Abstract: An improved semiconductor device, integrated circuit, and integrated circuit fabrication method introduce highly controlled air cavities within high-speed copper interconnects. A polymer material is introduced on the edges of interconnect lines and vias within an interconnect stack. This incorporates and controls air cavities formation, thus enhancing the signal propagation performance of the semiconductor interconnects.

Abstract: A transparent pellicle member or plate (1) is mounted across a reticle, substantially parallel thereto, so as to define a gas-tight space (9) therebetween. The pellicle (1) is mounted on a frame (3) by flexible connection members (20) provided at opposing edges of the pellicle (1). The flexible connection members (20) may be in the form of a “bellows” type arrangement, to provide optimum flexibility in the direction perpendicular to the reticle, but significant resistance in all other directions. As a result, changes in gas pressure difference between the space (9) and the surrounding atmosphere supports the pellicle (1) using the weight of the pellicle itself. In other words, the pellicle (1) “floats” on the gas pressure difference, which pressure difference is maintained in a passive way, i.e. no electrical, pneumatic or other external connection is required.

Abstract: For irradiating a layer a radiation beam is directed and focussed to a spot on the layer, relative movement of the layer relative to the lens is caused so that, successively, different portions of the layer are irradiated and an interspace between a surface of the lens nearest to the layer is maintained. Furthermore, at least a portion of the interspace through which the radiation irradiates the spot on the layer is maintained filled with a liquid, the liquid being supplied via a supply conduit. At least a portion of the liquid fills up a recess through which the radiation irradiates the spot.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a bi-stable display comprises: a driver (101, 102) which supplies drive waveforms (DWk) to the pixels (Pij) of the display during an image update period (IUk) wherein the image presented by the pixels (Pij) is updated. A temperature sensing circuit senses the temperature of the display. A controller (103) controls the driver (101, 102) to supply, during the image update period (IUk) wherein a particular optical transition of a particular one of the pixels (Pij) is required, an associated one of the drive waveforms (DWk) to the particular one of the pixels (Pij). The associated one of the drive waveforms (DWk) comprises a sequence of a particular number of pulses (SPk), wherein consecutive ones of the pulses (SPk) of the sequence are separated by a non-zero separation period of time (SPT), during which period a voltage level is supplied which substantially keeps an optical state of the particular one of the pixels (Pij) unaltered.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a display device (3) comprising a light-emission window (2), a reflector (8) arranged substantially parallel and opposite to the light-emission window, the illumination system having a height h. The illumination system is provided with a plurality of elongate light sources (6, 6?, 6?, . . . ) with diameter d and arranged at pitch p. Each light source is provided with a reflecting layer (7, 7?, 7?, . . . ) for reflecting part of the light emitted by the light source in the direction of the reflector. The reflecting layer forms an elongate concave reflecting surface in spaced relationship with the light source and covers the light source over a covering angle ?, the covering angle ? being in the range, wherein d1 is the distance between the center of the light source and the reflector. The illumination system has a highly uniform light distribution at the light-emission window.

Abstract: A light source for a scrolling color illumination system includes a lamp (212) producing light, first and second independent reflectors (220, 230) each receiving a portion of the light from the lamp (212), and a light guide (260) receiving two independent images of the light source created by the portions of the light received by the first and second independent reflectors (220, 230). Through such an arrangement, the light guide (260) provides a light beam at an output thereof having an aspect ratio that is twice an aspect ratio of the light beam produced by the lamp (212) while preserving its original etendue. Beneficially, a polarizing element (266) polarizes the unpolarized light beam from the light guide (260) and, in the process, the aspect ratio is further doubled, again without an increase in the etendue.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved brightness and reduced power consumption in transflective displays operating in transmissive mode. The invention is based on the inclusion of a depolarizing means (206) between the transflector (201) and the rear stack polarizer (202). The depolarizer (206) is arranged to selectively depolarize light originating from the backlight (203) and reflected by the transflector (201), without substantially affecting the light that is transmitted through the transflector. Thereby part of the reflected light is transmitted back through the rear stack polarizer (202) and can be recycled in the backlight (203). The invention is applicable to any transflective display having a transflector (201) that changes polarization of light originating from the backlight (203) upon reflection back towards the backlight (202).

Abstract: An access point (AP) (120a) manages and coordinates the switching of mobile devices (110) to other access points (120b, c, d). The access point (120a) monitors the quality of its communications link with the mobile device (110). When the access point (120a) determines that the quality is degrading, or when the access point (120a) determines that its traffic is excessive, or when another switch-triggering event (202) occurs, the access point (120a) sends a transfer-request to other access points (120b, c, d) in its vicinity. If another access point can accept the mobile device (110), it notifies the requesting access point (120a) that it is available. The requesting access point (120a) selects from among the available access points (120b, c, d), and notifies the mobile device (110) to switch to the selected access point.

Abstract: An accurate greyscale is obtained with more natural image updates when updating a display (310) in a bi-stable electronic reading device (300,400), such as one using an electrophoretic display, by applying a first shaking pulse (S1) to the display, applying a first portion (R1) of a reset pulse to the display following the first shaking pulse (S1), applying a second shaking pulse (S2) to the display following the first portion (R1), and applying a second portion (R2) of the reset pulse to the display following the second shaking pulse (S2). The first portion may have a standard reset duration, while the second portion has an over-reset duration. A visual shock effect is avoided which would otherwise as applied after the entire reset pulse.

Abstract: To control the sound output of various devices (1a, 1b, 1c, . . . ) a control unit (3) gathers information (I) on the sound output of the devices. Before a device starts producing sound, it submits a request (R) to the control unit. In response to the request, the control unit allocates a sound share (S) to the device on the basis of the sound information, the sound share involving a maximum volume. Thus the volume of any new sound is determined by the volume of the existing sound. An optional priority schedule may allow existing sound to be reduced in volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recording information on a multi-layer record carrier, especially a dual layer disc. By recording control information in a control information zone (311,312,321,322) before recording user information after a layer jump, it is ensured that all user information can be read and recorded reliably, while the storage capacity of the record carrier for storing user information is not reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data carrier (DC) for carrying a data content (CONT) belonging to an authorized domain (AD). Said data carrier (DC) comprises a data carrier data right management system (M-DRM) ruled by first rights (R1) of exporting said data content (CONT) to a reading apparatus (RA). Said authorized domain comprises a domain data right management system (AD-DRM) ruled by second rights (R2) of exporting said data content (CONT) to a reading apparatus (RA), said second rights depending on whether the reading apparatus belongs to the authorized domain. The data carrier (DC) comprises said data content (CONT) stored within a data carrier data content file (CCF) having a data carrier format specified by said data carrier data right management system (M-DRM), a data carrier license (ML) comprising said first rights (R1) and a domain license (DL) comprising said second rights (R2), said domain license (DL) being stored as a data carrier domain license file (CDLF) having said data carrier format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply arrangement (10) comprising a first power supply (11) which produces a first output voltage and supplies it to a first device (12), e.g. an AM/FM tuner, a receiver or some other equipment sensitive to switching operations, and a second power supply (14) which produces a second output voltage and supplies it to a second device (15, 16, 17), the second supply being operative when the first device is off. The power supply arrangement further comprises a control means (18) arranged to operate the second power supply. Typically, the control means turns the second power supply off when the first device is operating, and switches the second supply into operation when the first device is inoperative. The present invention enables a power supply arrangement which is suitable for use with an EMI sensitive device, which is cost-effective, small, highly efficient and has low standby power.

Abstract: An adaptive filtering device and method where at least one adaptive filter receives an input signal and a metering device receives an output of the at least one adaptive filter, monitors a characteristic of the output, such as power of high-frequency components, and forwards a correction signal in a feedback loop to adjust the characteristic of the at least one filter in order to change the characteristic of the output. An adaptive filtering device (200) and method where two low-pass FIR filters (202, 204) receive an input signal, a weighted adder (206) receives outputs from the two low-pass FIR filters and changes a weighting of each to produce filtered output data, and a controller (208) that receives a cutoff frequency (203), supplies the cut-off frequency to the two low-pass FIR filters, and supplies a signal to the weighted adder for varying the weighting of each of the low-pass FIR filters to switch therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of establishing a wireless communication connection between a source apparatus (20) and the spatially closest target apparatus (12). The source apparatus (20) transmits search signals (21) at an increasing range (Rd), and a communication connection (22) is established with that target apparatus (12) which is the first to be within range of the search signals (21). After the communication connection has been established, the range (Rc) for the actual communication connection (22) is preferably increased. The communication may be realized particularly in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol and may be used in, for example, a patient-monitoring system.

Abstract: Method of controlling a current through a coil (L) for the generation of a magnetic field (H) in which: a parameter is determined which is a measure for the value of the resistance (RL) of the coil (L), the current (IL) through the coil (L) is controlled by data (DS) delivered by a data control circuit (DSS), and a stop data signal (SPD) is delivered to the data control circuit (DSS) for (at least) temporarily stopping the control of the current (IL) when the parameter exceeds a certain limit.

Abstract: A light-valve system is adapted to recycle light includes a light-valve, which is optically coupled to a projection lens. The illustrative systems also includes a light recycling device, which reflects at least a portion of the light that is reflected by the light valve back along a light path of the system and to an imaging surface increasing the brightness of an image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluorescent lamp whereof the fluorescent layer consists of from 1 tot 3 water-dispersible phosphors, such that said lamp has a peak wavelength in each of the red, green and deep-red wavelength regions, wherein deep-red phosphor is derived from a non-activated green, water-dispersible phosphor. The fluorescent layer consists preferably of a red, Eu3+ activated phosphor, a green, Tb3+ activated phosphor and a deep-red Mn2+ activated phosphor, wherein said deep-red Mn2+ activated phosphor is a Tb3+,Mn2+ activated phosphor. The Tb3+,Mn2+ activated phosphor is preferably a (GdMg)B5O10:Ce3+,Tb3+,Mn2+ phosphor. Such phosphors can be applied as an aqueous suspension in the production process of a fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: The device of the invention comprises a semiconductor element, a first connection element, a first patterned electrically conductive layer and a second patterned electrically conductive layer. The device is further provided with an encapsulation that encapsulates all except the first conductive layer, which is part of the substrate. The device can be suitably made in that the second conductive layer is provided, in pre-patterned form, with a permeable isolating layer as a foil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blended light lamp (1) having an incandescent lamp (2) and a gas discharge lamp (3), a rectifier (4), an energy storage means (5) and an ignition device (6). The high-pressure discharge has an operating voltage of 180 V, which can be achieved by filling a discharge vessel of the gas discharge lamp (3) with, in particular, an amount of mercury of 153 micromole/cm3. In this way a high total luminous flux can be obtained in the operating state.