Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a three-dimensional wafer stack having a single metallized stack via with a variable cross-sectional shape. The method uses at least first and silicon wafers. Each wafer has one or more integrated circuits formed thereon. One or more through-vias are formed in each silicon wafer followed by oxide formation on at least an upper and lower surface of the silicon wafer. The wafers are aligned such that each wafer through via is aligned with a corresponding through via in adjacent stacked wafers. Wafers are bonded to form a three-dimensional wafer stack having one or more stack vias formed from the alignment of individual wafer vias. Via metallization is performed by depositing a seed layer in each of the stack vias followed by copper electroplating to form a continuous and homogeneous metallization path through the three-dimensional wafer stack.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for data transfer between a host memory and a flash memory module through direct memory access (DMA), and a related data-transfer subsystem. In one embodiment, the subsystem comprises a DMA controller, a flash-memory controller, a data buffer for buffering data transferred between the DMA controller and the flash-memory controller, and a status-register group for storing a current status of the data buffer. The DMA controller and the flash-memory controller are configured such that both of them are allowed to update the current status and to detect a change of the current status during the data transfer, so that a substantial part of the data transfer's process is executed through direct interaction between the DMA controller and the flash-memory controller without involving a central processing unit. The subsystem may further comprise a command storing unit for storing command packages for execution by the flash-memory controller.

Abstract: An online content publishing and consumption environment can be modeled such that communities of content consumers (users), such as educational institutes and libraries, are categorized as Content Brokers; content providers, such as book, music, and multimedia publishers, and news sources, are categorized as Content Providers; and a Content Bridge, a standalone component providing the functionalities of the presently claimed invention in the online content publishing and consumption environment. The Content Bridge allows a simpler and loosely-coupled integration with lowered integration cost and effort, as the Content Broker is required to integrate once only with the Content Bridge instead of having to integrate individually with every Content Provider.

Abstract: An Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) receiver comprises: a channel estimator receiving a signal that includes a plurality of symbols, each of the symbols including a plurality of pilots and a plurality of data subcarriers, wherein each symbol further includes at least one pilot subcarrier, the estimator using a first channel response estimate of the at least one pilot subcarrier in a first symbol to select a first weight matrix from a plurality of pre-generated weight matrices, and generating channel estimation information for data subcarriers in the first symbol using the selected first weight matrix.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device including an epoxy reservoir and a number of features to facilitate alignment of components during assembly of the imaging device.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical module that includes interchangeable lenses to adjust a zoom level or focus of the optical module.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which establish a referral gateway for facilitating multi-media content, or other rich content, exchange among users and user devices. Embodiments connect a WLAN, or any specific local area network, with a mobile cellular network for efficiently transmitting messages including rich content. In operation, a sending user does not need to download particular content to form a message, but instead sends a code to a referral gateway which compiles the message and arranges for delivery, such as over a fixed network, a cellular network, etcetera. Using such systems and methods neither the receiver nor the sender are limited by their respective network and/or user device capabilities.

Abstract: This invention discloses a through-silicon via (TSV) structure for providing an electrical path between a first-side surface and a second-side surface of a silicon chip, and a method for fabricating the structure. In one embodiment, the TSV structure comprises a via penetrated through the chip from the first-side surface to the second-side surface, providing a first end on the first-side surface and a second end on the second-side surface. A local isolation layer is deposited on the via's sidewall and on a portion of the first-side surface surrounding the first end. The TSV structure further comprises a plurality of substantially closely-packed microstructures arranged to form a substantially non-random pattern and fabricated on at least the portion of the first-side surface covered by the local isolation layer for promoting adhesion of the local isolation layer to the chip. A majority of the microstructures has a depth of at least 1 ?m.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide an adaptive unified performance management (AUPM) framework for interacting with disparate network elements using techniques adaptive to operational conditions to provide network performance adaptive root cause analysis (ARCA) are shown. An AUPM framework of embodiments of the invention implements a proxy based architecture in which a plurality of proxies are utilized to connect to and perform data communication with the disparate network elements. Centralized performance management is in communication with the proxies to obtain and unify network element data for performance monitoring, alarm reporting, and/or root cause analysis. The performance monitoring, alarm reporting, and root cause analysis provided by centralized performance management of embodiments herein implements adaptive cluster-based analysis to provide robust operation adapted to accommodate various operational scenarios, such as may include time varying conditions and learning based configuration.

Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring sensor moveable inside a tire includes a housing holding a pressure sensing/transmitting unit, one or more batteries and an antenna for transmitting a signal indicating interior tire pressure. In one embodiment, the components are assembled within the housing such that the center of gravity is along a housing geometric center. During tire rotation, the monitor independently rotates within the tire and is particularly useful for slow-rotating tires, such as those used in gantry systems. Alternatively, the pressure monitoring sensor components are assembled within the housing such that the center of gravity is offset from a housing geometric center. Centripetal force generated during tire rotation causes the monitor to rotate with the tire itself and is useful for faster-rotating tires, such as motor vehicle tires. A tire pressure monitoring system includes the monitor and a receiver positioned outside the tire for receiving the monitoring signals.

Abstract: A computer-implementable method for creating a summary video with depth information, comprising: recognizing moving objects from the input original video; generating an animated moving object cutout for each of the recognized moving objects by duplicating and stacking successive frames in the input original video containing images of the respective moving object; constructing a scene background by using texture of scenes in the input original video and estimating any missing portion; rendering a Dynamic 3D Scene by using depth information of foreground objects in the input original video and the scene background to create a three-dimensional scene and overlaying the animated moving object cutouts on to the three-dimensional scene according to their respective longitude, latitude, and depth locations in the three-dimensional scene; and synthesizing the summary video, by using the Dynamic 3D Scene.

Abstract: The LLMICT transform matrices are orthogonal, hence their inverses are their transpose. The LLMICT transform matrices are integer matrices, which can be implemented with high precision eliminating the drift error in video coding. The fast algorithms for the LLMICT transform are found, thus allowing a lower requirement on computation hardware. The LLMICT is also found to have high transform coding gain due to its similarity to the DCT.

Abstract: Different FTL implementations, including the use of different mapping schemes, log block utilization, merging, and garbage collection strategies, perform more optimally than others for different data operations with certain characteristics. The presently claimed invention provides a method to distinguish and categorize the different data operations according to their different characteristics, or data attributes; then deploy the most optimal mapping schemes, log block utilization, merging, and garbage collection strategies depending on the data attributes; wherein the data attributes include, but are not limited to, access frequency, access sequence, access size, request mode, and request write ratio.

Abstract: An envelope detector receives an input that is an Amplitude-Modulated (AM) or Amplitude-Shift-Keying (ASK) coded signal. Each channel has a sample switch and a diode that charge an internal sampling capacitor. A hold switch connects the internal sampling capacitor to a summing output capacitor or to a post-processing circuit. A reset switch discharges the internal sampling capacitor after each sample. Two or more channels may be time multiplexed to sample alternate cycles of the input, and then their outputs combined by the summing output capacitor or by the post-processing circuit. The diodes may be reversed to detect the negative envelope rather than the positive envelope. Clocks for the switches may be generated from the input, or may be from a separate clock source. Since the sampling window is open for a whole input cycle, the clock source is insensitive to phase error.

Abstract: A coordinate locating apparatus for locating at least one touch point on a plane and the method thereof are provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatuses, systems, and methods for peer group formation for mobile devices by proximity sensing. The described embodiments further include methods, systems, and apparatuses configured to easily establish an ad-hoc peer network in which each of the devices in the network automatically discovers and is connected to other devices in the network upon establishing a connection with at least one member of the ad-hoc network. The connection is established using a tap of NFC devices in the two wireless devices. Further, the wireless devices in the ad-hoc network may be divided into logical peer groups.

Abstract: A transistor-based full-wave bridge rectifier is suitable for low A.C. input voltages such as received by a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) device. Voltage drops due to bridge diodes are avoided. Four p-channel transistors are arranged in a bridge across the A.C. inputs to produce an internal power voltage. A comparator receives the A.C. input and controls timing of voltage boost drivers that alternately drive gates of the four p-channel transistors with voltages boosted higher than the peak A.C. voltage. Four diode-connected transistors are connected in parallel with the four p-channel bridge transistors to conduct during initial start-up before the comparator and boost drivers operate. Substrates are connected to the power voltage on the power-voltage half of the bridge and to the A.C. inputs on the ground half of the bridge to fully shut off transistors, preventing reverse current flow. The transistor bridge can be integrated onto system chips.

Abstract: A bridge rectifier operates on low A.C. input voltages such as received by a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) device. Voltage drops due to bridge diodes are avoided. Four p-channel transistors are arranged in a transistor bridge across the A.C. inputs to produce an internal power voltage. Another four diode-connected transistors form a start-up diode bridge that generates a comparator power voltage and a reference ground. The start-up diode bridge operates even during initial start-up before the comparator and boost drivers operate. A comparator receives the A.C. input and controls timing of voltage boost drivers that alternately drive gates of the four p-channel transistors in the transistor bridge with voltages boosted higher than the peak A.C. voltage. Substrates are connected to the power voltage on the power-voltage half of the bridge and to the A.C. inputs on the ground half of the bridge to fully shut off transistors, preventing reverse current flow.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for scheduling radio resources among service flows for services supported in a MIMO-OFDM wireless communication system. Preferably a portion of radio resources for allocation is expressed as bandwidth or slots in different units. The method comprises a first stage and a second stage of scheduling. The first stage guarantees supporting minimum data rates for different services. The second stage aims to satisfy a requirement of not exceeding maximum data rates for different services as well as to optimize the spectrum efficiency. Each stage comprises: selecting a primary flow according to prioritization of service flows; allocating a portion of resources for the primary flow; selecting one or more secondary flows if there is resource remaining available, so as to optimize spectrum efficiency when transmitting with the primary flow in the same SDMA region; and allocating a portion of resources to each secondary flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical method and a system for obtaining positional and/or motional information of an object with respect to a reference surface, including detecting if the object touches the reference surface, by using a projector and one camera. A surface map is used for mapping a location on the reference surface and a corresponding location in a camera-captured image having a view of the reference surface. In particular, a camera-observed shadow length, i.e. a length of the object's shadow observable by the camera, estimated by using the surface map, is used to compute the object's height above the reference surface (a Z coordinate). Whether or not the object touches the reference surface is also obtainable. After an XY coordinate is estimated, a 3D coordinate of the object is obtained. By computing a time sequence of 3D coordinates, the motional information, such as velocity and acceleration, is obtainable.