Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the frequency with which memory is accessed in graphic printing or the like. If a CPU 100 reads image data from a buffer block where data has not been written, a memory controller 12 does not read the image data from a image buffer 140, but sends back initializing data stored beforehand. If image data is going to be written for the first time in a buffer block, the memory controller 12 stores and manages this image data, first writes the initializing data in this buffer block, and thereafter writes the image data. If a read request or a write request occurs to a buffer block where data has already been written, the memory controller 12 reads or writes data as requested.

Abstract: Bubbles mixed in liquid crystal injected into a liquid crystal cell are pushed out through an outlet. The outlet has a space secured to a maximum limit by an extended sealing portion reaching the outer peripheral end surfaces of substrates, and a step with a color filter is formed. The pushed-out bubbles are surely trapped by the space of the outlet. In a replenishing port for replenishing liquid crystal, an introduction spacer having a height equal to that of the color filter is provided, and by a capillary phenomenon, liquid crystal for replenishment can be smoothly introduced into the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: Hardware device for parallel processing a determined instruction of a set of instructions having a same format defining operand fields and other data fields, the execution of this determined instruction being represented as an algorithm comprising a plurality of processes, the processing of which depending on decisions. Such a device comprises means (22-30) for activating the processing of one or several processes (32-38) determined by the operand fields of the instruction, decision macroblocks (12-20) each being associated with a specific instruction of the set of instructions, only one decision marcoblock being selected by the determined instruction in order to determine which are the process(es) to be activated for executing the determined instruction.

Abstract: There is provided a display apparatus. The apparatus includes (1) a substrate, (2) a display element disposed on the substrate, the display element having (a) a first electrical conductor, (b) a second electrical conductor, and (c) a light switching material disposed between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, and (3) a via through the substrate for electrically coupling a signal to the first electrical conductor.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus (and light guide and liquid crystal display apparatus incorporating the same) includes a wedge-type light guide having a refractive index n1, and having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface, a light source for directing light to the side surface of the wedge-type light guide, a first light transmission layer having a refractive index n2, which is smaller than said refractive index n1, and having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the first light transmission layer is attached to the bottom surface of the wedge-type light guide, and a light deflecting layer having a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the first light transmission layer for deflecting the incident light from the first light transmission layer toward the top surface of the wedge-type light guide.

Abstract: A method of fabricating aluminum oxide films utilizing aluminum alkoxide precursors is described. The aluminum oxide film is formed by (a) providing an aluminum alkoxide precursor that is dissolved, emulsified or suspended in a liquid; (b) providing a vapor generated from the aluminum alkoxide precursor; and (c) depositing an aluminum oxide film:on the substrate at a temperature greater than 500° C.

Abstract: A method for preparing an alignment layer surface provides a surface on the alignment layer. The surface is bombarded with ions, and reactive gas is introduced to the ion beam to saturate dangling bonds on the surface. Another method for preparing an alignment layer surface provides a surface on the alignment layer. The surface is bombarded with ions and quenched with a reactive component to saturate dangling bonds on the surface.

Abstract: A structure (and method for forming the structure) includes an electrically conducting pattern on at least one of two substrates to be combined with the other of the two substrates via a seal. The conducting pattern in a region of the seal for attaching the two substrates is at least transmissive to radiation for curing the seal under the pattern to affix the two substrates.

Abstract: A system and method for processing operations that use data vectors each comprising a plurality of data elements, in accordance with the present invention, includes a vector data file comprising a plurality of storage elements for storing data elements of the data vectors. A pointer array is coupled by a bus to the vector data file. The pointer array includes a plurality of entries wherein each entry identifies at least one storage element in the vector data file. The at least one storage element stores at least one data element of the data vectors, wherein for at least one particular entry in the pointer array, the at least one storage element identified by the particular entry has an arbitrary starting address in the vector data file.

Abstract: A method and structure of forming a vertical polymer transistor structure is disclosed having a first conductive layer, filler structures co-planar with the first conductive layer, a semiconductor body layer above the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer above the semiconductor body layer, and an etch stop strip positioned between a portion of the first conductive layer and the semiconductor body layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an alignment layer with constituent materials. The constituent materials have a stoichiometric relationship configured to provide a given pretilt angle. Liquid crystal material is provided in contact with the alignment layer. A method for forming an alignment layer for liquid crystal displays includes forming the alignment layer on a substrate by introducing an amount of material to adjust a stoichiometric ratio of constituent materials wherein the amount is determined to provide a given pretilt angle to the alignment layer. Ions are directed at the alignment layer to provide uniformity of the pretilt angle.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus for a handheld computer having a display in accordance with the present invention includes an attachment portion for receiving and securing the handheld computer. A camera assembly mounts to the attachment portion for providing images to the handheld computer, and an interface electrically connects the handheld computing device to the camera assembly for transferring the image data to be displayed on the display of the handheld computer.

Abstract: A method for testing integrated circuit chips with probe wires on flat solder bumps and IC chips that are equipped with flat solder bumps are disclosed. In the method, an IC chip that has a multiplicity of bond pads and a multiplicity of flat solder bumps are first provided in which each of the solder bumps has a height less than ½ of its diameter on the multiplicity of bond pads. The probe wires can thus be easily used to contact the increased target area on the solder bumps for establishing electrical connection with a test circuit. The probe can further be conducted easily with all the Z height of the bumps are substantially equal. The height of the solder bumps may be suitably controlled by either a planarization process in which soft solder bumps are compressed by a planar surface, or solder bumps are formed in an in-situ mold by either a MSS or an electroplating process for forming solder bumps in the shape of short cylinders.

Abstract: Grooves are formed in a CMP pad by positioning the pad on a supporting surface with a working surface of the pad in spaced relation opposite to a router bit and at least one projecting stop member adjacent to the router bit, an outer end portion of the bit projecting beyond the stop. When the bit is rotated, relative axial movement between the bit and the pad causes the outer end portion of the bit to cut an initial recess in the pad. Relative lateral movement between the rotating bit and the pad then forms a groove which extends laterally away from the recess and has a depth substantially the same as that of the recess. Different lateral movements between the bit and the pad are used to form a variety of groove patterns, the depths of which are precisely controlled by the stop member(s). The grooves may be formed in the polishing surface and/or the rear opposite surface of the pad and passages may be provided for interconnecting the rear grooves with the polishing surface or the front grooves.

Abstract: An article of manufacture including an organic structure and inorganic atoms bonded to specific locations on the organic structure.

Abstract: A reflection-type liquid crystal display apparatus capable of securing sufficient brightness, gray scale display and reducing color changes with a viewing angle, and a cost-effective manufacturing method of the same. As a reflector, a light interference reflector having preferably a grating structure for selectively reflecting light only in a particular wavelength range by using light interference is used, incident light is selectively reflected by the light interference reflector, and reflected light having only wavelengths of R, G and B is individually made incident on respective pixel portions of R, G and B. The light interference reflector performs the function of a color filter. Thus, a reflection-type liquid crystal display apparatus is provided, which is capable of securing sufficient brightness without using any color filters, in addition to providing gray scale display and reducing color changes with a viewing angle.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device (and method for forming the LCD) includes a first transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a second transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate are arranged such that the first surface of the first transparent substrate faces the first surface of the second transparent substrate, and a liquid crystal material is enclosed between the first surface of the first transparent substrate and the first surface of the second transparent substrate. A pixel array, in which a plurality of pixel regions are arranged in row and column directions and data signals are applied to the pixel regions through data lines, is formed on the first surface of the first transparent substrate and the first surface of the second transparent substrate.

Abstract: A light guide system has a light guide having a first end portion opposite a second end portion. The light guide provides a first surface and a second surface between the first and second end portions, and the second surface is inclined relative to the first surface. A light source is disposed along the first end portion on a first axis. A light redistribution device is disposed on an entrance of the light guide for receiving light from the light source and redistributing a portion of the light perpendicular to the first axis to provide a uniform light distribution from the first surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, includes forming at least one conductive island having a predetermined sidewall angle in a conductive substrate, forming a dielectric material over the at least one island, forming a conductive material over the dielectric material, and forming a contact to the conductive material and the at least one island.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a strained Si based layer, devices manufactured in this layer, and electronic systems comprising such layers and devices are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of growing epitaxially a SiGe layer on a substrate, and creating a varying Ge concentration in this SiGe layer. The Ge concentration in the SiGe layer includes a unique Ge overshoot zone, where the Ge concentration is abruptly and significantly increased. The Si based layer is epitaxially deposited onto the SiGe layer, whereby is becomes tensilely strained. It is also disclosed that the strained Si based layer, typically Si or SiGe, can be transferred to a different bulk substrate, or to an insulator.