Abstract: During programming of storage elements, channel-to-floating gate coupling effects are compensated to avoid increased programming speed and threshold voltage distribution widening. In connection with a programming iteration, unselected bit lines voltages are stepped up to induce coupling to selected bit lines, and the amount of coupling which is experienced by the selected bit lines is sensed. When a program pulse is applied, voltages of the selected bit lines are set based on the amount of coupling. The bit line voltage is set higher when more coupling is sensed. The amount of coupling experience by a given selected bit line is a function of its proximity to unselected bit lines. One or more coupling thresholds can be used to indicate that a given selected bit line has one or two adjacent unselected bit lines, respectively.

Abstract: When erasing non-volatile storage, a verification process is used between erase operations to determine whether the non-volatile storage has been successfully erased. The verification process includes separately performing verification for different subsets of the non-volatile storage elements.

Abstract: A system for programming non-volatile storage is proposed that reduces the impact of interference from the boosting of neighbors. Memory cells are divided into two or more groups. In one example, the memory cells are divided into odd and even memory cells; however, other groupings can also be used. Prior to a first trigger, a first group of memory cells are programmed together with a second group of memory cells using a programming signal that increases over time. Subsequent to the first trigger and prior to a second trigger, the first group of memory cells are programmed separately from the second group of memory cells using a programming signal that has been lowered in magnitude in response to the first trigger. Subsequent to the second trigger, the first group of memory cells are programmed together with the second group of memory cells with the programming signal being raised in response to the second trigger.

Abstract: Synthesized body images are generated for a machine learning algorithm of a body joint tracking system. Frames from motion capture sequences are retargeted to several different body types, to leverage the motion capture sequences. To avoid providing redundant or similar frames to the machine learning algorithm, and to provide a compact yet highly variegated set of images, dissimilar frames can be identified using a similarity metric. The similarity metric is used to locate frames which are sufficiently distinct, according to a threshold distance. For realism, noise is added to the depth images based on noise sources which a real world depth camera would often experience. Other random variations can be introduced as well. For example, a degree of randomness can be added to retargeting. For each frame, the depth image and a corresponding classification image, with labeled body parts, are provided. 3-D scene elements can also be provided.

Abstract: A non-volatile storage system includes technology for skipping programming cycles while programming a page (or other unit) of data. While programming a current subset of the page (or other unit) of data, the system will evaluate whether the next subsets of the page (or other unit) of data should be programmed into non-volatile storage elements or skipped. Subsets of the page (or other unit) of data that should not be skipped are programmed into non-volatile storage elements. Some embodiments include transferring the appropriate data to temporary latches/registers, in preparation for programming, concurrently with the evaluation of whether to program or skip the programming.

Abstract: Data is programmed into and read from a set of target memory cells. When reading the data, temperature compensation is provided. The temperature compensation is based on temperature information and the state of one or more neighbor memory cells. In one embodiment, when data is read from set of target memory cells, the system senses the current temperature and determines the differences in temperature between the current temperature and the temperature at the time the data was programmed. If the difference in temperature is greater than a threshold, then the process of reading the data includes providing temperature compensation based on temperature information and neighbor state information. In one alternative, the decision to provide the temperature compensation can be triggered by conditions other than a temperature differential.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fabrication method for an electrode active material, and a lithium battery comprising an electrode active material fabricated therefrom. The fabrication method for an electrode active material comprises preparing an aqueous solution by dissolving a precursor that can simultaneously undergo positive ion substitution and surface-reforming processes in water; mixing and dissolving raw materials for an electrode active material with a composition ratio for a final electrode active material in the aqueous solution, thereby preparing a mixed solution; removing a solvent from the mixed solution, thereby forming a solid dry substance; thermal- processing the solid dry substance; and crushing the thermal-processed solid dry substance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a redistribution layer, and methods of forming same, are disclosed. After fabrication of semiconductor die on a wafer, a tape assembly is applied onto a surface of the wafer, in contact with the surfaces of each semiconductor die on the wafer. The tape assembly includes a backgrind tape as a base layer, and a film assembly adhered to the backgrind tape. The film assembly in turn includes an adhesive film on which is deposited a thin layer of conductive material. The redistribution layer pattern is traced into the tape assembly, using for example a laser. Thereafter, the unheated portions of the tape assembly may be removed, leaving the heated redistribution layer pattern on each semiconductor die.

Abstract: A system and methods for conveying private information to a player in a multiplayer game being viewed by multiple players on a single screen. Each player is provided with a controller, which in one embodiment, includes a first input device and a second input device. The game system displays instructions on the screen prompting each player to select the first input device on the controller to ask a first question or select the second input device of the controller to ask a second question. Based on which input device each player selects, the game system displays an answer on the screen. The answers are viewable by all players. However, only each player knows what question they asked the game system to answer.

Abstract: General-purpose distributed data-parallel computing using high-level computing languages is described. Data parallel portions of a sequential program that is written by a developer in a high-level language are automatically translated into a distributed execution plan. A set of extensions to a sequential high-level computing language are provided to support distributed parallel computations and to facilitate generation and optimization of distributed execution plans. The extensions are fully integrated with the programming language, thereby enabling developers to write sequential language programs using known constructs while providing the ability to invoke the extensions to enable better generation and optimization of the execution plan for a distributed computing environment.

Abstract: A semiconductor p-i-n diode and method for forming the same are described herein. In one aspect, a SiGe region is formed between a region doped to have one conductivity (either p+ or n+) and an electrical contact to the p-i-n diode. The SiGe region may serve to lower the contact resistance, which may increase the forward bias current. The doped region extends below the SiGe region such that it is between the SiGe region and an intrinsic region of the diode. The p-i-n diode may be formed from silicon. The doped region below the SiGe region may serve to keep the reverse bias current from increasing as result of the added SiGe region. In one embodiment, the SiGe is formed such that the forward bias current of an up-pointing p-i-n diode in a memory array substantially matches the forward bias current of a down-pointing p-i-n diode which may achieve better switching results when these diodes are used with the R/W material in a 3D memory array.

Abstract: Channel coupling effects during verify and read of non-volatile storage are mitigated by matching the amount of channel coupling that occurs during read with channel coupling that occurred during verify. All bit lines may be read together during both verify and read. In one embodiment, first bias conditions are established on bit lines when verifying each of a plurality of programmed states. A separate set of first bias conditions may be established when verifying each state. Biasing a bit line may be based on the state to which a non-volatile storage elements on the bit line is being programmed. A separate set of second bias conditions are established for each state being read. The second bias conditions for a given state substantially match the first bias conditions for the given state.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile storage element. The method comprises forming a layer of polysilicon floating gate material over a substrate and forming a layer of nitride at the surface of the polysilicon floating gate material. Floating gates are formed from the polysilicon floating gate material. Individual dielectric caps are formed from the nitride such that each individual nitride dielectric cap is self-aligned with one of the plurality of floating gates. An inter-gate dielectric layer is formed over the surface of the dielectric caps and the sides of the floating gates. Control gates are then formed with the inter-gate dielectric layer separating the control gates from the floating gates. The layer of nitride may be formed using SPA (slot plane antenna) nitridation. The layer of nitride may be formed prior to or after etching of the polysilicon floating gate material to form floating gates.

Abstract: There is provided a novel method, device and system for imaging. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a visible light image sensor array (e.g. Charge-Couple Device (“CCD”) or Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (“CMOS”)) and a ranging sensor array may be arranged substantially facing the same direction and having a substantially overlapping field of view. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a range value derived from one or more ranging sensor elements within the ranging sensor array may be correlated with one or more imaging elements within the visible sensor array. Image processing logic may correlate the derived ranging value with the one or more imaging elements as a function of the derived range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods to produce a high performance, feature rich TOF system, phase-based or otherwise using small TOF pixels, single-ended or preferably differential, as well as TOF systems so designed. IC chip area required for pixels is reduced by intelligently off-loading or removing from within the pixel certain components and/or functionality. In some embodiments during a single TOF system capture period, analog values from each pixel are repeatedly sampled and converted to digital values, which are combined and manipulated on the sensor chip. Combining this plurality of values enables appropriately compact data from the sensor chip. Embodiments of the present invention implement a TOF system with high ambient light resilience, high dynamic range, low motion blur and dealiasing support, while advantageously reducing pixel area size relative to prior art TOF pixels.

Abstract: A system and methods for configuring a television signal SourceType received by one or more tuners. Each of the tuners in the system are initially identified. The signal type is detected, and based on the signal type, a recorder thread is populated with compatible scanners. A weighted scanning order is established within each recorder thread. In one embodiment, the weighted scanning order is based in part on the region where the tuners receive a signal. Once the recorder threads are established, the tuners are scanned in parallel. Based on the scanning results, the television signal SourceType for each tuner is reported.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in a gaming and media system for quickly and easily creating and sending mail communications including pre-populated, or preformed, messages. Upon receipt of a communication, a recipient may also quickly and easily download a game discussed in the message.

Abstract: A routing system receives an instant message (IM) from a user via an IM service. The IM contains a source address associated with the IM user and a destination address associated with a contact in the IM user's “buddy” list. A temporary mobile device number is allocated to the IM user. The IM is converted to a text message suitable for delivery to the selected contact's mobile device via a short message service, whereby the temporary mobile device number allocated to the IM user is the source address of the text message. Upon receipt of the text message, the contact may compose and send a reply text message to the IM user via the temporary mobile device number. The reply text message is routed to the IM user via an IM service based on the temporary mobile device number allocated to the IM user.

Abstract: A non-volatile storage system performs programming for a plurality of non-volatile storage elements and selectively performs re-erasing of at least a subset of the non-volatile storage elements that were supposed to remain erased, without intentionally erasing programmed data.

Abstract: A general purpose high-performance distributed execution engine can be used by developers to deploy large-scale distributed applications. To allow developers to easily make use of the distributed execution engine, a graph building language is proposed that enables developers to efficiently create graphs (e.g., direct acyclic graphs) that describe the subprograms to be executed and the flow of data between them. A job manager (or other appropriate entity) reads the description of the graph created with the graph building language, builds the graph based on that description, and intelligently distributes the subprograms according to the graph so that system resources are used efficiently. In one embodiment, the graph building language (and, thus, the description of the graph) includes syntax for replication, pointwise connect, cross connect and merge.