a side cavity adjacent the central cavity to define fluid escaping from the central cavity into a side vortex. The vortices interact in a counter-rotating and stationary fashion. The strong and smaller central vortex creates an upward air velocity field that forces any airborne particle to move away from the surface. The side vortex is designed to: connect the central vortex velocity field to the vacuum flow and allow airborne particles to remain suspended until they reach the vacuum flow; and create a decelerating field for high speed particles traveling parallel (horizontally) to the surface to increase the residence time in the central vortex with positive vertical velocity.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for determining differences between an existing graphical user interface (GUI) mapping file and a current GUI is provided. Specifically, under the present invention, a first list of objects based on an existing GUI mapping file (i.e., pertaining to a previous version of a software program) is recursively generated. A second list of objects based on a current GUI (i.e., pertaining to a current version of a software program) is also recursively generated. The two lists are then compared to determine if any GUI objects have been changed (added or removed) between the previous and current versions of the software program.

Abstract: A multi-channel droplet deposition apparatus including a body (103) having a plurality of channels (104a) terminating in a common channel termination surface (104) and a nozzle plate (102) having nozzles (102a) for selectively ejecting liquid drops originating from the channels, wherein the nozzle plate is releasably attached to the body by an adhesive layer.

Abstract: An edge phantom for assessing the sharpness response of a radiation image recording and detection system wherein the edge phantom is subjected to radiation emitted by a source of radiation to generate a radiation image and wherein the radiation image, recorded and detected by the system, is evaluated. The design of the edge phantom provides that any line outside a plane perpendicular to the edge phantom's top face, connecting the focus of the source of radiation with a point on a curved or flat lateral face of the phantom used for sharpness analysis coincides with a line part of that lateral face containing that point.

Abstract: A method of correcting artefacts in a processed digital image represented by a multi-scale gradient representation being obtained by non-linear processing of a multi-scale gradient representation of an original image. A modified gradient representation is generated by modifying gradient images of the multi-scale gradient representation of the processed image so that the directions of the gradient images are pixel-wise equal to those of the gradient images of the multi-scale gradient representation of the original image. A reconstruction algorithm is then applied to the modified gradient representation.

Abstract: A method and system for laser welding non-circular or non-concentric parts, such as catalytic converter components. The present invention provides a method (and corresponding system for carrying out the method), comprising: providing a part having sections to be welded together; rotating the part on a constant speed rotary; generating a laser beam; directing the laser beam onto a surface of the part to weld the sections of the part together; and controlling the laser beam such that an angle of incidence of the laser beam on the surface of the part remains constant, the laser beam remains in focus on the surface of the part, and the laser beam moves at a constant surface speed along the surface of the part as the part is rotated on the constant speed rotary.

Abstract: A multi-resolution representation is generated of at least one color component of a color image in a selected color space by applying a decomposition procedure to the color component. The multi-resolution representation(s) is (are) modified by application of at least one non-linear modifying function. Next, modified color component images are generated by applying the inverse of the decomposition step to the modified multi-resolution representations(s).