Abstract: A telephone system for providing a telephony feature includes a phone system controller and a first telephone system interface. The first telephone system interface is coupled between a first telephone handset and a telephone line. Moreover, the first telephone system interface is operable to selectively couple the first telephone handset to the telephone line. The first telephone system interface is also operable to establish a first wireless control channel to the phone system controller. The wireless control channel is operable to carry control signals associated with the telephony feature between the first telephone system interface and the phone system controller. The phone system controller is operable to (i) receive the first control signals via the wireless control channel, and (ii) process the first control signals to provide the telephony feature to the telephone handset.

Abstract: A method of converting a document from a first page size to a second page size includes the step of determining a first line length from the document formatted for the first page size. Another step of the method includes determining a first page length from the document formatted for the first page size. The method also includes the steps of defining a second line length for the second page size that is equal to the first line length, and defining a second page length for the second page size that is equal to the first page length. Yet another step of the method includes formatting the document to utilize the second page size, the second line length, and the second page length.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method is provided for removing water vapor from a wafer processing chamber generated as a byproduct of wafer processing. A water vapor trap is used to collect the water vapor byproduct from the processing chamber interior. The water vapor trap has at least a portion thereof in communication with an interior of the processing chamber for collection of the water vapor and another portion thereof in communication with an exterior of the processing chamber. The portions are movable with respect to the interior and exterior of the processing chamber such that the portions may switch places. This allows the processing chamber to be in at least a substantially continuous mode of operation while still providing for the removal of water vapor byproduct via the water vapor trap. The “used” portion of the water vapor trap is regenerated while the “clean” portion is collecting water vapor.

Abstract: A method of determining temperature of a semiconductor wafer during wafer fabrication includes the step of providing a response circuit on the semiconductor wafer. The method also includes the step of transmitting an interrogation signal with a signal transceiver so as to excite the response circuit. The method further includes the step of receiving a response signal which was generated by the response circuit as a result of excitation thereof. In addition, the method includes the step of determining temperature of the semiconductor wafer based on the response signal. Moreover, the method includes the step of fabricating a circuit layer on the semiconductor wafer. Both the transmitting step tri and the receiving step are performed contemporaneously with the fabricating step. An apparatus for determining temperature of a semiconductor wafer during wafer fabrication is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes providing a first element formed of a first substantially electrically conductive material and having an upper surface. A second element adjacent to the first element is provided. The second element is formed of a first substantially non-electrically conductive material. An upper surface of the second element slopes downwardly toward the upper surface of the first element. A first layer of a second substantially non-electrically conductive material is disposed over the upper surface of the first element and the upper surface of the second element. The first layer has a thickness in the vertical direction that is greater in an area over the downward slope of the second element than in an area over the first element. An etching process is performed such that the layer is perforated above the upper surface of the first element and imperforated in the vertically thicker area above the downwardly sloping upper surface of the second element.

Abstract: A method of testing the processing of a wafer on a CMP apparatus includes processing a control wafer with the CMP apparatus with a predetermined control consumable combination under a predetermined set of control conditions and generating a control data set which describes the processing of the control wafer with the CMP apparatus, the control data set being based upon the control conditions and a removable rate of the control wafer. The method further includes processing a test wafer with a CMP apparatus with a test consumable combination substantially the same as the control consumable combination under a set of test conditions substantially the same as the set of control conditions. The method further includes generating a test data set which describes the processing of the test wafer with the CMP apparatus.

Abstract: A method of processing a semiconductor wafer and an associated semiconductor wafer arrangement which inhibits “punch through” and increases the yield of functional semiconductor wafers during the fabrication thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method is provided for fabricating an integrated capacitor during the fabrication of a transistor employing chemical mechanical polishing of a gate electrode of the transistor. Components of the integrated capacitor, particularly the lower electrode of a parallel plate capacitor in one form thereof, and an outer plate of a cylindrical-like capacitor in another form thereof, are defined by the polish stop layer during chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a gate of the transistor. According to an aspect of the subject invention, the polish stop layer may be an oxide or a nitride.

Abstract: A retail terminal is utilized as a gateway to an electronic billing application that allows a user to gain access to the electronic billing application and thereafter tender payment for the bill. A paper bill that is sent to a user is encoded with user login information that is obtainable by the retail terminal. The retail terminal obtains the user login information from the bill and logs the user into the electronic billing application. Various peripheral devices associated with the retail terminal are configured to accept payment for the bill. In one form, the user login information is encoded as a bar code on the bill that contains a user ID and, optionally, a password. The present invention improves the usability and reliability of an electronic billing application. Further, the present invention minimizes the chance that a user will erroneously enter someone else's account number, and provide a level of security by ensuring that the user is in possession of the printed bill.

Abstract: A PIN device utilizes a preferably removable IC card to store and process data to provide a tamper resistant PIN entry system. The IC card is a tamper resistant module that provides four functions for the PIN device. The IC card: stores secure data for the PIN device; provides authentication for verifying that the IC card can be trusted; provides a mechanism for the loading of secure data into the PIN device; and provides a mechanism to authenticate its identity to other parties. The subject PIN entry system allows for servicing of the PIN device in the field.

Abstract: A system determines the level of paper available in paper supply for printing. The system comprises a signal emitter and a variably activated receiver. The receiver alters an electrical parameter such as a resistance in accordance with the portion of the emitted signal received at the receiver. This alterable electrical parameter is in an electrical circuit that generates a signal proportional to the received portion of the emitted signal. An array of variably activated receivers may be arranged opposite a signal emitter to receive the signal portion not blocked by a paper supply. Alternatively, the array of variably activated receivers may be located adjacent to the signal emitter to receive the portion of the emitted signal reflected from the paper supply. The receiver uses the received or reflected signal to generate a signal having a magnitude proportional to the received or reflected signal.

Abstract: A variable angle clamp is provided for use with a spinal implant assembly having a spinal rod, a Schantz screw having an elongated shank, and a variable angle connector receiving the spinal rod and having a washer mounted on the body with a first surface defining a variable angle feature, and a stem projecting from the body, the stem terminating in a T-bar having a second surface facing the first surface. The variable angle clamp includes a clamping portion defining a bore configured to receive the shank Schantz screw therein. The clamp further includes a pair of clamp halves forming a slot therebetween that intersects the bore in the form of a split clamp. An outer surface of one of the clamp halves defines a variable angle feature for interengagement with the first surface of the washer. The outer surface of the other of clamp half is configured for pressure contact with the second surface of the T-bar.

Abstract: A retail terminal/customer service workstation integrates various retail devices and consolidates all of the associated functions of the retail devices and non-associated functions into a single, easy to use workstation. In accordance with one embodiment, the customer service workstation includes a large, touch-screen display, various customer payment devices, and other peripherals in electronic communication with and under the control of a microprocessing unit. A plurality of windows or areas is shown on the display according to the mode of the customer service workstation and/or transaction currently being processed by the customer service workstation. The customer service workstation is intelligently couplable with existing retail systems in order to supplement the existing retail system and obtain and use information/data therefrom, as well as provide various payment options.

Abstract: A thermostatic control valve assembly for use in continuously mixing a hot first fluid with a cold second fluid to continuously produce a mixed fluid at a constant temperature. The valve assembly includes an improved mixing dome defining a mixing chamber that facilitates thorough mixing of the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates, including rates as low as two gallons per minute. The improved mixing performance is accomplished by a plurality of baffles sequentially disposed along the flow path within the mixing chamber and extending at an angle in opposition to the flow path. Each baffle exhibits a paisley shape and is angularly displaced from the adjacent baffles to turn the fluid flow, thereby optimally mixing the hot and cold fluids over a wide range of flow rates while minimizing the pressure drop between the valve inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A system and method obfuscates a reference voltage being applied to a touch screen to reduce the likelihood that location coordinates may be obtained from electrically coupling to the touch screen. The method is performed by applying a varying reference voltage to a first plane of a touch screen with a time of application duration being substantially less than a touch period and by measuring a voltage present on a second plane during a portion of the application duration of the voltage to the first plane. A system may include a controller for randomly varying the reference voltage level and coupling a reference source that generates the reference voltage to a first plane of a touch screen for an application period that is significantly less than the touch period.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method is provided for removing water vapor from a wafer processing chamber generated as a byproduct of wafer processing. A water vapor trap is used to collect the water vapor byproduct from the processing chamber interior. The water vapor trap has at least a portion thereof in communication with an interior of the processing chamber for collection of the water vapor and another portion thereof in communication with an exterior of the processing chamber. The portions are movable with respect to the interior and exterior of the processing chamber such that the portions may switch places. This allows the processing chamber to be in at least a substantially continuous mode of operation while still providing for the removal of water vapor byproduct via the water vapor trap. The “used” portion of the water vapor trap is regenerated while the “clean” portion is collecting water vapor.

Abstract: A communications layer is provided between a host-based SCSI initiator and a SCSI target device to fully automate the validation process. The communications layer allows the host to direct variation and modification of the target parameters and behavior using vendor unique commands. The behavioral modification aims to establish interoperability by conforming the behavior of the target to the host behavior. The host-based initiator transports a suitable command structure to the target device containing appropriate ones of the vendor unique commands and associated parameter data. The target executes and otherwise processes the command structure to effectuate a reconfiguration according to the specifics of the command code. The command code is sufficient to fully reconfigure the SCSI target. Accordingly, the reconfiguration process is carried out in a fully automated fashion.

Abstract: A checkout system and method is convertible between an assisted configuration or mode of operation and a non-assisted (self-assisted) configuration or mode of operation. The checkout system includes a checkout station having a movable scanner and a movable display each of which are selectively positionable to accommodate the assisted and non-assisted configurations. The checkout station also includes a customer bag well particularly for use by the customer when the checkout station is in a non-assisted mode of operation, a cashier bag well particularly for use by the cashier when the checkout station is in an assisted mode of operation, a merchandise placement or upload area, a payment module, and a walk through basket table, shelf or the like. A plurality of checkout stations is positioned or angled into a modified serial (staggered skew) configuration and are scalable.

Abstract: A system and method provide reliable and effective notification to customers that film rolls they have deposited with a vendor for processing have been returned and are available for retrieval. The method includes storing customer identification data in a data repository that accompanies a film roll container, reading customer identification data from the data repository after development of the film roll in the film container, and generating a notification message for delivery to the customer corresponding to the customer identification data. The notification message informs the customer that the developed film is available for retrieval from the deposit site. Entry of the data for storage in the data repository may be performed by a customer or deposit site employee through a keypad or through a scanning device that reads a customer token.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a tender code for a purchase transaction and associating the generated tender code with both a payment and a produced digital receipt for the purchase transaction is described. The tender code may be assigned at several points in the purchase transaction. The digital receipt with the tender code is stored, preferably in a data warehouse. The data warehouse allows easy indexing of the digital receipt data including the tender code. The payment, such as a check, is encoded or affixed with the tender code such that the payment is correlated or linked to the digital receipt and thus the particular purchase transaction to which the payment applied. The tender code may be encrypted and/or contain auxiliary data. The auxiliary data may be device readable to allow a holder to access various information and/or data via an access device such as a document processing device.