Abstract: A method of fabricating a replacement gate stack for a semiconductor device includes the following steps after removal of a dummy gate: growing a high-k dielectric layer over the area vacated by the dummy gate; depositing a thin metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; depositing a sacrificial layer over the thin metal layer; annealing the structure at a high temperature of not less than 800° C.; removing the sacrificial layer; and depositing a metal layer of low resistivity metal for gap fill. Optionally, a second annealing step can be performed after the first anneal. This second anneal is performed as a millisecond anneal using a flash lamp or a laser.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a gate stack for a semiconductor device includes the following steps after removal of a dummy gate: growing a high-k dielectric layer over an area vacated by the dummy gate; depositing a thin metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer; annealing the replacement gate structure in an ambient atmosphere containing hydrogen; and depositing a gap fill layer.

Abstract: Neuronal networks of electronic neurons interconnected via electronic synapses with synaptic weight normalization. The synaptic weights are based on learning rules for the neuronal network, such that a synaptic weight for a synapse determines the effect of a spiking source neuron on a target neuron connected via the synapse. Each synaptic weight is maintained within a predetermined range by performing synaptic weight normalization for neural network stability.

Abstract: An integrate and fire electronic neuron is disclosed. Upon receiving an external spike signal, a digital membrane potential of the electronic neuron is updated based on the external spike signal. The electric potential of the membrane is decayed based on a leak rate. Upon the electric potential of the membrane exceeding a threshold, a spike signal is generated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for displaying a message from a first user to a second user, wherein the message from the first user is received in a system of the second user. The message includes text in an intended font and metadata, wherein the metadata includes a link to a font source. It is determined whether the intended font is on the system of the second user; and, if the intended font is not on the system of the second user, rendering instructions are obtained from the font source. The rendering instructions include instructions on how to display the text in the intended font on the system of the second user without downloading the intended font to the system of the second user. The text is displayed in the intended font on the system of the second user using the rendering instructions.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method including receiving a request to publish first content on a system from a user. A fee is imposed to the user to publish the first content. The first content is published on the system. In at least one embodiment, an amount of net credits of the user is published on a profile of the user. A credit is provided to the user for each instance the user receives second content from the system, the credit being non-redeemable for cash. The credit is provided to the user at pre-determined time intervals and/or when pre-determined milestones reached. In at least one embodiment, the fee is credited to the user if the first content is a comment to existing content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting an existing call flow wherein the call flow further comprises an associated data set, comprising: activating the existing call flow, the existing call flow generating a series of questions designed to obtain information from a caller; determining if an exception condition has occurred; allowing a user to activate an exception call flow in response to the exception condition; retaining the data set associated with the call flow when the exception condition occurred; adapting the data set such that the call flow addresses the exception condition; analyzing the adapted data set to determine if it is unique; and, modifying the existing call flow to incorporate the adapted data set if the adapted data set is unique.

Abstract: A method for analyzing sentiment comprising: collecting an object from an external content repository, the collected objects forming a content database; extracting a snippet related to the subject from the content database; calculating a sentiment score for the snippet; classifying the snippet into a sentiment category; creating sentiment taxonomy using the sentiment categories, the sentiment taxonomy classifying the snippets as positive, negative or neutral; identifying topic words within the sentiment taxonomy; classifying the topic words as a sentiment topic word candidates or a non-sentiment topic word candidate, filtering the non-sentiment topic word candidates; identifying the frequency of the non-sentiment topic words in each of the sentiment categories; identifying the importance of the non-sentiment topic word for each of the sentiment categories; and, ranking the topic word, wherein the rank is calculated by combining the frequency of the topic words in each of the categories with its importance.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products for automatically identifying a calling party using voice recognition. Voice recognition is the computing task of identifying or validating a person's identity using characteristics of their voice. A first voice record is obtained from an identifiable party and associated with a voice identifier. When a second voice record is received from a calling party, the voice in the second voice record is compared to the voice in the first voice record to determine the identity of the calling party. If the there is a match between the voice in the second voice record and the voice in the previously obtained first voice record, then the called party is notified of the identity of the calling party. A voice identifier, when available, is preferably displayed to the called party on a screen instead of caller ID information.

Abstract: A natural language business system and method is developed to understand the underlying meaning of a person's speech, such as during a transaction with the business system. The system includes a speech recognition engine, and action classification engine, and a control module.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a delay time interval of components are provided. The system includes a delay chain of components having a plurality of components wherein each component of the delay chain of components has a first delay time interval. The system utilizes a reference clock signal to stimulate the delay change of components and monitors a delay clock signal output by the delay chain of components to determine a delay time interval associated with each component in the delay chain of components.

Abstract: A data processing system comprises a local probe storage array having a plurality of sensors for reading data from a storage surface. A plurality of data processing elements are mounted on the storage array. Each data processing element is connected to different sensor of the array for processing data read by the connected sensor. The data processing elements may be logic gates for performing simple comparisons with input data. Alternatively, each data processing element may comprise more complex logic circuitry for performing more complex functions based on data read by the storage array. Such function may involve a combination of data read by the storage array and data input to the data processing system from an another source. Each data processing element may comprise a complete microprocessor system responsive to data read from the storage array.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for providing a skill level assessment of a developer of a given object, based on defects found in the object, includes: a processor configured for: receiving the object; obtaining at least one requirement associated with the object; obtaining at least one requirement associated with the developer of the object; finding defects in the object, based on the at least one requirement; mapping the defects found to a listing of actions; creating the skill level assessment of the developer using the mapped defects; and presenting the assessment to a user of the method. The system also includes a network interface, storage, and memory. In addition, logic stored in memory includes an obtain objects handler; a requirements assessment handler; a code analysis handler; a skill level handler; a report handler; and a development skill assessment database.

Abstract: A fast/slow state machine latch is provided that generates fast and slow select signals for a single toggle, low power multiplexer circuit. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the fast/slow state machine latch includes a first latch with a delayed output, a second latch with an undelayed output, an inverter for coupling the delayed output of the first latch to an input of the second latch, and an exclusive-OR (XOR) gate coupled to the delayed output of the first latch and a data input, an output of the XOR gate coupled to an input of the first latch. A method for incorporating low power multiplexer circuits into a circuit design with minimal input from a circuit designer is also provided.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a hierarchical tree and corresponding Least Recently Used (LRU) list are provided. Both include a predetermined quantity of nodes that are associated with invariant data objects. The nodes of the tree typically include a set of pointers that indicate a position/arrangement of the associated invariant data objects in the LRU list, and a set of pointers that indicate a logical relationship among the other nodes.

Abstract: An imaging device having many detector elements is used to construct multiple images of the surface of a specimen in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) using signals from different elements of the imaging device as the specimen is scanned a single time in the SEM.

Abstract: A method for upgrading one of several computer programs stored on an application server in a distributed computing environment while permitting the application server to continue to service requests for other computer programs. In accordance with the method, the application server is prevented from receiving any new requests for the computer program. The system then waits until all current requests serviced by the application server for that computer program have ended. Then, after acknowledging completion of upgrading of the computer program, the application server is permitted to receive any new requests for the computer program. Apparatuses for carrying out the inventive method are provided.

Abstract: A multi-actuator disk storage device has at least two actuators respectively mounting plural product heads. Servo writing is performed using the product heads themselves. A first servo write operation is performed that includes operating a product head of the first actuator as a first clock head to generate first clock reference information for the product heads of the second actuator, which are operated as servo write heads to perform servo writing of disk areas associated with the second actuator using the first clock reference information. To servo write disk areas associated with the first actuator, a second servo write operation is performed. This operation includes operating a product head of the second actuator as a second clock head to generate second clock reference information for the product heads of the first actuator, which are operated as a servo write heads to perform servo writing using the second clock reference information.

Abstract: A suspension member is designed to carry a slider and read/write head elements in a magnetic data storage device. The suspension member is formed from a composite laminate structure that includes first and second primary layers sandwiching an intermediate damping layer that lies between the primary layers. One or more integral constrained layer damping elements are disposed on the laminate structure. The configuration and location of the integral damping elements can be chosen to selectively reduce the gain of one or more dynamic frequencies (modes). Each integral damping element includes a constraining layer portion provided by an area in which one or both of the primary layers are reduced in thickness, preferably by way of a partial etching process. Each integral damping element also includes a constrained damping layer portion provided by an area of the damping layer that lies in interfacial engagement with the reduced thickness area providing the constraining layer portion.

Abstract: A rotary microactuator includes a stationary electrode formed on a substrate, a movable electrode in proximity to the stationary electrode, a flexure mechanically connecting the stationary electrode to the movable electrode, and a plurality of limiters anchored to the substrate. Each limiter has an in-plane limiter portion and an out-of-plane limiter portion. The in-plane limiter portion limits movement of the movable electrode to a predetermined in-plane distance in a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate. The out-of-plane limiter portion limits movement of the movement of the movable electrode to a predetermined out-of-plane distance.