Abstract: Selected cells in a semiconductor chip layout are replaced with corresponding PCT pre-processed cells. Each PCT pre-processed cell represents a particular selected cell having been previously subjected to a cell-level-PCT-processing operation so as to include PCT-based cell layout adjustments. Following replacement of the selected cells in the semiconductor chip layout with corresponding PCT pre-processed cells, a chip-wide PCT processing operation is performed on the semiconductor chip layout for a given chip level. The presence of the PCT pre-processed cells in the semiconductor chip layout serves to accelerate the chip-wide PCT processing of the semiconductor chip layout. The chip-wide PCT processed semiconductor layout for the given chip level is recorded on a persistent storage medium.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosed subject matter includes a method of reducing the laser absorption of a beam reverser prism consisting of at least one of the following: increasing a first distance between a first incident point and a chamfered corner, wherein the first incident point is on a first reflective surface of the prism and the chamfered corner is formed between the first reflective surface and a second reflective surface of the prism, wherein the chamfered corner has a chamfered surface; increasing a second distance between a second incident point and the chamfered corner, wherein the second incident point is on the second reflective surface of the prism; and increasing a reflectivity of the chamfered surface of the chamfered corner of the prism. A method of determining a prime cut for an optical component is also disclosed. A laser including at least one prime cut optical component is also disclosed.

Abstract: Software on a server accesses a batch file including a plurality of events generated by a remote game client application executing an instance of the computer-implemented game. The software accesses a game state data object associated with the instance of the computer-implemented game. The game state data object includes one or more game state parameters formatted as a serialized unstructured string of text data. The software parses the game state data object to identify the one or more game state parameters. The software processes the plurality of events in the batch file against game logic to update one or more of the game state parameters in the game state data object. The game logic incorporates information extracted from a social graph. And the software stores the game state data object in a memory cache.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of dynamic array sections, each of which includes three or more linear conductive segments formed within its gate electrode level in a parallel manner to extend lengthwise in a first direction. An adjoining pair of dynamic array sections are positioned to have co-located portions of outer peripheral boundary segments extending in the first direction. At least one of the linear conductive segments within the gate electrode level of a given dynamic array section is a non-gate linear conductive segment that does not form a gate electrode of a transistor. The non-gate linear conductive segment of either of the adjoining pair of dynamic array sections spans the co-located portion of outer peripheral boundary segment toward the other of the adjoining pair of dynamic array sections, and is contained within gate electrode level manufacturing assurance halo portions of the adjoining pair of dynamic array sections.

Abstract: A smart SD card and a method of accessing the same are disclosed, which resolve a problem of incompatibilities between drivers of various smart SD cards. The smart SD card includes a SD interface (201), a SD memory (203), a smart card (204) and a SD controller (202). The method of accessing the SD card includes: an application program performing a write operation on the smart card interface file and notifying the SD controller establishing a communication connection with the smart card; the application program reading the interface file and receiving response data returned by the smart card via the SD controller; the establishing of the connection being successful, the application program writing the smart card operation commands into the interface file, and the SD controller forwarding the commands to the smart card; the application program reading the interface file and receiving response data returned by the smart card via the SD controller.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for removing a damaged material from a low-k dielectric film layer include identifying a control chemistry, the control chemistry configured to selectively remove the damaged material from the low-k dielectric film layer, the damaged material being in a region where a feature was formed through the low-k dielectric film layer; establishing a plurality of process parameters characterizing aspects of the damaged material to be removed and applying the control chemistry to the low-k dielectric film layer, the application of the control chemistry being defined based on the established process parameters of the damaged material, such that the damaged material is substantially removed from the areas around the feature and the areas around the feature are substantially defined by low-k characteristics of the low-k dielectric film layer.

Abstract: A method for processing a substrate includes receiving a substrate and processing the substrate using a first fluid meniscus and a second fluid meniscus. The first fluid meniscus and the second fluid meniscus are applied to a surface of the substrate such that the first fluid meniscus is spaced apart from the second fluid meniscus by a transition region. A saturated gas chemistry is applied to the surface of the substrate at the transition region. The saturated gas chemistry is configured to maintain moisture in the transition region so as to prevent drying of the surface of the substrate in the transition region, before the second fluid meniscus is applied to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to the updating of image processing control data that is related to image data and controls image processing of the image data. An image related data generator generates an image file that includes image data and image processing data pre-stored therein. The image processing control data can be updated according to the following process. The image related data generator sends specification data that specifies image processing control data to be updated to an update data server. Then the image related data generator receives the update data from the update data server. And the image related generator updates the image processing control data stored therein with the update data.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes conductive features that are each defined within any one gate level channel that is uniquely associated with and defined along one of a number of parallel gate electrode tracks. The conductive features form gate electrodes of first and second PMOS transistor devices, and first and second NMOS transistor devices. The gate electrodes of the first PMOS and first NMOS transistor devices extend along a first gate electrode track. The gate electrodes of the second PMOS and second NMOS transistor devices extend along a second gate electrode track. A first set of interconnected conductors electrically connect the gate electrodes of the first PMOS and second NMOS transistor devices. A second set of interconnected conductors electrically connect the gate electrodes of the second PMOS and first NMOS transistor devices. The first and second sets of interconnected conductors traverse across each other within different levels of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A data storage area of a data storage device is partitioned logically between a user storage area and a device storage area. Source data stored securely in the device storage area is copied as derivative data to the user storage area, or is used as a basis for creating derivative data stored in the user storage area, whenever the data storage device is initialized. In one embodiment, the data storage area is read-write and the device storage area has embodied thereon device system code, executed by a controller of the data storage device, for writing source data to the device storage area only if the source data satisfies a predetermined condition. Examples of derivative data include an autorun file, a volume label and user identification. Data from a host may be stored reversibly in the user storage area but must be stored securely in the device storage area.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaze tracking apparatus using difference image entropy, comprising: image detection module for detecting user's eye region image from image of the user taken by picture-taking apparatus which is connected to the gaze tracking apparatus; image selection module for computing entropy value of difference image between the eye region image and a plurality of reference images respectively indicating each gazing direction and selecting reference image with least difference image entropy value among the plurality of reference images; and gaze tracking module for recognizing user's gazing direction by regarding gazing direction that the selected reference image indicates as user's gazing direction.

Abstract: A federation participant in communication with other participants of a federation according to a federation protocol is described. The web service participant includes business logic and a security provider. The business logic implements a web service consumer (WSC) or a web service provider (WSP) business logic. The business logic is configured to generate an outgoing message for transmission to a recipient and receive an incoming message from the recipient, the recipient being a WSP if the business logic is a WSC business logic and a WSC if the business logic is a WSP business logic. The security provider is configured to receive the generated messages and apply header information to the outgoing message according to the federation protocol to form a modified outgoing message. The security provider then transmits the modified outgoing message to the recipient. Methods of operation for the WSC and WSP are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing with a display screen is provided. The apparatus includes a frame. The frame includes (a) a pair of shutter lenses, (b) a light coupled to the frame; and (b) a circuit integrated with the frame to control the pair of shutter lenses and control the light coupled to the frame. The circuit is configured to communicate with a display device to enable synchronization of the shutter lenses and the display device. The light is analyzed to determine position of the frame relative to the display device, and the position is used to cause an adjustment in display output when viewed from the perspective of the position of the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide automatic systems and methods for creating a web site based on an emerging subject, which is also a search keyword, by analyzing search activities (or data) of Internet users of a popular Internet search engine. Analysis of search activity data of the Internet search engine can also provide search keywords that are most related to the emerging subject, and Internet sites with content relevant to the emerging subject. To create such a web site that is of interests to Internet users, the emerging subject and related search keywords mentioned above can be searched on Internet sites identified to have content relevant to the emerging subject. The search results are used to populate databases for this web site. After the web site is created and launched, users of the site can contribute to the content of the site. In addition, active users of the web site can engage in basic administration of the site, which reduces the need of intervention by paid administrators.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods protect a central process exclusion region of a substrate during processing of an edge environ region of process performance. Removal of undesired materials is only from the edge environ region while the central device region is protected from damage. Field strengths are configured to protect the central region from charged particles from plasma in a process chamber and to foster removal of the undesired materials from only the edge environ region. A magnetic field is configured with a peak value adjacent to a border between the central and edge environ regions. A strong field gradient extends from the peak radially away from the border and away from the central region to repel the charged particles from the central region. The strength and location of the field are adjustable by axial relative movement of magnet sections, and flux plates are configured to redirect the field for desired protection.

Abstract: A chamber formed from an electrically conductive material is connected to a ground potential. A hot electrode formed from an electrically conductive material is disposed within the chamber in a substantially horizontal orientation and is physically separated from the chamber. The hot electrode includes a top surface defined to support a part to be measured. A radiofrequency (RF) transmission rod is connected to extend from a bottom surface of the hot electrode through an opening in a bottom of the chamber and be physically separated from the chamber. The RF transmission rod is defined to transmit RF power from a conductor plate in an electrical components housing to the hot electrode. An upper electrode formed from an electrically conductive material is disposed within the chamber in a substantially horizontal orientation. The upper electrode is electrically connected to the chamber and is defined to be movable in a vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for transmitting Near Video on Demand (NVoD) using Catch and Rest (CAR) and sub-channels which includes: dividing an L-sized content into N segments using the CAR broadcasting scheme, allocating the segments to K channels including a replicate channel, and broadcasting the segments; dividing a first segment S1R (SiR represents an i-th segment of a regular channel) into Nsb sub-segments again at given bandwidth using the harmonic broadcasting scheme, and dividing an i-th sub-segment Sisb into i segments again; broadcasting the sub-segments {Si.1sb, . . . , Si.isb} in n sub-channels; and adding the segments {S2R, . . . , SNR} to a sub-layer and broadcasting the segments, the first segment broadcast in the first channel being divided and allocated to a few sub-channels, the succeeding segments broadcast in the other channels being just shifted and broadcast.

Abstract: Each of first and second PMOS transistors, and first and second NMOS transistors has a respective diffusion terminal with a direct electrical connection to a common node, and has a respective gate electrode formed from an originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. Centerlines of the originating rectangular-shaped layout features are aligned to be parallel with a first direction. The first PMOS transistor gate electrode is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor electrode. The second PMOS transistor gate electrode is electrically connected to the first NMOS transistor gate electrode. The first and second PMOS transistors, and the first and second NMOS transistors together define a cross-coupled transistor configuration having commonly oriented gate electrodes formed from respective rectangular-shaped layout features.

Abstract: A drive rail includes a sealed interior cavity and an exterior drive surface that extends along a length of the drive rail. A first magnetic member is disposed within the interior cavity and adjacent to a surface of the interior cavity that is immediately opposite the exterior drive surface. A drive mechanism is disposed within the interior cavity and in connection with the first magnetic member, and is configured to move the first magnetic member within the interior cavity along the length of the drive rail, such that the first magnetic member remains immediately opposite the exterior drive surface. The first magnetic member is configured to magnetically couple through the exterior drive surface to a wafer carrier disposed adjacent to the exterior drive surface. Movement of the first magnetic member within the interior cavity along the drive rail causes corresponding movement of the wafer carrier along the exterior drive surface.

Abstract: A cell of a semiconductor device includes a substrate portion formed to include a plurality of diffusion regions, including at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region separated from each other by one or more non-active regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features within the gate electrode level is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. A total number of the PMOS and NMOS transistor devices in the cell is greater than or equal to eight. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level.