Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for insulating a polysilicon gate adjacent to an electrically active region with a silicon base layer. A layer of silicon nitride having a thickness in a range from about 100 Å to about 150 Å is conformally deposited over the polysilicon gate. A layer of silicon dioxide is formed over the layer of silicon nitride on the polysilicon gate. The layer of silicon dioxide is subjected to a spacer etch to form spacers upon the layer of silicon nitride and on lateral sidewalls of the polysilicon gate. A portion of the layer of silicon nitride situated between the polysilicon gate and the spacer is removed by an etching process that is selective to silicon dioxide and to polysilicon. The etch forms a recess defined between the polysilicon gate and each respective spacer. A cover layer is formed to close an opening to the recess so as to enclose a void therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for freeing shared resources that remain allocated to a particular resource allocating process after the resource allocating process has terminated. The invention is useful in a computer system where shared hardware is accessed via a shared hardware driver layer. The shared hardware driver layer interfaces with either a shared API layer or a nonshared API layer. Processes wishing to access the shared hardware access the hardware through either the shared or nonshared API layer. To release resources and destroy objects in either the shared API layer or the shared hardware driver layer, the present invention uses a helper process that cleans up after termination of the resource allocation process. The helper process first calls a cleanup function in the shared API layer to release resources and destroy objects in the shared API layer and associated hardware driver.

Abstract: Web browser software is implemented in a processing system housed in a set-top box connected to a television and communicating over a wide-area network with one or more servers. The browser allows a user to use a remote control device to navigate between hypertex, anchors in World-Wide Web pages displayed on the television. User inputs are entered from the remote control device using an infrared IR link in order to move a selection between hypertext anchors or various control buttons displayed on the television display. The browser is capable of downloading audio files from Web sites and generating sound through a speaker of the television set based on the audio files. Background music is generated during Web browsing based on audio files downloaded from one of the servers or audio files stored in memory in the set-top box. A background music audio file from a server can be downloaded while another background music audio file is played.

Abstract: Mold press apparatus for use in the manufacture of molded articles, particularly starch-bound containers and other articles. The mold press apparatus includes a planar array of female mold halves and a corresponding planar array of male mold halves. The planar array of mold halves remain substantially coplanar throughout the process of selectively mating and separating the male and female mold halves. When used to manufacture molded articles from aqueous starch-based compositions, the molds are equipped with venting means, such as vent holes and/or a vent gap, which allow for the escape of water vapor from the mold cavities defined by the mated male/female mold pairs. A suction removal system may be used to remove the molded articles from the mold press apparatus, typically from the female mold halves. The demolded articles are deposited on a conveyor system equipped with individual nests for each article.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward building a microelectronic device in which a semiconductor substrate has thereon an etch buffer layer used in a processing method in which the buffer layer will act as an etch uniformity aid. In a method of making the microelectronic device, a semiconductor substrate is covered with an etch buffer layer and with an insulative layer. A first etch is performed by patterning and etching through a mask. The first etch penetrates the insulative layer, forms a cavity therein, and is selective to the buffer layer so as to expose the buffer layer. A second etch is performed that is selective to the insulative layer and the semiconductor substrate, and is not selective to the buffer layer. The buffer layer can be an insulative material of a type other than the material of the insulative layer or the buffer layer can also be of a conductive material.

Abstract: A proxy server transcodes audio data on behalf of a client computer prior to transmitting the audio data to the client computer. In response to a request from the client computer, the proxy server obtains the audio data from a remote server. If the proxy server determines that transcoding is appropriate, the proxy server transcodes the audio data and transmits the transcoded audio data to the client computer. Transcoding can include changing the type of the audio file, compressing the audio data, reducing the number of audio channels, or reducing the data sampling rate. The proxy server determines the extent and type of transcoding based on file formats that the client computer can process, the size of the requested audio file, the memory capacity of the client computer, the bandwidth of the connection between the proxy server and the client computer, and the desired level of audio quality.

Abstract: A liquified gas delivery system for a motorized platform includes a holding tank configured to receive liquified gas. A first conduit extends from a vapor holding portion of the tank to a valve device. A second conduit extends from a liquid holding portion of the tank to the valve device. Fluid coupled to the valve device is a vaporizer which is in communication with an engine. The valve device selectively withdraws either liquified gas or liquified gas vapor from the tank depending on the pressure within the vapor holding portion of the tank. Various configurations of the delivery system can be utilized for pressurizing the tank during operation.

Abstract: A mobile configuration manager application is provided for managing network configuration parameters essential for the configuration of a computer for operable interaction in a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) environment. The network configuration parameters are partitioned into intuitive profiles that may be re-used in additional network configurations including LAN and WAN environments. The population of the profile parameters is facilitated by the application through the use of intuitive menus and windows with competed configurations being stored and selectively activated by a user without requiring subsequent parametric input by the user when selecting a different network environment. The transfer and exchange of network configuration parameters between different computers is also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enhanced thermal management of a microelectronic device package on a printed circuit board (PCB) having a solder ring or dam that encompasses a ball array. The ring or dam bears stress from disparate coefficients of mechanical expansion between the PCB and the ball array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to quick-release locking mechanisms for adjustable basketball goal systems and methods for using the same to adjust the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. An adjustable basketball goal system may include basketball goal connected to a rigid support via a deformable goal support structure. A second arm may be coupled to the rigid support. A first arm may be coupled to the deformable goal support structure and may slidably engage the second arm. According to one embodiment, locking plates may selectively bind the second arm with respect to the first to selectively lock relative motion of the arms to maintain the basketball goal at a desired height. According to an alternative embodiment, an engagement grip maybe attached to the first arm, and may contain multiple locking members configured to pivot to simultaneously engage openings formed in the second arm to prevent movement of a first arm relative to the second arm.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a solid state thermionic energy converter and is directed to a method and apparatus for conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy, and electrical energy to refrigeration. The present invention maintains a thermal separation between an emitter and a collector through a fractional surface contact of decreasing cross-sectional area towards the point of contact. The fractional surface contacts may be associated with the emitter, a barrier, or the collector. Maintaining a thermal separation between the emitter and the collector provides for ballistic electron transport through the barrier and reduces the transport of electrons through thermal conductivity. Hence, the efficiency is increased through the collection of ballistic electrons and the reduction of thermal conductivity electrons which cannot be collected. The inventive principle works for hole conductivity, as well as for electrons.

Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for insulating a polysilicon gate adjacent to an electrically active region with a silicon base layer. A layer of silicon nitride having a thickness in a range from about 100 Å to about 150 Å is conformally deposited over the polysilicon gate. A layer of silicon dioxide is formed over the layer of silicon nitride on the polysilicon gate. The layer of silicon dioxide is subjected to a spacer etch to form spacers upon the layer of silicon nitride and on lateral sidewalls of the polysilicon gate. A portion of the layer of silicon nitride situated between the polysilicon gate and the spacer is removed by an etching process that is selective to silicon dioxide and to polysilicon. The etch forms a recess defined between the polysilicon gate, and each respective spacer. A cover layer is formed to close an opening to the recess so as to enclose a void therein.

Abstract: An improved method for alloying a semiconductor substrate upon which wordlines enclosed in spacers have been formed, with the substrate exposed between the wordlines. A thin sealing layer is then deposited over the substrate and the wordlines, the sealing layer helping to maintain the alloy in said substrate. The alloying material employed of the substrate is optionally monatomic hydrogen. Alloying the substrate with monatomic hydrogen may also be used after deposition of a metal layer, or at other process steps as desired.

Abstract: A communication system configured to transceive a signal along multiple communication media of the communication system thereby increasing the rate at which the signal is transceived. The communication system comprising a source configured to transceive a signal. A communication apparatus configured for decomposing the signal into a plurality of manipulated signals. The number of the plurality of manipulated signals being determined by the number of the multiple communication media in communication with the source and the maximum transceival rate of each communication media. In communication with the communication apparatus is a reconstructing apparatus that is configured for reconstructing the plurality of manipulated signals into the signal, the signal being capable of being transceived by a host.

Abstract: Air cooled x-ray generating apparatus is provided with a unitary vacuum enclosure having a rotating anode target and a cathode assembly for generating x-rays. The cathode assembly may be placed within the vacuum enclosure through an opening in the top wall thereof, and comprises a disk which completely covers this opening. The unitary vacuum enclosure and the disk form a radiation shield. A plurality of fins are disposed on the exterior side wall of the vacuum enclosure, and a shroud is attached to the fins to provide additional protection of ambient against radiation. The cathode assembly may be placed through a side wall of the vacuum enclosure. The additional protection against excessive radiation in this design is provided by a shielding member placed in proximity to the anode target. The shielding member extends from the side wall of the enclosure and is substantially parallel to the top wall.

Abstract: An electronics device having a removable bezel to facilitate cleaning of a keypad structure. The electronics device includes a housing that defines and encloses an interior of the electronics device. Keys included in a keypad structure are formed on a surface of the housing in a manner such that spaces may exist between the keys and the housing. A pliable structure is positioned over and substantially conforms to the keys and the adjacent portions of the housing so as to cover the opening near the keys and to further seal the housing. A removable bezel covers the keypad structure, including at least a portion of the pliable structure. The bezel has openings through which the keys extend, permitting users to depress keys while the bezel is positioned on the electronics device. The bezel, in combination with the keys, provides a keypad surface that enables users to conveniently enter information into the electronics device.

Abstract: A system for determining the density, flow velocity, and mass flow of a fluid comprising at least one sing-around circuit that determines the velocity of a signal in the fluid and that is correlatable to a database for the fluid. A system for determining flow velocity uses two of the inventive circuits with directional transmitters and receivers, one of which is set at an angle to the direction of flow that is different from the others.

Abstract: The modular jack allows a RJ series connector plug to be attached to a communications card that conforms to the PCMCIA requirements for a Type III card. The modular jack includes a main body portion including a top surface, a bottom outer surface and a front surface. The receptacle is disposed entirely within the front surface of the modular jack such that no portion of the plug extends through either the top surface or the bottom surface of the main body portion of the modular jack. Thus, the modular jack allows the communications card to be connected to standard RJ series plugs without deviating from the Type III PCMCIA card height requirement, even when the plug is inserted into the jack. Desirably, the main body portion has a height measured from the top surface to the bottom surface that is generally equal to or less than about 10.5 mm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radiographic apparatus that utilizes a single integral housing for providing an evacuated envelope for an anode and cathode assembly. The integral housing provides sufficient radiation blocking and heat transfer characteristics such that an additional external housing is not required. The integral housing is air cooled, and thus does not utilize any coolant. In addition, the integral housing is insulated with a potting material, which electrically insulates the integral housing and its components, and also limits the amount of noise emitted from the housing during operation. In an alternative embodiment, enhanced thermal and electrically insulating properties are achieved through the use of a potting material disposed in selected areas of the tube interior. The potting material cooperates with optimized airflow through the tube assembly to effectively and continuously remove heat therefrom.