Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures incorporating tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and of simultaneously fabricating self-aligned tight pitch contacts and conductive lines using various techniques for defining patterns having sublithographic dimensions. Semiconductor structures having tight pitch contacts aligned with active area features and, optionally, aligned conductive lines are also disclosed, as are semiconductor structures with tight pitch contact holes and aligned trenches for conductive lines.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical line terminal (OLT) configured to couple to a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) and transmit a plurality of downstream frames to the ONUs, wherein each of the downstream frames comprises a plurality of forward error correction (FEC) codewords and a plurality of additional non-FEC encoded bytes that comprise synchronization information that is protected by Header Error Control (HEC) code. An apparatus comprising a processing unit configured to arrange control data, user data, or both into a plurality of FEC codewords in a downstream frame and arrange a physical synchronization sequence (PSync), a superframe structure, and a Passive Optical Network-identifier (PON-ID) structure in a plurality of additional non-FEC encoded bytes in the downstream frame, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the FEC codewords and the additional non-FEC encoded bytes in the downstream frame within a 125 microsecond window.

Abstract: Methods of incorporating impurities into materials can be useful in non-volatile memory devices as well as other integrated circuit devices. Various embodiments provide for incorporating impurities into a material using a discontinuous mask.

Abstract: A method of operating a barcode reader. The method includes (1) detecting a first pulling of the trigger while the barcode reader is at the waiting mode; (2) detecting a first release of the trigger within a first predetermined time period after the first pulling of the trigger is detected, for operating the barcode reader in the aiming mode if the first release of the trigger is detected within the first predetermined time period,; and (3) detecting a second pulling of the trigger while the barcode reader is at the aiming mode within a second predetermined time period after the first release of the trigger is detected, for operating the barcode reader in the decoding mode if the second pulling of the trigger is detected within the second predetermined time period.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively controlling traffic in a network to improve network performance. The system includes a network controller that includes a first control-traffic prioritizer. An Access Point (AP) includes a second control-traffic prioritizer and communicates with the network controller. One or more clients communicate with the AP. The communications behavior of the client is affected by operations of the first control-traffic prioritizer and the second control-traffic prioritizer.

Abstract: A flash memory card and methods of manufacturing same are disclosed. The card includes a semiconductor package fabricated to receive a single-sided or double-sided lid. A surface of the semiconductor package may be formed with holes, trenches and/or pockmarks. After the holes, trenches and/or pockmarks are formed, a lid may be attached to the package surface in an injection molding process. During the injection molding process, the molten plastic flows into the holes, trenches and/or pockmarks to interconnect with the surface of the semiconductor package. Thus, when the molten plastic hardens, the holes, trenches and/or pockmarks ensure that the lid remains firmly attached to semiconductor package.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for generating user communities based on common interests. Users demonstrating a potential interest in a product and/or product class in an electronic commerce system are identified. A geographic location of each of the users can also be identified. The geographic area can be expanded or reduced so that the pool of users in a community meets minimum and/or maximum thresholds. An event can be created on behalf of the users in an establishment. An electronic forum can also be created. The users in a community can also be linked together in a social networking system.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes a coil, a main pole, and a return path section. The return path section includes a plurality of magnetic path portions that separate a magnetic flux into a plurality of fluxes and allow the fluxes to pass therethrough in parallel. The coil includes a winding portion disposed around an assemblage of the plurality of magnetic path portions. In any cross section that intersects all of the plurality of magnetic path portions, the distance between two adjacent magnetic path portions is smaller than the minimum width of each of the two adjacent magnetic path portions, and only a nonmagnetic layer is present between the two adjacent magnetic path portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for managing an incoming transport stream. The system can include controls configured for modifying program content as well as for remapping the packet identifiers. These controls thus can be employed for adapting incoming stream information to facilitate the specified actions on the incoming content that is to be managed.

Abstract: A method for teaching a switching circuit is provided. The method includes presenting a target within a sensing range of a sensor of the switching circuit for a pre-determined duration and acquiring an identification code of the target via the sensor. The method also includes storing the acquired identification code for operating the switching circuit and locking the switching circuit against learning identification codes of any other target prior to reaching an allowed number of reteaching attempts.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for a backlight module is disclosed, which includes a light guide plate, a circuit having a plurality of circuit contacts integrated with the light guide plate, and a light source disposed on the light guide plate and electrically contacted to the plurality of circuit contacts.

Abstract: A system and method of providing composite real-time dynamic imagery of a medical procedure site from multiple modalities which continuously and immediately depicts the current state and condition of the medical procedure site synchronously with respect to each modality and without undue latency is disclosed. The composite real-time dynamic imagery may be provided by spatially registering multiple real-time dynamic video streams from the multiple modalities to each other. Spatially registering the multiple real-time dynamic video streams to each other may provide a continuous and immediate depiction of the medical procedure site with an unobstructed and detailed view of a region of interest at the medical procedure site at multiple depths.

Abstract: Disclosed are conferencing systems, devices, architectures, and methods for managing a conference spanning system to facilitate participation in a plurality of conferences at the same time. An exemplary system having devices and/or structures in accordance with embodiments can include: (i) a plurality of conferences, each conference being configured to support a plurality of media modes; (ii) a presentation mechanism configured to support the plurality of media modes from the plurality of conferences; and (iii) a selector for selecting a conference from the plurality of conferences and designating the selected conference as an active conference and designating non-selected conferences as background conferences, wherein the active conference is assigned at least one enhanced media mode in the presentation mechanism.

Abstract: A pixel having an electronic shutter suitable for use in a pixel array of an imaging device includes a pinned diode and a shutter transistor. The pinned diode is utilized as a storage device while the shutter transistor controls charge transfer from the electronic shutter. The use of a pinned diode as a charge storage device for the electronic shutter permits greater charge transfer efficiency, has lower leakage (or “dark” current), and permits the resulting pixel to have a greater fill factor than pixels utilizing conventional electronic shutter circuits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for compression is disclosed, including receiving source data, creating at least one template based upon common data, and creating a compressed record including a reference to the at least one template and a template delta that represents a difference between the at least one template and source data.

Abstract: A variety of methods and systems are described that relate to reducing optical noise. In at least one embodiment, the method includes, emitting a first light having a selected wavelength from a light source, receiving a reflected first light onto a phosphor-based layer positioned inside a receiver, the reflected first light being at least some of the emitted first light that has been reflected by an object positioned outside of a desired target location. The method further includes, shifting the wavelength of the received reflected first light due to an interaction between the received reflected first light and the phosphor-based layer, and passing the received reflected first light with respect to which the wavelength has been shifted through a light detector without detection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260,1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Active electronic damping (1900) reduces oscillation when an inconsistency in thickness of the article is encountered during weighing. The damping force is subtracted from the capstan motor torque data for improved accuracy (FIG. 20B).

Abstract: A method includes delivering an electrical signal over an electrical conductor to a transmitter module, which includes a memory holding compensation values corresponding respectively to different conductor lengths. One or more of the compensation values is retrieved from the memory of the transmitter module, and a waveform of the electrical signal is modified responsively to the retrieved compensation values. The electrical signal having the modified waveform is transmitted using the transmitter module over a communication link.

Abstract: A split-band system for processing a broadband input signal is disclosed. A signal divider divides the input signal into at least a higher frequency band and a lower frequency band. The lower frequency band is processed in a lower frequency circuit path. The higher frequency band is processed in a higher frequency circuit path. The higher frequency circuit path has a group delay equal to the lower frequency circuit path. A signal combiner combines the processed lower frequency band and the processed higher frequency band into an output signal.