Abstract: An arrangement for polishing a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. The arrangement includes a plurality of preassembled polishing pad assemblies which can be selectively coupled to, and decoupled from, an actuating mechanism for rotating the polishing pad assemblies. An associated method of polishing a semiconductor wafer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes a terminal base having (i) a user side on which a user is positioned during operation of the self-service checkout terminal, (ii) a rear side which is opposite the user side, (iii) an upstream end portion, and (iv) a downstream end portion which is opposite the upstream end portion. The self-service checkout terminal includes a scanner for scanning a product code associated with an item for purchase. The scanner is secured to the upstream end portion of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal also includes a printer secured to the user side of the terminal base. The self-service checkout terminal further includes an item collection surface for supporting the item for purchase subsequent to scanning thereof. The item collection surface being secured to the downstream end portion of the terminal base.

Abstract: A method of providing high availability of a service includes the step of allocating the service and a shared volume of a first mass storage device associated with the service to a first server of a first subcluster that is located at a first site and that includes servers which share the first mass storage device. Another step of the method includes mirroring the shared volume to a second mass storage device of a second subcluster that is located at a second site and that includes at least one server in order to obtain a first mirrored copy of the shared volume at the second site. Yet another step of the method includes determining to reallocate said service to a first server of the second subcluster. The method also includes the step of allocating the first mirrored copy to the first server of the second subcluster.

Abstract: A transaction terminal includes a touch-screen display and various peripherals in electronic communication with and under the control of a processing unit. A PIN entry area is generated by the processing unit that includes a video keypad. The video keypad, in conjunction with the touch-screen, allows entry of a PIN, ID, or the like. A shield or barrier is provided adjacent at least a portion of the video keypad of the PIN entry area that aids in the prevention of eavesdropping by a third party during PIN entry. In one form, at least one shield extends over and above the video keypad for extra privacy. In another form, walls are situated adjacent sides of the video keypad. Preferably, the PIN entry area is also labeled as such on the display independent of the display region in order to indicate the only proper place for PIN entry to the user.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus provides a consumer means to access a digital receipt generated as a result of a purchase transaction and stored in a storage device. Additionally, the consumer is provided the means to access various applications, features, and/or functions related to the stored digital receipt. An address of the stored digital receipt is provided to the consumer in machine-readable form, preferably on a paper receipt for the purchase transaction that corresponds to the digital receipt for the particular purchase transaction. The address in machine-readable form allows the consumer to access the stored digital receipt by a machine operable to read the machine-readable form and connectable to the storage device. The address also allows the consumer to access applications, programs, features, and/or functions related to the stored digital receipt.

Abstract: The present invention suggests an apparatus for simulating the ambient color and translucence conditions present in the oral cavity of a patient for the purpose of checking the color stimulus specification of dentures prior to their implanting into the oral cavity of a patient. The apparatus comprises an artificial jaw portion including a dimensionally stable, elastic artificial gum body portion simulating at least the vestibulary gum of a patient in which the teeth are inserted. The artificial gum body portion is made of a translucent material. The teeth can be individually replaced by dentures. The color stimulus specification of a denture inserted into the apparatus is checked by means of a color stimulus specification measuring apparatus and compared to the values obtained from a measurement taken in the oral cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A method of operating an assisted checkout terminal includes the step of operating a scanner associated with the checkout terminal so as to allow retail personnel to enter a number of items for purchase into the checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to an indication by the retail personnel that a last item for purchase of the number of items for purchase has been entered into the checkout terminal. Moreover, the method includes the step of operating a currency acceptor associated with the checkout terminal so as to allow a customer to tender payment for the number of items for purchase in response to generation of the end-of-itemization control signal. The checkout terminal includes a customer side and a personnel side which is opposite the customer side. Retail personnel is positioned on the personnel side of the checkout terminal during both the scanner operating step and the currency acceptor operating step.

Abstract: An arrangement for planarizing a surface of a semiconductor wafer. The arrangement includes a planarizing member having a planarizing surface configured to be (i) positioned in contact with and (ii) moved relative to the surface of the semiconductor wafer so as to remove material from the surface of the semiconductor wafer such that the surface of the semiconductor wafer is planarized. The arrangement also includes an adherence promoting ligand chemically bonded to the planarizing surface of the planarizing member. The arrangement further includes an abrasion particle chemically bonded to the adherence promoting ligand such that the abrasion particle is attached to the planarizing surface of the planarizing member. The arrangement also includes a conditioning bar having a conditioning portion positioned in contact with a wafer track defined on the planarizing member. The conditioning portion is configured so that the conditioning portion extends completely across the wafer track.

Abstract: The invention provides a coffee machine for brewing coffee powder pre-packed in a cartridge, whereby the bottom of the brewing chamber receiving the cartridge is provided with perforator members to perforate the cartridge bottom upon closing the brewing chamber. A brewing chamber housing contains an upper and a lower brewing chamber portion together delimiting the brewing chamber and axially movable relative to each other. The upper brewing chamber portion is biased by a spring to move away from the lower brewing chamber portion and provided with a protection member that bars access to the perforator members if the upper brewing chamber member is in its upper rest position. The upper brewing chamber member is moved, together with the protection member, from an upper into a lower operating position in which the perforator member provide the bottom of the cartridge with elongate slots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a retail terminal, such as a kiosk, includes a proximity detector that is operable to ascertain movement of a consumer relative to the retail terminal and the distance therefrom. The retail terminal may use the movement/distance measurement to either power-up the retail terminal from a power-down mode or change the mode of operation of the retail terminal. A transmitter emits waveforms of preferably different frequencies that reflect from objects (e.g. a consumer) within various zones. The reflected waveforms are received by a detector in the retail terminal and analyzed to determine movement and/or distance that the consumer is relative to the retail terminal. A retail terminal is also provided.

Abstract: A saw blade includes a blade body which defines a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein (i) the blade body has a multiplicity of discrete dimples formed on at least one of the side surfaces, (ii) the blade body is made of metal, and (iii) each of the multiplicity of dimples is formed by a process which includes the step of deforming the metal so as to create an indentation in the side surface in which the dimple is formed. The saw blade further includes a plurality of cutting teeth extending from an edge of the blade body. Moreover, the deforming step includes the step of deforming the metal with pins on a die plate of a punch press.

Abstract: A core metal insert for use in a sealing assembly is disclosed. The core metal insert is manufactured by a process which includes the step of cutting a plurality of left lateral outermost inboard slits and a plurality of right lateral outermost inboard slits in a metal blank so as to create a slitted metal blank.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a signal transmitter associated therewith includes the step of detecting an intervention-needed activity and generating an intervention-needed control signal in response thereto. The method also includes the step of operating the signal transmitter so as to transmit a personnel-request signal in response to generation of the intervention-needed control signal. The method further includes the step of receiving the personnel-request signal with a signal receiver associated with an audible message generating device. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating an audible message that is communicated to retail personnel with the audible message generating device in response to receipt of the personnel-request signal. A retail terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: An MSM semiconductor circuit formed on a semi-insulating substrate that includes a set of contacts, first and second absorption layers, and a wide band gap buffer layer. The first absorption layer is formed on the semi-insulating substrate. The second absorption layer operably coupled to the set of contacts. The wide band gap buffer layer disposed between the first absorption layer and the second absorption layer.

Abstract: A drum dryer comprises a drying drum which is arranged for a gas to flow through it to be dried from a first end of the drum to its opposite second end, and a housing in which the drum is located with a space around the drum between the internal wall of the housing and the external surface of the drum. Gas can be directed into the space through a housing inlet, to flow in the space to the first end of the drum where it can be admitted into the drum for drying.

Abstract: An amusement device is configured to be attached to a surface of a bathtub. The amusement device includes a launching device movable between a rest orientation and a biased orientation. The amusement device further includes a suction assembly attached to the launching device and configured to secure the launching device to the surface of the bathtub. Additionally, the amusement device includes a target assembly configured to float on water located within the bathtub. The launching device is configured to fling an object located thereon from the launching device toward the target assembly in response to release of the launching device after it is moved from the rest position to the biased orientation. A method of using an amusement device in a bathtub is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating printer data from application print data, the apparatus including a memory and a processor. The memory stores the application print data. The processor is coupled to the memory and is further adapted to be coupled to receive printer status data from a multi-color printer. The processor is also adapted to provide printer data to the multi-color printer. The processor is operable to obtain from the printer status data information identifying a first color ink for which printing is inhibited. The processor is also operable to identify one or more substitute color inks from a set of color inks for which printing is not inhibited. The processor is further operable to generate printer data from application print data, substituting the one or more substitute color inks when print data requires the first color ink.

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. A method of forming a semiconductor with a substrate and a feature on the surface of the substrate is disclosed: Forming a spacer layer that contacts the feature. A barrier layer of silicon nitride can be deposited on the surface. Contacting the barrier layer with the spacer layer, prior to removing the barrier layer. Align a contact void with the barrier layer and spacer layer. Align a contact void such that the etch properties of the barrier layer prevents “punch through”.

Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes an input device for receiving a user reported identity code associated with a user of the checkout terminal and a biometric sensing device for detecting a biometric characteristic of the user. The self-service checkout terminal also includes a processing unit electrically coupled to both the input device and the biometric sensing device. Moreover, the self-service checkout terminal includes a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit.

Abstract: A method of evolving a neural network that includes a plurality of processing elements interconnected by a plurality of weighted connections includes the step of obtaining a definition for the neural network by evolving a plurality of weights for the plurality of weighted connections, and evolving a plurality of activation function parameters associated with the plurality of processing elements. Another step of the method includes determining whether the definition for the neural network may be simplified based upon at least one activation function parameter of the plurality of activation function parameters. Yet another step of the method includes updating the definition for the neural network in response to determining that the definition for the neural network may be simplified. The method utilizes particle swarm optimization techniques to evolve the plurality of weights and the plurality of activation parameters.