Abstract: A polymeric quenchant. The polymeric quenchant comprises an inorganic nanoparticle, a water-soluble polymer, and water, wherein a weight ratio of the inorganic nanoparticle, water-soluble polymer and water is about 0.05-5:1-5:100. The cooling rate of steel during a quenching process can be adjusted by regulating the components and ratios of the adjusted by regulating the components and ratios of the polymeric quenchant to achieve desirable steel properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for processing an input image including M input pixels. Each of the M input pixels respectively has an input gray scale. The apparatus includes a gain generating module, a contrast enhancing module, and a Gamma adjusting module. The gain generating module generates a contrast gain and a minimum input gray scale in accordance with the input gray scales of the M input pixels. The contrast enhancing module adjusts the input gray scales in accordance with the contrast gain and the minimum input gray scale, to generate an intermediate image. The intermediate image includes M intermediate pixels, and each of the M intermediate pixels respectively has an intermediate gray scale. The Gamma adjusting module adjusts the intermediate gray scales lower than a first threshold in accordance with the contrast gain and outputs the adjusted intermediate image as an output image.

Abstract: Fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display (FFS LCD) devices are disclosed. A first substrate is disposed opposing a second substrate with a gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and the second substrate. A gate line and data lines are formed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas. A counter electrode is disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate. A pixel electrode is disposed above the counter electrode with an insulating layer therebetween. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of parallel electrodes. Each electrode includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, wherein the first segment has an included angle ? from the horizontal direction, the second segment has an included angle ? from the horizontal direction, and the first segment has an included angle ? from the horizontal direction.

Abstract: An output buffer including a first input stage circuit, a first output stage circuit, a second output stage circuit, a first switching module, and a second switching module is disclosed. The first output stage circuit is coupled to a first data line. The second output stage circuit is coupled to a second data line. The first switching module is coupled between the first input stage circuit and the first output stage circuit. The second switching module is coupled between the first input stage circuit and the second output stage circuit.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator comprising first and second differential delay cells. The first differential delay cell has a first control voltage input terminal. The second differential delay cell is coupled to the first differential delay cell in a loop and has a second control voltage input terminal. The second voltage input terminal is disconnected from the first voltage control input terminal. The first voltage control input terminal receives a first voltage signal, and the second voltage control input terminal receives a second voltage signal different from the first voltage signal.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism adjusts a boat to be parallel to a furnace having an opening and a receiving space, which has a first symmetrical line. When the boat having a second symmetrical line is inserted into the space, a first gap area is formed between sidewalls of the space and the boat. The mechanism includes an adjusting element and an adjusting tool, which is removably disposed in the opening and has a wide part, a narrow part and a through hole. The narrow part blocks the opening. When the boat is inserted into the space, a second gap area smaller than the first gap area is formed between the sidewalls of the boat and the through hole at the narrow part. The adjusting element adjusts the first and second symmetrical lines to be parallel to each other according to the second gap area.

Abstract: Voltage regulators are provided. In one embodiment of the voltage regulators, a differential amplifier receives a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, to generate a control signal according to a voltage difference between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. An output transistor has a first terminal coupled to a power voltage, a control terminal coupled to the differential amplifier for receiving the control signal, and a second terminal coupled to an output terminal. A voltage feedback circuit is coupled between the output terminal and a ground voltage to generate the feedback voltage. A discharge transistor has a first terminal coupled to the ground voltage, a control terminal coupled to a first control signal, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal through a first resistor in the voltage feedback circuit.

Abstract: An illumination module is provided in the invention. The illumination module includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a linear array and a light guide device. The light guide device receives light from the light source and generates uniform light which is transmitted onto an article to be scanned, has a longitudinal direction, and includes a diffraction structure and a reflection portion. The diffraction structure has a shape inducing light to be scattered and deflects the scattered light toward the longitudinal direction. The reflection portion reflects the light scattered and deflected by the diffraction structure, and is inclined to have an inclined angle with the light propagating direction. In addition, the reflection portion is formed on the diffraction structure or apart from it.

Abstract: A control system for compensating for image shake of an image capture device is provided, including a shake compensating module, a shake compensating switch, a control unit, and a shutter control element operated between a first operating stage and a second operating stage. The shake compensating switch is switched between an active state to enable the shake compensating module and an inactive state to disable the shake compensating module. The control unit enables the shake compensating module when the shake compensating switch is in the active state. The control unit produces a reset signal to disable the shake compensating module when the shutter control element is in the second operating stage before the shake compensating switch is switched to the inactive state. The control unit enables the shake compensating module after a specific period of time from when the shake compensating module was disabled.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing thin film transistor arrays utilizing three steps of lithography and one step of laser ablation while the lithography procedure is used four to five times in conventional processes are disclosed. The use of the disclosed methods assists in improving throughput and saving of manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A laser distance measuring apparatus and control method thereof includes an emitter, a first and second liquid crystal display module, a receiver, a condensing lens, and a control unit. The emitter emits measuring light. The control unit sets the first liquid crystal display module to a second state and the second liquid crystal display module to a first state to receive the reflected light. When the reflected light is larger than a predetermined value, the control unit adjusts a transmittance of the first liquid crystal display module until the reflected light is lower than the predetermined value, and calculates a distance value based on phase difference between the reference light and the reflected light.

Abstract: The invention provides a Gamma conversion system applied on a source of image pixel data. Each image pixel data in the source of image pixel data has an M-bit pixel value with a first Gamma exponent. The Gamma conversion system comprises a storage module, a processing module, and a selecting module. The storage module therein stores I look-up tables. The processing module is respectively coupled to the source of image pixel data and the storage module, and the processing module comprises I converting modules, each of the converting modules corresponds to one look-up table. The selecting module is coupled to the source of image pixel data and the processing module respectively, and generates a selection signal according to the M-bit pixel value. In response to the selection signal, the processing module assigns one of the converting modules to convert the M-bit pixel value into an N-bit pixel value with a second Gamma exponent according to the look-up table corresponding to the assigned converting module.

Abstract: A multi-path receiving system is provided. The multi-path receiving system includes a multi-path analyzer, a channel estimator and an equalizer. The multi-path analyzer analyzes a channel impulse response (CIR) of the multi-path channel from the received stream. The channel estimator calculates a channel estimation result from the received stream. The channel estimator comprises a frequency domain interpolation filter performing channel estimation. The frequency domain interpolation filter consumes an amount of power according to the CIR result output from the multi-path analyzer. The equalizer equalizes the received stream based on the channel estimation result.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and an apparatus are provided. The integrated circuit comprises a bias circuit, an LC resonator circuit, and a current mode logic (CML) frequency divider. The bias circuit generates first and second bias voltages. The LC resonator circuit generates an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency. The CML frequency divider, coupled to the bias circuit and the LC resonator circuit, biased by the first and second bias voltages, receives the oscillation signal to generate an output signal having an output frequency with a fractional rate of the oscillation frequency. The oscillation signal comprises AC and DC components, the CML frequency divider receives the AC component to determine an injected frequency and reuses the DC component to provide tail currents to determine a natural frequency of the CML frequency divider. The output frequency is determined by the injected frequency and the natural frequency.

Abstract: A massage device. The massage device includes a pair of therapeutic elements and a bottom therapeutic member. The therapeutic elements are rotated by a driving shaft, driven by a driving mechanism, for supporting and massaging feet. The bottom therapeutic member is disposed between two therapeutic elements, supporting the instep of a foot. The therapeutic elements are formed along the instep.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a signal line and ground line is disclosed. The signal line comprises an opening and at least a portion of the ground line is in the opening in the signal line.

Abstract: A multiple-gate transistor structure which includes a substrate, source and drain islands formed in a portion of the substrate, a fin formed of a semi-conducting material that has a top surface and two sidewall surfaces, a gate dielectric layer overlying the fin, and a gate electrode wrapping around the fin on the top surface and the two sidewall surfaces separating source and drain islands. In an alternate embodiment, a substrate that has a depression of an undercut or a notch in a top surface of the substrate is utilized.

Abstract: A layout circuit is provided, comprising standard cells, a spare cell, combined tie cells and normal filler cells. The standard cells are disposed and routed on a layout area. The spare cell is added on the layout area and provided for replacing one of the standard cells while adding or changing functions later. The combined tie cells are added on the layout area. The normal filler cells are added on the rest of the layout area. The combined tie cell comprises a tie-high circuit, a tie-low circuit and a capacitance circuit. Some standard cells are disposed near at least one combined tie cell for avoiding routing congestion between the combined tie cells and the replaced standard cell. A circuit layout method is also provided.

Abstract: A mixer is provided. The transconductance stage receives an input signal through an input node and outputs an output signal through an output node. The transconductance stage includes a first transistor coupled between the output node and a first power node, having a first gate coupled to the input node, and operating in a saturation region, a second transistor coupled to the first power node, having a second gate coupled to the input node, and operating in a sub-threshold region, a first biasing circuit providing a first bias voltage, and a third transistor coupled between the output node and the second transistor, and having a third gate coupled to the first bias voltage. The switching quad is coupled to the output node and generates a translation current according to the output signal. The transimpedance amplifier transforms the translation current to a corresponding voltage.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit (FPC) and electronic component assembly. The FPC comprises a first protective layer having a first opening, a main layer on the first protective layer, and a second protective layer having a second opening exposing the main layer. The heat produced from the electronic component can be transmitted to the main layer by a heat-conductive medium between the electronic component and the main layer, and can be diffused via the first opening.